Ballsbridge University

Background: The use of plastics in many aspects of daily life has become a globally accepted practice and one that is here to stay. Plastic is inexpensive, readily available, lightweight, and strong, making it the preferred material for various applications in agriculture, packaging, electronics, and other human activities. Population increase and industrialization have led to the extensive production of plastic materials, which has resulted in the attendant generation of plastic waste. Improper disposal of this waste can lead to a vast accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, which can pose serious health and ecological risks to residents. Aim: This study assessed the health and ecological risks of plastic waste pollution in Lagos State. It also examined residents' awareness of plastic waste pollution and identified factors contributing to its prevalence in the State. Methodology: .The study was a cross-sectional survey targeting adult residents of the State - 18 years and above. A sample size of 385 was calculated from the estimated population of 15,500,000 [as reported by the Lagos State Bureau of Statistics, 2024], using Raosoft sample size calculator. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire which was shared electronically to the participants. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Descriptive statistics was deployed for data evaluation, and results were expressed as percentages and frequencies Results: A total of 380 respondents participated, out of which 94.2% of the respondents are educated up to tertiary [57.4%] and post-tertiary [36.8%] levels. The results showed that most of the respondents [98.2%] were aware of plastic waste pollution, with 82% recognising the possibility of health risks and 79% acknowledging the possible ecological risks arising from plastic waste pollution. Conclusion: The study found that plastic waste pollution poses significant health and ecological risks in the state. These risks can be reduced by implementing specific measures, such as enhancing plastic waste management, fostering collaboration between the government and stakeholders to promote eco-friendly alternatives to plastics, and enforcing stricter waste disposal regulations.

Job performance is about satisfying a need, whether it is to meet an individual need or, a corporate need, a collective need or a generational need. Satisfying a need leads to high-quality job performance while failure to satisfy a need leads to poor-quality job performance. Job performance is a teamwork responsibility and assignment aimed at fulfilling a specific corporate (institutional or organisational) vision and mission, directly impacting the overall empowerment, success, survival and lifespan of an individual, a corporate and a collective. As a major contribution to challenges of job performance, the chapter will be researching the dynamics of needs relative to individual, corporate, collective and generational job performance, aiming at coming out not only with findings, but a proposed model approach about job performance. In newly established institutions or organisations, these needs dynamics could be a challenge affecting all leadership levels, while in well-established institutions and organisations the needs dynamics could be a challenge in one or in few leadership levels. The chapter’s contribution is about adding value to job performance in organisations and institutions through emphasis on interdependence of job performance levels and the added value of cross-leadership influence approach in improving job performance at all leadership levels.

<p>The study entitled “Analysis of planning, budgeting and accounting functions of Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS) and public funds management in the local government. Case of Nyamasheke District, Rwanda (2015-2022)” was conducted to achieve three specific objectives such as: to analyze the significance of IFMIS planning function on public fund management in Nyamasheke District, to assess the significance of IFMIS budgeting function on public fund management in Nyamasheke District and to examine the significance of IFMIS accounting function on public fund management in Nyamasheke District. To achieve study objectives, the study used descriptive, quantitative, and correlative research designs. Primary data and secondary data also were used. Primary data were collected from 152 staff in Nyamasheke district who have relation to the IFMIs use and management from different entities from district to sector level. Data collection was done using a questionnaire and documentation. Data analysis was done with the support of SPSS version 20 to generate a linear regression model and bivariate correlation model as well as descriptive statistics. The study findings show that the model had an F ratio of 42.474 and the P value was 0.000<0.000, signifying that the F ratio was statistically significant, therefore the overall regression model for all the variables tested was statistically significant and can be used for prediction at 5% significant level. This further indicates that the predictor variables (Planning (P), Budgeting (B), and Accounting (A) used in this study as IFMIS functions are statistically significant to the public fund management in Nyamasheke District. Therefore, the formulated Null Hypothesis stating that there is no significant influence of IFMIS planning, budgeting, and accounting IFMIS functions on the public fund management in Nyamasheke District, failed to be accepted in favor of the alternative hypothesis or its opposite. The conclusion of the study relies on the acceptance or failure to accept study hypothesizes. Based on the H0 or Null Hypothesis “There is no significant influence of IFMIS planning, budgeting, and accounting IFMIS functions on the performance of public fund management in Nyamasheke District” the results show that the planning, budgeting, and accounting as IFMIS functions each contribute 68% to the implementation of public funds management in the local government, case of Nyamasheke District. Due to that, the conclusion relies on the rejection of the Null Hypothesis and considers the alternative hypothesis or its opposite.</p><p> </p><p><strong>JEL: </strong>M10; M40; M41</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0057/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Study objective: To determine what relation, if any, exists between mortality patterns, indicators of deprivation, general lifestyle and social attitudes, as exemplified by general election voting pattern, in the Republic of Ireland. A relation has been demonstrated previously between voting and mortality patterns in the United Kingdom. Design: Cross sectional ecological study using three data sources. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were based on mortality rates at county level and 1996 census data from the Central Statistics Office, 1997 general election first preference voting data in all 41 constituencies were aggregated to county level. Selected reported measures of health status, lifestyle and social circumstances are from the first ever National survey on lifestyles, attitudes and nutrition (SLAN). This study comprised adults over 18 years sampled by post using the electoral register from 273 representative district electoral divisions. Univariate inter-relations were examined at individual level for the dataset as a whole, adjusting for age and at aggregated level for 26 county borough areas, which included the two largest cities and for 22 county areas, which afforded correlation with voting pattern, using the method of Pearson's correlation coefficient. Participants: 1 806 932 votes were cast nationally at the 1997 general election, representing a voter turnout of 65.92 %. There was an overall response rate of 62% to SLAN comprising 6539 adults (47% male). The demographic pattern of survey respondents was consistent with that of the general population over 18 years. Main results: At individual level there was a large number of highly significant inter-relations between indicators of deprivation, various measures of self rated health status and lifestyle factors. Aggregated at 26 county level percentage unemployed (r=0.408, p=0.038), and level of education (r=0.475, p=0.014) related significantly to SMR and inversely to both fruit and vegetable consumption (r=−0.672, p=0.001) and excess alcohol consumption among men (r=−595, p=0.003). Those rating their health as fair or poor were more likely to report a poor quality of life (r=0.487, p=0.022), to have none or primary school education only (r=0.428, p=0.047), or to have a means tested medical services card (r=0.428, p=0.047). There was no significant relation between SMR and voting pattern for the two main political parties (67.28% first preferences) but a significant relation with left wing voting (r=0.446, p=0.037). Fianna Fail voting pattern was inversely related to level of dissatisfaction with health (r= −0.59, p<0.05). There was a positive significant relation between left wing voting and dissatisfaction with health (r=0.51, p<0.02) and rate of smoking (r=0.47, p=0.03). Smoking pattern also related positively to rates of voter abstention (r=0.526, p=0.12). Conclusions: These data are consistent with those in other countries in showing a relation between deprivation indicators and lifestyle, but differ in that no relation with SMR and the votes cast for the main parties was seen in a country with a mainly centre right voting pattern. The relation between left wing voting pattern and some indicators of deprivation and lifestyle suggest that party political voting patterns and affiliations could be a useful indicator of vertical social capital. However, its variability as a measure across countries suggests that the inter-relation between sociocultural and economic factors and the consequent influence on health status is not straightforward.