Mount Meru University

This study aims to improve the quantity and quality of students. In the learning process, the selection of the right learning method greatly affects the high and low learning outcomes of students. This study is a classroom action research that uses four steps, namely planning, action, observation and reflection. The subjects of this study were 17 students in grade 5 at MI Tarbiyatul Aulad Kaliloka Sirampog Brebes. Classroom action research was carried out in two cycles. The data for this study were obtained using test techniques and non-test techniques. The data analysis techniques used in this study were documents, tests and observations. The results of the study showed that the average learning outcomes of students increased. It is known that the KKM value that has been determined by the school is 77. In the pre-study, it was known that 17 students had not completed 10 and 7 students had completed. In cycle I, there was an increase of 11 students who completed with a percentage of 65% and 6 students who had not completed with a percentage of 35%. Furthermore, in cycle II there was an increase of 15% of students completing 11 with a percentage of 80% and 6 students who had not completed with a percentage of 20%. Thus, the strategy can improve student learning outcomes in the subject of Al Qur'an Hadith Learning outcomes material for short letters in the Qur'an.

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the scaffolding method in improving student learning outcomes on the material of respecting parents at MTs. IBNU ZAIN Purwakarta. Scaffolding is a learning strategy that provides gradual guidance to students until they can understand the material independently. In this study, the method used was classroom action research (CAR) with a quantitative approach. Data were collected through observation, learning outcome tests, and interviews to assess the development of student understanding before and after the implementation of scaffolding. The results showed that the scaffolding method contributed positively to improving students' understanding of the material of respecting parents. The support provided by the teacher, such as guiding questions, concrete examples, and group discussions, helped students build better understanding. In addition, students became more active in the learning process and were able to internalize the moral values ​​taught. In conclusion, the implementation of the scaffolding method systematically and continuously can improve student learning outcomes, especially in material related to moral values. Therefore, this method can be an effective learning alternative at the Madrasah Tsanawiyah level.

The burden of dementia is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but there are limited epidemiological data on dementia in SSA. This study investigated the prevalence and associations of dementia in older adults (less than 60y) attending the outpatient department of Mount Meru Hospital in Tanzania. This one-phase cross-sectional study screened a sample using the Identification of Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) cognitive screening tool. Those that screened as having possible and probable dementia were further assessed, and diagnosis of dementia was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Demographic and risk factor data were collected. Within those screened, 57/1141 (5.0%) (95% CI: 3.7-6.3) had dementia. Female sex [odds ratio (OR)=2.778, 95% CI: 1.074-7.189], having never attended school (OR=6.088, 95% CI: 1.360-27.256), alcohol (U/wk) (OR=1.080, 95% CI: 1.016-1.149), uncorrected visual impairment (OR=4.260, 95% CI: 1.623-11.180), body mass index <18.5kg/m 2 (OR=6.588, 95% CI: 2.089-20.775), and stroke (OR=15.790, 95% CI: 3.48-74.475) were found to be significantly, independently associated with dementia. The prevalence of dementia in this population is similar to a recent community-based rate in Tanzania and lower than a hospital-based rate in Senegal. This is the first time the association between visual impairment and dementia has been reported in SSA. Other associations are in keeping with previous literature.

Background:The majority of people with dementia live in low-and middle-income countries(LMICs). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) human-resource shortages in mentalhealth and geriatric medicine are well recognized. Use of technologicalsolutions may improve access to diagnosis. We aimed to assess the diagnosticaccuracy of a brief dementia screening mobile application (app) fornon-specialist workers in rural Tanzania against blinded gold-standarddiagnosis of DSM-5 dementia. The app includes 2 previously-validatedculturally appropriate low-literacy screening tools for cognitive (IDEAcognitive screen) and functional impairment (abbreviated IDEA-IADLquestionnaire).Methods:This was a 2-stage community-based door-to-door study. In Stage1, ruralprimary health workers approached all individuals aged ≥60 years forapp-based dementia screening in 12 villages in Hai district, KilimanjaroTanzania.In Stage 2, a stratified sub-sample were clinically-assessed for dementiablind to app screening score. Assessment included clinical history,neurological and bedside cognitive assessment and collateral history.Results:3011 (of 3122 eligible) older people consented to screening. Of these, 610were evaluated in Stage 2. For the IDEA cognitive screen, the area under thereceiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was 0.79 (95% CI 0.74-0.83)for DSM-5 dementia diagnosis (sensitivity 84.8%, specificity 58.4%). Forthose 358 (44%) completing the full app, AUROC was 0.78 for combinedcognitive and informant-reported functional assessment.Conclusions:The pilot dementia screening app had good sensitivity but lacked specificityfor dementia when administered by non-specialist rural community workers.This technological approach may be a promising way forward in low-resourcesettings, specialist onward referral may be prioritized.

Dental fluorosis is endemic in the Rift Valley in Africa, especially around volcanic areas, due to the high fluoride content in daily drinking water. This study evaluates the oral health status and types of occlusion in a school population, and to assess the possible association between dental fluorosis and other pathologies such as decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. An observational study of 581 individuals recruited from a public secondary school in Arusha, Northern Tanzania was undertaken. The indices used were: the Silness & Löe Plaque Index, the Community Periodontal Index and the Decayed/Missing/Filled index. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed and a chi-square test was used to assess the associations between independent variables. Almost all the school children evaluated (96.73%) presented Angle class I dental occlusion, and 75.22% presented some degree of dental fluorosis. Most of the population (511, 87.95%) showed bleeding on probing. A moderate/high degree of some dental pathology (DMF score) was recorded in 14.46%. The association between dental fluorosis, gingival bleeding and tooth decay indicated a higher concentration of pathology in groups with more severe fluorosis (p<0.05). In this large population sample, both tooth decay and gingivitis were significantly associated with moderate or severe dental fluorosis.

Performance management is one of the important key activities performed by organizations to monitor the performance of their employees. Organizations must regularly evaluate the performance of their employees in order to understand their current and future abilities. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of performance management on employee and organizational performance. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and involved a sample size of 120 human resource officers and managers from selected private organizations in Tanzania. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the results presented using tables. The findings of the study reveal that private organizations practice performance management and have effective performance management system to evaluate/appraise the performance of their employees. Moreover, the findings reveal that there is a significant relationship between performance management and employee performance as well as between performance management and organizational performance. The study recommends the need of the private organizations to maintain and continue practising and implementing effective performance management systems, also to continue evaluating the performance of their employees frequently because it helps to determine training needs and at the same time acts as a motivational strategy hence leads to a better performance of employees and organization.