Papers by Vera Florida MKENDA
Development in Practice, Nov 1, 2003
Taylorf&FrancishGrnp Measuring t he invisibles: gender mainstreaming and monitoring experience fr... more Taylorf&FrancishGrnp Measuring t he invisibles: gender mainstreaming and monitoring experience from a dairy development project i n Tanzania Vera F Mkenda-Mugittu Development projects are under pressure to deliver positive gender changes. This paper provides a practical example of how one project in Tanzania attempted to meet this demand. It details how a conventional technical project developed its own understanding of what it is to be gender sensitive, and identified gender concerns that it might address. The main monitoring challenges became those of how to assess the significance of routinely recorded events such as increased cow allocations to women, and how to incorporate monitoring activities that might focus on researching less obvious, less visible, and more subtle processes of change into the project cycle. The paper advocates giving greater attention to meeting these challenges within projects.
AAS open research, Sep 4, 2020
Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergra... more Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as retired clinical, laboratory and epidemiological technocrats in dealing with medical emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to key informants in six universities and two research institutions working with the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) program eight African countries. The return rate was 88.9% and data was analysed using the framework method. Results: Students and other personnel trained in the medical and health professions are a valuable resource that can be mobilised by African governments during medical emergency situations. These are found in research, academia, non-governmental organisations, and government. However, without clear plans and mechanisms for recruiting, supervising and remunerating or reimbursing the costs of engaging someone not employed by the government, the legitimation and authority for such recruitment becomes a challenge. Currently, postgraduate students in the biomedical sciences are the most preferred because of their level of experience and exposure to medical techniques. They also have a degree certificate, which serves as a quality and competence assurance tool. Engagement of postgraduate medical students undergoing their residence programmes also seems a lot easier. While on the other hand, undergraduate students, who are the majority, are considered underexposed and with low technological capabilities. They also lack
International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development, Mar 1, 2021
This article deals with the challenge of addressing antimicrobial resistance in resource-poor cou... more This article deals with the challenge of addressing antimicrobial resistance in resource-poor countries. It explores the possibilities of using rapid diagnostic tests to improve animal health management and treatment, particularly in situations where laboratory veterinary infrastructure is limited. Using data from a survey undertaken in 2018, three composite variables, i.e. perceived usefulness, compatibility with existing practices, and ease of use, derived from the Model of Technological Acceptance and Diffusion Innovation Theory are used to analyse the perceived characteristics and values of rapid diagnostic test devices for farmers. Results suggest smallholder farmers' willingness to adopt and use the tests provided they are affordable, easy to use and suitable to their local conditions-a common referential being mobile phones. While such tests have the potential to improve how antibiotics are used in smallholder farms, they are more likely to instigate more general improvements in how treatment-decisions are made without necessarily reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use. The adoption may also imply a diminishing need for traditional veterinary services, thus making farmers more self-sufficient in animal health care. Farmers also seem to be more concerned by false negatives leading to sick animals missing vital treatment than by false positive where drugs will be administered to healthy animals. Overall promoting rapid diagnostic test technologies inevitably calls for new controls and regulations.
Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergra... more Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as retired clinical, laboratory and epidemiological technocrats in dealing with medical emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to key informants in six universities and two research institutions working with the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) program eight African countries. The return rate was 88.9% and data was analysed using the framework method. Results : Students and other personnel trained in the medical and health professions are a valuable resource that can be mobilised by African governments during medical emergency situations. These are found in research, academia, non-governmental organisations, and government. However, without clear plans and mechanisms for recruiting, supervising and remunerating or reimbursing the costs of engaging someone not employed by the gov...
Measuring the invisibles: Gender mainstreaming and monitoring experience from a dairy development project in Tanzania
Development in Practice, Jul 1, 2010
Exploring the willingness to adopt rapid diagnostic tests to improve antimicrobial medicine use amongst Tanzanian livestock farmers
International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development
This article deals with the challenge of addressing antimicrobial resistance in resource-poor cou... more This article deals with the challenge of addressing antimicrobial resistance in resource-poor countries. It explores the possibilities of using rapid diagnostic tests to improve animal health management and treatment, particularly in situations where laboratory veterinary infrastructure is limited. Using data from a survey undertaken in 2018, three composite variables, i.e. perceived usefulness, compatibility with existing practices and ease of use, derived from the Model of Technological Acceptance and Diffusion Innovation Theory are used to analyse the perceived characteristics and values of rapid diagnostic test devices for farmers. Results suggest smallholder farmers’ willingness to adopt and use the tests provided they are affordable, easy to use and suitable to their local conditions ‐ a common referential being mobile phones. While such tests have the potential to improve how antibiotics are used in smallholder farms, they are more likely to instigate more general improvement...
Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergra... more Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as retired clinical, laboratory and epidemiological technocrats in dealing with medical emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to key informants in six universities and two research institutions working with the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) program eight African countries. The return rate was 88.9% and data was analysed using the framework method. Results: Students and other personnel trained in the medical and health professions are a valuable resource that can be mobilised by African governments during medical emergency situations. These are found in research, academia, non-governmental organisations, and government. However, without clear plans and mechanisms for recruiting, supervising and remunerating or reimbursing the costs of engaging someone not employed by the government, the legitimation and authority for such recruitment becomes a challenge. Currently, postgraduate students in the biomedical sciences are the most preferred because of their level of experience and exposure to medical techniques. They also have a degree certificate, which serves as a quality and competence assurance tool. Engagement of postgraduate medical students undergoing their residence programmes also seems a lot easier. While on the other hand, undergraduate students, who are the majority, are considered underexposed and with low technological capabilities. They also lack certificates needed to ensure competence, although we argue that not all tasks during pandemics require specialized skills. Conclusion: As a step towards strengthening national disaster preparedness capacities, African governments need to develop plans that clarify protocols for engaging, training, supervising and protecting students, especially undergraduates and those taking nonbiomedical courses. Such plans may form part of the National Pandemic Response Plan, while considering both specialised and nonspecialized roles of emergency response.
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Papers by Vera Florida MKENDA