AgSecure Africa ProgrammeTM: A Blended Training Approach for Africa

An innovative training program entitled "AgSecure Africa Programme^TM" was developed in partnership with the South African Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR) to train veterinarians, animal health technicians, researchers and laboratory personnel. Three blended courses consisting of both virtual and in-person delivery were provided with the intent of contributing to the better prevention, detection and control of infectious diseases of livestock and poultry of significant importance for the region with a strong emphasis on transboundary animal diseases. A "train the trainer" model of instruction was employed to equip participants with the ability to train and share knowledge with colleagues and small-holder farmers in their various communities and regions. The design of this program was to increase the capacity of veterinarians and veterinary diagnosticians to safely and accurately diagnose infectious livestock diseases and to also empower small-holder farmers with the knowledge needed to safely and securely manage their livestock and be a first line defense in the prevention and control of infectious livestock diseases. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations were used to measure the impact of the trainings which revealed significant increases in knowledge gains. Course materials were submitted and approved for accreditation by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) becoming the first international training program to achieve this. Approval of these courses led to licensed veterinarians and animal health technicians being awarded continuing professional development credits upon their successful completion of courses. A larger goal was to build training capacity, not only for South Africa, but also for the region.

Testing Usability and Acceptability of a Web Application to Promote Physical Activity (iCanFit) Among Older Adults

Background

Most older Americans do not exercise regularly and many have chronic conditions. Among an increasing number of fitness mobile and Web apps, few are designed for older adults with chronic conditions despite high ownership rates of mobile tools and Internet access in this population. We designed a mobile-enabled Web app, iCanFit, to promote physical activity in this population.

Objective

This study aimed to test the usability and acceptability of iCanFit among older adults in a community setting.

Methods

A total of 33 older adults (aged 60 to 82 years) were recruited from communities to test iCanFit. Of these 33, 10 participants completed the usability testing in a computer room of a senior community center. A research assistant timed each Web application task and observed user navigation behavior using usability metrics. The other 23 participants used the website on their own devices at home and provided feedback after 2-3 weeks by completing a user-experience survey assessing ease of use, helpfulness, and satisfaction with iCanFit.

Results

Participants completed all 15 tasks on the iCanFit site in an average of 31 (SD 6.9) minutes; some tasks required more time or needed assistance. Participants’ comments were addressed to improve the site’s senior friendliness and ease of use. In the user-experience survey, participants reported high levels of usefulness and satisfaction. More than 56% (13/23) of participants indicated they would continue using the program and recommend it to their families or friends.

Conclusions

Testing usability and acceptability is a very important step in developing age-appropriate and user-friendly Web apps, especially for older adults. Testing usability and acceptability in a community setting can help reveal users’ experiences and feedback in a real-life setting. Our study suggested that older adults had a high degree of acceptance of iCanFit and could use it easily. The efficacy trial of iCanFit is currently underway.

sensitivity patterns of respiratory type Haemophilus Influenzae from purulent sputum specimens

Of 50 strains of Haemophilus influenzae isolated from purulent sputum specimens, 100 per cent were fully sensitive to chloramphenicol, all of them being more sensitive than the Staphylococcus aureus (Oxford strain) control.

Only 36 per cent were fully sensitive to ampicillin, but the other 64 per cent were moderately sensitive; none were resistant.

Eighty four per cent were fully sensitive to tetracycline, 38 per cent to sulpha-methoxazole and 74 per cent to trimethoprim.

None of the strains were fully sensitive to penicillin or clindamycin. Only 32 per cent of strains were moderately sensitive to clindamycin and the rest were completely resistant. Reports that Haemophilus influenzae is sensitive to clindamycin are thought to be in error.

Conclusions are drawn from these results which might influence antibiotic treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.