Abstract Large public-health training events may result in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Universal SARS-CoV-2 testing during trainings for the Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment identified 28 of 475 (5.9%) individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among attendees; most (89.3%) were asymptomatic. Until COVID-19 vaccine is readily available for staff and participants, effective COVID-19 mitigation measures, along with SARS-CoV-2 testing, are recommended for in-person trainings, particularly when trainees will have subsequent contact with survey participants.
The assessment of aesthetic values and a wide range of cultural and natural heritage resources in the Old Oyo National Park were investigated. These resources were classified into four ecotourism features. Their aesthetic values were carried out through objective (Expert 's judgement) and subjective (public preference) methods of landscape assessment. Descriptive inventory was carried out through transects walk wh ile public preference involves administration of questionnaires to the tourists. On the basis of objective method, the four classified features were subdivided into four characters and tabulated against tourist elements. The ecotourism features scored on the tourist elements were analyzed using chi-square test of homogeneity; it was concluded that the ecotourism features do not score equally on the various tourist elements. The result of subjective method revealed that the fauna resources have the highest scenic attractions supporting diverse ecotourism activ ities. Ho wever, the result of the descriptive inventory revealed that the hydrological features consisting of Dam Lake, Rivers and their tributaries and hand dug well scored highest on the seven categories of tourism elements compared with other ecotourism features. This research output will assist the management of Old Oyo Nat ional Park in integrating aesthetic value assessments and imp lementation as part of the planning process.
Objective: State-issued behavioral policy interventions (BPIs) can limit community spread of COVID-19, but their effects on COVID-19 transmission may vary by level of social vulnerability in the community. We examined the association between the duration of BPIs and the incidence of COVID-19 across levels of social vulnerability in US counties. Methods: We used COVID-19 case counts from USAFacts and policy data on BPIs (face mask mandates, stay-at-home orders, gathering bans) in place from April through December 2020 and the 2018 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We conducted multilevel linear regression to estimate the associations between duration of each BPI and monthly incidence of COVID-19 (cases per 100 000 population) by SVI quartiles (grouped as low, moderate low, moderate high, and high social vulnerability) for 3141 US counties. Results: Having a BPI in place for longer durations (ie, ≥2 months) was associated with lower incidence of COVID-19 compared with having a BPI in place for <1 month. Compared with having no BPI in place or a BPI in place for <1 month, differences in marginal mean monthly incidence of COVID-19 per 100 000 population for a BPI in place for ≥2 months ranged from –4 cases in counties with low SVI to –401 cases in counties with high SVI for face mask mandates, from –31 cases in counties with low SVI to –208 cases in counties with high SVI for stay-at-home orders, and from –227 cases in counties with low SVI to –628 cases in counties with high SVI for gathering bans. Conclusions: Establishing COVID-19 prevention measures for longer durations may help reduce COVID-19 transmission, especially in communities with high levels of social vulnerability.
Aims: Assessment is a key promoter of student learning and in setting appropriate standards. In this review, we explore and assess current evidence on the assessment and evaluation of prescribing competencies, through a formal systematic literature review and a review of policies of regulatory bodies. We aim to make recommendations to promote existing best practice but also suggest additional steps for both institutional and national practice. Methods: PubMed®, Embase®, the Allied and Complementary Medicine and CINAHL databases were systematically searched in August 2023 for studies in English from Europe, United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand that reported assessment of prescribing competencies among medical and nonmedical students/practitioners. Additional articles were identified through citation tracking. Results: A total of 20,514 articles were retrieved, of which 54 met the inclusion criteria. The largest source of articles was the United Kingdom. Medical students represented the largest population studied. Written assessments largely utilised Selected Response formats while skills assessments in educational environments were varied in format, including scenario-based skills tests and OSCEs. Test reliability was generally described using Classical Test Theory. None of the included studies considered differential attainment by students with protected characteristics. Conclusion: Research on assessment in prescribing competencies would benefit from structured reporting of methods and findings. Estimation of the predictive validity of assessments, at both national and institutional levels, is essential. This would help establish whether OSCEs or similar tests have incremental predictive validity over written tests. Situational Judgement Tests would be a valuable addition to assessment practices.
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