https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2 Proceedings/reports/papers from conferences, seminars and workshops 2026-06-13T04:35:15Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2893 Needs assessment for development of a mental health curriculum for village: Lay Health Workers to Manage Caregiver Burden in Zimbabwe Bazondlile, Dube Marimbe; Mangezi, Walter; Kaul, Paritosh; Kaseke, Farayi; Madhombiro, Munyaradzi; Mukona, Doreen Introduction: Village health workers (VHW)/Lay workers have been used effectively in HIV programmes in Zimbabwe and may potentially be useful in supporting caregivers of people with mental illness, if they are adequately trained and supervised by health professionals. Objective: To explore the training needs of VHW in supporting caregivers of persons with mental illness. Methods: Fifty two VHWs were conveniently selected from 5 out of 9 provinces in Zimbabwe and participated in focus group discussions (FGD) using a standardized study guide. Forty six health professionals completed a self-administered open ended questionnaire. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim in Shona and translated into English. Data were analyzed thematically using Atlas Ti. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 was used for sociodemographic data analysis. Results: The overall perceived training needs for VHW included training on counseling skills, psycho- education for caregivers, stress management, education on mental health conditions in order for them to effectively support caregivers of patients with mental illness in their communities in Zimbabwe. Conclusion: The needs analysis demonstrates perceived gaps in the knowledge of VHW in training caregivers of patients with mental illness. Designing a curriculum and assessing its impact on patient care and caregiver perceptions may go a long way in reducing caregiver burden in Zimbabwe. Journal Article 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2037 Effect of Soil Application of Stabilized Ortho Silicic Acid Based Granules on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Mbaraka, Saidi Rumanzi; Nkurunziza, Christian; Habimana, Sylvestre; Abayisenga, Jean Claude Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in Rwanda. Present study was aimed assessed the effect of stabilized ortho silicic acid (OSA) based granules on growth and yield of rice. Field experiments were conducted at Rwagitima, Gatsibo district in the Eastern province of Rwanda during two wet seasons in 2019, the first season was between February and May and the second one was from September to December. Two levels of recommended fertilizer doses (RDF; i.e., 200 kg ha−1 NPK as a basal fertilizer and 100 kg ha−1 urea as a top dressing fertilizer) were applied solely and along with different doses (10, 15 and 20 kg ha−1) of OSA based granules. The treatments were: T1 (100% RDF), T2 (75% RDF), T3 (T1 +10 kgha−1 OSA), T4 (T1 +15 kgha−1 OSA), T5 (T1 +20 kgha−1 OSA), T6 (T2 +10 kgha−1OSA), T7 (T2 +15 kgha−1 OSA) and T8 (T2 +20 kgha−1 OSA). Experiments were laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that the application of 100% RDF +20 kg ha−1 of OSA granules increased plant height (99.80 cm), tiller number (361) and root length (15.7 cm). Furthermore, yield increments of 28.4% and 19.9% for the first and second seasons, respectively, were obtained in treatments where 100% RDF +20 kgha−1 of OSA granules were applied. The rice yield in the treatment 75% RDF +20 kg/ha Silixol OSA granules was higher than that recorded with 100% RDF only. This indicates that use of Silixol OSA granules can result in 25% saving of fertilizer (NPK and urea) without compromising the yield. Conclusively, Silixol OSA granules offers good potential for yield increment of rice in Rwanda and, can minimize fertilizer use by 25%. Research article 2023-01-21T00:00:00Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2036 Impact of Maize Storage Methods on Aflatoxin Contamination In Eight Districts of Southern Province of Rwanda Dushimeyesu, Erastus; Habimana, Sylvestre; Musana Rwalinda, Fabrice Aflatoxin levels were measured in 900 farmer’s stores grouped into 18 respective cooperatives throughout the whole parts of the southern region of Rwanda to assess the effects of different approaches of storage on aflatoxin attacks on maize. Questionnaires, maize sampling, and laboratory testing methods were used in this study to find out which storage techniques were linked to greater or lower aflatoxin levels in stored maize in the southern region of Rwanda so that extension services could be recommended on aflatoxin-reducing measures. Farmers were questioned on the structure of their storage, form, period, and pest problems in storage, as well as what they did to battle them and the sample was taken for aflatoxin testing, the presence of aflatoxin in stored corn was negatively associated to pesticide application. Aflatoxin contamination was found to be lower (2.8 parts per billion) when grain was stored in bags with pallets; aflatoxin levels were higher (88.5 parts per billions)in those who stored corn under their roofs. Henceforth, appropriate maize storage, sorting out of damaged cobs, the use of appropriate storage insecticides, storage in well-equipped, hygienic, and aerated stores with pallets, and farmers being aware of the risk that insects and aflatoxins pose to their stored maize, were found to minimize the level of aflatoxin in stored maize. Conference paper 2021-12-23T00:00:00Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/1958 Retrenchment in Rwanda commercial banks analysis of BPR - I & M : Study period : 2011-2016. Renzaho, Jean Damascéne This study entitled the retrenchment in Rwanda commercial banks. A case study of BPR and I&M. Comparative data have been used. The companies that were study included all those that are commercial banks and specifically BPR and I&M bank. The objective of the study was; to examine the criteria used by BPR and I&M bank in employees retrenchment; to evaluate employees perception on retrenchment criteria used by BPR and I&M Bank; to examine the impact of retrenchment on individual and organizational performance and to establish the best ways of carrying out retrenchments in future without adversely affecting the remaining employees in both BPR and I&M Bank. The research design was quantitative and entirely used secondary data and qualitative including interviews from different staffs. These criteria therefore included BPR and I&M bank only. Data gathered was from 2011to 2016 analyzed using Excel and SPPS to measure the criteria used by Rwanda commercial bank in employees retrenchment. The findings of the study suggest that commercial banks use seniority, employees‟ individual productivity, misconduct, incapability, early retirement programs and employee obsolescence as criteria for determining employees to retrench. The criterion that is most popularly used is assessment of employees‟ individual productivity. Misconduct as a criterion for retrenchment is also popular and some of the behaviors that banks consider as misconduct include fraud, insubordination, regular unauthorized absenteeism, financial mismanagement, leaking out confidential information among others. Early retirement programs are also used to a moderate extent. Last in-First out (LIFO) is used to a moderate extent while incapability as a criterion is used to a less extent. It was also found that all banks use the same criteria despite their age, ownership and size. Master's Dissertation 2017-07-06T00:00:00Z