Of Impressions, Ideas and Veracity of Memory: A Review of the Humean Epistemological Project (Published)
David Hume’s epistemological project reinvigorates the British Empiricist tradition. His theory of knowledge thrives on the very idea that through impressions, the human mind mirrors reality and from there creates simple and complex ideas of our knowledge claims. It also forecloses the possibility of the apriori by elevating experience as the source through which man encounters and retracts knowledge of the external world. In its propositions, the Humean epistemological project regurgitates and retains the indubitability of sense data as fundamental to knowing. This paper therefore investigates the propriety David Hume’s claims. It identified and reviewed three fundamental premises of the theory of knowledge and submits that like other empiricists before him, his theory of knowledge is refutable primarily because, David Hume holds an overwhelming confidence in the viability of the senses without giving minimal cognition to its fallibility.
Keywords: Knowledge, Memory., apriori, ideas, impressions, sense data
Elements and Principles of Design in Garment Production among Small Scale Producers of Berekum Municipal in Ghana (Published)
The study was to investigate whether small scale garment producers in Berekum apply the elements and principles of design in garment manufacturing (since some produced garments had colours not well blended, fabric with lines not meeting at seam joints, motifs not well arranged, and some garment styles not looking good on clients’ figures because their figure types were not considered before designing) and to unearth strategies to improve their clothing designing skills to meet current market standards. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The snow ball and convenience sampling techniques in selecting one hundred small scale garment producers for the study. The main instrument was a questionnaire and observation checklist, analysed to generate frequencies, percentages and mean, and presented in tables. It was revealed that the garment producers had a fair knowledge in the application of the elements and principles of design and about 85% appreciated their importance. However, they failed to practice because of Clients’ demand. Findings from workshop organized revealed the need for using smart phones and has aided in the provision of an easy access to information which has sort to promote the use of data and real-world applications to enhance their productivity. The respondents therefore suggested that frequent in- service training and workshops should be organized for them by their Tailors and Dressmakers Association and Ghana National Association of Tailors and Dressmakers (GNATD) in order to meet current market demands and competition since majority of them went through apprenticeship training where there was no standard syllabus for them to learn from.
Keywords: Design, Knowledge, Skills, competency, elements and principles of design, garment
Assessment of Knowledge of Drug and Dietary Regimen among Diabetic Client in Endocrinology Clinic at Federal Medical Centre Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria (Published)
The study focused on assessment of knowledge base on dietary and drug regimen in diabetes mellitus management among patients attending Endocrinology Clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria. It identified factors associated with poor adherence/compliance to treatment and relationship between demographic data and knowledge of drug and dietary regimen. Cross-sectional descriptive design was employed using a semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire to gather information from 120 clients. Simple random sampling technique (balloting type) was used to select clients. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and hypotheses tested using Chi-Square, while P value was set at <0.05. The results of the study showed that majority of the respondents were above age 40. The knowledge of clients on dietary and drug regimen was on the average (50% & 45.8% respectively). Factors that affected adherence to drug treatment were high cost of antidiabetic drugs and the idea of taking drugs for life. There was a significant relationship between gender and knowledge of drug but no significant relationship between gender and knowledge of dietary regimen. Conclusion was that clients had average knowledge of drug and diet regimen and high cost of drugs affected compliance/adherence. Therefore Nigerian government should subsidize antidiabetic agents, while nurses and other medical personnel should educate clients on treatment regimen.
Keywords: Diabetic Mellitus, Diet Regimen, Drug, Knowledge
Influence of Mass Media Campaigns on Breast Cancer Knowledge among Women in Enugu State (Published)
Breast cancer remains a major killer of women globally. Medical literature suggests that early detection could led to complete cure. Owing to the fact that early detection is dependent on women’s levels of awareness and knowledge, several media campaigns have been lunched. However, one wonders the effectiveness of these campaigns on the knowledge and behaviour of women in Enugu State. This study, therefore, set out to ascertain the contributions of mass media to breast cancer knowledge among women in Enugu State. Survey research method was employed with questionnaire and interview guide as the measuring instruments. Cochran sampling technique was used to determine the sample size which stood at 384 based on a population of 1,671,795 women in Enugu State. The sample was randomly selected while Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze the data collected. The findings showed a positive relationship between level of education and information seeking from the mass media about breast cancer. Radio was found to be the most predominant medium used by the women. In this study, it is recommended that government should intensify media messages on breast cancer in the state, especially in the rural communities where most of the non-literate women reside. Future studies should focus on expanding the scope of this study to South – Eastern parts of Nigeria
Keywords: Breast cancer, Health, Knowledge, Media Campaigns, awareness
Transferring Culture Abroad-The Case of Vestas Control Systems (Published)
The study focuses on culture and knowledge transfer abroad. Specifically, the paper explores how Vestas Control system transferred its organizational culture to its Chinese subsidiary. As boundaries within and between companies and countries break down due to competitive pressure of globalisation, business activities and organisations are becoming more and more multinational in their operations. This has resulted in many firms establishing subsidiaries outside their home base. In this regard, managers and employees may find themselves operating in different nations, belonging to many teams and among different cultures. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain data, and analysed using a hermeneutic approach. The study discovered that, power distance, Vestas safety culture and Teamwork had influenced the transfer of Vestas organizational culture to China
Keywords: Culture, Knowledge, Transfer, Vestas
AN ASSESSMENT OF PERCEPTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AMONG HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS (Published)
Ethical theories and principles in health care are the foundations of ethical analysis. This is because they have become the viewpoints from which guidance can be obtained along the pathway to a decision. Each theory emphasizes different points such as predicting the outcome and following one’s duties to others in order to reach an ethically correct decision. However, in order for an ethical principle to be useful, the theory must be directed towards a common set of goals. Health care ethical principles are the common goals that all health practitioners try to achieve in order to be successful. These goals include beneficence, non-malficence (least harm), respect for autonomy and justice. In addition, are other related principles like; confidentiality, informed consent and truth telling. The objective of the paper finds whether or not health care practitioners in Kumasi are aware and knowledgeable of the use of the ethical principles which their profession confer on them. The research employed the use of questionnaires and interviews to obtain views from 220 respondents from the Kumasi metropolis (Ghana). Respondents gave diverse opinions in respect of their knowledge about these basic principles. The research identifies that many health care practitioners in the Kumasi metropolis attach little or no attention to the implementation of ethical principles. Several recommendations are made in reposting the challenges faced in the implementation of ethical principles. It is to be understood that ethical theories and principles bring significant characteristics to the decision-making process. This therefore makes a research into ethical and moral responsibilities among health care practitioners exclusively relevant.
Keywords: Ethical Principles, Ethics, Health Care, Knowledge, Perception, Well-being
Knowledge Of Infant Nutritional Needs Among Residents Of Nsukka Cultural Zone Of Enugu State, Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
Most children in Nigeria fall sick as a result of eating inappropriate food for a long period of time. Studies have shown that poor nutrition prevents children and communities from participating fully in social and economic life. In view of the above, the study examined the knowledge of infant nutritional needs among residents of Nsukka cultural zone in Enugu State, Nigeria.. Ten focus group discussions (FGDS) were held with 6 groups of mothers and 4 groups of fathers comprising young and old groups. The data were processed and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (Spss). The study found that many families are not aware that they can mash carrot, potato and cucumber and mix with meat broth and spoon feed their children. The findings highlighted the need to employ education to correct many of these cultural practices in infant feeding practices mostly found in rural Nigeria.
Keywords: Child health, Education, Knowledge, Malnutrition, Nutritional needs, The Nigeria, infant mortality