Category: Publications

Introduction

The novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also called COVID-19 arose in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019, and has a global health threat[1]. COVID-19 outbreak spreads rapidly not only in China, but also worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced it as an outbreak of a new coronavirus disease on January 30, and a pandemic on March 12, 2020 [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of human life and causes the highest number of deaths, morbidity, and a huge economic, psychological and social impact on the world [3, 4].

Despite different restricted local prevention policies[23-25], high contagion, inherent scientific uncertainties, and imposition of strict quarantine increase patients’ fear and stigma, and discrimination which in turn create barriers to seeking support for appropriate medical treatment and a psychological crisis intervention[5]. College and university students are among the most strongly affected by COVID-19 [6].

During this pandemic period, having mental and psychological problems leads to poor self-care practice, appetite, sleep, immunity status, and compliance to the instructions given by health care provider that exposed them to infectious etiology [7].

Even though single studies were done, no systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of psychological impact of COVID-19 and its associated factors among higher education students (HES) in Ethiopia. Understanding the prevalence and associated factors guides educational institution and policy maker’s area of focus and intervention strategies in order to decrease the impacts of not only COVID-19, but also the any other pandemic for future.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE THAT EMPLOYEES DO NOT COMMUNICATE UPWARD AND WHY?

The first critical element or resource of every firm is its people. People aren’t just resources; they also manage everything else, including money, supplies, information, and procedures. This demands the employees’ complete commitment or belongingness. However, in the real world, many employees do not voice their concerns and instead remain silent. In recent years, many scholars have focused on employee silence. They assumed there were reasons for the silence, as well as aspects to it. This literature review suggests several practical characteristics for businesses to support growth and development, as well as some advice for coping with the silence of employees.

Employees’ Silence : Instead of frequently offering suggestions, facts, and opinions that can assist firms in improving their operations, they frequently withhold their thoughts, facts, and opinions rather than exercising their right to speak up and express themselves (Botero, Isabel C., et al., 2003). Silence, according to Akc and Ayşehan (2007), is the deliberate withholding of information about concerns relating to the job or workplace. According to Pinder and Harlos (2001), “silence” is defined as the withholding of any true expression regarding a person’s behavioral, cognitive, and/or effective judgments about his or her organizational conditions by people who are considered able to effect change or restitution. Silence, according to Morrison and Milliken (2000), is a phenomenon at the organizational level. A recent finding by Bogosian (2011) reveals that silence is established at the individual level and then becomes an organizational level phenomenon through a socialization process. Employee silence isn’t the polar opposite of an employee speaking up. Milliken, Morrison, and Hewlin (2003) described the concept of silence and voice as a continuum where employees might choose to speak up about work-related difficulties rather than remain silent, depending on the situation. Employee silence indicates a lack of genuine concern about working circumstances in an organization (Pinder, Craig C., and Karen P. Harlos, 2001).

Reasons for employees’ silence: Deterring speech attempts is a crucial aspect of voice efficacy, or people’s conviction that they can’t successfully express their views (Morrison et al., 2011). Another aspect that discourages speaking is the potential financial consequences for the speakers. When speaking up would result in a material or social loss for the employees, people are especially hesitant to speak up (Kish-Gephart, Detert, Trevino, & Edmondson, 2009).Employees remained silent when they believed that speaking out about concerns would put them in danger (Morrison and Milliken, 2000). He also indicated that managers’ implicit managerial beliefs that inhibit voice, such as the views that employees are self-interested, that management knows best, and that unity is desirable, while disagreement is bad, contribute to an atmosphere of silence.

Abstract

Background: Children who experience poor nutrition during the first 1000 days of life are more vulnerable to illness and death in the near term,as well as to lower work capacity and productivity as adults. These problems motivate research to identify basic and underlyingfactors that influence risks of child malnutrition.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using at the electronic databases (PubMed, Hinari, and Google Scholar database) to locate potential studies. Heterogeneity between studies was checked using Cochrane Q test statistics and I² test statistics and small-study effects were checked using Egger’s statistical test at a 5% significance level. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among children age 6-59months in Africa.

Results: Of a total of 585 articles retrieved from the databases, 12 studies met our inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of wasting,s tunting and underweight among conflict affected African countries was 20.25% (95%CI=15.08–25.43),34.18% (95% CI=26.34–42.02), and24.00% (95%CI=16.35–31.65), respectively.The most consistent factors associated with childhood stunting, wasting and under weight in Africa were: low mother’s education, prolonged duration of armed conflict, and place of residence(rural).

Conclusion: Severity of malnutrition crises will be assisted by a better understanding of the variables associated with child malnutrition, which will improve the effectiveness of development and humanitarian responses. We urge that health planners, policymakers, and the general public prioritize children with acute malnutrition in Africa’s conflict-affected areas.