Browsing by Author "Chiyaka, E.T."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Perceptions of Healthcare Workers on the Attributes of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in Zimbabwe
    (2024) Mteliso, F.; Adalier, A.; Malunguza, N.J.; Chiyaka, E.T.
    Objective: To investigate healthcare workers' perceptions of the integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers (HCWs) was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 to assess their perceptions of the IDSR system attributes. Results: Of the 409 respondents, 12 (2.9%) reported no prior training on disease surveillance. The IDSR was deemed simple, acceptable, useful, and timely by most participants. There were sharp differences in perceptions of flexibility and simplicity between doctors and the other healthcare professionals. However, acceptability, timeliness, and usefulness were uniformly perceived. Healthcare workers with at least 11-years’ experience perceived the usefulness of the IDSR system significantly higher than those with lesser years of experience. However, work experience did not have an impact on HCWs perceptions of the simplicity, timeliness, and flexibility of the IDSR system. Conclusions: Most healthcare workers have positive perceptions of the IDSR approach. However, there are reservations about how well the system can adapt to changing conditions and demands (flexibility) and how well it simplifies the implementation processes. These findings demonstrate the necessity of adopting cutting-edge strategies for capacity building as well as ongoing professional development of healthcare professionals responsible for the implementation of the IDSR strategy.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Perceptions of Healthcare Workers on the Attributes of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in Zimbabwe
    (Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 2024-05-07) Mteliso, F.; Adalier, A.; Malunguza, N.J.; Chiyaka, E.T.
    Objective: To investigate healthcare workers’ perceptions of the integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers (HCWs) was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 to assess their perceptions of the IDSR system attributes. Results: Of the 409 respondents, 12 (2.9%) reported no prior training on disease surveillance. The IDSR was deemed simple, acceptable, useful, and timely by most participants. There were sharp differences in perceptions of flexibility and simplicity between doctors and the other healthcare professionals. However, acceptability, timeliness, and usefulness were uniformly perceived. Healthcare workers with at least 11 years of experience perceived the usefulness of the IDSR system significantly higher than those with lesser years of experience. However, work experience did not have an impact on HCWs perceptions of the simplicity, timeliness, and flexibility of the IDSR system. Conclusions: Most healthcare workers have positive perceptions of the IDSR approach. However, there are reservations about how well the system can adapt to changing conditions and demands (flexibility) and how well it simplifies the implementation processes. These findings demonstrate the necessity of adopting cutting-edge strategies for capacity building as well as ongoing professional development of healthcare professionals responsible for the implementation of the IDSR strategy.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Train Schedule Optimization: A Case Study of the National Railways of Zimbabwe
    (Research Academy of Social Sciences, 2014) Nyamugure, P.; Swene, S.D.; Chiyaka, E.T.; Mutasa, F.K.
    The locomotive assignment problem involves assigning a set of locomotives to each train in a pre-planned train schedule so as to provide sufficient power to pull them from their origins to their destinations. An integrated model that determines the set of active and deadheaded locomotives for each train, light travelling locomotives and train-to-train connections is presented. The model explicitly considers consist-busting and consistency. A Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) formulation of the problem that contains about 92 integer variables and 56 constraints is presented in the study. Three models are discussed for assigning locomotives to wagons and coaches and the results are compared amongst the models themselves and compared to the existing scenario at National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). The models generally improve the number of saved locomotives and number of used locomotives. The Locomotive Assignment Model (LAM) solution obtained showed savings of over 70 locomotives, which translates into savings of over one-hundred thousand dollars weekly.