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Research Article
Assessing the Impact of Healthcare Wearables on Improving Health Disparities in Minority Communities in Mississippi
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
71-79
Received:
2 May 2025
Accepted:
29 May 2025
Published:
24 July 2025
Abstract: This study examines perceptions of healthcare wearable technology among African American communities in Mississippi, focusing on two key demographic groups: church leaders and college students. As the first systematic investigation of this kind, the research explores critical factors influencing adoption and trust in wearable devices, including their perceived usefulness in managing chronic conditions, potential to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs, data-sharing willingness, and concerns about device accuracy and privacy. A mixed-methods approach analyzed survey data from 435 participants (247 church members and 188 students) using frequency distributions and chi-square tests. Findings reveal significant generational and group-based differences: older participants and church members reported more chronic conditions and stronger agreement on the benefits of wearables. At the same time, younger students expressed higher trust in data and greater comfort with sharing health information. Concerns around data security, affordability, and device accuracy, particularly for individuals with darker skin tones, emerged as key barriers to adoption. The study’s findings underscore the importance of culturally informed strategies to promote equitable access to wearable health technologies, especially in communities disproportionately affected by chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These insights can guide future public health initiatives and technology design to ensure inclusivity and address long-standing health disparities.
Abstract: This study examines perceptions of healthcare wearable technology among African American communities in Mississippi, focusing on two key demographic groups: church leaders and college students. As the first systematic investigation of this kind, the research explores critical factors influencing adoption and trust in wearable devices, including the...
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Research Article
Knowledge, Perception, Attitude, and Adoption of Consumer Wearables Among African Americans in Mississippi: A Public Health Analysis
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
80-90
Received:
11 August 2025
Accepted:
25 August 2025
Published:
13 September 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.stpp.20250902.12
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Abstract: African American communities in Mississippi face disproportionately high rates of chronic disease, yet the adoption of wearable health technologies, tools with the potential to improve health outcomes, remains limited. This study is the first systematic investigation of wearable devices use among African Americans in Mississippi, offering critical insights to inform public health strategies and interventions aimed at promoting health equity in minority communities. The primary objective of this study was to explore the difference/similar perceptions of African American church leaders regarding the use of wearable health devices compared to students, and to identify the cultural, economic, mistrust, cost, and technological barriers that impact adoption within their communities. A qualitative research design was used, involving 89 focus groups discussions with African American church leaders from Northern, Central, and Southern Mississippi. Sessions were conducted both in-person and virtually via Zoom. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) and the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM), to understand individual and contextual factors influencing wearable devices adoption. Participants, primarily African American clergy and students aged 18 and older from 89 Christian denominations, expressed strong interest in wearable devices but cited several barriers to adoption. These included concerns over data privacy, cost, limited technological literacy, generational divides, and mistrust in healthcare systems. Older adults, in particular, viewed wearables as tools for younger people and lacked awareness of their health benefits. The study also found that African American clergy, as trusted community figures, who can play a pivotal role in influencing health behavior and could be instrumental in promoting wearable devices use through trust-building, education/preaching, and modeling as exemplary leaders by utilizing wearable devices. The broader dataset included 548 participants, allowing for robust demographic analysis. Results showed a health-conscious yet cautious population, highlighting the need for targeted culturally sensitive interventions. These should include educational outreach, financial assistance, and transparent communication about data use. Wearable devices have the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in underserved African American communities. To unlock this potential, public health strategies must address key barriers, particularly those related to cost, trust, technological comfort, and awareness. By engaging faith leaders and community organizations in culturally aligned efforts, wearables can become effective tools for chronic disease management and health promotion. The study proposes the "Mississippi Model of Wearable Adoption," emphasizing collaboration among clergy, policymakers, and technology providers to drive equitable adoption and foster community trust.
Abstract: African American communities in Mississippi face disproportionately high rates of chronic disease, yet the adoption of wearable health technologies, tools with the potential to improve health outcomes, remains limited. This study is the first systematic investigation of wearable devices use among African Americans in Mississippi, offering critical ...
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Research Article
Policy to Promote Technology Transfer in Vietnam
Nguyen Huu Xuyen*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
91-97
Received:
4 June 2025
Accepted:
19 June 2025
Published:
19 September 2025
Abstract: Technology transfer (TT) is a critical element in enhancing national innovation capacity, particularly in the context of globalization and increasing competition. In recent years, Vietnam has introduced various policies and legal frameworks to foster TT activities, with the 2017, Law on Technology Transfer and its guiding decrees and circulars serving as key milestones. Despite these efforts, the practical implementation of TT policies remains constrained by institutional limitations, inadequate implementation resources, weak coordination mechanisms among stakeholders, and limited spillover effects on the business sector. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Vietnam’s TT policy, including its theoretical foundation, current status, and key influencing factors. It also offers evidence-based policy recommendations aligned with the country’s innovation and development goals. Findings show that while the policy framework for TT in Vietnam has seen gradual improvements, it still lacks coherence and strong incentive mechanisms, especially in facilitating the commercialization of research outcomes. To address these issues, the article recommends enhancing the integration of TT within the national innovation ecosystem, promoting the development of technology intermediary organizations, increasing financial incentives, and strengthening the absorptive capacity of enterprises. These measures aim to improve the effectiveness of technology transfer, thereby supporting knowledge diffusion and contributing to sustainable and innovation-driven economic growth.
Abstract: Technology transfer (TT) is a critical element in enhancing national innovation capacity, particularly in the context of globalization and increasing competition. In recent years, Vietnam has introduced various policies and legal frameworks to foster TT activities, with the 2017, Law on Technology Transfer and its guiding decrees and circulars serv...
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Research Article
Public Procurement Reforms and Their Impact on Transparency in Developing Economies
Ademeso Tosin Success*,
Bulus Daniel Maiyaki
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
98-116
Received:
15 August 2025
Accepted:
30 October 2025
Published:
3 December 2025
Abstract: Public procurement-the process by which governments purchase goods, works, and services-is a crucial component of governance and economic development. In numerous developing countries, public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of national spending, often estimated at about 30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and serves as a lever for delivering public services and infrastructure. However, procurement processes have historically been prone to corruption and inefficiencies, undermining development outcomes. This article examines how public procurement reforms implemented over the past two decades have impacted transparency in developing countries. It defines public procurement and its role in governance, outlines major reform types (legal frameworks, e-procurement, capacity building, anti-corruption measures), and analyzes links between these reforms and improvements in transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Using case studies from Nigeria, Kenya, India, and Bangladesh, the paper illustrates successes and challenges in reform implementation. Despite notable progress-such as the introduction of e-procurement systems that curb discretion and digitize the tender process-persistent challenges like political interference, weak enforcement, and institutional capacity gaps continue to hinder full transparency. The study finds that while reforms can significantly enhance openness and accountability (e.g. through online procurement portals and stronger legal oversight), their effectiveness depends on robust institutional frameworks and sustained political will. The article concludes with recommendations for strengthening procurement reforms to ensure transparency is sustained and corruption curtailed, including legal and institutional measures, technological upgrades, capacity development, and stakeholder engagement.
Abstract: Public procurement-the process by which governments purchase goods, works, and services-is a crucial component of governance and economic development. In numerous developing countries, public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of national spending, often estimated at about 30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and serves as a lever f...
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Research Article
Mapping Solutions for Livestock Climate Challenges: Satellite Tech Innovations Steer Through Environmental Risks
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
117-126
Received:
16 October 2025
Accepted:
27 October 2025
Published:
9 December 2025
Abstract: Livestock systems experience increased losses from heat stress, drought, floods, and climate-sensitive illnesses. Conventional, reactive management is ill-suited to the spatial-temporal complexity of these risks. This paper advocates for data-driven resilience as a unifying framework for climate risk management in livestock by integrating multimodal data (remote sensing, climate re-analyses, veterinary surveillance, supply-chain, and socio-economic indicators) with machine learning, causal inference, and decision optimization to support anticipatory action. We (i) consolidate the state-of-the-art; (ii) propose an open, modular reference architecture for end-to-end climate-risk analytics and early warning; (iii) sketch a transparent indicator taxonomy and composite risk index; and (iv) demonstrate a small, proof-of-concept simulation of how the pipeline triages heat-stress and vector-borne disease risk and optimizes low-cost interventions. For example, satellite data detecting a 15% decrease in forage availability during drought periods is used to predict livestock stress hotspots. The paper also addresses critical issues of governance, equity, and adoption pathways, emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making and equitable access to data-driven tools. We outline validation protocols and reporting standards to ensure robustness and transparency in risk assessment and intervention planning. The article provides a constructive roadmap for researchers and policymakers to integrate data intelligence into policies and practices for the resilience of climate-smart livestock systems.
Abstract: Livestock systems experience increased losses from heat stress, drought, floods, and climate-sensitive illnesses. Conventional, reactive management is ill-suited to the spatial-temporal complexity of these risks. This paper advocates for data-driven resilience as a unifying framework for climate risk management in livestock by integrating multimoda...
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Research Article
An Unsupervised Machine Learning Framework for Fraud and Anomaly Detection in Nigerian Prepaid Electricity Transactions
Oni Damilola*,
Okon Paul Godwin,
Taiwo Ikeoluwa Odunayo,
Akinyooye Demilade Emmanuel,
Umoh Samuel Asuquo
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
127-134
Received:
7 October 2025
Accepted:
5 December 2025
Published:
29 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.stpp.20250902.16
Downloads:
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Abstract: Prepaid electricity metering is widely adopted in Nigeria to improve revenue collection and reduce customer indebtedness. However, irregularities in transaction records continue to challenge operational reliability and financial transparency. This study presents an unsupervised machine learning framework for detecting anomalies in prepaid electricity transactions using nine months of real-world data. The framework integrates three distinct anomaly detection methods: Isolation Forest, DBSCAN, and a reconstruction-based model using either an Autoencoder or Principal Component Analysis (PCA). These models were combined through a rank-based ensemble scoring system and a majority-vote mechanism to enhance detection of robustness. The dataset includes 23 features spanning customer identifiers, tariff details, and transaction attributes such as energy purchased, payments made, arrears, and VAT. Preprocessing steps involved standardizing column formats, handling missing values, and engineering features such as payment ratios and log-transformed monetary values to improve model sensitivity. Each model independently flagged anomalies, and the ensemble strategy consolidated these outputs to identify high-confidence irregular transactions. The framework uncovered several types of anomalies, including transactions with missing payment and unit values but large arrears repayments, extreme pay-per-unit ratios exceeding operational norms, and VAT entries that deviated significantly from the statutory rate. Spatial analysis revealed concentrated anomalies in specific districts and feeders, suggesting localized vulnerabilities in transaction management and enforcement. Although ground-truth fraud labels were unavailable, the detected anomalies represent statistically significant deviations that warrant further investigation. The results demonstrate that unsupervised models can effectively highlight suspicious patterns without relying on labeled data, offering a scalable approach for utilities to monitor prepaid electricity systems. This methodology supports targeted audits, enhances revenue protection, and contributes to improved regulatory compliance. The study underscores the potential of data-driven techniques in addressing fraud and operational inefficiencies in African energy systems. Future work may incorporate labeled datasets, temporal features, and network-level attributes to refine detection capabilities and expand the scope of analysis.
Abstract: Prepaid electricity metering is widely adopted in Nigeria to improve revenue collection and reduce customer indebtedness. However, irregularities in transaction records continue to challenge operational reliability and financial transparency. This study presents an unsupervised machine learning framework for detecting anomalies in prepaid electrici...
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Research Article
The Silenced Voices of House-maids: Dehumanized for the Choice of JOB, That I DO
Christine Phiri Mushibwe*,
Daniel Lupiya Mpolomoka
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
135-145
Received:
18 August 2025
Accepted:
5 September 2025
Published:
31 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.stpp.20250902.17
Downloads:
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Abstract: This study examined the lived experiences and perceptions surrounding housemaids in Lusaka Province, Zambia, using a qualitative interpretivist approach with 45 participants, including employers, spouses, and housemaids themselves. Findings reveal that housemaids are widely perceived as lacking initiative, unproductive, and burdensome, which aligns with entrenched occupational stigma. Narratives further exposed recurrent themes of dehumanisation, including low wages, absence of contracts, denial of career prospects, physical and emotional abuse, and sexual exploitation. Employers frequently reinforced negative stereotypes, while housemaids recounted enduring inhumane working conditions, mistrust, and social exclusion. The study advances the Dehumanised Theory, which grounds how domestic workers are devalued not due to ethnicity or ideology, but because of the job they perform, rendering them “less than human.” This study recommendes the formalisation and professionalisation of domestic work through accredited training under TEVETA, enforceable written contracts, mobile-friendly abuse reporting mechanisms, and the extension of legal protections to both trained and untrained housemaids. These measures would restore dignity, promote empowerment, and address systemic silencing within this occupational domain.
Abstract: This study examined the lived experiences and perceptions surrounding housemaids in Lusaka Province, Zambia, using a qualitative interpretivist approach with 45 participants, including employers, spouses, and housemaids themselves. Findings reveal that housemaids are widely perceived as lacking initiative, unproductive, and burdensome, which aligns...
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Research Article
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Future of Higher Education in Uganda: A Case Study of Makerere University
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
146-154
Received:
3 November 2025
Accepted:
17 November 2025
Published:
31 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.stpp.20250902.18
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly positioned as a transformative force in global education, yet its role in low-resource contexts remains underexplored. This study investigates the extent to which AI can shape the future of higher education in Uganda, focusing on a case study of Makerere University, the country’s leading public institution. Drawing on academic literature, national policy documents, and Makerere’s digital transformation initiatives, the research examines how AI is being conceptualized and implemented within the institution through four specific objectives: examining global and African AI integration patterns, assessing Makerere’s adoption levels, identifying implementation gaps, and proposing contextualized recommendations. The study adopted a qualitative document analysis to interpret and extract meaning from written, visual, or physical documents. It involved a systematic review of materials and identified themes and patterns and concepts that did not need direct participant interaction. Findings reveal a complex landscape. While Makerere has initiated AI-related efforts such as establishing research hubs and integrating machine learning into selected academic programs, progress remains uneven and constrained by infrastructural limitations, inconsistent internet access, and the absence of a coordinated institutional strategy. Information got from primary data reveals that less than 10% of Ugandan higher education institutions have piloted AI initiatives, with Makerere showing only 25% implementation compared to 85% in developed nations. The study argues that AI is not an inevitable future, but a conditional opportunity. Its integration and impact will depend heavily on policy coherence, institutional capacity, and inclusive technological planning. Rather than replacing traditional systems, AI is more likely to play a complementary role. The paper concludes with objective-based recommendations aimed at strengthening Uganda’s readiness for AI in higher education, proposing a pathway to move from fragmented experimentation to sustainable innovation.
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly positioned as a transformative force in global education, yet its role in low-resource contexts remains underexplored. This study investigates the extent to which AI can shape the future of higher education in Uganda, focusing on a case study of Makerere University, the country’s leading public instituti...
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