The American Journal of Interdisciplinary Innovations and Research

CULTURAL BELIEFS AND INTERPRETATION OF SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA IN KENYA

Siver Kibuh — 2024-04-06

This abstract provides a concise overview of the prevalence of cultural beliefs and their impact on the recognition and treatment of schizophrenia symptoms in Kenya, drawing from a review of relevant literature including "A survey of psychosis risk symptoms in Kenya," "Cultural Aspects of Major Mental Disorders: A Critical Review from an Indian Perspective," "Psychotic Symptoms in Kenya – Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Relationship with Common Mental Disorders," and "Exploring mental health practice among traditional health practitioners: a qualitative study in rural Kenya." This review reveals a complex interaction between traditional cultural beliefs that are held by many Kenyan communities and Western biomedical viewpoints on schizophrenia. Results of a survey conducted in Kenya on psychosis risk symptoms highlight the substantial overlap between symptoms that are distinctive to a culture and those that meet Western psychiatric standards. This overlap emphasizes how crucial it is to use culturally aware methods when diagnosing and treating schizophrenia in Kenya. Studies conducted on psychotic symptoms in Kenya show that a significant proportion of schizophrenia patients experience symptoms that are culturally specific, such as spirit possession and witchcraft beliefs. These culturally particular symptoms frequently impact behavior related to seeking help and adhering with treatment, with traditional healers having a significant role in the treatment of mental illness. Reliance on conventional healers, however, may impede treatment outcomes for people with schizophrenia and prolong the time it takes to receive evidence-based psychiatric therapy. It is important to consider the cultural perceptions and beliefs around the symptoms of schizophrenia in Kenya highlight the critical need for culturally competent methods to mental health treatment. Schizophrenia treatment initiatives must strike a careful balance between honoring various cultural viewpoints and encouraging cooperation between conventional healers and biological professionals. The creation of culturally appropriate therapies and the improvement of mental health literacy in Kenyan communities ought to be the top priorities for future research in order to guarantee that people with schizophrenia have fair access to high-quality mental health care.

Enhancement and Facilitation of Translation and Communication with Multilingual Refugees

Murtadha Hamza Jasim Al-Rifaie — 2024-04-10

Multilingualism refers to the ability of an individual or a community to speak or use multiple languages. It can be characterized by the ability to understand, read, write, and communicate in more than one language. A multilingual person does not necessarily mean someone who speaks more than one language perfectly.

RADIATION HARDNESS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS: ESSENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS

Giulia Barbieri — 2024-04-01

Radiation poses significant challenges to the reliability and performance of integrated circuits (ICs) deployed in space applications. The harsh space environment exposes ICs to various types of ionizing radiation, including solar particle events, cosmic rays, and trapped radiation belts, which can induce transient and permanent damage to semiconductor devices. Understanding the effects of radiation on ICs is essential for designing robust and reliable spaceborne electronics. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the radiation effects on ICs, including single-event effects (SEEs), total ionizing dose (TID) effects, and dose rate effects. Strategies for mitigating radiation-induced failures, such as radiation-hardened design techniques and radiation testing methodologies, are also discussed. By addressing the essential considerations for radiation hardness in ICs, this paper aims to facilitate the development of reliable electronics for space missions.