Family Owned Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Family Owned Business - Essay Example This business enterprise has strived to accept the services of professionals in attaining a competitive edge over its rivals. In fact, it has adjusted to change and have embraced the new technologies to attain growth. Also, it believes in diversity in manpower as it helps in garnering the best talents in the market. Hence, a diverse manpower also gives this family owned business the path to flourish and excel and attain further growth. It believes in diversifying business so that the firm has greater stability in business. Moreover, this is one group which undertakes long-term planning and has formed strategic partnerships and diversified the group to include expert services into different segments of the market. This helps them to have a wider customer base. By conducting the above study on family businesses, we have observed that such business enterprises thrive in the market mainly due to the dedication and commitment displayed by members of the family. Also, these people are focu sed towards the growth of the organization as the adverse reputation of the firm may negatively hamper the reputation of the family name. Moreover, these enterprises are chiefly controlled by family members or maybe family owned. However, they may form strategic partnerships wherein family members hold key positions in the management of the company. Lastly, the key to success in such firms is by gaining a competitive edge, valuing organizational culture and allowing a diverse workforce in order to benefit from diversity.

Evidence Based Practice in Assisting the Nurses and Other Medical Pers Article

Evidence Based Practice in Assisting the Nurses and Other Medical Personnel - Article Example The results from this research article will shed more light to how the technique can be improved or what areas can be adopted by others who have yet to start the implementation of the technique (Majid, S. et al, 2011). Some of the challenges discussed and which will be discussed further in the next discussion as they relate to nursing leadership and management include the inability to understand the terms and broadly the technique, the lack of time to try some of the proposed techniques and care, the nurses lack authority to implement some of the change procedures suggested in the evidence-based practice patient care, majority of the nurses have not undergone any special training as to the use and implementation of the technique as well as lack of resources among others. The article which basically discusses the challenges experienced by nurses towards the implementation of evidence-based practice is also related to the nursing leadership and management. This is so because some of the challenges are as a result of lack of proper management and also the initiative by the leaders of the nurses to ensure they understand the technique and use it. An example of the poor leadership and management is the lack of training of these nurses on the evidence-based practice technique. The training is the work of the management to organize as the benefits of the training will be evident in the hospital and the results will lead to hospital success stories and fame to the management and leadership as well. The nursing leadership and management are supposed to provide time and be at the forefront to implement the necessary changes to implement the technique but little has been done about this. Nursing leaders are supposed to pressure the management of the hospitals to seek the resources needed to implement the evidence-based practice technique. They should sit down and strategize on how they can assist the nurses to implement the technique as best as possible for the ultimate goal of providing better care and treatment of their patients.  Ã‚  

The Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer in Ghana

The Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer in Ghana CONTENTS INTRODUCTION HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS Causes Risk factors Prevention Vaccination Screening CERVICAL CANCER Signs and symptoms INTRODUCTION Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that one can acquire from having sexual contact with an infected person. There are over 20 STIs which have been identified including HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomoniasis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, HPV and genital herpes1. According to WHO, more than a million people acquire a sexually transmitted infection a day2. STIs require treatment but there are some such as HIV/AIDS which are incurable and deadly but can be managed to prolong life. Majority of STIs are asymptomatic2 but the infection can still be passed on to partners3. If there are symptoms, they include bumps, sores or warts near the mouth, penis, vagina, or anus, swelling near the penis, skin rash, painful urinations, weight loss, night sweats, aches, pains, fever, chills, jaundice, vaginal or penal discharge and severe itching near genitals4. Infections are spread predominantly, as suggested by its name, through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, anal sex or even genital touching3. Some ways of protecting one’s self against STIs are; Abstinence from sexual activities Condom usage during sex Limiting the number of sexual partners one has. The more the number of partners one has, the higher the chances of catching an STI. Practicing monogamy. This means a couple should have sex with only each other Careful choice of sex partners. Dont have sex with someone whom you suspect may have an STI. Getting checked for STIs so that the infection is not passed on to others Knowing the signs and symptoms of STIs and looking for them in one’s self and their sex partners. Learning more about STIs to better protect one’s self.4 STIs are classified under bacterial, viral, and parasitic/fungal infections. For the purpose of this paper, the viral group shall be taken into consideration. In general, viral infections involve many different parts of the body at the same time5. Viral infections include; Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common viral infection. There are about 40 types of HPV that are transmitted sexually through oral, anal or vaginal sex. Genital Herpes: Genital Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. It is in the same family of viruses that cause cold sores around the mouth. Hepatitis B Virus: Hepatitis B or Hep B, affects the liver. It is not to be mistaken with Hepatitis A or C, which are other forms of liver disease. Hepatitis B is easily transmitted not only through sexual activities, but by sharing items like razors, needles and toothbrushes. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Human Immunodeficiency virus or HIV/AIDS attacks the body’s immune system, leaving infected individuals unable to fight off other illness. It is transmitted through sexual activities, but also spread by sharing items like razors, needles and toothbrushes. Cervical cancer occurs when there is an abnormal proliferation of cervical cells. These cells gradually develop pre-cancerous changes before turning into cancers. It is one of the most common cancers in women across the world. When pre-cancerous cell changes are detected early, using a method called the pap test, they can be successfully treated to prevent cancers from developing6. Cervical cancers are classified into squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The focus of this paper is to describe the relationship between one of the viral STIs, the Human Papilloma Virus, and cervical cancer in Ghana. HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS Human papilloma viruses, commonly referred to as HPVs, are aetiological agents of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer7. In humans, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus. It affects about 50% of sexually active people at some point in their lives8. Often, being infected is asymptomatic and the infection may go away without medical treatment. HPV is spread through contact with infected genital skin, mucous membranes and body fluids, and can be transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral intercourse. HPV lives in the epithelial cells of the body hence it usually affects the surface of the skin, vagina, vulva, anus, cervix, penis head, mouth and throat. Over 100 HPV types have been identified and each is referred to by a number9. HPV can be classified into a high-risk or low-risk strains. Not all of the sexually transmitted types cause serious health problems. High-risk HPV strains are known to cause about 70% of cervical cancers8. These are majorly types 16 and 18, but they also include types 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82. Low-risk HPV strains rarely cause cancers but instead cause warts on skin surfaces. Of the total number of virus types found, about 60 cause warts on hands and feet (A papilloma is a benign tumour derived from epithelium ­). There are about 40 types of HPV that are transmitted through sex. CAUSES HPV infection is caused when the virus enters your body through a cut or abrasion in the epidermis of the skin. The virus is transferred primarily by skin-to-skin contact. Genital HPV infections are contracted through sexual intercourse, anal sex and other skin-to-skin contact in the genital region. Some HPV infections that result in oral or upper respiratory lesions are contracted through oral sex. It is possible for a mother with an HPV infection to pass on the virus to her infant during delivery. This exposure may cause HPV infection in the babys genitals or upper respiratory system3. RISK FACTORS The following are some risk factors inherent in HPV: Prevalence of genital HPV is directly related to the number of lifetime sexual partners, recent changes in sexual partners, marital status, age at which one first had sex, illiteracy, oral contraceptive use, alcoholism, hormonal and dietary factors and immune suppression,(domfeh et al) Age at first sexual intercourse: the age of a person at the time which they first had sex could be an indicator for the number of sexual partners they have in their lifetime. Number of sexual partners. The greater the number of sexual partners one has, the more likely they are to contract a genital HPV infection. Having sex with a partner who has had multiple sex partners also increases the risk. Weakened immune systems. People who have weakened immune systems are at greater risk of HPV infections. Immune systems can be weakened by HIV/AIDS or by immune system-suppressing drugs used after organ transplants. PREVENTION The best way to prevent getting an HPV infection is to avoid direct contact with the virus, which is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. It is difficult to avoid skin-to-contact with our loved ones in our relationships. Also, in most cases of HPV infection, there are no visible signs for us to know in order to avoid direct skin contact with infected individuals. Correct and consistent condom use is associated with reduced HPV transmission between sexual partners but areas not covered by condoms can still pass on the virus when they come into contact partner’s skin. Regular pap tests, which can detect precancerous changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer are recommended. SCREENING AND VACCINATION CERVICAL CANCER Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by two specific varieties of genital HPV: Types 16 and 18. Once HPV enters an epithelial cell, the virus begins to make the proteins it encodes. Two of the proteins made by high-risk HPVs (E6 and E7) interfere with cell functions that normally prevent excessive growth, helping the cell to grow in an uncontrolled manner and to avoid cell death. Often, infected cells are recognized by the immune system and eliminated. Sometimes, however, the infected cells are not destroyed, and a persistent infection results. As the persistently infected cells continue to grow, they may develop mutations in cellular genes that promote even more abnormal cell growth, leading to the formation of an area of precancerous cells and, eventually, a cancerous tumour. Other factors may increase the risk that an infection with a high-risk HPV type will persist and possibly progress into cancer. These include: Smoking or chewing tobacco (for increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer) Having a weakened immune system Increased parity (for increased risk of cervical cancer) Long-term oral contraceptive use (for increased risk of cervical cancer) Poor oral hygiene (for increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer) Chronic inflammation10 It can take 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems. It takes only about 5 to 10 years in women with weakened immune systems, such as those with untreated HIV infection 9 IN GHANA In Ghana, cervical cancer constitutes about 57.8% of all gynaecological cancers. It is the second most common cancer in women with an estimated incidence of 26.4 per 100,000. It is also the second most common cancer in women aged 15 to 44 years in Ghana. Every year, 3,038 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 2,006 die from it in Ghana (Edwin, 2010; Nkyekyer, 2000; WHO, 2010) The Pap smear and VIA have been observed to have challenges with regards to sensitivity and specificity even though the Pap smear is the gold standard for screening in Ghana. A study conducted at the Ridge Hospital in 2013, 201 women were sampled to be used to determine the prevalence of HPV and the associated risk factors. 1

The Barkley Marathons :: Description Place Essays

I. Course Description The Barkley Marathons are run in the Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area near Oak Ridge in Tennessee. The park is bordered by two prisons and a coal mine and is thirty five minutes away from closest the city. The course consists of a twenty mile loop, which for the most part traces the border of the park. The actual length of the course is an issue of large debate however. The twenty mile figure was derived by the race director from a topographic map. Most that have run the loop feel that it is longer, since the distance associated with elevation change and winding trails isn't taken into account. Some feel that the loop could be as long as twenty six miles. At the other end of the argument is the distance that was derived from a survey crew in who measured the park to make a new map in 1993. The distances they got for many portions of the course were actually shorter than Gary Cantrell had listed them to be. On any account the distance assumes that the runner does not get lost, which is a rarity at the Barkley. The course is run on a variety of surfaces, none of which come close to ideal . Around 10% is run on rough dirt roads while 10% is run on old dirt roads which are now overgrown with grass. Approximately 20% is run on rough trails with 40% being on old abandoned trails which are said to be easily mistaken for the deer trails that are actually better. The remaining 20% is run on no trails at all but is actually bushwhacking through the forest. To add to the difficulty of the trails is the extreme elevation changes. The re are ironically enough thirteen climbs which result in more than 10,000 feet of climb per loop. This is obviously accompanied by an equal amount of descent. One runner described it as climbing 100 floors of stairs in your first mile, going back down on second mile and continuing this for twenty miles. The course amasses an average grade of over 20% and between 50 and near 100 percent grade on the abandoned trails and bushwhacking sections. The grade is the reason that the trails have been abandoned or not built in the first pace. Each climb bears a unique name which in many cases gives a good idea of their nature.

Western & Native America Medicine

In such a situation, I would first create a good rapport between Mr. Wolf, his wife and I. I would start by thanking them for visiting the health care centre and for allowing me to run some tests on Mr. Wolf. I would then advise him that it is a good thing to look after our health as this is the only way that we will be able to live to see tomorrow. As Broome, B. & Broome, R. , (2007) says, the Native Americans value their traditions very much. It is therefore necessary to act as one of them or rather to respect these values and demonstrate to them that they are important. By doing this, I will be able to prescribe some new medication and at the same time, I will be certain that Mr. Wolf will respect and adhere to the directions that I would give him. After examining him, I would give him the antibiotics that he is supposed to take. I would try to educate him on the importance of these drugs as they would help him to regain his health. I would do this by explaining the consequences of prostatitis and the effects or damage that it might have if it is not treated. I would not discourage him from taking his herbal medicines that he was prescribed. Instead, I would thank him for visiting the healer or the health counselor or advisor. I would encourage him to continue taking the herbs as they were directed by the healer or the health counselor. In addition, I would also advise him to take the medications that I have administered to him without fail. This way, he will feel that I am supporting him and at the same time I am respecting his culture. According to Cohen (2003), American Indians or the Native Americans value their tradition very much. This means that if at all I will act as if I am not respecting this fact, there are chances that he will not follow my directions and therefore he might not get well at all. Alternatively, there are some herbal medicines that are not likely to do well with the hospital medicine. I would therefore ask him to go home with the medicine that I had administered to him and make sure he takes them. I would explain to him that there are some herbal medicines that would counteract with the hospital medicines that we are taking. I would advise him to come with the herbal medicine that he is taking so that we can see if they have any content that might react with the antibiotics. This way, we would be able to prevent any further reaction in his body. When they bring the medicine, I would analyze it and assess whether it has any reaction with the antibiotics that I would have given him. If there is a reaction, I would change the antibiotics, alternatively, I would try to advise him that there is a serious reaction that might take place if he took both the medicine that I administered and the herbal medicine at the same time. I would then try to explain to him that the diseases that he is currently having is very serious and therefore he need to give it a first priority. According to Moses, L. & Wilson, R, (1985), Native Americans are known to speaking in parables. I would therefore try to formulate a story about a patient who had such a disease and who defied or rather who refused to take the medication that I had given him and chose the herbs. He only stayed for five months before succumbing to the illness. This would be in the aim of convincing Mr. Wolf to give the antibiotics the first priority and stop taking the herbs for some time. I would advise him that he can immediately go back to the herbs onces the antibiotics are over.

Perspectives on Free-Speech Zones on College Campuses Essay

Naturally, many negative connotations come along with the term â€Å"free-speech zone. † The wording alone automatically insinuates that free speech should not be allowed everywhere, which is hardly the true intention of the idea. Sometimes the right of free speech is taken advantage of; such as in certain rallies and protests, where disruptive noise, violence, and destruction often occurs. Universities hold a responsibility to their students of providing a reasonably safe and undisruptive environment to learn and excel in. Universities are not creating â€Å"free-speech zones† to limit free speech, but rather to maintain a secure atmosphere that is conducive to concentration and higher learning. Universities should be able to maintain a certain level of safety on campus in whatever way they choose. â€Å"The University reserves the right to relocate or cancel the activity due to disruption from excessive noise levels, traffic entanglement, or if the safety of individuals is in question† (West Virginia University’s Student Handbook 91). They are not undermining the right of free speech that we as Americans legally hold, but are creating an appropriate means for demonstrators to voice their opinions without causing unnecessary disruption and chaos in inappropriate places on campus. An issue I do have with this idea of a â€Å"free-speech zone† is that there isn’t a clear definition of when or where these zones should be used. Who is to say whether or not the voicing of a certain opinion or idea requires the use of a â€Å"free-speech zone†? If what constitutes the use of a â€Å"free-speech zone† was better defined then the use of such â€Å"zones† could be more affective and appropriate. As stated by Robert J. Scott, protest zones have been used at many political conventions and other major events. â€Å"Protest zones can be reasonable restrictions that allow free-speech rights to be expressed while decreasing safety concerns and preventing undue disruption† (Scott 92). With the history of violence and destruction that is associated with protests, it is only natural that certain precautions be taken to prevent such problems. It is too vague to say the free expression of views or opinions may not â€Å"disrupt the normal function of the university,† as stated in the West Virginia University’s student handbook. Who decides what the â€Å"normal function† truly is, or when it is being â€Å"disrupted? † If a university decides to establish the use of â€Å"free-speech zones† then they should be able to provide a clear and concise description of when, and for what purpose, these â€Å"zones† should be used. One of a universities top priorities is to make their campus as safe and secure as possible, and if â€Å"free-speech zones† or â€Å"protest zones† are what they feel are necessary to maintain that security then they should be able to enforce them. The problem really comes down to whether or not these â€Å"zones† are used appropriately. If used extensively, and at levels that are unnecessary for the safety of students, then human rights issues could easily come into play. But if used in a smart way, such as for larger demonstrations of freedom of speech, like protests and rallies, then they could be helpful in preventing destruction and/or distraction on university campuses. â€Å"Requiring those expressing dissent to obey the law while doing so does not constitute repression† (Scott 92).