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Open publishing of public health research in Africa

I n our previous study , we shed light on how imperative it is to enhance the accessibility of publications in African public health journals. Building upon this groundwork, this study sought to delineate the current landscape regarding the knowledge of, obstacles to, and enthusiasm for capacity building in open publishing within the realm of public health research across Africa. The study used an online survey to glean responses from 91 participants from 16 African nations, comprising authors (75%), reviewers (53%), journal editors (40%), and journal publishers (19%), with some individuals assuming multiple roles. Notably, respondents possessed experience in both traditional and open access publishing modalities. Surprisingly, less than half of the respondents recognised the advantages associated with open publishing, such as enhanced accessibility, increased citations, and heightened transparency. Additionally, a portion of the respondents provided inaccurate responses, underscoring

Libraries staying connected with patrons during the pandemic

  The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every facet of life, and one sector profoundly affected in Ghana was higher education, particularly academic libraries. With academic activities pivoting around dynamic libraries, the need for connection during the pandemic prompted a surge in the adoption of collaborative technologies. In a recent study in the Volta Region of Ghana, librarians were found to embrace tools like Zoom, Moodle, WhatsApp, email, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype to stay connected with patrons. The decision-making dynamics, however, revealed a noteworthy aspect – non-librarians played a significant role in the tool acquisition process. This study, employing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology II model, sheds light on the motivations driving Ghanaian libraries to embrace emerging technologies. The librarians' criteria, rooted in performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions, offer valuable insights into the evolving landsc