What an IT do for business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

What an IT do for business - Research Paper Example Information technology is developing at a very great speed, particularly in the business world. Many firms are using the internet for various functions to enhance their production efficiency and augment their marketing strategies. However, key among these is the use of technology to increase the competitive advantage of firms. This paper analyzes how a company/business can use information technology to increase its competitive advantage. Introduction Internet has changed the structure of global markets and made it possible to hook up to other systems, people, and companies, without the restrictions of time and space. The dispersion of such a system is purposefully significant for economic development of every country. With the development and progression of the information and communication technology (ICT), competitive advantage plays a vital role in contemporary companies and businesses (Cicak, 2010). Information network comprises diverse types of software platforms and databases, which the companies use to increase effectiveness and augment their competitive advantage. These include venture-wide networks devised to administer all principal functions of the company provided for instance SAP, PeopleSoft, and JD Edwards among others. They also include more general-purpose database creations aimed at specific uses for instance the products provided by Oracle, Microsoft, and many others (Dewett & Jones, 2000). Ways in which information technology helps in generating competitive advantage The fundamental means for understanding the impact of information technology on companies is the value chain. This is the set of procedures harmonized to produce a certain product or service and offering it to the consumers. In almost all industries and companies, information networks carry out several separate but interrelated activities that affect the procedures like production, fabricating, advertising, selling or delivering products to customers. Modern industry is endeavori ng to reinforce relationships with clients, generate new revenue opportunities as well as lessen supply chain inadequacy. The directness of Internet networks ensures ultimate compatibility with other technologies and the volatility of internet-based information systems (Cicak, 2010). Because of advancements in information technology, buyers have easier access to information concerning products and providers, therefore boosting their bargaining power. In addition, internet networks tend to lessen variable costs and to generate considerably greater pressure for firms to engage in vicious price competition. Although internet affects the operational efficiency and strategic positioning in various ways, it also offers new opportunities for reinforcing or realizing strategic positioning (Cicak, 2010). Information efficiencies (INE) are the savings on cost and time that effect when Information Technology permits individual workers to carry out their present tasks at a higher stage, take on extra tasks, and enlarge their positions in the company because of progresses in the capability to collect and evaluate data. On the other hand, information synergies (INS) are the routine gains that outcome when Information Technology permits two or more persons or subunits to merge their resources, cooperate, and collaborate across function or subunit limitations (Dewett & Jones, 2000). Another way in which network technology helps to create competitive advantage is through differentiation. Information technology helps a company to differentiate itself through various aspects. These include pricing, product improvement, and shorter-time to market as well as customer service. Furthermore, information network can help a company offer customised products and services, therefore improving differentiation and competitive advantage. Supported by the Internet’s interactivity aspect, for instance registration form and E-mail, a company can easily gather customer information includ ing

The Stagnation of Content in the Making of Movies Essay

The Stagnation of Content in the Making of Movies - Essay Example While some of these films are successful, others are box office failures. Motives for releasing a remake runs the gamut of saving money, exploiting a popular plot or theme, or capitalizing on the current cultural trends. However, they saturate the movie market and drown the public in a stagnant pool of rehashed content. We, as a society, need to break outside our own self-inflicted monotony, and let our imagination run rampant once again, or else our society may forever be caught in the endless miasma of mediocre entertainment, and with it, our future forced into dull drudgery. The propensity of the Hollywood studios to remake a foreign film is exemplified with the cashing in on the pop culture's current cult buzz. A prime example of this phenomenon is the Japanese movie The Ring (1998), which is one of the most horrifying and the highest grossing films ever to be released in Japan. Its success spawned a series of remakes such as in Korea as The Ring Virus (1999) and in the United States as The Ring (2002). The studios did not have to take the risk of inventing new characters, setting, or plot. They simply moved forward on a tried and true formula that had previously been successful. ... The studio's attempt to save money by reproducing more of the same actually resulted in heavy losses. While the original Ring grossed $129 million, the sequel The Ring Two pulled in a paltry final figure of $75 million in the United States ("Japanese Horror Remake"). This is evidence that the viewing public can get tired of their fond memories, as movie producers fail to deliver on their promises of enhancing and tastefully paying homage to the previous films by taking short cuts and recycling old ideas. Watching a well-made film repeatedly may be far more enjoyable than seeing it repackaged with unfamiliar actors and different production values. A good example of this is the Hitchcock film Psycho (1960). This film is so tense and well crafted that the remake has had great difficulty in living up to its expectations. When a remake is released, the public and the critics will naturally compare it to the original version. The critics at Moviefone called Invasion (2007), Nicole Kidman's remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), "ridiculous, overwrought ... and worst of all, boring" ("Worst Movie Remakes of all Time"). Other films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, House of Wax, and the planned Evil Dead suffer from the audience's high standards when comparing then to the original. The financial effort to save money on a remake almost assures the public that they will see nothing new, and probably the best they can hope for is some enhanced technology in the special effects. The remake of the highly acclaimed Alfie (1966) was remade starring Jude Law, and was panned by critics as, "a hollow, cynical shell of the charming

Science lab 3.11 Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Science 3.11 - Lab Report Example This paper outlines a procedure for cleaning up oil spills in the sea. All the four methods helped in cleaning up the water. The feather dipped in oil and water mixture was different from the one dipped in the oil spill cleaned water. There were challenges of what to do with the oils spill after it was collected from the water. The cotton balls absorbed water as well as the oil. The dish detergent only broke the oil and it does not remove the oil from the water while use of Styrofoam is time consuming, and they also act as pollutants. The home clean-up process is easier as compared to the one in the ocean since there are wind and currents in the ocean which causes the oil spill to move and at times mix with the water making the clean up difficult. Use of paper towels in cleaning up oil spills is more effective as compared to other methods. They absorb the oil without absorbing water as compared to the cotton balls. They are also faced with the challenge of what to do with the collected oil spills, which may be broken down using the dish detergent. Oil spill in oceans and seas is a universal tragedy that is causing environmental pollution and death of marine creatures. There is a need to adopt an oil cleaning procedure that will clean oil spills as soon as they occur and prevent their adverse impacts. I would recommend modification of the paper towel to enable application in large ships and water vessels to enable clean up which will not only be cheap but also

The Stagnation of Content in the Making of Movies Essay

The Stagnation of Content in the Making of Movies - Essay Example While some of these films are successful, others are box office failures. Motives for releasing a remake runs the gamut of saving money, exploiting a popular plot or theme, or capitalizing on the current cultural trends. However, they saturate the movie market and drown the public in a stagnant pool of rehashed content. We, as a society, need to break outside our own self-inflicted monotony, and let our imagination run rampant once again, or else our society may forever be caught in the endless miasma of mediocre entertainment, and with it, our future forced into dull drudgery. The propensity of the Hollywood studios to remake a foreign film is exemplified with the cashing in on the pop culture's current cult buzz. A prime example of this phenomenon is the Japanese movie The Ring (1998), which is one of the most horrifying and the highest grossing films ever to be released in Japan. Its success spawned a series of remakes such as in Korea as The Ring Virus (1999) and in the United States as The Ring (2002). The studios did not have to take the risk of inventing new characters, setting, or plot. They simply moved forward on a tried and true formula that had previously been successful. ... The studio's attempt to save money by reproducing more of the same actually resulted in heavy losses. While the original Ring grossed $129 million, the sequel The Ring Two pulled in a paltry final figure of $75 million in the United States ("Japanese Horror Remake"). This is evidence that the viewing public can get tired of their fond memories, as movie producers fail to deliver on their promises of enhancing and tastefully paying homage to the previous films by taking short cuts and recycling old ideas. Watching a well-made film repeatedly may be far more enjoyable than seeing it repackaged with unfamiliar actors and different production values. A good example of this is the Hitchcock film Psycho (1960). This film is so tense and well crafted that the remake has had great difficulty in living up to its expectations. When a remake is released, the public and the critics will naturally compare it to the original version. The critics at Moviefone called Invasion (2007), Nicole Kidman's remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), "ridiculous, overwrought ... and worst of all, boring" ("Worst Movie Remakes of all Time"). Other films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, House of Wax, and the planned Evil Dead suffer from the audience's high standards when comparing then to the original. The financial effort to save money on a remake almost assures the public that they will see nothing new, and probably the best they can hope for is some enhanced technology in the special effects. The remake of the highly acclaimed Alfie (1966) was remade starring Jude Law, and was panned by critics as, "a hollow, cynical shell of the charming

Risk management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Risk management - Research Paper Example nstance are events that create potential threats and uncertainty to an organizational priority, while at the same time tainting the overall reputation, image and identity of that organization. Communication crises, on the other hand involve the visual, written, printed or verbal interaction that an organization has with the target audience probable after the occurrence of a crisis. Crisis management, therefore, is a process that involves a company dealing with certain critical events and uncertainties that threaten to harm or disrupt the organizational working course, the public and the company’s stakeholders. Crisis management is a practise that begun in early 1980s after several multinational companies encountered defining moments that led to several business closures worldwide. In public relations, crisis management plays a fundamental role. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the management of crisis by identifying the different types of crises that may befall a company. Crises are disasters that characterize the actual cause of operational difficulty in an organization. A number of types of disasters or crises are possible in several industries (Ushanov, 2010). Natural disasters are caused by exceptional natural conditions like floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, droughts, poverty, and storms. Technological crisis arise from human activities concerning scientific application s that may be faulty. Unlike in the natural disasters, it is possible to hold individuals accountable for technological mishaps. Organizational crisis are those that involve disorganization in the organizational workplace, commonly arising from deception, misconduct and inappropriate managerial skills. Other types of crisis include the rumours, confrontational crisis, terrorist attacks and violence in the workplace. It is extremely hazardous for companies to overlook the possibilities of crisis befalling their organization. The uncertainties and threats that

Henry David Thoreau Essay Example for Free

Henry David Thoreau Essay Transcendentalism is a very important movement that occurred not only in literature but in life as well. The transcendentalist movement was a movement that was basically the thought of everyone having an over-soul. The over-soul is the thought of a relationship between God, nature, and man. The movement had many different characteristics like individuality, feelings being priority over reason, the fact that nature was divine, and that nature held truths. Transcendentalists used the truths that they observed in the world and in nature to change the way society was and how people see themselves in the world. Although the idea of a utopia was not successful, the movement sparked a change in literature. Emerson and Thoreau are the two people most associated with transcendentalism. They both wrote essays about their experiences in nature and influenced many other writers to do the same (hence the transcendentalist movement). The transcendentalist thought is especially apparent in Walt Whitman and Emily Dickenson’s work. Whitman and Dickenson both show many traits of the movement, but the most apparent trait is individualism. Individualism is often portrayed in Emerson and Thoreau’s work as being equal. Everyone has a soul, inner truth is the only thing that matters, and fulfillment comes from knowing one’s self. In Emerson’s essay Nature, he describes man as being universal and related. In the quote â€Å" . . . that great nature in which we rest . . . that Unity, that Over-Soul, within which every mans particular being is contained and made one with all other. . . . We live in succession, in division, in parts, in particles. Meantime within man is the soul of the whole; the wise silence; the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related; the eternal ONE. † Emerson is saying that all men have souls and that each soul is a part of an even bigger soul, the universal soul. This is basically saying that we are all equal, but at the same time we are separated because we each have a soul of our own. In another essay, self-reliance, he stated â€Å"Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In this, he is saying that being misunderstood is being great. This also says that being misunderstood is forgetting what society says you should be or act like and doing what you want to do in order to find yourself and be your own person. By not caring about what others may think about your choices and decisions, you can be your own person and set an example for others to do the same. Not only was Emerson talking about being an individual, he was also adding a bit about your feelings being more important that reason. Thoreau also writes about individualism in his essays. In Walden, Thoreau writes about the experiences and life of his life. He writes â€Å"†¦ if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet success unexpected in common hours. † This is saying that you should live the way that you want to live and that your inner truth or inner desires are all that matter. Everyone has inner truth and desires and to live the life that you want to live then you should go for the dreams that you have always wanted to come true. This is a prime example of individualism because everyone has dreams and inner truths about the way that they want to live and it is completely up to them to live the way that they want to live. He also addresses individualism in another essay titled Civil Disobedience. He writes â€Å"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step towards obtaining it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In this, he is encouraging people to take a stand for the rights and respect they deserve. In a way, he is telling people to stop ignoring the unfair government and do something about the way you feel. This is showing again how everyone has inner truth and they should do something to change the way the world is to be better. Thoreau wanted the government to change and so he spoke about what he believed to be true. This is him showing his individualism and encouraging others to speak up as well about the truth that they believed. Like Emerson and Thoreau, Whitman and Dickenson have both used individualism in their works, but Whitman does a better job at portraying it. In Whitman’s poem ‘Song of Myself’, Whitman writes about everyone being equal and having equal opportunities. He states â€Å"I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise, regardless of others, ever regardful of others, maternal as well as paternal, a child as well as a man, stuffed with the stuff that is course, and stuffed with the stuff that is fine † In this quote he is comparing total opposites to each other. This is a way of showing how even the opposites are the same. Regardless of others, ever regardful of others means that others mean nothing to you, yet others mean everything to you. It’s contradicting, but in a way that says although others mean nothing to you, they affect you in certain ways. Everyone affects you, but you are not everyone. You are simply yourself and that is what I get from what Whitman was describing. In another part of the poem, Whitman says ‘I am as bad as the worst, but thank God, I am as good as the best. ’ This quote stands out because it means no one is better than anyone. Just because you don’t get in trouble doesn’t mean you are any less wrong or less bad. Just because you do good things doesn’t mean you are any better! Being good is simply being good and the same goes for being bad. No one is any better or worst. This means that everyone is equal and has equal opportunities. Dickenson also uses individualism as a theme in some of her works as well. In the poem ‘Heaven Has Different Signs—To Me’, Dickenson writes â€Å"The Rapture of a finished Day—Returning to the West—All these—remind us of the place, That Men call paradise† In this poem Dickinson is describing what heaven would be like. This quote refers to the end of the day for men. Individualism is living the way you want and reaching fulfillment. This quote shows how men are fulfilled in their lives and of what they call paradise. To me, I don’t think she is writing about heaven, I think she is writing about a utopia. She is writing about a place that everyone is equal and enlightened. Dickinson and Whitman both write about being equal and living the life that you want to lead. Even though they both write about individualism, Whitman portrays it much more and it is more apparent. They were both influenced by the transcendentalist movement, but Dickinson focuses on other traits like how nature is beautiful and simple and the relationship that nature, life, and death have. The transcendentalist movement may be over, but it left an imprint in literature. Many people speak of individualism and the name most associated with it in the movement is Walt Whitman. Works Cited Poemhunters. com. N. p. , n. d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013. Quotations by Author. Walt Whitman Quotes. N. p. , n. d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013. Thoreau, Henry D. Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau. Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau. Jone Johnson Lewis, n. d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013. Thoreau, Henry D. Walden. N. p. : Jalic, 2003. Print. Whitman, Walt. (1836)Nature. Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Oregon State College, n. d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013. Whitman, Walt. Self Reliance. Mrgunnar. net. N. p. , n. d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.

Determinants And Implications For Focused Antenatal Care Interventions

Determinants And Implications For Focused Antenatal Care Interventions The coverage of antenatal care (ANC) in many areas is known and there are a number of interventions to encourage use of ANC services by pregnant women. However, for women who attend ANC, it is important that they register at the appropriate time and pay a given number of visits over the pregnancy period to ensure that they receive the interventions recommended for the antenatal period at the right time. When a pregnant woman makes regular contact which her skilled antenatal care provider, she is in a position to receive various services such as those meant for prevention of eclampsia, intermittent preventive treatment for malaria, early detection of HIV/AIDS infection and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, micronutrient supplementation, birth preparedness and provision of information on danger signs occurring while she is pregnant or during delivery.1 Presently, Nigeria is transiting to the Focused Antenatal Care (FANC) approach promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO ) which is aimed at ensuring that each antenatal visit counts and that antenatal care interventions are delivered at the appropriate time.2 FANC is one of the pillars of safe motherhood. The goal of FANC is to ensure that pregnancy is normal through for major actions: identification of pre-existing health conditions, early detection of complications arising during the pregnancy, health promotion and disease prevention and birth preparedness and complication readiness planning.3The interventions are deployed in such a way that they are appropriate for the womans stage of pregnancy.4 Unlike the previously used routine care which was ritualistic and frequent visits, the FANC approach emphasizes evidence-based goal-directed actions, family-centred care, quality, rather than quantity of visits as well as care by skilled providers.3 4 Thus, numerous routine visits are no longer recommended and are considered a burden to women and the health care system. The FANC approach also deemphasizes the routine risk assessment approach for classifying women into high and low risks groups.2 With the risk assessment approach, women attending antenatal care were offered services which include blood pressure check, urinalysis to detect protein or bacteria, and blood test to rule out syphilis or anaemia.5 However many women classified as low risk end up having a false sense of security, are unable to recognize and respond to problems and end up developing complications. In addition, most high risk women give birth without complications and the excess care provided constitutes an inefficient use of scarce resources. The FANC approach in Nigeria requires that pregnant women would have paid the first visit for ANC by the 16 week of pregnancy or earlier when the women first thinks she is pregnant, the second between the 24th to 28th week, the third at the 32nd week and the 4th at the 36th week of pregnancy.2 Some authors have considered early booking to mean that a woman pays her first visit before the 14th week to achieve the aim of improved outcome of pregnancy both for a mother and her unborn child.6 Thus, by 36 weeks, a pregnant woman should have made the required minimum of four visits while those with risk of complications of conditions that can impact on pregnancy would require additional visits. The time of booking and ANC attendance can affect the effectiveness of interventions recommended for pregnant women and thus the goals of FANC. Early booking helps ensure that problems are detected and managed early.2 The first visit gives the opportunity to record information on family, maternal and medical history, carry out a physical examination, request laboratory tests, provide care including intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) for malaria in pregnancy (if beyond first trimester), provide counselling including birth plan, use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITN), HIV counselling and testing and to discuss the schedule for care. The subsequent visits are necessary for noting complaints, targeted physical examination, reviewing test results, providing care including IPT for malaria, obtaining information on use of ITN, birth plans and carrying out HIV counselling. Justification for the study Interventions for pregnant women aim protect the woman and her unborn baby for the remaining period of the pregnancy and their provision should be timely. The later the timing of first visit the shorter the period of cover and the higher the risk of development of problems and complications for the woman and her baby. Thus it is not just important to know the proportion of pregnant women attending ANC, it is also important to know when attendees commence such visits and whether they pay an adequate number of visits. Although a number of studies have documented the timing of first visit and number of visits to ANC in the south-west region of Nigeria, little is known about the pattern in the south eastern region of the country. Additionally, most of the studies are limited in scope as they are facility based (usually tertiary hospital based) and thus reflect experience amongst pregnant women who are able to access such facilities even though primary health centres are the closest to people and usually the only available point of care in rural areas. Aim: This study is aimed at documenting the socio-demographic predictors of timing of ANC booking and subsequent attendance amongst pregnant women in order to understand the impact these can have on deployment of focused antenatal care interventions for pregnant women. Objectives: To determine the timing of booking and pattern of subsequent ANC attendance among pregnant women attending primary level facilities To examine whether the timing of ANC booking and clinic attendance is affected by individual level socio-demographic factors To assess the appropriateness of timing of booking and attendance for effective delivery of focused antenatal care interventions To examine how the findings of the study can impact on the deployment of antenatal care interventions for pregnant women. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW The concept of focused antenatal care is based on the assumption that since every pregnancy faces the risk of development of complications, every pregnant woman should be monitored to avoid development of such complications.2 Lack of antenatal care is known to be a major risk factor for development of negative pregnancy outcomes. However, when antenatal care is appropriately delivered, it has the potential to positively impact on maternal mortality and morbidity.7 Studies have shown that many women obtain care quite late during the pregnancy period and the care obtained is usually inadequate.2 8 9 The first visit for antenatal care in Africa usually takes place around the fourth to fifth month of pregnancy.5 In the African region, 73% of pregnant women aged 15 49 years pay at least one visit to a health care provider for antenatal care while only 44% pay at least four visits.10 A study by Al-Nasser in Saudi Arabia showed that majority (60.8%) of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in primary health care centres were first seen before the 20th week of gestation.11 Fekede, et al noted that 42.8% of 360 pregnant women in an Ethiopian town attending antenatal clinic did so for the first time within the 3rd trimester while only 6.5% had the recommended minimum of four visits.12 In Nigeria, the figures assessing antenatal care utilization are below the African regional values as 58% of women aged 15-49 years receive ANC from a skilled health provider at least once during pregnancy while 45% of women make four or more visits for ANC.2 10 Based on the 2008 NDHS the median gestational age at booking is 5 months.2 Among 395 women attending antenatal clinic in public and private facilities covering the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, 25.8% paid the first visit for antenatal care within the first trimester. Mean gestational age at booking was found to be 18.5 (Â ±6.3) weeks while the mean number of antenatal visits was 4.0 (Â ±2.4).13 A study carried out among 378 pregnant women attending a tertiary hospital in Edo state Nigeria noted that the 6th month of pregnancy as the peak period of first visit for antenatal care among the women.14 Okunlola et al found a mean gestational age at booking of 21.82 (Â ±7.0) weeks wi th only 14.1% of the women paying attending for the first time within the first trimester.6 In a tertiary facility in Osogbo Nigeria, the mean gestational age was found to be 20.3 (Â ±6.2) weeks and 82.6% of those studied booked late.15 Amongst 400 women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary facility in Ile Ife, Nigeria, 71% had registered by the 20th week of gestation.16 Aluko and Oluwatosin found low rates of first trimester booking and irregular visits for antenatal care among women attending clinics in a mission hospital in Ibadan south west Nigeria.17 Socio-demographic factors and parity have been found to directly influence the timing of first visit for antenatal care though the results are sometimes dissimilar. Most women (79.9%) attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary hospital in Edo state Nigeria were found to have booked late.18 However, there was no significant difference in age, parity, level of education and social class between women booking early and late. In a study carried out among pregnant women attending a the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Adegbola found a mean gestational age at first booking of 18.5 (Â ±8.3), 18.4 (Â ±7.4) weeks for nulliparous and primiparous women respectively.19 The overall mean gestational age at booking was 19.1(Â ±7.2) weeks. Women with parity 5 booked at significantly higher mean gestational age of 25.9 (Â ±) weeks and women of lower social class tend to book earlier for antenatal care. Similarly Adeyemi, et al found that late booking was thrice as common in multiparous women com pared with the nulliparous group and the difference was significant.20 Other authors have found an association between parity and timing of first visit, and number of antenatal visits.11 21 A number of studies have documented the factors that affect use of ANC amongst women in the developing countries;9 these determinants are also likely to affect the timeliness of attendance for ANC. Chandrashekar, et al found that women who are poor, illiterate, multiparous, unskilled and over 30 years of age were less likely to receive antenatal care in India.22 Age was found to be a significant predictor of ANC attendance in a community based study in Ethiopia where women aged 15-24 years were found 2.75 times more likely to attend than those aged 25-34 years.12 Geographic place of residence can also have an impact as women living in urban areas are more likely to receive antenatal care during pregnancy. Women have also been found to concurrently use multiple antenatal care providers and this can affect the timing of booking in a facility. Adeoye, et al found that 25% and 30.5% of women attending two antenatal care clinics in a tertiary facility in Ebonyi state were concurrently using both formal and informal providers of antenatal care.23 Of 535 women attending a tertiary facility in Enugu Nigeria, 69.5% were booked in more than one facility.24 The time of commencement of ANC visits has implications for the period of protection that pregnant women have from interventions. For example where women attend antenatal care late in pregnancy, they may not receive the recommended 2-3 doses of Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) for malaria in pregnancy using sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine combinations.25 Data from the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) shows that among 11,027 women aged 15 49 years with a live birth within a period of 2 years preceding the survey, only 8.0% received at least one dose of IPT while 4.9% received 2 or more doses.2 The proportion was 9.9% and 5.4% respectively for the south east region of Nigeria. It is important that pregnant women are available at the appropriate time for delivery of IPT which is best given when the growth of the foetus is occurring at its highest velocity (16th 24th week) as this helps to reduce placental parasitaemia, foetal growth reduction and the resultant low birth weight.26 It is also known that the negative impact of malaria is worse among women with their first and second pregnancies compared to those that have had more than two pregnancies.27-29 Thus primi and secundi-gravidae need to pay their first visit early enough to ensure adequate protection through the pregnancy period. The same consideration holds sway for interventions such as insecticide treated nets for which the potential protective time period depends on how early in pregnancy a woman starts sleeping under the net. All it all, timely attendance to ANC is important to enhance the potential for positive pregnancy outcomes since it provides pregnant women with the opportunity to receive recommended interventions and the protection from problems and complications. Socio-demographic and maternal factors such as parity can affect the timeliness of ANC visits by pregnant women. CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY Study area: This study will be carried out in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria. Enugu state comprises of 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs), has a total population of 3,257,298 people and an annual growth rate of 3.0.30 Three of the 17 LGAs (Enugu North, Enugu South and Nsukka) are urban, one (Enugu East) has a mix of urban and rural areas while the remaining 13 LGAs are rural. The people of Enugu are of Igbo ethnicity and are predominantly Christians. A substantial proportion of the working population in the state is engaged in farming, trading, and public service employment. Study site: Two areas will be purposively selected for the study to enable collection of data across for those in both urban and rural areas of the state. These are Udi LGA comprising Udi North and South Development Councils will be used to represent the rural areas while Enugu North and South LGAs will represent the urban areas. Udi has a population of 234,002 while Enugu North and South have a population of 244,852 and 198,723 respectively.30 Udi LGA has 14 primary health facilities that offer ANC services while Enugu North and South (referred to as Enugu) together have 12 primary facilities that offer ANC (appendix 1). Study design: This will be a cross-sectional study involving eliciting of information from pregnant women attending primary health centres for antenatal care through exit interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire. Sampling and sample size: All the primary health care facilities providing ANC in the study LGAs will be used for the study. Since the level of attendance of ANC varies for different facilities, a proportionate method will be used for determining the sample size for each facility. The proportion will be determined by considering the average weekly number of antenatal clinic attendees to the facility relative to the total from all facilities as reported by the heads of the facilities and the relative proportion will be computed. The minimum sample size required for the study is 374. This was determined using the formula for determination of sample size for population proportion,31 an ANC coverage level of 58%,2 a confidence level of 95% and an error margin of 0.05. Z= 1.96 at 95% confidence level, (two-sided). p=ANC coverage = 58% d=margin of error tolerated = 0.05 Considering a potential refusal rate of 10%, 411 women will be sampled. Study tools: Data will be collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire (appendix 2) which will be administered by trained field workers. The questionnaire will be pre-tested amongst pregnant women attending ANC at the Primary Health Centre Abakpa, Enugu East LGA which will not be used for the study. Data analysis: Epi Info statistical software will be used for data entry while SPSS and Stata Softwares will be used for data analysis. Data will initially aim to elicit the determinants of timing of booking of ANC. Subsequently, a continuous socio-economic status index will be generated using the principal component analysis technique in STATA software package 32 to enable disaggregation of data into socio-economic quintiles. Information that will be used include households asset holdings including television, radio, refrigerator, car, bicycle, rechargeable lamp, kerosene lamp, electric fan, air conditioner, motorcycle.33 The SES quintiles generated will be used in assessing differences in timing of booking for women of various SES groups. Logistic regression analysis will be employed for examination of the determinants of the timing of booking. Data analysis will also aim to estimate the proportion of women attending at the appropriate time for delivery of recommended interventions . Chi squared test will be used to test for significance of differences observed for categorical data while chi squared for trend test will be employed for ordered categorical data. All tests of significance will be done a p value of 0.05. Ethical considerations: Ethical clearance will be obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, while permission to carry out the study will be obtained from the Primary Health Care Coordinator of the LGAs as well as from the heads of facilities to be used. Written consent will be obtained from patients who are interviewed after they have been informed of the objectives of the study and the voluntary nature of their participation.