Medicines constitute a key factor in all health care delivery systems and are now said to contribute highly towards many households' recurrent expenditure. As access to medicines increase, bulks of medicines become unused and are kept at home. This has resulted into accumulation of unused medicines at home mainly due to lack of adequate knowledge on procedures for their safe disposal -which potentially can expose households to risks related to diversion, accidental overdose and use by children. An understanding of people's knowledge and perceptions on their disposal patterns therefore becomes fundamental in tackling this issue. It is against this backdrop that this study intended not only to bridge the knowledge gap in this discipline, but also to explore households' perceptions and practices of disposal patterns of unused medicines in Nairobi City -the capital of Kenya. The study found out that household's knowledge on disposal practices of unused medicines is relatively weak attributed to by lack of public outreach and awareness campaigns, laxity on the side of medical and healthcare professionals to provide disposal guidance at hospitals and pharmacies, unclear disposal instructions on medicines packages and negligence to read the disposal instructions.
Recently we studied the acoustic properties of the underground Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Malta. Identified as "architecture in the negative", it is a unique prehistoric complex, intentionally sculpted with features that mirror megalithic temples above ground. It is known that the Hypogeum was used in the Neolithic not only as a depository for bones, but also as a shrine for ritual use. In a room known as the "Oracle Room" set in the second level of the hypogeum, we have been able to detect the presence of a strong resonance effect: a double resonance frequency at 70Hz and 114Hz. With a male voice tuned to these frequencies it is possible to stimulate the resonance phenomenon throughout the hypogeum. It was further detected that percussion instruments can stimulate the resonance by their harmonics. Laboratory testing indicates that these frequencies have a strong effect on human brain activity. Since it is likely that the chambers served as centers for social or spiritual events, the resonance of the chamber cavities would have supported human ritual chanting and mystic consciousness.
The Tarxien Temples in Malta were analysed from an archaeoacoustic point of view. As there is no roof present, it was not possible to find the resonance properties of the various chambers. This investigation however, discovered an interesting low vibration originating from below the ground. The most likely explanation of its origin is due to the movement of underground water through geological faults. This vibration appears to be transmitted through the megaliths, some of which have concavities or carved holes. Previous archaeological interpretation, has suggested these were likely to have been used to support the foundations of some sort of barrier or door, but without any supporting evidence. Using archaeoacoustic methods a new interpretation of these architectonic particularities is put forward, acting as some type of forerunner to speakers..
Archaeoacoustics offers a new way to interpret anthropological questions pertaining to ancient architecture and populations. Studies conducted at a number of ancient sites throughout Europe and Asia, have found the presence of natural phenomena capable of influencing the human brain. Earlier studies show that ancient populations most likely through use of empirical methods chose the location of their ceremonial sites for this reason. In Xaghra Hypogeum a stone circle located on the island of Gozo, Malta, infrasounds and audible low frequencies capable of affecting the brain were discovered. The caves and surrounding stones act like a musical box amplifying the natural sounds present and it is possible the natural caves could have been modified to enhance this aspect. Similar natural characteristics were also discovered at other archaeological sites in Europe and Asia, including Epidauros in Greece and Göbekli Tepe in Turkey. This is the third and final article on results of our researches in Malta e Gozo islands (Mediterranean Sea) from archaeoacoustic point of view.
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