OPUS: Open Ulethbridge Scholarship

Open ULeth Scholarship (OPUS) is the University of Lethbridge's open access research repository. It contains a collection of materials related to research and teaching produced by the academic community.

Self-archiving your research in OPUS is one way to meet Open Access policies of granting agencies. It is important to retain your final, post-peer-reviewed drafts for submission to OPUS, as this is often the only version publishers will allow to be archived. Click here for information on the U of L Open Access Policy.

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Groups with elements of order 8 do not have the DCI property
(University of Primorska, 2025) Dobson, Ted; Morris, Joy; Spiga, Pablo
Let k be odd, and n an odd multiple of 3. Although this can also be deduced from known results, we provide a new proof that Ck ⋊ C₈ and (Cn × C₃) ⋊ C₈ do not have the Directed Cayley Isomorphism (DCI) property. When k is prime, Ck ⋊ C₈ had previously been proved to have the Cayley Isomorphism (CI) property. To the best of our knowledge, the groups Cp ⋊ C₈ (where p is an odd prime) are only the second known infinite family of groups that have the CI property but do not have the DCI property. This also provides a new proof of the result (which follows from known results but was not explicitly published) that no group with an element of order 8 has the DCI property. One piece of our proof is a new result that may prove to be of independent interest: we show that if a permutation group has a regular subgroup of index 2 then it must be 2-closed.
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Longitudinal studies of aging in Sub-Saharan Africa: review, limitations, and recommendations in preparation of projected aging population
(Oxford Academic, 2024) Akinrolie, Olayinka; Iwuagwu, Anthony O.; Kalu, Michael E.; Rayner, Daniel; Oyinlola, Oluwagbemiga; Ezulike, Chigozie D.; Okoh, Augustine C.; Makanju, Adebayo O.; Ugwuodo, Ebere P.; John, Makanjuola O.; Adeleke, Deborah; Egbumike, Chukwuenyegom J.; Anieto, Ebuka M.; Anieto, Ijeoma B.; Alumona, Chiedozie J.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Ojembe, Blessing; Omeje, Chidinma A.; Nwachukwu, Ernest C.; Ekediegwu, Ezinne C.; Onyeso, Kelechi M.; Adeboye, Ademuyiwa; Ibekaku, Michael; Akinrolie, Omobolade; Onyekere, Chukwuebuka
Background and Objectives The United Nations has projected a 218% increase in older people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) between 2019 and 2050, underscoring the need to explore changes that would occur over this time. Longitudinal studies are ideal for studying and proffering solutions to these changes. This review aims to understand the breadth and use of longitudinal studies on aging in the SSA regions, proffering recommendations in preparation for the projected aging population. Research Design and Methods This paper is the third of a four-part series paper of a previous systematic mapping review of aging studies in SSA. We updated the search (between 2021 and 2023) and screened the titles/abstracts and full-text articles by a pair of independent reviewers. Data were extracted using a standardized data-charting form, identifying longitudinal studies in SSA. Results We identified 193 studies leveraging 24 longitudinal study data sets conducted at 28 unique sites. The World Health Organization’s Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE) (n = 59, 30.5%) and Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) (n = 51, 26.4%) were the most used longitudinal data sets. Four studies used more than one longitudinal study data set. Eighteen of the longitudinal study data sets were used only in 1–4 studies. Most (n = 150, 77.7%) of the studies used a cross-sectional analytical approach. Discussion and Implications Longitudinal studies on aging are sparingly being utilized in SSA. Most analyses conducted across the longitudinal data set were cross-sectional, which hindered the understanding of aging changes that occurred over time that could better inform aging policy and interventions. We call for funding bodies, such as WHO-SAGE, to develop funding competitions that focus on conducting longitudinal analyses, such as structural equation modeling, highlighting changes occurring among the aging population in SSA.
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Building consensus on priority areas for Sub-Saharan Africa’s ageing population research: an e-Delphi study protocol
(Public Library of Science, 2024) Okoh, Augustine C.; Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.; Ekemezie, Wendy; Oyinlola, Oluwagbemiga; Akinrolie, Olayinka; Kalu, Michael
Background Improvement in medico-social services has increased life expectancy and population ageing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It was estimated that about 163 million people aged 65 and older will be resident in SSA by 2050. There is inadequate ageing research capacity in SSA which necessitates this study to (a) identify a decade-long ageing research opportunities, challenges, and solutions, and (b) prioritize critical ageing research areas and methodologies relevant to the SSA. Methods We designed an e-Delphi protocol following the Reporting Guideline for Priority Setting of Health Research with Stakeholder. The stakeholders will be researchers, practitioners, older adults, and caregivers purposively selected through snowballing quota sampling to complete three rounds of e-Delphi surveys. Round 1 will involve open-ended questions derived from the study objectives. Responses from round 1 will be prepared as a checklist for stakeholders to rate during rounds 2 & 3, using a 9-point scale: low priority (1–3), moderate priority (4–6), and high priority (7–9). The criterion for reaching a consensus will be ≥ 70% of stakeholders rating an item “high priority” and ≤ 15% as “low priority.” Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test will be used to assess the stability of stakeholders’ responses, and qualitative comments will be analysed using content analysis. Discussion and implications Setting aging research/practice priorities will help maximize the benefits of research investment and provide valuable direction for allocating public and private research funds to areas of strategic importance.
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Non-pharmacological intervention to reduce responsive behaviours in seniors with dementia at an assisted living facility in Calgary, Alberta
(Lethhbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2025) Braimoh, Edith E.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences; Lokanc-Diluzio, Wendi
Responsive behaviours such as agitation, aggression, and wandering among seniors with dementia remain a challenge for healthcare staff. While medications are commonly used, they carry risks, making non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), such as music and physical exercise, safer, person-centred alternatives that enhance quality of life. Despite policy mandates and mandatory dementia education, a gap persists between theoretical knowledge and practical application in care settings. Standardizing education across academic and workplace programs, with emphasis on tailoring interventions to individual preferences and life history, is essential. To address this gap, a 30-minute education session was delivered to staff at Cogir Senior Living McKenzie Towne. The session connected theory to practice, and staff reported a deeper understanding of responsive behaviours and the role of NPIs in dementia care. Findings highlight the importance of ongoing, evidence-based, and standardized training to improve care quality and support the well-being of individuals living with dementia.
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Navigating informed consent: ethical challenges in addiction treatment
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2025) Rasidescu, Michelle M.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education; Luft, Toupey M.
This project explores issues related to informed consent processes in the context of addiction treatment. Substance use disorder presents unique ethical challenges for informed consent. While the topic of informed consent in psychotherapy has been addressed in academic literature, this project shows that there is limited information specific to informed consent in addiction settings, as well as a lack of guidance for same in Canadian codes of ethics. To establish the relevance of this issue, a fictional ethical dilemma is presented to illustrate how such concerns can arise in professional practice. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of the history of informed consent, the essential components of informed consent, and factors that influence the process. The project then provides a foundational overview of substance use disorder treatment facilities, the types of professionals who work in addiction treatment contexts, and different ways of conceptualizing addiction. Finally, the initial ethical dilemma is revisited, along with actionable suggestions for navigating informed consent in substance use disorder treatment. The aim of this project is to address gaps in the literature and ethical standards of practice on informed consent in addiction treatment settings and to provide practical guidance for supporting client autonomy through ethical, client-centred care.