Browsing by Author "Rexhepi, Ilir"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

MANAGING THE QUALITY OF BEHAVIOR ON HIV AMONG INJECTING DRUG USERS IN PRISHTINA
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Rexhepi, Ilir
Although Kosovo is a country with low HIV prevalence, the exposure to HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs) may be considerably higher. To assess the quality behaviors of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis, as well HIV-relevant behavioral risks, a bio-behavioral RDS study was carried out in this key population in Prishtina in 2011. The study was a part of the second wave of HIV surveillance among most-at-risk populations. (The first wave was completed in 2006.) In total, 205 IDUs (of whom five were seeds) were tested and interviewed in the July-August 2011 period. Age range in the sample was 19-54 (Mean age = 31.0; SD = 7.14). Most participants were men (179/200; EPP1 = 88.7%). In regard to education, the largest percentage of recruited IDUs had completed secondary education (EPP = 49.3%). Slightly less than a third of respondents have been married at the specific time the study have been carried on (EPP = 30.9%). Permanent employment was reported by 35.1% (EPP) of IDUs in the sample. No HIV+ cases were found. Four IDUs were infected with Syphilis (EPP = 2.0%; 95% CI = 0.3-4.3), 16 with HBV (EPP = 6.0%; 95% CI = 3.0-10.5) and 96 with HCV (EPP = 37.4%; 95% CI = 28.9-46.8). Of the HBV+ individuals, two were diagnosed as having an acute and nine as having chronic infection. A majority of IDUs were alone the last time they injected drugs (EPP = 63.0%). In the past week, 187 of 197 participants (EPP = 97.3%) did not share injecting equipment. A majority of IDUs (158/198; EPP = 83.8%) stated that they always use sterile injecting equipment. Slightly over a half of participants (EPP = 51.8%) were ever treated for drug abuse. In regard to sexual behaviors, a majority of recruited IDUs were sexually active in the month preceding the study (EPP = 74.1%), of which about a quarter had multiple sexual partners (EPP = 27.1%). A minority of participants had regular sexual partner who was also injecting drugs (EPP = 8.5%). Less than a third of the surveyed IDUs used condoms consistently in the past month (EPP = 30.3%). About one fifth of participants (EPP = 22.0%) answered correctly to all five standard UNGASS HIV knowledge indicators. Although the study met all basic requirements of RDS methodology (Johnston et al., 2009), generalizability of the findings should be approached with caution due to a relatively small sample size and the fact that a majority of recruited IDUs have used Labyrinth drop-in and needle-exchange services in the past. The findings point to low levels of injecting equipment sharing, although the prevalence of HCV infection suggests that this is a recent development. Relatively infrequent and inconsistent condom use, coupled with low HIV risk self-assessment, emphasizes a need for a stronger promotion of condom use in the population. Overall, the observed changes in the levels of risk-taking behaviors in this key population confirmed the importance of repeated high-quality bio-behavioral HIV surveys in this key population (Zaba et al., 2005; Brown, 2003).
MEASURING THE PERCEPTION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGH SERVQUAL MODEL
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Rexhepi, Ilir; Shabani, Gezim; Ismajli, Naim
The quality of healthcare is more difficult to identify than other services because it is the clients themselves and their quality of life that gets evaluated (Eiriz & Figueiredu, 2005). The main aim of this study is to investigate people’s perceptions and expectations regarding the quality of services in primary health care (PHC) in Kosovo. A national level survey provides baseline findings intuitively understandable to policymakers on the expectations — perceptions of the quality of services at the PHC level and identifying the quality gap between the expectations and perceptions in all dimensions of different facilities. This comparative test will show the differences between the level of quality services provided by each PHC provider in Kosovo. This research seeks to improve the access and the quality of the priority services at PHC, including maternal and child health (MCH) and non-communicable disease (NCD). This research showed that at the national level the patients have higher expectations toward PHC services. Whereas, in specific, this study showed that there is a significant gap in expected and perceived services of the PHC system between different ethnic patients and different levels of citizen education. Therefore, the result of this study will contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the mandatory health insurance reform and raise the alarm of relevant institutions to reshape the policy-making in order to improve the population health outcome.
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE EFFECTS OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS - KOSOVO CASE
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Rexhepi, Ilir
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a philosophy management method, the importance of which continuously has been growing after '90. There is relatively short time since Kosovo Public Institutions are practically doing their activity as a part of an independent Country, and as such day by day they are facing with different management challenges which continuously are becoming more rough and tough towards the EU integration process. Total Quality Management within Public Institutions, is leaded by the phase of establishment and implementation of Quality management Systems based on ISO 9001. In this process, through an deep empiric study in three Kosovo Public Institutions, we have tried to identify the advantage and disadvantage factors towards the successful implementation of quality management system in time, as a consequence of TQM. Moreover, we were focused on the organizational culture. Analyses over norms, trusts, principals that do characterize the organizational culture of Kosovo Institutions, its crossing with the political context and the Public Administration law will serve to model changes that should be projected in order to successfully implement the TQM. In the function of the disadvantage factor analyses, organizational cultural elements, and the changes model, there will be used a number questionnaires and interviews with relevant people.
Talent Management and Organizational Quality Improvement
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Rexhepi, Ilir
Today's challenges of talent management and organizational quality improvement are very different from the challenges that were facing businesses years ago. On a daily basis, businesses are facing competition to keep a substantial part of the market. Many companies have realized that to achieve this goal, you need to invest more significantly in organizational quality management and human resources. Most managers have now realized that investing in quality management and to their employees development makes the company successful. Management of talent and quality has become a central component of functional and organizational strategic development. Talent and quality undoubtedly should be developed and continuously improved within an organization. "The importance of quality and talent management has been a priority in the life cycle of organizational quality activities and Human Resources (Dhanabhankyam & Kokilambal, 2014). Good talent and quality management provides a quality assurance and confidence to the organization. By having guaranteed quality and talented employees, the organization creates competitive advantage (Lawler, 2009). Quality and talent management strategies are important to any organization, regardless of how profitable they are. In this context, the question we seek to answer in this paper is: Which are the most successful talent and quality management in various international companies and how much important are these strategies to be implemented in the Albanian and Kosovar companies? Results of this analysis will help us better understand the importance of quality and talent management within an organization and the benefits brought by them to the performance of the organization in the globalization era.
The impact of corporate governance and share capital structure on corporate social responsibility
(AAB College, 2025-07-17) Hoti Arifaj, Arta; Rexhepi, Ilir; Haliti Baruti, Blerta
The relevance of the study was driven by the importance of effective corporate governance for the implementation of corporate social responsibility, which is critical for ensuring business sustainability in the context of globalization and adaptation to European standards. How effectively companies implement management practices determines their ability to respond to social challenges and maintain investor confidence. The purpose of the study was to investigate the key aspects of the impact of corporate governance and shareholder capital structure on corporate social responsibility in the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, given the special challenges of transition economies and international support. The research methodology included a quantitative empirical analysis based on a structured survey among companies in various sectors of the Kosovo economy, which allowed assessing governance practices and corporate social responsibility. In addition, econometric methods were used to identify the impact of board independence and capital concentration on corporate social responsibility. The main results of the study indicated a significant positive impact of board independence on companies’ social investments, in particular, due to increased management transparency