scholarly journals Drivers of Food Choice among Pastoral/Agro-Pastoral Community in Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berhe Gebremichael ◽  
Abiyot Asfaw
Keyword(s):  
Food Choice ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Pastoral Community ◽  
Regional State

Background. Although nutritional problems are among the Ethiopian government’s priorities, the progress of nutritional indicators in the pastoral/agro-pastoral community is below the national figure. This could be because of poor food choice decisions, which remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the drivers of food choice among the pastoral/agro-pastoral community of Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia. Materials and Methods. A qualitative study was conducted among 16 Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and six Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) from May 7 to 27, 2018. Participants were selected purposefully. Native speakers of Somali language, who had previous qualitative data collection experience, collected the data. The overall collected data were cleaned, coded, sorted, categorized, and analyzed line-by-line. Content analysis was used to drive the key themes and sub-themes. Results. The study found that the commonest food item usually consumed by the community was porridge (“Shurow”), which is made from wheat or corn flour. The porridge is sometimes mixed with milk or butter. Besides, they consume boiled bean, wheat or sorghum (“Garaw”) that is mixed with oil or sugar. However, the consumption of fruits and vegetables was rare and seasonal. These all indicate that their feeding habit was monotonous with poor food choice decisions. The reported driving factors of food choice included drought, income, cost, availability and quality of foods, market access, familiarity with new foods, knowledge of nutritious foods, and health status of individuals. Conclusions. The food choice of the community was poor in the study area. Therefore, the health and agricultural sectors should work together to improve the feeding habits of this community by improving their knowledge and the availability of nutritious foods.

scholarly journals Food Purchasing Characteristics and Perceptions of Neighborhood Food Environment of South Africans Living in Low-, Middle- and High-Socioeconomic Neighborhoods

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feyisayo Odunitan-Wayas ◽  
Kufre Okop ◽  
Robert Dover ◽  
Olufunke Alaba ◽  
Lisa Micklesfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Food Purchasing ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Neighborhood Food Environment ◽  
Key Issues

Using intercept surveys, we explored demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with food purchasing characteristics of supermarket shoppers and the perceptions of their neighborhood food environment in urban Cape Town. Shoppers (N = 422) aged ≥18 years, categorized by their residential socioeconomic areas (SEAs), participated in a survey after shopping in supermarkets located in different SEAs. A subpopulation, out-shoppers (persons shopping outside their residential SEA), and in-shoppers (persons residing and shopping in the same residential area) were also explored. Fruits and vegetables (F&V) were more likely to be perceived to be of poor quality and healthy food not too expensive by shoppers from low- (OR = 6.36, 95% CI = 2.69, 15.03, p < 0.0001), middle-SEAs (OR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.45, 8.04, p < 0.001) compared to the high-SEA shoppers. Low SEA shoppers bought F&V less frequently than high- and middle-SEA shoppers. Purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and snacks were frequent and similar across SEAs. Food quality was important to out-shoppers who were less likely to walk to shop, more likely to be employed and perceived the quality of F&V in their neighborhood to be poor. Food purchasing characteristics are influenced by SEAs, with lack of mobility and food choice key issues for low-SEA shoppers.

Strategies for mitigating burnout among early career doctors in Nigeria: lessons learnt from the qualitative CHARTING study

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladimeji Adebayo ◽  
Kehinde Kanmodi ◽  
Olusegun Olaopa ◽  
Omotayo Francis Fagbule ◽  
Iyanu Adufe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Psychological Review ◽  
Psychological Issues ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Stakeholder Dialog

AbstractBackgroundEarly career doctors (ECDs) are faced with many challenges due to their transition from undergraduate medical/dental studentship to being postgraduate doctors and being in an early phase of their career. The specific factors that affect ECDs in their careers and endeavors at the workplace range from poor remuneration, particularly in developing countries, to psychosocial problems (such as burnout [BO] syndrome). There is a dearth of information on BO among ECDs in Nigeria. This qualitative study aims to explore the opinions of ECDs in Nigeria on the causal/predisposing factors of BO, effects of BO, and strategies for mitigating BO among ECDs in Nigeria.MethodUsing purposive sampling method, two sessions of focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 14 ECDs (key informants) holding key leadership positions and who were delegates of other ECDs in Nigeria were conducted to explore their experiences on psychological issues among ECDs. Data collected were transcribed and analyzed thematically.ResultsBO is an issue of serious concern among ECDs in Nigeria. The causes of BO are diverse, some of which include low staff strength, prolonged work hours, wrong counseling, lack of job description and specification, and abuse of powers by trainers. In order to mitigate the issue of BO among ECDs, the respondents recommended that work policy review, medical workforce strengthening, stakeholder dialog on ECDs’ welfare, regular psychological review of ECDs, and provision of free yearly medicals need to be looked into. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the participants considered BO issues among ECDs to be common, and it affected their performance and the overall quality of care in Nigeria health system. Based on our findings, there is an urgent need to mitigate the problem of emotional exhaustion among ECDs in Nigeria.

Principles for construction of bioluminescent enzyme biotests for analysis of complex media

2019 ◽  
Vol 485 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-233
Author(s):  
V. P. Kalyabina ◽  
E. N. Esimbekova ◽  
I. G. Torgashina ◽  
K. V. Kopylova ◽  
V. A. Kratasyuk
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Test System ◽  
Maximum Sensitivity ◽  
Toxic Chemicals ◽  
Complex Media ◽  
Luminescent Bacterium ◽  
Chemical Safety ◽  
Minimal Impact

We formulated the principles of designing bioluminescent enzyme tests for assessing the quality of complex media which consist in providing the maximum sensitivity to potentially toxic chemicals at a minimal impact of uncontaminated complex media. The developed principles served as a basis for designing a new bioluminescent method for an integrated rapid assessment of chemical safety of fruits and vegetables which is based on using the luminescent bacterium enzymes (NAD(P)H:FMN oxidoreductase and luciferase) as a test system.

scholarly journals Nairobi Early Childcare in Slums (NECS) Study Protocol: a mixed-methods exploration of paid early childcare in Mukuru slum, Nairobi

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000822
Author(s):  
Robert C Hughes ◽  
Patricia Kitsao-Wekulo ◽  
Sunil Bhopal ◽  
Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage ◽  
Zelee Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Epidemiological Methods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Early Childcare ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Childcare Providers

IntroductionThe early years are critical. Early nurturing care can lay the foundation for human capital accumulation with lifelong benefits. Conversely, early adversity undermines brain development, learning and future earning.Slums are among the most challenging places to spend those early years and are difficult places to care for a child. Shifting family and work structures mean that paid, largely informal, childcare seems to be becoming the ‘new normal’ for many preschool children growing up in rapidly urbanising Africa. However, little is known about the quality of this childcare.AimsTo build a rigorous understanding what childcare strategies are used and why in a typical Nairobi slum, with a particular focus on provision and quality of paid childcare. Through this, to inform evaluation of quality and design and implementation of interventions with the potential to reach some of the most vulnerable children at the most critical time in the life course.Methods and analysisMixed methods will be employed. Qualitative research (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) with parents/carers will explore need for and decision-making about childcare. A household survey (of 480 households) will estimate the use of different childcare strategies by parents/carers and associated parent/carer characteristics. Subsequently, childcare providers will be mapped and surveyed to document and assess quality of current paid childcare. Semistructured observations will augment self-reported quality with observable characteristics/practices. Finally, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with childcare providers will explore their behaviours and motivations. Qualitative data will be analysed through thematic analysis and triangulation across methods. Quantitative and spatial data will be analysed through epidemiological methods (random effects regression modelling and spatial statistics).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted in the UK and Kenya. Findings will be disseminated through journal publications, community and government stakeholder workshops, policy briefs and social media content.

scholarly journals Self-Configuring CVS to Discriminate Rocket Leaves According to Cultivation Practices and to Correctly Attribute Visual Quality Level

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1353
Author(s):  
Michela Palumbo ◽  
Bernardo Pace ◽  
Maria Cefola ◽  
Francesco Fabiano Montesano ◽  
Francesco Serio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Classification Performance ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Cultivation Conditions ◽  
Computer Vision Systems ◽  
Soilless Cultivation ◽  
Fertilization Level ◽  
Non Destructive

Computer Vision Systems (CVS) represent a contactless and non-destructive tool to evaluate and monitor the quality of fruits and vegetables. This research paper proposes an innovative CVS, using a Random Forest model to automatically select the relevant features for classification, thereby avoiding their choice through a cumbersome and error-prone work of human designers. Moreover, three color correction techniques were evaluated and compared, in terms of classification performance to identify the best solution to provide consistent color measurements. The proposed CVS was applied to fresh-cut rocket, produced under greenhouse soilless cultivation conditions differing for the irrigation management strategy and the fertilization level. The first aim of this study was to objectively estimate the quality levels (QL) occurring during storage. The second aim was to non-destructively, and in a contactless manner, identify the cultivation approach using the digital images of the obtained product. The proposed CVS achieved an accuracy of about 95% in QL assessment and about 65–70% in the discrimination of the cultivation approach.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting the Initial Engagement of Older Adults in the Use of Interactive Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2847
Author(s):  
Lina Lee ◽  
Mary Lou Maher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Interactive Technology ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Interactive Technologies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Diary Studies ◽  
User Focus ◽  
Depth Interviews

Smart environments and the use of interactive technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for the senior community as well as to support the connections among the senior community and the world outside their community. In addition to the increasing number of studies in the field of aging and technologies, research is needed to understand the practical issues of user focus, adoption, and engagement for older adults to accept interactive technologies in their lives. In this study, we use two commercial technological interventions (uDraw and GrandPad) to understand technology-related perceptions and behaviors of older adults. We present five case studies that emerge from empirical observations of initial engagement with technology through research methods such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observations, and diary studies. The contributions of this study are identification of the key factors that influence the initial engagement with interactive technology for older adults.

scholarly journals Quality of Minimally Processed Products Marketed in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Fabíola Gonçalves da COSTA ◽  
Adelino Cunha Neto ◽  
Luiz José Rodrigues ◽  
Eduardo Eustáquio de Souza Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Foreign Matter ◽  
Minimally Processed ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
Brazilian Legislation ◽  
Processed Products ◽  
Sanitary Conditions

Consumers have been increasingly seeking healthier foods without sacrificing sensory satisfaction and convenience, which are highly acclaimed attributes in modern times. Minimally processed products can meet these demands. The present study evaluated the microbiological, microscopic and physicochemical quality of minimally processed fruits and vegetables marketed in Cuiabá, Brazil. A total of 36 samples, consisting of sliced melon, fruit salad in pieces, grated carrot, diced melon, sliced papaya and pineapple rounds were subjected to microbiological, microscopic and physicochemical analyses. <em>Salmonella</em> spp. was absent in all samples, while 27.8% (10/36) of the samples showed coliform counts at 45 °C over 2.0 and 2.7 log CFU.g<sup>-1</sup> in fruit and vegetables, respectively. Light dirt and foreign matter were present in 55.5% of the samples (20/36), including wood fragments and insect/animal excrements (rat hair) in 13.9% (5/36) of the samples. The pH and soluble solids (°Brix) results ranged from 3.84 to 6.66 and from 8.19 to 10.24, respectively. The products were in different stages of maturation and 27.8% (10/36) of the sliced papaya and grated carrots were in unsatisfactory sanitary conditions under the current Brazilian legislation.

scholarly journals Nutritional Quality of Undergraduate Student Meals in an All-You-Care-to-Eat Campus Dining Facility (P04-156-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Olson ◽  
Katie Vieyra ◽  
Alexandra Polasky ◽  
Amy Best ◽  
Lois Durant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Whole Grains ◽  
Research Award ◽  
George Mason University ◽  
Reported Data

Abstract Objectives To assess the overall nutritional quality of meals chosen by undergraduate students during weekday lunches at campus all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Methods A previously validated exit survey was used to collect self-reported data from undergraduate students on foods and beverages they consumed during a single visit to two all-you-care-to-eat dining halls on the George Mason University Fairfax campus, during 4 weeks. (n = 468) Nutritional quality of each meal was evaluated on a 7-point rubric, according to the ‘Wellness Meal’ standards from the Partnership for a Healthier America: ≤700 kilocalories, ≤10% calories from saturated fat, ≤800 mg sodium, ≥2 ounces whole grains, ≥1 cup lowfat dairy, ≥ 1.75 cups fruits and vegetables, and ≥ 2 ounces lean protein. Results Of the maximum score of 7 on the meal nutritional quality rubric, 4 participants earned the highest score of 5, whereas 43, 150, 132, 88, and 51 participants had scores of 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0, respectively. The most commonly attained rubric standard was saturated fat, where 60% of participants consumed ≤ 10% calories from saturated fat and average consumption was 9.1% (± 5.4%) of calories. The least achieved rubric category was lowfat dairy, where only 2% of students consumed 1 cup equivalent, followed by only 9% of participants having consumed the 2 ounce equivalent of whole grains. Approximately one-third of students met calorie, lean protein, sodium, and fruit/vegetable standards. Conclusions Despite a wide variety of food options in the campus all-you-care-to-eat dining halls during the lunch hours, most undergraduate students consumed meals of subpar nutritional quality, with the vast majority meeting fewer than half the categories on the meal nutritional quality rubric. All-you-care-to-eat university dining halls may be a prime location for nutrition education and interventions. Funding Sources This research was funded by the George Mason University Provost's Multidisciplinary Research Award.

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