scholarly journals Aflatoxin awareness and Aflasafe adoption potential of Nigerian smallholder maize farmers

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Johnson ◽  
J.R. Fulton ◽  
T. Abdoulaye ◽  
B. Ayedun ◽  
N.J.O. Widmar ◽  
...  

Aflatoxin is a potent mycotoxin that can cause cancer and death and is associated with stunted growth. Prevalence of aflatoxin is widespread in Africa negatively impacting health and trade. Aflasafe is a biological control product that can be applied to maize or groundnut fields to reduce aflatoxin contamination. This study examines the levels of aflatoxin and Aflasafe awareness and understanding among smallholder maize farmers in Nigeria. In addition, the factors affecting Aflasafe purchase patterns and sustained usage over multiple growing seasons by farmers were evaluated. In-person surveys of 902 Nigerian smallholder farmers were conducted during October and November of 2016. This work contributes to the existing literature by documenting awareness levels of aflatoxin and use of Aflasafe as a control in Nigeria. Results suggest that the level of awareness of aflatoxin was very high in states where Aflasafe was promoted as an intervention for aflatoxin management. In Kaduna state, the region with the longest intervention, there was a consistent increase in the usage of Aflasafe since its introduction in 2010. Furthermore, farmers who purchase Aflasafe bundled (combined) with other inputs were more likely to persist in using the product. Education was found to significantly and positively impact continued usage of Aflasafe. Continued interventions, promotion and general education of the public are recommended for increased awareness, trial, and adoption of Aflasafe in Nigeria.

2018 ◽  
Vol 06 (09) ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
S. Ubeja ◽  
S. Acharya ◽  
P. Jain ◽  
A. Loya ◽  
R. Tiwari

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gamze Aytaş ◽  
Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu ◽  
Ömer C. Elçioğlu ◽  
Meltem Gürsu ◽  
A. Serra Artan ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Orthostatic hypotension (OH) affects 5–20% of the population. Our study investigates the presence of OH in diabetic nephropathy (DNP) patients and the factors affecting OH in comparison with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (NDCKD) patients. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Patients presented to the nephrology clinic, and those who consented were included in the study. DNP was defined by kidney biopsy and/or clinical criteria. NDCKD patients of the same sex, age, and eGFR were matched to DNP patients. Demographic parameters and medications were obtained from the records. OH was determined by Mayo clinic criteria. The same researcher used an electronic device to measure blood pressure (BP). All samples were taken and analyzed the same day for biochemical and hematologic parameters and albuminuria. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 112 (51 F, 61 M, mean age: 62.56 ± 9.35 years) DNP and 94 (40 F, 54 M, mean age: 62.23 ± 10.08 years) NDCKD patients were included. There was no significant difference between DNP and NDCKD groups in terms of OH prevalence (70.5 vs. 61.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.181). Male patients had significantly higher OH prevalence than female patients (74.7 vs. 60.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.026). There was no significant difference in change in systolic BP between the groups (24.00 [10.00–32.00] mm Hg vs. 24.00 [13.75–30.25] mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.797), but the change in diastolic BP was significantly higher in the DNP group (8.00 [2.00–13.00] mm Hg vs. 6.00 [2.00–9.00] mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.025). In the DNP group, patients with OH had significantly higher uric acid levels than those without OH (7.18 ± 1.55 vs. 6.36 ± 1.65 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = 0.017). And, 73.7% of patients on calcium channel blockers developed OH (<i>p</i> = 0.015), and OH developed in 80.6% of 36 patients on alpha-blockers (<i>p</i> = 0.049). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> OH prevalence is very high in CKD, and etiology of CKD does not have a statistically significant effect on the frequency of OH, despite a difference that could be meaningful clinically. Therefore, patients with CKD are checked for OH, with or without concurrent diabetes mellitus. Evaluation of postural BP changes should be a part of nephrology practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinjia Wu ◽  
Jiansheng Qu ◽  
Hengji Li ◽  
Li Xu ◽  
Hongfen Zhang ◽  
...  

The theme of global sustainable development has changed from environmental management to climate governance, and relevant policies on climate governance urgently need to be implemented by the public. The public understanding of climate change has become the prerequisite and basis for implementing various climate change policies. In order to explore the affected factors of climate change perception among Chinese residents, this study was conducted across 31 provinces and regions of China through field household surveys and interviews. Combined with the residents’ perception of climate change with the possible affected factors, the related factors affecting Chinese residents’ perception of climate change were explored. The results show that the perceptive level of climate change of Chinese residents is related to the education level and the household size of residents. Improving public awareness of climate change risk in the context of climate change through multiple channels will also help to improve residents’ awareness of climate change. On the premise of improving the level of national education, improving education on climate change in school education and raising awareness of climate change risk among dependents will help to improve the level of Chinese residents’ awareness of climate change, which could be instrumental in promoting public participation in climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Chen ◽  
Keith T. Weber

Changes in vegetation are affected by many climatic factors and have been successfully monitored through satellite remote sensing over the past 20 years. In this study, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Terra satellite, was selected as an indicator of change in vegetation. Monthly MODIS composite NDVI at a 1-km resolution was acquired throughout the 2004–09 growing seasons (i.e. April–September). Data describing daily precipitation and temperature, primary factors affecting vegetation growth in the semiarid rangelands of Idaho, were derived from the Surface Observation Gridding System and local weather station datasets. Inter-annual and seasonal fluctuations of precipitation and temperature were analysed and temporal relationships between monthly NDVI, precipitation and temperature were examined. Results indicated NDVI values observed in June and July were strongly correlated with accumulated precipitation (R2 >0.75), while NDVI values observed early in the growing season (May) as well as late in the growing season (August and September) were only moderately related with accumulated precipitation (R2 ≥0.45). The role of ambient temperature was also apparent, especially early in the growing season. Specifically, early growing-season temperatures appeared to significantly affect plant phenology and, consequently, correlations between NDVI and accumulated precipitation. It is concluded that precipitation during the growing season is a better predictor of NDVI than temperature but is interrelated with influences of temperature in parts of the growing season.


2020 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 66-87
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Marlon

AbstractWildfires are an integral part of most terrestrial ecosystems. Paleofire records composed of charcoal, soot, and other combustion products deposited in lake and marine sediments, soils, and ice provide a record of the varying importance of fire over time on every continent. This study reviews paleofire research to identify lessons about the nature of fire on Earth and how its past variability is relevant to modern environmental challenges. Four lessons are identified. First, fire is highly sensitive to climate change, and specifically to temperature changes. As long as there is abundant, dry fuel, we can expect that in a warming climate, fires will continue to grow unusually large, severe, and uncontrollable in fire-prone environments. Second, a better understanding of “slow” (interannual to multidecadal) socioecological processes is essential for predicting future wildfire and carbon emissions. Third, current patterns of burning, which are very low in some areas and very high in others—are often unprecedented in the context of the Holocene. Taken together, these insights point to a fourth lesson—that current changes in wildfire dynamics provide an opportunity for paleoecologists to engage the public and help them understand the potential consequences of anthropogenic climate change.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 983
Author(s):  
Sovia Sovia ◽  
Netha Damayantie ◽  
Nur Insani

Prediabetes is a threshold condition of diabetes. This situation is often unknown or understood by the public so the incidence rate is undocumented. This research aims to identify the incidence of Prediabetes and its risk factors. The design of the study was cross sectional with a population of 260 and a sample count of 169 people taken purposive sampling. This research was conducted at one of the health education institutions in Jambi City in October and November 2019. Data collection using questionnaires and fasting blood sugar levels. Data analysis uses frequency proportions, Chi-Square, and logistic regression. The results showed a prediabetes incidence of 21.9% and factors affecting it were age (p=0.038, OR 0.423, 95% CI 0.185-0.966), exercise (p=0.002, OR 0.228, 95% CI 0.083-0.626), smoking behavior (p=0.003, OR 3,106, 95% CI 1,425-6,770), and nutritional status (p=0.028). Based on the results of research recommended to promote the activities of Healthy Community Movement in Jambi City and the need to hold posbindu activities regularly every month.


Afrika Focus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nsubili Isaga

Tanzania like many other developing countries is highly dependent on agriculture for income generation and job creation for its citizens. Because the sector is mainly composed of smallholder farmers, lack of finance remains the leading obstacle to development. This study seeks to determine factors that affect access to bank credit by smallholder farmers in the Mvomero District of Morogoro, Tanzania. The study used a cross-sectional design, with data being collected via the survey method. Purposeful sampling was used to obtain the respondents who fitted into the study objective. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. The Logit regression model in particular was employed to determine factors that affect smallholder farmers’ access to bank services. The study reveals that the value of assets invested in farming activities, education and gender are significant factors affecting smallholder farmers’ access to bank credit. Policy recommendations include the establishment of a government bank that would exclusively provide financial services to agriculturalists by establishing a credit guarantee scheme, and the development of new financial products by the banks that would cater to the needs of smallholder farmers. Key words: access, bank credit, smallholder farmers, logit regression


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-12
Author(s):  
Charvia Ismi Zahrani ◽  
Setia Pramana

AbstractCOVID-19 is a serious problem that faced by almost all countries in the world. Since announced as a pandemic by WHO on March, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has reached 287,008 patients until the end of September 2020. COVID-19 cases dispersion depends on the local government policies and the awareness of the public to obey. About 60 percent of positive cases and 65 percent of death cases were in Java. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the growth of the COVID-19 case in Java from March to September 2020 in relation to the local government policies. The results showed that six provinces in Java had the same pattern. The large-scale social restriction (PSBB), which was implemented since April 10 2020, seen to be able to contain the dispersion of cases because from April to June the positive cases did not increase significantly. A very high increase occurred in August and September, this was probably due to the easing of the PSBB become new-normal where various public places and facilities have been reopened. Meanwhile, death cases, the number is very high in mid-April and June and late July to September 2020. For cured cases, there was a significant increase in late August to September 2020. The importance of information about the growth of the COVID-19 cases can help government to formulate strategies and policies to prevent the dispersion of COVID-19.Keyword: COVID-19, Pandemic, Java, cases growth AbstrakCOVID-19 merupakan suatu masalah serius yang sedang dihadapi oleh hampir seluruh negara. Sejak diumumkan sebagai pandemi oleh WHO pada Maret lalu, jumlah kasus positif COVID-19 di Indonesia mencapai 287.008 pasien hingga akhir September. Penyebaran kasus COVID-19 sangat bergantung pada kebijakan yang ditetapkan oleh pemerintah serta kesadaran masyarakat untuk mematuhinya. Sebesar 60 persen kasus positif dan 65 persen kasus meninggal berada di Pulau Jawa. Oleh karena itu, tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis perkembangan kasus COVID-19 di Pulau Jawa sejak Bulan Maret-September 2020 dikaitkan dengan kebijakan pemerintah setempat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa keenam provinsi memiliki pola yang sama. Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar (PSBB) yang dilakukan sejak 10 April 2020 terlihat dapat menahan penyebaran kasus karena pada bulan April-Juni 2020 kasus positif tidak mengalami kenaikan yang signifikan. Kenaikan yang sangat tinggi terjadi pada bulan Agustus dan September 2020, hal ini mungkin disebabkan oleh dilonggarkannya kebijakan PSBB menjadi PSBB Transisi dimana berbagai tempat dan fasilitas umum telah dibuka kembali. Sementara untuk kasus meninggal, angka tertinggi terjadi pada pertengahan April dan Juni serta akhir Juli hingga September 2020. Untuk kasus sembuh, terjadi peningkatan yang signifikan pada akhir Agustus hingga September 2020. Pentingnya informasi tentang perkembangan kasus COVID-19 ini dapat membantu pemerintah daerah untuk membuat strategi dan kebijakan untuk mencegah penyebaran rantai virus COVID-19.Kata Kunci: COVID-19, Pandemi, Jawa, perkembangan kasus 


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