scholarly journals Agro-Diversity in the Forest-Savannah Transition Zone of Ghana: A Strategy for Food Security against Climatic and Socio-Economic Stressors

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Jesse S. Ayivor ◽  
Opoku Pabi ◽  
Benjamin D. Ofori ◽  
Dzidzo R. Yirenya-Taiwiah ◽  
Chris Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
The Impact

<p class="1Body">Food security is a major issue affecting about 239 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, local ecosystems-based adaptive strategies for reducing the impact of climate change and other stressors on food production systems are very relevant in the national food security agenda. This study assessed how farmers in communities of the environs of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserves in the forest-savanna transition zone of Ghana exploit a range of options for food production that spread and reduce risks and ensure sustainability of the local environment. Through a cross-sectional survey involving focus group discussions, institutional data search and on-site observations, the study investigated different ways to which the natural diversity of the environment has been used by farmers to enhance farm productivity and farmer income. The study observed that climate variability, land expropriation for protected area establishment, inappropriate use of farm technology and low pricing for farm produce pose as major threats to sustainable agriculture in the area. These constraints have compelled farmers to adopt a range of agro-diversity practices for increased farm productivity and income. They include introduction of new crop varieties, adoption of innovative farm management practices, diversified farm fields and sequential cropping systems. The study noted that the diversified systems have boosted farmer productivity and incomes and contributed to their socio-cultural needs. The study recommends greater crop intensification through the use of appropriate technologies and improved access to markets to consolidate farmer gains and livelihoods as well as ensuring food and nutritional security.</p>

scholarly journals Physiotherapists perceived role in managing anxiety in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: a mixed-methods study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Lucas ◽  
Jack Parker
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Clinical Supervision ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Outpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physiotherapy Practice ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objectives: To explore how physiotherapists manage anxiety in patients with RRMS in community and outpatient settings. To identify further training and research to better develop physiotherapy practice. Design: A mixed-methods design, combining a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews with UK-physiotherapists. Participants: Sixteen UK-registered physiotherapists: 11 in the survey, 5 in the interviews. Methods: To inform the qualitative study, a cross-sectional survey collected data from physiotherapists working in neurology to understand the impact and management of anxiety in people with MS (PwMS) during rehabilitation. Analysis used descriptive statistics and the findings formed the interview guide. Semi-structured interviews with specialist physiotherapists explored barriers and facilitators to managing anxiety, physiotherapy training needs and offered suggestions to develop physiotherapy research and practice. Themes were derived inductively. Results: The survey suggested how PwMS present with anxiety, its impact during rehabilitation, physiotherapy management practices, and physiotherapist skills and training needs. Five semi-structured interviews with specialist physiotherapists expanded on the survey findings and identified five main themes: Understanding the MS journey, modifying assessment and treatment, anxiety management toolbox, lagging behind Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, and gaining knowledge and skills. Conclusion: Physiotherapists encounter anxiety in PwMS in community and outpatient rehabilitation and perceive they have a role in managing it as it presents. Facilitators included communication, listening skills and opportunities to develop strong therapeutic relationships. Poor training and support, lack of clinical guidelines and limited research evidence were considered barriers. Clinically relevant learning opportunities, interprofessional working, and greater support through clinical supervision is recommended to better develop physiotherapy practice.

scholarly journals The impact of the availability of antiretroviral therapy on personal and community fear of HIV/AIDS, and HIV prevention practices in Rwimi, Uganda: A mixed-method study

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Nicole Naadu Ofosu ◽  
L. Duncan Saunders ◽  
Gian Jhangri ◽  
Afif Alibhai
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

The impact of the widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) related attitudes, behaviours and practices of the general population in Sub-Saharan Africa is understudied. We assessed the impact of ART availability on the fear of HIV/ AIDS (measured at both community and personal levels) and HIV prevention practices in Rwimi, Uganda using a cross-sectional survey. The fear of HIV/AIDS was described as a perceived threat to either self and/or community regarding the risk of contracting the disease, whereby the higher the perception of the threat, the greater the fear. We assessed associations between the outcomes of the dependent variables on both the community and personal fear of HIV/AIDS, and the independent variables of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and demographics. Qualitative data was also generated from focus group discussions (FGD) on the context of the fear of HIV/AIDS and HIV pre- vention practices. The majority of participants (89.4%; males - 86.8%; females - 90.8%) felt that ART availability has reduced the fear of HIV/AIDS in the community. In contrast, fewer participants (22.4%; males - 24.4%; females – 21.2%) mentioned that their personal fear of HIV/AIDS has been reduced with the availability of ART. From the qualitative study, factors identified as influencing the fear of HIV/AIDS included stigma, fear of infection, and the inconvenience of being on ART. Although fear of HIV/AIDS persists, the fear is reduced because of the availability of life-prolonging ART. HIV prevention practices are influenced by socio-cultural norms (gender roles, relationship dynamics, power and trust), which, we argue, should be considered when de-signing sustainable HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

scholarly journals COVID-19 lockdown: implication for food security

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Egbezien Inegbedion
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Social Medium ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to sought to know the implication of COVID-19 lockdown for food security in NigeriaDesign/methodology/approachThe study examined implication of COVID-19 lockdown for food security. The cross sectional survey research design was employed. Information was elicited from respondents through the social medium (Facebook). The question response format of the instrument was of the five-point Likert scale type. Research data were analysed using one sample t-test and least squares (regression).FindingsThe results show that COVID-19 lockdown can significantly constrain farm labour, transportation and security, while food security can be threatened by insufficient labour, transportation, farmers' morale and farm coordinationResearch limitations/implicationsA major limitation was the restriction to only online data collection method owing to the researcher's inability to administer the instrument physically as a result of the lockdown. This had an implication on randomisation.Social implicationsLong stay of people at home and away from farm activities will threaten food security on the long run and thus, precipitate social vices due to the attendant hunger and deprivationOriginality/valueIn empirical examination of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on food security, thereby providing statistical evidence that will be useful in the sensitisation of stakeholders on the need to thread on the part of caution to avoid the possible consequences of restricting farmers' operations through the COVID-19 lockdown.

scholarly journals Pandemic or Environmental Socio-Economic Stressors Which Have Greater Impact on Food Security in the Barishal Division of Bangladesh: Initial Perspectives from Agricultural Officers and Farmers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5457
Author(s):  
Sayeda Sabrina Ali ◽  
Mohammad Raju Ahmad ◽  
Jalal Uddin Mohammad Shoaib ◽  
Mohammad Aliuzzaman Sheik ◽  
Mohammad Imam Hoshain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent protectionary lockdowns have had a dramatic impact on agricultural production globally. Barishal division is the ‘grain-basket’ of Bangladesh and a main rice cultivation centre within the country. This study captures perspectives on the environmental socioeconomic stressors impacting primary production in the coastal region of Barishal, and the impact of the first wave of the global pandemic. In our methodology, a cross-sectional survey is carried out amongst agriculture officers and farmers focusing on land management practices, environmental stressors, and the consequences of the pandemic on winter crop harvests and wet season production. A total number of 234 people participated, of which 31 were agriculture officers and 203 were farmers. Government officers completed an online questionnaire, while farmer responses were collected through Focus Group Discussion. The results show that despite the lockdown, 76% of responders claimed that they had harvested more than 80% of the cultivated winter rice. Other crops, such as fruits and vegetables, were less successfully returned. Despite food production pressures, land capacity was not fully utilised, with a significant/notable proportion of fields left fallow, principally due to periodic flooding events that sufferer concurrently from soil organic matter depletion. Upazila, not severely waterlogged, had salinity problems to contend with. While transportation restrictions and labour shortages were key constraints arising from the impact of COVID-19 on both agricultural production and post harvesting (processing, distribution, and utilisation). Current storage facilities for perishable produce, such as fruit, were found to be lacking, which further compounded access to such food items. The COVID-19 pandemic shocked agricultural productivity and food supply within the Barishal division. However, despite managing to return a successful rice harvest during the lockdown, it was found that the pre-existing environmental stressors arising from cyclones and flooding continued to be the primary threat to agriculture, even during a global pandemic. Our findings have been used to inform management options to increase resilience in the region.

scholarly journals Prevalence of hepatitis C among HIV-1, HIV-2 and dually reactive patients: A multi-country cross-sectional survey in West Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier K. Ekouevi ◽  
Patrick A. Coffie ◽  
Boris K. Tchounga ◽  
Armel Poda ◽  
Antoine Jaquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Systematic Screening ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv 1

Little is known on the impact of HIV-2 infection on HCV viral replication. The aim of the study was to compare HCV prevalence and viral replication based on HIV types in West Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted within the IeDEA HIV-2 West Africa cohort from March to December 2012. All HIVinfected adult patients who attended participating HIV clinics during the study period were included. Blood samples were collected and re-tested for HIV type discrimination, HCV serology and viral load. A total of 767 patients were enrolled: 186 HIV-1, 431 HIV-2 and 150 HIV-1&2 dually reactive. At time of sampling, 531 (69.2%) were on ART and median CD4+ cell count was 472/mm3. Thirty (3.9%, 95% CI 2.7-5.5) patients were anti-HCV positive (4.3% in HIV-1, 4.0% in HIV-1&2 dually reactive and 3.7% in HIV-2; p=0.91). Detectable HCV RNA was identified in 21 (70.0%) patients (100% in HIV-1 and HIV- 1&2 dually reactive vs. 43.8% in HIV-2; p=0.003). Systematic screening should be promoted and performed in this population, since HCV is now potentially curable in sub- Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Do Coffee Farmers Benefit in Food Security from Participating in Coffee Cooperatives? Evidence from Southwest Ethiopia Coffee Cooperatives

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zekarias Shumeta ◽  
Marijke D’Haese
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Staple Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Coffee Farmers ◽  
Food Expenditure ◽  
The Impact

Background: Most coffee in Ethiopia is produced by smallholder farmers who face a daily struggle to get sufficient income but also to feed their families. At the same time, many smallholder coffee producers are members of cooperatives. Yet, literature has paid little attention to the effect of cooperatives on combating food insecurity among cash crop producers including coffee farmers. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate how coffee cooperative membership may affect food security among coffee farm households in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: The study used cross-sectional household data on income, expenditure on food, staple food production (maize and teff), and utilization of improved inputs (fertilizer and improved seed) collected from 256 randomly selected farm households (132 cooperative members and 124 nonmembers) and applied an inverse probability weighting (IPW) estimation to assess the impact of cooperative membership on food security. Results: The result revealed that cooperative membership has a positive and significant effect on staple food production (maize and teff) and facilitated technological transformation via increased utilization of fertilizer and improved seeds. Nonetheless, the effect on food expenditure and income could not be confirmed. Conclusion: Findings suggest a trade-off between coffee marketing and input supply functions of the cooperatives, impairing their true food security impact from the pooled income and production effect.

scholarly journals COVID-19, food security and maternal mental health in Ceará, Brazil: a repeated cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hermano A. L. Rocha ◽  
Christopher R. Sudfeld ◽  
Álvaro J. M. Leite ◽  
Sabrina Gabrielle Maia Oliveira Rocha ◽  
Márcia M. T. Machado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
P Value ◽  
Paired Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective To quantify the change in the risk of food insecurity and maternal mental disorder (MMD) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Repeated cross-sectional survey. Between July 17 and September 10, 2020, mother-child pairs who were enrolled in a population-based survey in 2017 were re-contacted by telephone for consent and to complete a telephonic COVID-19 survey. We used the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale to assess food security and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) to assess maternal mental disorders. McNemar’s test for paired data that also accounted for clustering was used. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of unemployment and receipt of government assistance with food insecurity and MMD in 2020. Setting Ceará, Brazil. Participants 577 mother-child pairs who completed the 2017 and 2020 surveys. At the time of the 2020 interview, the child cohort was 36-108 months of age. Results The proportion of mothers reporting food insecurity was 15.5% higher (95% CI: (5.9 – 25.1), p-value < 0.001) during the pandemic in July-August 2020 as compared to November 2017, while the prevalence of MMD was 40.2% higher during the pandemic (95% CI: 32.6 – 47.8, p-value < 0.001). Loss of formal employment was associated with increased risk of food insecurity, but not with the risk of MMD. Conclusions The risk of food insecurity and MMD in Ceará increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the need for policies and interventions to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health, nutrition, and well-being in Brazil.

Proposal for Improving Records Management Practices of Traditional Institutions in Ga Molepo, South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
10.25159/2054 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-67
Author(s):  
Mahlaga Johannes Molepo ◽  
Linda M. Cloete
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Traditional Institutions

The way in which an institution treats its records is crucial for its survival in a rapidly changing society. The purpose of the study was to investigate the records management practices and challenges faced by traditional institutions of leadership and governance in Ga Molepo, Limpopo, South Africa. The researcher employed a cross-sectional survey in order to quantitatively examine the challenges faced by members of traditional councils. A researcher administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool to study a stratified sample of 35 members from an estimated population of 350. The findings revealed patterns and trends of non-compliance with records management standards and guidelines. Although there were sporadic cases of record keeping, a greater number of respondents revealed that traditional institutions lack the facilities, equipment, education and trained/skilled personnel to apply correct records management procedures in their daily administration of their traditional communities. The main value of the study is to create awareness of records management as one of the neglected areas in traditional institutions – which are by current legislative arrangement, the closest form of leadership and governance for rural communities in light of their relationship with local municipalities and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 During the First Nationwide Lockdown in Vietnam: Web-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
General Population ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Suicidal ideation and associated factors among school-going adolescents in rural Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽  
Samuel Kofi Odame
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rural Adolescents ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Ghana ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractSuicidal ideation is a critical risk for attempted suicide and eventual suicide. Little is known about suicidal ideation among rural adolescents in most sub-Saharan African countries. We aimed to estimate the 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation and to describe some of the common and gender-specific associated factors among in-school adolescents in rural Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving a random sample of 1101 in-school adolescents aged 10–19 years in a rural district in Eastern Ghana. The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire-Revised was used to assess suicidal ideation. Overall, 25.1% participants (95% CI = 22.5–27.7), representing 28.3% females (95% CI = 24.7–32.2) and 21.5% males (95% CI = 18.0–25.2) reported suicidal ideation during the previous 12 months. Females who experienced personal and interpersonal adversities mainly outside the family context were likely to report suicidal ideation, while suicidal ideation among males was associated with conflict with parents. Regardless of gender, adolescents who reported exposure to a friend’s attempted suicide were about two times more likely to report suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents in rural Ghana compares with in-school estimates from other countries within sub-Saharan Africa, but also underscores the need for targeted and universal prevention programmes and intervention efforts to mitigate the potential transition from suicidal ideations to suicidal attempts and eventual deaths by suicide among rural adolescents.

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