Rural African Communities Research Articles

Novel cowpea menus for the enhancement of dietary diversity and intake in selected communities in Limpopo province

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important grain legume which is rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. Cowpea production is gradually increasing in South Africa and its utilisation and consumption must be matched with its production to balance demand and supply in order to enhance job creation, income generation as well as increased diversity of nutrition and dietary intake of the rural communities. Recent reports have indicated that Limpopo province is food and nutrition insecure where 2-6 year old children are malnourished and stunted. Inadequate nutrition is an ongoing problem in rural South African communities especially in the Limpopo province due to poor diversity of daily dietary intake. Majority of poor rural populations depend on a sole-maize diet with occasional vegetables added when available. The utilisation of cowpea produce and diversity of nutrition is poor due to inadequate or poor agro-processing, which leads to few markets or utilisation channels for uptake. Given the above background, this study was conducted to train farmers on agro-processing of cowpea into different menus. The training will improve dietary intake of farmers in addition to enhanced dietary diversity to ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on sole-maize diets. This study reports on the training conducted for one hundred and twenty five farmers on agro-processing of cowpea to produce different novel products. Different recipes were employed to produce the products. Results show that 125 farmers were trained on the preparation of Akara and Moin-moin, porridge and fortification of cereal-based meals with cowpea products. The training increased the knowledge and skills of farmers on preparation of novel menus that never existed in South Africa, which will increase their dietary intake to enhance dietary diversity as well as ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on sole maize diets. The training will also enhance the market channels for cowpea production, which will increase the demand and supply of cowpea in addition to enhanced food security and nutrition. It is recommended that such training on the novel products be extended to schools, restaurants, correctional services, hospitals and other provinces in South Africa for a greater impacts. Key words: Utilisation, akara, dietary diversity and intake, moin-moin, nutrition, Vigna unguiculata, dietary enhancement

Genome-wide association study of population-standardised cognitive performance phenotypes in a rural South African community

Cognitive function is an indicator for global physical and mental health, and cognitive impairment has been associated with poorer life outcomes and earlier mortality. A standard cognition test, adapted to a rural-dwelling African community, and the Oxford Cognition Screen-Plus were used to capture cognitive performance as five continuous traits (total cognition score, verbal episodic memory, executive function, language, and visuospatial ability) for 2,246 adults in this population of South Africans. A novel common variant, rs73485231, reached genome-wide significance for association with episodic memory using data for ~14 million markers imputed from the H3Africa genotyping array data. Window-based replication of previously implicated variants and regions of interest support the discovery of African-specific associated variants despite the small population size and low allele frequency. This African genome-wide association study identifies suggestive associations with general cognition and domain-specific cognitive pathways and lays the groundwork for further genomic studies on cognition in Africa.

Epidemiology of chronic multimorbidity and temporary migration in a rural South African community in health transition: A cross-sectional population-based analysis.

In sub-Saharan African settings, the increasing non-communicable disease mortality is linked to migration, which disproportionately exposes sub-populations to risk factors for co-occurring HIV and NCDs. We examined the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with two or more concurrent diagnoses of chronic diseases (i.e., multimorbidity) among temporary within-country migrants. Employing a cross-sectional design, our study sample comprised 2144 residents and non-residents 18-40 years interviewed and with measured biomarkers in 2018 in Wave 1 of the Migrant Health Follow-up Study (MHFUS), drawn from the Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System (AHDSS) in rural north-eastern South Africa. We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate the association between migration status and prevalent chronic multimorbidity conditional on age, sex, education, and healthcare utilisation. Overall, 301 participants (14%; 95% CI 12.6-15.6), median age 31 years had chronic multimorbidity. Multimorbidity was more prevalent among non-migrants (14.6%; 95% CI 12.8-16.4) compared to migrants (12.8%; 95% CI 10.3-15.7). Non-migrants also had the greatest burden of dual-overlapping chronic morbidities, such as HIV-obesity 5.7%. Multimorbidity was 2.6 times as prevalent (PR 2.65. 95% CI 2.07-3.39) among women compared to men. Among migrants, men, and individuals with secondary or tertiary education manifested lower prevalence of two or more conditions. In a rural community with colliding epidemics, we found low but significant multimorbidity driven by a trio of conditions: HIV, hypertension, and obesity. Understanding the multimorbidity burden associated with early adulthood exposures, including potential protective factors (i.e., migration coupled with education), is a critical first step towards improving secondary and tertiary prevention for chronic disease among highly mobile marginalised sub-populations.

Ailing neurosurgical services in rural Africa

Ailing neurosurgical services in rural Africa

Perceived stigma related to TB preventive therapy.

BACKGROUND: TB preventative therapy (TPT) is crucial for reducing the burden of TB in endemic settings. We assessed stigma associated with TPT and the social groups from whom stigma was anticipated.METHODS: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling adults in rural South Africa. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, χ² tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Poisson regression were used to identify factors associated with TPT stigma.RESULTS: The mean age of the 104 participants was 35 years, 65% were female, and 26% had completed secondary school. The vast majority perceived stigma associated with TPT (71%; mean score 1.7, SD ± 1.4). Factor analysis identified a two-factor solution that explained 61.9% of the variance. Being single (P < 0.001), previously screened for TB (P = 0.04), worried about being infected by TB (P = 0.006), and interested in taking TPT (P = 0.01) were associated with higher perceived stigma scores. TPT stigma was perceived among 8%, 16%, and 66% of their family, friends, and other community members, respectively.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TPT-related stigma in a rural South African community was high. Community members anticipated less stigma from family members compared to other social groups. Global expansion and implementation of TPT will require novel interventions, such as engaging patients´ families to support uptake and promote adherence.

Advancing a transformative human development approach to climate resilience through local innovation in South Africa

ABSTRACT Climate change continues to exacerbate social and economic development challenges in local communities the world over. This paper advances a human development approach to climate resilience innovations, showing how local innovation initiatives can be conduits for increased equity, agency, efficiency and sustainability vis-à-vis effective responses to climate impacts. Based on a scoping review of literature (journal articles, books, theses, occasional papers etc.), and through a discussion of four case studies focused on technological and institutional innovations in selected rural South African communities, a major finding is that local innovation initiatives vis-à-vis livelihoods are laden with opportunities for improved social, economic and ecological well-being. Appreciating and supporting these local innovations will open up viable and transformative pathways towards effectively responding to the impacts of climate change and variability. The paper contributes to an interdisciplinary integration of innovation and climate change research by exploring climate resilience through a transformative human development lens.

Community Perceptions on the Effects of Climate Change on Socio-Economic and Health Conditions of Dikgale Community, Limpopo Province South Africa

As a development issue, climate change necessitates extensive research to provide information about its effects on socioeconomic conditions and rural community health. The types of adaptation measures developed and used to adjust to its effects, also known as resilience, are a major focus among scholars in the field. There are evidence that poor and rural communities whose economies rely on favourable climatic conditions bear the harsh effects of climate change. Scientists face significant challenges in explaining climate change and its risks to rural populations. Fewer studies show that these communities are aware of the effects of changing weather patterns on their livelihoods. This study investigates the community's perspectives on the effects of climate change on socioeconomic and health situations in the Dikgale community, Limpopo province, South Africa. The findings indicate a decline in a subsistence economy, a lack of water, and exposure to dust and wind. Due to the health risks associated with climate change, adaptation initiatives in African rural communities should focus on improving people's socioeconomic conditions and long-term development projects.

Barriers experienced by stroke survivors when participating in meaningful occupations in a rural and semirural community

INTRODUCTION: There are various personal and environmental factors that hinder the stroke survivors' participation in meaningful occupations within a rural and semi-rural community context. Thus, occupational therapists need to consider such barriers in order to provide holistic treatment AIM: This study intended to explore the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations in a rural and semi-rural community METHOD: An explorative qualitative study was conducted, using a purposive sampling method to recruit participants at a public healthcare district hospital. Data were collected at the participants' homes using individual semi-structured interviews. The researcher made use of open-ended questions guided by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 3rd edition and the Person Environment Occupation Performance model FINDINGS: Four themes related to the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations emerged: (i) physical barriers, (i) psychological barriers, (iii) financial and (iv) environmental barriers CONCLUSION: The barriers explored in this study compelled the stroke survivors to accept varying degrees of assistance from their caregivers. The findings of this study could assist occupational therapists to consider the factors that hinder the stroke survivors' participation in meaningful occupations in rural and semi-rural South African communities, and inform treatment aims that are relevant to the respective communities. If occupational therapists consider these barriers when planning treatment, this could assist with maximizing independence in all areas of stroke survivors' lives, lessening the burden of care on their caregivers and decreasing the patient load on clinical and community occupational therapists Implications for practice Stroke survivors dwelling in the semi-rural and rural community contexts experience barriers which are unique to such settings. Thus, occupational therapist should be aware of the differences of barriers experienced not only in the hospital setting, but in the community context that stroke survivors are reintegrated to. Such consideration could contribute to intervention focussed on the individual's specific needs with regard to participation in meaningful occupations within the semi-rural and rural contexts they reside in.

‘Resilience without development’ in a remote rural West African community: the case of Kayima, Sierra Leone

AbstractRelatively few longitudinal studies have been undertaken of change and development among rural communities in Africa. Drawing on field-based research conducted over almost five decades, the article examines the shocks and adaptive strategies experienced in the remote rural community of Kayima in north-eastern Sierra Leone. In coping with both external and internal shocks and displaying a remarkable level of resilience, there has however been very little improvement in community livelihoods, and it is suggested that it is a case of ‘resilience without development’. It is likely that the findings of the study could have wider relevance among rural communities elsewhere in Africa.

Determination of quality traits, and the nutrient and mineral contents of cowpea varieties in South Africa

Eastern Cape, followed by Limpopo, have the highest numbers of citizens experiencing food insecurity. The Limpopo and Free State provinces share the highest prevalence rate of children affected by iron deficiency anaemia leading to severe stunting and underweight. Cowpea is an important grain legume that is rich in proteins (20-24%), minerals and vitamins for human and animal nutrition. Cowpea stands to enhance food security and nutrition in rural South African communities. Introduction of cowpea varieties that are rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins will improve the quality of the dietary intakes and nutritional status of the poor. To fast-track the development of improved cowpea varieties that meet the nutritional needs of consumers and farmers, thirty cowpea improved varieties were introduced and evaluated to determine their qualities and the nutrients they contain. This will assist breeders in ascertaining their usefulness and how to deploy the traits in breeding programmes. The seeds were harvested from seed multiplication plots during 2017 growing season, and were analysed in three replications to determine their nutrient and mineral contents (crude protein or CP, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, P, K and moisture). The mineral contents were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer while CP content was determined by the Kjeldahl method using Kjeltec™ Model 2300, as described in Foss Analytical AB manual. Results showed that the varieties exhibited significant (P&lt;0.05) variations for the nutrients and minerals determined except for P and moisture. Eight varieties out-performed the two local control varieties (Glenda and Bechuana White with 24% and 20% respectively) in CP with a range of 25-31%. Many varieties also significantly out-performed the local checks in respect of minerals tested: 4, 12, 6, 5, 14, and 15 varieties exhibited higher concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu and Fe, respectively. Results also show that the quality of grains varied in terms of seed colour, texture, and eye colour. The results not only demonstrate that many of the improved varieties were better than the control varieties, but have also provided a database for utilising the promising varieties in breeding programme for the development of new cowpea germplasm with better quality traits and nutrient contents. Variation in seed qualities offers opportunities for farmers and consumers to make choice as these quality traits influence acceptability and marketability of cowpea in South Africa. Key words: Bechuana White, bio-fortification, dietary intake, food security, marketability nutrition, protein content, Vigna unguiculata

Neural Network-Based Demand-Side Management in a Stand-Alone Solar PV-Battery Microgrid Using Load-Shifting and Peak-Clipping

Due to failures or even the absence of an electricity grid, microgrid systems are becoming popular solutions for electrifying African rural communities. However, they are heavily stressed and complex to control due to their intermittency and demand growth. Demand side management (DSM) serves as an option to increase the level of flexibility on the demand side by scheduling users’ consumption patterns profiles in response to supply. This paper proposes a demand-side management strategy based on load shifting and peak clipping. The proposed approach was modelled in a MATLAB/Simulink R2021a environment and was optimized using the artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm. Simulations were carried out to test the model’s efficacy in a stand-alone PV-battery microgrid in East Africa. The proposed algorithm reduces the peak demand, smoothing the load profile to the desired level, and improves the system’s peak to average ratio (PAR). The presence of deferrable loads has been considered to bring more flexible demand-side management. Results promise decreases in peak demand and peak to average ratio of about 31.2% and 7.5% through peak clipping. In addition, load shifting promises more flexibility to customers.

Applied Theatre as an interventionist model for theatre for development projects: the Itchi-Agu experience

Over the years, theatre art has distinguished itself as a very effective medium of communication in diverse spheres of life. Traditionally, the theatre situation requires the audience to come to the theatre, sit and see a performance. However, as time progressed, theatre practitioners saw the need to take the theatre to the people and use it as a tool for development, especially in rural African communities. This dimension of theatre practice is known as “Applied Theatre”, as it refers to the use of theatrical forms in unconventional theatre spaces to address issues of concern to communities. In such settings, theatre is often used as an interventionist tool to address the perceived needs of such communities. Theatre for Development projects have been undertaken on a number of subjects around Nsukka communities, but none has been devoted to addressing the issue of water hygiene in any of such communities. It is, therefore, the aim of this paper to examine the steps employed in the Theatre for Development (TfD) workshop by the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, towards addressing the precarious water situation of Itchi-Agu community of Enugu State, as well as to recommend it as essential and ideal for TfD projects. The theoretical framework shall be based on the “Bottom-Up” Theory.

The social and cultural consequences of infertility in rural and peri-urban Malawi.

Relatively little is known about infertility experiences among women in rural Malawi and the impact of infertility on women's marital and family relations. This article examines the perspectives of women and health care providers regarding women's concepts of reproductive health and attitudes toward infertility. The paper explores the supports and barriers to managing infertility at the individual, household, and community levels. The data presented was drawn from semi-structured interviews with health care providers and patients within a prevention of mother to child transmission program and focus group discussions with community men and women in four communities in Southern Malawi. Seventy-eight patients, 12 health care providers, and 32 community leaders participated in the study. The findings suggest that gender inequities and kinship relations intersect to produce infertility related stigma which exacerbates the social and cultural consequences of being infertile in these study communities. Social support from other women experiencing infertility is one strategy to help women manage the social and cultural burden of infertility in these study communities. These results shed light on the meaning of motherhood to women living in rural and peri-urban Sub-Saharan African communities and call for an expansion of infertility services, social services, and mental health services for both women and men who experience infertility.

A Systematic Review on Improving Health Literacy in Rural Africa Using Mobile Serious Games.

Driven by an increase in the availability of cheap low-cost mobile phones and a jump in the number of telecom subscribers, the African gaming world is booming. Most importantly, it has opened an opportunity for rural communities to have an almost identical mobile phone experience than people living in urban areas. It has also opened an opportunity to leverage this high penetration of mobile devices to design mobile-based applications such as mobile serious games. The latter assists individuals living in these communities to modify, change or shape their behaviors and attitudes desirably. This paper reviews mobile serious games in healthcare education, especially those intended to improve health literacy in rural Africa. The challenges and issues encountered in the design and use of persuasive mobile games as a tool can promote behavior change among people living in the rural African communities.

Evaluating whole HIV-1 genome sequence for estimation of incidence and migration in a rural South African community.

Background: South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the world, with HIV prevalence and transmission patterns varying greatly between provinces. Transmission between regions is still poorly understood, but phylodynamics of HIV-1 evolution can reveal how many infections are attributable to contacts outside a given community. We analysed whole genome HIV-1 genetic sequences to estimate incidence and the proportion of transmissions between communities in Hlabisa, a rural South African community. Methods: We separately analysed HIV-1 for gag, pol, and env genes sampled from 2,503 PLWHIV. We estimated time-scaled phylogenies by maximum likelihood under a molecular clock model. Phylodynamic models were fitted to time-scaled trees to estimate transmission rates, effective number of infections, incidence through time, and the proportion of infections imported to Hlabisa. We also partitioned time-scaled phylogenies with significantly different distributions of coalescent times. Results: Phylodynamic analyses showed similar trends in epidemic growth rates between 1980 and 1990. Model-based estimates of incidence and effective number of infections were consistent across genes. Parameter estimates with gag were generally smaller than those estimated with pol and env. When estimating the proportions of new infections in Hlabisa from immigration or transmission from external sources, our posterior median estimates were 85% (95% credible interval (CI) = 78%-92%) for gag, 62% (CI = 40%-78%) for pol, and 77% (CI = 58%-90%) for env in 2015. Analysis of phylogenetic partitions by gene showed that most close global reference sequences clustered within a single partition. This suggests local evolving epidemics or potential unmeasured heterogeneity in the population. Conclusions: We estimated consistent epidemic dynamic trends for gag, pol and env genes using phylodynamic models. There was a high probability that new infections were not attributable to endogenous transmission within Hlabisa, suggesting high inter-connectedness between communities in rural South Africa.

Predictors of migration in an HIV hyper-endemic rural South African community: evidence from a population-based cohort (2005–2017)

Globally, South Africa hosts the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the unique legacy of internal labour migration continues to be a major driver of the regional epidemic, interrupting treatment-as-prevention efforts. The study examined levels, trends, and predictors of migration in rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, using population-based surveillance data from 2005 through 2017. We followed 69 604 adult participants aged 15–49 years and recorded their migration events (i.e., out-migration from the surveillance area) in 423 038 person-years over 525 397 observations. Multiple failure Cox-regression models were used to measure the risk of migration by socio-demographic factors: age, sex, educational status, marital status, HIV, and community antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage. Overall, 69% of the population cohort experienced at least one migration event during the follow-up period. The average incidence rate of migration was 9.96 events and 13.23 events per 100 person-years in women and men, respectively. Migration rates declined from 2005 to 2008 then peaked in 2012 for both women and men. Adjusting for other covariates, the risk of migration was 3.4-times higher among young women aged 20–24 years compared to those aged ≥ 40 years (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 3.37, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 3:19–3.57), and 2.9-times higher among young men aged 20–24 years compared to those aged ≥ 40 years (aHR = 2.86, 95% CI:2.69–3.04). There was a 9% and 27% decrease in risk of migration among both women (aHR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83 – 0.99) and men (aHR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.66 – 0.82) respectively per every 1% increase in community ART coverage. Young unmarried women including those living with HIV, migrated at a magnitude similar to that of their male counterparts, and lowered as ART coverage increased over time, reflecting the role of improved HIV services across space in reducing out-migration. A deeper understanding of the characteristics of a migrating population provides critical information towards identifying and addressing gaps in the HIV prevention and care continuum in an era of high mobility.

MP30-16 THE BURDEN OF BLADDER OUTLET OBSTRUCTION IN MEN IN RURAL UGANDA: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY AND FURTHER VALIDATION OF THE VISUAL PROSTATE SYMPTOM SCORE (VPSS)

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP30-16 THE BURDEN OF BLADDER OUTLET OBSTRUCTION IN MEN IN RURAL UGANDA: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY AND FURTHER VALIDATION OF THE VISUAL PROSTATE SYMPTOM SCORE (VPSS) Lynn Stothers, and Andrew Macnab Lynn Stothers Lynn Stothers More articles by this author , and Andrew MacnabAndrew Macnab More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002573.16AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is estimated to affect 1.1 billion men worldwide. A considerable decrease in morbidity and mortality from BOO has been achieved in regions of the world with higher income through improvements in surgical and medical management. Barriers to clinical assessment and education about BOO have included literacy and regional language variations.Epidemiological studies demonstrating the incidence and severity of BOO in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC’s) are based on estimates. AIM: to 1) to conduct a community-based quantitative assessment of the burden of BOO in a rural African community, 2) further validate the Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) against the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). METHODS: We used two recruitment strategies: radio phone-in talk shows to promote clinic attendance, and community outreach travel to survey patients in rural areas. The VPSS was compared to the IPSS: men completed the VPSS and IPSS without assistance, then the VPSS and IPSS with assistance in their native language. They described their understanding of pictograph meaning (face validity), related usefulness of each pictogram, and provided feedback to improve content validity. RESULTS: A cross-sectional survey in rural Uganda comparing the burden of disease due to LUTS in men > 50 years of age living in the community (N = 238) with a second cohort seeking treatment at a medical clinic (N = 177). Based on the IPSS moderate and severe symptoms were seen in 31% and 12% for those in the community versus 55 and 30% seeking clinic attention respectively (p<0.05). In N=136 completing the IPSS VPSS validation 90% had inherent recognition of the weak stream pictograph and only 42% for the nocturia images. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that the frequency and negative impact of LUTS are high in the community. Whilst the drugs recommended were available at local clinics, educational barriers, and limited knowledge about the effectiveness of treatment are greater than previously recognized. Health education about BOO was welcomed at workshops to debrief participants. General content validity of the VPSS was high but the nocturia pictograph could be further developed including the size of images due to reduced visual health in the population. Source of Funding: Grand Challenges Canada © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e484 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Lynn Stothers More articles by this author Andrew Macnab More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Climate change-induced livelihood adaptive strategies and perceptions of forest-dependent communities: The case of Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Many South African rural communities depend directly or indirectly on natural forests to meet their livelihoods. Climate change can alter many of the mutual relationships between rural communities and natural resources (forests) by posing a variety of new challenges to these resources, agriculture, biodiversity, rural livelihoods and food (in) security. This study aimed to assess how forest-dependent rural communities perceive climate change and how that perception and other socio-economic factors affect their adaptation. In doing so, it identifies the barriers and enablers to adaptation in response to changes in the community forest status that threaten their livelihoods. The study employed a multinomial logit (MNL) model to analyse how socio-economic and institutional factors influence their choices among the alternative livelihood strategies. The study reveals that factors such as the capacity of community forests to support rural community livelihoods, awareness of community members about the change in temperature and rainfall, and the trend in the availability of natural forest products play important roles in enhancing adaptation capabilities. In addition, households with better knowledge about the trend in temperature and rainfall and also those endowed with human capital are less likely to create pressure on natural forests. Taking forests and their services as impure public goods, the study recommends the need for public-private partnerships (between local municipalities/government and/or non-government entities and the private sector) to invest in building institutions that improve community forest governance, capacity empowerment on collective management of common-pool resources, and creating employment and livelihood opportunities to forest-dependent rural communities.

Police interventions in victims’ encounters of intimate partner violence in a rural setting

One of the most frequently experienced types of violent crime in South African rural communities is interpersonal violence, which includes intimate partner violence. Rural policing is among the vital forms of intervention required to manage such incidents. This article employs a qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, to describe and interpret police members’ experiences of policing victims’ encounters of intimate partner violence in the rural Vhembe district in Limpopo. Fifteen police members, from the two South African Police Service’s subprogrammes: Visible Policing and Detective Service were sampled through purposive sampling. Unstructured open-ended interviews, field notes, diaries, and follow-up telephone interviews were used as data-collection methods. Data were analysed in accordance with the interpretative phenomenological analysis guidelines. The findings show that intimate partner violence in matrimonial and intimate relationships is common in this district; that it manifests as physical, emotional, sexual violence, and controlling behaviour and affects women, men, children, and the victims’ next-of-kin, with men mostly being the perpetrators. Paradoxes on the home front and cultural customs shape how the incidents are handled in the district communities and also determine the implementation of policing of the incidents leading to incident-focussed and evasive intervention strategies. The findings have implications for police training, further research, collaborative community stakeholder workshops, and setting up intimate partner violence community capacity-building centres.

Malaria prevention practices and malaria prevalence among children living in a rural community in Southwest Nigeria.

Living conditions in most rural African communities favour malaria transmission and threaten global eradication. Prevention strategies and interventions such as the use of bed nets have reduced the prevalence of malaria. This study described the various methods employed to prevent malaria and their effects on malaria parasite prevalence among children living in a rural community in Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 357 children aged 1-15 years, in a Nigerian rural community. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Chi-squared test of association with a level of significance of p < 0.050 was used. Only 110 (30.8%) participants owned mosquito nets. Mostly those from the high social class (45; 40.9%) used the nets, and these were mostly 'under-five' children. Thirty-six (10.1%) were routinely given antimalarial drugs for malaria prophylaxis. Also, 102 (28.6%), 151 (42.3%), 278 (77.9%), 99 (27.7%) and 15 (5.0%) children used insecticides, local herbs, window nets, outlet door nets and mosquito repellent creams respectively. None of the methods employed to prevent malaria had statistically significant effect on malaria parasite prevalence among participants (p > 0.050). Malaria prevention methods were mostly practiced by participants of the high social class while children under-five considerably used mosquito nets. This study highlights the need to address the socio-demographic imbalance regarding malaria preventive measures in the community where the study was conducted. There is also a need to regulate the use of antimalarial drugs for malaria prophylaxis in the rural community. These suggest that the current malaria prevention methods in the community be reviewed.