Awareness Creation Activities Research Articles

Effect of exposure to biofortified crops on smallholder farm household adoption decisions: The case of orange-fleshed sweetpotato in Ghana and Nigeria

Commonly used innovation adoption models indirectly assume homogenous information flow across farmers, which is often not the case. For new and or not widely known technologies, such as orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) varieties, exposure plays an important role in farmers’ decision to adopt. OFSP varieties have been shown to be highly effective means of combating Vitamin A deficiency at the community level because of their high pro-vitamin A content and cost effectiveness as compared with fortification and supplementation. Significant efforts, including the implementation of the Jumpstarting Orange-fleshed Sweetpotato in West Africa through Diversified Markets project, have gone into promoting the production and consumption of OFSP in West Africa over the last decade. Observations in the project countries indicated that the usage rate of OFSP among the beneficiaries was extremely high, suggesting a significant link between exposure through awareness creation activities and adoption behavior. This study empirically examines the role of exposure to OFSP adoption. A multistage sampling technique was used to select farmers. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews with 345 and 381 sweetpotato farmers in Ghana and Nigeria respectively, using structured questionnaires. The study adopted the counterfactual outcome framework from the modern evaluation approach. We found that the OFSP adoption rates in 2016 could have been nearly 61% in Ghana and 42% in Nigeria, instead of the observed sample adoption rate of 51 and 33%, respectively, if the whole population was exposed to the OFSP varieties. This suggests that there is potential for increasing OFSP adoption rates through intensified dissemination and awareness creation activities. We also found that the OFSP adoption is influenced by a number of other factors, which varied between the study countries. This implies that interventions to increase the adoption rate shouldn't use “one size fits all”, but rather targeted approaches.

Prevalence of Internal Nematode Parasites of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fish Species caught from Southwestern Part of Lake Tana, Central Gondar, Ethiopia

Background: Nile Tilapia a freshwater cichlid that is indigenous to the Nile basin and one of the world’s most important food fishes. Owing to its hardy nature and its wide range of trophic and ecological adaptations and the second most i mportant cultured species. Even though, it is susceptible to the parasite. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to April 2018 to determine the prevalence of internal nematode parasites of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish in a southwestern part of Lake Tana, Central Gondar, Ethiopia. The study was performed on a total of 384 Oreochromis niloticus fish species which were purposively selected from local fisherman caught using different mesh sized gill nets. Results: The overall prevalence of internal nematode parasites in this study was 57.3% (220/384). The genera of nematode identified in the body of Oreochromis niloticus were Contracaecum the most prevalent 209 (54.4%), the second genus was Eustrongylides 7 (1.8%) and the list prevalent was Camallanus 4 (1%). The prevalence of nematode was slightly higher in female 196 (58.2%) than male 188 (56.4%) fishes. Similarly, the infection rate in adult and young and in larger and medium fish was higher. Conclusion: This higher prevalence observed was predominantly related to the distribution of piscivorous birds which are more abundant in an area, where there are high fishing activities and increase the number of discarded filleted wastes. Peoples who have developed the habit of consuming raw fish are at higher risk of becoming infected by the zoonotic nematode parasites. Therefore, awareness creation activities and control of fish parasites should be conducted in the study Lake.

"It is what I tell her that she will do": a mixed methods study of married men's knowledge and attitude towards supporting their wives' cervical cancer screening in rural South-East Nigeria.

Introductioncervical cancer is a leading cause of death among Nigerian women. Women often require spousal support before attending cervical cancer screening services. This study assessed married men´s knowledge and attitude towards male involvement in cervical cancer screening of their wives.Methodsa cross-sectional study using a mixed methods approach was conducted among 245 married men in Izzi, Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria. Quantitative data collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and qualitative data from focus group discussions were triangulated. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20. Qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis.Resultsthe mean knowledge of cervical cancer was 2.06±0.55. Only 2.9% of the respondents had adequate knowledge of risk factors for cervical cancer. Up to 89.8% were willing to approve screening for their spouses. Majority (76.3%) considered screening important in cervical cancer prevention, while 91.4% were willing to pay for the screening test. Most of them exhibited patriarchal tendencies and insisted that their wives must obtain their consent before screening as depicted by the statement “It is what I tell her that she will do”. Previous spousal screening was a predictor of good knowledge (OR = 10.94, 95% CI = 2.44-48.93; P=0.002).Conclusionmarried men in this study had poor knowledge of cervical cancer. However, they were willing to support cervical cancer screening conditional on their pre-information and consent. Awareness creation activities on cervical cancer screening should incorporate active engagement of husbands in order to promote screening uptake by their wives.

Identification and characterization of Salmonella spp. from samples of broiler farms in selected districts of Bangladesh

Background and Aim:Salmonella spp. are an important group of pathogens responsible for human and animal diseases. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify and characterize of Salmonella spp. isolated from broiler farms of Gazipur, Tangail, and Dhaka districts of Bangladesh. This study also evaluated the difference of Salmonella positivity status between two groups of farms, good practices adapted in broiler rearing at the project intervened farms, and non-project intervened traditional farms.Materials and Methods:A total of 352 samples including 128 cloacal swabs, 32 whole carcasses, 64 feed, 64 water, and 64 attendants’ hand rinses were collected through convenient sampling technique from 16 poultry food safety project of Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations Bangladesh intervened farms and other 16 non-project intervened farms in the same location. Various cultural based techniques and biochemical methods were employed for the estimation of prevalence, isolation, and identification of Salmonella spp. which was further evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility test using disk diffusion methods and serogrouping by slide agglutination test was accomplished for additional characterization.Results:Among the samples, an overall prevalence of Salmonella spp. was 31.25% (110/352) (95% confidence interval [CI]=26.44-36.38%). However, the prevalence of Salmonella spp. was 24.43% (43/176) (95% CI=18.28-31.47) in project intervened farms and 38.07% (67/176) (95% CI=30.87-45.68%) in non-intervened farms. Among the 110 isolates, 31.82% (35/110) were fitted under serogroup B, and the rest of the isolates 75 (68.18%) under serogroup D. Of 110 isolates, 82.72%, 77.27%, 81.82%, and 79.09% were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, norfloxacin, and streptomycin, respectively. In addition, 81.82% and 80% isolates were resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline, respectively. Isolated Salmonella spp. presented moderate resistance to both amoxicillin and azithromycin. Alarmingly, 80.91% (89/110) isolates were shown to be multidrug-resistant Salmonella spp.Conclusion:The study has presented a significant variation of the prevalence of Salmonella spp. between project intervened and non-project intervened farms, and this indicates project intervened farms are comparatively safer than the non-intervened farms considering public health and food safety grounds. This research outcome also has highlighted a substantial proportion of poultry origin multidrug resistance Salmonella spp. is a potential source of public health hazards. In this regard, proper awareness creation and motivational activities on good agriculture practices in poultry rearing and maintaining good personal hygiene at the farmers’ level are warranted through participatory training.

Affirmative Action and Substantive Equality in the Academia: Female Students’ Perspective the Case of Raya University

The study was conducted in Raya University, Ethiopia with a prime objective to assess and analyze the role of affirmative action program in improving female students’ academic achievement. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed in this study. Besides primary and secondary data sources were utilized. Proportional stratified sampling method was employed to determine sample size. Thus, 120 female students were participated in the study as primary data source from which the required data was generated. Besides 10 female instructors was included using purposive sampling method to validate and cross check the idea of female students. Multiple data collection instruments were utilized in the data collection process which includes questionnaire, interview and document analysis. The finding revealed tutorial class, material support and department placement are implemented to enhance female students’ academic achievement. Even though female students have positive perception towards the program they claimed that the program is not well organized and ineffective in its implementation. Thus, substantive equality is not assured in the academia between male and female students. This is in line with the document analysis result in which female students disproportionately scores lower academic result than their male counterparts. Economic problem, cultural barrier and lack of self-confidence of females are the most contributory factors for their failure. In view of these the researchers recommends capacity building schemes such as financial support, counseling service, tutorial class and awareness creation activities to be given due attention by concerned stakeholders for female students to minimize their challenges and enhance the effectiveness of affirmative action programs in higher education institutions. Keywords: Academia, Affirmative action, Female students, Substantive equality DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-16-09 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Surveillance of anti-HCV antibody amongst in-school youth in a Nigeria university

Infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a public health problem. Worldwide, there are about 170 million people infected with HCV. HCV is transmitted through sex and use of contaminated sharp objects during tattooing or intravenous drug abuse. These routes make youth to be more vulnerable. Transfusion and mother to child transmissions are also documented modes. This study was carried out to determine sero-prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among in school youth at Achievers University, Owo in southwest Nigeria. Samples of blood were collected from 70 undergraduate students and sera harvested were tested for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus by Enzyme Immunoassay Technique. Most participants fall within age range 21-25 (91.4%). The study showed that none of the subjects was positive for anti- HCV antibodies. Education and awareness level might have impacted positively on this outcome. Thus routine screening for HCV and sustained awareness creation activities to eradicate HCV and its attendant consequences from our society is of paramount importance.Key words: HCV, prevalence, in-school youth, education.

Exploring barriers to the use of formal maternal health services and priority areas for action in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia

BackgroundIn 2015 the maternal mortality ratio for Ethiopia was 353 per 100,000 live births. Large numbers of women do not use maternal health services. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the use of maternal health services at the primary health care unit (PHCU) level in rural communities in Sidama zone, south Ethiopia in order to design quality improvement interventions.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study in six woredas in 2013: 14 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 44 in-depth interviews with purposefully selected community members (women, male, traditional birth attendants, local kebele administrators), health professionals and health extension workers (HEWs) at PHCUs. We digitally recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed the interviews and FGDs using Nvivo. The ‘three delay model’ informed the analytical process and discussion of barriers to the use of maternal health services.ResultsLack of knowledge on danger signs and benefits of maternal health services; cultural and traditional beliefs; trust in TBAs; lack of decision making power of women, previous negative experiences with health facilities; fear of going to an unfamiliar setting; lack of privacy and perceived costs of maternal health services were the main factors causing the first delay in deciding to seek care. Transport problems in inaccessible areas were the main contributing factor for the second delay on reaching care facilities. Lack of logistic supplies and equipment, insufficient knowledge and skills and unprofessional behaviour of health workers were key factors for the third delay in accessing quality care.ConclusionsUse of maternal health services at the PHCU level in Sidama zone is influenced by complex factors within the community and health system. PHCUs should continue to implement awareness creation activities to improve knowledge of the community on complications of pregnancy and benefits of maternal health services. The health system has to be responsive to community’s cultural norms and practices. The mangers of the woreda health office and health centres should take into account the available budgets; work on ensuring the necessary logistics and supplies to be in place at PHCU.

Children's nutritional status and its determinants in small towns, Sebeta Hawas district, Oromia, Ethiopia.

The study was aimed to assess the prevalence and examine determinant factors of children’s nutritional status in non-administrative two small towns (Awash Bello and Boneya) located Sebeta Hawas district, Oromia region. Cross-sectional design was employed in the existing two small towns selected randomly. The sample size was determined by using single population proportion formula then adjusted by finite population correction factor to draw the final 230 sample children and then allocated proportionally to each small town. Then the households were selected using systematic random sampling. If there is more than one child in the selected household only one child was considered randomly. Structured questionnaire was used to gather information on the demographic, socio-economic, and maternal and child caring practice, as well as environmental factors. While anthropometric measurement was used to collect height, weight and MUAC following the standard measurement tools and procedures. Information was entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and anthropometric measurements were converted into Z-scores by WHO Anthro version 3.2.2., 2011 software. Then exported to STATA 13 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The result revealed that the prevalence of overall malnutrition was 46%. Specifically, stunting was (22.6%), underweight (16.1%) and wasting (7.4%), respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze determinants child malnutrition. Multivariate model revealed that age of child, number of under-five children in the household, no formal fathers and no formal maternal education, less than1500ETB monthly income, Antenatal care visit less than four times during pregnancy, not exclusive breast feeding and no fully vaccination were found positive and significant determinants for child malnutrition. And, child birth order was negative and significant determinant for child malnutrition. Thus, need continues training, awareness creation activities, special attention for child and maternal healthcare services by Sebeta Hawas district Health Office and other practitioners.

Factors associated with sustained use of improved solid fuel cookstoves: A case study from Kenya

Improved solid fuel cookstoves have been a focus of development efforts to address health and environmental problems caused by traditional cooking practices in Kenya. However, a review of Kenya's experience in promoting improved solid fuel cookstoves shows that the focus has been on (increasing) production and dissemination of improved cookstoves, overlooking the fact that some of the disseminated cookstoves are used less regularly or even abandoned. This study examines factors that influence the usage rate of improved solid fuel cookstoves, drawing on a survey of cookstove users conducted in Kenya through a project implemented by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The results show that sustained use of improved solid fuel cookstoves over time is significantly predicted by awareness creation activities and reputation of the new cookstoves among community members. These insights suggest that cookstove-disseminating organisations should pay attention to these two factors to ensure sustained use of improved solid fuel cookstoves in Kenya and perhaps other developing countries.

Review of Quality Protein Maize as Food and Feed: In Alleviating Protein Deficiency in Developing Countries

Maize is the major food and feed source in most parts of the world. In Ethiopia, it ranks second in area coverage after Teff and first in production. But maize alike other cereals, is deficient in certain essential amino acids like lysine and tryptophan. Therefore, this study is initiated to review the pros and cons of other maize variety called Quality Protein Maize as food, feed and other industrial uses and to suggest recommendations based on the findings. For the purpose, a number of national and international research findings were collected and used. The major lessons from this study indicated that, Quality Protein Maize has got a similar yield potential and disease resistance with normal maize and its biological value is about 80% whereas normal maize has got 40-75%. It has also 90% the biological value of cow's milk with a true digestibility level of 60% which is greater than normal maize. The amino acid profile specially lysine and tryptophan is 2-3 fold higher than normal maize. Feeding of Quality Protein Maize to children in a number of countries indicated that the anthropometric measures are higher for the children fed with Quality Protein Maize than normal maize fed groups and also increased the intelligent quotient. Feeding of Quality Protein Maize to pregnant women showed a significant impact upon the health of the babies and mothers. The impact of Quality Protein Maize feeding to old age people reflected in their relief from gastric and other indigestion ailments. Feeding values of Quality Protein Maize to broiler chicks enhanced growth rate and meat quality. When broiler chicks fed with the combination of Quality Protein Maize and sesame seed meal, it can safely replace synthetic amino acids with better economic advantage than feeding with synthetic amino acids. In the case of layers, feeding of Quality Protein Maize improved age at first egg laying, egg production, and egg quality parameters. The major problems associated to the scaling ups of Quality Protein Maize include limited promotion, insufficient demonstration and poor awareness creation on its quality. On top of these, literally there is no premium price for the production of Quality Protein Maize and there is no special incentives for those producers. Therefore, research results should be properly documented and shared with the respective stakeholders, continuous awareness creation, demonstration and extension activities to producers and consumers should be done so as to use the potential in a proper manner. For effective promotion, back ward linkages and contract farming is also important to ensure sustainable supply of seed. It is also equally important to involve private players for seed production and link them with industries and encourage farmers to use yellow quality protein maize variety to increase the beta carotene contents of the diets.

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice to infants aged less than six months in Offa district, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundWorld Health Organization (WHO) recommends timely initiation of breastfeeding after birth and only feeding breast milk to infants during the first 6 months of life. It was estimated that exclusive breastfeeding can reduce infant deaths by 13%. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding is suboptimal in many parts of Ethiopia to a varied extent. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice and the proportion of its practice was not well documented in Offa district. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life in Offa district, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 396 mothers of infants younger than 6 months using random sampling. Data were collected from mothers of the infants by trained interviewers. Exclusive breastfeeding was measured by the history of infant feeding in the prior 24 h. Pretested and structured questionnaires adopted from standard questionnaires and Ethiopia linkages modules were used. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors significantly influencing exclusive breastfeeding practice.ResultsBased on findings of this study of 396 participants, the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding was 78.0% and awareness of exclusive breastfeeding and bottle feeding were 85.6 and 6.1% respectively. About 6% of infants were given prelacteal feeds. The number of infants fed cow milk was 12.9%, formula 7.8%, water 8.5%, fruits and semisolids 1.5%, over 24 h prior to the survey. The initiation of breastfeeding within one h (AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1, 4.27), attending formal education (AOR 4; 95% CI 2.20, 7.25), having an awareness on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (AOR 6; 95% CI 3.10, 11.70) and knowledge of colostrum feeding (AOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.11, 4.27) had a statistically significant association with exclusive breastfeeding in the study area.ConclusionsThe practice of exclusive breastfeeding as well as awareness was worthy in Offa district. Additionally the proportion of bottle feeding use was small. However, feeding other than breast milk was associated with the perception that breast milk alone was insufficient for their child. Strategies on promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice must focus on strengthening women’s education and awareness creation activities further.

Diagnosis and education for a better future in Uganda

Abstract Since 2005, the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation (NNHF; www.nnhf.org) has worked in collaboration with local partners and internationally renowned experts to improve access to haemophilia care. The NNHF has identified three areas on which to focus its activities in order to create impact where it is most needed: capacity building, diagnosis and registry, and education and empowerment. Underpinning these focus areas are targeted awareness creation activities and the development of strategic partnerships, which enable and facilitate local impact creation through empowered community advocates and authority engagement. NNHF supports fellowships, local development projects, and recognises extraordinary achievements via the annual ‘NNHF Project of the Year Award’ and the ‘NNHF Community Award’. Raising awareness of haemophilia in Uganda was the NNHF global fundraiser in 2015. This article summarises how the donations raised were used to establish diagnosis and education for a better future for Uganda’s haemophilia patients.

Prevalence of Internal Parasites of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus Fish Species in Lake Ziway, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to March 2014 in Lake Ziway to determine the prevalence of internal parasites and identify the most common genera infecting fish. A total of 384 randomly selected fish species comprising of 221 Oreochromis niloticus and 163 Clarias gariepinus were sampled. All the sampled fish were eviscerated in laboratory to investigate the internal parasites. Chi-square statistic and comparison of proportion were used to analyse the data. The overall prevalence of internal parasites of fish was 20.83% (80/384). The major internal parasite genera identified in the body of fish were Contracaecum (62.50%), Clinostomum (31.25%) and Eustrongylides (6.25%). The distribution of parasite genera was significantly affected by fish species (p=0.022). However, the difference between sexes was not seemed to be statistically significant (p=0.362) despite the prevalence was slightly higher in male (22.75%) than female (18.97%) fish. In conclusion, fishermen and other people who have developed the habit of consuming raw fish are at higher risk of becoming infected by the zoonotic parasites. Therefore, awareness creation activities and control of fish parasites should be conducted in the study Lake.

Development and Evaluation of Pedal Thresher for Threshing of Rice

Rice is becoming increasingly an important crop in Ethiopia. Owed to the post harvest losses, evaluation and demonstration of an imported pedal thresher was conducted. In addition, a proto type was developed using reverse engineering. Data was collected using structured data sheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics and parametric tests. Duncan and Tukey mean tests showed the absence of significant mean threshing output difference between the pedal type (127.5kg/hr) and the modified (120kg/hr) one. The result showed statistically different threshing output using these technologies as compared to the traditional method (92kg/hr). The financial analysis showed that an average Fogera farmer (0.35ha rice land) could thresh his annual rice yield within 9.25hrs and 8.68hrs using modified and pedal threshers with a cost reduction of ETB 320.58 compared to the traditional system. The low awareness of the farmers on the consequences and advantages of threshing on quality of rice and subsequently on preference and marketing resulted in low priority for adoption. Hence, large scale awareness creation activities should be done and the technology ought to be promoted widely in order to contribute for the government’s aim as a millennium crop and benefit from the market opportunity reassuring in the country.