Good Housing Research Articles

Mechanical properties of sustainable soil blocks stabilised with rice husk ash, cement and lime

The provision of good quality housing is recognised as an important responsibility for welfare of common public in any country. To achieve this, building materials from natural resources are often used. The commercial exploitation of these resources often leads to various environmental problems. Hence, development of an alternative building material is of immense benefit to minimise the impact on the environment. Soil can be used for the construction of walls in many ways. However, there are few undesirable properties such as loss of strength when saturated with water, erosion due to wind or rain and poor dimensional stability. These drawbacks can be eliminated significantly by stabilising the soil with cementitious materials. Several researchers are presently looking for newer options of manufacturing stabilised compressed blocks by partially substituting cement with pozzolanic materials, which are also environmentally friendly. In this context, a comparative study is carried out on compressed stabilised soil block (CSSB) made with lime, rice husk ash (RHA) and Portland pozzolana cement. This paper discusses physical and mechanical properties of the CSSBs. Due to the use of RHA, it is observed that the final cost of the CSSB is getting reduced and also the environmental advantage of utilising the RHA may further improve the sustainability of masonry brick production.

Determinants of Environmental Health Related Diseases in Kenya with Generalized Linear Mixed Models: Analysis of Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey

Generalized linear models (GLMs) form a class of fixed effects regression models for several types of dependent variable, whether continuous, dichotomous or counts. Common GLMs include linear regression, Logistic regression and Poison regression. These models have typically been used a lot in modeling of data arising from a heterogeneous population under the assumption of independence. However, in applied science and in real life situations in general, one is confronted with collection of correlated data (Mark Aerts et al, 2005). This generic term embraces a multitude of data structures, such as multivariate observations, clustered data, repeated measurements, longitudinal data, and spatially correlated data. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) are able to handle extraordinary range of complications in regression-type analyses. They are often used to handle correlations that arise in longitudinal and other clustered data. This study sought to fit GLMMs to Kenya integrated household data collected in 2005/6 to explain different factors and their influence on an individual morbidity in Kenya. The cluster variable was used to introduce the random effect in this data. From the analysis, it was deduced that gender increases the log-odds of an individual getting a disease, while people who are living in good housing conditions reduces the log-odds of an individual experiencing morbidity. Main source of drinking water and the human waste disposal method were significant in explaining individual morbidity in Kenya. This study can however be extended to incorporate other factors such as income level of individuals. Individuals with low level of income are believed to be more likely to experience environmental health related diseases than individuals with higher levels of income.

Can the monitoring of animal welfare parameters predict pork meat quality variation through the supply chain (from farm to slaughter)?

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the animal welfare conditions evaluated through the supply chain and pork quality variation. A total of 4,680 pigs from 12 farms-5 animal welfare improved raising system (AWIRS) and 7 conventional raising system (CON) farms-were assessed from farm to slaughter through a comprehensive audit protocol merging the European Welfare Quality, the Canadian Animal Care Assessment, and American Meat Institute audit guide criteria. At the abattoir, a subsample of 1,440 pigs (120 pigs/farm) was randomly chosen out of 24 loads (2 farms per wk) transported by 2 drivers (driver A and driver B) for the assessment of stunning effectiveness, carcass bruises, blood lactate levels, and meat quality traits. Meat quality was assessed in the longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle 24 h postmortem by measuring ultimate pH (pHu), color (L*, a*, and b*), and drip loss. Data were analyzed by the MIXED, GLIMMIX, and NAPAR1WAY procedures of SAS. Spearman correlations were calculated to determine the relationship between audit scores and meat quality traits. Better animal welfare conditions, as showed by greater final scores for good housing (GHo; = 0.001) and good health ( = 0.006) principles, were recorded at AWIRS farms. Pigs from AWIRS farms handled by driver B displayed a greater percentage of turning back ( = 0.01) and slips ( < 0.001) during unloading and a greater ( = 0.02) frequency of falls in the stunning chute. A greater ( = 0.02) reluctance to move at loading was found in CON pigs loaded by driver A compared with driver B, whereas a greater ( < 0.001) reluctance to move was found in these pigs at unloading when they were unloaded by driver B. Drip loss was higher ( = 0.003) and pale, soft, and exudative pork percentage was greater ( < 0.001) in the LL muscle of the heavier AWIRS pigs. The GHO principle was best correlated with pHu ( = -0.75, = 0.01) and Minolta L* value ( = 0.87, < 0.001) of the LL muscle. Overall, drip loss variation in the LL muscle was correlated with the frequency of slips at unloading ( = 0.63, = 0.001) and in the restrainer area ( = 0.74, < 0.001). The results of this study showed that the quality of the raising system and truck driver skills as assessed by animal welfare audit protocols are important sources of variation in the behavioral response of pigs to preslaughter handling and may affect pork quality variation. However, the different live weight between CON and AWIRS pigs may have biased the meat quality results in this study.

25 Years After: What Has Changed in Central and Eastern Europe in Terms of Housing Availability and Affordability?

Access to good quality housing at reasonable price is one of the basic factors that affect human well-being. Yet, for years many residents of socialist states had to face a very problematic housing situation, because the centralised planning system failed to provide adequate housing space for everyone. The post-socialist transformation brought about an opportunity to overcome the shortcomings of the past, but it was also related to a far-reaching withdrawal of the state from the housing issues. Undoubtedly, the housing situation in the post-socialist years has improved, but the housing shortage was not completely overcome. Meanwhile, also the issue of housing affordability has gained prominence, as housing is not anymore a state-distributed resource, but it has become almost completely commodified. Within the framework outlined above, this paper takes a look at the changes of the housing situation in the post-socialist context, focusing on the Central and Eastern European countries.

A powerful new voice for nursing.

She did not know at the time, but when Mary Watkins embarked on a nursing career in the 1970s, her areas of interest would be among the most pressing priorities for the health service four decades later. And she believes that this career-long commitment to mental health, dementia care and services for children with drug and alcohol problems contributed to her recent appointment as baroness on the crossbenches. Professor Watkins – she will not use her new title until she is formallly received into the Lords in December or January – admits being ‘excited yet daunted’ by the role. The priorities she wants to address as a life peer include influencing policy to improve nurses’ clinical career progression and better remuneration for carers. She also wants to ensure enough nurses are available in care homes and in the community to carry out assessments of people with dementia and support carers. Her commitment to dementia is personal as well as professional. In 2012 she retired from her post as deputy vice-chancellor at Plymouth University to care for her mother, who has the condition. ‘I wanted to care for her at home for as long as possible,’ she says. ‘She is now in a home because she needed more support than I could give but I am very glad I did what I did.’ Professor Watkins qualified as a nurse in 1976 and as a mental health nurse in 1979. She has worked in community, in-patient mental health and acute settings, The House of Lords’ newest nurse member has high hopes for her role, reports Sophie Blakemore providing non-emergency and emergency health care. In 1989, as part of her PhD, she set up the UK’s first night hospital for people with dementia, in Lambeth, to investigate whether the service enabled clients to stay in their own homes for longer. Retirement hasn’t slowed Professor Watkins down. She is a non-executive director of a housing association, deputy chair at South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, chair of governors at a local school, and on the board of a charity for young people with drug and alcohol problems. ‘If you really want to promote good mental health you need sound housing and education, as well as health care,’ she says. She believes her selection will ‘bring balance’ to the House of Lords, following the death of nurse peer Baroness Jean McFarlane in 2012. ‘I have a broad background in healthcare education and I think my charitable work also played a role. It was a combination of these things that got the appointment, not me as such; being in the House of Lords isn’t about individual power, it is about being collegiate and making a difference through networking and influence.’ Professor Watkins agrees with the Lords’ critics that more than 700 peers is excessive; she believes that appointments should be for a maximum of 15 years ‘so there is movement and the House can slim down’. But she also believes that her peerage can make a difference, which is why she accepted the post. ‘I am there for my nursing and higher education in health care expertise, and I hope to ensure that nursing has a continued strong voice in the shaping of social policy’ NS

The perception of agricultural extension agents on job motivation in Kwara State Nigeria

This study examined extension agent perception on job motivation in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study engaged the entire 106 agricultural extension agents in Kwara State. Data were analysed using both Descriptive Statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results showed that the major perceived motivating factors among extension agents in Kwara State in descending order were the following:supervision of work, recognition for good work, feedback from supervision, evaluation of work, salary increment, meeting with supervisor, promotion prospect, annual leave opportunity, payment of salary at the right time, and good housing opportunity while motivation by pay than money was considered as a minor motivating factor. The PPMC result showed that significant determinants of job motivation were age (P=0.025), gender (P=0.032), education (0.025), and experience (P=0.032) at P&lt; 0.05. The study recommended among others that the members of staff who perform supervisory roles in the organization should be given more training that places more emphasis on supervision.Keywords: perception, job motivation, extension agent, Kwara state, Nigeria

The Impact of Housing Issue on the Well-being of Middle-Income Group

Dwellers that are facing one housing issue, typically, face numerous risky housing circumstances that threaten the arrangement of their outcomes. Additionally, experiencing multiple critical housing issues can increase the negative effects that such conditions have on the whole members; physically, psychologically and emotionally. This paper discusses the effect of housing issues on the psychology wellbeing of middle-income group in Malaysia. The purpose is to understand the impact of such difficulties like housing price, safety and security, housing quality, transportation, schools and economic development on the stress and wellbeing of people in Malaysia. Simple random sampling was assigned to a large number of middle-income residents in Malaysia. The accumulated data were analysed and the descriptive statistics were used to evaluate prevalence of housing issues, housing stress and wellbeing. The finding indicated small but significant positive relationship between housing conditions and wellbeing. The housing stresses in this study are those caused by transportation, housing quality, and economic development. Hence, this research supports the critical link between good housing conditions like safe, secure, easy to transport and affordable and positive health outcome. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s1p522

Long-term effects of pneumonia in young children.

Each year an estimated 120 million episodes of pneumonia occur in children younger than 5 years of age, resulting in one million deaths globally. Within this age group the lungs are still developing by increasing alveoli numbers and airway dimensions. Pneumonia during this critical developmental period may therefore adversely affect the lung’s structure and function, with increased risk of subsequent chronic lung disease. However, there are few longitudinal studies of pneumonia in otherwise healthy children that extend into adulthood to help address this important question. Birth cohort, longitudinal, case-control and retrospective studies have reported restrictive and obstructive lung function deficits, asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In particular, severe hospitalised pneumonia had the greatest risk for long-term sequelae. Most studies, however, were limited by incomplete follow-up, some reliance upon parental recall, risk of diagnostic misclassification, and potential confounders such as nutrition, social deprivation, and pre-existing small airways or lungs. More long-term studies measuring lung function shortly after birth are needed to help disentangle the complex relationships between pneumonia and later chronic lung disease, while also addressing host responses, types of infection, and potential confounding variables. Meanwhile, parents of young children with pneumonia need to be advised about the importance of symptom resolution, post-pneumonia. In addition, paying attention to factors associated with optimising lung growth such as good nutrition, minimising exposure to air pollution, avoiding cigarette smoke, and decreasing the risk of preventable infections through good hygiene and having their children fully vaccinated should be emphasised. Finally, in the developing world and for disadvantaged communities in developed countries, public health policies leading to good quality housing and heating, hygiene, education, and improving socio-economic status are also essential.

The Impact of Housing Conditions on the Emotion, Behaviour, and Psychological Wellbeing of Middle-Income Groups

Housing remains a major problem for most, especially for the bottom billions; satisfaction on housing is one of the important indicators that reflect the societal wellbeing. This paper provides a meaning and understanding for the relationship between housing conditions and wellbeing; therefore, it evaluates the impact of housing conditions on the emotion, behaviour and psychological wellbeing of middle-income group in Malaysia. In fact, the housing conditions in this research include home size, housing features, as well as safety and security. Respondents of 390 were randomly selected from those middle-income houses in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru (Skudai). The accumulated data were then analysed and descriptive statistics were used to interpret and evaluate the impact of housing condition on wellbeing. The finding showed small but significant positive relationship between housing conditions and psychological wellbeing. However, housing conditions is the contributing factors, which negatively affect the behaviour and attitude of middle-income group children. Overall, this research supports the critical link between good housing condition that is decent, safe, secure, and affordable and positive health outcome.

Cross Sectional study to asses housing conditions and to compare it with education and socio economic status of a semi urban area in Mangalore : A Pilot study

Abstract Introduction: Poverty imposes an oppressive weight on India, especially in the rural areas where almost three out of four Indians and 77 percent of the Indian are under poor living conditions. Although poverty has been reduced during the past four decades, it remains painfully high. Provision of adequate housing and amenities are major challenges for human development, particularly among lowincome urban households in developing countries. Often this shortfall is evident from the proliferation of slums and squatters. Objectives: 1. To assess the housing conditions of the semi urban area (Field practice area of KS Hegde Medical Academy).2. To associate these housing conditions with Education and Socio Economic Status. Methodology: Forty houses included under GRAMA KSHEMA project (Field practice area of K S Hegde Medical Academy) were selected. A pilot study with questionnaire to asses housing condition was done. Subjects were interviewed for their education and socioeconomic status. Results: 100% of Graduates, post graduates and Professionals have excellent housing conditions. Poor housing conditions was seen as the level of education decreased to high school and post high school. Housing conditions were excellent as the socioeconomic class increased. 66.6% of Class I population has excellent housing conditions. 63% of Class II population has good housing conditions and 38.5% of Class IV population has poor housing conditions. Conclusions: It was found that majority of the population had good housing conditions. Education and Socio economic status has an impact on Housing condition.

Urban upgrading: The self help approach

The emphasis on urban upgrading is borne out of the need to improve living conditions of citizens that can be categorized as urban poor. Majority of urban conurbations globally today grow in population and a multiplicity of unguided economic activities that encourage the development of informal or squatter settlements at a pace so rapid governments cannot cope, particularly in developing economies like Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. The need for urban upgrading therefore stemmed from the inadequacy of good quality housing stock and appropriate infrastructure for all categories of income earners. Metropolitan areas globally also form the hub of national growth physically, socially, culturally and economically, as such the mode of execution, financing and the eventual scope of such upgrades in the past was solely dependent on the government. After several decades of adopting this methodology with a substantial number of urban citizenry living below acceptable standards of comfort and decency, governments and citizens alike need to approach urban upgrading using multi-pronged strategies and not the unidirectional tactics that have characterized the exercise in times past. This paper seeks to address the issue of implementation of urban upgrading strategies from the perspective of self-help.Key words: Urban upgrading, self-help.

Assessment of welfare of Brazilian and Belgian broiler flocks using the Welfare Quality protocol

The Welfare Quality consortium has proposed a science-based protocol for assessing broiler chicken welfare on farms. Innovative features make the protocols particularly suited for comparative studies, such as the focus on animal-based welfare measures and an integration procedure for calculating an overall welfare status. These protocols reflect the scientific status up to 2009 but are meant to be updated on the basis of inter alia implementation studies. Because only few such studies have been done, we applied the Welfare Quality protocol to compare the welfare of broiler flocks in Belgium (representing a typical European Union (EU) country which implies stringent animal welfare legislation) versus Brazil (the major broiler meat exporter to the EU and with minimal animal welfare legislation). Two trained observers performed broiler Welfare Quality assessments on a total of 22 farms in Belgium and south Brazil. All of the farms produced for the EU market. Although the overall welfare was categorized as ‘acceptable’ on all farms, many country differences were observed at the level of the welfare principles, criteria, and measures. Brazilian farms obtained higher scores for 3 of the 4 welfare principles: ‘good feeding’ (P = 0.007), ‘good housing’ (P < 0.001), and ‘good health’ (P = 0.005). Four of the 10 welfare criteria scores were, or tended to be, higher on Brazilian than Belgian farms: ‘absence of prolonged thirst’ (P < 0.001), ‘ease of movement’ (P < 0.001), ‘absence of injuries’ (P = 0.002), and ‘positive emotional state’ (P = 0.055). The only criteria with a higher score for the Belgian farms than their Brazilian counterparts were ‘absence of prolonged hunger’ (P = 0.048) and ‘good human–animal relationship’ (P = 0.002). Application of the Welfare Quality protocol has raised several concerns about the validity, reliability, and discriminatory potential of the protocol. The results also call for more research into the effect of animal welfare legislation as broiler welfare on the south Brazilian farms appeared to be superior to that on the Belgian farms. Animal-based welfare assessments on a larger sample of farms are needed to evaluate to what extent these findings may be generalized.

City profile: Kaduna

Kaduna’s colonial origin and function as an administrative town ensured that it was well planned and had good and well distributed urban facilities and services in the early years of its existence. However, the pressure of urbanization that has seen the city expand beyond its planned limits into hitherto rural settlements along the urban fringe has today given the city a different character from the once celebrated well planned and beautiful town. On the one hand you have the earlier settled areas of the city with good roads, quality housing and other necessary urban facilities while on the other you have the new expansion areas that have grown outside of formal planning control and are characterized by haphazard development, poor quality housing and lack of basic urban infrastructure and services. It is within this context and the scarcity of resources that the city authorities are struggling to cope with the challenges continually posed by rapid urban growth. The article emphasizes recent initiatives of the government aimed at confronting these challenges through a critical examination of their implementation and the outcomes therefrom.

Student perception about working in rural United States/Canada after graduation: a study in an offshore Caribbean medical school.

Rural residents of the United States (US) and Canada face problems in accessing healthcare. International medical graduates (IMGs) play an important role in delivering rural healthcare. IMGs from Caribbean medical schools have the highest proportion of physicians in primary care. Xavier University School of Medicines admits students from the US, Canada and other countries to the undergraduate medical (MD) course and also offers a premedical program. The present study was conducted to obtain student perception about working in rural US/Canada after graduation. The study was conducted among premedical and preclinical undergraduate medical (MD) students during October 2014. The questionnaire used was modified from a previous study. Semester of study, gender, nationality, place of residence and occupation of parents were noted. Information about whether students plan to work in rural US/Canada after graduation, possible reasons why doctors are reluctant to work in rural areas, how the government can encourage rural practice, possible problems respondents anticipate while working in rural areas were among the topics studied. Ninety nine of the 108 students (91.7%) participated. Forty respondents were in favor of working in rural US/Canada after graduation. Respondents mentioned good housing, regular electricity, water supply, telecommunication facilities, and schools for education of children as important conditions to be fulfilled. The government should provide higher salaries to rural doctors, help with loan repayment, and provide opportunities for professional growth. Potential problems mentioned were difficulty in being accepted by the rural community, problems in convincing patients to follow medical advice, lack of exposure to rural life among the respondents, and cultural issues. About 40% of respondents would consider working in rural US/Canada. Conditions required to be fulfilled have been mentioned above. Graduates from Caribbean medical schools have a role in addressing rural physician shortage. Similar studies in other offshore Caribbean medical schools are required as Caribbean IMGs make an important contribution to the rural US and Canadian health workforce.

Student perception about working in rural United States/Canada after graduation: a study in an offshore Caribbean medical school

Introduction: Rural residents of the United States (US) and Canada face problems in accessing healthcare. International medical graduates (IMGs) play an important role in delivering rural healthcare. IMGs from Caribbean medical schools have the highest proportion of physicians in primary care. Xavier University School of Medicines admits students from the US, Canada and other countries to the undergraduate medical (MD) course and also offers a premedical program. The present study was conducted to obtain student perception about working in rural US/Canada after graduation. Methods: The study was conducted among premedical and preclinical undergraduate medical (MD) students during October 2014. The questionnaire used was modified from a previous study. Semester of study, gender, nationality, place of residence and occupation of parents were noted. Information about whether students plan to work in rural US/Canada after graduation, possible reasons why doctors are reluctant to work in rural areas, how the government can encourage rural practice, possible problems respondents anticipate while working in rural areas were among the topics studied. Results: Ninety nine of the 108 students (91.7%) participated. Forty respondents were in favor of working in rural US/Canada after graduation. Respondents mentioned good housing, regular electricity, water supply, telecommunication facilities, and schools for education of children as important conditions to be fulfilled. The government should provide higher salaries to rural doctors, help with loan repayment, and provide opportunities for professional growth. Potential problems mentioned were difficulty in being accepted by the rural community, problems in convincing patients to follow medical advice, lack of exposure to rural life among the respondents, and cultural issues. Conclusions: About 40% of respondents would consider working in rural US/Canada. Conditions required to be fulfilled have been mentioned above. Graduates from Caribbean medical schools have a role in addressing rural physician shortage. Similar studies in other offshore Caribbean medical schools are required as Caribbean IMGs make an important contribution to the rural US and Canadian health workforce.

Editorial: Community Development through Family Well-Being

Editorial: Community Development through Family Well-Being

Beyond Brain Drain: Possibilities and Challenges of Remitting Migrant Taxes

Remuneration and Benefits Dissatisfaction with salaries is a key factor undermining the commitment of academics to their institutions and careers and, consequently, their decision or intent to leave. Some institutions offer various allowances that supplement staff members’ base salaries. Other creative ways of rewarding academic staff include salary “top-ups,” which come from income generated through students enrolled in fee-paying programs. While highly commendable, these efforts should not be seen as a substitute for providing academics with “livable” salaries. While salaries feature prominently in responses, staff are clearly willing to subordinate higher salaries to very good benefit packages that will enable them to live relatively comfortably during their working lives as well as after retirement. They, therefore, put a high premium on good health care coverage, car and housing loan schemes, support for children’s education, and a reasonable pension. The idea of merit pay and market supplements for academics has met with a lot of controversy and resistance in various universities around the world. Because of the politically charged reaction that they evoke, all of the case study universities shy away from them, certainly in explicit ways.

Housing: the unacknowledged key to our ageing challenge?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the strategic role of housing for older people and how it can address some of the key challenges facing politicians. The paper aims to encourage decision-makers and service providers to collaborate in new ways locally. Design/methodology/approach – The paper seeks to highlight the strategic role of housing for older people and how it can address some of the key challenges facing politicians. It aims to encourage decision makers and service providers to collaborate in new ways locally. Findings – The paper argues that: Housing for older people is rising up the political agenda, but as a niche issue rather than one of strategic and economic importance. A multi-agency and outcomes-based approach to the wellbeing of older people, based on place-shaping principles, needs to be mainstreamed locally. Older people have not escaped the impact of austerity measures and this has heightened the need for a range of high quality housing options, in supportive communities, in later life. Good housing options for older people could address the key issues vexing politicians, but there are obstacles to older people accessing such options. Originality/value – The paper suggests a radical, systemic approach is required to ensure better outcomes for older people and, in turn, to generate savings for the public purse.

Housing allowances, mobility and crowded living: the Norwegian case

Housing allowances should enable economically weak households to accommodate in good quality housing. Utilizing a special feature of the Norwegian housing allowance system, we study how housing allowances affect the incidence of crowded living and mobility. We investigate housing market behavior in a treatment group in a situation in which variations in housing situation feeds directly into variations in the amount of housing allowances received. This is compared to the behavior of a control group in a situation where variations in the housing market behavior do not feed into variations of the amount of housing allowances received. Our empirical analyses reveal that the probability of moving out of crowded housing conditions is 14 % higher among housing allowance receivers whose amount of housing allowances is affected by marginal variations in the pre-allowance housing expenses, than in the control group. The findings of this paper could have implications for the way housing allowance systems is designed and revised.

Screening of Selected Indicators of Dairy Cattle Welfare in Macedonia

Abstract The welfare state of cattle in dairy farms in Macedonia has never been assessed previously. The objective of this study was to perform screening analysis of dairy cows welfare and to test the practical implementation of the Welfare Quality® Assessment protocol for cattle in dairy farms in Macedonia. In ten small scale and large scale tie stall farms 23 measures were recorded related to 9 welfare criteria of 4 welfare principles (WP) described in the Welfare Quality® Assessment protocol for dairy cows. The mean percentage of very lean cows was 40.5±9.1%. All assessed farms were not providing access to pasture and an outdoor loafing area. Regarding cleanliness, the presence of dirty udder, upper leg/flank and lower leg was 65.2±9.0%, 85.5±8.0% and 86.5±5.8%, respectively. The overall prevalence of lameness was 5.6±5.0%, and for mild and severe alterations it was 30.8±5.8% and 54.1±4.6%, respectively. The ocular and vulvar discharge, diarrhea, dystocia, percentage of downer cows and mortality rate exceeded the warning and alarm threshold. The avoidance - distance test classified 70.4±6.8% as animals that can be touched or approached closer than 50cm, with overall score of 42.9±3.5. This screening reveals that the most welfare concerns are found in the WP Good Feeding and Good Housing. The on-farm welfare assessment using the full protocol on a representative sample of farms in the country is highly recommended for emphasizing the key points for improving the animal welfare in Macedonian dairy farms.