Key Informant Interviews Research Articles

Gender analysis of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) yield gap: the case of Ada’a, Ethiopia

One of the primary development challenges hindering poverty reduction in Africa is the existence of a yield gap between female and male farmers. However, previous studies conducted in Ethiopia have largely overlooked the role of gender-related factors in influencing this gap. This article aims to address this gap by examining the chickpea yield disparity between female and male farmers and identifying its determinants. Data were gathered from 325 respondents (163 male and 162 female farmers) in 2019, combining survey responses with qualitative insights from discussions in two women farmers' groups, two men farmers' groups, and four key informant interviews. T-tests and linear regression models were applied to quantify the extent of the yield gap and analyze the factors contributing to it. Additionally, thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted to complement the quantitative findings. The study revealed that female farmers produced 29% less chickpea yield in the 2019 production year compared to their male counterparts, and this difference was statistically significant. Factors such as land allocation for chickpea cultivation, soil fertility, labor availability, chickpea variety (improved or local), access to extension services, and participation in farmers' cooperatives were identified as significant contributors to the yield gap. Beyond these technical aspects, gender-related challenges like unequal treatment, restricted mobility, labor demands, and religious/cultural taboos were also factors impeding the productivity of women farmers. Addressing the yield gap necessitates an inclusive approach in all agricultural development endeavors, recognizing and rectifying gender-based disparities to enhance the productivity and livelihoods of female farmers.

Responding to fluctuations in public and community trust and health seeking behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study of national decision-makers’ perspectives in Guinea and Sierra Leone

BackgroundThe level of trust in health systems is often in flux during public health emergencies and presents challenges in providing adequate health services and preventing the spread of disease. Experiences during previous epidemics has shown that lack of trust can impact the continuity of essential health services and response efforts. Guinea and Sierra Leone were greatly challenged by a lack of trust in the system during the Ebola epidemic. We thus sought to investigate what was perceived to influence public and community trust in the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what strategies were employed by national level stakeholders in order to maintain or restore trust in the health system in Guinea and Sierra Leone.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted through a document review and key informant interviews with actors involved in COVID-19 and/or in malaria control efforts in Guinea and Sierra Leone. Key informants were selected based on their role and level of engagement in the national level response. Thirty Six semi-structured interviews (16 in Guinea, 20 in Sierra Leone) were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive and deductive framework approach to thematic analysis.ResultsKey informants described three overarching themes related to changes in trust and health seeking behavior due to COVID-19: (1) reignited fear and uncertainty among the population, (2) adaptations to sensitization and community engagement efforts, and (3) building on the legacy of Ebola as a continuous process. Communication, community engagement, and on-going support to health workers were reiterated as crucial factors for maintaining trust in the health system.ConclusionLessons from the Ebola epidemic enabled response actors to consider maintaining and rebuilding trust as a core aim of the pandemic response which helped to ensure continuity of care and mitigate secondary impacts of the pandemic. Monitoring and maintaining trust in health systems is a key consideration for health systems resilience during public health emergencies.

Practices and attitudes of herbalists regarding informed consent in Uganda: a qualitative study

BackgroundInformed consent (IC) is a fundamental principle in medical ethics that upholds respect for patient autonomy. Although widely applied in healthcare, its feasibility and implementation in herbal medicine have been underexplored. This study therefore aimed to explore the practices and attitudes of herbalists regarding informed consent.MethodsTo achieve these objectives, a qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2020. Twenty-one in-depth interviews with herbalists and four key informant interviews with leaders of the different traditional medicine organizations were conducted. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12 software.ResultsSixteen of the twenty-one participants acquired oral herbal medicine knowledge from their relatives. Although a positive inclination toward obtaining IC was evident, the focus was on disclosing basic information. Discussions of alternative treatments and herbal specifics were less frequent. Disease management decisions often involve shared responsibility within families or societies. Documented IC procedures are rare among herbalists, who deem consent forms unnecessary, although they recognize the potential benefits of IC in fostering trust and professionalism. Challenges hindering IC implementation included regulatory gaps, inadequate skills, and the absence of mechanisms to protect the intellectual property rights of herbal medicine.ConclusionThis study illuminates how educational, cultural, familial, and regulatory factors influence herbalists’ practices and attitudes toward informed consent.

Impact of early continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room (DR-CPAP) on neonates < 1500 g in a low-resource setting: a protocol for a pilot feasibility and acceptability randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPreterm birth is the leading cause of childhood mortality, and respiratory distress syndrome is the predominant cause of these deaths. Early continuous positive airway pressure is effective in high-resource settings, reducing the rate of continuous positive airway pressure failure, and the need for mechanical ventilation and surfactant. However, most deaths in preterm infants occur in low-resource settings without access to mechanical ventilation or surfactant. We hypothesize that in such settings, early continuous positive airway pressure will reduce the rate of failure and therefore preterm mortality.MethodsThis is a mixed methods feasibility and acceptability, single-center pilot randomized control trial of early continuous positive airway pressure among infants with birthweight 800–1500 g. There are two parallel arms: (i) application of continuous positive airway pressure; with optional oxygen when indicated; applied in the delivery room within 15 min of birth; transitioning to bubble continuous positive airway pressure after admission to the neonatal unit if Downes Score ≥ 4 (intervention), (ii) supplementary oxygen at delivery when indicated; transitioning to bubble continuous positive airways pressure after admission to the neonatal unit if Downes Score ≥ 4 (control). A two-stage consent process (verbal consent during labor, followed by full written consent within 24 h of birth) and a low-cost third-party allocation process for randomization will be piloted.We will use focus group discussions and key informant interviews to explore the acceptability of the intervention, two-stage consent process, and trial design. We will interview healthcare workers, mothers, and caregivers of preterm infants. Feasibility will be assessed by the proportion of infants randomized within 15 min of delivery; the proportion of infants in the intervention arm receiving CPAP within 15 min of delivery; and the proportion of infants with primary and secondary outcomes measured successfully.DiscussionThis pilot trial will enhance our understanding of methods and techniques that can enable emergency neonatal research to be carried out effectively, affordably, and acceptably in low-resource settings. This mixed-methods approach will allow a comprehensive exploration of parental and healthcare worker perceptions, experiences, and acceptance of the intervention and trial design.Trial registrationThe study is registered on the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) PACTR202208462613789. Registered 08 August 2022. https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=23888.

KRISIS PADA TAHAP AWAL PASCA-PERKAWINAN KATOLIK DAN UPAYA MENGATASI KRISIS BERDASARKAN SURAT APOSTOLIK AMORIS LAETITIA

In the Catholic Church, the reality of married life shows that various kinds of crises come and disrupt the lives of married couples during the early stages of catholic post-marriage. The focus of this article is to elaborate crisis during the early stages of Catholic post-marriage and attempts to address the crisis. Therefore, this article reviews the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia from Pope Francis which speaks about Catholic marriage as the guidance for dealing with the crisis. The authors use the method of interview and literature study. In the interview method, the authors interview key informants who talk about problems during the early stages of catholic post-marriage. This study found that crisis during the early stages of catholic post-marriage is characterized by four main reasons, namely the necessity to leave parents, adjustment to one’s partner, the presence and care of children, and the presence of elderly parents. Dealing with these problems, the Church through its family pastoral inspired by the Amoris Laetitia comes to provide spiritual, moral and practical supports to the families in order to face the crises. The Church must be alert in designing programs and activities such as recollections, retreats, group discussions, family visits, and so on which are useful for strengthening family resilience and strengthening their family building and integrity.

Why mobile phone matters: The role of ICT in promoting farmers’ access to agricultural information and extension services in a tea outgrowing scheme in Tanzania

This article explores the role and effects of mobile phone technologies in ensuring farmers’ access to agricultural information and extension services in a tea outgrowing scheme in Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and Key Informant Interviews were employed to collect the information. The study revealed that the rapid infiltration of mobile phone technologies into Tanzania's rural areas since the late 2000s has simplified the provision of agricultural extension services. Both farmers and extension service workers perceive mobile phone technologies as an essential supplementary mechanism to ensure easy and timely access to agricultural information. In the context of a tea outgrowing scheme, farmers use mobile phone technologies to access information on input distribution, tea collection time, farmers’ meetings, and how to address some agricultural-related challenges independently. Extension service officers also rely on mobile phone technologies for sensitization. The study highlights the importance of complementing traditional and modern extension service mechanisms to ensure farmers’ efficient and timely access to agricultural extension services and information. Mobile phone affordability and its use cost are also a concern when considering improving agricultural extension service mechanisms.

Men’s involvement in family planning programs: an exploratory study from Karachi, Pakistan

BackgroundIn Pakistan, family planning has traditionally been perceived as primarily a women’s concern, resulting in the exclusion of men from relevant initiatives. This situation is further exacerbated by cultural and social barriers that hinder men’s access to family planning services. This study addresses a significant research gap by assessing the extent of family planning service provision for men in urban areas of Karachi. It delves into the exploration of men’s involvement in family planning service delivery, identifies existing gaps in services catering to men, records men’s perceptions of accessibility and acceptability of these services, and ultimately offers recommendations to enhance men’s involvement and strengthen service provision to better meet their needs.MethodsWe employed a qualitative exploratory research design using semi-structured interviews to investigate perceptions regarding family planning service provision to men. This approach involved 25 interviews, comprising eight key informant interviews with stakeholders, eight with service providers, and nine in-depth interviews with married men.ResultsThis study highlights the limited engagement of men in family planning programs, primarily due to entrenched sociocultural norms that confine female healthcare providers to serving women, hindering men’s involvement. While national and provincial policies endorse men’s participation, they lack defined roles for male providers. Behavioral and information-sharing barriers at the community level discourage male healthcare providers from collaborating with females. Family planning programs, except for NGO-led vasectomy projects, fail to adequately address men’s needs. Despite policy recognition, implementation remains inadequate. Bridging the men’s involvement gap necessitates more male providers and improved contraceptive stigma combat training. Further research is vital to explore effective methods for involving men in community and service delivery in family planning.ConclusionThere is a need to change the perception that contraception is solely the responsibility of women, as men’s participation in family planning in Karachi is limited. Engaging men can yield positive health and non-health outcomes. Culturally sensitive services, developed with community input using a couple-centered approach, are crucial for equitable family planning. Further research is needed to explore men’s inclusion strategies in service provision and utilization.

Changes in Outcomes Expectations During the Cochlear Implant Evaluation Process.

Patient expectations are a critical factor in determining cochlear implant (CI) candidacy. However, minimal data are available on how potential CI recipients develop their expectations and if expectations can be modified by providers. In addition, there is little insight into the resources patients use to inform their decision to undergo implantation. This project aims to assess (1) the role of the CI evaluation (CIE) process on patients' expectations, (2) the extent to which patients' pre-CI outcome expectations can be modified, (3) the information patients use to inform their expectations, and patients' preferences for the discussion/display of potential CI outcomes. Prospective mixed methods study of 32 adult CI patients undergoing CIEs. Outcome measures included: pre-CI Cochlear Implant Quality of Life-35 Profile scores (CIQOL-35 Profile); pre-CIE/post-CIE/day of surgery CIQOL-Expectations scores; post-CIE/day of surgery Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) scores; and pre-CI aided CNC-word and AzBio sentence scores. Thematic analyses of key informant interviews with 19 potential CI recipients were also performed. In aim 1, CI CIQOL-Expectation domain scores remained essentially unchanged following the CIE when averaged across all participants (d = 0.01 to 0.17). However, changes in expectations were observed for many participants at the individual level. Regarding the second aim, participants with higher pre-CIE expectations showed a decrease in expectations following the CIE for all CIQOL domains except emotional and social (d = -0.27 to -0.77). In contrast, the only significant change in participants with lower expectations was an increase in expectations in the environment score from pre-CIE to the day of surgery (d = 0.76). Expectations remained essentially unchanged or continued to change in the same direction between the post-CIE and the day of surgery, narrowing the gap between participants with higher and lower expectations. Overall, participants demonstrated low overall conflict related to their decision to proceed with cochlear implantation (mean DCS of 11.4 post-CIE and 14.2 at time of surgery out of 100) but DCS scores were higher for participants with lower pre-CIE expectations (d = 0.71). In aim 3, key informant interviews demonstrated no differences between the low- and high expectation cohorts regarding resources used to develop their perception of CI outcomes. Potential CI recipients placed high value in talking with patients who had previously received a CI, and preferred discussing CI functional abilities via clinical vignettes described in the CIQOL Functional Staging System rather than by discussing speech recognition or CIQOL-35 Profile scores. The results of the present study suggest that, although overall expectations averaged across the cohort remained essentially unchanged, individual participants' pre-CI expectations can be modified and there is value in measuring these expectations using the CIQOL-Expectations tool to determine if they are realistic. This information can then be utilized during personalized counseling to present a more accurate representation of likely CI outcomes for each patient. Discussions between potential CI recipients and current CI users may also provide valuable information to inform their expectations. In addition, communicating potential CI benefits using CIQOL functional stages and associated clinical vignettes may result in more realistic patient expectations and support shared decision-making related to CI surgery.

Influence of Risk Transfer on Implementation of Kerra Road Construction Projects between 2019 and 2023 in Migori County, Kenya

The implementation of Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) construction projects faces high levels of risk, but these risks are often not adequately addressed, which is reflected in the low quality of work, as well as cost and time overruns. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of risk transfer on the implementation of KeRRA road construction projects in Migori County, Kenya. Implementation was measured as a function of project completion within the set time frame and staying within budget. This study was anchored on project implementation theory, which provides a foundation for examining the influence of the variables under study. A concurrent triangulation research design was used, as it incorporates both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the research study. The target population for the study consisted of 92 contractors, 459 constituency roads committee (CRC) members, and 2 consultant engineers. Using a sampling size formula, a total of 39 contractors and 193 CRC members were selected through simple random sampling. Two (2) consultant engineers for Migori County were selected using purposive sampling. Primary data was obtained through self-administered questionnaires to contractors and CRC members, while Key Informant Interviews (KII) were conducted with the consultant engineers. The validity of the research instruments was ensured through piloting and expert evaluation. Inferential statistics, specifically Multiple Linear Regression, were applied to determine the influence of risk transfer strategies on the implementation of KeRRA road construction projects, by testing the hypotheses for the study. Statistical significance was assessed at p &lt; 0.05. Qualitative data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The study found that risk transfer strategies are mostly employed during the construction of roads in Migori County (M = 3.77, SD = 0.86) and accounted for 70.0% of the variation in the implementation of the projects. The study concluded that improvement in risk transfer strategies leads to an increase in the implementation of KeRRA road construction projects in Migori County. The study recommends that, to ensure risk transfer is properly undertaken, a system of risk reporting and remedial actions should be activated to ensure a smooth and effective road project implementation process. Additionally, KeRRA should ensure that all manpower and machinery used in road construction are insured and properly certified in accordance with occupational safety and health standards and policies.

The influence of Uganda women’s entrepreneurship program on livelihoods and cultural dynamics in Amolatar, Northern Uganda

This article examines the influence of women’s economic empowerment initiatives under Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) on livelihoods and cultural dynamics in Amolatar Sub-Region, Northern Uganda. The study focused on how UWEP has contributed to improving women’s economic status and their roles within the cultural practices in the region. A Qualitative interpretive framework as well phenomenological research design was employed in this study involving in-depth and key informant interviews as well as focus group discussion with 28 participants. The study is grounded in Agency theory by Kabeer and Cultural Capital Theory by Bourdieu, which emphasise women’s participation in entrepreneurship to transform their economic lives and well-being within existing social structures. This research indicates that, UWEP greatly contributes to women’s active agency, allowing them to challenge obstacle within the communities, particularly gender inequality and social stratification. In addition, women’s participation in entrepreneurship coupled with the positive shifts in cultural attitudes in Amolatar sub-region have improved their livelihoods through self-employment. This study emphasise the significance of continuous support by Uganda government through Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MoGLSD) for UWEP. Constant support is important to further empower women as well as improve their economic status and well-being within their families and communities.

The role of Teff crop in Ethiopian life: consumption and contribution to rural livelihoods

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is believed to be the smallest grain in the world. It is the most important crop in Ethiopia in terms of production and consumption. Smallholder farmers produce Teff, and it is the main source of income for farmers in comparison to other cereal crops. Teff is the daily staple food for over 50 million Ethiopians. There is a need for information on agricultural consumption, disaggregated at district level, to support evidence-based decision-making at local level. The objective of this paper is to understand the consumption of Teff among rural smallholder producers at district level and assess the position of Teff among cereals in the lives of Ethiopian rural farmers. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to select the top Teff producing regions, districts, and kebeles (small administrative units) and collected primary data through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants, and questionnaire respondents. The survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from 357 households. FGD, key informant interview (KII) participants and survey respondents were drawn from the same areas where the survey was conducted. The quantitative and qualitative data were subjected to statistical and content analysis respectively. The study findings revealed that on average households consume 26.92% of their Teff production per year. Moreover, there is a shift in the consumption of Teff which might be due to improved standards of living among the farmers, a health-conscious community, and improved income from Teff sales. Although Teff is a staple grain in Ethiopia, there is a statistically significant variation in Teff consumption among districts.

ANALYSIS OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF INFORMAL FISH TRADE ROUTE AND DESTINATION BY FISH TRADERS BETWEEN MALAWI AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Choice of trade route and destination by cross border traders is an important decision in today’s increasingly cross border trade of products including fish. The current study examined the geographical factors influencing choice of informal trade route and destination by fish traders. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted for the study. These included semi-structured questionnaires through personal interviews and key informant interviews with fish border inspectors. Data was analyzed through various techniques for trader’s choice and destination. Specifically, principal component analysis and spearman correlation, and Huff’s gravity model were used to identify significant factors influencing choice of trade route and destination, and market attractiveness, respectively. Fish traders bypass official border posts using informal routes connecting the main route before and after the border post. Despite attempts and awareness about formal trade, stringent regulations forced fish traders to use informal trade routes. However, investigations into choice of trade routes and destination found that route distance, presence of alternative destination, mode of transport, demand of the fish product, and personal safety and risks were the factors influencing choice of both trade route and destination by informal fish traders. This geographic analysis provides a basis for addressing challenges in informal cross border trade in Malawi. It is recommended that strategic efforts and investments should be made in the development of transportation infrastructure, such as roads and railways to improve connectivity between secondary routes and one stop border post. The government should also intensify awareness initiatives on COMESA simplified trade regime (STR) to encourage informal traders to transition to the formal sector through use of formal routes.

Reflecting on the 1775 Mount Gamalama Eruption: Lessons from Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Development in Ternate Island, North Maluku Province, Indonesia

The volcanic Molucca islands have provided the world with their precious cloves, which have been highly valued in medicinal properties for millennia. Cloves have antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesic characteristics. They were considered silver bullet cures in medieval epidemics and the early COVID-19 pandemic response. Cloves originated from Ternate Island, the center and regional trade hub of the Molucca Islands. Its cloves had reached Babylonia 4,000 years ago, marking its importance in global trade. Qualitative research was conducted on the 1775 Mount Gamalama eruption's impact on indigenous knowledge development. To confirm the findings, I conducted field visits, key informant interviews, field observations, and a literature review. Tolire Lake is an apparent landmark in Takome village, which has a sacred white crocodile, a java plum hill, a lush forest, stunning landscapes, and an underwater mythical village. The residents are testaments to human resilience, preserving indigenous knowledge and turning it into disaster risk reduction tools. They built settlements on safer ground and designated parts areas for conservation-based tourism. In addition, modern science introduction enhances disaster early warning and alert systems and empowers indigenous communities. Understanding indigenous knowledge and wisdom is critical to building resilience and sustainability through disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. Indigenous knowledge produces lessons in environmental protection, social justice, and economic growth. The world can learn from indigenous and scientific knowledge combined to sustain the island, its people, and its prosperity.

Expert insights on managing harmful algal blooms

Freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global environmental, economic, social, and public health hazard. While there is an increasing understanding of the ecological considerations of HABs, there is limited understanding of human dimensions and management needs. We conducted semi-structured key informant interviews with 28 water managers and researchers to better understand how they perceive current management and to identify future management priorities in regard to HABs. For this study, we interviewed 31 key informants from three regions of the United States (New England, Ohio, and the Mountain West). We solicited insights across aspects of HABs management, including prevention, forecasting, monitoring, response, and communication. Nutrient management was the main consideration for the prevention of HAB events. Key informants noted that forecasting has the potential to be a valuable tool in the future but is not yet accurate enough at a local scale for widespread use. Monitoring was found to be implemented in varying ways across and even within the states and regions, with a need for more funding and standardization. HAB event responses vary greatly from chemical and physical treatments that suppress toxins to no-swim advisories, all with a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Finally, an increase in and improvement of communication efforts was identified as critical for reducing public health risks. These findings provide perceptions of current management practices and future plans while including opportunities to improve current freshwater HAB management efforts.

Crony Capitalism in Nepali Politics

The objective of this paper is to examine how crony capitalism undermines Nepali politics. The author of this course drew information from both primary and secondary sources, including key informant interviews, academic works by international authors found online, and social media posts. Since this is a qualitative study, the researcher has interpreted the data gathered while performing the research using descriptive and analytical methodologies. The author of the following article intended to elucidate the basic concept of crony capitalism while also revealing Nepali politics and the impact of businesspeople. The article discusses "crony capitalism," a term used to describeunjustified financial gain stemming from unequal administrative and political connections amongst business owners. While non-Western economies are typically linked with the term "crony capitalism," cronyism can arise in any economy due to three main factors. One must exercise caution when identifying cronyism, as what looks like cronyism is often a mediocre solution to an ineffective government program already in place. As a result, cutting cronyism without also cutting the size and reach of the government is challenging. The term "crony capitalism" refers to an economy where the success of corporations is based on close ties between business owners and public authorities. This includes favoritism in the granting of licenses, government subsidies, special tax exemptions, andother forms of interventionist behavior.

An investigation of the factors underlying informal settlement growth: The case of Burayu City, Ethiopia

Informal settlements in developing countries’ cities are becoming more and more widespread. The city of Burayu is no exception to this trend. To address the challenges involved, it is important to understand the reasons for the prevalence and perseverance of informal settlement. However, there is a lack of institutional and actor perspectives to investigate the process and factors driving the growth of informal settlement in Burayu city. This study investigates the process and precipitating factors underlying the growth of informal settlements based on institutions, structure and agency and social non-compliance perspectives. Primary data for this study were gathered via key informant interviews, questionnaires, and observations. Secondary data were obtained from the empirical data. This study revealed that local informal institutions such as social networking play a crucial role in the growth process of informal settlement by fostering an informal written contract of sale. The study also identified rural-urban migration, speculation, locational choice, and lack of good governance as precipitating causes for the growth of informal settlement. In addition, actors use formal institutional loopholes to engage in informal buildings. Therefore, along with government structure ineffectiveness, the behavior of informal actors’ was also identified as an important, albeit often neglected, factor in the growth of informal settlements. Identifying the impact of various informal actors' behaviors on the proliferation of informal settlements is vital not only for improving relationships among actors but also for introducing relevant institutions to control informal actors to improve land governance.

The effects of land cover transition and its patch mosaics on soil erosion using geospatial technology in South Wollo, Ethiopia

Soil erosion has been a significant threat to agricultural productivity, dam sustainability, and ecosystem services in the highlands of Ethiopia. Despite some watershed-specific research on this problem, the spatiotemporal distribution of soil erosion risks is still rarely assessed in South Wollo. This study aims to monitor land cover changes, analyze landscape mosaics, and estimate soil loss in South Wollo from 1990 to 2020. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was utilized to estimate soil loss. Key informant interviews and field observations were conducted to gain further insights into land cover change and soil erosion. The results showed that agricultural land use was dominant, covering 50.75 % of the study area in 1990 and it continued to expand at an annual rate of 1.73 %, primarily on shrubland and grassland. The landscape structure was more heterogeneous in the north compared to the central and southern areas. In 1990, the mean soil loss was 21.13 t ha-1yr−1, totaling 41.53 million tons. By 2020, These figures had increased to 28.97 t ha-1yr−1 and 49.86 million tons, respectively. Areas experiencing very severe soil erosion (>50 t ha-1yr−1) expanded from 10.81 % (1990) to 13.57 % (2020). The magnitude of soil loss also differed among land cover types, with the highest rates observed in bare land (>85 t ha-1yr−1), followed by agricultural land (>30 t ha-1yr−1). Soil loss factors and landscape metrics exhibited a significant correlation with soil loss, though the strength and direction of these interactions varied. Land cover change and its associated soil erosion were primarily exacerbated by policy factors, including tenure insecurity and disregard for farmers’ indigenous conservation knowledge. This study offers valuable insights into the trends of land cover transitions, landscape structure, and soil loss. It will help guide sustainable land management, aimed at increasing green legacy and reducing soil loss.

Analysis of land use land cover change dynamics in Habru District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This study examines spatiotemporal changes in Land Use Land Cover (LULC) patterns within Habru District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, between 1985 and 2021. Employing Landsat imagery and a supervised classification approach, we mapped six LULC classes: water body, settlement area, cultivated land, bare land, shrub land, and forest land. Ground control points (GCP) were obtained through field observations to ensured image accuracy. Complementing the remote sensing analysis, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were conducted to understand local perspectives on LULC changes. The analysis revealed significant LULC transformations over the study period. Between 1985 and 2021, there was a significant increase in cultivated land and settlement areas, which expanded from 12.27 % to 0.23 %–42.12 % and 2.58 % of the total area, respectively. Conversely, shrub and forest lands saw a marked reduction during the same period, declining from 71.52 % to 12.88 %–45.35 % and 7.06 % of the total area, respectively. Water body area showed a minor increase, while bare land exhibited negligible change. Agricultural land and settlement area expansion, population growth, land tenure insecurity, economic challenge, and climatic change were identified as key drivers of observed LULC changes. Our findings underscore the urgency of implementing multifaceted interventions to address these drivers and promote sustainable resource use practices. Such actions are critical for safeguarding Habru District's natural resources and ensuring the long-term viability of ecosystem services.

An agile city? Tactical urbanism and responses to protracted displacement in the City of Amman, Jordan

This study seeks to understand the working dynamics through which Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) responds to the challenges of protracted displacement in the city, focusing particularly on the concept of “tactical urbanism” (TU) as a tool and framework. This could be broadly useful to key actors in reconsidering response strategies, strengthening the role of local administrations. The research adopted a qualitative data collection and analysis framework via participatory forums and key informant interviews, steered by guiding research questions. Findings reveal the presence of interconnected multi-scale limitations, opportunities and roles that determine GAM’s response towards displacement and constrain its ability to act within a comprehensive planning rationale. Instead, GAM is driven towards TU as an alternative approach that mitigates these determinants and offers a means for more responsive, constructive action. It is argued that TU affords a more agile response towards displacement, enhancing community engagement, innovation, resilience and identity.

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Social Protection for Enhanced Resilience: Evidence from the Somali Region, Ethiopia

Integrating climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and social protection is crucial for enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities. This study aims to assess the level of integration among these three approaches in the Somali Region, Ethiopia. A qualitative methodology, involving a meta-analysis of 122 projects and program documents was conducted to evaluate the integration levels of the approaches. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also used to gather qualitative insights from stakeholders. The findings reveal that the integration of the three approaches, in the form of adaptive social protection, is limited. While social protection and disaster risk reduction are combined more effectively, the inclusion of climate change adaptation remains insufficient. Duplication of activities is common in programs and projects, wasting resources. The study recommends implementing an adaptive social protection approach with clear institutional arrangements and stakeholder coordination to enhance resilience and resource efficiency.