Medium Income Group Research Articles

Ethnobotanical Studies of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to show the different ways medicinal herbs are used by the indigenous people in Port Harcourt metropolis (07 °3′ E, 04° 51′ N) in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty structured questionnaires were administered, including oral interviews to herbal practitioners and users located at different parts of the city. Also, three popularly known herbal companies—Emiola naturalist care, Yem-Kem international herbal center, and Abiola medical herbal center—were included as they are healthcare providers, especially the medium income group. The results showed that a total of 83 plant species were recorded and classified according to their family, botanical, common, and local names. Also, the plant part used, mode of preparation, and type of ailment cured were included. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves followed by barks, roots, and fruits and with malaria fever as the most treated ailment. Deforestation, agricultural expansion, and fire were noted as the most important factors threatening the availability of these plants. The authors are of the opinion that paying special attention to the medicinal plants found in the area through conservation may help to amplify their role in the healthcare system, poverty alleviation, and environmental protection.

Studies on the Fluidity of Milk Lipids of Mothers from Three Socioeconomic Groups of West Bengal, India

This study evaluated the fluid character of human milk by determining the mean melting points (MMP) of fatty acids of milk lipid of Bengali mothers. Fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. MMPs were calculated from the fatty acid concentration (% w/w) and their molar mass. Phospholipid content of samples was also determined. The MMPs of milk lipid of higher income group (n = 48), medium income group (n = 57) and lower income group (n = 112) mothers were found to be 31.33°C ± 0.61, 36.86°C ± 0.64 and 35.11°C ± 0.65, respectively, which showed a significant correlation with the fatty acid composition, with P < 0.0001, 0.003, 0.0001, respectively. The average MMP of milk lipid (34.43°C ± 0.63) of these three groups was below the core body temperature (37.4°C) of human beings, which perhaps helps in maintaining the milk fluidity as well as lipid digestion in breastfed infants.

Socio-economic profile of duck farmers and duck management practices in Rajshahi region

The present study was conducted to determine the socio-economic profiles of the duck farmers and to investigate the management practices of duck farming and to identify the problems of duck farming in two upazilas of Rajshahi district namely: Bagmara and Tanore during the period from April to May 2012 by using a pre-tested questionnaire. Socio-economic profile of the duck farmers like age, education, family size, occupation, marital status, farm size, training received, annual income and management practices particularly housing, feeding, breeding, cleaning, disposal of diseased/dead birds, vaccination program, veterinary services followed by the farmers were investigated during the research. A total of 100 duck (50 from each upazila) were selected randomly for this study. The results reveal that most of the respondent farmers were young (60%) having secondary level of education (69%). Family size of the most of the farmers (57%) were small (size 4.53 persons) and majority of the farmers (75%) were marginal (0.021-020 hectare). Most of the farmers were medium income group (57%) with mean annual income of Tk. 200500. About 42% farmers had training on farming of different duration (7 to 30 d). Highest proportion of the duck houses were made of tin-shed (74%) having necessary floor space for ducks. The data obtained illustrated that majority of the farmers (74%) used sufficient supplementary feed to their ducks. About 65% of the farmers reared Deshi ducks in their farms. Most of the farmers (70%) cleaned their farm houses regularly. About 73% farmers separated their diseased duck from healthy ones. It was also found that most of the farmers (89%) buried their dead ducks under soil. Data indicated that majority of the farmers (67%) had partial idea about duck diseases. The highest proportion of the farmers (72%) followed vaccination program strictly. About 71% farmers consulted with village doctor. Nearly 51% farmers had low level of knowledge about duck farming. In the present study 10 problems were identified out of which low price of duck meat and egg made ranked as most serious problems. If the problems are addressed properly, the duck raising could be more profitable business in Bangladesh.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i2.14124Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 96-105

Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) pulmonary tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital of Narshingdi, Bangladesh

Tuberculosis is a chronic, communicable, granulomatous disease. Most infections in humans result in an asymptomatic, latent infection and about one in ten latent infections eventually progresses to active disease, which, if left untreated, kills more than 50% of those infected. In 2011, an anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance survey in Narshingdi, Bangladesh, enrolled new and retreatment patients. In the study, a number of villages were randomly selected and 264 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients were identified. All the patients received treatment with standardized first-line drug (FLD) regimens and were investigated to document treatment efficiency. Among the patients, 130 were reported in lower income, 117 in medium income and only 17 in higher income group. Farmers (95%) in low income group, and female housewives (68%) in medium income group were mostly infected. Silicosis and malnutrition were assumed responsible for high PTB cases in farmers and housewives respectively. Males were more prone to PTB and the ratios of male to female patients were found to increase with increasing age. The working youth group (25-34) and older people (above 64) were found most vulnerable. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB was detected in both new and retreatment patients. Patients with MDR-TB who had been declared cured with first-line anti-TB treatment had a high rate of TB recurrence and death. The rate of TB recurrence and death was high four years after MDR-TB patients were judged to have been cured. PTB patients in Bangladesh had high recurrence and death rates even after treatment with standardized FLD regimens, reinforcing the need for early survey, diagnosis and treatment, including assessment of treatment outcomes.

Can austerity work?

Economic policies in several major countries have shifted from fiscal stimulus to austerity in the last few years. They seek to reduce fiscal deficits and reverse the increasing trend of public debt mainly through immediate spending cuts. The fact that fiscal austerity is applied simultaneously in these countries adds to its negative impact on economic recovery. Austerity policies are based on a wrong diagnosis of the nature and depth of the crisis, and also on erroneous views of economic mechanisms. This is a financial crisis due to private over-indebtedness and financial deregulation,not a crisiscaused byfiscal profligacy: austerity focusesona symptom of the crisis, not on its causes. With high unemployment and the ongoing de-leveraging process, private demand tends to remain subdued for a prolonged period and will not be stimulated by monetary expansion alone. If in addition governments tighten fiscal policies, demand and growth will be further compressed, fiscal revenues will decline, expected fiscal consolidation will remain elusive and so will the recovery of investors’ confidence, which many see as the key to restoring growth. Only a recovery of growth, with nominal GDP expanding at rates higher than interest rates in the medium and long run will abate debtto-GDP ratios. That growth can result from coordinated supportive policies, which may include changes in the level and composition of public income and expenditure and a better distribution of income and credit, which would expand fiscal multipliers and the purchasing power of low and medium income groups with a high propensity to consume.

Feeding and management practices of Red Chittagong cattle in two selected upazilas of Chittagong district

The present study was designed to obtain existing baseline information on feeding and management practices of Red Chittagong (RC) cattle in two Upazilas of Chittagong district. The results showed that among 42 cattle owners, agriculture was the main occupation (52.38%). The percentage of RC cattle was about 70% and concentration was higher in Anowara than that of Chandanaish upazila. Farmers of the study area supplied on an average 4.93, 8.35, 2.25, 1.54 (kg/d) of rice straw, green grass, rice polish and wheat bran respectively. About 45.24%, 21.43%, 30.95% and 2.38% farmers supplied whole and dry straw, chopped and dry straw, chopped straw soaked with water and straw with green grass respectively. About 55%, 14.3% and 13% of the farmers followed stall feeding (cut and carry system), grazing and stall feeding with grazing respectively for feeding green grasses. The average daily grazing period of cattle was 7.25 hours with highest and lowest 9 and 5 hours respectively daily. About 26.19% of the respondents made cattle house using tin and chatai. 81% of the cattle house had sufficient ventilation and light. The major disease outbreak in the area was FMD, which was 45% of the total disease incidence. About 36% respondents used vaccine and 95% took help from village doctor for treatment of their cattle. Cattle rearing contributed more (about 57%) to income generation of low income group than medium (6.89%) and high (8.25%) income groups. 35% respondents showed their interest to grow fodder crops and 65% of farmers were reluctant to grow fodder crops due to limitation of crop land.http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i1.11974

Opportunities for conservation and utilisation of local pig breeds in low-input production systems in Zimbabwe and South Africa

In situ conservation of pig genetic resources requires understanding of the farming systems under which the pigs are kept. The objective of the study was to characterise smallholder pig production systems where indigenous pigs are kept in order to assess opportunities for in situ conservation of these pigs. Factors influencing pig herd sizes, ranking of pigs in smallholder production systems, breeds and breed preferences, pig ownership patterns, traits preferred by farmers and constraints to production were investigated in a survey involving 199 farmers from Chirimhanzu District of Zimbabwe, Vhembe, Alfred Nzo and O. R. Tambo Districts of South Africa. Income was the major factor influencing most pig production related parameters. Most pigs (69.67 %) were owned by women, with most of the women falling into the very low income group. Farmers kept pigs for several reasons that were common across geographical zones and income groups. The odds of a farmer ranking pigs first in the production system depended on the absence of other livestock (P < 0.05). Farmers in the higher income group tended to mention poor feed resources and access to information as constraints (P < 0.05) compared to the very low income group. There was preference heterogeneity in the breeds kept and the reasons for breed choice across the income groups and geographical zones. Fewer farmers in the very low income group (42.62 %) recognised the need to conserve local pigs compared to the low income group (80.49 %), the medium income group (50.00 %) and the high income group (100.00 %; χ (2) = 19.14; P < 0.001). It was concluded that farmers see value in local pigs and are willing to conserve them. In situ conservation programmes are possible and these should recognise the role of poor women in conserving and enhancing indigenous pig genetic resources.

A Study of Storage System for Drinking Water and its Health Impacts at Household Level in Punjab, Pakistan

Enough water is a guarantee to healthy life. Increasing the water availability at household level and storage facility are the most important determinants to reduce water related illness. This Study was designed to look at the water storage system at home and its health implications. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study area while households were selected by using systematic sampling technique. A representative sample of 600 females of age 20-60 years was interviewed through a well structured interviewing schedule. It was concluded from Univariate analysis that 36.0% households had overhead concrete storage water system while 22.0% did not have storage water system at home. Furthermore, study findings revealed that 70.0% households had separate drinking water container and more than half (62.5%) of the households belonged to medium income group. One step forward, Bi variate analysis showed a highly significant and positive relationship between dependent variable (health outcome) and independent variables (main water storage system, separate water storage container and household income). Over and above, FGDs showed that in urban areas, majority of the households used cans as separate container for drinking water but these cans were without faucet and they used utensils to utilize water from the container. While in rural areas majority of the households were using pitchers as a separate container for drinking water. Based on the results of present study, it was suggested that proper education should be provided regarding the nature, type and the cleanliness of the storage containers at household level.

Occurrence and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in rural communities in Narsingdi, Bangladesh

Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable disease. Infections are initially asymptomatic and latent but eventually progresses to active disease, which, if left untreated, may have ≥50% mortality. In 2011, an anti- tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Narsingdi, Bangladesh enrolled both new and retreatment patients. In the study, a number of villages were randomly selected and 264 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients were identified. All the patients received treatment with standardized first-line drug (FLD) regimens and were investigated to document treatment efficiency. Among the patients, 130 were reported in lower income, 117 in medium income and only 17 in higher income group. Farmers (95%) in low income group, and female housewives (68%) in medium income group were mostly infected. Silicosis and malnutrition were assumed responsible for high PTB cases in farmers and housewives respectively. Males were more prone to PTB and the ratios of male to female patients were found to increase with increasing age. The working youth group (25-34) and older people (above 64) were found most vulnerable. PTB patients in Bangladesh had high recurrence and death rates even after treatment with standardized FLD regimens, reinforcing the need for early survey, diagnosis and treatment, including assessment of treatment outcomes. Keywords - Age, Bangladesh, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Socio-economic condition, Treatment efficiency

High prevalence of hyperglycaemia and the impact of high household income in transforming Rural China

BackgroundThe prevalence of hyperglycaemia and its association with socioeconomic factors have been well studied in developed countries, however, little is known about them in transforming rural China.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in 4 rural communities of Deqing County located in East China in 2006-07, including 4,506 subjects aged 18 to 64 years. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured. Subjects were considered to have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) if FPG was in the range from 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L and to have diabetes mellitus (DM) if FG was 7.0 mmol/L or above.ResultsThe crude prevalences of IFG and DM were 5.4% and 2.2%, respectively. The average ratio of IFG/DM was 2.5, and tended to be higher for those under the age of 35 years than older subjects. After adjustment for covariates including age (continuous), sex, BMI (continuous), smoking, alcohol drinking, and regular leisure physical activity, subjects in the high household income group had a significantly higher risk of IFG compared with the medium household income group (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.11-2.72) and no significant difference in IFG was observed between the low and medium household income groups. Education and farmer occupation were not significantly associated with IFG.ConclusionsHigh household income was significantly associated with an increased risk of IFG. A high ratio of IFG/DM suggests a high risk of diabetes in foreseeable future in the Chinese transforming rural communities.

A Case Study on Socio-Economic Status of Farm Women in Faizabad District of Uttar-Pradesh

In our country, rural women - the wives of the heads of farming households - constitute about 80 per cent of the total women population. They are nearly 50 per cent of the total rural population and are thus, numerically capable of playing a pivotal role in the rural economy. However, it is disappointing to note that a demographic perspective of women in general and rural women in particular displays a picture of educational backwardness, poverty, deprivation, ill-health and lack of opportunities for economic, political and social development. The rural farm women have multifarious roles which demand more time and effort. The present study makes an attempt to analyze the demographic factors of farm women. The total sample of the study comprised of 100 farm women drawn purposively by proportionate random sampling method from four villages of Milkipur Block - a block is the unit of planning and development. It is an administrative means for taking the problems of rural people in a coordinated manner - of Faizabad District, Uttar Pradesh (INDIA). The demographic variables viz., age, education, caste, family type, family size, land holding, housing pattern, occupation, income and material possession were studied through a general information schedule. The profile analysis of farm women with respect to the demographic characteristics revealed that majority of farm women were old age, literate, belonged to backward caste, joint family, large family size, marginal(land holding), pacca house (made of bricks and cement), caste as main occupation and labour as subsidiary, medium income group and maximum belong to medium socio-economic-status.

Housing Affordability: A Conceptual Overview for House Price Index

Housing affordability research has been carried out by many as it is one of the key measures for a country's socio-economy stability. This research is carried out to identify possible application of affordability measures including Price-Income Ratio (PIR) for measurement of first owned medium cost landed-house by the middle-income group in Malaysia. It is hoped that it could be seen as able to contribute to the ground knowledge and understanding on housing affordability for the middle-income group and variables that influenced the medium income group's ability to own first medium-cost houses in Malaysia.

Utilisation of maternal health care in western rural China under a new rural health insurance system (New Co-operative Medical System)

To investigate factors influencing maternal health care utilisation in western rural China and its relation to income before (2002) and after (2007) introducing a new rural health insurance system (NCMS). Data from cross-sectional household-based health surveys carried out in ten western rural provinces of China in 2003 and 2008 were used in the study. The study population comprised women giving birth in 2002 or 2007, with 917 and 809 births, respectively. Correlations between outcomes and explanatory variables were studied by logistic regression models and a log-linear model. Between 2002 and 2007, having no any pre-natal visit decreased from 25% to 12% (difference 13%, 95% CI 10-17%); facility-based delivery increased from 45% to 80% (difference 35%, 95% CI 29-37%); and differences in using pre-natal and delivery care between the income groups narrowed. In a logistic regression analysis, women with lower education, from minority groups, or high parity were less likely to use pre-natal and delivery care in 2007. The expenditure for facility-based delivery increased over the period, but the out-of-pocket expenditure for delivery as a percentage of the annual household income decreased. In 2007, it was 14% in the low-income group. NCMS participation was found positively correlated with lower out-of-pocket expenditure for facility-based delivery (coefficient -1.14 P < 0.05) in 2007. Facility-based delivery greatly increased between 2002 and 2007, coinciding with the introduction of the NCMS. The rural poor were still facing substantial payment for facility-based delivery, although NCMS participation reduced the out-of-pocket expenditure on average.

The role of palm husbandry in the rural economy of the south-eastern region of Bangladesh

Abstract: An exploratory study was conducted in Feni, a south-eastern district of Bangladesh to explore the role of palm husbandry in the rural economy. A total of 48 households in the study area were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Based on the total annual income, the farmers were categorized into three groups as high-income group, medium income group and low-income group. Palm tree contributes 26.000 Tk, 22.740 Tk and 18.300 Tk respectively to the three-income group annually (1 US$ = 69 Tk). Palm trees contribute 46% of total annual income to low-income group followed by 19% to medium income group and 14% to high-income group. Incase of overall income of all the respondents, 26% income comes from palm trees. Besides this, palms provide a multitude of useful products ranging from fuelwood to materials for construction, tools and handicrafts. However the poor marketing system result in decreasing the annual return from palm trees. Palm husbandry could be a promising source of rural incomes in Bangladesh if the farmers’ traditional management knowledge was linked to more scientific management practices.

Waste to Energy: A Case Study of Eluru, A.P,India

This paper is an attempt made to estimate the quantity solid waste that can be generated in the ELURU city, A.P, INDIA per day and to estimate the generation potentiality of energy through combustion of solid waste. The waste-to-energy industry has proven itself to be an environmentally friendly solution to the disposal of municipal solid waste and the production of energy. Waste-to-energy is now a clean, renewable, sustainable source of energy. The estimation of energy content of municipal solid waste in Eluru Municipal Corporation is discussed in this paper. The data related to number of house holds in division wise is collected from Municipal Corporation of Eluru as 39,996.Out of the 50 divisions in Eluru Municipal Corporation based on income six divisions are selected for random survey covering low, medium and high income groups. Division maps are collected from the corporation for the sample survey divisions. The divisions selected for sampling survey are remapped representing minimum of 10% houses selected in each division covering the total geographical location. House hold collection of solid waste is done physically in all the six divisions selected for estimating the per capita waste generation in the city. By physical weighment of all the waste collecting vehicles the total waste collected in the city is estimated and the same is compared by using the calculated per capita waste generation taking the total population of the city in to consideration to find out the quantity of waste generated in the corporation. Then a representative sample of the corporation using quartering method is collected from the dump yard. The representative sample of the city is sent for lab analysis at a MoEF recognized lab to estimate the calorific value and the same is compared by conducting several trials at the experimental setup designed with conventional approach on a Bomb calorimeter. It is estimated that by combusting the solid waste in ELURU Municipal Corporation it is possible to generate nearly 3MW of power.

Standardization of B19 IgG ELISA to study the seroepidemiology of parvovirus B19 in North Indian voluntary blood donors

Backgound and Objectives:Parvovirus B19 (B19) being a non-enveloped DNA virus is hence thermo-stable to the current methods of viral inactivation. Therefore transfusion of blood or its component from a viremic donor to non-immune recipients may result in transfusion-transmitted B19 infection with occasional sinister complications. The serologically naïve blood donor population in our country has not been studied. Hence a study was designed to find the sero-status of B19 virus in normal voluntary blood donor population (relatives of recipients) as an indirect measure of the susceptibility to B19 in north Indians together with seroepidemiology of B19.Methods:An in-house anti-B19 IgG ELISA was standardized using cloned, baculovirus expressed, and purified VP1/VP2 capsid proteins as antigen. Anti-B19 IgG antibodies in sera (diluted 1:400) of 1000 healthy voluntary blood donors (18-60 years; mean 30.5 years) were analyzed and their epidemiologic data were documented.Results:A total of 399 (39.9%) donors were seropositive for B19 virus. Seroprevalence was higher in males than females (44% vs 27%) and it increased with increasing age (P<0.01). Socioeconomically, B19 IgG antibody positivities were 61.8%, 61.1%, and 44.4% in low, medium, and high income groups respectively with unskilled laborers having higher seroprevalence in low (48.5%) and middle (58.7%) income group (P<0.05). Housing conditions revealed B19 seroprevalence as 42.6% in donors living in small houses compared to 20.4% in larger houses (P<0.01) but no difference with religion.Conclusions:Seroprevalence to B19 in normal voluntary blood donors was low leaving a large proportion of north Indians susceptible to B19 infection.

Regional Difference in Food Consumption Away from Home of Urban Residents: A Panel Data Analysis

China's economy has been developing rapidly and people's living standards have improved during the past decades.. With the acceleration of modern life rhythm and change of consumption concept, the food consumption pattern of urban residents has changed largely. Urban Households begin to pursue nutritious, fresh, convenient and fast food, and dining out becomes a consumption fashion. The overall goal of this paper is to better understand food-away-from-home (FAFH) consumption in urban China. We use a secondary panel data food consumption of urban residents at the provinces (municipalities) level to examine the trends in FAFH during 2000-2008. Particularly, we use fixed effects regression model to analyze the main factors through which people's food-away-from-home expenditure and regional propensity to consume are affected. We find that, nowadays income is the most important socio economic factors that determine the food-away-from-home consumption of urban residents, and people's FAFH consumption is highly elastic, the income elasticity of FAFH is higher in the low income group than that in the medium and high income group. Additionally, people's consumption propensity towards dining out in western China is somewhat higher than that in eastern and central regions in China. FAFH high-income elasticity provides a good indicator for FAFH demand.

Footprints to the future

A brief history of the impact of humans on the earth's biosphere and a description of the more serious of these lead into a description of a method of quantifying the overall contemporary impact. The world's available biological resources – assessed by global footprinting data published by the Global Footprinting Network in October 2008 – are compared with the demand for more and more energy by the high, medium and low income group countries. The inescapable conclusion is that, without fossil fuels, the planet cannot support the current population of 6.8 billion, except at significantly lower average levels of consumption. As the population is projected to grow to 9.4 billion by 2050, by which time available energy and earth's biocapacity will have diminished due to the adverse effects of global warming, there is an urgent case for encouraging people to limit family sizes to two or fewer children to avoid the worst effects of the intrinsic resource-consumption mismatch. Examples of countries which have already recognized the problem nationally are described to show that such actions are not only possible and successful, but are becoming increasingly necessary.

Quota per capita de água, fatores intervenientes e modelagem: estudo de caso para classes socioeconômicas de Cuiabá-MT

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo estimar modelos matemáticos que projetem quotas per capita de água em cada classe de rendimento (alta, médio-alta, média, médio-baixa, baixa) a partir de variáveis intervenientes no município de Cuiabá-MT. Os resultados indicaram a variável econômica como variável explicativa (tarifa da água), e as climáticas, pouco relevantes ao estudo. Foram propostos modelos matemáticos à projeção de quota per capita de água para as classes de rendimento alta e médio-alta. As baixas correlações entre a quota per capita e variáveis dependentes não permitiram a estimativa de modelos matemáticos às classes de rendimento média, médio-baixa e baixa.

Forest incomes and rural livelihoods in Chiradzulu District, Malawi

This paper examines forest income among rural dwellers in one of Malawi's most densely populated districts, Chiradzulu. 160 households were interviewed in two sites, only 20 km apart, purposely selected on the basis of access to a forest reserve. People are extremely poor, with 97% having incomes of less than 1 USD/day. Forest income constitutes around 15% of total income; only non-farm income (47%) and agriculture (28%) rank higher. The poorest segment depends more on forest income than the least poor group, but the medium income group exhibits the highest dependence. Fuelwood constitutes the major source of such income followed by fodder. The incomes mainly support current consumption. People with better access to the forest reserve have higher total income, forest income, and relative forest income. As revealed through a Gini-coefficient analysis, forest resources have an important income equalizing effect across rural households. A particular group of resource poor farmers (8.1% of sample), with little access to agricultural land and a high representation of female heads, derives an average of 65% of their income from the forest. An important policy lesson is that restricting people's access to forest resources can have substantial effects on household livelihoods and welfare, and would serve to increase income inequalities in the area. Livelihood researchers should now recognize the substantial income from forest resources.