Living and responding to climate variability and change among coffee and banana farmers in the highlands of Moshi rural district, Tanzania.

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-22
Author(s):  
Pontian L. Temba ◽  
Noah M. Pauline ◽  
Patrick M. Ndaki
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Canal Irrigation ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Resistant Varieties ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Domestic Use ◽  
Perceived Impacts

Abstract The study aimed at exploring perceived impacts of climate variability on coffee and banana farming and community responses in the highlands of Moshi Rural District. A socio-economic survey employing qualitative and quantitative research approaches was used. Data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions as well as field observation. A total of 96 farmers were involved in the study. SPSS Statistics software package and Microsoft Excel were used for data processing and analysis. Findings showed that communities are knowledgeable about climate variability. Their knowledge is based on perceptions of the impacts already felt and attributed to climate variability, including unpredictable patterns of rainy seasons. Climate variability is associated with decrease in household food supply, unpredictable farming calendar and drying of water sources for irrigation and domestic use. Coffee yields showed a decreasing trend (at the rate of R2 = -0.494) during the years 1990-2016. This was contrary to bananas, which indicated an increasing trend (R2 = 0.036) of production during the same period. Communities were responding to impacts of climate variability in various ways, including intercropping, planting early maturing and drought-resistant varieties and gravity canal irrigation. Projected climate changes showed that the future was uncertain for farmers depending on rain-fed farming. Therefore, further research on viable options would help farmers adapt to current and future climatic stresses. Options may include intensified irrigation of crops and conservation farming which have the potential to increase banana and coffee production, thereby improving productivity and food security for communities.

scholarly journals Climate Variability, Land Cover Changes and Livelihoods of Communities on the Fringes of Bobiri Forest Reserve, Ghana

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
Frank Baffour-Ata ◽  
Philip Antwi-Agyei ◽  
Elias Nkiaka
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Land Cover Changes ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Closed Forest ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Fringe Communities

Climate variability coupled with land use and land cover changes have resulted in significant changes in forest reserves in Ghana with major implications for rural livelihoods. Understanding the link between climate variability, land use and land cover changes and rural livelihoods is key for decision-making, especially regarding sustainable management of forest resources, monitoring of ecosystems and related livelihoods. The study determined the extent to which climate variability drives land cover changes in the Bobiri forest reserve, Ghana. Landsat images from 1986, 2003, 2010 and 2014 were used to evaluate land cover changes of the Bobiri forest reserve in Ghana. Participatory research approaches including household questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted in four fringe communities of the Bobiri forest reserve. Findings showed that local people perceived changes in rainfall and temperature patterns over the past years. Historical rainfall and temperature data for the study area showed increased variability in rainfall and an increasing temperature trend, which are consistent with the perception of the study respondents. Analysis of land cover satellite images showed that there has been significant transformation of closed forest to open forest and non-forest land cover types over the 28-year period (1986–2014), with an overall kappa statistic of 0.77. Between 2003 and 2014, closed forest decreased by 15.6% but settlement/bare ground and crop land increased marginally by 1.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed that increased land cover changes in the Bobiri forest reserve could partly be attributed to erratic rainfall patterns. Other factors such as logging and population growth were reported to be factors driving land cover changes. The study concluded that the Bobiri forest reserve has witnessed significant land cover changes and recommended that alternative livelihood sources should be provided to reduce the direct dependency of fringe communities on the forest for livelihood and firewood.

scholarly journals Drivers and barriers to workplace-based HIV self-testing among high-risk men in Uganda: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience A. Muwanguzi ◽  
Robert C. Bollinger ◽  
Stuart C. Ray ◽  
LaRon E. Nelson ◽  
Noah Kiwanuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Private Security ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Private Security Companies ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Security Companies

Abstract Background Men in Sub-Saharan Africa are less engaged than women in accessing HIV testing and treatment and, consequently, experience higher HIV-related mortality. Reaching men with HIV testing services is challenging, thus, increasing the need for innovative ways to engage men with low access and those at higher risk. In this study, we explore men’s perceptions of drivers and barriers of workplace-based HIV self-testing in Uganda. Methods An exploratory study involving men working in private security companies employing more than 50 men in two districts, in central and western Uganda. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Forty-eight (48) men from eight private security companies participated in 5 focus group discussions and 17 key informant interviews. Of the 48 men, 14(29.2%) were ages 26–35 years. The majority 31(64.6%) were security guards. The drivers reported for workplace-based HIV self-testing included convenience, autonomy, positive influence from work colleagues, the need for alternative access for HIV testing services, incentives, and involvement of employers. The barriers reported were the prohibitive cost of HIV tests, stigma, lack of testing support, the fear of discrimination and isolation, and concerns around decreased work productivity in the event of a reactive self-test. Conclusions We recommend the involvement of employers in workplace-based HIV self-testing to encourage participation by employees. There is need for HIV self-testing support both during and after the testing process. Both employers and employees recommend the use of non-monetary incentives, and regular training about HIV self-testing to increase the uptake and acceptability of HIV testing services at the workplace.

scholarly journals Maternal Vaccination in Uganda: Exploring Pregnant Women, Community Leaders and Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Phiona Nalubega ◽  
Emilie Karafillakis ◽  
Lydia Atuhaire ◽  
Pamela Akite ◽  
Flavia Zalwango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Vaccination ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Maternal Immunisation ◽  
The Government

Background: We investigated pregnant women, community leaders, healthcare workers (HCWs) and programme managers’ perceptions of maternal vaccination in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth discussions with HCWs (3), community leaders (3), pregnant women (8) and programme managers (10) between November 2019 and October 2020. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Pregnant women, community leaders and some HCWs had limited maternal immunisation knowledge. There was confusion over what constitutes a vaccine. Pregnant women may not receive vaccines because of mistrust of government; use of expired vaccines; reliance on traditional medicine; religious beliefs; fear of side effects; HCWs attitudes; and logistical issues. The key facilitators of maternal vaccination were a desire to prevent diseases, positive influences from HCWs and information about vaccine side effects. Community leaders and some pregnant women highlighted that pregnant women do not make decisions about maternal vaccination independently and are influenced by different individuals, including other pregnant women, older people, partners, relatives (parents), community leaders, HCWs and the government. Conclusions: Our results indicate that public health messaging should target all community members, including partners and parents of pregnant women as well as HCWs, to improve knowledge of and confidence in maternal vaccines.

Early Childhood Development Practitioners’ Information Practices through GMISP Lens: The Case of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Libri ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-217
Author(s):  
Kepi Madumo ◽  
Constance Bitso
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Key Informant

Abstract In the interest of developing relevant information services for ECD practitioners in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), as ECD is one of the national priorities, a study was conducted to ascertain their information needs and information-seeking behaviour. Using Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain’s General Model of the Information Seeking of Professionals (GMISP) as the theoretical framework, and situated within interpretivist paradigm, the study took a qualitative approach to collect data, with the results based on group discussions and an interview with a key informant. The research focused on establishing Grade R practitioners’ information needs, with information sources they often consulted, actions and strategies used when seeking information, as well as challenges they face when seeking information. Grade R practitioners need information to increase their knowledge for optimum performance of their duties. To satisfy the demand for information, it is recommended that the EMM libraries and Gauteng Department of Education school libraries should consider a coordinated and accessible library and information service (LIS) that supports ECD practitioners. The plans and design of LIS in the EMM should accommodate the information needs expressed by the Grade R practitioners.

scholarly journals “We Prefer the Friendly Approach and Not the Facility”: On the Value of Qualitative Research in Ethiopia

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Tigray Region ◽  
Afar Region

BACKGROUND: Quantitative research is useful for answering ‘how many’ or ‘how much’ questions, while qualitative research helps answer ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions. Most research about health extension workers (HEWs) has been quantitative and few studies examine the experiences of HEWs themselves. This qualitative study draws attention to the gendered dynamics of human resources for health at the community level.METHODS: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 14 HEWs (two FGDs in Afar Region and two in Southern Nations Nationality and Peoples Region), and interviews with 45 HEWs from Afar Region, SNNPR and Adwa (Tigray Region) were conducted to identify how gender issues affected their well-being. Questions were designed to explore personal safety, stress, autonomy, self-esteem, family, other social relationships, as we wanted to analyze the extent to which these gendered issues affected HEWs in their day-to-day work.RESULTS: By employing female HEWs, the Health Extension Program (HEP) has seen substantial gains in ‘practical’ gender needs by improving women’s access to, and utilization of maternal and child health services. Although the HEP has the potential to be gender transformative by providing employment for HEWs, there is limited evidence that it 'strategically' advances women's position. Many HEWs had heavy workloads, received low pay relative to other public sector jobs and lacked opportunity to transfer or upgrade their skills and advance within the health workforce hierarchy.CONCLUSION: Qualitative research can provide complex descriptions of the social world to better understand what people such as HEWs say and the meanings they give, thus providing explanations for some health problems outside disciplinary boundaries.

scholarly journals Study on Potentiality of Biogas Plants and Their Role for the Conservation of Environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
Dinesh Ghimire ◽  
Jagannath Shrestha ◽  
Anup K.C
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The People ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Biogas Technology

This study presents the potentiality of biogas plants and their role for the conservation of environment. It is basedon primary data collected from 84 household surveys, 6 key informant interviews and two focus group discussions. It was observed that more than 95% of the people residing in the VDCs were using firewood as a main source ofenergy. The total amount of firewood consumed was 510.570 ton/year which emits 775.052tCO2e/year. Due to the presence of agriculture based livestock holding population, there is a great potential of biogas technology. Thestudy showed that biogas technology could saved 34.40% of firewood which conserves 5.415 ha of forests area. There is a potentiality of 58 biogas plants of size 6 cu.m which will reduce 440.800 tCO2e/year.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/njst.v15i2.12114Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 15, No.2 (2014) 51-56

scholarly journals Stakeholder consultations on small-scale irrigation schemes’ constraints in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Muhoyi ◽  
Josue Mbonigaba
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

AbstractSmall-scale irrigation schemes (SSIS) have been considered a solution to viability challenges in drought-stricken farming areas in developing countries. However, the schemes face severe constraints. In this paper, relevant constraints are identified and ranked in terms of how serious the limitations are from the perspective of stakeholders in drought-prone areas of the Chipinge District in Zimbabwe. Information for the study was gained through a questionnaire and focus group discussions with small-scale irrigation farmers as well as key informant interviews with government irrigation officials, irrigation managers and members of the local community leadership. The information was garnered between August and December in 2017 with the analysis conducted using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, guided by the Theory of Constraints and classified in the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (PESTEL) framework. Results indicated that SSIS are important in the drought-prone areas of the Chipinge District regarding food security and income generation. However, technical issues bedevilling the schemes are considered to be the most challenging limitations. The most important constraints—ranked in descending order of gravity—are technical, economic, social, environmental, legal and political challenges. Based on these findings, the research strongly recommends modernising small-scale irrigation schemes’ infrastructure, among other issues, as a priority in Zimbabwe's drought-prone areas.

Assessing determinants of programmatic performance of community management of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea in children in Africa: Protocol and data collection for a mixed-methods evaluation of iCCM (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliya Karim ◽  
Don de Savigny ◽  
Serge Ngaima ◽  
Daniel Mäusezahl ◽  
Daniel Cobos Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Intervention Effectiveness ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BACKGROUND Integrated community case management (iCCM) is a child health program designed to provide integrated, community-based care for pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea for children in hard-to-reach areas of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The foundation of the intervention is service-delivery by community health workers (CHWs) who depend on reliable provision of drugs and supplies, consistent supervision, comprehensive training, and community acceptance and participation to perform optimally. The effectiveness of the program may also depend on a number of other elements, including an enabling policy environment, financing mechanisms from the national to the local level, data transmission systems, and appropriate monitoring and evaluation. The extent to which these factors act upon each other to influence the effectiveness and viability of iCCM is both variable and challenging to assess, especially across different implementation contexts. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we describe a mixed-methods systems-based study protocol to assess the programmatic components of iCCM which are associated with intervention effectiveness, and report preliminary results of data collection. METHODS This protocol employs a mixed qualitative and quantitative study design based on a Systems Thinking approach within four iCCM programs in Malawi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger State, and Abia State, Nigeria. Routine monitoring data is collected to determine intervention effectiveness, namely testing, treatment and referral outcomes. Surveys with CHWs, supervisors, and caregivers are performed to collect quantitative data on their demographics, activities, and experiences within the program, and how these relate to the areas of intervention effectiveness. Focus group discussions are conducted with these stakeholders as well as local traditional leaders to contextualize this data. Key informant interviews are undertaken with national and district-level program stakeholders and officers knowledgeable in critical program processes. RESULTS We performed 3,836 surveys and 45 focus group discussions with CHWs, supervisors, and caregivers, and traditional leaders; 120 key informant interviews with district and national-level program managers, health officers, and ministry officials. Policy and program documents were additionally collected for review. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from this study will inform child health programs and practice in low- and middle-income settings, and future policy development within the iCCM intervention.

A gendered approach to understanding climate change impacts: lessons from a coastal region of Bangladesh.

2021 ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
S. Momtaz ◽  
M. Asaduzzaman ◽  
Z. Kabir
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
The Face

Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to understand the vulnerability of women's livelihoods to climate change impacts in Bangladesh. Data were collected through a survey of 150 randomly selected women from a sample of households. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, participant observations, and a transect walk, provided supporting information to substantiate the household surveys. The chapter first outlines the theoretical foundation on which the research is based. This is followed by examining women's vulnerability in the study area. The chapter then describes women's coping strategies in the face of climate change-induced disasters. The chapter further explores women's adaptive capacity through the examination of their access to various services. It ends with a set of recommendations for policy makers in order to improve the situation of women's vulnerability.

Social and Health Risks of Female Genital Mutilation for Medication and Braveness

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdurahman Hamza Ibrahim ◽  
Degwale Gebeyehu Belay ◽  
Asfaw Zewdie Tiruneh ◽  
Tsegaye Tuke Kia
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Worldwide Phenomenon ◽  
Key Informant Interview ◽  
Genital Disease ◽  
Female Genital

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a worldwide phenomenon. Despite many attempts for its abolishment, FGM is undergoing till today. This study has been conducted in Six Woredas of Southern Region of Ethiopia in order to assess the prevalence of FGM, to explore its drivers, to assess documentation and tracking practices, and political will and synergy of actors against FGM. A total of 120 respondents were taken as a sample. Data has been collected using questionnaire, key informant interview, and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that FGM is prevalent in the study Woredas. It is practiced secretly and there is also a cross-boundary circumcision which makes documentation and tracking practices challenging. FGM is mainly practiced by traditional cutters and ‘festal doctors'. It is mainly practiced simply because it has been practiced by the previous generation. FGM is also perceived as medication to ‘chebela' [genital ‘disease']. Girls also perceive FGM as a sign of braveness. The political will and synergy different actors in the study Woredas, were found to be weak.

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