scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Study of Pesticide Use and Knowledge of Smallholder Potato Farmers in Uganda

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Sikhu Okonya ◽  
Jürgen Kroschel

In response to increased pest and disease problems, potato farmers use pesticides, which could raise environmental and health concerns. This study sought to promote proper and safe pesticide-handling practices by providing data needed to guide pesticide regulation policy and training for extension staff and farmers. A household survey was conducted in three major potato-growing agroecological zones of Uganda. Two hundred and four potato farmers were interviewed about the type and source of pesticides they use in potato cultivation, the frequency of applications, the use of protective clothing, and cases of pesticide poisoning. The types of pesticides used in potato were fungicides (72%), insecticides (62%), and herbicides (3%). Overall, use of personal protective equipment was low, that is, gumboots (73%), gloves (7%), face masks (16%), and long sleeve shirts (42%). Forty-three percent of farmers who applied pesticides reported having experienced skin itching, 25% skin burning sensation, 43% coughing, 60% a runny nose, 27% teary eyes, and 42% dizziness. An IPM approach involving only moderately to slightly hazardous pesticides when pest and disease incidence has reached economic injury levels and by considering all safety measures during application and storage would be environmentally recommendable and result in reduced health risks.

2021 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-216030
Author(s):  
Benjamin J Gray ◽  
Richard G Kyle ◽  
Jiao Song ◽  
Alisha R Davies

BackgroundThe public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a detrimental impact on employment and there are concerns the impact may be greatest among the most vulnerable. We examined the characteristics of those who experienced changes in employment status during the early months of the pandemic.MethodsData were collected from a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey of the working age population (18–64 years) in Wales in May/June 2020 (n=1379). We looked at changes in employment and being placed on furlough since February 2020 across demographics, contract type, job skill level, health status and household factors. χ2 or Fisher’s exact test and multinomial logistic regression models examined associations between demographics, subgroups and employment outcomes.ResultsOf our respondents, 91.0% remained in the same job in May/June 2020 as they were in February 2020, 5.7% were now in a new job and 3.3% experienced unemployment. In addition, 24% of our respondents reported being placed on furlough. Non-permanent contract types, individuals who reported low mental well-being and household financial difficulties were all significant factors in experiencing unemployment. Being placed on ‘furlough’ was more likely in younger (18–29 years) and older (60–64 years) workers, those in lower skilled jobs and from households with less financial security.ConclusionA number of vulnerable population groups were observed to experience detrimental employment outcomes during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted support is needed to mitigate against both the direct impacts on employment, and indirect impacts on financial insecurity and health.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Klith Jensen ◽  
Flemming Konradsen ◽  
Erik Jørs ◽  
Jørgen Holm Petersen ◽  
Anders Dalsgaard

Organophosphates and carbamates (OPs/CMs) are known for their acetylcholinesterase inhibiting character. A cross-sectional study of pesticide handling practices and self-perceived symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning was conducted using questionnaire-based interviews with 89 pesticide sprayers in Boeung Cheung Ek (BCE) Lake, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The study showed that 50% of the pesticides used belonged to WHO class I + II and personal protection among the farmers were inadequate. A majority of the farmers (88%) had experienced symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning, and this was significantly associated with the number of hours spent spraying with OPs/CMs (OR = 1.14, CI 95%: 1.02–1.28). The higher educated farmers reduced their risk of poisoning by 55% for each extra personal protective measure they adapted (OR = 0.45, CI 95%: 0.22–0.91). These findings suggest that improving safe pesticide management practices among the farmers and enforcing the effective banning of the most toxic pesticides will considerably reduce the number of acute pesticide poisoning episodes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Candyce Hamel ◽  
Joseph Enne ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Ndem Ayara ◽  
Yahaya Yarima ◽  
...  

<em>Background</em>. Malnutrition remains an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality; the levels of childhood malnutrition in Nigeria are among the highest in the world. The literature supports many direct and indirect causes of malnutrition, but few studies have examined the link between maternal care during pregnancy and childbirth and childhood malnutrition. This study examines this potential link in Bauchi and Cross River states in Nigeria. <br /><em>Design and methods.</em> In 2011, a household survey collected information about children under four years old and their mothers’ last pregnancy. Trained fieldworkers measured mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of children aged 6-47 months. We examined associations with childhood malnutrition in bivariate and multivariate analysis. <br /><em>Results</em>. Some 4.4% of 3643 children in Cross River, and 14.7% of 2706 in Bauchi were malnourished (MUAC z-score). In both states, a child whose mother had fewer than four government antenatal care visits was more likely to be malnourished (Cross River: OR 1.85, 95%CIca 1.33-2.55; Bauchi: OR 1.29, 95%CIca 1.02-1.63). In Bauchi, a child whose mother who rarely or never discussed pregnancy and childbirth with her husband (OR 1.34, 95%CIca 1.07-1.68), and who did not have her last delivery attended by a skilled health worker was more likely to be malnourished (OR 1.50, 95%CIca 1.09-2.07). <br /><em>Conclusions</em>. These findings, if confirmed in other studies, suggest that poor care of women in pregnancy and childbirth could pose a longer term risk to the health of the child, as well as increasing immediate risks for both mother and child.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-49
Author(s):  
Keshab Prasad Timalsina

The elderly abuse in a family is one of the most challenging problems in a society. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of elderly abuse in the family environment of JureliTole of Bakaiya Rural Municipality. The study also presents various risk factors that influence the prevalence of Elderly abuse. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 103 elders taken from household survey by using census method. The data were collected through a face-to-face structured interview schedule. The descriptive and regression analysis of the collected data showed that the prevalence of elderly abuse was 46.6% in the study population. This study measured significant association (p<0.05) of overall abuse against the elder with only two socio-demographic variables (literacy status and health status) among the variables (gender, age groups, living with or without spouse, literacy status, health status, dependency status, and income level). The results showed that the elders with/without spouse had the highest odds ratio to be abused (2.19 times) followed by gender (1.64 times), and health status (1.25 times). Although this study found lower prevalence than many previous studies, it is still significant and needs to be prevented. Based on the study, it can be said that living without a spouse, with poor health, and being female are the major predictive descriptors for elderly abuse.The policies and programs are needed for the prevention of elderly abuse which may require collective action from social, health and justice sectors. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 231-235
Author(s):  
Shireen Jawed ◽  
Sundus Tariq ◽  
Zehra Jamil ◽  
Rabiya Ali ◽  
Rehana Rehman

Objective: A health risk behavior like physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, drug abuse, unprotected sexual practices or harmful use of alcohol is linked with serious ailments like liver cirrhosis, hypertension, abnormal lipid profile and number of cardiovascular diseases. Our study is aimed to explore perception of students about health risk behaviors; eating routines, life style and stress handling practices and compare amongst medical students of first and second year. Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 233 female students between 1 8–25 years of age, from first two years of medical college were administered a self-structured questionnaire Response of each item was rated on five-point Likert scale. Maximum points in the scale were five and the minimum was one for each item. Mean score was obtained by adding points of all responses. Degree of health awareness was categorized into low, medium and high on the basis of mean cumulative scores. Independent sample t test was used to compare means between study groups based on academic level (Year I and II medical students) Results: The overall results of the study revealed positive health behaviors among medical students. Year I MBBS had superior acquaintance on healthy eating routines (p-value = 0.001), lifestyle patterns (p-value = 0.002), and stress handling practices (p-value < 0.001) as compared to senior class. Tendency to have anxiety attacks was more in 1st year students (p-value=0.002) while capability to withstand stress was better in senior class (p-value=0.004). Conclusion: Majority of medical students practiced positive health behaviors. These attitudes in terms of selection of life style choices; healthy food and physical activity with avoidance of health risk behaviors and supportive practices was better in Year I students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
Sina Temesgen Tolera ◽  
Dechassa Adere Mengistu

Introduction: Food-borne diseases and occupational problems due to poor knowledge, attitude,s and practice towards safe food handling practices in developing countries are common. The purpose of the study was to determine occupational hazards exposure and to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards meat safety among abattoir workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 216 abattoir workers from December 1st to February 30th, 2018 in Hawassa city.  Systematic random sampling and semi-structured questionaries were used to collect data. Ethical approval for data collection was obtained from Hawassa University. Results:  The study indicated that the majority of them had fair knowledge (42.3%), positive attitude (43.8%), and fair practice (45.3%) towards food safety and compliance with abattoir law. The study also revealed the positive relationship between knowledge and attitude (p<0.01); knowledge and practice (p<0.001), attitude and practice (p<0.01).  The main three frequently reported occupational hazards were ergonomic hazard (19.7%), mechanical hazard (18.9%), and psychological hazard (16.7%). Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a poor level of knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor practices of abattoir workers towards meat handling, and compliance with the abattoir law. The study also found that occupational-related hazards most common in this work setting, which are persisting were needed to be improved, through training and occupational health and safety service.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
PRISCILLAH wanini EDEMBA ◽  
Grace Irimu ◽  
RACHEL MUSOKE

Abstract Background: Many studies show that working mothers are unable to exclusively breastfeed successfully. Expression and storage of breastmilk is a strategy that ensures continued breastmilk consumption in the event of temporary separation of an infant from the mother. The 2017 Kenyan Health Act mandates employers to provide lactation rooms with guidance for appropriate utilization.Methodology: The study objective was to assess knowledge attitude and practice of breastmilk expression and storage among working women with infants below six months of age in Public Well Baby Clinics. This was a cross sectional study among 395 working women attending two large public hospitals in Nairobi Kenya. A structured questionnaire with open and closed ended questions was used to establish the knowledge and practice while a Likert scale was used to explore attitudes of the mothers towards expression and storage of breast milk. Results: Only 161(41%) were expressing breast milk. Those with tertiary education and those working in the public sector had significantly higher odds of having satisfactory knowledge OR4.47(95%CI 2.01-11.07) and OR2.26(95%CI 1.33-3.85) respectively. Attaining tertiary education was significantly associated with a possibility of expressing and storing breastmilk OR3.6(95% CI 1.81-7.95). The workplace did not provide adequate equipment to facilitate breastmilk expression. Challenges experienced were breast pain and cumbersome nature of expressing milk.Conclusion: The study revealed knowledge gaps in expression and storage of breastmilk that need to be addressed to enable the mothers fully utilize the lactation rooms when they become available at the workplace.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Eugênia dos Anjos Coelho Kubo ◽  
Teresa Helena Macedo da Costa ◽  
Muriel Bauermann Gubert

AbstractObjective:To analyse usual intakes of energy, macronutrients and micronutrients, and their percentage of inadequacy, in a Brazilian population at severe food insecurity (SFI) risk, determined from a predictive model using two national databases.Design:Cross-sectional study. Our study used a statistical model to predict SFI using the 2009 National Sample Household Survey, where the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale measured SFI.Setting:Brazil.Participants:The model was applied in a probabilistic sample of 34 003 Brazilians aged 10 years or older that participated in a national dietary survey during 2008–2009. The application of the model generated the probability of each individual being in SFI. The probability of SFI was grouped into quartiles (first quartile with the lowest SFI risk, fourth quartile with highest probability of SFI risk).Results:The intakes of macro- and micronutrients were associated with SFI. The amount of energy and nutrients in the diet tended to be lower among individuals in the fourth quartile, with highest probability of SFI. The average intake of all studied minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, Mg) was less in individuals in the fourth quartile. Only Na presented a higher percentage of inadequacy in the first quartile, the one with a lower chance of SFI.Conclusions:The food intake of the Brazilian population at higher SFI risk is characterized by energy reduction, reduced consumption of macronutrients and high prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes, as well as a lower mean intakes, when compared with the first quartile with the lowest SFI risk.


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