scholarly journals What drives the adoption of fodder innovation(s) in a smallholder dairy production system? Evidence from a cross-sectional study of dairy farmers in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-375
Author(s):  
D. Thirunavukkarasu ◽  
N. Narmatha ◽  
S. Alagudurai

The study in India involving 384 households found that 42.7% of dairy farmers adopted new forage varieties when varieties were released. The farmer’s resources, their caste, access to markets for milk and price received for milk had positive effects on the decision to adopt. Management of farms by women had negative effects on the adoption decision. Increased forage yield and ease of propagation and establishment were important reasons for adoption of varieties, e.g. the relative advantage of pearl millet × Napier grass (Cenchrus americanus × C. purpureus) vs. hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus). Thus, researchers need to address these issues when developing new germplasm, if farmers are to readily adopt new varieties, especially in the case of resource-poor farmers.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Max Esefeld ◽  
Ariane Sümnig ◽  
Ulf Alpen ◽  
Hans Jörgen Grabe ◽  
Andreas Greinacher

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Previous studies suggest that blood donation impacts blood donors’ psychological state, with either positive or negative effects, such as feeling more energetic or more exhausted. It has not yet been described how long these effects last. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> This prospective cohort study consisted of a qualitative and a quantitative part: (1) Psychological characteristics which changed after blood donation were identified by structured interviews of regular whole blood donors (<i>n</i> = 42). Based on this, a questionnaire addressing 7 psychological dimensions was established. (2) The psychological state of 100 blood donors was assessed after blood donation by applying the questionnaire 15–30 min before and during donation, as well as 15–30 min, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, 1 week, and 8 weeks after donation. The resulting changes were summarized to a score. Furthermore, potential correlations of the score with pre-donation blood pressure, hemoglobin, or body mass index were calculated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Seven items were identified which changed in at least 25% of blood donors (mood, concentration, satisfaction, resilience, spirit of initiative, physical well-being, energy level). In the 100 blood donors, the well-being score increased (positive effects, <i>n</i> = 23), showed minor changes (<i>n</i> = 53), or decreased (negative effects, <i>n</i> = 24). The positive effects lasted for about 1 week and the negative effects for 3 days. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> While the frequency of psychological effects following blood donation identified by our study was comparable to others, the changes of the psychological state in our donors were traceable for a longer period than previously acknowledged.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisling McQuaid ◽  
Rahil Sanatinia ◽  
Lorna Farquharson ◽  
Prisha Shah ◽  
Alan Quirk ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients who undergo psychological treatment can report both negative and positive effects, but evidence of factors influencing the likelihood of negative effects is limited. Aims To identify aspects of the organisation and delivery of secondary care psychological treatment services that are associated with patient experiences of negative effects. Method Cross-sectional survey of people with anxiety and depression who ended psychological treatment delivered by 50 NHS trusts in England. Respondents were asked about how their treatment was organised and delivered and whether they experienced lasting negative effects. Results Of 662 respondents, 90 (14.1%) reported experiencing lasting negative effects. People over the age of 65 were less likely than younger respondents to report negative effects. There was an association between reporting neutral or negative effects and not being referred at what respondents considered to be the right time (OR = 1.712, 95% CI = 1.078–2.726), not receiving the right number of sessions (OR = 3.105, 95% CI = 1.934–4.987), and not discussing progress with their therapist (OR 2.063, 95% CI = 1.290–3.301). Conclusions One in seven patients who took part in this survey reported lasting negative effects from psychological treatment. Steps should be taken to prepare people for the potential for negative experiences of treatment, and progress reviewed during therapy in an effort to identify and prevent negative effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Vijayasankari A

Background: Social networks include websites and applications that allow users to share content, ideas, opinions, beliefs, feelings, and personal, social, and educational experiences. Thus, considering the key role of students in promoting the quality of physical and mental health of society, and also due to the lack of knowledge on the type of relationship between social networking addiction and academic performance of the students of medical sciences, the present study was designed and implemented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of social media among the students of medical sciences and their behaviour changes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. Stratified random sampling was used. The study tools included personal information form and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18.0. Results: Most of the students are using social media for studies and to talk with their friends and whenever they feel alone. Conclusion: Over all the social media use age was moderate. Overall, social media appeared to be very useful tool for students’ community as they use them to improve their studies and carrier development. However, their negative effects seemed to be very poor as compared to their positive effects.


Author(s):  
Alfonso Urzúa ◽  
Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽  
Diego Henríquez ◽  
David R. Williams

There is not much evidence on the effects of south–south migration and its consequences on physical and mental health. Our objective was to examine the mediating role of Acculturative Stress in the association between ethnic discrimination and racial discrimination with physical and mental health. This research is a non-experimental, analytical, cross-sectional study. A total of 976 adult Colombian migrants living in Chile were interviewed. We used the Everyday Discrimination Scale, the acculturative stress scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-12) for health status; we found that racial and ethnic discrimination had a negative effect on physical and mental health. In the simultaneous presence of both types of discrimination, racial discrimination was completely absorbed by ethnic discrimination, the latter becoming a total mediator of the effect of racial discrimination on mental and physical health. Our findings are consistent with the literature, which suggests that there are various types of discrimination which, individually or in their intersectionality, can have negative effects on health.


Livestock ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 274-281
Author(s):  
Katharine Baxter-Smith ◽  
Robert Simpson

There is increased industry focus on optimised welfare, productivity and antibiotic usage in cattle youngstock, however, little is known about UK farmers' attitudes and practices in rearing calves. In this cross-sectional study, 479 farmers were surveyed online about their cattle youngstock rearing approach and outcomes. Represented were 174 dairy farmers, 255 beef suckler farmers and 50 calf rearers. Farmers showed awareness of good youngstock rearing practices such as colostrum management and housing facilities. Morbidity and mortality from diarrhoea (82%, 48%) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) (68%, 48%) were high on farms surveyed but farmers did not frequently consult their veterinary surgeon regarding these diseases. Farmers surveyed were not always aware of the efficacy of preventative methods such as vaccination, and frequently used antibiotic treatments (27% for diarrhoea and 40% for BRD) but not diagnostics when animals had disease. Veterinary surgeons could use these insights to better understand farmers' motivations and priorities, to make communication more efficient and align goals.


2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Arredondo ◽  
Emanuel Orozco

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of decentralization on health financing and governance policies in Mexico from the perspective of users and providers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in four states that were selected according to geopolitical and administrative criteria. Four indicators were assessed: changes and effects on governance, financing sources and funds, the final destination of resources, and fund allocation mechanisms. Data collection was performed using in-depth interviews with health system key personnel and community leaders, consensus techniques and document analyses. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed by thematic segmentation. RESULTS: The results show different effectiveness levels for the four states regarding changes in financing policies and community participation. Effects on health financing after decentralization were identified in each state, including: greater participation of municipal and state governments in health expenditure, increased financial participation of households, greater community participation in low-income states, duality and confusion in the new mechanisms for coordination among the three government levels, absence of an accountability system, lack of human resources and technical skills to implement, monitor and evaluate changes in financing. CONCLUSIONS: In general, positive and negative effects of decentralization on health financing and governance were identified. The effects mentioned by health service providers and users were related to a diversification of financing sources, a greater margin for decisions around the use and final destination of financial resources and normative development for the use of resources. At the community level, direct financial contributions were mentioned, as well as in-kind contributions, particularly in the form of community work.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Hashem Hashempur ◽  
Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat ◽  
Mojtaba Heydari ◽  
Mesbah Shams

Abstract Background Despite growing demand for medicinal plants, there is little data about their use by patients with dyslipidemia. We aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors for the use of medicinal plants among patients with dyslipidemia. Methods A 17-item semi-structured questionnaire was filled out by 195 patients with dyslipidemia in a cross-sectional study carried out in two academic endocrinology clinics in Shiraz, Iran. The questionnaire comprised of three main domains of demographic data (6 questions), clinical data (2 of them), and data related to the use of medicinal plants (totally 9 questions). Results A total of 77.4% of patients took medicinal plants. The most common medicinal herbs used by dyslipidemic patients were Zataria multiflora, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Zingiber officinale. Duration of dyslipidemia was significantly longer in herbal users than non-herbal users (p=0.04). Patients believing that concomitant use of conventional drugs and herbal preparations had synergic positive effects in addition to those persuaded that herbal preparations possessed less side effects, were significantly more likely to use medicinal plants (p=0.008 and 0.005, respectively). Additionally, most of the medicinal herb users (87.4%) changed neither the pattern nor the dosage of their medications all during herbal preparations use. Conclusions This study demonstrated a high prevalence of medicinal plants’ use among patients with dyslipidemia, which was associated with the duration of dyslipidemia, patients’ viewpoints about herbal preparations’ synergic positive effects, and their fewer side effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-151
Author(s):  
Goran Stojanovic ◽  
Milica Vasiljevic-Blagojevic ◽  
Zulfer Bahtijari ◽  
Bratislav Stankovic ◽  
Dragana Terzic-Markovic ◽  
...  

Backrogund/Aim. Since the beginning of competitive sports, athletes have been trying to improve their abilities by taking various substances. The problem of using prohibited substances is not strictly tied to elite athletes; it is also present in the general population. The aim of this study was to test the knowledge and attitudes of the students regarding the use of stimulative substances and dietary supplements in sports. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed among students at the College of Health and Professional Studies in Belgrade, Serbia. The data was collected by filling in an especially designed questionnaire. Results. Knowledge of prohibited substances and methods was characterized as ?good? with 24.2% of respondents, namely 8.09% of males and 16.1% of females; knowledge of the adverse effects of prohibited substances and methods on health was demonstrated by 17.7% (9.03% of male respondents and 8.72% of female respondents). Conclusion. Student population is not knowledgeable enough about the problems of prohibited substances use and their negative effects on one?s health. The comparative analysis of our and European researches on knowledge, attitudes and uses of prohibited substances show a rather uniform prevalence rate. Not being aware of the adverse effects shows the need to further educate students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-301
Author(s):  
Ola Hafez ◽  
Yasmine Salah El-Din

The present descriptive study investigated the challenges experienced and the coping strategies used by Egyptian university educators from different institution types while teaching online during the pandemic. The cross-sectional study drew participants (N = 222) from three different academic institution types, private universities, public universities, and adult education institutions, who responded to a survey that examined the technical, professional, administrative, social, and psychological challenges teachers encountered as well as their coping strategies. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicated that the challenges and coping strategies reported by teachers varied according to the teaching context and the requirements of each academic institution. The most reported challenges experienced were exhaustion, internet problems, technical issues, and anxiety. Despite the challenges, participants reported a few positive effects, including feeling more productive, being motivated to learn something new, feeling appreciated by the students and administration, and feeling confident using online teaching tools. Results also revealed that the participants used social and professional strategies to cope with the circumstances accompanying the sudden shift to online teaching. The results indicated how challenges faced by educators from different institution types may diminish with more training on, and experience with, online teaching, forming communities of practice as well as other coping strategies they developed. Such findings should be helpful to educators, institutions, and policymakers in different academic institutions all over the world and in various teaching contexts.


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