scholarly journals Cultural aspects of ants, bees and wasps and their products in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Van Huis
Keyword(s):  
Food Item ◽  
Scientific Explanation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Bioactive Properties ◽  
Library Studies ◽  
Bites And Stings ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Wasp Nests

Abstract Background: The order Hymenoptera has about 117,000 known species of which about 20.000 in the Afrotropical zone. The families covered are ants, bees, and wasps. They belong to the suborder Apocrita, characterized by a constriction between the first and second abdominal segments. The purpose of the study was to make an overview of how ants, bees and wasps and their products such as honey are utilized, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa.Method: Ethno-entomological information on ants, bees and wasps in sub-Saharan Africa was collected by: (1) interviews with more than 300 people from about 120 ethnic groups in 27 countries in the region; (2) library studies in Africa, London, Paris and Leiden.Results : Of the order of the Hymenoptera only queens of the ant Carebara vidua are deliberately eaten. Often unintentionally bee larvae are eaten with honey and sugar ants with sugar. Apart from honey being a food item, it is also widely used to treat numerous medical problems, as a stimulant (for the memory) or as a cosmetic. It is also used in naming or wedding ceremonies. In the Qur’an, the medical value of honey is recognized. Seed stores of ants maybe harvested by humans. In the Sudan bee stings are used to cure arthritis; bee venom having bioactive properties. Wasp nests are used to cure inflammations such as mumps. The properties of certain insects are used to convey these treats to persons it is employed to, such as nasty stinging wasps to make dogs vicious. Some stories seem to make no sense like the snake-trapping ants in Madagascar, but a scientific explanation is provided. The looks of certain insects may inspire people to construct stories or have proverbs such as the very narrow waste of wasps, suggesting sterility. Bee swarms and driver ants are feared all over and believed to be employed (by witchdoctors) to punish. Not all stories of events with bees or ants are similar across sub-Saharan Africa. These insects, being social, are also used to stimulate cohesion between people.Conclusion: Ants, bees and wasps in sub-Saharan Africa maybe feared because of their bites and stings. However, the insects or their products are often employed for medical reasons, honey having numerous applications. They are also many stories and believes in which the characteristics of these insects play a role.

scholarly journals Cultural aspects of ants, bees and wasps, and their products in sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold van Huis
Keyword(s):  
Social Insects ◽  
Scientific Explanation ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Bee Venom ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Bioactive Properties ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Wasp Nests

AbstractThis study’s purpose was to make an overview of how ants, bees, wasps, and their products, such as honey are utilized, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa. Ethno-entomological information was collected by interviews with more than 300 people from 27 countries and by literature studies. Queens of the ant Carebara vidua are deliberately eaten and unintentionally bee larvae with honey and sugar ants with sugar. Honey, apart from food, is widely used to treat numerous medical problems and as a stimulant (for the memory) or as a cosmetic. In the Qur’an, the medical value of honey is recognized. Seed stores of ants may be harvested by humans. In Sudan, bee stings are used to cure arthritis as bee venom has bioactive properties. Wasp nests are used to cure inflammations such as mumps. Certain insect properties are used in conveying these treatments to persons it is employed to, such as wasps feed do make dogs vicious. Some stories seem to make no sense like the snake-trapping ants in Madagascar, but a scientific explanation is provided. Certain insects’ looks may inspire people to construct stories or have proverbs such as the very narrow waist of wasps, suggesting sterility. Bee swarms and driver ants are feared all over and believed to be employed (by witchdoctors) to punish. Not all stories of events with bees or ants are similar across sub-Saharan Africa. Social insects are also used to stimulate cohesion between people.

scholarly journals Socio-cultural aspects of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria

2013 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 015-021
Author(s):  
S. Chinenye ◽  
A. Ogbera
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Foot Care ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Rising Incidence ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractUndoubtedly, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with about 400 ethnic groups and languages. There is a double burden of disease with rising incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus. World Health statistics indicate that Nigeria has the highest number of diabetics in sub-Saharan Africa. In spite of advances in diabetes care and facilities, desired outcomes are not good and linked to this, patient satisfaction is not optimal. Reasons include inadequate attention to biological aspects of diabetes, inadequate or inappropriate pharmacology and psycho-socio-cultural factors. In this review, crucial socio-cultural factors in Nigeria include traditional medicine, religion, diet, physical activity patterns, foot care, awareness, and stress management. Diabetes programs in Nigeria should adopt the principles of education and psycho-social support highlighted by the DAWN study, integrating our socio-cultural heritage, empowering individuals to take charge of their diabetes and achieve desired health outcomes. Religion should be explored as a potential tool to reach out on facts whilst doing away with erroneous beliefs about diabetes mellitus.

scholarly journals The development of telemedicine programs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress and associated challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Eva Dodoo ◽  
Hosam Al-Samarraie ◽  
Ahmed Alsswey
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sustainable Usage ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Study Offer

AbstractMonitoring the progress of telemedicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries has received a considerable attention from many health organizations and governmental agencies. This study reviewed the current progress and challenges in relation to the development of telemedicine programs in SSA. The results from reviewing 66 empirical studies revealed an unbalanced progress across SSA countries. Further, technological, organisational, legal and regulatory, individual, financial, and cultural aspects were identified as the major barriers to the success of telemedicine development in SSA. This study reported the current trends in telemedicine application, as well as highlighting critical barriers for consideration by healthcare decision makers. The outcomes from this study offer a number of recommendations to support wider implementation and sustainable usage of telemedicine in SSA.

RTS,S/AS01, a vaccine targeting pre-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 533-537
Author(s):  
Lorenz von Seidlein ◽  
Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn ◽  
Podjanee Jittmala ◽  
Sasithon Pukrittayakamee
Keyword(s):  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
European Medicines Agency ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Pivotal Phase ◽  
Malaria Epidemiology ◽  
Maximum Benefit ◽  
Sub Saharan

RTS,S/AS01 is the most advanced vaccine to prevent malaria. It is safe and moderately effective. A large pivotal phase III trial in over 15 000 young children in sub-Saharan Africa completed in 2014 showed that the vaccine could protect around one-third of children (aged 5–17 months) and one-fourth of infants (aged 6–12 weeks) from uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The European Medicines Agency approved licensing and programmatic roll-out of the RTSS vaccine in malaria endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO is planning further studies in a large Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, in more than 400 000 young African children. With the changing malaria epidemiology in Africa resulting in older children at risk, alternative modes of employment are under evaluation, for example the use of RTS,S/AS01 in older children as part of seasonal malaria prophylaxis. Another strategy is combining mass drug administrations with mass vaccine campaigns for all age groups in regional malaria elimination campaigns. A phase II trial is ongoing to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the RTSS in combination with antimalarial drugs in Thailand. Such novel approaches aim to extract the maximum benefit from the well-documented, short-lasting protective efficacy of RTS,S/AS01.

Mortality and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa

1993 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-556
Author(s):  
Lado Ruzicka
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

Adolescent Suicidality as Seen in Rural Northeastern Uganda

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Kinyanda ◽  
Ruth Kizza ◽  
Jonathan Levin ◽  
Sheila Ndyanabangi ◽  
Catherine Abbo
Keyword(s):  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Psychosocial Risk ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Suicidal behavior in adolescence is a public health concern and has serious consequences for adolescents and their families. There is, however, a paucity of data on this subject from sub-Saharan Africa, hence the need for this study. Aims: A cross-sectional multistage survey to investigate adolescent suicidality among other things was undertaken in rural northeastern Uganda. Methods: A structured protocol administered by trained psychiatric nurses collected information on sociodemographics, mental disorders (DSM-IV criteria), and psychological and psychosocial risk factors for children aged 3–19 years (N = 1492). For the purposes of this paper, an analysis of a subsample of adolescents (aged 10–19 years; n = 897) was undertaken. Results: Lifetime suicidality in this study was 6.1% (95% CI, 4.6%–7.9%). Conclusions: Factors significantly associated with suicidality included mental disorder, the ecological factor district of residence, factors suggestive of low socioeconomic status, and disadvantaged childhood experiences.

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