scholarly journals Recent Trends and Future Directions on Value Addition of Irish potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) among Smallholder Farmers

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Jacinta Mlaviwa ◽  
Edward Missanjo

Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) value addition has the potential to enhance food security, household income and nutrition. This cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to examine value addition of Irish potato among smallholder farmers in Ntcheu, central Malawi. Data was collected using a standard structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. The results revealed that there were significant differences (X2=103.3; p<0.001) on value addition techniques practiced by farmers. The following value addition techniques were identified: chips (65%), packaging (27.5%), crisps (25%), grading (12.5%), salad (5%), baking (5%), soup (2.5%) and grounding into flour (2.5%). It was noted that factors influencing Irish potato value addition among farmers significantly (X2=8.020; p=0.046) differed. The majority (70%) of the farmers were influenced by knowledge of value addition, followed by ready markets for products (57.5%), while a few were influenced by capital (45.5%) and availability of value addition equipment (40.0%). The study further revealed that education level and group participation significantly (P<0.05) influenced Irish potato value addition technique practices. Farmers with secondary education level or above and those in Irish potato group production are involved in diverse value addition techniques. Encouraging farmer group formation, access to loans to buy value addition equipment, linking farmers with supermarkets, and farmer’s exposure to field days and workshops are the strategies identified to promote effective Irish potato value addition among smallholder farmers.

Author(s):  
Pauline Nyokabi Kamau ◽  
Geoffrey Kingori Gathungu ◽  
Rael Nkatha Mwirigi

This study focused on measuring farm level technical efficiency among smallholder Irish potato farmers in Molo Sub County and its determinants. Descriptive research design was applied. Cross-sectional data was collected through multistage sampling from smallholder Irish potato farmers located in Molo Sub County from April to June 2019. A Stochastic frontier approach assuming a Cobb-Douglas production function was adopted to analyze the level of technical efficiency and explain variations in this technical efficiency across farmers and estimation was done by applying the maximum likelihood method. Mean technical efficiency was 70.7%. The statistically significant variables with respect to the farm inputs were land (0.262), seed (0.629), fertilizer (-0.299) and fungicide (0.131) variables respectively. However, fertilizer variable had negative effects on Irish potato production. Education (-0.061), gender (-0.262), access to extension services (-0.078) and farmer group (-0.217) variables were significant and influenced technical inefficiency negatively.Increase in smallholder farmers’ literacy level, accessibility to extension services and farmer groups may improve Irish potato production technical efficiency. However, gender contribution towards Irish potato production technical efficiency needs a deeper understanding.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Hamdia M. Ahmed ◽  
Safyia S. Piro

Inadequate knowledge or inappropriate attitude about breastfeeding may lead to undesirable consequences. This study assessed the breastfeeding knowledge and attitude of pregnant women about breastfeeding. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 pregnant women from four primary health-care centers in Erbil City/Iraqi Kurdistan from March 15, 2017, to May 15, 2017. A structured questionnaire was developed based on the evidence in the literature. A face to face interview technique was used for data collection. Overall, 61.7% of mothers had a poor level of knowledge of breastfeeding despite having a positive attitude (96.7%). There was a significant association between mothers’ knowledge and mothers’ education level, age, occupation, and type of family. However, no significant association was found between mothers’ attitude and their education level, age, occupation, parity, type of family, and having the plan to breastfeed. As general, the highest percentage of correct responses was about knowing about early skin-to-skin contact (69.2%), initiation of breastfeeding (57.5%), knowing the colostrum (76.7%), necessity of giving colostrum (79.2%), no necessity prelacteal feeding (79.2%), exclusive breastfeeding age (69.2%), complementary age food (70.8%), and optimal weaning time (70%) while the lowest percentage of correct responses was about breastfeeding benefits for infant and mother; as well as the contraindication of breastfeeding. Having good attitude regarding breastfeeding is not ensuring to have good knowledge. A significant number of pregnant mothers had not sufficient knowledge that indicating the necessity of interventional programs by the health system.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilkis Banu ◽  
Khurshida Khanom

Background: It is well known that education level of father and mother is an important factor to achieve breastfeeding. But, according to some literature, there is still controversy that education of parents is really a major factor for perceptions of breastfeeding. Objective: To determine the effects of education level of father and mother on perception or knowledge of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the selected areas of Dhaka city amongst all (202) mothers and fathers of the children of 2 years or more than 2 years of age. Data were collected through pretested questionnaire by face to face interview. Data were analyzed by appropriate univariate analysis. Results: Among the study subjects majority of mothers (49.5%) were of secondary and higher secondary levels and fathers (35.6%) were of graduate and above level of education. Educated mothers (secondary 72% and graduate 90.9%) were more likely to give colostrums to their babies than illiterate mothers (38.9%). Although duration of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding were not associated with maternal education, but knowledge on breastfeeding was highly significant (good knowledge) for higher educated parents (mothers 63.6% and fathers 52.8%) as compared to illiterate or low educated parents (P<0.001). Majority of parents got information from doctors/health workers rather than book or other sources regarding usefulness of breast milk.Conclusion: The study reveals that perceptions of breastfeeding are higher in educated parents than illiterate parents. To reach at an ever satisfactory level of breastfeeding practice, more attention and education need to be given amongst the general people. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v2i2.12840 J Enam Med Col 2012; 2(2): 67-73


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oumer Kemal ◽  
Yawen Liu ◽  
Qiong Yu ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Shuman Yang

Abstract Background: Studies on osteoporosis awareness among general population in China are still limited. We examined the level of osteoporosis awareness among residents in China, determined the risk factors associated with lower level of osteoporosis awareness, and assessed the sources of their knowledge about osteoporosis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 368 general residents aged 30 years or older from 19 provinces during January-March 2018 in China. All participants were identified and interviewed face-to-face by medical students in Jilin University using a structured questionnaire. Osteoporosis awareness scores (percent of correct answer) was determined across several domains, including definition, diagnosis, risk factors, and prevention of osteoporosis. We used multiple linear regression models to test the relationship between risk factors and overall awareness scores. Results: The mean age of participants was 52.9 ± 10.2 years, and 53% of them were male. Osteoporosis awareness score for definition was 77.7%, diagnosis 49.6%, risk factors 49.2%, treatment 60.5%, and prevention 69.9%. The overall awareness score was 67.8%. Lower family income and education level were significantly associated with lower overall awareness score (all p <0.05). Television or radio health program was reported to be their main source of knowledge about osteoporosis. Conclusion: The awareness level for osteoporosis is moderate; lower family income and education level were risk factors for lower awareness. Television or radio health program had the greatest contribution to osteoporosis awareness.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cenk Soysal ◽  
Özlem Erten ◽  
Mehmet Murat Işıkalan ◽  
İsmail Bıyık ◽  
Yasemin Taşçı ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: We aimed to compare the changes experienced by pregnant women before and during the pandemic regarding fear of childbirth andhow much they were affected by factors such as age, education level, and planned delivery type.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study comparedthe pre-pandemic pregnant group (July 2019 and December 2019) and the pandemic group (November 2020 and May 2021) of patients atKütahya Health Sciences University Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital. A total of 696 pregnant womenin their second trimesterwere included in the study. All of them were literate andvoluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected with the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ-A), and the outpatient doctor asked the questions face-to-face.Results: The mean age of the pregnant women participating in the study was 31.6±6.8 years. While the total Wijma score was 62.1±25.1 in the pre-pandemic group, it was 61.3±26.4 in the pandemic group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.738).While 25.7% (n=179) of all participants had a normal fear of childbirth, 22% (n=153) had a mild fear of childbirth, 27% (n=188) had a moderate fear of childbirth, and 25.3% (n=176) had a severe fear of childbirth (Wijma score of 85 and above). When the pre-pandemic and the pandemic period were compared, the fear of childbirth wasunchanged in pregnant women at all education levels (p=0.079, p=0.957, p=0.626, p=0.539, p=0.202).Conclusion: When the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods are compared, it is seen that the fear of childbirth didnot change within each education level. Informing pregnant women about the effects of COVID-19 during the pandemic period may be effective in reducing fear of childbirth and reducing the numberof cesarean sections due to fear of birth.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kemal Sherefa Oumer ◽  
Yawen Liu ◽  
Qiong Yu ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Shuman Yang

Abstract Background: Studies on osteoporosis awareness among general population in China are still limited. We examined the level of osteoporosis awareness among residents in China, determined the risk factors associated with lower level of osteoporosis awareness, and assessed the sources of their knowledge about osteoporosis.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 368 general residents aged 30 years or older from 19 provinces during January-March 2018 in China. All participants were identified and interviewed face-to-face by medical students in Jilin University using a structured questionnaire. Osteoporosis awareness scores (percent of correct answer) was determined across several domains, including definition, diagnosis, risk factors, and prevention of osteoporosis. We used multiple linear regression models to test the relationship between risk factors and overall awareness scores.Results: The mean age of participants was 52.9 ± 10.2 years, and 53% of them were male. Osteoporosis awareness score for definition was 77.7%, diagnosis 49.6%, risk factors 49.2%, treatment 60.5%, and prevention 69.9%. The overall awareness score was 67.8%. Lower family income and education level were significantly associated with lower overall awareness score (all p <0.05). Television or radio health program was reported to be their main source of knowledge about osteoporosis.Conclusion: The awareness level for osteoporosis is moderate; lower family income and education level were risk factors for lower awareness. Television or radio health program had the greatest contribution to osteoporosis awareness.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
MM Rahman ◽  
A Rahman ◽  
TT Sajoni ◽  
SB Kabir ◽  
J Nahar ◽  
...  

In Bangladesh, there are 18,756 secondary schools in which 17.91 million students are enrolled. School children are more vulnerable to be attacked by various types of communicable diseases due to poor health behaviors. The aim of this study was to find out knowledge and health problems related to health behavior among the secondary school children. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried among 795 secondary school children by purposive sampling from 22nd to 24th January 2014 in different school s of Dhamrai Upazila, Dhaka. Data were collected on a pretested questionnaire by face to face interview. Data were analyzed manually and by using computer. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were Muslims by religion, 45% had education level Class VII and mean age was 13±1.7 years. Most of them 45% & 40% students father's and Mothers education level respectively was HSC and above. About 50% students father's occupation were service and 33% were businessman. Mostly about 79% students mother's were housewife. Among all about 71% students were found having 2-3 brothers and sisters respectively. About 20%, 9% and 7% respondents don't agree on drinking clean boiled water, avoidance of smoking and care of nails as a healthy behavior. 25%, 13% and 11% respondents don't practice drinking clean boiled, regular brushing of teeth and care of nails. About 95%, 74% and 67% learned on health behavior from family teachers and text books respectively. About 19%, 14% and 10% students were suffering from common cold, unhealthy hair and itching respectively. Knowledge regarding health behavior among the secondary school children was found still worse. The study recommends more effective implantation of awareness program to improve knowledge regarding health behavior. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v5i2.21127 Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 5, No. 2: July 2014, Pages 18-22


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kemal Sherefa Oumer ◽  
Yawen Liu ◽  
Qiong Yu ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Shuman Yang

Abstract Abstract Background: Studies on osteoporosis awareness among the general population in China are still limited. We examined the level of osteoporosis awareness among residents in China, determined the risk factors associated with a lower level of osteoporosis awareness, and assessed the sources of their knowledge about osteoporosis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 368 general residents aged 30 years or older from 19 provinces during January-March 2018 in China. All participants were identified and interviewed face-to-face by medical students in Jilin University using a structured questionnaire. Osteoporosis awareness scores (percent of the correct answer) was determined across several domains, including definition, diagnosis, risk factors, and prevention of osteoporosis. We used multiple linear regression models to test the relationship between risk factors and overall awareness scores. Results: The mean age of included participants was 52.9 ± 10.2 years, and 53% of them were male. Osteoporosis awareness score for definition was 77.7%, diagnosis 49.6%, risk factors 49.2%, treatment 60.5%, and prevention 69.9%. The overall awareness score was 67.8%. Lower family income and education level were significantly associated with lower overall awareness score (all p <0.05). Television or radio health program was reported to be their main source of knowledge about osteoporosis. Conclusion: The awareness level for osteoporosis in our study is moderate; lower family income and education level were risk factors for lower awareness. Television or radio health programs had the greatest contribution to osteoporosis awareness. Keywords: Osteoporosis, Awareness, Knowledge, China


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (15) ◽  
pp. 185-192
Author(s):  
Nor Jannah Nasution Raduan ◽  
Mohd Razali Salleh ◽  
Ghazali Ahmad ◽  
Zaleha Ismail

Depression and cognitive impairment are the most common complications of patients on hemodialysis. The objective of this study is to identify contributing factors to depression and cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients. This is a cross-sectional study involving 110 hemodialysis patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The samples were recruited through universal sampling. Patients were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. This study found that 18.2% of patients had depression, and 48.2% had cognitive impairment. Factors associated with depression were unmarried status, low education level, and cognitive impairment. Factors associated with cognitive impairment were low education level, depression, and unemployment. Keywords: hemodialysis, depression, cognitive, ESRD eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.2468.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lim Jit Fan Christina ◽  
Goh Boon Kwang ◽  
Chee Wing Ling Vivian ◽  
Tang Woh Peng ◽  
Goh Qiuling Bandy

BACKGROUND Traditionally, patients wishing to obtain their prescription medications have had to present themselves physically at pharmacy counters and collect their medications via face-to-face interactions with pharmacy staff. Prescription in Locker Box (PILBOX) is a new innovation which allows patients and their caregivers to collect their medication asynchronously, 24/7 at their convenience, from medication lockers instead of from pharmacy staff and at any time convenient to them instead of being restricted to pharmacy operating hours. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the willingness by patients/caregivers to use this new innovation and factors that affect their willingness. METHODS This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months at 2 public primary healthcare centres in Singapore. Patients or caregivers who were at least 21 yo and turned up at the pharmacies to collect medications were administered a self-developed 3-part questionnaire face-to-face by trained study team members, if they gave their consent to participate in the study. RESULTS A total of 222 participants completed the study. About 40% of them participants were willing to use the PILBOX to collect their medications. Amongst the participants who were keen to use the PILBOX service, slightly more than half (i.e. 52.8%) of them were willing to pay for the PILBOX service. The participants felt that the ease of use (3.46±1.21 i.e. mean of ranking score ± standard deviation) of the PILBOX was the most important factor that would affect their willingness to use the medication pick up service. This was followed by “waiting time” (3.37±1.33), cost of using the medication pick up service (2.96±1.44) and 24/7 accessibility (2.62±1.35). This study also found that age (p=0.006), language literacy (p=0.000), education level (p=0.000), working status (p=0.011) and personal monthly income (p=0.009) were factors that affected the willingness of the patients or caregivers to use the PILBOX. CONCLUSIONS Patients and caregivers are keen to use PILBOX to collect their medications for its convenience and the opportunity to save time, if it is easy to use and not costly.


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