scholarly journals Use of herbal remedies by small-scale farmers to treat livestock diseases in central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Masika ◽  
W. Van Averbeke ◽  
A. Sonandi
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Remedy ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Central Eastern ◽  
Livestock Diseases

The use of herbal remedies by African farmers in the treatment of livestock diseases was investigated using a range of methods, including group interviews, structured interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The study was concerned mainly with the 'why' and 'how' of herbal remedy use among African livestock holders farming on communally-owned land in central Eastern Cape Province. We found that the use of herbal remedies was still widespread because these remedies were cheap, locally available and convenient to administer. Farmers also used herbal remedies because they did not have knowledge of conventional remedies or found these too expensive and therefore used herbal remedies as a last resort. Most of the farmers interviewed (73 %) had used some form of herbal remedy. A small number of farmers did not use herbal remedies at all. They rejected them because they had bad experiences in the past or because they considered the practice outdated and socially inferior. Often farmers used herbal remedies in combination with conventional ones, but a substantial number relied on herbal remedies only. Farmers obtained herbal remedies principally by preparing their own or by purchasing from herbalists. Different plant parts were used to prepare herbal remedies in the form of infusions, decoctions, powders, pastes, and juices from fresh plant material. Preparations were made from a single plant or from a range of plants. Application of a remedy was by different routes and methods, depending on the perceived cause of the disease condition. Topical applications were used for skin conditions, powders were rubbed into incisions, drenches were common in the treatment of systemic conditions, and drops to treat ears and eyes. We identified several aspects of herbal remedy utilisation that could be subject to improvement, which included the absence of standard dose regimes, the potential toxicity of certain compounds present in plants used, over-exploitation of the plant resource and a lack of interest by the youth to learn the art.

scholarly journals Perceived causes, diagnosis and treatment of babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle by livestock farmers in communal areas of the central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

1997 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Masika ◽  
A. Sonandi ◽  
W. Van Averbeke
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Central Eastern ◽  
Communal Areas ◽  
Farmer Training

Perceived causes, diagnosis and treatment of redwater (babesiosis) and gallsickness (anaplasmosis) in cattle by livestock farmers in communal areas of the central Eastern Cape Province were investigated by means of participatory methods, semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey. Most livestock owners relate the causes of these diseases to excessive grazing of lush green grass, which is thought to bring about an accumulation of bile in the body. The majority of livestock owners diagnose gallsickness and redwater on the basis of presenting signs and post mortem findings. Eighty nine percent of a total of 343 livestock owners participating in the study claimed to administer herbal remedies to treat the 2 tick-borne diseases; 75 % of these combine herbal remedies with conventional medicines and 25 % use herbal remedies only. Application of herbal remedies was reportedly aimed mainly at the removal of excess bile. However, some plant species used to prepare herbal remedies are reported to possess activities ranging from anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-pyretic and purgative, and may be effective in the treatment of gallsickness and redwater. A lack of understanding of the causes and transmission of gallsickness and redwater, leading to ill-directed treatment, and widespread deviation from the directions of use when administering conventional medicines, were identified as problems that could be addressed by farmer training and the supply of appropriate information.

scholarly journals A survey of plants used by rural small-scale farmers to control pests of cabbage in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nolitha L. Skenjana ◽  
Maxwell A. Poswal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Diamondback Moth ◽  
Botanical Insecticides ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Background: Resource-poor small-scale farmers often cannot afford the high prices of chemical insecticides to control pests on crops; as a result, some use botanical insecticides. Aim: The aim of the study was to document ethnobotanical pest control methods used by rural small-scale farmers to control pests of cabbage in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Setting: 217 rural small-scale crop-producing farmers from 14 towns in the Amathole, Joe Gqabi, Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani and OR Tambo Districts participated in the study. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to consenting farmers between July and November in 2012, using the convenience and stratified purposive sampling techniques. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The majority of farmers using botanical insecticides were females above the age of 60 years. The farmers identified 23 plants, which they use in their pest control strategies against seven pests of cabbage. The annual herb Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) was cited as the most commonly used herb by 47% of the respondents, followed by Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiceae), Aloe ferox Mills. (Asphodelaceae) and Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae). Various plant parts were used in combinations or alone in the preparation of formulations mainly against aphids, cutworms and the diamondback moth. Conclusion: The plants, plant parts, combinations and formulations used by farmers in their cabbage pest control strategies need to be scientifically authenticated for efficacy.

scholarly journals Utilising a MacIntyrean approach to understand how social enterprise may contribute to wellbeing

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Blake
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Integration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the potential fruitfulness of the theory of Alasdair MacIntyre for understanding how social enterprises may facilitate well-being, using empirical evidence from doctoral research to illustrate this. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on findings from research conducted at a mental health training and employment organisation which used gardening as rehabilitative tool. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews with staff, volunteers and service users were used to generate the data, a MacIntyrean lens used to analyse the data, and some suggestions are made as to why social enterprises may be particularly suited to such an approach. Findings Practitioners encouraged the seeking of “internal goods” or “goods of excellence” within practices, as it was this which was understood to facilitate well-being. Service users shared in this view, perceiving their time on the case site primarily as “work” and choosing to engage with the service out of a desire to meaningfully contribute to the community project. Research limitations/implications This research is conducted on a small scale and therefore lacks generalisability. The lack of comparison with other organisational forms using the same practice is also a limitation. Originality/value This theory offers an alternative lens for considering how social enterprises might contribute to well-being. The data presented here also complement the growing body of research literature on Work Integration Social Enterprises, considering some of the wider well-being benefits beyond work integration, which thus far has received limited empirical attention.

scholarly journals Small-Scale Irrigation and Production Efficiency among Vegetable Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: The DEA Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Douglas Kibirige ◽  
Ajay S. Singh ◽  
Lovemore M. Rugube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Land Reforms ◽  
Dea Approach ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

Despite the establishment and revitalization of small-scale irrigation schemes, input subsidies and tractor hire schemes in the rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa productivity among small-scale farmers is recorded low and anticipated to decline. For survival, small-scale farmers have resorted to cultivating high value crops including vegetables. However, their vegetable productivity is far less than the estimated potential yields, and information regarding their production efficiency is limited. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining farmer’s production efficiency to generate meaningful information necessary for designing feasible pro-poor policies aimed at catalysing increased the productivity and rural household incomes. The study was carried out at Qamata and Tyefu irrigation schemes, and approximately 158 farmers were interviewed. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach was used to generate results. The findings in this article indicated that most farmers are old aged with low literacy levels. Farmers were also allocating few hectares of land for cabbage production with far less application of fertilizers and pesticides compared to the recommended amounts. Farmers at Qamata and Tyefu irrigation schemes are technically, allocatively and economically efficient at 98%, 72% and 77% level, respectively. Thus, for improving the productivity, farmers need to maintain the same technologies and adjust on the amounts of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides used for improving allocative and economic efficiency. Results suggested that this can be achieved through encouraging more youth participation in farming, improved input-agronomic and agribusiness skills, catalysing processes of land reforms, and construction of more dams.

scholarly journals Midwives’ knowledge and practices regarding the screening for and management of chorioamnionitis: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison H. Du Plessis ◽  
Dalena Van Rooyen ◽  
Wilma Ten Ham-Baloyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Review Study ◽  
And Training

Background: Screening for chorioamnionitis, or the risk thereof, by midwives is largely lacking during antenatal care and no best practice guidelines for chorioamnionitis in South Africa was noted.Aim: To explore and describe midwives’ knowledge and practices related to the screening and management of women who are at risk of or diagnosed with chorioamnionitis.Setting: Public healthcare institutions in a health district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Ten midwives were purposively included in this study, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. The data were analysed using an adapted version of Tesch’s eight steps for data analysis.Results: The main theme revealed that midwives lack knowledge regarding chorioamnionitis, resulting in incorrect practices including a lack of screening, misdiagnosis and mismanagement of the infectious condition.Conclusions: Findings of this research showed that midwives lacked knowledge regarding the screening and management of women with chorioamnionitis resulting in incorrect practices in this regard. There is thus a need for midwives to update their knowledge regarding the screening and management of chorioamnionitis and training (e.g. through a short learning programme).Contribution: Findings of this study could be used by midwives to update their knowledge regarding screening and managing women with chorioamnionitis, which is expected to translate to better practices. Moreover, study findings were synthesised with the results of a literature review study to form the basis for the development of a best practice guideline for screening and managing women with chorioamnionitis.

scholarly journals Agro-processing as a tool for poverty alleviation strategy: A case of Raymond Mhlaba municipality

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thandeka Khowa ◽  
Tafadzwa J. Mukasi
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
Livelihood Capitals

Background: Agro-processing is viewed as a possible poverty alleviation tool for rural development in South African communities. Agro-processing can be a tool for income generation and local economic development for rural settings.Aim: To examine the role and impact of cottage farming in Raymond Mhlaba municipality, rural Eastern Cape province. The study sought to identify ways of developing the cottage and agro-processing industries as a tool for poverty alleviation and local economic development.Setting: Grounded on the sustainable development theory and the human capital development approach, the study explores how rural people in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality utilise their livelihood capitals as a tool for survival.Method: The researcher employed a qualitative approach by using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion.Results: The study revealed that rural households embark on various survival strategies, cottage farming being dominant.Conclusion: The purpose of the study was to enhance small-scale farming using agro-processing as a poverty alleviation strategy, thus promoting a sustainable rural development for the Eastern Cape province.

scholarly journals A Small-Scale Qualitative Study of Early Comprehensive Patient Engagement in Acute Clinical Settings: Is It Feasible?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Nedergaard Jensen ◽  
Ove Andersen ◽  
Hejdi Gamst-Jensen ◽  
Maria Kristiansen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Needs

Abstract Background: Patient-centered care (PCC) based on systematic and comprehensive patient engagement is important for patient satisfaction. However, ensuring PCC is difficult in emergency departments (ED) characterized by a high patient flow and a substantial proportion of older adults with multimorbidity and complex care needs. This small-scale qualitative study aimed to identify potentials and barriers for providing early PCC for older adults in Danish EDs using a novel user-engagement conversation tool.Methods: Participant observation, focus group interviews and individual semi-structured interviews with ED nurses and geriatric nurses were conducted between September and December 2019 in an ED at a hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark. Thematic network analysis with a focus on potentials and barriers for patient engagement was conducted.Results: Two key subthemes related to potentials emerged: 1) a positive attitude towards patient engagement in the context of PCC, and; 2) perceived benefits of PCC overall and the engagement tool in particular. Additionally, two key subthemes related to barriers emerged: 1) time constraints and; 2) concerns related to the importance of cross-sectoral care coordination.Conclusion: This study contributes to mounting evidence in support of policies and practices that encourage PCC as a driver of unpacking patients’ needs and values leading to targeted follow-up care. However, barriers such as time constraints, and lack of cross-sectoral care collaboration should be acknowledged if the potentials of PCC is to be fulfilled in ED settings.

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