Dietary Adherence and Associated Factors among Hypertensive Patients in Bahir Dar City Administration, Ethiopia, 2020

Introduction: Hypertension is considered one of the most challenging public health problems worldwide. Adherence to the recommended diet has a key role to reduce uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension-related complications. A study on dietary adherence among hypertensive patients and associated factors are limited in Ethiopia. So,this study aimed to assess dietary adherence and associated factors among hypertensive patients in Bahir Dar city governmental hospitals, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahir Dar city governmental hospitals from February- March 2020. Proportional allocation and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select 386 individuals with hypertension. The logistic regression model was used to assess the association between predictors and dietary adherence. The association was interpreted using the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Result: In this the proportion of dietary adherence was 32.8% (CI: 28.0, 37.6). Educational level college and above (AOR=3.0, CI=1.26, 7.08), received nutritional education (AOR=1.9, CI=1.05, 3.62), knowledgeable about hypertension (AOR=2.5, CI=1.36, 4.58), who had no co-morbidities (AOR=2.8, CI=1.49, 5.20), who lived two to four years with hypertension (AOR=2.4, CI=1.17, 5.07), and who had strong social support (AOR=7.1, CI=2.85, 17.46) had significantly association with dietary adherence. Conclusion and recommendations: This study demonstrated that low proportion of hypertensive individuals were adhered to recommended diet. Therefore, availed a social network of family and friends; providing dietary education to address the participants’ knowledge of hypertension, promote survival skill to new diagnosed and considered co-morbidities are an integral part of overall health in people with hypertension.

Perception Regarding Live Kidney Donation in the General Population of South Korea

This study aimed to know how the general population recognizes live kidney donation in Korea. Participants were randomly selected from the general population after proportional allocation by region, sex, and age. Selected participants received a questionnaire that included demographic information, socioeconomic and marital statuses, prior recognition of live donor KT, expected changes after donation, and the need for support after donor nephrectomy. Among the 1,000 participants from the web-based survey, 83.8% answered they fully understood living donor KT, 81.1% knew about them, and 51.1% were willing to donate. Various complications after nephrectomy and deterioration in health after donation were the most significant reasons for those reluctant to donate. Most agreed that the government should provide social and economic support to living kidney donors, especially after exposure to the description of donor nephrectomy. Financial support, including surgery and regular medical check-up costs, was the most preferred government support. The Korean general population seemed aware of the value and safety of kidney donation, although only half of them were willing to donate due to concerns about possible complications. Most participants agreed on social and economic support for living kidney donors, especially surgery-related costs.

A Research on the Satisfaction of Islamic Banking Customer Services in Riau Province During the Covid-19 Pandemic

This research is motivated by curiosity about Islamic banking services in Riau Province during the Covid-19 pandemic. But before that, it is also important to examine customer knowledge on products and service facilities in Islamic banking, reasons customers choose Islamic banks, and reasons customers use both types of banks (Islamic banking and conventional banking). This research is a field research with survey technique. The population is Islamic banks customers in Pekanbaru and the samples in this study refer to the calculation of Hair et al with total assets of Islamic banks in 2020 as a consideration in determining proportional allocation. Sources of data in this research are primary and secondary data. While the data collection techniques using questionnaires and documentation. The data analysis technique uses descriptive statistics with a frequency distribution. The results of the research found that there are still many Islamic bank customers who do not know about specific Islamic bank products such musyarakah products, mudharabah products, ijarah products,and rahn services. The results also found that religious reasons are the main factor for customers in choosing of Islamic banks. The factor of ease of access to more branches is the main reason customers use both types of banks. Finally, the results of the research found that the most Islamic bank customers are satisfied with various aspects of the services provided by Islamic banks, while the five service aspects whith the highest level of customer satisfaction are Islamic bank staff friendliness, Islamic bank name and image, Islamic bank employee skills, confidentially Islamic bank customer data, as well as various kinds of facilities offered by Islamic banks. The results of this research are ini line with studies that have been conducted in Jordan and Kuwait, where the highest level of satisfaction is found in the name and image aspects of Islamic banks even though there are differences in respondent demographics and the condition of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Trend of Malaria Cases, Positivity Rate, and Determinant Factors in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia: A Mixed Method

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the trend of malaria cases and test positivity rate and explore determinant factors in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods. A mixed study design (retrospective record data review and case study) was employed among 67 malaria officers from all zones in the region by using proportional allocation and the 1995 to 2020 malaria document review. 1995 to 2020 trend analysis was conducted using RStudio-1.2.5033. Vignette Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to dig the possible factors for malaria case buildup using the purposive sampling technique, and a qualitative content analysis was used. Results. The overall mean test positivity rate (TPR) was 21.9%, and about 80% of the land of the region was malarious, and 68% of the population was at risk of malaria in the study area from the data records of 1995 to 2020. The year 2012 to 2016 had the peak confirmed malaria cases, while the year 2016 to 2018 dramatically reduced followed by an increase in 2019/2020. The vignette FGDs identified that poor performance on Larval Source Management (LSM) and net utilization, no stock of some antimalarial medicine and supply, quality of malaria diagnosis services, the low commitment of leaders, and climatic anomalies facilitated surge of the disease in 2019/2020. No real accountability at all levels, low coverage of targeted vector control interventions, resource constraint, data quality and use for informed decision making, security issues and Internally Displaced Population (IDP) in various parts of the country, and the COVID-19 pandemic were the possible causes for case buildup. Conclusions. This result revealed that the malaria incidence rate showed a remarkable decline. However, the average TPR was 21.9%. Hence, it provided the ongoing feedback, mass fever test and treatment, training to health professionals, and ongoing supportive supervision (SS) and mentorship, improved net utilization and indoor residual spraying (IRS) operation and close follow-up and conducted sensitization workshop, spot messages were transferred through mass media, and temporary case treatment and prevention centers at farm sites established may surpass the threshold of malaria.

Appraisal of Soil Health Card Scheme on Change in Cultivation Practices of Sali Rice in Darrang District, Assam

The study was conducted during 2017-18 to examine the changes observed in cultivation practices of Sali rice after receiving Soil Health Card (SHC) and for identifying the problems faced by respondents in utilising the SHC recommendations in Darrang district, Assam. A sample of 150 respondents was selected randomly by proportional allocation to size. The result showed that 74.66 per cent of the respondent did not apply the fertilizers as per SHC recommendation. For examining average change in terms of fertilizer application pattern, area and productivity of Sali rice intended for before and after getting SHC, no significant changes have been observed using student’s t-test at 5% level of significance. Increased in area under Sali rice was not significantly higher than before SHC was distributed. The distribution of SHC didn’t bring any changes in cultivation practices of sali rice during 2017-18 at Darrang district.Thus; the study has suggested providing extension support to farmers. Credit linkage through Kisan Credit Card will be helpful in increasing the production of rice and then market linkage may be established. For getting the better result it is necessary to link all the schemes with each other instead of implementing each scheme independently.

Effect of Psychological Capital and Emotional Intelligence on Employee’s Job Performance

Employee’s job performance is considered to be very key variable effecting organizational performance. In today’s hypercompetitive world global economy business need to try identifying the factors that has effect on employee’s performance, and psychological capital and emotional intelligence are amongst them. Consequently the main aim of the study was to find out the relationship of psychological capital and emotional intelligence on employee’s job performance in Public sector Universities of Peshawar. In order to obtain the required objectives, a sample of 170 respondents was selected randomly through proportional allocation method. Well-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. For checking the reliability of data, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used. The results quantified that the collected data is reliable as coefficient of Cronbach’s alpha is greater than 0.70 for psychological capital and emotional intelligence. For employee performance the reliability measures was less than 70%.MAS were greater than 3 for most of studied attributes showing that employees are in favor of effect of psychological capital and emotional intelligence on employee’s performance. The results of Chi-square showed a significant (P < 0.05) association between psychological capital and employee performance and also emotional intelligence and employee performance. Grounded on the results, it is determined that psychological capital and emotional intelligence are significantly associated with employee’s performance.

Farmers’ Utilisation Pattern of Soil Health Card’s Recommendation on Sali Rice Cultivation in Assam

Aims: The present study was undertaken to examine the utilisation pattern of Soil Health Card’s (SHC) recommendation by the farmers on sali rice cultivation in Assam. Study Design: The numbers of respondents were selected by proportional allocation to size to make it 150 and the relevant data were cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. Respondents were selected from the Darrang district of Assam during the period 2017-18. Methodology: Descriptive as well as inferential statistical tools were employed in order to attain the objective of the study. The data was analysed by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Chi-square test. Results: The result revealed that 56.67 per cent of the respondents were unable to read the content of SHC, and 82.00 per cent of the respondents did not understand the content of SHC. Moreover, 74.66 per cent of farmers did not apply fertilisers and other nutrients as per the SHC recommendation. The chi-square test showed that application of urea, Diammonium Phosphate, Singe Super Phosphate and Muriate of Potash had a higher association with increased age, education, landholding, and gross annual income of respondents. Conclusion: The SHC scheme could not bring any positive changes to sali rice in the initial year at Darrang district. Thus, the study has suggested initiating the mass awareness campaign regularly using the concept of social marketing for judicious application of fertilisers and nutrients based on the SHC report. It is also necessary to provide technical backstopping to farmers on SHC recommendation and application to make agriculture productive, profitable, and sustainable.

Prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini and its Associated Risk Fac-tors in the Phon Sawan District of Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand

Background: Opisthorchis viverrini is one of the endemic helminths in Thailand. Nonetheless, O. viverrini still exist and raise concerns regarding public health. This study aimed to evaluate the current prevalence of O. viverrini infections and underlying risk factors among rural communities in Northeast Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between Sep and Dec 2019 in Phon Sawan district in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand. The participants were selected using a voluntary sampling method after the proportional allocation of the total sample size. Demographic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. One stool sample was collected from each participant and the presence of O. viverrini and other intestinal parasite infections were determined using the modified Kato-Katz technique. Results: Overall, 250 participants aged 21 yr or older were enrolled. Overall, the prevalence of O. viverrini and Strongyloides stercoralis was 24% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.8-29.8) and 1.2% (95% CI: 0.2-3.5), respectively. Of the positive O. viverrini cases, the parasite rate significantly differed between gender, age group and in those who had a history of eating raw fish and taking the anti-helminthic drug (all P<0.05). Nevertheless, multivariate regression analysis among O. viverrini cases revealed that only being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1 – 3.6], P = 0.033) and aged ≥61 yr (aOR 6.7 [95% CI: 1.4 – 32.5], P=0.018) were positively associated with a higher risk of O. viverrini infection. Conclusion: Opisthorchiasis and strongyloidiasis are still endemic in this area and there is a need for projects to eliminate these parasites.

Plant strategies for maximizing growth during water stress and subsequent recovery in Solanum melongena L. (eggplant)

Climate change is projected to increase the incidence of severe drought in many regions, potentially requiring selection for different traits in crop species to maintain productivity under water stress. In this study, we identified a suite of hydraulic traits associated with high productivity under water stress in four genotypes of S. melongena L. We also assessed the potential for recovery of this suite of traits from drought stress after re-watering. We observed that two genotypes, PHL 4841 and PHL 2778, quickly grew into large plants with smaller, thicker leaves and increasingly poor hydraulic status (a water-spender strategy), whereas PHL 2789 and Mara maintained safer water status and larger leaves but sacrificed large gains in biomass (a water-saver strategy). The best performing genotype under water stress, PHL 2778, additionally showed a significant increase in root biomass allocation relative to other genotypes. Biomass traits of all genotypes were negatively impacted by water deficit and remained impaired after a week of recovery; however, physiological traits such as electron transport capacity of photosystem II, and proportional allocation to root biomass and fine root length, and leaf area recovered after one week, indicating a strong capacity for eggplant to rebound from short-term deficits via recovery of physiological activity and allocation to resource acquiring tissues. These traits should be considered in selection and breeding of eggplant hybrids for future agricultural outlooks.

Influence of Profile Characteristics of Village Agricultural Workers on Role Performance in Odisha

Aim: To study the personal, psychological, communication and professional characteristics of Village Agricultural workers (VAWs). Study Design: Analytical research design was adopted to use facts or information already available to make a critical evaluation Place and Duration of Study: Nine districts of Odisha were randomly selected from major three revenue administrative divisions Cuttack, Berhampur and Sambalpur between first week of December 2019 to first week of February 2020. Methodology: Village Agricultural Workers (VAWs) of Odisha state served as the population for the study. As many as 728 VAWs in the selected nine districts constituted the sampling frame. After the discussion with the experts and various limitations of the researcher, 40 per cent of the VAWs from the sampling frame were chosen for the study. Thus, the final sample size comprised of 292 (40% of 728) VAW respondents. The method of proportional allocation in stratified sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of respondents. VAWs from each selected district were selected randomly following proportional allocation. Based on the literature, a total of 14 characteristics were taken to document the profile of the Village Agricultural Workers (VAW) who were working in state agricultural department. Results: The results indicated that most of the Village Agricultural workers (VAWs) were middle aged (73.63%), male (66.44%) had formal education up to intermediate level (72.94%). Professional characteristics revealed that almost four-fifths (79.80%) have service experience of 6-14 years and had medium level (74.32%) of training exposure. Most (57.19%) of the VAWs had area of jurisdiction under 9 to 36 villages and majority (87.67%) visiting 3 to 4 times a week. Study found that 78.08 percent of VAWs had high orientation towards extension profession with majority (74.32%) of VAWs perceiving neutral organizational climate in agricultural offices and 64.38 percent are having medium level of organizational commitment. Psychological characteristics revealed that 66.78 percent of VAWs have medium level of self-confidence with moderate job satisfaction (64.38%) and moderate leadership ability (79.11%). Communication characteristics of VAWs shows moderate level of Communication competence of VAWs (64.38%). Role performance analysis shows that majority of VAWs has medium (70.55%) level of role performance. Conclusion: The analysis of these profile characteristics could be crucial in understanding efficiency of state department, agricultural offices and VAWs’ own individual career development. It could be crucial for policymakers in preparing appropriate interventions to enhance role performance of VAWS through training programs.