Market chain analysis of smallholder coffee producers in debub ari district of south omo zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

This study mainly aimed at analyzing market chain analysis of coffee in the Debub Ari District. The descriptive and S-C-P model was used. Both primary and secondary data were collected from the study area. The multi-stage sampling technique employed for this study. A total of 194 coffee producer household heads have been randomly selected and interviewed with the help of pre-tested structured questionnaire. The focus group discussion and key informants interviews were conducted to supplement the formal data. The results of S-C-P model indicated that the four firms concentration ratio (CR4) result in the study area was found to be tight oligopolistic for both red and dry coffee which accounts 89.2 and 80.0%, respectively. About 72% of price setting was done by buyers, 27% negotiation and 1% by the producers. There are seven market channels, which have been identified in the study area. The computed marketing margin among different actors and channels indicated that the total gross marketing margin (TGMM) of coffee is high in channel I, II, III whereas the producers marketing margin (GMMp) was highest in channel VII. Therefore, the intervention is needed to improve coffee marketing chain through promoting cooperatives, infrastructural development and timely market information for efficient marketing system in the study area. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 61-68, Dec 2021

‘I don’t know anybody who said, “oh great, let’s get measles”’: a qualitative study of responses to childhood vaccinations (MMRV) among Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem following the 2018-19 measles outbreaks

Measles outbreaks have emerged among religious minorities in the global north, which cross regional and national boundaries and raise implications for measles elimination targets. Yet, studies are ambiguous about the reasons that underlie non-vaccination in religious populations, and whether and how religious “beliefs” influence vaccine decision-making among populations with suboptimal vaccination coverage. In 2018-19, Israel experienced the largest measles outbreaks in a quarter century – the burden of which disproportionately affected Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem. The objective of this study was to explore how Orthodox Jewish households in Jerusalem responded to the measles outbreaks in their neighbourhoods and how they viewed childhood vaccination (MMRV) during a public health emergency.Research methods primarily consisted of 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 23 household heads, and 2 public health professionals involved in planning and implementation of vaccination services. Thematic analysis generated five key themes, i) where the issue of sub-optimal vaccination uptake was perceived to be located; ii) how responsive people and services were to the measles outbreaks; iii) the sources of information used in vaccine decisions by religious parents; vi) whether vaccination was deemed a religious issue; and v) how vaccination influenced social relations within religious neighbourhoods.Results demonstrate parental investment in protecting child health, with decisions around vaccination reflecting vaccine efficacy and safety, and the risk of measles transmission. Household heads across all Orthodox Jewish backgrounds were not apathetic towards measles transmission. No religious “beliefs” were identified for non-vaccination among the household heads in this cohort. Rather than relegating suboptimal vaccination uptake among religious minorities and populations as an issue of religious “beliefs,” quality social science research should examine – and clearly convey – how religion influences vaccine decision-making. Such clarity can help to avoid stigmatizing religious minorities and populations, and to plan for appropriate vaccination programmes and promotion campaigns.

Examining the Role of NGOs in Community Water and Sanitation Improvement

This chapter examined the role of NGOs in water and sanitation improvement and the effects on the residence of Tunayilli in the Sagnarigu District. The design was descriptive. Questionnaires and interview guides were administered to household heads and key informants. Findings revealed that the water and sanitation condition in Tunayilli is generally poor. NGOs play diverse roles including the provision of water and sanitation facilities, community mobilization, and facility maintenance to ensure their sustained usability. However, inadequate funding, weak community mobilization, poor maintenance culture, and low education are challenges to water and sanitation improvement programmes of NGOs in the community. Measures to mitigate these includes increased central government funding, public education, community involvement, enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and regular maintenance of water and sanitation systems in the community. Stakeholders should intensify and sustain their educational campaigns. Meanwhile, by-laws on water and sanitation should be enforced and offenders prosecuted.

Influence of Post-Harvest Technology on Food Security in Narok East sub-County, Kenya

Crop yields have decreased globally due to declining investments in research and infrastructure, which are preconditions for food security. The study established the Influence of Post-Harvest technology on Food Security in Narok East sub-County, Kenya, which is a rural sub-County in Narok County. A descriptive research design was adopted by the study. The target population is comprised of 25078 households distributed proportionally in the four wards and is involved in different farming activities. A sample of 378 household heads was determined using the sample size determination formula. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and inferential statistics of correlation, ANOVA and regression analysis. The results were presented using frequency and percentages, tables and charts. The relationship between the variables was tested at a significant level of 0.05. The results show that there is a strong, positive and significant correlation between post-harvest technology and food security in the sub-County (r = .606** and p-value = 0.000). This implies that the relationship between the variables is very significant hence post-harvest technology is a strong determinant of food security in the study area. The study concludes that ANOVA model indicated a very significant and statistical relationship between post-harvest technology and food security. The study is beneficial to all the stakeholders in rural areas in Kenya who have consistently experienced food insecurity as it will provide appropriate data that will be used for policymaking.

Does financial literacy inevitably lead to access to finance services? Evidence from rural Ghana

ABSTRACT: This study examined the determinants of financial literacy (FL) and its impact on access to financial services (AFS), using data collected from rural Ghana. A two-stage residual inclusion model is utilized to address the selection bias issue. The results showed that FL is affected by household heads’ age, gender, education, asset ownership, homeownership, and economics education. The results revealed that FL is significant and positively related to AFS, but its square shows an inverse relation with saving mobilization. This indicated a non-linear relationship between FL and AFS. Moreover, we find that FL has a larger AFS impact for households with high-income and male household heads relative to their counterparts. The study recommended that the government can initiate the creation of a rural committee to educate rural residents on financial issues through radio broadcasting and meetings. Our findings highlighted the importance of FL on AFS in enhancing the welfare of rural households.

Community Health Assessment findings on Diabetes among Adults in Nyeri County, Kenya, 2019

Background: The global prevalence of diabetes among adults was 8.5% in 2014. Kenya’s prevalence is at 3.3%, according to WHO. Nyeri County has an estimated prevalence of 7.2% which is significantly higher than the national prevalence. Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in Mukurweini Sub County, Nyeri. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit participants from a sampling frame of all adult community members. A sample of 190 households calculated at a confidence level of 95 and a 5% error margin. Every 7th household was picked and respondents were household heads. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, Key informant interviews and Focus group discussions. Knowledge levels, health seeking behavior, health care access, physical activity and nutrition were assessed. Data was analyzed and rated using the CDC CHANGE tool. Findings: Low education levels with 65% at primary and below hence low levels of knowledge on diabetes, poor uptake of physical activity as 51% never engaged in any and inappropriate dietary choices and meal timing. Low screening levels for diabetes with only 36% having ever been screened. There were no clear policies on community engagement in physical activity. Easy access to health facilities, friendly health care workers and availability of health services and medication were identified as the assets. Conclusion: Assessing the community’s knowledge, attitudes, behavior and resources provides information on how to improve diabetes prevention and treatment. It helps to inform future interventions

Income-Related Mortality Inequalities and Its Social Factors among Middle-Aged and Older Adults at the District Level in Aging Seoul: An Ecological Study Using Administrative Big Data

This study investigated income-related health inequality at sub-national level, focusing on mortality inequality among middle-aged and older adults (MOAs). Specifically, we examined income-related mortality inequality and its social factors among MOAs across 25 districts in Seoul using administrative big data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). We obtained access to the NHIS’s full-population micro-data on both incomes and demographic variables for the entire residents of Seoul. Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII) were calculated. The effects of social attributes of districts on SIIs and RIIs were examined through ordinary least squares and spatial regressions. There were clear income-related mortality gradients. Cross-district variance of mortality rates was greater among the lowest income group. SIIs were smaller in wealthier districts. Weak spatial correlation was found in SIIs among men. Lower RIIs were linked to lower Gini coefficients of income for both genders. SIIs (men) were associated with higher proportions of special occupational pensioners and working population. Lower SIIs and RIIs (women) were associated with higher proportions of female household heads. The results suggest that increasing economic activities, targeting households with female heads, reforming public pensions, and reducing income inequality among MOAs can be good policy directions.

Contributions of some non-timber forest products to household income of rural dwellers in Onigambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria

The communities surrounding the forest reserve get their daily income from the sales of some of the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as a means of survival for them and their house hold without proper documentation. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the rural dwellers in the study area and determined the income made from some of these NTFPs. Data was generated through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 120 randomly selected rural household heads. Data obtained were described using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores; the relationship between dependent variables and independent variables of the study was tested using binomial test and logistic regression. Finding reveal that, non-timber forest products gathering in Onigambari was male dominated (72.3%), 78.1% were married and 38.1% had formal education. Contribution of income from non-timberforest products to total income of respondents in the State was 59.46%. It was concluded that the non-timber forest products contribute significantly to rural household income at Onigambari forest Reserve Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Assessment of the Socio-economic determinants of school children dropouts in rural areas of district Peshawar, Pakistan

Children dropping out from schools is one of common phenomena in the modern world. Different demographic, socio-economic, psychological, school based, and community factors are responsible for the number of children school dropout across the globe. Using convenient sampling technique, through questionnaire and interview methods primary data was collected from 400 household heads whose children were dropped out from schools in rural areas of district Peshawar during last five years. For this purpose, a structured questionnaire and interviews were conducted to obtain the required data. Results of the study reveal that, in case of boys, more than 60% of the respondents were of the view that poverty is the main reason for children's school dropout. In the case of girls school dropouts, 45% left studies incomplete because of poor financial position. Other determinants such as father education, mother education, school distance, illiterate community, the parental perception was also considered more or less responsible for school dropout of the children. This study recommends that government should provide free education along with monetary incentives to those household heads who do not send their children to schools due to financial constraints.

Households Waste Management Practices and Associated Factors in Tain District, Ghana

Objective: Rapid population growth has increased tons of waste generated daily in the various Ghanaian districts. A total of 9,331kg of household waste is generated daily in the Tain District, but managing it becomes a challenge. The aim of the study was to investigate households’ waste management practice in the Tain District of Ghana. Method: A concurrent mixed method design was used to select four major communities in the Tain District for the study. A sampled of 1,037 female household heads were selected by convenient sampling for the qualitative and quantitative data collection. A questionnaire, participant and community observation were used to collect the data. Frequencies, percentages, logistic regression and observational interpretations were applied in analysing the data. Results: Many gutters at homes were clogged, bushy environment and littering of home, and that, there were limited waste bins and containers available, and waste dumpsites were near community gathering places. Furthermore, the main household generated wastes included food scraps (41%), but majority of the participants use public dumpsite (76.37%) for waste disposal. Meanwhile, 825(8%) of the households have high level of knowledge on the health effects of indiscriminate waste disposal. Conclusions: It is necessary to demarcate dumpsites away from community gathering places. The crude dumping places cannot contain the increase in waste production, which results in indiscriminate dumping of waste. Proper measures including regulations and standards are expected to be implemented for a more effective and efficient integrated waste management system in the district.