Assessing the Impact of Climate Resilient Technologies in Minimizing Drought Impacts on Farm Incomes in Drylands

Asia is the region most vulnerable to climate change and India is ranked as one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, frequently affected by natural disasters. In this study, we investigated the impact of drought on crop productivity, farmer’s employment and income. The difference-in-difference model (DID) and stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) were employed to quantify the impact of adopting climate resilient technologies (CRTs) on farm household income during a drought. The factors influencing farm incomes were analyzed using MLR. The study used survey data collected from the drought prone district of Telangana, India. Sixty farmers each from a village adopted under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program and a control village were interviewed. Primary data on the socio-economic characteristic of farmers, cropping pattern, income composition, productivity of major crops, employment and climate resilient interventions adopted by farmers were collected using a well-structured schedule. The results reveal that income crop cultivation was the major contributor to household income (60%) followed by livestock rearing. Farmers reported that droughts decreased the income from crops by 54 per cent and income from livestock rearing by 40 per cent. The farmers belonging to the climate resilient village had 35 per cent higher incomes compared to those in the control village and it was estimated to be Rs. 31,877/farm household/year during droughts using the DID estimate. Farm size, livestock possession, adoption of CRTs and investment in agriculture were the determining factors influencing farm income. Thus, farmers especially in drought prone regions need to be encouraged and supported to adopt cost effective, location specific climate resilient technologies.

Large-Scale Deployment of Pyriproxyfen-Treated Lehmann Funnel Entry Traps to Control Malaria Mosquito Populations

Background: The Lehmann Funnel Entry Trap has proven to be effective in catching and killing up to 70% of mosquitoes even in a high mosquito density setting. A medium-sized prototype was selected and deployed at large scale in Vallée du Kou 3 (VK3) in the Southwest of Burkina Faso to assess its entomological and sociological impact.Method: Overall, 1,313 traps impregnated with Pyriproxyfen (PPF), were deployed. Of them, 12 traps were randomly selected across the intervention village compared to houses without traps in the control village, Vallée du Kou 5 (VK5). Traps were placed at the windows while doors were blocked with curtains. Mosquitoes were collected in traps and matching houses in VK3 and in houses only in VK5, for nine days per month from July to October 2015. Collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified, counted, and preserved in 80% ethanol vials for subsequent analyses, including resistance genes and female mosquito age structure. The impact of the trap on mosquito density at community level was assessed by performing a pyrethrum spray catch (PSC) with bioassays to assess the effect of PPF. Results: Overall mosquito density was reduced by ~90% in all houses equipped with traps in VK3. At the community level, while mosquito density before intervention was 33% higher in VK3 than in VK5, it was 47% higher in VK5 after the intervention. Old female mosquito numbers increased in VK5 by 12% in October but not in VK3, indicating that the traps were cumulatively killing old females. The additional effect of PPF was to limit egg-laying, with a smaller number of eggs counted, and with a low hatching rate. Mosquitoes were highly resistant to pyrethroids with ~0.9 frequency of the kdr mutation. The trap was well accepted by the communities as 85.4% and 93.8% of interviewees in VK3 found the traps reducing mosquito bites with peaceful sleep respectively. Conclusion: The Lehmann Funnel Entry Trap has real potential to control malaria mosquito populations and can be widely used to sustain the global effort of malaria elimination.

The Impact of Improved Lid of Underground Tanks “Tanka” On Breeding of An. Stephensi In Western Rajasthan, India

Background: Western Rajasthan of India has a typical desert climate. Until the introduction of canal water irrigation system, malaria was an unstable and seasonal occurrence. Due to scarcity of water, community practiced to have one large underground tank (locally known as Tanka) in their house to store water for long term use. Anopheles stephensi, one of the major malaria vectors, breeds in these "Tankas” if not properly covered and harbor a vector population throughout the year. Methods: Two villages Ajasar (intervention) and Tota (control) with similar ecological features were selected for the study. A pre-assessment was carried out in both villages to assess lids of Tankas, their breeding profile and the adult mosquito density. Awareness of community about malaria and mosquitoes was also assessed during pre-assessment period. In intervention village, lids were replaced with improved polyvinyl lids that were mosquito proof and last longer than conventional lids. Fitness of the lids, was assessed after one year. Entomological assessment was carried out in both intervention and non-intervention villages. The level of awareness of community was assessed both during pre and post intervention.Results : During the pre-assessment, Anopheles breeding was found in 22.1% (58/262) of Tankas of intervention village and 27.1% (19/70) of Tankas of control village. Tankas with iron lids were mainly positive in the intervention village (48.3%) and the control village (42.1%). In intervention village, 200 lids were replaced, and zero positivity was achieved. Before intervention, the species composition of An. stephensi was 46% in intervention and 55% in control village. Per Man Hour Density (PMHD) of An. stephensi was significantly reduced to 0.55 (94.95%) and 0.22 (97.8%) in post-intervention and follow-up, respectively in intervention village. Discussion: The adult density of An. stephensi was reduced significantly (97.8%) in intervention village. Breeding in underground tankas was completely checked in intervention village as compared to the control, where no such substantial reduction was observed. The awareness level of the community was also improved due to their involvement in the study.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the small changes and interventions to reduce mosquitogenic conditions can be cost effective and long-lasting which may be helpful in control of malaria.

Efficacy of extended release formulations of Natular™ (spinosad) against larvae and adults of Anopheles mosquitoes in western Kenya

Background Larval source management is recommended as a supplementary vector control measure for the prevention of malaria. Among the concerns related to larviciding is the feasibility of implementation in tropical areas with large numbers of habitats and the need for frequent application. Formulated products of spinosad that are designed to be effective for several weeks may mitigate some of these concerns. Methods In a semi-field study, three formulations of spinosad (emulsifiable concentrate, extended release granules and tablet formulations) were tested in naturalistic habitats in comparison to an untreated control. Cohorts of third instar Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) were introduced into the habitats in screened cages every week up to four weeks after application and monitored for survivorship over three days. A small-scale field trial was then conducted in two villages. Two of the spinosad formulations were applied in one village over the course of 18 months. Immature mosquito populations were monitored with standard dippers in sentinel sites and adult populations were monitored by pyrethrum spray catches. Results In the semi-field study, the efficacy of the emulsifiable concentrate of spinosad waned 1 week after treatment. Mortality in habitats treated with the extended release granular formulation of spinosad was initially high but declined gradually over 4 weeks while mortality in habitats treated with the dispersable tablet formulation was low immediately after treatment but rose to 100% through four weeks. In the field study, immature and adult Anopheles mosquito populations were significantly lower in the intervention village compared to the control village during the larviciding period. Numbers of collected mosquitoes were lower in the intervention village compared to the control village during the post-intervention period but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions The extended release granular formulation and the dispersible tablet formulations of spinosad are effective against larval Anopheles mosquitoes for up to four weeks and may be an effective tool as part of larval source management programmes for reducing adult mosquito density and malaria transmission.

The Application of Health Education and Health Promotion In Consolidation of Schistosomiasis Transmission Interrupted Period In Lake Area, China

Background: In China, 387 counties had reached the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption by the end of 2018, including 26 counties in Jiangxi province. In recent years, however, the intermediate host - Oncomelania hupensis and schistosomiasis cases, as well as schistosome-infected snails, re-occurred or re-emerged in 9 transmission-interrupted counties, in Jiangxi Province. Surveillance on intermediate host and disease is the main strategy of schistosomiasis control in areas where the schistosomiasis transmission interrupted in China. Mobilizing residents to discover and report snails is a good method for improving snail surveillance. However, lack of awareness and passive behavior towards schistosomiasis control of residents is the main reason for the re-occurrence and spread of snails in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted areas in China. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of health education and health promotion model of “information communication + behavior participation + behavior encouragement” to consolidate the achievements in lake area of China, where the transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted. Until recent years, there are few reports on the evaluation of the effect of health education and health promotion behavior intervention. The research results of this paper will not only consolidate and develop the existing achievements of schistosomiasis control in the areas where transmission is interrupted, prevent the epidemic from rising and reviving, but also play an important role in the implementation of the national health equity including residents in schistosomiasis endemic areas in the outline of "Healthy China 2030" and the implementation of the commitments of "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" of the United Nations.Methods: Two villages, Laoxia as control village and Xubo as experimental village, including its primary schools were located in Anyi County, Jiangxi Province, the typical region of lake and marshland area. The villagers aged 16-60 and pupils aged 8-10 were involved in the research. A model of interventions consisting of health education and promotion, namely, “information communication + behavior participation +behavior encouragement”, was implemented in the experimental village after the baseline survey with no significant difference in knowledge, attitude, belief and practice (KABP) regarding schistosomiasis control was detected before intervention.Results: After intervention, the percentages of villagers owning knowledge, appropriate attitude with regard to schistosomiasis control increased from 33.04% and 45.54% to 93.91%, and 92.17% (P<0.01), respectively. The corresponding percentages for pupils increased from 12.88% and 6.82% to 97.64% and 62.20%(P<0.01), respectively. Both groups showed a significant increase in the percentage in believing that schistosomiasis can be eliminated, while no significant changes were observed in the two study groups of the control village. i.e., the percentages with such believing in adult villagers and pupils rose from 28.57% and 3.79% to 96.52% and 71.65% (P<0.01), respectively. In addition, both the compliance towards snail survey of adult villagers and the compliance towards knowledge dissemination of pupils were significantly increased to 81.74% and 90.55% in the experimental village (P<0.01), respectively.Conclusions: The measures of “information communication + behavior participation +behavior encouragement” can be considered as an effective model of health education and promotion for consolidating the achievement of schistosomiasis control in transmission-interrupted areas in China.

A Community-based Lifestyle Education Program Addressing Non-communicable Diseases in Low-literacy Areas of the South Pacific: A Pilot Control Cohort Study

Lifestyle interventions can effectively reduce chronic disease risk factors. This study examined the effectiveness of an established lifestyle intervention contextualized for low-literacy communities in Fiji. Ninety-six adults from four villages, with waist circumference (WC) indicative of risk of chronic disease, were randomly selected to an intervention or control group. Process evaluation indicated one intervention and one control village fulfilled the study protocol. There were no differences between intervention and control for body mass index BMI (P = 0.696), WC (P = 0.662), total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.386), and TC:high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (P = 0.485). The intervention village achieved greater reductions than the control village at 30 and 90 days for systolic blood pressure (30 days: −11.1% vs. −2.5%, P = 0.006; 90 days: −14.5% vs. −6.7%, P = 0.019); pulse rate (30 days: −7.0% vs. −1.1%, P = 0.866; 90 days: −7.1% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.027), and HDL (30 days: −13.9% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.206; 90 days: −18.9% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.001); at 90 days only for diastolic blood pressure (−14.4% vs. −0.2%, P = 0.010); at 30 days only for low-density lipoprotein (−11.6% vs. 8.0%, P = 0.009); and fasting plasma glucose (−10.2% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.032). However, for triglycerides, the control achieved greater reductions than the intervention village at 30 days (35.4% vs. −12.3%, P = 0.008; marginal at 90 days 16.4% vs. −23.5%, P = 0.054). This study provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the intervention to lower several risk factors for chronic disease over 30 days in rural settings in Fiji and supports consideration of larger studies.

The Application of Health Education and Health Promotion in Consolidation of Schistosomiasis Transmission Interrupted Period in Lake Area, China

Background: In China, 387 counties had reached the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption by the end of 2018, including 26 counties in Jiangxi province. In recent years, however, the intermediate host - Oncomelaniahupensis and schistosomiasis cases, as well as schistosome-infected snails, re-occurred or re-emerged in 9 transmission-interrupted counties, in Jiangxi Province. Surveillance on intermediate host and disease is the main strategy of schistosomiasis control in areas where the schistosomiasis transmission interrupted in China. Mobilizing residents to discover and report snails is a good method for improving snail surveillance.However, lack of awareness and passive behavior towards schistosomiasis control of residents is the main reason for the re-occurrence and spread of snails in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted areas in China. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of health education and health promotion model of “information communication + behavior participation +behavior encouragement” to consolidate the achievements in lake area of China, where the transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted. Until recent years, there are few reports on the evaluation of the effect of health education and health promotion behavior intervention. The research results of this paper will not only consolidate and develop the existing achievements of schistosomiasis control in the areas where transmission is interrupted, prevent the epidemic from rising and reviving, but also play an important role in the implementation of the national health equity including residents in schistosomiasis endemic areas in the outline of "Healthy China 2030" and the implementation of the commitments of "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" of the United Nations.Methods: Two villages, Laoxia as control village and Xubo as experimental village, including its primary schools were located in Anyi County, Jiangxi Province, the typical region of lake and marshland area. The villagers aged 16-60 and pupils aged 8-10 were involved in the research. A model of interventions consisting of health education and promotion, namely, “information communication + behavior participation +behavior encouragement”, was implemented in the experimental village after the baseline survey with no significant difference in knowledge, attitude, belief and practice (KABP) regarding schistosomiasis control was detected before intervention.Results: After intervention, the percentages of villagers owning knowledge, appropriate attitude with regard to schistosomiasis control increased from 33.04% and 45.54% to 93.91%, and 92.17% (P<0.01), respectively. The corresponding percentages for pupils increased from 12.88% and 6.82% to 97.64% and 62.20%(P<0.01), respectively. Both groups showed a significant increase in the percentage in believing that schistosomiasis can be eliminated, while no significant changes were observed in the two study groups of the control village. i.e., the percentages with such believing in adult villagers and pupils rose from 28.57% and 3.79% to 96.52% and 71.65% (P<0.01), respectively. In addition, both the compliance towards snail survey of adult villagers and the compliance towards knowledge dissemination of pupils were significantly increased to 81.74% and 90.55% in the experimental village (P<0.01), respectively.Conclusions:The measures of “information communication + behavior participation +behavior encouragement” can be considered as an effective model of health education and promotion for consolidating the achievement of schistosomiasi s control in transmission-interrupted areas in China.

Impact of the “BALatrine” Intervention on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Central Java, Indonesia: A Pilot Study

Many latrine campaigns in developing countries fail to be sustained because the introduced latrine is not appropriate to local socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions, and there is an inadequate community health education component. We tested a low-cost, locally designed and constructed all-weather latrine (the “BALatrine”), together with community education promoting appropriate hygiene-related behaviour, to determine whether this integrated intervention effectively controlled soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. We undertook a pilot intervention study in two villages in Central Java, Indonesia. The villages were randomly allocated to either control or intervention with the intervention village receiving the BALatrine program and the control village receiving no program. STH-infection status was measured using the faecal flotation diagnostic method, before and eight months after the intervention. Over 8 months, the cumulative incidence of STH infection was significantly lower in the intervention village than in the control village: 13.4% vs. 27.5% (67/244 vs. 38/283, p < 0.001). The intervention was particularly effective among children: cumulative incidence 3.8% (2/53) for the intervention vs. 24.1% (13/54) for the control village (p < 0.001). The integrated BALatrine intervention was associated with a reduced incidence of STH infection. Following on from this pilot study, a large cluster-randomised controlled trial was commenced (ACTRN12613000523707).

Role of Agroforestry Practices in Changing Rural Livelihood Economy: Case study of Dhaibung VDC of Rasuwa District

This paper is part of the case study on “Socio-economic development of rural people through Agroforestry system in Rasuwa District of Nepal” surveyed during 2008. With the aim to assess the contribution of agro forestry to household economy of rural people, a study was conducted at Dhaibung VDC of Rasuwa district as agro forestry system creates employment and livelihood opportunity to the majority of the rural dwellers. Comparative study was done between agro forestry and non-agro forestry system village based on the project in terms of financial benefits and incentives received by respondents. Findings from the study revealed that agro forestry system practiced in project area; gross income and net income analysis in project village (PV) are more profitable than control village (CV) farms. Income from sale of livestock, fruits, milk and milk products was higher in project village as compared to control village whereas income from public services, wage labour was somehow same. The integration of agroforestry into existing farming system is the strongest driver to meet the food sufficiency of rural resident for longer months and ensure food security sustainably in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/init.v5i0.10251 The Initiation 2013 Vol.5; 32-42