The Impact of Alcoholic Beverages on Human Health

As summarized in the World Health Organization’s latest Global Status Report on Alcohol, the pleasure of alcohol is indicated by the fact that, worldwide, just over two-fifths of the population aged 15+ years drink alcohol; 2 [...]

Study on the Impact of “Gerayo Amahoro Policy” on Road Traffic Accidents Reduction in Rwanda

The global status report on road safety declared that the number of annual road traffic deaths has reached 1.35 million. In Rwanda, considering the raising number of vehicles in line with the economy growth and the above 48.90/000 ratio of deaths per registered vehicles; the lives of people are therefore increasingly exposed to road traffic crashes. This study therefore aims to utilize statistical methods for assessing the impact of Gerayo Amahoro policy on Road Traffic Accidents reduction in Rwanda and propose counter measures that could help the decision makers in minimizing the losses caused by Road Traffic Accidents. secondary data related to road traffic accidents have been collected by using questionnaire from Rwanda National Police with the study period from 2016 up to 2020 inclusive. Analysis was done by using graphics and chi-square methods in excel and SPSS software. The results indicated that GERAYO AMAHORO policy plays the greatest role in reduction of RTAs in Rwanda due to the number of RTAs happened before the implementation of GERAYO AMAHORO which was high as compared to the total number of RTAs after implementation of GERAYO AMAHORO policy. This research conclude that negligence, over speed, bad maneuver and over drunk are mostly causes and responsible for the occurrence of RTAs in Rwanda; indicated that Vehicle types mostly related to RTAs were moto-cycles, cars and 4 wheel vehicles and the mostly victims related to RTAs were moto-cyclists, passengers and pedestrians.

Physical activity related to mastery and vitality in a Swedish adult population with economic difficulties

Background People with low socio-economic status report lower levels of physical activity (PA). There is insufficient knowledge about the availability of psychological resources for those who are physically active despite having a low socio-economic status. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between PA level and mastery and vitality, respectively, within an adult population with self-reported economic difficulties. Method Data from a cross-sectional, population-based study (n = 817) were used. Linear regression was used to estimate the unstandardised regression coefficient (β) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), describing associations between PA levels (independent variable) and scale scores of psychological resources in terms of mastery and vitality (outcome variables). Three models were constructed: Model I unadjusted; Model II adjusted for sex and age; and Model III adjusted for sex, age, smoking and food quality. Result After adjusting for sex, age, smoking and food quality and using low-level PA as the reference, high-level PA, but not intermediate-level PA, was related to higher scale scores of mastery (β = 0.72 [95% CI 0.08 to 1.37]). For vitality, both high-level PA and intermediate-level PA were related to higher scale scores (β = 9.30 [95% CI 5.20 to 13.40] and β = 6.70 [95% CI 1.40 to 12.00] respectively). Conclusion In an adult population with self-reported economic difficulties, higher levels of physical activity were related to higher mastery and vitality. Our results support that the association between physical activity and psychological resources in terms of mastery and vitality should be considered in the context of targeted health dialogues. Trial registration number Not applicable.

Traceability and certification of seed potato by blockchain technology

The use of blockchain technology for the seed supply chain will bring a real change to seed management. It provides the ability to track the purity of the seed. The unique digital identity created for every batch of seeds provides a complete history of the seed supply chain providing transparency and visibility to the buyer. Potato is designated as “ Future Food” for food and nutritional security to the developing world by FAO in 2008 In Indian Agri-scenario potato’s is the fourth most important food crop after Rice, wheat, and maize. Potato, a vegetatively propagated crop, and its yield is affected by several factors. Among them, quality seed is one of the most important factors. Input cost for seed purchase goes upto 40 to 50 percent of the total input cost of the crop. The average yield increase from 30 to 50 percent by the use of good quality seed as compared to farmers’ seeds was reported by FAO in a document on potato in the Asia Pacific (https://www.fao.org/3/i0200e/I0200E05.htm). Punjab has earned the status of “Seed Bowl of Potato” which meets 90% of the total disease-free potato requirement of the country (Status report Department of Horticulture, Punjab). It stands 6th in total potato production of 2.87 million tonnes, recording productivity (28.70 t/ha) from an area of 1.06 lakh ha in 2019-20 (Horticulture Statistics Division, Department of Agri. & Cooperation). The government of Punjab (Department of Agri &farmers welfare) in the Year 2019 initiated the certification and traceability of seed potato to ensure optimum transparency. This task was entrusted to Punjab Agri Export Corporation (PAGREXCO) along with a Bangalore based company- Cropin Technology Solutions as the technology partner. Blockchain technology will be used to undertake certification and traceability of seed potato right from nucleus to seed level (harvest). In the crop season, 2019-20 a group of 23 farmers/seed producing agencies come under the umbrella with 1809.80 acres of seed potato of different varieties registered for certification. In the years 2020-21, the area under different stages of certification stands at 1499.63 acres.

Atla Association Update

The Atla Association Update provides an overview of finances for fiscal year 2020, highlights of Atla's accomplishments for the year, and a status report on the fiscal year 2021 budget.