Evwie (Kola Nut) and its socio-religious values among Idjerhe people of Nigeria PEOPLE OF NIGERIA

The popular edible fruit called kola nut that is found all over the Earth is native to the people of West Africa. In Idjerhe (Jesse) culture, the kola nut is part of the people’s traditional religious activities and spirituality. The presentation, breaking, and eating of the kola nut signifies hospitality, friendship, love, mutual trust, manliness, peace, acceptance, happiness, fellowship, and communion with the gods and spirits. These socio-religious values of the kola nut among the Idjerhe people are not well documented,however, and this paper aims to fill the lacuna. It employs participatory observation and oral interviews, supported by a critical review of scholarly literature on the subject. The research posits that churches can use the kola nut as a Eucharistic element that would be meaningful and indigenous to the Idjerhe people.

Mental health data: A case for the African communities in New South Wales

This paper examines mental health policies in relation to African communities residing in New South Wales, Australia and the attitudes of African communities toward mental disorders and mental health services. Current mental health policy frameworks have shown an inadequate inclusion of African communities. This may negatively affect the design of mental health interventions and how African communities engage with mental health services. The available mental health literature on African communities showed disjointed and uncoordinated data which focuses on specific community-groups within African communities. Insufficient mental health or suicide data, combined with African community members’ perception toward mental disorders and mental health services, makes it very difficult to progress engagement and interventions. There is a need for proper and sizable data on mental health related to people of African descent in NSW and Australia wide, if positive outcomes are to be realised.

Promoting and monitoring antimicrobial stewardship using veterinary vocational schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo

We conducted a feasibility study of antibiotic stewardship promotion, monitoring and education through veterinary vocational schools using semi-structured interviews and Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats analysis. Seventeen of the 35 veterinary vocational schools of the Kongo Central Province were surveyed. We report four key results. First, all schools were government funded with personnel capable of promoting, monitoring and educating farmers and communities. Second, these schools were well distributed across the country which gives them access to a greater number of farmers. Third, faculty from these schools provided the bulk of veterinary services in their catchment areas. Fourth, vocational schools would benefit from support from universities. This support could focus on transfer of teaching skills and resources sharing.