Analysis of Income Diversification Strategies among Farm Households in Oyo State

Diversification of income sources is considered as a desirable option to augments income among small scale farmers. This study evaluates the income diversification among farm households in Oyo State of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 280 rural households. The data collected were analysed using diversity index and Tobit regression analysis. The results showed that all the respondents participated in arable farming and this accounts for 28.29 percent of the total income. 57.85 percent participated in tree crop income and this accounts for 11.95 percent of the total income, 60.36 percent of the households engaged in non-farm income and it accounts for 19.93 percent of the total income. The results of Tobit regression showed that education, household size, access to credit and extension contact were the factors increasing income diversification among the rural households in the study area. The study revealed that agriculture remains the major source of income among the respondents. Therefore, the study recommends improvement of agricultural activities through the distribution of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers and better extension services delivery in order to boost agricultural production. Keywords: Income diversification, Diversity index, Rural Household, Tobit regression

A contextual analysis of small-scale fisheries governance in Nigeria: building on challenges and opportunities for sustainability

Complex social–ecological systems such as small-scale fisheries require the inclusion of human dimensions in fisheries management and planning for simultaneously preserving human health and habitat health.However, linkages between ecological, social, political and economic subsystems have been largely ignored in conventional fisheries management, in Nigeria in particular. Hence, the weak governance in the fisheries sub-sector in general is marred by intra-sectoral and inter-sectoral conflicts. The Nigerian fishery is predominantly small-scale in nature yet this sub-sector is contributing about 70 percent to the total national domestic fish production. Despite the significant social, economic and cultural impacts, the small-scale fisheries currently lacks enabling conditions and receives the least priority considerations in the developmental process. This paper presents a contextual analysis of historical developments and the current status of small-scale fisheries in Nigeria. In this paper, several analytical approaches were adopted. The research design used an inductive-qualitative approach, based on papers retained for relevance to development themes and cross-cutting issues in small-scale fisheries from an extensive literature search after a scanning and selection process using a four -point criteria. From this analysis, an assessment was made against the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VG-SSF) in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication anda framework conceptualized and discussed, based on collective action to improve the organization level and capacity building of fishers, data on capture fish production, integrating ecosystem–based management in addition to gender integration into fisheries policies and decision-making processes for improved fisheries performance and sustainability

A contextual analysis of small-scale fisheries governance in Nigeria: Building on challenges and opportunities for sustainability

Complex social–ecological systems such as small-scale fisheries require the inclusion of human dimensions in fisheries management and planning for simultaneously preserving human health and habitat health. However, linkages between ecological, social, political and economic subsystems have been largely ignored in conventional fisheries management, in Nigeria in particular. Hence, the weak governance in the fisheries sub-sector in general is marred by intra-sectoral and inter-sectoral conflicts. The Nigerian fishery is predominantly small-scale in nature yet this sub-sector is contributing about 70 percent to the total national domestic fish production. Despite the significant social, economic and cultural impacts, the small-scale fisheries currently lacks enabling conditions and receives the least priority considerations in the developmental process. This paper presents a contextual analysis of historical developments and the current status of small-scale fisheries in Nigeria. In this paper, several analytical approaches were adopted. The research design used an inductive-qualitative approach, based on papers retained for relevance to development themes and cross-cutting issues in small-scale fisheries from an extensive literature search after a scanning and selection process using a four - point criteria. From this analysis, an assessment was made against the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VG-SSF) in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication and a framework conceptualized and discussed, based on collective action to improve the organization level and capacity building of fishers, data on capture fish production, integrating ecosystem–based management in addition to gender integration into fisheries policies and decision-making processes for improved fisheries performance and sustainability

Installation, commissioning, and testing of the HB650 CM at PIP2IT

The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) is a major upgrade to the Fermilab accelerator complex, featuring a new 800-MeV Superconducting Radio-Frequency (SRF) linear accelerator (LINAC) powering the accelerator complex to provide the world's most intense high-energy neutrino beam. This paper describes the conversion of the PIP-II Injector Test Facility (PIP2IT) cryogenic system into a test stand for PIP-II High-Beta 650 MHz (HB650) cryomodules at Fermilab's Cryomodule Test Facility (CMTF). A description of the associated mechanical, electrical, and controls modifications necessary for testing HB650 cryomodules are provided. The cooldown and warmup requirements, procedures and associated controls logic is described.Comment: 2023 Cryogenic Engineering Conference and International Cryogenic Materials Conference (CEC/ICMC

Developing lay health worker policy in South Africa: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Over the past half decade South Africa has been developing, implementing and redeveloping its Lay Health Worker (LHW) policies. Research during this period has highlighted challenges with LHW programme implementation. These challenges have included an increased burden of care for female LHWs. The aim of this study was to explore contemporary LHW policy development processes and the extent to which issues of gender are taken up within this process.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study adopted a qualitative approach to exploring policy development from the perspective of policy actors. Eleven policy actors (policy makers and policy commentators) were interviewed individually. Data from the interviews were analysed thematically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Considerations of LHW working conditions drove policy redevelopment. From the interviews it seems that gender as an issue never reached the policy making agenda. Although there was strong recognition that the working conditions of LHWs needed to be improved, poor working conditions were not necessarily seen as a gender concern. Our data suggests that in the process of defining the problem which the redeveloped policy had to address, gender was not included. There was no group or body who brought the issue of gender to the attention of policy developers. As such the issue of gender never entered the policy debates. These debates focused on whether it was appropriate to have LHWs, what LHW programme model should be adopted and whether or not LHWs should be incorporated into the formal health system.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>LHW policy redevelopment focused on resolving issues of LHW working conditions through an active process involving many actors and strong debates. Within this process the issue of gender had no champion and never reached the LHW policy agenda. Future research may consider how to incorporate the voices of ordinary women into the policy making process.</p

Levels of resilience and delivery of HIV care in response to urban violence and crime

Aims To understand the impact of urban violence and crime on HIV care delivery. Background Urban violence and crime can put pressure on the health care system and on nursing staff. Whilst the impact this has at the individual level has been researched, there is less research that places this within the context of the overall social eco system. Design A qualitative design using inductive thematic analysis. Methods Between July 2016 February 2017, in‐depth interviews were conducted with 10 nurses working in two neighbourhoods with high levels of violence in Cape Town, South Africa. Results The effects of crime and violence were evident at multiple levels resulting in participants feeling ‘safe and unsafe’ in a context where crime is viewed as endemic. Resilience emerged as a key concept in the findings. Resilience was apparent at individual, community and organizational levels and enabled continued delivery of HIV care. Conclusion The findings demonstrate the potential role of resilience within the social eco‐health system required to sustain delivery of HIV care in the midst of urban violence and gangsterism. Impact This study examined the impact of and response to urban violence on HIV care delivery. The findings indicate that resilience manifests at all levels of the social eco‐system. Understanding the mechanisms employed to cope with endemic violence helps to address these challenges in the study setting, but also has a much wider application to other areas with endemic urban violence and crime

Familial Longevity Is Marked by Lower Diurnal Salivary Cortisol Levels: The Leiden Longevity Study

BACKGROUND: Reported findings are inconsistent whether hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) signaling becomes hyperactive with increasing age, resulting in increasing levels of cortisol. Our previous research strongly suggests that offspring from long-lived families are biologically younger. In this study we assessed whether these offspring have a lower HPA axis activity, as measured by lower levels of cortisol and higher cortisol feedback sensitivity. METHODS: Salivary cortisol levels were measured at four time points within the first hour upon awakening and at two time points in the evening in a cohort comprising 149 offspring and 154 partners from the Leiden Longevity Study. A dexamethasone suppression test was performed as a measure of cortisol feedback sensitivity. Age, gender and body mass index, smoking and disease history (type 2 diabetes and hypertension) were considered as possible confounding factors. RESULTS: Salivary cortisol secretion was lower in offspring compared to partners in the morning (Area Under the Curve = 15.6 versus 17.1 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.048) and in the evening (Area Under the Curve = 3.32 versus 3.82 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.024). Salivary cortisol levels were not different after dexamethasone (0.5 mg) suppression between offspring and partners (4.82 versus 5.26 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.28). CONCLUSION: Offspring of nonagenarian siblings are marked by a lower HPA axis activity (reflected by lower diurnal salivary cortisol levels), but not by a difference in cortisol feedback sensitivity. Further in-depth studies aimed at characterizing the HPA axis in offspring and partners are needed

End of life care in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the qualitative literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>End of life (EoL) care in sub-Saharan Africa still lacks the sound evidence-base needed for the development of effective, appropriate service provision. It is essential to make evidence from all types of research available alongside clinical and health service data, to ensure that EoL care is ethical and culturally appropriate. This article aims to synthesize qualitative research on EoL care in sub-Saharan Africa to inform policy, practice and further research. It seeks to identify areas of existing research; describe findings specifically relevant to the African context; and, identify areas lacking evidence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Relevant literature was identified through eight electronic databases: AMED, British Nursing Index & Archive, CINAHL, EMBASE, IBSS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Social Sciences Citation Index; and hand searches. Inclusion criteria were: published qualitative or mixed-method studies in sub-Saharan Africa, about EoL care. Study quality was assessed using a standard grading scale. Relevant data including findings and practice recommendations were extracted and compared in tabular format.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 407 articles initially identified, 51 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Nineteen came from South Africa and the majority (38) focused on HIV/AIDS. Nine dealt with multiple or unspecified conditions and four were about cancer. Study respondents included health professionals, informal carers, patients, community members and bereaved relatives. Informal carers were typically women, the elderly and children, providing total care in the home, and lacking support from professionals or the extended family. Twenty studies focused on home-based care, describing how programmes function in practice and what is needed to make them effective. Patients and carers were reported to prefer institutional care but this needs to be understood in context. Studies focusing on culture discussed good and bad death, culture-specific approaches to symptoms and illness, and the bereavement process.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The data support or complement the findings from quantitative research. The review prompts a reconsideration of the assumption that in Africa the extended family care for the sick, and that people prefer home-based care. The review identifies areas relevant for a research agenda on socio-cultural issues at the EoL in sub-Saharan Africa.</p