Estimating the magnitude and correlates of poverty using consumption approach in Khyber Agency (FATA)

Poverty is an integral part of the human condition, though its existential aspects differ from culture to culture and from region to region.  As such, experts on the subject cannot reduce it to a single factor but focus on the forces which combine to cause the vicious cycle of poverty. The present study was used Poverty consumption approach to find out the incidence and correlates of poverty in Khyber Agency, Fata with a sample size of 110 households in its background. We have applied two different methods, poverty profile and an econometrics approach in our empirical analysis. According to the survey results, 48.1 % households are above and 51.9 % households are below poverty line. The depth and severity of poverty are 10.52% and 3.7% respectively. The results show that dependency ratio, persons per room, household size and age of head of the household have positively affected the level of poverty while household’ landholding, total assets of the household and earning members per household have negatively the incidence of poverty. The results of logistic model show that age of the households head, household size, household head is illiterate, household head is farmer, residence in kacha house was positively and significantly correlated with the probability being poor while households satisfaction with education facilities and household have members in abroad for income purpose are negatively and significantly correlated with the probability of being poor. Our final conclusion is that the people of the area may be introduced to new patterns of thinking to change their lives for the better. Awareness programs may be launched to prepare the new generation for the changes and challenges ahead.  In this regard, the women of the area may be educated and empowered to enable them to actively participate in income-generating activities on sustainable grounds. Keywords: Poverty, households, FATA, Pakista

Effect of organic and inorganic regimes on growth, production and quality characteristics of cauliflower

Increasing crop yield through balanced use of fertilizers in combination with organic acids is a need of the time to limit the use of costly chemical fertilizers as well as to minimize the environmental pollution in Pakistan.This trial aimed to investigate the benefits of organic and inorganic regimes application on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower. In this study, organic (Farmyard manure (FYM), Poultry manure (PM), Spent mushroom Compost (SMC) at the rate of (15:3:6 t ha-1), inorganic (NPK @ 100:60:60 kg ha1) regimes and Cauliflower cultivars (Kohat local, Hollywood, Lucky, White beauty and Pearl) were used. The organic regime showed highest value for number of leaves plant-1, leaf area, chlorophyll content, plant height, curd diameter, curd weight, curd dry matter content and total yield of the cauliflower. Regarding cultivars, the minimum days to germination, maximum number of leaves plant-1, chlorophyll content, curd diameter, curd weight, curd dry matter content and total yield were recorded in cultivar Lucky. While cultivar White beauty showed maximum leaf area, plant height and curd pH. From the results it is concluded that cultivar Lucky performed well in organic regimes and recommended for better quality and high yield production in Peshawar valley.111

Inter-observer variability in diagnosing radiological features of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; a preliminary single centre study comparing observers from different specialties and levels of training

BACKGROUND: A noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan remains the initial radiological investigation of choice for a patient with suspected aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This initial scan may be used to derive key information about the underlying aneurysm which may aid in further management. The interpretation, however, is subject to the skill and experience of the interpreting individual. The authors here evaluate the interpretation of such CT scans by different individuals at different levels of training, and in two different specialties (Radiology and Neurosurgery). METHODS: Initial nonontrast CT scan of 35 patients with aSAH was evaluated independently by four different observers. The observers selected for the study included two from Radiology and two from Neurosurgery at different levels of training; a resident currently in mid training and a resident who had recently graduated from training of each specialty. Measured variables included interpreter's suspicion of presence of subarachnoid blood, side of the subarachnoid hemorrhage, location of the aneurysm, the aneurysm's proximity to vessel bifurcation, number of aneurysm(s), contour of aneurysm(s), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), infarction, hydrocephalus and midline shift. To determine the inter-observer variability (IOV), weighted kappa values were calculated. RESULTS: There was moderate agreement on most of the CT scan findings among all observers. Substantial agreement was found amongst all observers for hydrocephalus, IVH, and ICH. Lowest agreement rates were seen in the location of aneurysm being supra or infra tentorial. There were, however, some noteworthy exceptions. There was substantial to almost perfect agreement between the radiology graduate and radiology resident on most CT findings. The lowest agreement was found between the neurosurgery graduate and the radiology graduate. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that although agreements were seen in the interpretation of some of the radiological features of aSAH, there is still considerable IOV in the interpretation of most features among physicians belonging to different levels of training and different specialties. Whether these might affect management or outcome is unclear

Impact of Microcredit Scheme on Socio-economic Status of Farmers (A case study of PRSP in District Gujranwala)

Pakistan is an agricultural country and the majority of the population belongs to rural areas, therefore rural sector is the main source of economic development and manpower in the country. The development of rural areas is essential for the enhancement of agriculture sector and for the betterment of rural communities. The aim of the present study was to find the impact of microcredit on socio- economic status and living standards of the farmers in rural areas of district Gujranwala. The universe for the present study was all farmers who got loan from the Punjab Rural Support Program in district Gujranwala for agricultural purpose. The Sample of 185 respondents was selected from the targeted population using the simple random sampling technique. A survey was conducted to carry out the study in which a close ended structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from the farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to draw the results from the study. Through descriptive analysis, the study clearly demonstrated that microcredit has played a positive role in improving the socioeconomic status of farmers after getting the loan. In this regard the study observed that microcredit played the positive role in changing and improving the living standards, diet patterns, health status and childrens education of the respondents. Chi square test was used to test the proposed hypothesis of the study and to verify the association between variables. The results of the Chi square test revealed that there was a significant impact of microcredit in improving socioeconomic status and household living standard of the farmers.&nbsp

Documentation of Rural Poverty Profile and its Correlates in Pakistan. A Sub-District Level Analysis through Consumption Approach

Finding magnitude and Identification of factors that are strongly linked with the rural poverty is an important aspect in developing successful strategies intended for poverty. In this study we have also estimated poverty incidence, intensity and severity among the rural households in Athara Hazari (one of four sub district of Jhang, Punjab Province) along with the other demographic , social and socioeconomic factors of households that affect the poverty. The analysis of the study carried out on the basis of primary data and the same was collected through the structured and specifically designed questionnaires and document analysis. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 1000 household head as respondents from the different villages of study area. This study used poverty line Rs. 2478/- which was calculated by the Planning Commission of Pakistan. According to the survey conducted in 2017, 40.3% are below the Poverty line (15% people are extremely poor). Depth and severity are 34% and 11% respectively. Majority of families were headed by farmer, illiterate and aged persons and also all three measures, headcount index, depth and severity of poverty were worse among these households. Results of the logistic regression suggest that an increase in the landholding, livestock and total assets of the household have considerably decreasing the probability of being poor in the study area