Diversifying agriculture in post-conflict areas: 7 things we can change

Agricultural biodiversity is central to current and future food and nutrition and security needs in Uganda. Unfortunately, in some parts of the country, such as Teso and Acholi sub regions, which faced up to two decades of conflict, this diversity is increasingly under threat from practices such as charcoal making and land clearing for agriculture. As a result, there is reduced investment in longer term sustainable farming practices that conserve and promote diversity. This contributes to high food insecurity and lack of access to diverse diets especially among vulnerable groups such as Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) (15-49 years) and children under five years. Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices can promote agrobiodiversity and enhance nutritional outcomes and quality of life of vulnerable groups. This brief gives a summary of findings and insights from research conducted in 2018 by Bioversity International and Trocaire, Uganda, working closely with a number of partners including National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO), Makerere University and Ministry of Health-Uganda (Division of Nutrition). It points out interventions and actions that can be implemented in culturally

A process evaluation of performance-based incentives for village health workers in Kisoro district, Uganda

Background: Designing effective incentive systems for village health workers (VHWs) represents a longstanding policy issue with substantial impact on the success and sustainability of VHW programs. Using performance-based incentives (PBI) for VHWs is an approach that has been proposed and implemented in some programs, but has not received adequate review and evaluation in the peer-reviewed literature. We conducted a process evaluation examining the use of PBI for VHWs in Kisoro, Uganda. In this system, VHWs are paid based on 20 indicators, divided among routine follow-up visits, health education activities, new patient identifications, sanitation coverage, and uptake of priority health services. Methods: Surveys of VHWs (n = 30) and program supervisors (n = 7) were conducted to assess acceptability and feasibility. Interviews were conducted with all 8 program supervisors and with 6 purposively selected VHWs to gain a deeper understanding of their views on the PBI system. Program budget records were used to assess the costs of the program. Detailed payment records were used to assess the fairness of the PBI system with respect to VHWs’ gender, education level, and village location. Results: In surveys and interviews, supervisors expressed high satisfaction with the PBI system, though some supervisors expressed concerns about possible negative effects from the variation in payments between VHWs and the uncertainty of reward for effort. VHWs perceived the system as generally fair, and preferred it to the previous payment system, but expressed a desire to be paid more. The annual program cost was $516 per VHW, with each VHW covering an average of 115 households. VHWs covering more households tended to earn more. There was some evidence that female gender was associated with higher earnings. Education level and proximity to the district hospital did not appear to be associated with earnings under the PBI system. Conclusions: In a one-year pilot of PBI within a small VHW program, both VHWs and supervisors found the PBI system acceptable and motivating. VHWs with relatively limited formal education were able to master the PBI system. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects and scalability of PBI, as well as the effects across varied contexts

Cash Transfers to Increase Antenatal Care Utilization in Kisoro, Uganda: A Pilot Study

The World Health Organization recommends four antenatal visits for pregnant women in developing countries. Cash transfers have been used to incentivize participation in health services. We examined whether modest cash transfers for participation in antenatal care would increase antenatal care attendance and delivery in a health facility in Kisoro, Uganda. Twenty-three villages were randomized into four groups: 1) no cash; 2) 0.20 United States Dollars (USD) for each of four visits; 3) 0.40 USD for a single first trimester visit only; 4) 0.40 USD for each of four visits. Outcomes were three or more antenatal visits and delivery in a health facility. Chi-square, analysis of variance, and generalized estimating equation analyses were performed to detect differences in outcomes. Women in the 0.40 USD/visit group had higher odds of three or more antenatal visits than the control group (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13-2.57). The odds of delivering in a health facility did not differ between groups. However, women with more antenatal visits had higher odds of delivering in a health facility (OR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.03-1.42). These findings are important in an area where maternal mortality is high, utilization of health services is low, and resources are scarce. (Afr J Reprod Health 2015; 19[3]: 144-150). Keywords: Maternal mortality; conditional cash transfers; prenatal care; delivery location sub-sharan Africa L'Organisation mondiale de la Santé recommande quatre consultations prénatales pour les femmes enceintes dans les pays en développement. Les transferts de fonds ont été utilisés pour encourager la participation à des services de santé. Nous avons examiné si les transferts de fonds modestes pour la participation à des soins prénatals pourraient augmenter la fréquentation aux services des soins prénatals et d'accouchement dans un établissement de santé à Kisoro, en Ouganda. Vingt-trois villages ont été randomisés en quatre groupes: 1) pas d'argent; 2) 0,20 dollars américains (DA) pour chacune des quatre visites; 3) 0,40 DA pour une seule visite du première trimestre seulement; 4) 0,40 DA pour chacune des quatre visites. Les résultats étaient trois consultations prénatales ou plus et l’accouchement dans un établissement de santé. Nous avons mené une analyse de la variance Chi-carré et d'équations d'estimation généralisées pour détecter les différences dans les résultats. Les femmes du groupe de visite de 0,40 DA étaient plus susceptibles de trois consultations prénatales ou plus que le groupe de témoin (OR 1,70, IC à 95%: 1,13 à 2,57). Les chances de l’accouchement dans un établissement de santé ne sont pas différentes parmi les groupes. Cependant, les femmes avec plus de visites prénatales étaient plus susceptibles d’accoucher dans un établissement de santé (OR 1,21, IC à 95%: 1,03 à 1,42). Ces résultats sont importants dans une région où la mortalité maternelle est élevée, où l'utilisation des services de santé est faible, et les ressources sont rares. (Afr J Reprod Health 2015; 19[3]: 144-150). Mots-clés: mortalité maternelle; transferts monétaires conditionnels; soins prénatals; lieu d’accouchement, Afrique sub-saharienne

Chauffage par effet plasmon pour la désorption localisée de cellules capturées sur une biopuce

International audienceThis work proposes a miniaturized system able to perform multiple cell capture followed by cell-type selective release from a biochip surface. Unlabeled lymphocytes are first specifically captured onto a DNA array by antibody-DNA conjugates. The immobilized cells are subsequently released under spatio-temporal control within local heating generated by intense Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) produced by laser illumination

Relationships between land tenure insecurity, agrobiodiversity, and dietary diversity of women of reproductive age: Evidence from Acholi and Teso subregions of Uganda

Land tenure security is central to food security of rural agricultural-dependent communities, but there is limited evidence linking the state of agrobiodiversity to perception of land tenure security and access to and quality of food eaten. This study explores this relationship using data captured from 1,279 households in Acholi and Teso subregions of Uganda, and the relationships are established using a study sample of 1,227 women of reproductive age (WRA). Sixteen percent of respondents perceived themselves to be land tenure insecure. Although approximately 275 species were reported available for food, household access to a variety of plant and animal species is limited to <10 species by 69% of the study population. Dietary diversity was also low, with 53% of women meeting minimum diet diversity. Evidence from estimation of a generalized Poisson regression reveals that dietary diversity of WRA is consistently, positively correlated with species diversity available for food and negative with land tenure insecurity. A unit increase in species diversity led to 18% increase in dietary diversity of WRAs. Land tenure insecurity was likely to reduce dietary diversity of WRAs by 26% (p < .05). Interventions with an aim to increase species diversity can deliver positive dividends for food and nutrition security. Land policy reforms and interventions that strengthen land tenure security for both men and women are likely to contribute positively to dietary diversity leading to improved food and nutrition security of vulnerable communities in rural areas

Preliminary Report on HIV-1 Vaccine Preparedness in Nigeria: Advantages of Recruiting University Students

The national HIV seroprevalence in Nigeria has risen steeply from about 3% in 1993 to 5–8% in 2001 and now stands at 4.4%. HIV epidemic continues to be a serious threat to the most populous country in Africa with a population of 140 million, with limited use of antiviral drugs that is taken for life since it only suppresses the virus without completely eliminating the virus or leading to cure. Only a change in social behavior and an affordable vaccine can halt the epidemic in Africa. We report here results of a pilot study on the recruitment strategies, sociodemographic aspects and HIV risk behavior of a cohort of normal volunteers recruited at the University of Jos, Nigeria. Our study recorded a high degree of interest and zeal to participate in HIV vaccine studies by volunteers, and demonstrated the superiority of snowballing over invitation by mail, as a recruitment strategy. A cohort of university students may be particularly suitable for conducting HIV vaccine trials because of the assurance of prospective follow-up for up to four years (time to graduation), and a good understanding of the risks and benefits of participation as outlined in the informed consent. We had 100% retention during a follow-up period of two years. Most importantly, the cohort reflected a relatively low HIV seroprevalence, which gives preventive programs the potential to blunt or halt the epidemic

Livelihood support for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities: findings from a scoping review and stakeholder survey

PURPOSE: Poverty amongst families with a child with disability adversely impacts child and family quality of life. We aimed to identify existing approaches to livelihood support for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: This mixed-method study incorporated a scoping literature review and online stakeholder survey. We utilised the World Health Organization community-based rehabilitation (CBR) matrix as a guiding framework for knowledge synthesis and descriptively analysed the included articles and survey responses. RESULTS: We included 11 peer-reviewed publications, 6 grey literature articles, and 49 survey responses from stakeholders working in 22 countries. Identified programmes reported direct and indirect strategies for livelihood support targeting multiple elements of the CBR matrix; particularly skills development, access to social protection measures, and self-employment; frequently in collaboration with specialist partners, and as one component of a wider intervention. Self-help groups were also common. No publications examined effectiveness of livelihood support approaches in mitigating poverty, with most describing observational studies at small scale. CONCLUSION: Whilst stakeholders describe a variety of direct and indirect approaches to livelihood support for caregivers of children with disabilities, there is a lack of published literature on content, process, and impact to inform future programme development and delivery

Interleukin-10 Conjugation to Carboxylated PVP-Coated Silver Nanoparticles for Improved Stability and Therapeutic Efficacy

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a key anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokine and therefore represents a potential therapeutic agent especially in inflammatory diseases. However, despite its proven therapeutic efficacy, its short half-life and proteolytic degradation in vivo combined with its low storage stability have limited its therapeutic use. Strategies have been developed to overcome most of these shortcomings, including in particular bioconjugation with stabilizing agents such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly (vinylpyrolidone) (PVP), but so far these have had limited success. In this paper, we present an alternative method consisting of bioconjugating IL-10 to PVP-coated silver nanoparticles (Ag-PVPs) in order to achieve its storage stability by preventing denaturation and to improve its anti-inflammatory efficacy. Silver nanoparticles capped with a carboxylated PVP were produced and further covalently conjugated with IL-10 protein by carbodiimide crosslinker chemistry. The IL-10 conjugated Ag-PVPs exhibited increased stability and anti-inflammatory effectiveness in vitro. This study therefore provides a novel approach to bioconjugating PVP-coated silver nanoparticles with therapeutic proteins, which could be useful in drug delivery and anti-inflammatory therapies

A Simple Microfluidic Platform for Long-Term Analysis and Continuous Dual-Imaging Detection of T-Cell Secreted IFN-γ and IL-2 on Antibody-Based Biochip

The identification and characterization, at the cellular level, of cytokine productions present a high interest for both fundamental research and clinical studies. However, the majority of techniques currently available (ELISA, ELISpot, flow cytometry, etc.) have several shortcomings including, notably, the assessment of several cytokines in relation to individual secreting cells and the monitoring of living cell responses for a long incubation time. In the present work, we describe a system composed of a microfluidic platform coupled with an antibody microarray chip for continuous SPR imaging and immunofluorescence analysis of cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) secreted by T-Lymphocytes, specifically, and stably captured on the biochip under flow upon continued long-term on-chip culture (more than 24 h)

Umubano mu Bantu: Love Among People

During one of our interviews, I asked my father what his favorite song was. He answered, Umubano mu Bantu by Francois Nkurunziza. The song inspired this work. “Umubano mu Bantu: Love among People” is a multimedia collection of nine short stories from oral history life interviews I conducted with my parents combined into a continuous documentary. They portray a glimpse into the lives they lived in Rwanda and their loved ones. My goal is to generate (internal) dialogue as to what love among people means against the backdrop of so much hatred in the world. The song, Umubano mu Bantu, is the soundtrack of the documentary, and the short stories highlight the family my parents lost during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Keywords: Love, Grief, Family History, Rwanda, 1994 Rwandan Genocid