Feasibility of a culturally adapted dietary weight-loss intervention among Ghanaian migrants in Berlin, Germany: the ADAPT study

BACKGROUND: Dietary weight-loss interventions often fail among migrant populations. We investigated the practicability and acceptability of a culturally adapted dietary weight-loss intervention among Ghanaian migrants in Berlin. METHODS: The national guidelines for the treatment of adiposity were adapted to the cultural characteristics of the target population, aiming at weight-loss of ≥2.5 kg in 3 months using food-based dietary recommendations. We invited 93 individuals of Ghanaian descent with overweight or obesity to participate in a 12-weeks intervention. The culturally adapted intervention included a Ghanaian dietician and research team, one session of dietary counselling, three home-based cooking sessions with focus on traditional Ghanaian foods, weekly smart-phone reminders, and monthly monitoring of diet and physical activity. We applied a 7-domains acceptability questionnaire and determined changes in anthropometric measures during clinic-based examinations at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: Of the 93 invitees, five participants and four family volunteers completed the study. Reasons for non-participation were changed residence (13%), lack of time to attend examinations (10%), and no interest (9%); 64% did not want to give any reason. The intervention was highly accepted among the participants (mean range: 5.3-6.0 of a 6-points Likert scale). Over the 12 weeks, median weight-loss reached -0.6 kg (range: +0.5, -3.6 kg); the diet was rich in meats but low in convenience foods. The median contribution of fat to daily energy intake was 24% (range: 16-40%). CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance of our invitation to the intervention was poor but, once initiated, compliance was good. Assessment centers in the participants' vicinity and early stakeholder involvement might facilitate improved acceptance of the invitation. A randomized controlled trial is required to determine the actual effects of the intervention

Epidemiology of Chlamydia Bacteria Infections -A Review

Abstract: In this paper we study the Chlamydia Bacteria Infections. The authors especially try to find the effect of these bacteria infections in human beings. We reviewed the existing models and outlined what Chlamydia causes

Understanding innovation platform effectiveness through experiences from west and central Africa

Innovation platforms (IPs) are a way of organizing multistakeholder interactions, marshalling ideas, people and resources to address challenges and opportunities embedded in complex settings. The approach has its roots in theories of complexity, the concept of innovation systems and practices of participatory action research. IPs have been widely adopted across Africa and beyond in recent years as a “must have” tool in a range of “for development” modes of agricultural research. Our experiences with establishing and facilitating nine IPs in local settings in west and central Africa contribute to understanding factors that impact on their effectiveness. The nine IPs were variously focused on developing dairy, crop and/or meat value chains by strengthening mixed crop-livestock production systems or seed systems. Using case study methods, we identified variables that contribute to explaining the performance of these IPs in relation to six domains of change in the agricultural system and the sustainability of changes. Thematic analysis was guided by a conceptual framework which grouped variables into four categories (context, structure, conduct, and process) that interact to influence IP performance. Stronger market connections and value chains were generated through some of these IPs but the most prevalent changes overall were in farm productivity and technical knowledge of producers. The structures evolved in some IPs, akin to those of producer collectives, suggested they were filling an institutional gap locally. The effect of the IPs on deeper level institutions that influence agricultural systems and food security was modest, constraining prospects for the IPs to generate impact at scale. Impacts from the IPs on research and development organisations were uncommon but had transformative significance. Our conceptual framework did not offer optimal guidance to understanding how the many variables that contributed to performance of these IPs combined and sequenced, but the pattern of interactions was consistent with increased social capital being the prime mediator for change. Achieving greater prospects for transformational change and impact at scale warrants at least equal attention to three other interconnected change pathways: through markets, institutions and innovation capacity. Important factors for increased impact are individuals and organisations with capacity to purposefully build and manage inter-organisational and cross-scale networks, early diagnostic studies of the institutional landscape, and adaptive processes of critical reflection and learning that continue beyond the short term

Rubber and plantain intercropping: Effects of different planting densities on soil characteristics

Two field experiments were conducted at Ellembelle and Jomoro districts in the Western region of Ghana where rubber cultivation is a predominant farming activity. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of rubber and plantain intercropping systems on selected soil properties. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The treatments were the sole crop rubber (R), sole crop plantain (P) and three intercrop systems comprising an additive series of plantain: one row of plantain to one row of rubber (PR), two rows of plantain to one row of rubber (PPR) and three rows of plantain to one row of rubber (PPPR). Generally, agroforestry systems improved the soil hydraulic properties considerably, with the highest cumulative infiltration rates of 5.16 and 8.68 cm/min observed under the PPPR systems at the Ellembelle and Jomoro sites, respectively. Microbial biomass C (Cmic), N (Nmic) and P (Pmic) was significantly improved (P < 0.05) under the agroforestry than the monocrop systems. The Cmic, Nmic and Pmic values were highest under the PPPR system at both Ellembelle (Cmic, = 139.9 mg/kg; Nmic = 36.26 mg/kg and Pmic = 87.6 mg/kg) and Jomoro (Cmic = 78.7 mg/kg; Nmic = 80.3 mg/kg and Pmic = 3.45 mg/kg) sites

Resource utilisation in soybean/maize intercrops

Field studies were conducted in 1994 and 1995 at Mead, Nebraska, to investigate management practices that will improve solar radiation capture and use, and to explore the nitrogen economy of legume/ nonlegume intercropping systems. There were five soybean (Glycine max   L. ) /maize (Zea mays   ) intercrop row arrangements at two nitrogen application rates (0 and 160 kg N ha-1) and three sole crops. Percent PAR intercepted by intercrops was 4% greater in closer row arrangements of soybean and maize than in equally spaced 2 rows soybean: 2 rows maize, and increased 2 to 5% by N application. Dry matter productivity of the intercrops was more than sole crops, and up to 38 % more by close association of soybean and maize, N application, and limited moisture availability. Grain yield increase of intercrops over sole crops was not significant (P &lt; 0.05). Soybean and maize may be planted as intercrops in alternating single rows in forage production systems to take advantage of available solar radiation and greater dry matter yields

Improved Agronomic Practices for Sustainable Yam Production: The on Farm Experience

Pratiques agronomiques améliorées pour une production durable de l'igname: l'expérience à la ferme Résumé La production d'igname au Ghana et dans d'autres pays de l'Afrique de l'Ouest se caractérise par un déplacement annuel de la terre à la terre à la recherche de sols fertiles contribuant à la déforestation et à la dégradation des terres. Il est donc nécessaire de relever ce défi grâce à une technologie innovante d'utilisation des terres qui permettrait de soutenir la production en dépit des défis. L'objectif spécifique de l'étude était de vérifier et de démontrer un ensemble agronomique amélioré pour la production d'igname durable dans les communautés d'igname d'Ejura et d'Atebubu dans l'écologie transitionnelle forêt-savane du Ghana. Deux lots de traitement de pratiques agronomiques améliorées et de pratiques des paysans/paysannes ont été organisés dans le cadre de la conception de blocs complets randomisés sur un total de 8 champs d'agriculteurs comprenant chacun 4 dans la communauté d'Ejura et d'Atebubu. Le paquet agronomique amélioré consistait en l'utilisation de billons comme couche desemis, traitement des semences avec insecticide et fongicide, application d'engrais à un taux de 45:45:60 N: P2 05: K20 kg/ha et utilisation d'un tuteurage minimum (treillis; % nombre de piquets utilisés dans le jalonnement des agriculteurs). Cela a été comparé à la pratique des agriculteurs, qui consistait en une mise en tas, pas d'application d'engrais et pas de traitement des semences. Les résultats ont révélé des rendements en tubercules d'igname très élevés (P ≤ 0,05) de 196% et 205% dans les champs agronomiques améliorés par rapport aux champs de pratique des agriculteurs dans les communautés agricoles d'Ejura et d'Atebubu respectivement. L'étude avait démontré que l'extension des emballages agronomiques améliorés permettrait de maintenir la production d'igname dans les champs cultivés en continu et de résoudre le problème de la déforestation associé à la production d'igname.Mots clés: Déforestation; Dégradation du sol; Application d'engrais; champ de culture continue; La pratique des agriculteur

Epidemiology of Chlamydia Bacteria Infections - A Review

In this paper we study the Chlamydia Bacteria Infections. The authors especially try to find the effect of these bacteria infections in human beings. We reviewed the existing models and outlined what Chlamydia causes