Evaluating Youth Sexual Health Peer Education Programs: Challenges and Suggestions for Effective Evaluation Practices

Although peer sexual health education is a common form of sexual health promotion for youth, systematic reviews of these programs are relatively rare. In this study we interviewed youth peer educators to inquire about their experience of program evaluation and their perception of what is needed to develop effective evaluation practices. Data were collected from eighteen participants in semi-structured qualitative interviews of youth (aged 16-28 years) sexual health peer educators in Ontario, Canada. Community-based research principles were employed throughout the project with youth involved in all stages of the research. Analysis of the data revealed four key themes relating to youth sexual health peer education evaluation: i) varied program goals; ii) benefits to peer educators; iii) diverse evaluation methods; and iv) challenges in conducting evaluation. We discuss the relevance of our findings for evaluation practices of peer sexual health education programs

Evaluating Youth Sexual Health Peer Education Programs: Challenges and Suggestions for Effective Evaluation Practices

Although peer sexual health education is a common form of sexual health promotion for youth, systematic reviews of these programs are relatively rare. In this study we interviewed youth peer educators to inquire about their experience of program evaluation and their perception of what is needed to develop effective evaluation practices. Data were collected from eighteen participants in semi-structured qualitative interviews of youth (aged 16-28 years) sexual health peer educators in Ontario, Canada. Community-based research principles were employed throughout the project with youth involved in all stages of the research. Analysis of the data revealed four key themes relating to youth sexual health peer education evaluation: i) varied program goals; ii) benefits to peer educators; iii) diverse evaluation methods; and iv) challenges in conducting evaluation. We discuss the relevance of our findings for evaluation practices of peer sexual health education programs

Erwinia chrysanthemi in Israel - epidemiology and monitoring in seed tubers

In recent years, Erwinia chrysanthemi (Ech) on potato in Israel, in plants grown from imported Dutch seed tubers has been occurring more frequently causing economic damage. Disease symptoms first appear as wilt of the top leaves, which then spreads to the lower ones, followed by desiccation. Discoloration of the vascular system in the stem base is usually observed, followed by external darkening. In severe infections, the stem, and even the whole plant can dry out. Symptoms are usually associated with soft rot of the mother tuber, and sometimes (depending on level of infection) of the daughter tubers as well. The objectives of the present study were: a) to assess the impact of Ech-infected seed tubers imported from The Netherlands on disease expression in Israel, b) to develop a protocol for the detection of latent Ech infection in seed tubers. In spring 2004, disease was observed in several plots on imported cvs. Desirée and Mondial. In 2005, disease incidence on various imported cultivars ranged from 5 to 30% (8.2% on average) on more than 200 ha. In the autumn crop where domestic tubers harvested from an infested field were used disease incidence was 10-15%. In 2006, the disease was observed on more than 260 ha in various cultivars with disease incidence ranging from 2 to 30% (10% on average). Seed tubers sampled from commercial lots imported from Holland were tested for latent Ech infection, based on bio-PCR or enrichment ELISA. Out of 36 tested lots 24 were Ech-positive. Disease levels recorded in the fields in these lots ranged from 3% to 35% (10% on average), with only one exceptional case, where a low incidence of diseased plants was observed in a field originated from a Ech-negative seed lot. A protocol for detection of Ech in seed tubers was developed. A sample comprised of 200 tubers per 25 tons per lot divide into four or 10 replicates (50/20 tubers each), surfacesterilize with 0.5% NaOCl for 1 min, and the stolon end of each tuber was cut and placed in enrichment medium. After incubation of 48h, 0.2-ml aliquot was used for ELISA analysis or DNA extracted from the supernatant was used for PCR analysis. Our findings so far demonstrated the higher sensitivity of the bio PCR in comparison with the ELISA. This protocol is being tested also in spring 2007 with a large number of seed lots. Samples from these lots were planted in the field and Ech incidence is being recorded. Correlations between latent infections in the seed tubers and disease expression will be further studied, in order to evaluate the accuracy of the suggested protocol, and/or to improve it.vokMyynti MTT Tietopalvelut 31600 Jokioine

Why have Colletotrichum and Helminthosporium become such a problem for fresh and ware potato quality - pathogen change or climate change

Both black dot and silver scurf caused by Colletotrichum coccodes and Helminthosporium solani, respectively, cause blemishes on the potato periderm. These diseases often occur together and frequently confused, cause reductions in fresh and ware potato production potential and damage value of seed potatoes. These diseases are largely distributed in all potato growing regions of the world, but black dot is most important in areas with dry and hot conditions, such as the Mediterranean regions, western USA, South Africa and southern Australia, although it is also well established in more temperate areas, such as UK, France, the Netherlands and Germany. Both diseases became a major problem in potato production over the past decade due to an increased demand for washed potatoes with a high-quality appearance. C. coccodes appears as a highly diverse species morphologically, physiologically and genetically; the existence of vegetative compatibility groups might explain this diversity, despite the fact that no sexual stage is known for the pathogen. C. coccodes is also diverse from a pathological point of view: it infects a range of plant species within and outside the Solanaceae, and shows some specific interactions with individual potato cultivars. In contrast, with H. solani there are no alternative hosts except to tuber-bearing Solanum species. Changes in cropping systems and in consumer dictate a reassessment of the economic importance of the skin blemish diseases, that severely affects the economic value of fresh market and seed potato production in regions of the world where external appearance is an essential driver of market access. An integrated disease management approach that includes cultural, biological and chemical control methods, in the field and in storage, is necessary for long-term control of skin blemish diseases. The fungicide TBZ was used for silver scurf control until the 1980 s, but due to high frequency of resistance imazalil has become the main fungicide used on seed tubers in Europe. However, C. coccodes is not sufficiently controlled by imazalil, suggesting another reason why black dot became a major pathogen on potato. Additional fungicides e.g. prochloraz, fludioxonil and azoxystrobin that control both pathogens are being introduced, however resistance to fludioxonil in H. solani was recently reported. Adequate control of the skin blemish diseases with very low tolerance for market access is highly problematic, and will require integrated strategies combining all currently available control methods.vokMyynti MTT Tietopalvelut 31600 Jokioine

Characterization of Pectobacterium brasiliense strains from potato and vegetables in Israel

International audiencePectobacterium brasiliense (Pbr) infects a wide range of crops worldwide, causing potato blackleg and soft rot and vegetable soft rots. This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity and virulence variability among 68 Pbr strains isolated from either symptomless potato progeny tubers, diseased potato plants, ware potatoes wash water, or vegetables grown in Israel, as well as strains isolated from symptomless seed tubers grown in Europe, or diseased potato plants grown in France. The collection was typed using PCR and TaqMan real-time PCR analyses, dnaX sequence analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and pectolytic activity. dnaX phylogeny grouped almost all strains in a common genetic clade related to Pbr, which was distinct from the other Pectobacterium species. PFGE analysis identified two main clusters, including one major group of 47 strains with 95%-100% similarity. Maceration assays on two potato cultivars showed significant differences between strains but with no correlations with the source of the strains nor the status of the host (with/without symptoms). Molecular (dnaX sequences and PFGE profiles) and phenotypic analyses (tuber maceration tests) showed that the tested Pbr strains are not a homogeneous group. Analysis of the tested Pbr strains isolated from potato and vegetables grown in fields with a history of potato cultivation suggests that seed tubers imported from Europe may be the main source for Pbr in Israel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that describes biodiversity and population structure of P. brasiliense isolated from potato and vegetables under hot climate condition