Tools to assess the empowerment of women in the livestock sector

English version available in IDRC Digital Library: Women’s empowerment in livestock index : vital progress towards gender equalityBill and Melinda Gates FoundationGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC

Guide pedagogique de l'enquete sur l'indice d'autonomisation des femmes dans l'elevage (WELI)

English version available in IDRC Digital Library: WELI instructional guideBill and Melinda Gates FoundationGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC

ILRI Manual 38

Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC

Women Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) : an overview

Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC

Women’s empowerment and livestock vaccination : evidence from Peste des Petits Ruminants vaccination interventions in Northern Ghana

Healthy livestock provide meaningful opportunities to enhance women’s empowerment (WE) in low-and middle-income countries. Animal vaccines are important to keep livestock healthy and productive. However, gender-based restrictions limit women’s access to animal health services, thereby affecting the potential of livestock to enhance their empowerment. While growing empirical evidence reveals that women-controlled livestock (e.g., small ruminants) have important implications for WE and support better household nutrition outcomes, little empirical evidence exists from rigorous analyses of the relationship between WE and animal vaccines for women-controlled livestock species. Our analysis explores the relationship between WE and involvement with PPR vaccination in Ghana. Data collected using the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) tool from 465 women and 92 men farmers (who keep goats) from northern Ghana, and analyzed using PLSSEM, revealed a significant direct positive association between knowledge about animal health and PPR vaccines and a significant indirect positive association between access to PPR vaccines and empowerment. The empowerment of women goat farmers, as revealed by our model’s results for the relationship between empowerment and vaccine facets, was significantly represented by asset ownership and input into decisions concerning livestock. These study results reveal important considerations in designing effective and equitable livestock vaccine systems.Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC

FR1.2: Women's Empowerment and Livestock Vaccination: evidence from PPR vaccination interventions in northern Ghana

Healthy livestock provide meaningful opportunities to enhance women's empowerment in low- and middle-income countries. Animal vaccines are important to keep livestock healthy and productive. However, gender-based restrictions limit women's access to animal health services, thereby affecting the potential of livestock to enhance their empowerment. While growing empirical evidence reveals that women-controlled livestock (for instance, small ruminants) have important implications for women's empowerment and support better household nutrition outcomes, little empirical evidence exists from rigorous analyses of the relationship between women's empowerment and animal vaccines for women-controlled livestock species. Our analysis explores the relationship between women's empowerment and involvement with Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) vaccination in Ghana. Data collected using the Women's Empowerment in Livestock Index tool from 465 women and 92 men farmers (who keep goats) from northern Ghana, analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equilibrium Model, revealed a significant direct positive association between knowledge about animal health and PPR vaccines and a significant indirect positive association between access to PPR vaccines and empowerment. A few, not all, indicators of empowerment, jointly and significantly explained empowerment of women goat farmers as far as the relationship between empowerment and vaccine facets is concerned. The significant indicators were "asset ownership" and "input into decisions" concerning livestock. These study results reveal important considerations in designing effective and equitable livestock vaccine systems

Treatment outcomes for drug resistant tuberculosis among children below 15 years in Kenya, 2010‐2016

Background: Tuberculosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Children are less likely to acquire resistance during the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Most of the drug resistant TB infection in children is transmitted from adults.Objective: To determine the characteristics and treatment outcomes among children below 15 years managed for drug resistant TB in Kenya, 2010 – 2016.Design: Retrospective descriptive study.Setting: All health facilities managing drug resistant TB in KenyaSubjects: Children below 15 years treated for drug resistant TB between 2010 and 2016.Results: Sixty three children were notified with DR TB between 2010 and 2016. The median (IQR) age was11 (10‐13) years with a female to male ratio of 1:1. With 32 (52%) and 31 (51%) with smear and culture positive laboratory results respectively. Primary drug resistance was present in 25 (40%) of the children All the sputum and culture converted negative at month three of treatment. HIV testing uptake was 100% with a positivity rate of 26 (41%) and 100% anti‐retroviral therapy uptake. The treatment success rate for the cases was 31(91%) with a mortality rate of 2(5%) and lost‐to‐follow up 1 (3%).Conclusion: Drug‐resistant tuberculosis can be successfully treated and therapy well tolerated among children. There  is need for contact tracing and screening for all at risk including paediatric population

Drug resistant tuberculosis in Kenya: trends, characteristics and treatment outcomes, 2008 – 2016

Background: Drug resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern. Failure to treat patients with TB adequately increases the risk of transmission of infection to the general population. Treatment of DR TB is characterized by lengthy treatment duration, use of toxic and less effective drugs and high likelihood of adverse treatment outcomes that include adverse drug reactions, high mortality and loss to follow up.Objective: To determine the trends, characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients >15 years notified with DR‐TB in Kenya from 2008 to 2016Design: Retrospective descriptive cross‐sectional studySetting: Tuberculosis treatment centers in KenyaSubjects: Persons above 15 years notified with DR TBResults: We reviewed records of 1903 DR‐TB patients who were notified between 2008 and 2016. The public sector made the highest contribution of the notified cases (80%). Most of the cases were male (62.3%). The HIV testing rate was 99.5%, with the TB/HIV co‐infection being 36%. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy among those who tested positive for HIV was 94.6%. Co‐trimoxazole preventive therapy uptake was 99.3%. Most patients had secondary DRTB (77.3%). Multi‐drug resistant TB accounted for 78.4% of the DR TB cases while mono drug resistance was observed in 26% of the cases. Treatment success was achieved in 79% of the cases. Mortality and treatment failure during the study period was 11% and 0.2% respectively.Conclusion: An upward trend in notified DR‐TB cases was observed during the period under review. The public sector gave the most contribution. Active surveillance on patients lost to follow up while on treatment and poor drug adherence will be of importance to reduce the potential of development of drug resistance