Family planning and its implications

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest average fertility rate in the world. In 2009, the average number of births per woman was 5.1—more than twice as many as in South Asia (2.8) or Latin America and the Caribbean (2.2). More than 100 million women in less developed countries, or about 17 percent of all married women, would prefer to avoid a pregnancy but are not using any form of family planning. Currently, approximately 24.8 percent of African women have unmet needs for family planning; this simply means 24.8 million women of reproductive age who prefer to avoid or postpone childbearing are not using any method of contraception. Objective: To make a review of trends of family planning practice in Sub Saharan Africa from 1980 to 2010 among women of reproductive age. Methodology: Meta-analysis of detailed literature by authors of articles published since 1980 from various sources, including Demographic Health Survey (DHS) of 1990 to 1995, 2000 to 2005, and of 2005-2010 from Sub-Saharan Africa such as South Africa Demographic Health Survey (SADHS) and Tanzania (TDHS); and observation on the relationship between family planning use and fertility in Africa. Findings: An analysis of fertility trends in 23 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa from 1980 to 1995 showed that in two-thirds of the countries there was evidence of fertility decline, with a particularly rapid decline in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Furthermore 2010 statistics show the African total fertility rate to be standing at 4.7. These rates reflect contraceptive prevalence of these specific regions.Generally in all world regions, contraceptive use corresponds with fertility patterns. In regions where contraceptive use is widespread, fertility is low but in regions where contraceptive use is uncommon, fertility is high. Conclusion: The paper has shown that the high fertility pattern in Africa is among others, a result of the ineffectiveness of family planning programs. Recommendation: The overall low rate of contraceptive prevalence and high unmet need for family planning suggests the need for African national governments and population policy makers to rethink access to contraceptives. Correspondence to: Glory. A. Msacky E-MAIL: [email protected]

DOES ASSET OWNERSHIP REDUCE CHRONIC POVERTY?

Assets play an important role in the understanding of chronic poverty. This study was conducted in southern Nigeria to quantitatively assess the poverty level of households with respect to ownership of assets. Using the multistage sampling technique, primary data were obtained from 150 households with the aid of questionnaire. Data were subjected to analyses using the Foster Greer Thorbecke weighted poverty index and stochastic dominance analysis. Results indicate that poverty incidence, depth and severity was lower for households who own certain assets as land, houses, cars, motorcycles and sewing machines. The δ-value of the difference in the two sub-groups’ poverty incidences is significant (P < 0.01). Findings reveal that asset portfolio of majority of households was substantially low as more than 70 percent owned assets valued less than N100,000. Results of stochastic dominance analysis reveal that there was first order stochastic dominance. Result underscores the need to focus on poverty reduction policies that will increase the asset portfolio of rural households who are mostly dependent in farming for their income and food supplie

Assessment of Growth Support Potentials of Different Substrates for the Cultivation of Volvoriella Volvaceae

Four substrates (banana leaves, sawdust, palm trunk fibre and coconut coir) were screened for the cultivation of straw mushroom (Volvoriella volvaceae). Palm trunk fibre and coconut coir substrates did not support spawning and fruit body production of the test mushroom. Proximate analyses of the composted and spent substrates revealed marked reduction in crude fibre and increase in the protein content of the spent substrates. Treatment of the substrates with CaCO3 and rice bran increased the alkalinity of the banana and sawdust substrates. On banana leaves, spawn run took 21 days while sawdust substrate was totally colonized in 28 days. Pinheads appeared three days after transfer of the fully colonized substrates to the cropping room. Thirty one (31) flushes (each spanned 7 days) were recorded in 210 days. However, sawdust did not support the production of fruit bodies beyond the 24th flush which corresponded to day 161 from the initiation of pinheads. The biological efficiency was 19.93% for banana leaves and 10.05% for sawdust. The total fresh weight of fruit bodies produced from banana leaves and sawdust were 21.62kg and 10.91kg respectively. The mean length of stipe, area of pileus, fresh and dry weights of V. volvaceae cultivated on banana leaves substrate doubled those produced on sawdust substrate and were significantly different at P<0.05 Key words: Sawdust, banana leaves, nutrient composition, pH, Volvoriella volvaceae

The Role of Technical and Vocational Education in National Development

Education especially technical and vocational education is central to national development of fast developing countries such as the Asian Tigers In Africa and Nigeria in particular the adoption of technical and vocational education has not been given environmental recognition This paper argues that the acquisition of technical and vocational skills education system propelling self reliant development This paper seeks to understand the role of technical and vocational educations have in national development The paper examines the problems of technical and vocational education in Nigeri

Economic Benefits and Constraints in Management of Thrift Co-operatives in Public Organizations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of thrift cooperatives in poverty reduction and grassroots micro-credit empowerment of its members. Five research questions framed the study viz, what is: the level of marketing facilities offered to thrift cooperatives members, the ease of accessibility and repayment terms of loans obtained. Others include ascertaining regularity in payment of thrifts and dividends to co-operators (at the specified periods) and the challenges (or problems) facing management of cooperatives in public organizations? Copies of five point Likert scaled research questionnaire highlighting clusters of questions were administered to a random sample of respondents. Qualitative data collected were based on the respondents’ ratings on the following clusters: Regularity in Thrift Payments, Marketing Facilities Granted to Members, Loan Accessibility by Members, Ease of Loan Repayment, Level of Dividend Payments, and Challenges Facing Management of Societies. Applying a Factor Analysis technique in analysing the sample data, we found that: provision of consumer goods at affordable prices, capital formation opportunities in form of thrifts, loans, shares and dividend payments attract and sustain membership of thrift societies. However, lack of: trust, transparent and innovative management techniques challenge administration of these societies in public organizations. Policy implications of the findings were discussed. Keywords: Thrift, credit, loan, co-operative, micro-finance, welfare, factor analysis

IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, FOUCAULDIAN ASCENDANCY ON THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL MATERIALISM MOVEMENTS

Purpose of the study: This paper analyses the prominent movements that have been significantly influenced by Foucauldian conceptions particularly power relations and knowledge. This paper focuses on two critical movements namely Historical movement and Cultural materialism movement. Methodology: This is a review paper and largely based on secondary data analysis. Foucault's ideas influenced some movements such as New Historicism and Cultural Materialism. I will discuss how Foucault was inspired and influenced by some thinkers like Nietzsche. So, the present appears to be the issue to be studied historically. This point of view led to the rise of some movements, which are focusing on present issues and problems. Main Findings: The current study shows firstly that the German philosopher Michel Foucault has a great influence on many literary movements particular the new one such as Cultural materialism and new Historicism and so on. Secondly, it appears Foucault's inspiration by some thinkers and philosophers like Louis Althusser, Nietzsche, and Machiavelli. Applications of this study: Foucault has an impact on the other movements and thinkers in which many types of research in contemporary age deal with issues that Foucault involves in his works, such as social, political and economic issues. One of the materials that Foucault focusing it, the significance of past and relate to the present. Novelty/Originality of this study: The reader can feel the obvious influence of Michel's writings through a variety of features of Althusser and Nietzsche particularly Foucault regarded Nietzsche's idea as the departure point for his power theory

Strategi Pengembangan Bisnis pada Bisnis Pariwisata

Indonesia is an archipelagic nation which has a diverse tourist destination is quite interesting, whether it be of attractions, culinary, arts, cultural and natural charm. With so many places of this tourist destination, it can be developed into a promising business. By utilizing the marketing mix, namely Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process and Physical evidence. Of the marketing mix can then be mapped to the matrix Ansoff for getting products that can be used as a business development strategy of tourism. This research was conducted with qualitative methods, namely by conducting interviews and observations to the tourism industry players. The results showed that the best business strategy is to do Product Diversification, ie change of market share by doing in combination with product changes. Another alternative is with the Market Penetration, Product Development or Market Development. With this strategy, is expected to obtain a good product at an affordable price by consumers. As well as increase the number of tourist arrivals in the regions in Indonesia. Moreover, it can empower all of the resources that are around attractions, both in terms of human resources and facilities

Analisa Swot Pada Bisnis Rumahan, Studi Kasus Pada Bisnis Laundry Kiloan

Business can be done anywhere and by anyone. Where the purpose of a business for some people is different. Among others there are which aims to increase revenue. So with that reason, began to grow home-based business scale. Where businesses are done by the community and are planted in housing. One home-based business is the laundry. Laundry business kilogram is now very widespread, almost in every street can be found Landry. However, if carelessly in managing this business, then the business can be folded more quickly. So it takes some analysis, including marketing mix, where to open this business, you need to know the 4Ps. Product, Price, Place and Promotion. In addition to the marketing mix, it is necessary to do a SWOT. This research was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods. Where data collection is done by observation and interviews with business owners, employees and customers. The results of this study will be able to look at the factors that influence the laundry as a home-based business with a view of the internal and external factors