Health determinants on healthy ageing in sub-Saharan Africa: A psychosocial and theo-gerontology

This article explored health determinants on successful, healthy ageing in sub-Saharan Africa, using the case of Ramotswa in Botswana. The study used contextual, descriptive and qualitative approaches. It also explored the integrative nature of determinants to healthy and successful ageing by examining the biopsychological and physiological challenges. The article made use of the pastoral theological approach in understanding the complexity of ageing and revealing solutions for mitigating the health challenges encountered by older persons. While the article was theological in its approach, it acknowledged the interconnectedness with other disciplines, such as sociology and psychology, as fundamental in dealing with this topic. The findings revealed the elderly caregivers’ need for emotional support. This study maintained that emotional support could minimise the burden on elderly caregivers, because reports during the study indicated that elderly caregivers experienced a mixture of emotions such as loneliness, frustration, anger, depression, guilt, anxiety, love, acceptance and warmth, which could have negative consequences on them. Contribution: In conclusion, the article suggested that given the complexity of the understanding of successful and healthy ageing, as well as the integrative nature of determinants of successful ageing, it is crucial for caregivers and policymakers to avoid a blanket approach in dealing with elderly persons in a context of care

When culture clashes with individual human rights: A practical theological reflection on the dignity of widows

This article discusses the nature of human beings (men and women) as an egalitarian one even beyond cultural expectations. It argues against some cultural practices on women, especially widows, which claim supremacy and bind the widows to its ritual processes among the Tsonga people. It stresses the importance of human individual that overtakes everything from God�s creation, including cultural rituals which are created by human beings. It claims that the existence of culture depends solely on the existence or presence of human beings and their communities. Therefore, culture cannot use humans to shape itself and to transform the community. It is humans themselves who use culture to identify themselves and ultimately change their communities. Although the paper is theological in its approach, it argues for individual human rights to be respected and weighed above all cultural practices. It further concludes that such cultural practices are not static and that they can be removed from the rest of culture.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article, from a practical theological view, challenges the African cultural rituals that claim authority over women�s rights and dignity. The interdisciplinary nature of this article indicates the sanctity of human individuals especially widows and thereby calls for paradigm shift to deconstruct certain oppressive teachings and practices against widows among African women. This article concludes thus, cultural deconstruction is possible.</p

Degradability of amino acids in selected legume forages using the in situ nylon-bag technique

This study was conducted to determine the amino acid profiles and rumen degradability of amino acids of three cultivated forage legumes – velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and silverleaf desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum) – using the in situ nylon-bag technique. Two Friesian cows fitted with 10-cm-diameter rumen cannulae on a complete dairy feed ration (19% crude-protein dairy meal and maize silage) were used. Silverleaf desmodium had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher concentration of amino acids compared with cowpea and velvet bean. Aspartic acid showed the highest (p &lt; 0.05) concentration in all legumes and cysteine showed the lowest concentration. Legume forage of cowpea showed the highest (p &lt; 0.05) level of degradability of amino acid followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Readily and slowly degradable components in all amino acids were highest (p &lt; 0.05) in cowpea followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Moreover, silverleaf and cowpea showed higher (p &lt; 0.05) levels of effective degradability of amino acids (at outflow rates p = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 h−1) than velvet bean. Total amino acid disappearance was the least in velvet bean, which suggests that it can be used to supply bypass protein to the duodenum of the ruminant animal.Keywords: amino acids, forage legumes, rumen degradabilit

Apparent digestibility and microbial protein yield of Desmodium uncinatum, Mucuna pruriens and Vigna unguiculata forage legumes in goats

This study examined the effects of adding forage legumes as protein supplements to poor-quality natural pasture (veld) hay offered to goats on microbial protein yield and nitrogen metabolism. Four indigenous Nguni-type goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin cross-over design experiment. Goats were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments comprising commercial goat feed (GF), veld hay supplemented with cowpea (CW), velvetbean (VB) or silverleaf desmodium (SD). Microbial protein yields were determined using the purine derivatives technique and nitrogen retention was calculated from the digestible organic matter intake. Total nitrogen intake was significantly higher in the GF followed by CW, SD and VB, respectively. Microbial protein supply, calculated microbial true protein and digestible microbial true protein were affected (P &lt; 0.05) by legume supplementation. Animals on poor-quality forages had the most efficient microbial protein synthesis. However,  supplementation of hay failed to meet the maintenance requirements of animals as evidenced by negative nitrogen balances in VB and SD. The efficiency of utilisation of nitrogen in the supplements could have been limited by unavailable fermentable metabolisable energy in the diets.  Supplementation of poor-quality veld hay with legume forages could improve utilisation, especially in the dry season.Keywords: forage quality, goats, utilisatio