Sources of Social Capital for Malawi People Living With HIV.

With one of the highest rates of poverty and HIV in the world, Malawi faith-based organizations (FBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs) are expected to provide tangible and emotional support to people living with HIV (PLWH). Using Lin's social capital theoretical approach, we examine the perspective of PLWH regarding the adequacy of support responses. Forty-six rural Malawi HIV+ adults provided interviews that were recorded digitally, translated, and transcribed by Malawi research assistants. Atlas.ti was used to organize the data and to aid in the analytic process. Participants expressed disappointment in the lack of resources that could be accessed through the FBOs although their expectations may have been unrealistic. Outcomes from accessing and mobilizing the FBO network were negative in terms of stigmatization by FBO leaders and members, whereas outcomes related to CBOs and NGOs were generally positive in terms of empowerment through HIV information and attendance at support groups

Manual: fresh cassava roots handling for waxing and relative humidity storage

European Union and technical support of International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentPeer Revie

Uptake of home-based voluntary HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Improving access to HIV testing is a key priority in scaling up HIV treatment and prevention services. Home-based voluntary counselling and testing (HBT) as an approach to delivering wide-scale HIV testing is explored here

Training report: capacity building in entrepreneurial and business skills for operationalizing fresh cassava roots packhouse.

This report describes the capacity building process and activities that were done to enhance the business and entrepreneurial skills of packhouse operators

Training report: capacity building in agronomic practices, waxing and relative humidity storage technologies for shelf-life extension of fresh cassava roots.

This report describes the capacity building process and activities that were done to enable the value chain actors adopt and adapt the pre-and post-harvest practices, and waxing and high relative humidity storage technologies in order to run a successful business enterprise

Technical report: Postharvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD) tolerance of selected Ugandan cassava varieties. Extending the shelf-life of fresh cassava roots for increased incomes and postharvest losses reduction

The purpose of this study is to screen cassava varieties for their level of tolerance or susceptibility to Postharvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD). Specifically, it aims at collecting varieties of fresh cassava roots preferred by consumers in Ugandan. The study targets the two major fresh cassava supply axes, i.e., Masindi/Kiryandongo and Kyenjojo/Kabarole. Fresh cassava roots were screened for tolerance or susceptibility to PPD. The study also aims at determining the effect of pruning on the deterioration of cassava roots over time and the changes in root biochemistry during storage of both pruned and non-pruned cassava varieties

Technical report: efficacy of pruning, waxing and relative humidity storage in extending shelf-life of fresh cassava roots. Extending the shelf-life of fresh cassava roots for increased incomes and postharvest losses reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate waxing and high relative humidity treatments for efficacy on Postharvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD) reduction. Specifically, it aimed at evaluating effect of waxing and relative humidity storage on PPD, reducing sugars, dry matter content, cyanide content and starch yield as well as acceptability of treated roots

Technical Report: Market opportunities and value chain analysis of fresh cassava roots in Uganda.

European UnionInternational Fund for Agricultural Developmen

Using Village Health Teams for Effective Ultrasound Education in Rural Uganda

Maternal and child health conditions, many of which can be detected by ultrasound, represent the highest burden of disease in Uganda. Imaging the World (ITW) is a not-for-profit organization which integrates high quality, affordable ultrasound services into rural health facilities. Of all the challenges faced with implementation of ITW programs in Uganda, lack of sensitization to ultrasound represented the greatest barrier. The Village Health Team (VHT) is an existing public health “train the trainer” model sponsored by the Uganda Ministry of Health which provides public health training to community volunteers. Trained VHT members were recruited to help with ultrasound community outreach and education. These VHT members were successful in achieving dramatic community acceptance and increased utilization of ultrasound services in rural communities. This has led to significant contributions in improving population health in low-resource settings