Evaluating maize yield variability and gaps in two agroecologies in northern Ghana using a crop simulation model

Article purchased; Published online: 19 Oct 2017The yield gap and variability in maize under smallholder systems in two agroecologies in northern Ghana were evaluated using a decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT). The model was used to assess (1) the potential yield of maize (YPOT), (2) water-limited exploitable maize yield (YWEX), (3) nitrogen-limited yield (YNI), (4) farmer practice maize yield (YCFP) and (5) proposed enhanced nutrient use yield (enhanced farmer practice; YEFP). Effect of supplementary irrigation was also assessed on YCFP and YEFP conditions. Yield gaps were determined as the difference between YPOT and YCFP or YEFP on the one hand, and between YWEX and YCFP or YEFP on the other hand. The yield gap based on potential yield ranged from 59% to 75% under CFP and narrowed to between 29% and 59% under EFP. With water-limited exploitable yields, the yield gap ranged from 53% to 65% under CFP, reducing to between 22% and 42% under EFP. The use of supplementary irrigation further reduced the yield gap. Improved fertiliser use and supplementary irrigation have the potential to increase yield and hence reduce the yield gap if effective policies and institutional structures are in place to provide farmers with credit facilities and farm inputs

Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and their risk factors in an informal settlement in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), especially hypertension and diabetes mellitus are on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Informal settlement dwellers exhibit a high prevalence of behavioural risk factors and are highly vulnerable to hypertension and diabetes. However, no study has assessed the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and NCDrisk factors among informal settlement dwellers in Sierra Leone. We conducted a study in June 2019 to determine the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and NCD risk factors among adults living in the largest Sierra Leonean informal settlement (KrooBay). Methods and materials: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey among adults aged ≥ 35 years in the KrooBay community. Trained healthcare workers collected data on socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported health behaviours using the World Health Organization STEPwise surveillance questionnaire for chronic disease risk factors. Anthropometric, blood glucose, and blood pressure measurements were performed following standard procedures. Logistics regression was used for analysis and adjusted odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to identify risk factors associated with hypertension. Results: Of the 418 participants, 242 (57%) were females and those below the age of 45 years accounted for over half (55.3%) of the participants. The prevalence of smoking was 18.2%, alcohol consumption was 18.8%, overweight was 28.2%, obesity was 17.9%, physical inactivity was 81.5%, and inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables was 99%. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 45.7% (95% CI 41.0-50.5%), systolic hypertension was 34.2% (95% CI 29.6–38.8%), diastolic blood pressure was 39.9% (95% CI 35.2–44.6), and participants with diabetes were 2.2% (95% CI 0.7–3.6%). Being aged ≥ 55 years (AOR = 7.35, 95% CI 1.49–36.39) and > 60 years (AOR 8.05; 95% CI 2.22–29.12), separated (AOR = 1.34; 95% 1.02–7.00), cohabitating (AOR = 6.68; 95% CL1.03-14.35), vocational (AOR = 3.65; 95% CI 1.81–7.39 ) and having a university education (AOR = 4.62; 95% CI 3.09–6.91) were found to be independently associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension,and NCD risk factors was high among the residents of the Kroobay informal settlement. We also noted a low prevalence of diabetes. There is an urgent need for the implementation of health education, promotion, and screening initiatives to reduce health risks so that these conditions will not overwhelm health services

Achieving minimum standards for infection prevention and control in Sierra Leone: Urgent need for a quantum leap in progress in the COVID-19 era!

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2022-04-20, pub-electronic 2022-05-06Publication status: PublishedIntroduction: Good Infection prevention and control (IPC) is vital for tackling antimicrobial resistance and limiting health care-associated infections. We compared IPC performance before (2019) and during the COVID-19 (2021) era at the national IPC unit and all regional (4) and district hospitals (8) in Sierra Leone. Methods: Cross-sectional assessments using standardized World Health Organizations IPC checklists. IPC performance scores were graded as inadequate = 0−25%, basic = 25.1−50%, intermediate = 50.1−75%, and advanced = 75.1−100%. Results: Overall performance improved from ‘basic’ to ‘intermediate’ at the national IPC unit (41% in 2019 to 58% in 2021) and at regional hospitals (37% in 2019 to 54% in 2021) but remained ‘basic’ at district hospitals (37% in 2019 to 50% in 2021). Priority gaps at the national IPC unit included lack of: a dedicated IPC budget, monitoring the effectiveness of IPC trainings and health care-associated infection surveillance. Gaps at hospitals included no assessment of hospital staffing needs, inadequate infrastructure for IPC and lack of a well-defined monitoring plan with clear goals, targets and activities. Conclusion: Although there is encouraging progress in IPC performance, it is slower than desired in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is urgent need to mobilize political will, leadership and resources and make a quantum leap forward.19pubpub

Isolation of Angola-like Marburg virus from Egyptian rousette bats from West Africa.

Marburg virus (MARV) causes sporadic outbreaks of severe Marburg virus disease (MVD). Most MVD outbreaks originated in East Africa and field studies in East Africa, South Africa, Zambia, and Gabon identified the Egyptian rousette bat (ERB; Rousettus aegyptiacus) as a natural reservoir. However, the largest recorded MVD outbreak with the highest case-fatality ratio happened in 2005 in Angola, where direct spillover from bats was not  shown. Here, collaborative studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Njala University, University of California, Davis USAID-PREDICT, and the University of Makeni identify MARV circulating in ERBs in Sierra Leone. PCR, antibody and virus isolation data from 1755 bats of 42 species shows active MARV infection in approximately 2.5% of ERBs. Phylogenetic analysis identifies MARVs that are similar to the Angola strain. These results provide evidence of MARV circulation in West Africa and demonstrate the value of pathogen surveillance to identify previously undetected threats

Asymptomatic Malaria Infection and the Immune Response to the 2-Dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola Vaccine Regimen in Adults and Children

Background Malaria infection affects the immune response to some vaccines. As Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks have occurred mainly in malaria-endemic countries, we have assessed whether asymptomatic malaria affects immune responses to the 2-dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen. Methods In this sub-study of the EBOVAC-Salone Ebola vaccine trial in Sierra Leone, malaria microscopy was performed at the time of Ebola vaccination. Participants with symptomatic malaria were treated before vaccination. Ebola vaccine responses were assessed post-dose 1 (day 57) and post-dose 2 (day 78) by the EBOV glycoprotein FANG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and responses expressed as geometric mean concentrations (GMCs). Geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of the GMCs in malaria-positive versus malaria-negative participants were derived with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 587 participants were studied, comprising 188 adults (≥18 years) and 399 children (in age groups of 12–17, 4–11, and 1–3 years). Asymptomatic malaria was observed in 47.5% of adults and 51.5% of children on day 1. Post-dose 1, GMCs were lower in 1–3-year-old malaria-positive compared with malaria-negative children (age group–specific GMR, .56; 95% CI, .39–.81) but not in older age groups. Post-dose 2, there was no consistent effect of malaria infection across the different age groups but there was a trend toward a lower response (GMR, .82; 95% CI, .67–1.02). Conclusions The Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen is immunogenic in participants with asymptomatic malaria. Therefore, it is not necessary to screen for asymptomatic malaria infection prior to vaccination with this regimen

The Prevalence and Intensity of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis (Schistosoma mansoni) among primary school children aged 9-14 years in Tonkolili district, Northern Sierra Leone.

Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) infections are public health problems in areas with less improved sanitary conditions and lack of basic social amenities. The human soil-transmitted helminthiasis infections have been reported in many rural communities of the developing world. Global estimates of STH and SCH is over 2 billion of which ascariasis accounts for 1.6 billion while trichuriasis and hookworms account for about 700 – 800 million. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis (Schistosoma mansoni) among primary school children in Tonkolili district. The study employed a cross-sectional study design in two chiefdoms within Tonkolili District. In each Chiefdom, one primary school was sampled and in each school, a random sample of 100 pupils was selected. Kato-Katz technique was used to determine prevalence and intensity of STH and SCH infections and data analysis were done using software version EPi info 3.5.3.The study revealed that the overall prevalence of STH parasites is: Ascaris lumbricoides- 5.0% [95%CI(2.1 – 8.4)] and S. Mansoni has a prevalence of 26.0% [95% CI (20.1 – 32.7)]. The overall intensity of STH parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides-5.4epg; Trichuriasis trichiura-0.6epg; Hookworm-22.0epg, and for schistosomiasis; S. Mansoni has an intensity of 47epg.The study concluded that there has been a decrease in the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the district over the years. The observed low prevalence could be partly due to the preventive chemotherapy that has been going on through mass drug administration’s since 2009 and the ongoing program of treating children under five with anthelminthic drugs during the Mother and Child Health Week twice annually in the entire country.The study recommends that if the observed decrease in low prevalence and intensity of the infections should be sustained, then mass drugs administration should be done every year

Breeding strategies to improve maize for adaptation to low soil nitrogen in West and Central Africa

The moist savannas of West and Central Africa have great potential for maize grain production due to high levels of radiation and reduced incidence of pests and diseases. However, soils in this zone are generally low in organic matter and cation exchange capacity in addition to land use intensification. Improving productivity of maize in the savannas will therefore rely on improving soil fertility, ensuring efficient use of inputs and low-N tolerant maize varieties. Breeding maize for adaptation to low soil nitrogen will enhance the capacity of cultivars to use limited nitrogen more efficiently for grain production. Attempts at developing N-efficient maize genotypes for this region resulted in the identification of hybrids as having better N-use efficiency than open pollinated cultivars, identification of inbreds with high N-use efficiency and the development of prolific and low-N tolerant populations. Recurrent selection schemes whereby desirable progenies for recombination were selected based on an index that combine agronomic performance under low-N with yield under high-N to maximize gains under both environments, have been used to improve the developed populations. Evaluation of different cycles of selection showed that a minimum yield gain of 100 kg ha-1 cycle-1 under low-N is feasible. This yield gain is associated with desirable changes in other agronomic traits. Determination of relationships between vertical root pulling strength and nitrogen uptake and use efficiency and testing of maize genotypes developed for drought under low-N are other strategies that can aid breeding for tolerance to low-soil nitrogen

ASSESSING EMPLOYEES' MOTIVATION IN TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN SIERRA LEONE: INSTITUTION OF ADVANCED MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY (IAMTECH) AND NJALA UNIVERSITY (NU), SIERRA LEONE

Employee motivation is a key element that subsequently achieve organizational blueprint in modern day of organizational operations. On this ground, the researchers assess employees' motivation in tertiary educational institutions in Sierra Leone. It covers the Institute of Advanced Management and Technology (IAMTECH) and its affiliate institution, Njala University (NU). Differences were drawn between these two institutions, as IAMTECH is private and NU public. Motivation is necessary for effective and efficient organizational dynamism such as room for growth, development, health work environment, feeling of belonging, and achievement of organizational objectives. Motivated employees dedicate their energies and skills to their jobs, thereby implementing and attaining the organizational policies and blueprints. This enhances workplace ethics and accelerates employee motivation and performance in tertiary educational institutions in Sierra Leone. It clearly states that motivation is not only giving financial incentives and rewards, but also makes employees' feel as if they are part of the organization success. It is evident in the research that, applying effective employees' motivation either moral or financial helps achieve organizational objectives in both public and private sectors in Sierra Leone. However, there are some constrains in achieving the ultimate goal of the research, as most heads and decision makers in these institutions lack the required skills to motivate employees' performance in this 19th century culturally society in the west coast of Africa. Therefore, the researchers created room for more innovative techniques that will definitely yield maximal employees' motivation in tertiary educational institutions in Sierra Leone.   Article visualizations

Climate-smart fisheries: CO2 emissions reduction and food security are complementary

In the global north, climate-smart fisheries (CSF) policies prioritise steps to combat CO2 emissions from SSF, in a response to the fact that globally, CO2 emissions from small-scale fisheries (SSFs) increased by 5.8 times between 1950-2016. However, in the global south, CSF policies on SSF prioritise food and income security over CO2 emission reduction. In this paper, we examine this apparently contrasting interpretation of CSF as a conceptual framework to interpret the case study of Sierra Leone, one of Africa’s poorest countries where we found that small-scale coastal fishers are preoccupied with mitigating the impact of climate change on their food and income security rather than with lowering their CO2 emissions. The self-image of SSF in Sierra Leone is that of being victims of climate change rather than perpetrators of it, and they justify this stance by claiming their livelihoods are being threatened by climate change. However, it could be argued that the best way to keep Sierra Leonean SSF CO2 emissions low is to prioritise their food and income security: in other words, that food security and CO2 reductions are complementary not contradictory. This, at any rate, is the argument of the current paper. The fieldwork for this study entailed co-created research in Sierra Leone which involved 103 stakeholders who met face-to-face and online between January and March 2022 and through village meetings. The results of this fieldwork showed that food and income security and not CO2 emissions are the priorities in the stakeholders’ interpretation of CSF. However, if food and income security are not prioritised, communities are likely to adopt maladaptive strategies which undermine marine protected areas (MPAs) and exacerbate overfishing, thereby increasing CO2 emissions. Moreover, investment in aquaculture as a supplementary or alternative livelihood can directly increase food security and incomes and at the same time indirectly serve as a CO2 mitigation measure. In addition, weather information communication is an important CSF measure which both protects fishers from the impact of climate change and reduces their CO2 emissions. Accordingly, we argue that the contrast between reducing CO2 emissions and protecting food security from climate change may be more apparent than real in Sierra Leone coastal fisheries, since both policies may work in tandem together This study therefore contributes a new interpretation of CSF in the global south: instead of seeing it as posing a conflict between CO2 emissions reductions and food security, we have shown the two objectives can be complementary. The wider implication of this paper is that CSF strategies for SSFs do not have to be polarised between the global north’s focus on the reduction of CO2 emissions from fishing vessels and the global south’s focus on the mitigation of the impact of global warming on SSFs. There are circumstances when the two objectives may be in harmony