Replacing iron-folic acid with multiple micronutrient supplements among pregnant women in Bangladesh and Burkina Faso: costs, impacts, and cost-effectiveness.

Consumption of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) during pregnancy offers additional benefits compared with iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation, but the tablets are more expensive. We estimated the effects, costs, and cost-effectiveness of hypothetically replacing IFA supplements with MMS for 1 year in Bangladesh and Burkina Faso. Using baseline demographic characteristics from LiST and effect sizes from a meta-analysis, we estimated the marginal effects of replacing IFA with MMS on mortality, adverse birth outcomes, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. We calculated the marginal tablet costs of completely replacing MMS with IFA (assuming 180 tablets per covered pregnancy). Replacing IFA with MMS could avert over 15,000 deaths and 30,000 cases of preterm birth annually in Bangladesh and over 5000 deaths and 5000 cases of preterm birth in Burkina Faso, assuming 100% coverage and adherence. We estimated the cost per death averted to be US$175-185 in Bangladesh and$112-125 in Burkina Faso. Cost per DALY averted ranged from $3 to$15, depending on the country and consideration of subgroup effects. Our estimates suggest that this policy change would cost-effectively save lives and reduce life-long disabilities. Improvements in program delivery and supplement adherence would be expected to improve the cost-effectiveness of replacing IFA with MMS

RETENTION OF TEACHERS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Teachers’ retention in schools has been necessary because it enhances academic attainment. The gist of this study was to evaluate the effect of teachers' retention on students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. The study was guided by Education Production Function Theory (EPFT), Theory of Constraint (TOC) and Social Exchange Theory (SET). The target population was 268 public secondary Schools, 1500 teachers, 268 principals and one (1) County staffing officer. The sample size of 30% of the population was deemed to be adequate. The sampling techniques were simple random sampling, stratified sampling and systematic sampling. Data collection procedures were done with the help of administering questionnaires to respondents, document analysis and interview schedules were the major principal instruments used. The validity of the research instruments was assessed with the help of two research supervisors from Kisii University. The reliability of the index of 0.7 for teachers and 0.89 for principals was obtained using a test-retest approach. Data presentation was done with the help of tables, graphs and pie charts. A mixed research method was used. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that 38 (9.3%) teachers had left on promotion, 240 (59%) voluntarily and 129 involuntarily (31.7%). The study revealed, therefore, that most teachers (over 66%) either left voluntarily or on promotion. The study recommended that since most teachers either left voluntarily or on promotion, this was their right, while others were retained to ensure stability without interference through uncalled-for transfers, which enhanced students’ academic achievement. The study was undertaken by ensuring that ethical considerations for research were put into perspective, such as informed consent from participants and non-usage of unethical language as a means to obtain data from respondents.  Article visualizations

Effets du calcium alimentaire sur les paramètres de reproduction de l’escargot Limicolaria flammea (Müller, 1774), en élevage hors-sol

De jeunes escargots Limicolaria flammea âgés de deux semaines, avec un poids vif moyen de 0,07 ± 0,01 g et une longueur moyenne de coquille de 7,50 ± 0,03 mm ont été soumis à cinq (5) régimes alimentaires dont deux à base de fourrages verts (R1: constitué par un mélange de feuilles de Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae) et de Palisota hirsuta (Commelinaceae) et R2: composé de feuilles de Carica papaya (Caricaceae) et de Phaulopsis falcisepala (Acanthaceae) et trois régimes concentrés sous forme de farine (R3, R4 et R5), de teneurs en calcium variables (6,82 %, 12,02 % et 16,01 % respectivement) en vue de déterminer le taux de calcium susceptible d’induire de meilleures performances de croissance. La reproduction de l’escargot L. flammea est fortement influencée par les teneurs en calcium des aliments qu’il consomme. Les régimes concentrés réduisent la durée du cycle sexuel, en ce sens que la maturité sexuelle qui est tardive (7 mois) avec les aliments végétaux (R1 et R2) a été rendue précoce (5 mois) avec ces aliments (R4 et R5). La teneur en calcium alimentaire influence le nombre total de pontes, la durée d’incubation et le taux d’éclosion des oeufs, alors qu’elle n’a pas d’effet sur le poids et les dimensions de l’oeuf. Le taux optimal de calcium induisant une meilleure reproduction varie de 12,02 % à 16,01 %. En outre, les animaux qui ont été nourris à ces régimes ont eu une relative longévité, un nombre élevé de pontes, une durée d’incubation réduite et un taux élevé d’éclosion des oeufs, contrairement aux régimes à base de fourrages verts qui donnent des résultats peu prometteurs.Mots-clés: calcium, escargot, Limicolaria flammea (Müller, 1774), reproduction. Effects of dietary calcium on the reproduction parameters of the snail Limicolaria flammea (Müller, 1774), under indoor rearing Some young snails of Limicolaria flammea species of two weeks old, with an average live weight of 0,07 ± 0,002 g and an average shell length of 7,5 ± 0,03 mm were subjected to five (5) diets including two containing green fodder (R1: constituted by a mixture of leaves of Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae) and Palisota hirsuta (Commelinaceae) and R2:composed by leaves of Carica papaya (Caricaceae) and Phaulopsis falcisepala (Acanthaceae) and three concentrated diets in the form of flour (R3, R4 and R5), of variable calcium contents (6,82 %, 12,02 % and 16,01 % respectively) in order to determine the calcium rate suitable for induce better growth performances.The study shows that the reproduction of the snail L flammea is strongly influenced by the calcium contents of the food which it consumes. The concentrated diets reduce the duration of the sexual cycle, in the sense that the sexual maturity which is late (7 months) with vegetable foods (R1 and R2) was made early (5 months) with these food (R4 and R5).The dietary calcium content influences the total number of clutches, the duration of incubation and the hatching rate, while it has no effect on the weight and dimensions of eggs. The optimal calcium levels inducing a better reproduction varies from 12,02 % to 16,01 %. Moreover, the animals which were nourished with these diets had a relative longevity, a high number of clutches, reduced incubation time and a high rate of hatching, contrary to the diets containing green fodder which give not very promising results.Keywords: calcium, Limicolaria flammea (Müller, 1774), reproduction, snail

Comparative tolerance of Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima rice cultivars for iron toxicity in West Africa

Iron toxicity is a widespread nutrient disorder that affects wetland rice growing in the humid tropical regions of Asia and Africa. It has been estimated that 30– 40% of the inland swamps in the humid forest and savanna zones in West Africa are affected by varying degrees of iron toxicity stress. The disorder is caused by the accumulation of excessive amounts of iron in rice plants growing under rainfed and irrigated lowland conditions. In West Africa, iron toxicity causes rice yield losses varying from 12% to 100%, depending on the intensity of the stress and the iron tolerance of the variety (Sahrawat et al 1996)..........

Effet du régime et de la teneur en protéines brutes alimentaires sur le rendement en viande de l’escargot Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1720)

Le rendement en viande de l’escargot A. fulica soumis à deux régimes végétaux de fourrages verts (R1 et R2) et 3 régimes concentrés de farines (R3, R4 et R5) avec différentes teneurs en protéines (10,5%; 14% et 17,5%), a été évalué après 50 semaines d’élevage en milieu expérimental. Le régime R1 est constitué de lactuca sativa (Asteraceae), de carica papaya (Caricaceae), Brassica oleracea (Brassicaceae), de Cecropia peltata (Moraceae), Laportea aestuans (Urticaceae) et de Phaulopsis falcisepala (Acanthaceae). Le régime R2, en plus des feuilles utilisées pour le régime R1, est additionné de feuilles de Leucena leucocephala (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae), une plante relativement riche en protéines. Les animaux soumis aux régimes constitués de fourrages verts ont présenté des quantités de chair consommables (52,58 g pour R1 et 57,90 g pour R2) plus faibles que celles de ceux soumis aux régimes concentrés de farine [62,88 g (R3); 76,81 g (R4) et 85,45 g (R5)]. Le régime R5 présentant la plus forte teneur en protéines (17,5%), a induit la plus importante quantité de chair consommable (85,45 g). En revanche, la plus faible quantité de viande est fournie par les escargots soumis au régime végétal R1 sans L. leucocephala avec la plus faible teneur en protéines (2,75%). Ainsi, la quantité de viande des escargots, s’est accrue avec la teneur en protéines du régime alimentaire.Mots clés: A. fulica, régime alimentaire, protéines, performance de croissance, chair consommable

Effet de la teneur en protéines alimentaires sur la croissance de l’escargot terrestre Archachatina marginata (Swainson, 1821)

Deux cent vingt-cinq escargots Archachatina marginata, âgés d’environ trois jours, ont été soumis à deux régimes constitués de fourrages verts (R1 et R2) et trois régimes concentrés de farines (R3, R4 et R5) avec des teneurs en protéine variables [10,5% (R3); 14% (R4) et 17,5% (R5)], pendant 50 semaines d’élevage en milieu expérimental. Ce travail vise à étudier l’effet du régime et de la teneur en protéine brute alimentaire sur la croissance de l’escargot Archachatina marginata (Swainson, 1821) en captivité. Le régime R1 est constitué de Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae), de Carica papaya  (Caricaceae), Brassica oleracea (Brassicaceae), de Cecropia peltata (Moraceae), Laportea aestuans (Urticaceae) et de Phaulopsis falcisepala (Acanthaceae). Le régime R2, en plus des feuilles utilisées pour le régime R1, est additionné de feuilles de Leucena leucocephala (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae), une plante relativement riche en protéines. Les performances de croissances  pondérale et coquillière ainsi que les taux de survie des escargots soumis aux régimes concentrés riches en protéine ont été nettement meilleures que ceux soumis aux régimes constitués de fourrages verts relativement pauvres en protéine. La croissance pondérale s’est améliorée avec l’augmentation de la teneur en protéine de l’aliment concentré. Ainsi, le meilleur poids vif final (216,27 g) est présenté par les escargots soumis au régime concentré R5 (17,5% de protéine) et le plus  faible (103,8 g) par le régime végétal R1 (2,75% de protéine) sans L. leucocephala. Le régime végétal R2 contenant les feuilles de L. leucocephala à un taux de  37,78% a causé le plus de mortalité. En revanche, Les escargots soumis aux régimes concentrés ont présenté les plus faibles taux de mortalité (6,67% pour R3; 4,44% pour R4 et 6,67% pour R5). L’étude a montré que la protéine est un nutriment indispensable qui contribue à améliorer notablement la croissance de cet  escargot. A un taux de 17,5%, les animaux ont présenté au bout de 50 semaines d’élevage, un poids vif moyen de 216,27 ± 9,28 g, une longueur moyenne  coquillière de 12,14 ± 0,63 cm. Aussi, les feuilles de L. leucocephala fraîches causent-elles assez de mortalité chez les naissains et les juvéniles.Mots clés: Alimentation, élevage, croissance, mollusque, taux de survie

Executive Summary- Social Protection in Egypt: Mitigating the Socio-Economic Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vulnerable Employment

This is the executive summary of an interdisciplinary project between the fields of development economics, political economy, labor sociology, development anthropology and public health. It reviews the social protection available to vulnerable employees and their households in Egypt and suggests ways to adapt them in light of the COVID 19 pandemic. The research focuses on four areas a) employment security b) social assistance c) health insurance d) gendered mitigations. The project will map the impact of the crisis on vulnerable employees and their households and propose policy interventions to alleviate the socio-economic effects of the pandemic through the publication of four policy reports

Effets de la teneur en poudre de coquilles de bivalves (Corbula trigona) du substrat sur les paramètres de croissance d’Achatina achatina (Linné, 1758) en élevage hors-sol

Les effets de cinq substrats : ST (terreau) substrat témoin, S10 (ST + 10 % poudre de coquilles de bivalves), S20 (ST + 20 % poudre de coquilles de bivalves), S30 (ST + 30 % poudre de coquilles de bivalves), S40 (ST + 40 % poudre de coquilles de bivalves) sur les performances de croissance d’Achatina achatina en élevage horssol ont été étudié. Des juvéniles (450), de deux mois d’âge, de poids vifs moyens et de longueur moyenne de coquille de 3,30 ± 1,00 g et 2,80 ± 0,33 cm, respectivement ont été nourris à un aliment concentré sous forme de farine. Nos résultats ont montré que l’incorporation de la poudre de coquilles de bivalves dans le substrat a une influence considérable sur la croissance des escargots. Les meilleures croissances pondérales et coquillières ont été obtenues sur le substrat S20 (0,60 g/j ; 0,026 cm/j) avec une teneur en calcium du substrat de 6.23 %. Cependant, pour une achatiniculture performante et rentable, toute incorporation de la litière au-delà de 20 % de la poudre de coquilles de bivalves est à déconseiller car entrainant un ralentissement de la croissance chez Achatina achatina.Mots-clés : Achatina achatina, coquilles de bivalves, substrats d’élevage, calcium, croissance.Effects of powder content of bivalvia (Corbula trigona) shells of the substratum on the growth parameters of Achatina achatina (Linné, 1758) under indoor rearingThe effects of five substrata: ST (compost) control substratum, S10 (ST + 10 % powder of bivalvia shells), S20 (ST + 20 % powder of bivalvia shells), S30 (ST + powder of bivalvia shells), S40 (ST + 40 % powder of bivalvia shells) on the growth of Achatina achatina under indoor rearing were studied. 450 Juvenile snails of two month old, with 3,30 ± 1,00 g body weight and 2,80 ± 0,33 cm shell length were subjected to concentrated diets. Our results showed that the improvement of the breeding substratum with powder of bivalvia shells has a signifiant influence on the growth of Achatina achatina. The best growths were obtained on the substratum S20 (0,60 g/j ; 0,026 cm/j) with a calcium content of 6,23 %. However, in order to promote a successful and profitable snails breeding, it is not recommended to improve beyong 20 % the powder of bivalvia shells because it is involving lower growth at Achatina achatina.Keywords : Achatina achatina, bivalvia shells, breeding substratum, calcium, growth

Long-Term Phosphorus Fertilizer Effects on Phosphorus Uptake, Efficiency, and Recovery by Upland Rice on an Ultisol

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major constraint to upland rice production on highly weathered, low activity clay soils in the humid zone of West Africa. There is a paucity of information on the long-term fertilizer P effects on rice on these soils. A field experiment was conducted for six years (1993–1998) to determine the response of four upland rice cultivars to fertilizer P applied at 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg P ha−1 only once in 1993, and to residual P in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998. The experimental site was located on an Ultisol, low in available P, in the humid forest zone of Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. This paper discusses long-term P effects on P uptake and efficiency of upland rice cultivars. The cultivars evaluated differed in cumulative agronomic and physiological P efficiencies, and the efficiencies were higher at lower P rates for the P-efficient cultivars. The P uptake response and P harvest index were affected by P rate and its residual effect, which decreased with time after P was applied. The mean cumulative recovery of applied P in five crops of four rice cultivars varied from 5.5 to 9.4%. The results suggest that the variation in P efficiency of the cultivars is due to differences in the efficiency of utilization of P for grain production

Phosphorus response of Oryza sativa, O. glaberrima, and hybrid rice cultivars on an ultisol

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major constraint to upland rice production on Ultisols in the humid zone of West Africa. Integrated use of P-efficient cultivars and P nutrition is needed for enhanced sustainable productivity on these soils. This article reports on the P responsiveness of interspecific rice hybrids (crosses from Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima) along with O. sativa and O. glaberrima cultivars grown on an acidic Ultisol, low in available P. The cultivars differed in yield and P-uptake response to fresh and residual P. Two interspecific cultivars gave a linear response to P and produced the greatest grain yield under direct and residual P. The O. glaberrima cultivar CG 14 did not respond to the applied P, whereas the O. sativa cultivar was moderate in its performance. Our results show that the interspecific rice cultivars have the potential to adapt and perform well on acidic upland soil