POTENTIAL OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE RURAL EMPLOYMENT

The paper examined whether increasing agricultural output would lead to an expansion of employment in rural areas in the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The paper found that the agricultural development problems in the Caribbean and SSA are very similar, especially, declining export demand for products, adverse trade policies and the actions of nature, causing damage to agricultural production. The simulations performed showed that in both regions, even a 4% annual increase in agricultural output has the potential for annually increasing agricultural employment by over 6%, even with an annual technical progress of 1.5% in the case of SSA and 2% in the case of the Caribbean. Expanding rural employment through expansion of agricultural output is therefore a definite opportunity in the two regions.Increasing rural employment, Rural Development, Agricultural Development in Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Financial Economics, Labor and Human Capital, Marketing, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Evaluating Local Food-Tourism Linkages as a Strategy for Promoting Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development: A Case for Tanzania

Tanzania is one of sub-Saharan Africa\u27s most popular and rapidly growing tourism destinations. Despite high economic growth stirred by fast tourism development, the level of poverty and unemployment is still very high. The rapid growth in tourism which translates into economic growth does not appear to have considerably improved local people\u27s income and reduced poverty in the country. Involvement of local people in the ownership of tourism enterprises is viewed as an important tool for promoting sustainable tourism, improving local peoples\u27 income and reducing financial leakage which is caused by importation of goods such as food and drinks from other countries. The main purpose of this study is therefore, to evaluate local food -tourism linkages as a strategy for promoting sustainable tourism, economic development and poverty alleviation in Tanzania. More specifically, the study investigated major challenges encountered by local food suppliers in accessing tourism markets (hotels). Correspondingly, the study investigated major challenges that hotel managers face in dealing with local food suppliers. The study also assessed perceptions of international tourists regarding local foods in Tanzania

Examining the Use of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Undergraduate Mathematics Learning Modules with Students of Color

In mathematics, Students of Color have persistently performed lower than their White counterparts, thus creating a need to explore instructional methods that could reduce performance disparities. This study investigated culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) to understand how it might support students’ mathematics learning in undergraduate mathematics learning modules. The overarching research question focused on how CRP in undergraduate mathematics Learning Modules supported students’ mathematics learning. There were also two main questions that focused on participants’ evaluations of the CRP modules and how those evaluations were reported based on subgroups (Students of Color and White). The researcher employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design where quantitative and qualitative analysis examined participants’ performance and evaluations of the modules, respectively. After experiencing the modules, most participants demonstrated performance gains, however, Students of Color outperformed White participants. Participants identified the presence of culture, real-world examples, safe and positive student to student interactions, learning aids rooted in real data, and the development of critical consciousness as the most effective aspects of the CRP modules. Students of Color were more likely than White participants to discuss elevated feelings of motivation and engagement, feelings of being listened to and included in the learning process, a connection to the instructor through similar perspectives, and reduced fears of being judged. White participants were more likely than Students of Color to discuss the high quality of the instructor’s skills and that they learned from their interactions with Students of Color. White participants had a higher curiosity (than Students of Color) toward better understanding the social issues presented in the CRP modules. Regardless of race/ethnicity, all participants preferred learning mathematics with the CRP modules over traditional methods. Based on these results, the researcher recommends the use of real-world examples that are culturally relevant, current, and genuinely provoke students to interrogate social issues through mathematics. He also recommends that, in CRP, educators must participate like students, allow independent thought, and be culturally competent in order to develop positive relationships with Students of Color. These results are important because they demonstrate how CRP can be implemented and that Students of Color can excel in mathematics

Integrated studies addressing the incidence of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in Kilombero district, Tanzania

Severe maternal morbidities (SMM ) are a diverse range o f serious complications which occur during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-natal period (six weeks after childbirth). They can affect any of the body organ systems, and their severity means that if untreated, or wrongly treated, maternal death is likely to result. Therefore prevention of maternal death requires better understanding of the epidemiology and outcome of the various forms of SMM. Tanzania is among developing countries in the world having a high maternal mortality ratio (454 per 100,000 live births), but there are few published evidence addressing all major forms of SMM in Tanzania. Not all pregnant Tanzanian women use health facilities for antenatal care or delivery, not even for treatment in the event of a complication. Therefore ascertaining the level of SMM in health facilities will not give a true estimation of the incidence among all pregnant women. While ascertaining SM M in the community would therefore seem to be a preferable approach, there are considerable practical barriers to executing such research in rural areas of developing countries. Furthermore previous studies have raised concerns about the reliability and validity of women’s self report of obstetric complications, especially when such report is retrospective.This PhD research has therefore taken two complementary approaches: (1) At St Francis Referral Hospital, Kilombero, Tanzania, using hospital routine data with case note review of all admissions experiencing complications, it has ascertained over the course of a full calendar year, the incidence and outcome of SMM , and associated risk factors (N= 5500 total admissions, n=1723 with case note review); (2) By undertaking a community interview survey in that hospital’ s rural catchment area, to determine the incidence of SMM via women’s self reporting of symptoms. This survey attempted to interview all women in selected villages that are subject to the Ifakara Centre Demographic Surveillance System (IC-DSS), and who were recorded by IC-DSS as having given birth over the same time-frame (690 were interviewed, while 663 had given birth during study period). Validation of self-reporting of SMM was undertaken using interview response data of the subset of 173 interviewees who had attended St Francis hospital for obstetric delivery/treatment during the study interval, and for whom hospital diagnosis made at that time were therefore also available.In the hospital study, the incidence of both intra partum (IP) and postpartum (PP) SMM (among all women delivering there or admitted postpartum) was 19.2%, with a case fatality rate of 1.7%. The incidence of solely intra partum SM M was 17.2%, the rate being higher among primigrávida than among multigravid (28% v 8%, p<0.001), among teenagers than older women (23% v 14%, p<0.001) and single women than among other women (68.1% v 48.7% , p<0.001). Among 909 intra partum SMM , the three commonest conditions were obstructed labour (69% ), eclampsia (14% ) and severe preeclampsia (9% ) while in the 258 postpartum SM M ; the three commonest conditions were postpartum eclampsia (26% ), puerperal sepsis (24% ) and postpartum haemorrhage (23% ). Neonatal death was more com m on among women with intra partum SM M than among other deliveries (4.7% v 1.1%, p<0.001). There were no intra partum maternal deaths, but across all antenatal, intra partum and postpartum admissions, maternal mortality was four-fold greater among women admitted in critical condition than among other women (2.1% v0.5%, p=0.006). The majority of the women who became maternal deaths were admitted in critical condition (11/17).Among Ifakara IC-DSS women interviewed, the majority had used health facilities at some level for obstetric care (64.7% ), and affirmed prior birth and emergency complication readiness plans (97.6% & 81.5% ). The incidence o f any SMM (antenatal to postnatal, derived from self reported symptoms by interviewees) was 16.7%; while for both intra partum and postpartum SMM , the incidence was 15.4%, lower than that of the hospital study (19.2% ). Considering solely intra partum (interview-ascertained) SMM, the rate was 8.1% (n=54), lower than the corresponding estimate of 17.2% from the hospital study. Validation interview-ascertained intra partum SMM classification could be undertaken in the subset of 173 who had delivered in St Francis hospital. Of these, 48 could be matched with the list of names of hospital admissions subjected to case note-review (i.e. all deliveries with any evidence of complications), while the remainder had no hospital-ascertained complication even (and hence must be presumed to be ‘normal deliveries’). In this group, interview-ascertained IP SM M rate was 21.4% , and the sensitivity and specificity for interview-ascertained IP SM M were 59.3% (16/27) and 85.6% (125/146) respectively.This is the first study in Tanzania to address the incidence of all intra partum and postpartum severe morbidities, using both retrospective review of referral hospital data/records and an interview survey in the surrounding rural community. The research findings have described the relative frequency of various subtypes of SMM , and the relationship of SMM to sociodemographic and obstetric factors and to maternal-foetal outcome. Such information will be helpful for clinicians and maternity staff to understand the pattern of SMM and how the hospital is performing in treating SMM cases. The finding that maternal death is so strongly associated with admission in critical condition emphasises the importance of addressing factors that delay admission of pregnancies that develop complications.In the thesis the findings from the research studies will be elaborated and the challenges of such research will be discussed. While the sample size for validation of intra partum SMM was too small to be able to make conclusive remarks, the finding of borderline sensitivity will be discussed in relation to specific morbidities and the reliability o f the hospital data ‘ gold standard’ comparator.With a pragmatic approach one can undertake research on SMM that enhances understanding of the complexities of SMM and its measurement, while also imparting knowledge on the epidemiology of the condition and potential actions that could be considered to improve outcome for SMM

Responding to Workplace Absenteeism in Tanzania: The case study of Public and Private Schools in Ilala Municipality and Mkuranga District

AbstractWorkplace absenteeism has widelybeen reported to be a serious problem which undermines smooth service delivery both in developed and developing nations.The problem is reported to be more serious in developing nation. This paper is therefore studyingthe mechanisms used to mitigate workplace absenteeism, their adequacy and the effective utilization of those mechanismsin public and private schools in Ilala Municipality and Mkuranga District in Tanzania. The study relied on in-depth interviews and documentary review to collect data which was analyzed using excel, content and thematic analysis. This study found numerous measureswhich have been put in placeto deal with teachers’ workplace absenteeism both in private and public schools.However, the study found that unlike in private schools, the measures are not seriously executed in public schools. The study recommends that the management of private schools should retain their strictness in dealing with teacher absenteeism. Also, the government should learn the private schools model of dealing with teachers’ absenteeism. Hence it should ensure effective utilization of available measures, improve teacher working environment, promotion and paying salary arrears on time. Again heads of schools should stop covering absenteeism behavior of their subordinates.Furthermore public secondary school management structure should be re- organized to introduce field of supervision at a division level

Rethinking Globalization and Continuing Relevance of the aoStatea in Comparative Politics

Comparative politics is one of the sub-fields within the academic discipline of political science as well as an approach to the study of politics and development across countries As a field of study comparative politics focuses on understanding and explaining political phenomena that take place within a state society country or political system However it should be noted that while the field of comparative politics continues to change over time it is important to note that its definition too changes This paper therefore provides a comprehensive debate on the ontology epistemology and methodology within the entire field of comparative politics with critical reflections on the continuing relevance of the states in a globalizing world As a critical reflection this paper is not wedded to any single world-view or conclusion about globalization As a whole this paper is guided by the proposition that despite the assault on the state from a number of directions its role will remain central to the study of comparative politics as well as in the contemporary era of globalizatio

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Vibrio cholerae 01 strains during two cholera outbreaks in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Objective: To determine and compare the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Vibrio cholerae 01 strains, which were isolated in two cholera epidemics in 1997 and 1999 in Dar es Salaam.Methods: V. cholerae 01 strains isolated from patients with cholera in Dar es Salaam city during 1997 (94 isolates) and 1999 (87 isolates) were stored on nutrient agar slants at room temperature and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined, using Kirby Bauermethod.Setting: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Results: A total of 181 V. cholerae 01 strains were studied during two epidemic periods when tetracycline or erythromycin was used for treatment of patients with severe disease. Among the 94 V. cholerae Ol strains isolated in 1997; 98.6%, 93.6%, 83%, 81.9%, 36.2%, 35.5%, 3.2% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim/ sulphamethoxazole, respectively. Among the 87 V. cholerae 01 isolates collected in 1999, 100%, 58.6%, 46.0%, 46%, 47.1%, 19.5%, 3.4% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole, respectively. Between 1997 and 1999, there was a significant increase in the proportion of V. cholerae 01 isolates resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, nalidixic acid and to erythromycin but there was no change for susceptibility tociprofloxacin and trimethoprim/ sulphamethoxazole.Conclusion: Significant proportion of V. cholerae 0l strains in Dar es Salaam were resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents during the two years of the study. Therefore, there is a great need to control the utilisation of antimicrobial agents in cholera control, in additionto continuing carrying out surveillance of antimicrobial resistance as a guide to choice of antimicrobial treatment. Rotational use of the available drugs with regular monitoring of susceptibility may contribute to continuing usefulness of such drugs