Enhancing household soybean processing and utilization in the Eastern Province of Zambia, a concurrent triangulation study design.

The purpose of this study was to establish best ways of improving household soybean processing and utilization in selected districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia. This was a concurrent triangulation study design, nested with a cross sectional survey and barrier analysis. Up to 1,237 households and 42 key informants participated in the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata MP 15 software (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). NVIVO QSR10 software (QSRInt, Melbourne Australia) was used to organize qualitative data which was later analysed thematically. In this study whole soybean processing and utilization in eastern province was at 48%. However, accessibility to soybean for household consumption throughout the year was negligible (0.29%). Based on the food systems an interplay of factors influenced soybean processing and utilization. In the food environment, a ready-made Textured Soya Protein mainly imported [1,030/1237(83%)] and a milled whole soybean-maize blend AOR 816.37; 95%CI 110.83 to 6013.31 were preferred. Reports of labour intensity, hard to cook properties, coarse milling and beany flavour with associated anti-nutrients negatively influenced whole soybean utilization. In the enabling environment, soybean production AOR 4.47; 95%CI 2.82 to 7.08 increased the chances of utilization. Lack of inputs, poor access to affordable credit and lack of ingredients were deleterious to utilization. Low coverage of existing projects and poor access to technologies were other adverse factors. Among the Socioeconomic factors, a higher social hierarchy shown by owning a bed AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.22 to 2.49, belonging to the Chewa community AOR 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 to 0 1.25, gender of household head particularly male AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13, off farm income and livestock ownership were supportive to soybean utilization. Unfavourable factors were; belonging to any of the districts under study AOR 0.76; 95%CI 0.58 to 0.98, lack of knowledge (55.65%), low involvement of the male folks AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.73 and belonging to a female headed household AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13. Age, time and household size constraints as well as unreliable soybean output markets, lack of land, poor soils in some wards and poor soybean value chain governance were other negative factors. Immediately in the food environment there is need to boost milling of whole soybean while strengthening cooking demonstrations, correct processing, incorporation of soybean in the local dishes and conducting acceptability tests. In the enabling environment, there should be access to inputs, affordable credit facilities and subsidized mineral fertilisers. Post-harvest storage, collective action with full scale community involvement and ownership should be heightened. Socioeconomic approaches should target promotion of soybean processing and utilization among all ethnic groups, participation of male folks and female headed households as well as advocating for increased nutrition sensitive social protection. In the medium or long term, capacity building, market development, import substitution agreements, creation of new products, development of cottage industries, information exchange and inter district trade as well as more public-private partnerships and more local private sector players should be bolstered. Lastly farm diversification should be supported

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Enterococcus species isolated from laying hens in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia: a call for AMR surveillance in the poultry sector

BACKGROUND: The use of antimicrobials in layer poultry production for improved production, growth promotion, prophylaxis and treatment purposes has contributed to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in poultry. In Zambia, there is a paucity of information on the prevalence and AMR patterns of Enterococcus species isolated from laying hens. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prevalence and AMR patterns of enterococci isolated in layer hens in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to April 2021. Three hundred and sixty-five pooled cloacal swab samples were collected from 77 layer poultry farms. Enterococci identification and confirmation were performed using Analytical Profile Index (API 20 STREP) and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively. A panel of nine antibiotics was used for antibiotic susceptibility testing and interpreted according to the CLSI 2020 guidelines. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and WHONET 2020. RESULTS: A total of 308 (83%) single Enterococcus species isolates were obtained and showed resistance to tetracycline (80.5%), erythromycin (53.6%), quinupristin/dalfopristin (53.2%), ampicillin (36.72%), vancomycin (32.8%), linezolid (30.2%), ciprofloxacin (11.0%), nitrofurantoin (6.5%) and chloramphenicol (3.9%). The prevalence of enterococci resistant to at least one antibiotic was 99.4% (n = 306), of which 86% (n = 265) were MDR. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. The presence of MDR requires urgent intervention and implementation of AMR surveillance strategies and antimicrobial stewardship programmes in layer poultry production in Zambia

Drivers of antimicrobial resistance in layer poultry farming: Evidence from high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and enterococci in Zambia

Background and Aim: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the poultry sector. Information on factors driving AMR in the layer poultry sector is scarce in Zambia. This study examined the drivers of AMR in the layer poultry sector in the Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces of Zambia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study employed a structured questionnaire in 77 layer poultry farms in the provinces of Lusaka and Copperbelt, Zambia, from September 2020 to April 2021. Data analysis was conducted using Stata version 16.1. Antimicrobial resistance was defined as the presence of multidrug resistance (MDR) isolates. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify drivers of AMR. Results: In total, 365 samples were collected, from which 339 (92.9%) Escherichia coli and 308 (84.4%) Enterococcus spp. were isolated. Multidrug resistance was identified in 39% of the E. coli and 86% of the Enterococcus spp. The overall prevalence of AMR in layer poultry farms was 51.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.3%–63.5%). Large-scale farmers (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04%–0.99%) than small-scale and farmers who were aware of AMR than those who were unaware (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08%–0.86%) were less likely to experience AMR problems. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of AMR in layer poultry farming linked to the type of farm management practices and lack of AMR awareness. Evidence of high MDR in our study is of public health concern and requires urgent attention. Educational interventions must increase AMR awareness, especially among small- and medium-scale poultry farmers

Enhancing household soybean processing and utilization in the Eastern Province of Zambia, a concurrent triangulation study design.

The purpose of this study was to establish best ways of improving household soybean processing and utilization in selected districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia. This was a concurrent triangulation study design, nested with a cross sectional survey and barrier analysis. Up to 1,237 households and 42 key informants participated in the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata MP 15 software (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). NVIVO QSR10 software (QSRInt, Melbourne Australia) was used to organize qualitative data which was later analysed thematically. In this study whole soybean processing and utilization in eastern province was at 48%. However, accessibility to soybean for household consumption throughout the year was negligible (0.29%). Based on the food systems an interplay of factors influenced soybean processing and utilization. In the food environment, a ready-made Textured Soya Protein mainly imported [1,030/1237(83%)] and a milled whole soybean-maize blend AOR 816.37; 95%CI 110.83 to 6013.31 were preferred. Reports of labour intensity, hard to cook properties, coarse milling and beany flavour with associated anti-nutrients negatively influenced whole soybean utilization. In the enabling environment, soybean production AOR 4.47; 95%CI 2.82 to 7.08 increased the chances of utilization. Lack of inputs, poor access to affordable credit and lack of ingredients were deleterious to utilization. Low coverage of existing projects and poor access to technologies were other adverse factors. Among the Socioeconomic factors, a higher social hierarchy shown by owning a bed AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.22 to 2.49, belonging to the Chewa community AOR 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 to 0 1.25, gender of household head particularly male AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13, off farm income and livestock ownership were supportive to soybean utilization. Unfavourable factors were; belonging to any of the districts under study AOR 0.76; 95%CI 0.58 to 0.98, lack of knowledge (55.65%), low involvement of the male folks AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.73 and belonging to a female headed household AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13. Age, time and household size constraints as well as unreliable soybean output markets, lack of land, poor soils in some wards and poor soybean value chain governance were other negative factors. Immediately in the food environment there is need to boost milling of whole soybean while strengthening cooking demonstrations, correct processing, incorporation of soybean in the local dishes and conducting acceptability tests. In the enabling environment, there should be access to inputs, affordable credit facilities and subsidized mineral fertilisers. Post-harvest storage, collective action with full scale community involvement and ownership should be heightened. Socioeconomic approaches should target promotion of soybean processing and utilization among all ethnic groups, participation of male folks and female headed households as well as advocating for increased nutrition sensitive social protection. In the medium or long term, capacity building, market development, import substitution agreements, creation of new products, development of cottage industries, information exchange and inter district trade as well as more public-private partnerships and more local private sector players should be bolstered. Lastly farm diversification should be supported

Socioeconomic status.

The purpose of this study was to establish best ways of improving household soybean processing and utilization in selected districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia. This was a concurrent triangulation study design, nested with a cross sectional survey and barrier analysis. Up to 1,237 households and 42 key informants participated in the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata MP 15 software (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). NVIVO QSR10 software (QSRInt, Melbourne Australia) was used to organize qualitative data which was later analysed thematically. In this study whole soybean processing and utilization in eastern province was at 48%. However, accessibility to soybean for household consumption throughout the year was negligible (0.29%). Based on the food systems an interplay of factors influenced soybean processing and utilization. In the food environment, a ready-made Textured Soya Protein mainly imported [1,030/1237(83%)] and a milled whole soybean-maize blend AOR 816.37; 95%CI 110.83 to 6013.31 were preferred. Reports of labour intensity, hard to cook properties, coarse milling and beany flavour with associated anti-nutrients negatively influenced whole soybean utilization. In the enabling environment, soybean production AOR 4.47; 95%CI 2.82 to 7.08 increased the chances of utilization. Lack of inputs, poor access to affordable credit and lack of ingredients were deleterious to utilization. Low coverage of existing projects and poor access to technologies were other adverse factors. Among the Socioeconomic factors, a higher social hierarchy shown by owning a bed AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.22 to 2.49, belonging to the Chewa community AOR 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 to 0 1.25, gender of household head particularly male AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13, off farm income and livestock ownership were supportive to soybean utilization. Unfavourable factors were; belonging to any of the districts under study AOR 0.76; 95%CI 0.58 to 0.98, lack of knowledge (55.65%), low involvement of the male folks AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.73 and belonging to a female headed household AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13. Age, time and household size constraints as well as unreliable soybean output markets, lack of land, poor soils in some wards and poor soybean value chain governance were other negative factors. Immediately in the food environment there is need to boost milling of whole soybean while strengthening cooking demonstrations, correct processing, incorporation of soybean in the local dishes and conducting acceptability tests. In the enabling environment, there should be access to inputs, affordable credit facilities and subsidized mineral fertilisers. Post-harvest storage, collective action with full scale community involvement and ownership should be heightened. Socioeconomic approaches should target promotion of soybean processing and utilization among all ethnic groups, participation of male folks and female headed households as well as advocating for increased nutrition sensitive social protection. In the medium or long term, capacity building, market development, import substitution agreements, creation of new products, development of cottage industries, information exchange and inter district trade as well as more public-private partnerships and more local private sector players should be bolstered. Lastly farm diversification should be supported.</div

Soybean production.

The purpose of this study was to establish best ways of improving household soybean processing and utilization in selected districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia. This was a concurrent triangulation study design, nested with a cross sectional survey and barrier analysis. Up to 1,237 households and 42 key informants participated in the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata MP 15 software (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). NVIVO QSR10 software (QSRInt, Melbourne Australia) was used to organize qualitative data which was later analysed thematically. In this study whole soybean processing and utilization in eastern province was at 48%. However, accessibility to soybean for household consumption throughout the year was negligible (0.29%). Based on the food systems an interplay of factors influenced soybean processing and utilization. In the food environment, a ready-made Textured Soya Protein mainly imported [1,030/1237(83%)] and a milled whole soybean-maize blend AOR 816.37; 95%CI 110.83 to 6013.31 were preferred. Reports of labour intensity, hard to cook properties, coarse milling and beany flavour with associated anti-nutrients negatively influenced whole soybean utilization. In the enabling environment, soybean production AOR 4.47; 95%CI 2.82 to 7.08 increased the chances of utilization. Lack of inputs, poor access to affordable credit and lack of ingredients were deleterious to utilization. Low coverage of existing projects and poor access to technologies were other adverse factors. Among the Socioeconomic factors, a higher social hierarchy shown by owning a bed AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.22 to 2.49, belonging to the Chewa community AOR 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 to 0 1.25, gender of household head particularly male AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13, off farm income and livestock ownership were supportive to soybean utilization. Unfavourable factors were; belonging to any of the districts under study AOR 0.76; 95%CI 0.58 to 0.98, lack of knowledge (55.65%), low involvement of the male folks AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.73 and belonging to a female headed household AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13. Age, time and household size constraints as well as unreliable soybean output markets, lack of land, poor soils in some wards and poor soybean value chain governance were other negative factors. Immediately in the food environment there is need to boost milling of whole soybean while strengthening cooking demonstrations, correct processing, incorporation of soybean in the local dishes and conducting acceptability tests. In the enabling environment, there should be access to inputs, affordable credit facilities and subsidized mineral fertilisers. Post-harvest storage, collective action with full scale community involvement and ownership should be heightened. Socioeconomic approaches should target promotion of soybean processing and utilization among all ethnic groups, participation of male folks and female headed households as well as advocating for increased nutrition sensitive social protection. In the medium or long term, capacity building, market development, import substitution agreements, creation of new products, development of cottage industries, information exchange and inter district trade as well as more public-private partnerships and more local private sector players should be bolstered. Lastly farm diversification should be supported.</div

Processing and utilization of whole soybean-emerging themes.

Processing and utilization of whole soybean-emerging themes.</p

Enabling framework.

The purpose of this study was to establish best ways of improving household soybean processing and utilization in selected districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia. This was a concurrent triangulation study design, nested with a cross sectional survey and barrier analysis. Up to 1,237 households and 42 key informants participated in the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata MP 15 software (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). NVIVO QSR10 software (QSRInt, Melbourne Australia) was used to organize qualitative data which was later analysed thematically. In this study whole soybean processing and utilization in eastern province was at 48%. However, accessibility to soybean for household consumption throughout the year was negligible (0.29%). Based on the food systems an interplay of factors influenced soybean processing and utilization. In the food environment, a ready-made Textured Soya Protein mainly imported [1,030/1237(83%)] and a milled whole soybean-maize blend AOR 816.37; 95%CI 110.83 to 6013.31 were preferred. Reports of labour intensity, hard to cook properties, coarse milling and beany flavour with associated anti-nutrients negatively influenced whole soybean utilization. In the enabling environment, soybean production AOR 4.47; 95%CI 2.82 to 7.08 increased the chances of utilization. Lack of inputs, poor access to affordable credit and lack of ingredients were deleterious to utilization. Low coverage of existing projects and poor access to technologies were other adverse factors. Among the Socioeconomic factors, a higher social hierarchy shown by owning a bed AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.22 to 2.49, belonging to the Chewa community AOR 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 to 0 1.25, gender of household head particularly male AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13, off farm income and livestock ownership were supportive to soybean utilization. Unfavourable factors were; belonging to any of the districts under study AOR 0.76; 95%CI 0.58 to 0.98, lack of knowledge (55.65%), low involvement of the male folks AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.73 and belonging to a female headed household AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13. Age, time and household size constraints as well as unreliable soybean output markets, lack of land, poor soils in some wards and poor soybean value chain governance were other negative factors. Immediately in the food environment there is need to boost milling of whole soybean while strengthening cooking demonstrations, correct processing, incorporation of soybean in the local dishes and conducting acceptability tests. In the enabling environment, there should be access to inputs, affordable credit facilities and subsidized mineral fertilisers. Post-harvest storage, collective action with full scale community involvement and ownership should be heightened. Socioeconomic approaches should target promotion of soybean processing and utilization among all ethnic groups, participation of male folks and female headed households as well as advocating for increased nutrition sensitive social protection. In the medium or long term, capacity building, market development, import substitution agreements, creation of new products, development of cottage industries, information exchange and inter district trade as well as more public-private partnerships and more local private sector players should be bolstered. Lastly farm diversification should be supported.</div

Barrier analysis participants.

The purpose of this study was to establish best ways of improving household soybean processing and utilization in selected districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia. This was a concurrent triangulation study design, nested with a cross sectional survey and barrier analysis. Up to 1,237 households and 42 key informants participated in the quantitative and qualitative studies respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata MP 15 software (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). NVIVO QSR10 software (QSRInt, Melbourne Australia) was used to organize qualitative data which was later analysed thematically. In this study whole soybean processing and utilization in eastern province was at 48%. However, accessibility to soybean for household consumption throughout the year was negligible (0.29%). Based on the food systems an interplay of factors influenced soybean processing and utilization. In the food environment, a ready-made Textured Soya Protein mainly imported [1,030/1237(83%)] and a milled whole soybean-maize blend AOR 816.37; 95%CI 110.83 to 6013.31 were preferred. Reports of labour intensity, hard to cook properties, coarse milling and beany flavour with associated anti-nutrients negatively influenced whole soybean utilization. In the enabling environment, soybean production AOR 4.47; 95%CI 2.82 to 7.08 increased the chances of utilization. Lack of inputs, poor access to affordable credit and lack of ingredients were deleterious to utilization. Low coverage of existing projects and poor access to technologies were other adverse factors. Among the Socioeconomic factors, a higher social hierarchy shown by owning a bed AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.22 to 2.49, belonging to the Chewa community AOR 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 to 0 1.25, gender of household head particularly male AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13, off farm income and livestock ownership were supportive to soybean utilization. Unfavourable factors were; belonging to any of the districts under study AOR 0.76; 95%CI 0.58 to 0.98, lack of knowledge (55.65%), low involvement of the male folks AOR 0.47; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.73 and belonging to a female headed household AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.21 to 3.13. Age, time and household size constraints as well as unreliable soybean output markets, lack of land, poor soils in some wards and poor soybean value chain governance were other negative factors. Immediately in the food environment there is need to boost milling of whole soybean while strengthening cooking demonstrations, correct processing, incorporation of soybean in the local dishes and conducting acceptability tests. In the enabling environment, there should be access to inputs, affordable credit facilities and subsidized mineral fertilisers. Post-harvest storage, collective action with full scale community involvement and ownership should be heightened. Socioeconomic approaches should target promotion of soybean processing and utilization among all ethnic groups, participation of male folks and female headed households as well as advocating for increased nutrition sensitive social protection. In the medium or long term, capacity building, market development, import substitution agreements, creation of new products, development of cottage industries, information exchange and inter district trade as well as more public-private partnerships and more local private sector players should be bolstered. Lastly farm diversification should be supported.</div