Influence of Compost on Incidence and Severity of Okra Mosaic Disease and Fruit Yield and Quality of Two Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Cultivars

Poor soil fertility, viral diseases and pest infestations are major constraints on the production of okra in Africa. The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of compost in minimizing okra mosaic disease (OMD), flea beetle infestation and improving the yield and quality of okra. In a pot and two field experiments (conducted in 2014 major and minor seasons), compost was incorporated at 0 kg N ha-1, 100 kg N ha-1 and 200 kg N ha-1 with three replicates, in a randomised complete block design using Asontem and Enidaso okra varieties as test crops. Results indicated that compost application yielded significantly higher plant height, and dry matter content and nutrients in the harvested okra plants than the control. High levels of compost application significantly improved the soluble carbon, crude fibre and crude fat content of okra fruits but did not significantly affect moisture and protein contents. Application of compost also reduced incidence and severity of OMD, but did not significantly influence the population of flea beetles that infested the okra plants. Asontem variety was more susceptible to OMD, recording significantly higher disease incidence and severity than Enidaso. The study has demonstrated that the compost application has the potential to enhance the fertility status of tropical soils to increase growth, yield and nutrient composition as well as decreasing incidence of OMD

Timeliness of Childhood Vaccinations Following Strengthening of the Second Year of Life (2YL) Immunization Platform and Introduction of Catch-Up Vaccination Policy in Ghana

Strengthening routine immunization systems to successfully deliver childhood vaccines during the second year of life (2YL) is critical for vaccine-preventable disease control. In Ghana, the 18-month visit provides opportunities to deliver the second dose of the measles–rubella vaccine (MR2) and for healthcare workers to assess for and provide children with any missed vaccine doses. In 2016, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) revised its national immunization policies to include guidelines for catch-up vaccinations. This study assessed the change in the timely receipt of vaccinations per Ghana’s Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI) schedule, an important indicator of service quality, following the introduction of the catch-up policy and implementation of a multifaceted intervention package. Vaccination coverage was assessed from household surveys conducted in the Greater Accra, Northern, and Volta regions for 392 and 931 children aged 24–35 months with documented immunization history in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Age at receipt of childhood vaccines was compared to the recommended age, as per the EPI schedule. Cumulative days under-vaccinated during the first 24 months of life for each recommended dose were assessed. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the associations between child and caregiver characteristics and time to MR2 vaccination. From 2016 to 2020, the proportion of children receiving all recommended doses on schedule generally improved, the duration of under-vaccination was shortened for most doses, and higher coverage rates were achieved at earlier ages for the MR series. More timely infant doses and caregiver awareness of the 2YL visit were positively associated with MR2 vaccination. Fostering a well-supported cadre of vaccinators, building community demand for 2YL vaccination, sustaining service utilization through strengthened defaulter tracking and caregiver-reminder systems, and creating a favorable policy environment that promotes vaccination over the life course are critical to improving the timeliness of childhood vaccinations