Trust-supply chain performance relationships: unraveling the mediating role of transaction cost attributes in agribusiness SMEs

The mediation effect of transaction cost attributes on the trust-supply chain performance relationships has remained largely under-explored. Particularly, little is known about the mediating role of information sharing, uncertainty and transaction frequency on the trust-supply chain performance relationships in the agri-food sector. Based on the transaction cost theory, this study used logistic regression to investigate the mediating role of transaction cost attributes on the trust-supply chain performance relationships. Data were collected from 396 agribusiness small and medium-sized enterprises, i.e., farmers (n = 203) and traders (n = 193) in Northern Uganda. Analysis was performed using logistic regression in SPSS version 23 and Amos version 23. The results show that, while trust positively influences supply chain performance, information sharing is the only transaction cost attribute that mediates the relationship between trust and supply chain performance. Agribusiness managers, therefore, need to not only renew the effort of sharing accurate and timely information regarding the market's demand for specific volumes and quality of agricultural products and market trends and storage facilities but also utilize the information to become competitive and improve supply chain performance

Mandatory anatomy dissection, effect on examination performance

Regular class attendance is evidence of professionalism. This has led to mandatory class attendance in many disciplines including anatomy. However, there is paucity of data on the effect of mandatory class attendance on student performance in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mandatory attendance of anatomy dissections on student’s practical exams. This was an audit of undergraduate first year health professional students performance on the practical summative Steeplechase exam for the anatomy of limbs in two consecutive academic years at Makerere University. The second lot of first year students in the study had all their scheduled anatomy dissection sessions roll called to confirm their attendance that was the intervention arm in the study. The data was analysed with STATA statistical computing software version 13. Some of the tests run on this data included independent samples t test and Regression analysis. The overall performance of students in the academic year varied with roll call and was significantly lower than that in the previous academic year without roll call (mean difference -8.04 95% CI -10.76 to -5.31). Significant reductions in performance were also observed with type of student sponsorship (P<0.01) and the program they were pursuing (P<0.01). Roll calling had the largest effect on student performance demonstrated by the 0.23 standard deviation reduction in performance of students. This study shows that mandatory attendance of anatomy dissections leads to a reduction in the student’s performance on practical anatomy examinationsKeywords: Anatomy dissection, class attendance, examination performanc

Long-Term Effect of Group Support Psychotherapy on Depression and HIV Treatment Outcomes: Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Trial in Uganda

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of group support psychotherapy (GSP) compared with group HIV education (GHE) on depression and HIV treatment outcomes 24 months after treatment. We further aimed to investigate the mediating role of depression and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in the relationship between GSP and viral load suppression. METHODS: Thirty HIV clinics across three districts were randomly assigned to deliver either GSP or GHE for depression. Depression and optimal (≥95%) ART adherence was assessed at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. Viral load was drawn from the medical charts at baseline and 12 and 24 months after treatment. Multilevel mixed-effects regression models and generalized structural equation modeling were used to estimate 24-month outcomes and mediation effects. RESULTS: Participants ( N = 1140) were enrolled from HIV clinics offering either GSP ( n = 578 [51%]) or GHE ( n = 562 [49%]). Fewer GSP than GHE participants met the criteria for depression at 24 months after treatment (1% versus 25%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.0002-0.018). More GSP than GHE participants reported optimal (≥95%) ART adherence (96% versus 88%; aOR = 20.88, 95% CI = 5.78-75.33) and improved viral suppression (96% versus 88%; aOR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.02-11.02). The indirect effects of GSP through sequential reduction in depression and improvement in ART adherence at 12 months may partially explain the higher viral suppression rates at 24 months in GSP than GHE groups. CONCLUSION: In settings where the HIV epidemic persists, depression treatment with GSP may be critical for optimal HIV treatment outcomes.Trial Registration: The Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, number PACTR201608001738234

Household food security, child dietary diversity and coping strategies among rural households. The case of Kole District in northern Uganda

Household food security, feeding practices, dietary diversity and coping strategies to household food insecurity are largely interconnected. Using a cross sectional study approach involving 162 mothers and care givers of children 0-36 months of age in Kole district of northern Uganda, this study examined the household food security status, child dietary diversity and household coping strategies. The study revealed that a slight majority of the households (55%) were food secure although with a low level of child dietary diversity experienced (68.1% for children 6-23 months age group and 55.3% for 24-36 months age group). We found that starch-based foods derived from cereals, roots and tubers were the most predominantly used food group in child feeding (82%), with limited consumption of other essential food groups, notably fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products (18% combined). Additionally, only 57% of children 0 to 6 months old were receiving exclusive breastfeeding, and the introduction of complementary foods is often delayed and not well planned for those above 6 months of age. Results also showed that a wide range of coping strategies are employed however the major ones were, reliance on less preferred food (54.9%), limiting portions of meals (35.2%), reducing number of meals taken in a day (29%), and gathering wild fruits and harvesting immature crops (29.6%). It was observed that household food security is a strong determinant of child dietary diversity, may influence feeding practices and the range of coping strategies applicable to households when they experience food insecurity. Furthermore, nutritional education, household size and livelihood diversity play a significant role in determining household food security status, child dietary diversity and coping with food insecurity within rural households. In conclusion, addressing household food security, and coping strategies can play an important role in improving child feeding practices and dietary diversity in rural communities

Profit efficiency analysis of red onions production in Sironko district of Uganda

AbstractThis study assessed the profit efficiency of red onions smallholder farmers in Sironko district of eastern Uganda. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from 216 randomly selected red onion producers. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, gross margin, and the Cobb-Douglas type of stochastic profit frontier function model. Results showed that red creole and Afri seed were the only varieties of red onions that were grown in the study area. Onion production was characterized by limited access to credit, extension services, and farmers’ group membership. The gross margin (GM) and returns on investment (ROI) analyses revealed that red onion production was profitable in Sironko district. An average of UGX 884,500 (~USD 241) for Afri seed producers and UGX 1,724,414 (~USD 469) for red creole were obtained per acre of land. Although the farmers made profits, their profitability could be improved by up to 19% through harnessing factors that influence profit efficiency. These factors were cost of seeds (p < 0.01), cost of fertilizer (p < 0.1), cost of pest control (p < 0.05), cost of weeding (p < 0.1), farming experience (p < 0.1), extension services (p < 0.1) and selling price (p < 0.1). The study recommends that to improve the profit efficiency in onion production, the focus should be on the provision of tailored agricultural extension services and affordable credit facilities to the farmers. Further, appropriate policy instruments and agri-business strategies such as agricultural subsidies and price support schemes are needed to spur onion profitability