Adapting integrated agriculture aquaculture for HIV and AIDS-affected households: the case of Malawi

The WorldFish Center in conjunction with World Vision Malawi carried out a project to improve income and nutrition status of households affected by HIV and AIDS with funding from the World Bank. The project was implemented in Southern Malawi particularly in the West of Zomba District from July 2005 to June 2006. Through participatory approaches, the project identified constraints that limit HIV and AIDS affected households’ realisation of the benefits from fish farming and adapted technologies and practices for the affected beneficiaries to boost fish production and utilization. Specifically, the project sought (1) to identify the constraints that limit HIV and AIDS affected households to realise the benefits from fish farming and based on the constraints, (2) to adapt technologies and practices for use by the affected beneficiaries to boost fish production and utilization. (PDF cotains 17 pages

Why latrines are not used : communities' perceptions and practices regarding latrines in a Taenia solium endemic rural area in Eastern Zambia

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis occurring in many developing countries. Socio-cultural determinants related to its control remain unclear. Studies in Africa have shown that the underuse of sanitary facilities and the widespread occurrence of free-roaming pigs are the major risk factors for porcine cysticercosis. The study objective was to assess the communities' perceptions, practices and knowledge regarding latrines in a T. solium endemic rural area in Eastern Zambia inhabited by the Nsenga ethno-linguistic group, and to identify possible barriers to their construction and use. A total of 21 focus group discussions on latrine use were organized separately with men, women and children, in seven villages of the Petauke district. The themes covered were related to perceived latrine availability (absence-presence, building obstacles) and perceived latrine use (defecation practices, latrine management, socio-cultural constraints). The findings reveal that latrines were not constructed in every household because of the convenient use of existing latrines in the neighborhood. Latrines were perceived to contribute to good hygiene mainly because they prevent pigs from eating human feces. Men expressed reluctance to abandon the open-air defecation practice mainly because of toilet-associated taboos with in-laws and grown-up children of the opposite gender. When reviewing conceptual frameworks of people's approach to sanitation, we found that seeking privacy and taboos hindering latrine use and construction were mainly explained in our study area by the fact that the Nsenga observe a traditionally matrilineal descent. These findings indicate that in this local context latrine promotion messages should not only focus on health benefits in general. Since only men were responsible for building latrines and mostly men preferred open defecation, sanitation programs should also be directed to men and address related sanitary taboos in order to be effective

Adapting integrated agriculture aquaculture for HIV and AIDS-affected households: the case of Malawi

The WorldFish Center in conjunction with World Vision Malawi carried out a project to improve income and nutrition status of households affected by HIV and AIDS with funding from the World Bank. The project was implemented in Southern Malawi particularly in the West of Zomba District from July 2005 to June 2006. Through participatory approaches, the project identified constraints that limit HIV and AIDS affected householdsÆ realisation of the benefits from fish farming and adapted technologies and practices for the affected beneficiaries to boost fish production and utilization. Specifically, the project sought (1) to identify the constraints that limit HIV and AIDS affected households to realise the benefits from fish farming and based on the constraints, (2) to adapt technologies and practices for use by the affected beneficiaries to boost fish production and utilization.Public health, Agropisciculture, Economic benefits, Malawi,

Stakeholder interactions and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices: Evidence from the Zambian copper mining sector

Purpose – This paper critically explores the interactions of key stakeholders and their impact upon CSR practices in the Zambian copper mining sector. Design/methodology/approach – This case study of the Zambian copper mining sector utilises an overall political economy framework, focusing on power asymmetries between the state and MNCs. Within this context, we draw on both stakeholder salience theory and legitimacy theory in order to explore the interactions of key stakeholders and their impact upon CSR practices. Findings – We find power asymmetries between the state and MNCs existing according to a number of different dimensions which are exacerbated by a number of factors including divisions within the government itself as a key stakeholder. However, despite the existence of stark power asymmetries, we find that in the Zambian context, there are some possibilities for agency on the part of civil society, and so that legitimacy theory has some (albeit limited) explanatory potential. Originality/value - The paper contributes to the literature on CSR in developing countries by exploring these issues in a critical case, that of the Zambian copper mining sector on which the economy is so heavily dependent

Effect of selection for lean growth on gonadal development of commercial pig genotypes in South Africa

A primary objective of commercial pig production is lean meat yield in order to satisfy consumer needs. The majority of the commercial pig breeds in South Africa have been selected for high lean growth potential and reduced backfat thickness. There are indications that selection for high lean meat yield may affect the gonadal development and possibly reproductive potential of commercial pig genotypes, because both testicular and ovarian growth appear to be important indicators of reproductive performance in boars and gilts, respectively. The effects of selection for lean growth on gonadal development were studied in five South African commercial pig genotypes (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) from 116 to 214 days of age. Gonadal growth and development were measured and compared in 112 gilts and 112 boars. Differences between means were tested using genotype and age as fixed effects, while the relationships between gonadal parameters were evaluated by means of correlation analysis. Gilts from genotype 1 had a significantly shorter ovary length than those from genotypes 2 and 3. Gilts from genotype 3 also had heavier ovaries and larger ovary volumes than gilts from genotype 1. However, genotype did not influence ovary width or height. Correlations between P2 backfat thickness and gonadal development were generally poor in gilts. In boars, genotype 3 had significantly heavier testes than boars from genotype 1. Testes volume of genotype 1 also tended to be smaller compared to genotype 3. Correlations between gonadal measurements and P2 backfat thickness of boars were positive and moderately high (0.560 ≤ r ≤ 0.587). It is concluded from the study that there are differences between commercial pig genotypes in terms of gonadal development. These results suggest that selecting against backfat thickness may delay gonadal development and sexual maturation in boars, while the results are not conclusive in sows. Keywords: Pig; growth; backfat thickness; gonadal development; reproduction South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36 (5) 2006: pp.26-2

Ward Round in Moyo House: Management issues in malnourished children with HIV and Tuberculosis (TB)

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Acute bacterial meningitis in children admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Blantyre, Malawi in 1996-97.

In order to design appropriate interventioos, we collected clinical and demographic data prospectively on all children aged one day to 14 years admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis (BM) from April 1st 1996 to March 31st 1997 to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre Malawi. During the study period 267 children (2.7% of all paediatric admissions) were found to have BM; 83% were under 5 years of age, 61 % under one year and 23% under one month. The most common causative organisms in the post neonatal period (n = 206) were Streptococcus pneumoniae (27%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) 21 %, and Salmonella typhimurium (6%). In the neonatal group «I month, n = 61) the most common causes were Streptococcus agalactiae (23%), S. typhimurium (15%), S. pneumoniae (11. 5%) and other gram negative rods (11.5%). Nineteen of 21 salmonella infections were in children under one year of age and all S. agalactiae were in infants under three months. There was delay on presentation: the average length of fever was 4.6 days, 39.5% had convulsed prior to arrival and 57% had an altered level of consciousness. An initial diagnosis of malaria had probably contributed to the delay in 22.5% , (42 of 186 tested). Forty eight percent were < 80% weight for age, with 18% < 60 % weight for age. The overall mortality was 40%. The outcome was worst in salmonella infections, particularly neonatal salmonella BM with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 89% (8 of 9 cases). Coma on presentation worsened prognosis (mortality 64% if Blantyre Coma Score <3, 26% if > 3). Fifteen percent of survivors had sequelae on discharge. Twenty percent of Hib isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol, but all salmonellae were sensitive. Five percent of S. pneumoniae were resistant to penicillin and 8% to chloramphenicol. Earlier access to adequate health care and awareness of BM in a malaria endemic area would reduce mortality and morbidity. Vaccination against Hib infection would have reduced death by 18 (17%) and prevented sequelae in 7

Community-linked maternal death review (CLMDR) to measure and prevent maternal mortality: a pilot study in rural Malawi.

In Malawi, maternal mortality remains high. Existing maternal death reviews fail to adequately review most deaths, or capture those that occur outside the health system. We assessed the value of community involvement to improve capture and response to community maternal deaths