The role of diffusion of innovation theory towards the adoption of halal meat supply chain

This paper aims to examine the factors that drive the exporter’s influence toward halal meat supply chain adoption by encompassing the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory in the context of Pakistan. Using DOI as an underpinning theory, this study evaluates halal supply chain adoption by collecting data from the members of associations from Pakistan. A total of 258 useable responses were received, and PLS-SEMwas adopted using SmartPLS. The exporter’s adoption of the halal supply chain is determined not only by perceived relative advantage and perceived compatibility but also by perceived complexity, religious beliefs and awareness. Though this study has practical and managerial implications, it has few limitations. Further studies need to be conducted in other contexts as well with a larger population. There are limited studies that have tested DOI theory in the context of the halal meat supply chain in Pakistan. Therefore, the author extends the diffusion theory of innovation in the current work. Further, this paper will be a helpful reference guide for academicians, practitioners and researchers

Trends in malaria indicators after scale-up of community-based malaria management in Afghanistan.

BackgroundThe Community-Based Malaria Management (CBMM) strategy, introduced in 2013 and expanded to all health facilities and health posts in Afghanistan by 2016, aimed to deliver rapid diagnostic testing and more timely treatment to all communities nationwide. In this study, trends for several malaria outcome indicators were compared before and after the expansion of the CBMM strategy, using cross-sectional analysis of surveillance data.MethodsGeneralized estimating equation (GEE) models with a Poisson distribution were used to assess trends of three key outcomes before (2012-2015) and after (2016-2019) CBMM expansion. These outcomes were annual malaria incidence rate (both all and confirmed malaria incidence), malaria death rate, and malaria test positivity rate. Additional variables assessed included annual blood examination rates (ABER) and malaria confirmation rate.ResultsAverage malaria incidence rates decreased from 13.1 before CBMM expansion to 10.0 per 1000 persons per year after CBMM expansion (P < 0.001). The time period after CBMM was expanded witnessed a 339% increase in confirmed malaria incidence as compared to the period before (IRR 3.39, 95% CI 2.18, 5.27; P < 0.001). In the period since the expansion of CBMM (2016-2019), overall malaria incidence rate declined by 19% each year (IRR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71,0.92; P = 0.001) and the malaria death rate declined by 85% each year (IRR 0.15, 95% CI 0.12, 0.20; P < 0.001). In comparing the before period to the after period, the ABER increased from 2.3 to 3.5 per 100 person/year, the malaria test positivity rate increased from 12.2 to 20.5%, and the confirmation rate increased from 21% before to 71% after CBMM.ConclusionsAfghanistan's CBMM expansion to introduce rapid diagnostic tests and provide more timely treatment for malaria through all levels of care temporally correlates with significant improvement in multiple indicators of malaria control

Performance of pheromone and light traps in monitoring and management of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta is an invasive, oligophagous pest that has been recently reported from Pakistan. Although originated from South America, it has now introduced and spread in almost all the tomato growing areas of the globe including Pakistan. Therefore, delta type pheromone traps containing synthetic 0.8 mg pheromone along with various colored light traps i.e., red, blue, golden, white, and green were evaluated for the monitoring and management of T. absoluta. Weekly observations were taken for the mean capture of T. absoluta moths in traps along with mean infestation percentage on leaves, stems and fruits of tomato. Results indicated that all the traps were found effective to attract T. absoluta moths, but they vary in their effectiveness to capture moths. Pheromone traps capture only males, whereas light traps attracted both the sexes. Significantly the highest number of males were captured in female synthesized pheromone traps, followed by golden color light traps, whereas red color light traps capture least number of males. Males captured in blue, white, and green color light traps were not significantly different from each other. Significantly the highest number of females were captured in golden color light traps, followed by blue color trap, whereas females capture in white and green color light traps were not significantly different from each other. The least number of females were captured in red color light traps. The tomatoes grown in golden color light and pheromone traps significantly suffered the lowest infestation, followed by blue, white, and green color light traps, whereas maximum damage was observed in red color light trap treatment. Only temperature showed a significant but very weak influence on the performance of various traps to attract T. absoluta moths. Therefore, studies should be undertaken to evaluate various combination of light traps with pheromone to maximize the capture T. absoluta moths, that could not only help in its early monitoring and detection but could lead to its mass destruction

Active household contact screening for tuberculosis and provision of isoniazid preventive therapy to under-five children in Afghanistan.

ObjectivesThis observational study analyzed the performance of the National TB Control Program (NTP) in Afghanistan in household contact screening from 2011 to 2018 and its use as an entry point for isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), as well as the IPT completion rates for children under age five.MethodsFrom 2011 to 2018, the Afghanistan NTP released guidelines for passive and active contact screening of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases. Health workers were trained in contact screening. Presumptive TB cases gave sputum for AFB smear microscopy; other diagnostics were used if patients could not produce sputum. Children under five (excluding those with active TB) were treated for latent TB infection. We calculated the yield and the number needed to screen and number needed to test to find a case of TB, as well as the rates of IPT initiation and completion.ResultsFrom 2011 to 2018, 142,797 bacteriologically confirmed TB cases were diagnosed in Afghanistan. The number of household members eligible for screening was estimated to be 856,782, of whom 586,292 (81%) were screened for TB and 117,643 (20.1%) were found to be presumptive TB cases. Among the cases screened, 10,896 TB cases (all forms) were diagnosed (1.85%, 95% CI 1.82-1.89), 54.4% in females. The number needed to screen to diagnose a single case of TB (all forms) was 53.8; the number needed to test was 10.7. Out of all children under five, 101,084 (85.9%) were initiated on IPT, and 69,273 (68.5%) completed treatment.ConclusionsProgram performance in contact screening in Afghanistan is high, at 81%, and the yield of TB is also high-close to 10 times higher than the national TB incidence rate. IPT initiation and completion rates are also high as compared to those of many other countries but need further improvement, especially for completion