“Nossa agricultura não pode parar!” : percepções, processos transformativos e estratégias diante da seca entre agricultores no Distrito de Magude, Moçambique

A mudança climática é uma realidade em Moçambique e um pouco por toda a África subsaariana. Enquanto os eventos climáticos extremos aumentam de intensidade e regularidade, há uma preocupação crescente em teorizar a forma como os sistemas humanos e as práticas ecoagrícolas, produtivas, sociais e culturais têm se adaptado a essa nova realidade. Esta pesquisa investigou as práticas, as percepções e os processos adaptativos adotados por agricultores e famílias rurais no sul de Moçambique face à mudança climática, com enfoque nos eventos secos no distrito de Magude, província de Maputo. No estudo, destacam-se os fatores que influenciam a tomada de decisão de agricultores na adoção de estratégias de adaptação à mudança climática e o que essas adaptações produziram como efeito. Para lograr este intento, optou-se por uma metodologia de estudo essencialmente qualitativa operacionalizada através de a) análise documental, b) entrevistas em profundidade e semiestruturadas, c) dinâmicas de grupo e d) observação. Constatou-se que os agricultores alvo de intervenção estatal e privada de educação, extensão e programas de “resiliência climática” são propensos a adotar diferentes práticas de manejo e introdução de novas variedades de cultivos como forma de lidar com a mudança ou variabilidade climática. Nos cultivos, destacam-se tubérculos e raízes como a batata-doce e estacas de mandioqueira. Nas práticas agrícolas, destacam-se a rotação de cultivos, sistemas de irrigação gota a gota e por gravidade. Apesar disso, as classificações e percepções de mudança, bem como as suas narrativas, variam consideravelmente. Entre os agricultores visitados, aqueles que tinham experiências prévias com impactos da mudança climática, como secas e inundações, aparecem como elementos mobilizadores sobre os fatores antrópicos da mudança do clima (como o desmatamento), assim como induzem à necessidade de ações conjuntas de adaptação. Conclui-se que a adoção de pelo menos uma ou mais estratégias de mitigação aumenta a capacidade dos agricultores (tanto na categoria de associados como nos dispersos) no enfrentamento de eventos climáticos extremos como a seca.Climate change is a reality in Mozambique and a little for all sub-Saharan countries. As extreme weather events increase in intensity and regularity, there is a growing concern to theorize how human systems and ecoagricultural, productive, social and cultural practices have adapted to this new reality. This research investigated the adaptive practices, perceptions and processes adopted by farmers and rural families in southern Mozambique in the face of climate change, focusing on dry events in the district of Magude, Maputo province. In the study, we highlight the factors that influence the success of making the adaptation to climate change stand out and what adaptations produced as an effect. To achieve this goal, we used a qualitative study methodology essentially operationalized by a) document analysis, b) indepth and semi-structured interviews, c) group dynamics, and d) observation. It was found that farmers who are the target of state and private intervention for education, extension and “climate resilience” programs are prone to adopt different management practices and the introduction of new crop varieties as a way of dealing with climate change or variability. In crops, tubers and roots stand out, such as sweet potatoes and cuttings of cassava. In agricultural practices, crop rotation, drip irrigation and gravity systems stand out. Despite this, ratings and perceptions of change, as well as their narratives, vary considerably. Among the farmers visited, those who had previous experiences with impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods, appear as mobilizing elements on the anthropic factors of climate change (such as deforestation), as well as inducing the need for joint adaptation actions. It is concluded that the adoption of at least one or more mitigation strategies increases the capacity of farmers (both in the category of members and in the dispersed) to face extreme weather events such as drought

Barriers and facilitators to the uptake of Test and Treat in Mozambique: A qualitative study on patient and provider perceptions

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications Router.Publication status: PublishedFunder: NIMH NIH HHS, Grants: T32 MH080634Funder: NIAID NIH HHS, Grants: P30 AI028697BACKGROUND:In mid-2016, Mozambique began phased implementation of the 'Test-and-Treat' policy, which enrolls HIV positive clients into antiretroviral treatment (ART) immediately regardless of CD4 cell count or disease stage. Novel insights into barriers and facilitators to ART initiation among healthy clients are needed to improve implementation of Test and Treat. METHODS AND FINDINGS:A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted across 10 health facilities in Mozambique. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with HIV-positive clients (60 who initiated/20 who did not initiate ART within Test and Treat) and 9 focus group discussion (FGDs) were conducted with health care workers (HCWs; n = 53). Data were analyzed using deductive and inductive analysis strategies. Barriers to ART initiation included: (1) feeling 'healthy'; (2) not prepared to start ART for life; (3) concerns about ART side effects; (4) fear of HIV disclosure and discrimination; (5) poor interactions with HCWs; (6) limited privacy at health facilities; and (7) perceptions of long wait times. Facilitators included the motivation to stay healthy and to take care of dependents, as well as new models of ART services such as adaptation of counseling to clients' specific needs, efficient patient flow, and integrated HIV/primary care services. CONCLUSIONS:ART initiation may be difficult for healthy clients in the context of Test-and-Treat. Specific strategies to engage this population are needed. Strategies could include targeted support for clients, community sensitization on the benefits of early ART initiation, client-centered approaches to patient care, and improved efficiency through multi-month scripting and increased workforce.13pubpub1

Community knowledge and acceptance of indoor residual spraying for malaria prevention in Mozambique: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Malaria control remains a leading health challenge in Mozambique. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is an effective strategy to control malaria transmission, but there are often barriers to reaching the coverage necessary for attaining maximum community protective effect of IRS. Mozambique recorded a high number of household refusals during the 2016 IRS campaign. This study sought to evaluate household and community factors related to the acceptability of IRS to inform strategies for future campaigns in Mozambique and the region. Methods A cross-sectional, qualitative study was conducted in eight urban and rural communities in two high malaria burden provinces in Mozambique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with community members, leaders, sprayers, and representatives of district health directorates; focus group discussions with community members who accepted and who refused IRS during the 2016 campaign; systematic field observations; and informal conversations. Data were systematically coded and analysed using NVIVO-11®. Results A total of 61 interviews and 12 discussions were conducted. Community participants predominantly described IRS as safe, but many felt that it had limited efficacy. The main factors that participants mentioned as having influenced their IRS acceptance or refusal were: understanding of IRS; community leader level of support; characteristics of IRS programmatic implementation; environmental, political and historical factors. Specifically, IRS acceptance was higher when there was perceived community solidarity through IRS acceptance, desire to reduce the insect population in homes, trust in government and community satisfaction with past IRS campaign effectiveness. Participants who refused were mainly from urban districts and were more educated. The main barriers to acceptance were associated with selection and performance of spray operators, negative experiences from previous campaigns, political-partisan conflicts, difficulty in removing heavy or numerous household assets, and preference for insecticide-treated nets over IRS. Conclusions Acceptance of IRS was influenced by diverse operational and contextual factors. As such, future IRS communications in targeted communities should emphasize the importance of high IRS coverage for promoting both familial and community health. Additionally, clear communications and engagement with community leaders during spray operator selection and spray implementation may help reduce barriers to IRS acceptance

Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU: preparation, process and results

The thesis deals with preparation, process, results and evaluation of the first Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union