Why Climate Change Adaptation is Elusive: The Lived Reality of Farming Households in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar

Farming households in the Global South are vulnerable to climate change because of their livelihoods’ direct link to the natural environment. Farm households adapt to climate through altering their farming practices and by diversifying their livelihoods through the non-farm sector and migration. However, previous research has suggested that most of these adaptations are incremental, meaning they may not address the root cause of climate change vulnerability in the long term. The aim of this thesis is to assess these claims using the experiences of farm households in Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone, a highly climate-stressed region. According to fieldwork conducted in the Central Dry Zone, farmers’ responses to climate change vary considerably. In many cases, although farmers may be aware of the effects of climate change, their livelihood adaptations are motivated by a wider array of concerns, which mitigate or even subvert their capacities to respond to climate challenges. These mixed responses, and the notable reluctance of many farmers in the Central Dry Zone to take adaptive measures to the clear and present risks of climate change, forms the central problem this research seeks to resolve. The thesis argues that these outcomes can be explained through the adoption of a broad-based livelihoods approach which acknowledges that although climate change is an important factor influencing famers’ decision making, other factors are also involved, and these are often prioritized over climate risks. This highlights the position of climate change on farmers' daily lives by emphasising the significance of geographical context and local traditions in relation to making decisions about rural livelihoods, farming, non-farm activities and migration. These findings underscore the need to recognise and comprehend how multiple stresses interact with climate effects to exacerbate the vulnerability of rural households and spotlight the importance of understanding the underlying causes of vulnerability. This perspective is crucial for understanding how farmers and agriculture-dependent communities respond to climate risks. Using the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar as a case study, the research generates an analytical framework that explains why farming households respond to climate change incrementally while being aware of it

Determination of Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genotypes in Anogenital Cancers in Myanmar

Molecular and epidemiologic investigations suggest a causal role for human papillomavirus (HPV) in anogenital cancers. This study identified oncogenic HPV genotypes in anogenital cancers among men and women in a 2013 cross-sectional descriptive study in Myanmar. In total, 100 biopsy tissues of histologically confirmed anogenital cancers collected in 2008-2012 were studied, including 30 penile and 9 anal cancers from Yangon General Hospital and 61 vulvar cancers from Central Women's Hospital, Yangon. HPV-DNA testing and genotyping were performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Overall, 34% of anogenital cancers were HPV-positive. HPV was found in 44.4% of anal (4/9), 36.1% of vulvar (22/61), and 26.7% of penile (8/30) cancers. The most frequent genotypes in anal cancers were HPV 16 (75%) and 18 (25%). In vulvar cancers, HPV 33 was most common (40.9%), followed by 16 (31.8%), 31 (22.7%), and 18 (4.6%). In penile cancers, HPV 16 (62.5%) was most common, followed by 33 (25%) and 18 (12.5%). This is the first report of evidencebased oncogenic HPV genotypes in anogenital cancers among men and women in Myanmar. This research provides valuable information for understanding the burden of HPV-associated cancers of the anus, penis, and vulva and considering the effectiveness of prophylactic HPV vaccination

Utilization of full postnatal care services among rural Myanmar women and its determinants: a cross-sectional study [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Background: Mothers and their newborns are vulnerable to threats to their health and survival during the postnatal period. Full postnatal care (PNC) uptake decreases maternal deaths and is also essential for first 1,000 days of newborn’s life, but PNC usage is usually inadequate in rural areas. Little is known about the full PNC utilization among rural Myanmar women. This study, therefore, aimed to study the situation of the utilization of full PNC and examine its determinants. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected villages of the Magway Region, Myanmar. A total of 500 married women who had children aged under 2 years were selected using multistage cluster sampling and interviewed with semi-structured questionnaires. The determinants of full PNC usage were identified by generalized estimating equation (GEE) under a logistic regression framework. Results: Among 500 rural women, around a quarter (25.20%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 21.58-29.21%) utilized full PNC. Multivariable analysis revealed that factors associated with full PNC usage included mothers attaining educational level of secondary or higher (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.16; 95% CI, 1.18-3.94), belonging to higher income level (AOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.11-3.68), having male involvement (AOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.02-4.69), being of low birth order (i.e. the first birth) (AOR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.80-5.91), and having awareness of postnatal danger signs (AOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.15-3.83). Moreover, the presence of misconceptions on postnatal practice was identified as a strong barrier to adequate PNC usage (AOR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.36). Conclusion: Most of the rural women practiced inadequate PNC in Myanmar. Maternal healthcare services at rural areas should be intensively promoted, particularly among women who had high birth order (greater number of births). Health education regarding perinatal misconceptions and danger signs, and benefits of full PNC services usage should be emphasized and urgently extended

Role of inclusive self-help groups in prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension in Myanmar:a qualitative study

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing public health concern in Myanmar. Community-based self-help groups are essential for participating in health-related activities. However, little is known about the role of inclusive self-help groups (ISHG) in hypertension and diabetes management. This study aimed to assess knowledge and perception of health-related activities of ISHG and explore challenges ISHG group members encountered in performing hypertension and diabetes prevention and management activities.Methods: The study included six townships from three different regions of Myanmar, where ISHG existed. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were held in each township. A total of twelve FGDs were conducted. All discussions were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in Myanmar language. A thematic analysis was performed using inductive and deductive approaches.Results: The findings revealed that ISHG members provided advice and counselling on behavioural risk factors for hypertension and diabetes prevention and screenings for those diseases. They also offered home care for the elderly and stroke patients who required their assistance. Community members regarded ISHG as a valuable community structure. Members of the ISHG identified a number of challenges, including lack of resources (funding, manpower, and time), lack of confidence, and lack of recognition and acceptance. Support and strengthening activities by local authorities and the government were critical to sustain ISHG's activities and efforts.Conclusions: Hypertension and diabetes management activities of ISHG are appreciative. The public and government should recognize and support ISHG to strengthen their community activities

Successful elimination of falciparum malaria following the introduction of community-based health workers in Eastern Myanmar: a retrospective analysis

Background: Myanmar has a large majority of all malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion. In the past decade, substantial progress was made in malaria control. The residual burden of malaria is in remote areas where currently recommended malaria elimination approaches are generally not feasible. In such hard-to-reach communities in Mon state, East Myanmar, Medical Action Myanmar introduced community health workers (CHWs) to deliver early diagnosis and treatment for malaria. We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess the impact of this intervention. Methods and findings: This retrospective analysis involved data collected routinely from a CHW programme in Mon state conducted between 2011 and 2018. A network of 172 CHWs serving a population of 236,340 was deployed. These CHWs carried out 260,201 malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to investigate patients with acute febrile illness. The median blood examination rate was 1.33%; interquartile range (IQR) (0.38 to 3.48%); 95% CI [1.28%, 1.36%] per month. The changes in malaria incidence and prevalence in patients presenting with fever were assessed using negative binomial regression mixed effects models fitted to the observed data. The incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria (including mixed infections) declined by 70%; 95% CI [65%, 75%]; p < 0.001 for each year of CHW operation. The incidence of P. vivax malaria declined by 56%; 95% CI [50%, 62%]; p < 0.001 per year. Malaria RDT positivity rates for P. falciparum and P. vivax declined by 69%; 95% CI [62%, 75%]; p < 0.001 and 53%; 95% CI [47%, 59%]; p < 0.001 per year, respectively. Between 2017 and 2018, only 1 imported P. falciparum case was detected in 54,961 RDTs. The main limitations of the study are use of retrospective data with possible unidentified confounders and uncharacterised population movement. Conclusions: The introduction of CHWs providing community-based malaria diagnosis and treatment and basic health care services in remote communities in Mon state was associated with a substantial reduction in malaria. Within 6 years, P. falciparum was eliminated and the incidence of P. vivax fell markedly

Defining the burden of febrile illness in rural South and Southeast Asia: an open letter to announce the launch of the Rural Febrile Illness project.

In rural areas of South and Southeast Asia malaria is declining but febrile illnesses still account for substantial morbidity and mortality. Village health workers (VHWs) are often the first point of contact with the formal health system, and for patients with febrile illnesses they can provide early diagnosis and treatment of malaria. However, for the majority of febrile patients, VHWs lack the training, support and resources to provide further care. Consequently, treatable bacterial illnesses are missed, antibiotics are overused and poorly targeted, and patient attendance wanes along with declining malaria. This announces the start of a new initiative, the Rural Febrile Illness (RFI) project, the first in a series of projects to be implemented as part of the South and Southeast Asian Community-based Trials Network (SEACTN) research programme. This multi-country, multi-site project will begin in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar and will define the epidemiological baseline of febrile illness in five remote and underserved areas of Asia where malaria endemicity is declining and access to health services is limited. The RFI project aims to determine the incidence, causes and outcomes of febrile illness; understand the opportunities, barriers and appetite for adjustment of the role of VHWs to include management of non-malarial febrile illnesses; and establish a network of community healthcare providers and facilities capable of implementing interventions designed to triage, diagnose and treat patients presenting with febrile illnesses within these communities in the future. [Abstract copyright: Copyright: © 2021 Chandna A et al.

INFLUENCING FACTORS ON SAVING BEHAVIOR IN SMALL SHOP OWNERS

The main objectives of the study are to identify and analyze the influencing factors on saving behaviors of small shop owners. The study is based on the primary data from the survey questionnaires who are in Kyin Myin Daing Township. Savings are important at both micro and macro level. This study focuses only on the influencing factors on the saving behaviors of small shop owners and those data are collected from randomly selected 150 respondents who are in Kyi Myin Daing Township by using descriptive sampling method and Pearson Correlation. According to the findings, the results show that psychological factors influences the most on the saving behaviors among any other two factors: institutional factors and sociological factors. Among psychological factors, the emotionality on wealth that is low relative to one’s reference group and awareness of expectation for success mostly depends on their saving behaviors. Besides, financial knowledge of small shop owners fully effects to save their money. And the institutional factors has the weakest correlation with saving behaviors of small shop owners in Kyi Myin Daing Township. Their income sources and tax on consumption effects to save their money saving

Classification of Peanut Leaves Disease using Back Propagation Neural Network

A number of classification systems have been developed depending on the intended purpose of the system. This system tries to classify peanut leaves diseases.. The images of the peanut leaf are acquired by means of an digital imaging device, such as a scanner. The acquired color image is prepared with Image processing steps in order to get the digital image to be suitable with Neural Network. Back-Propagation Algorithm is used to train the Network in order to classify the peanut leaves diseases. In this system, there are many different types of peanut leaves diseases namely Early and Late Leaf spot, Rust, Web blotch, Leaf scorch, Alternaria Leaf spot, Phyllosticta Leaf spot, Peanut Mottle virus, Tomato Spotted wilt virus, Iron Chlorosis,and Ultraviolet radiation

Efficient Access Control Mechanism for XML Databases Using Web Services

XML document are frequently used inapplication such as business transaction andmedical record involving sensitive information.Typically, parts of xml documents should be visibleto users depending on their roles. And then accesscontrol on the basis of data location or value in anXML document is essential. Additionally, webservices are application components that aredesigned to support interoperable machine-tomachineinteraction over a network. Thisinteroperability is gained through a set of XMLbasedopen standards, such as the Web ServicesDescription Language (WSDL), the Simple ObjectAccess Protocol (SOAP), and Universal Description,Discovery, and Integration (UDDI). These standardsprovide a common and interoperable approach fordefining, publishing, and using web services. Thispaper describes the design of an Access ControlSystem using Web Services for xml data and accessright management. And then we present an overviewof the access control mechanism to build accesscontrol services around a Web Services model andaddress how to increase sever throughput usingaccess control rules functions that are managementseparately from the server database using webservice

Bandgap engineering of monolayer molybdenum disulfide by oxygen plasma

Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) has been a favourable candidate for next generation high performance semiconducting devices due to the presence of a direct bandgap. Bandgap engineering of monolayer MoS2 could lead to many new applications and functionalities in the field of optoelectronics by controlling its optical and electrical properties. In this project, the direct bandgap of the monolayer MoS2 is tuned via oxygen plasma treatment for varying periods of time. For comparative studies, the pristine MoS2 samples were prepared by micromechanical cleavage and characterized by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effect of oxygen plasma on the monolayer MoS2 was observed by comparing the photoluminescence spectra of pristine and oxygen-treated MoS2. Results from the photoluminescence measurements have shown that the photoluminescence intensity reduces and the photoluminescence peaks (A1 and B1) red-shifted with longer duration of oxygen plasma treatment. This might be due to the direct-to-indirect bandgap transition and the reduction in bandgap energy, possibly resulting from the substitution of oxygen atoms in the place of sulphur atoms in S-Mo-S structures. This hypothesis also agrees with the Density Function Theory (DFT) simulation used to calculate the electronic band structure of 2x2 MoS2 unit cell with an oxygen atom replaced in the place of a sulphur atom.Bachelor of Engineerin