Impact of extension education on improving knowledge of sustainable technical agricultural practices

   Agriculture is considered as a critical sector in the world economy.  However, especially in developing countries, agriculture is dominated by small farmers and often fails to achieve its full productive potential.  A major problem faced by small farmers is their poor knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices.  This study was designed so as to measure the knowledge index of paddy farmers before and after the scientific intervention that was offered to them in India to find out the knowledge index of farmers involved in paddy cultivation and to provide them technical training thereby finding out impact of the training on knowledge level of the farmers.  A validated knowledge scale was used to test the knowledge index of 100 farmers before the offering of the scientific support.  The knowledge index was found to be extremely low for 55% of farmers (score: 0-18), medium (from 19 to 36) for the 42% of the total sample, whereas only for 3% of the participants the level of knowledge was high (score: 37-55).  Scientific intervention was administered to improve farmer’s knowledge level regarding improved agricultural practices and latest technologies.  Then, a post test was conducted and the knowledge index was calculated.  Significant differences were found for knowledge index between pre test and post test for both male (mean difference=31.28) and female farmers (mean difference=33.96).  A linear trend was observed in five categories of knowledge for men as well as for women paddy producers.  Thus, the results prove the hypothesis that there is an impact of extension education on improving knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices.Keywords: Knowledge index, improved agricultural practices, impact of extension education  

Gender based participatory approach for sustainable small holder farming in developing countries

Dairying at the household level is largely the domain of women. They are contributing for more than 90% of household activities. In livestock management activities, males are contributing only about 10% in form of fodder arrangement, livestock management such as, vaccinations, artificial insemination and selling milk. Considering women’ participation in dairy production system, their different needs and widening gaps the need was felt to have a study on this aspect. The paper describes rationale and importance of the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approach. The methodology involves the following sequential components: site selection, site description and categorization, planning for PRA, diffusion of results. In this paper, the planning and implantation of integrated interventions have been made to assess women empowerment in dairy production system and improve dairy productivity. The Neeli ravi breed of buffalo was giving higher yield of milk (average 8 liters per day) over the indigenous breed (average 6-7 liters per day). Among the cow the cross bred was giving an average milk yield of 10 lt/day which was more than the 5-6 lt/day given by the indigenous breed. The occurrence of diseases was mainly June to September and the management practices were carried before their onset in May-June only. But, it should be carried out throughout the year for various diseases. The matrix ranking of technology adoptions for buffalo breeds were found to be 34 points against the 26 points for the indigenous breeds

Protective effect of Phyllanthus fraternus against cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Background: Cyclophosphamide is commonly used against malignancies, such as leukemia and solid organ cancers. It can induce nephrotoxicity in cancer patients thereby complicating the initiation of chemotherapy. The study is to evaluate the effect of Phylllanthus fraternus against cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.Methods: In this study, a total of 20 albino rats were divided into four groups of five each. Group I (normal control) received i.p. injection of normal saline. While, group II, III and IV received single dose (200 mg/kg b/w) of cyclophosphamide i.p. on day 1. Group III and IV received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus respectively p.o. daily for 10 days. All the groups were fed with standard diet and water ad libitum. Serum levels of creatinine, urea and albumin were estimated. Histopathology of renal tissues was compared among the groups.Results: The renal parameters significantly improved in groups III and IV after 10 days of treatment with the extract. The histopathology study also supported the finding.Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus possesses protective effect against cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity

A study of cytohistological correlation of equivocal or atypical proliferative breast lesions at a tertiary care institution of North India

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology is the mostly the first diagnostic test used for the diagnosis of breast masses. But there is morphological overlap among the sequential lesions from the precancerous group to frank carcinoma known as “grey zone”. This grey zone in cytology is estimated to constitute 8.9% of cases.Methods: Smears were prepared from the fine needle aspirates and stained with Leishman/Giemsa. Trucut biopsy, mastectomy or MRM specimens of patients diagnosed as having on cytology benign with atypia (C3) /suspicious of malignancy (C4) were subjected to histopathological evaluation and cytohistopathogical correlation was done in these cases.Results: 75% of patients who belonged to category C3 had benign lesions, whereas about 90% of those in category C4 had malignant diagnosis. This difference was statistically significant.Conclusions: Combination of the mammography and cytology along with the clinical findings (the "triple test") allows for proper management for each patient, determining which patient should undergo surgery and which patient needs close follow-up, hence avoiding an unnecessary surgery. And the patients in cytology category C4 must have the diagnosis confirmed by histological examination

Continuum of care for HIV-positive women accessing programs to prevent parent-to-child transmission: Findings from India

This study examined the efforts of PPTCT programs in different cities in India to offer women a continuum of care, and shows that the programs have both strengths and shortcomings. The government launched a national treatment program that offers antiretroviral therapy (ART) to HIV-positive women, children below 15 years of age, and men. However, since the start-up of the ART program there have been concerns about limited access to and utilization of these services by women and children. To address these shortcomings, the PPTCT programs studied should strengthen their referral systems to public and private treatment and family planning services, better equip PPTCT providers to inform and counsel women about these topics, and engage NGOs in the community that have outreach services to maintain contact with women over time and link them and their families to a continuum of care

The impact of hypsarrhythmia on infantile spasms treatment response: Observational cohort study from the National Infantile Spasms Consortium

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141801/1/epi13937_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141801/2/epi13937.pd

Crisis Standard of Care: Management of Infantile Spasms during COVID‐19

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156180/2/ana25792_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156180/1/ana25792.pd

Diversity among clients of female sex workers in India: comparing risk profiles and intervention impact by site of solicitation. implications for the vulnerability of less visible female sex workers.

BACKGROUND: It seems generally accepted that targeted interventions in India have been successful in raising condom use between female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients. Data from clients of FSWs have been under-utilised to analyse the risk environments and vulnerability of both partners. METHODS: The 2009 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Assessment survey sampled clients of FSWs at hotspots in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (n=5040). The risk profile of clients in terms of sexual networking and condom use are compared across usual pick-up place. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to estimate the average treatment effect on treated (ATT) of intervention messages on clients' consistent condom use with FSW. RESULTS: Clients of the more hidden sex workers who solicit from home or via phone or agents had more extensive sexual networks, reporting casual female partners as well as anal intercourse with male partners and FSW. Clients of brothel-based sex workers, who were the least educated, reported the fewest number/categories of partners, least anal sex, and lowest condom use (41%). Consistent condom use varied widely by state: 65% in Andhra Pradesh, 36% in Maharashtra and 29% in Tamil Nadu. Exposure to intervention messages on sexually transmitted infections was lowest among men frequenting brothels (58%), and highest among men soliciting less visible sex workers (70%). Exposure had significant impact on consistent condom use, including among clients of home-based sex workers (ATT 21%; p=0.001) and among men soliciting other more hidden FSW (ATT 17%; p=0.001). In Tamil Nadu no impact could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Commercial sex happens between two partners and both need to be, and can be, reached by intervention messages. Commercial sex is still largely unprotected and as the sex industry gets more diffuse a greater focus on reaching clients of sex workers seems important given their extensive sexual networks