Building And Sustaining Capacities of Health Officials in use of Data for Decision-Making: Evidence from Rajasthan, India

Purpose: This paper critically explores the initiatives that were implemented in Rajasthan during the period of 2018-19 by UNFPA, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Government of Rajasthan, and IIHMR University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.  The main objective of these initiatives was to strengthen the capabilities of health officials and data managers at different levels within the state, enabling them to make evidence-based decisions using data effectively.   Theoretical framework: The capacity-building program was designed to reinforce the system for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and data utilization through a comprehensive training approach and continuous support. This study thoroughly investigates the entire process, assesses its effectiveness, and draws policy recommendations based on the outcomes of the capacity-building interventions. An essential aspect underscored by the study is the importance of providing ongoing support and guidance post-training to ensure sustainable development and successful implementation of the acquired knowledge.   Methodology: The methodology described in this paragraph involves capacity building approaches for government officials in the health sector. Specifically, the methodology includes the following elements: capacity building approaches; Inhouse Training programme technique; Digital technology enabled process; Training of State, District, and Block Level Health Programme Officials and Data Managers; Mentoring and Hand-Holding Support; Web-Based Learning Method using 'Google Classroom.   Findings: The findings of this study emphasize two crucial factors that contributed to the success of the capacity-building initiatives. Firstly, the provision of on-site assistance proved to be highly effective in reinforcing the newly acquired knowledge and skills. Secondly, the utilization of the web-based Google Class platform was found to be instrumental in promoting knowledge retention and enhancing the effective utilization of data.   Value: In conclusion, this research sheds light on the significance of capacity-building initiatives in the realm of health and data management. It highlights the positive impact of on-site support and the role of technology, particularly the Google Class platform, in ensuring the lasting benefits of such programs. The paper concludes by underlining the importance of continued support and sustained efforts in maximizing the potential of data-driven decision-making in the healthcare sector in Rajasthan

Effect of fertigation on available soil micro-nutrient under Kinnow Mandarin

A field experiment was conducted at Division of Fruit and Horticultural Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), on 5-year-old plants at Todapur Orchard, IARI, New Delhi, during 2010-2011, to study the effect of fertigation on nutrient distribution pattern under Kinnow mandarin. Standard dose of fertilizers were 600g of N, 300g of P, and 400g of K per tree per year, scheduled in three splits during the period of February (300g N, 75g P and 100g K), April (150g N, 112.5g P and 150g K) and August (150g N, 112.5g P and 150g K) respectively. The soil nutrient was measured at the start and end of the experiment in February 2010 and January 2011 at three depths, viz. 0-15, 15- 30 and 30- 60 cm corresponding to two radial distances (50 and 100 cm) for different experimental treatments. The highest amount of soil iron at the end of experiment was observed in T6 having 3.98 ppm, followed by 3.78 ppm and 3.72 ppm at three different depths viz: 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm respectively at 50 cm distance whereas 3.56 ppm followed by 3.49 ppm and 3.32 were found at 100 cm distance away from the tree. T6recorded the highest amount of available copper in soil having 2.76 ppm followed by 2.73 ppm and 2.67 ppm from 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm depths respectively at the distance of 50 cm while, 2.68 ppm, 2.65 ppm and 2.61 ppm from 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm depths respectively at 100 cm away from the tree. T8 recorded the highest amount of soil zinc at the end of experiment, 2.59 ppm, 2.50 ppm and 2.20 ppm from 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm depths respectively from the distance of 50 cm and 2.31 ppm, 2.20 ppm and 1.74 ppm from 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm depths respectively away from the tree. The highest amount of soil manganese was recorded in T8 at the end of experiment. From 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm depths respectively 28.38 ppm followed by 24.84 ppm and 21.09 ppm at a distance of 50 cm while 29.88 ppm, 22.40 ppm and 17.43 ppm were observed at 0-15, 15-30 and 30- 60 cm depths respectively away from the tree. Fertigation resulted in increase in concentrationsof micro- nutrients near the zone of active roots (0-15 and 15-30 cm depths), exhibiting a radial decrease with increasing horizontal distance from the point of application, i.e. higher at 50 cmand lower at 100 cm distance from the trunk. It was recommended that fertigation with 75 per cent N and 100 per cent P & K (450 g N, 300g P and 400 g K) can be recommended for application in three splits during February (225N:75P:100K), Apri1(112.5N: 112.5P: 150 K) and August (112.5N: 112.5P: 150 K) for young Kinnow orchards.Keywords: Kinnow, fertigation, micronutrient, depth, distanc

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Disorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021. Methods: We estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined. Findings: Globally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer. Interpretation: As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted on 2-year-old Kinnow mandarin to find out effect of different nitrogen sources and nitrification inhibitors on ammonical and nitrate nitrogen distribution in Kinnow young plants during 2011-12. There were 13 treatments comprising four nitrogen sources (ammonium sulphate, calcium nitrate, mixture of ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate and urea), two nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide 5% of fertilizers, meliacin 0.1% of fertilizers) and control. Recommended fertilizers dose was applied in three splits, i.e. in February, June and September. Nitrification inhibitors were mixed with different nitrogenous fertilizers before application and then applied in the field. The process of nitrification slow down when N-fertilizers (ammonium sulphate, mixture of ammonium sulphate & calcium nitrate and urea) treated with DCD and meliacins. Thus the inhibitory effect of DCD and meliacins on the nitrification process resulted in more NH4+ accumulation in soil. The concentration of NH4+-N in soil at 0-30 (44.1, 55.7, 42.7 mg kg-1 soil below drippers and 37.8, 41.9, 36.0 mg kg-1 soil at 30 cm away from drippers) and 30-60 cm depth (24.2, 20.2, 23.2 mg kg-1 soil below drippers and 20.0, 23.5, 23.6 mg kg-1 soil at 30 cm away from drippers) in all three split applications respectively, was significantly higher when ammonium sulphate followed by urea fertilizers treated with DCD than they are in alone form. Due to nitrification inhibitors, NO3- -N availability remains high on surface level, reduced NO3 - leaching and increase N fertilizer utilization efficiency in Kinnow production.Not Availabl