12 research outputs found
INFLUENCE OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN GROUP ACTIVITIES ON EMPOWERMENT OF COMMUNITIES: A CASE OF KAJIADO NORTH SUB COUNTY, KENYA.
The activities that women participate in through their groups influence the empowermentof communities. Women participation refers to the act of women getting involved in thevarious entrepreneurial processes or activities through their groups that would either bringeconomic, social and political changes to their lives, their families and ultimately theircommunities. This paper aimed at examining the Influence of women participation ingroup activities in Kajiado North Sub County, Kajiado County in Kenya. The studyobjectives were; To establish the influence of women participation in financial activities onthe economic empowerment of communities; to assess the influence of women participationin political activities on the empowerment of communities; to assess the influence of womengroups participation in environmental conservation activities on the empowerment ofcommunities and to establish the influence of women participation in trainings on theempowerment of communities. The target population consisted of women drawn from 378groups registered in Kajiado North Sub County; 5 Uwezo fund coordinators; 6 ministrystaff/government officials and 5 National Government Constituency Development Fund(CDF) and Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) officials. Data was gathered usingquestionnaire and interview guides and organized into themes according to studyobjectives. Findings indicated that; community empowerment is influenced by womengroup participation in income generating activities as indicated by 73.9% of therespondents, political activities as  indicated by 60.8%, environmental conservationactivities as indicated by 58.7% as well as training activities as indicated by 48.5% of therespondents. Given that women play a major role in the family and communitydevelopment, this study recommends that the government should upscale womeninvolvement in entrepreneurial activities as this has a direct effect on communityempowerment and general development of the country.
Antimicrobial resistance among farming communities in Wakiso District, Central Uganda: A knowledge, awareness and practice study
Background
Antibiotics are increasingly becoming ineffective as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to develop and spread globally—leading to more difficult to treat infections. Countries such as Uganda are still challenged with implementation of AMR related strategies due to data paucity. This includes a lack of data on the prevailing knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use among farming communities, both commercial and subsistence, which are instrumental in the implementation of targeted interventions. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on AMR among subsistence and commercial farmers in Wakiso district, central Uganda.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire in Wakiso district, Central Uganda in between June and September 2021. Polytomous latent class analyses were performed to group participants based on their responses. Multivariable regression and conditional inference trees were used to determine the association between demographic factors and knowledge on antibiotics and AMR.
Results
A total of 652 respondents participated in the study among whom 84% were able to correctly describe what antibiotics are. Subsistence farmers (OR = 6.89, 95% CI [3.20; 14.83]), and to a lesser extent, farming community members which obtained their main income by another business (OR = 2.25, 95% CI [1.345; 3.75]) were more likely to be able to describe antibiotics correctly than individuals involved in commercial farming. Based on the latent class analysis, three latent classes indicating different levels of knowledge on AMR, were found. Subsistence farming, higher educational level and younger age were found to be associated with belonging to a class of better knowledge.
Conclusion
The majority of participants were able to correctly describe antibiotics and aware of AMR, however there was some degree of misunderstanding of several AMR concepts. Targeted AMR interventions should improve awareness and also ensure that not only subsistence farmers, but commercial farmers, are included
How are countries in sub-Saharan African monitoring the impact of programmes to prevent vertical transmission of HIV?
Vertical transmission of HIV
can occur during pregnancy,
delivery, or through breast
feeding. The main driver of
vertical transmission is a high
maternal viral load. Between 2002 and
2016, low and middle income countries
(LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa with high
HIV prevalence improved their policies
to prevent vertical transmission of HIV.
In 2002, national policies recommended
single dose nevirapine at the onset of
labour, with limited or no breast feeding.
By 2016, all Global Plan priority countries
in sub-Saharan Africa (where 90% of the
world’s HIV positive pregnant women live)
had adopted Option B+ with promotion of
breast feeding. Option B+ was a dramatic
policy change recommending lifelong
triple antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all
pregnant and lactating women living with
HIV. The aim is to protect the child from
HIV infection, ensure the mother’s future
health, and prevent horizontal transmission
of HIV.The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)http://www.bmj.com/thebmjam2020Paediatrics and Child Healt
Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses
Li F-W, Brouwer P, Carretero-Paulet L, et al. Fern genomes elucidate land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses. NATURE PLANTS. 2018;4(7):460-472
Using the PMTCT Cascade to Accelerate Achievement of the Global Plan Goals.
BACKGROUND : Development of country plans for prevention of mother-to-
child HIV transmission (PMTCT), including expansion of comprehensive,
integrated services, was key to Global Plan achievements.
APPROACHES : Use of the PMTCT cascade, an evolving series of
sequential steps needed to maximize the health of women and HIV-free
survival of infants, was critical for development and implementation of
PMTCT plans. Regular review of cascade data at national/subnational
levels was a tool for evidence-based decision making, identifying areas
of greatest need at each level, and targeting program interventions to
address specific gaps. Resulting improvements in PMTCT service
delivery contributed to success. Populating the cascade highlighted
limitations in data availability and quality that focused attention on
improving national health information systems.
LIMITATIONS : Use of aggregate, cross-sectional data in the PMTCT
cascade presents challenges in settings with high mobility and weak
systems to track women and children across services. Poor postnatal
follow-up and losses at each step of the cascade have limited use of
the cascade approach to measure maternal and child health outcomes
beyond the early postnatal period.
LESSONS LEARNED : A cascade approach was an effective means for
countries to measure progress, identify suboptimal performance areas, and be held accountable for progress toward achievement of Global
Plan goals. Using the cascade requires investment of time and effort to
identify the type, source, and quality of data needed as programs
evolve. Ongoing review of cascade data, with interventions to address
discontinuities in the continuum of care, can translate across health
areas to improve health care quality and outcomes.http://journals.lww.com/jaidsam2017Paediatrics and Child Healt
How are countries in sub-Saharan African monitoring the impact of programmes to prevent vertical transmission of HIV?
Vertical transmission of HIV
can occur during pregnancy,
delivery, or through breast
feeding. The main driver of
vertical transmission is a high
maternal viral load. Between 2002 and
2016, low and middle income countries
(LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa with high
HIV prevalence improved their policies
to prevent vertical transmission of HIV.
In 2002, national policies recommended
single dose nevirapine at the onset of
labour, with limited or no breast feeding.
By 2016, all Global Plan priority countries
in sub-Saharan Africa (where 90% of the
world’s HIV positive pregnant women live)
had adopted Option B+ with promotion of
breast feeding. Option B+ was a dramatic
policy change recommending lifelong
triple antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all
pregnant and lactating women living with
HIV. The aim is to protect the child from
HIV infection, ensure the mother’s future
health, and prevent horizontal transmission
of HIV.The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)http://www.bmj.com/thebmjam2020Paediatrics and Child Healt
Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth : Visions of future systems and how to get there
Formalised knowledge systems, including universities and research institutes, are important for contemporary societies. They are, however, also arguably failing humanity when their impact is measured against the level of progress being made in stimulating the societal changes needed to address challenges like climate change. In this research we used a novel futures-oriented and participatory approach that asked what future envisioned knowledge systems might need to look like and how we might get there. Findings suggest that envisioned future systems will need to be much more collaborative, open, diverse, egalitarian, and able to work with values and systemic issues. They will also need to go beyond producing knowledge about our world to generating wisdom about how to act within it. To get to envisioned systems we will need to rapidly scale methodological innovations, connect innovators, and creatively accelerate learning about working with intractable challenges. We will also need to create new funding schemes, a global knowledge commons, and challenge deeply held assumptions. To genuinely be a creative force in supporting longevity of human and non-human life on our planet, the shift in knowledge systems will probably need to be at the scale of the enlightenment and speed of the scientific and technological revolution accompanying the second World War. This will require bold and strategic action from governments, scientists, civic society and sustained transformational intent.Peer reviewe