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Disparity in prevalence and predictors of undernutrition in children under five among agricultural, pastoral, and agro-pastoral ecological zones of Karamoja sub-region, Uganda: a cross sectional study
(BMC Pediatrics, 2022-05-30) Okidi, Lawrence; Ongeng, Duncan; Muliro, Patrick Simiyu; Matofari, Joseph Wafula
Background
Undernutrition accounts for nearly half of under-five child mortality in developing countries where household nutrition is largely dependent on agriculture. Despite the strong influence of agroecology on agriculture in those countries, limited information exists on whether undernutrition in children under five varies with agro-ecological location.
Methods
Using Karamoja sub-region of Uganda, one of the most food insecure parts of Eastern Africa as a case area, and applying a multi-stage sampling procedure, and a structured questionnaire, this study examined in a comparative manner, the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition in children under five among the agricultural, pastoral, and agro-pastoral ecological zones. Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to establish the disparity in prevalence of undernutrition and household contextual characteristics, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of undernutrition in children under five among the three agro-ecological zones. The level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results
The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting ranged from 36 to 58% but varied with agroecology in terms of the peak age ranging from 6 to 37 months. Child characteristics, feeding practices, household economic factors, sanitation factors, and caregiver characteristics that predict undernutrition among children under five were identified (p ≤ 0.05). Caregiver handwashing after using latrine (p = 0.005) and diarrhoea in a fortnight (p < 0.001) increased the likelihood of stunting in pastoral agroecology only whereas cereal storage in both sacks and granary in agro-pastoral zone was associated with reduced likelihood of both underweight (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014) and stunting (p = 0.011 and p = 0.018), respectively. A male child was more likely to be underweight and stunted in pastoral (p = 0.002 and p = 0.011) and agro-pastoral (p = 0.017 and p = 0.002) agroecology, respectively. Household expenses reduced the likelihood of both underweight and wasting in pastoral (p = 0.013 and p = 0.005) and agricultural (p = 0.011 and p = 0.021) agroecology, respectively. Flour storage duration increased the stunting likelihood in pastoral (p = 0.032) and agro-pastoral (p = 0.006) agroecologies.
Conclusion
This study has revealed that, in a food insecure developing country setting such as Karamoja sub-region of Uganda, undernutrition among children under five varies with agroecology. Thus, nutritional interventions in such locations should be agroecology specific.
Diversity and Nutritional Values of Wild Fruits of Acholi Sub region, Northern Uganda
(IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, 2016-11) Loki, Robert B. O.; Ndyomugyenyi, Elly. K.
A study was conducted in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Amuru to establish the diversity and nutritional value of Wild Fruits (WF) for human consumption. Epistemology of consumption of the wild fruit plant species was also assessed. A total of 206 respondents, which included formerly abducted children (FAC) and district officials were used for the study in two sub-counties from each district. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, observations and focus group discussions. Secondary sources of data were also reviewed. Most respondents who had knowledge, collected and consumed wild fruits were adults between 40-49 years and had little formal education. Fifty-one wild food plants species belonging to 35 families were recorded
and 48% of the forest habitat was richest in wild fruit plant (WFP) species and water presented the least number (2%) of WFP species. Twenty six wild fruit plant species were identified and trees constituted the most common form of fruit plant species as compared to herbs. Among the edible parts, fruits were most widely eaten than seeds and were consumed mainly in raw form and thus required less preparation process. Most wild fruit species were richer in vitamin C (>1.0 x 102 mg/100g) and sugar (>5.5%). Although Vitellaria paradoxa was poorer in vitamin C (0.143 x 102 mg/100g) and sugar (2.43%), it recorded the highest protein (5.01%) and fat (2.75%) contents while phosphorus (51.7 mg/100g) and zinc (61.0 mg/100g) were highest in Passiflora edulis.
The knowledge of wild fruit consumption was mainly informal, acquired from the parents, grandparents and friends. However, 19.4% of respondents were influenced to eat the fruits either by hunger or rebel commanders during food shortage. The knowledge and consumption of WFP are gradually reducing in the wake of increasing improved agricultural production technology and marketed food plants, eroded culture and tradition. There is need for thorough nutritional evaluation prior to recommendation of WFP for large scale consumption and marketing.
Effect of Different Floor Types on Growth Performance of Pigs and Carcass Back-Fat Thickness
(London Journal of Research in Science: Natural and Formal, 2021) Kidega, K.; Aliro, T.; Mugonola, B.; Ndyomugyenyi, E. K.; Okello-Uma, I.
Pig production (Sus scrofa domesticus) amongst smallholder farmers is constrained by poor growth performances in terms of feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) and, high proportion of carcass back-fat thickness to lean meat. This study investigated the effect of floor types on growth performance of pigs and carcass back-fat thickness of pigs raised on IMO treated deep litter floor, untreated deep litter floor and concrete floor.Three-month old pigs (Large White x Landrace) were raised on a deep litter floor and concrete floor (control); one type of deep litter floor was treated with IMO solution and one type not treated. No significant (P≥0.05) difference were observed in feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass back-fat thickness at the back from the 15th rib to the last Lumbar vertebrae, at gluteus medius muscle and the thigh of pigs raised on both concrete floor, IMO treated and untreated deep litter floor.
Impact of Community Action Research Project (CARP+1) on the livelihoods of smallholder pig farmers in northern Uganda
(RUFORUM Working Document Series, 2021-12-06) Ndyomugyenyi, E. K.; Kidega, K.
Pig production in Uganda is largely constrained by high feed costs, poor breeds, foul smell in pig houses, and the fact that markets are not reliable for live pigs and products. To address the constraints, the Community Action Research Project (CARP+1) introduced user-friendly interventions to smallholder pig farmers in northern Uganda. This study aimed to establish the impact of the CARP+1 interventions on pig production and livelihoods of the smallholder pig farmers. Data were collected from 75 purposively selected farmers out of the 109 who kept pigs at the start of the CARP+1. Structured questionnaires, observations and interviews were used to
collect the data. The number of farmers who were not keeping pigs decreased by 85.8% as a result of CARP+1 intervention. Farmers who kept over 16 pigs increased (P≤0.05) from 0.00% to 3% after the intervention. Farmers who earned over Ugx 1,600,000 (annually) from pig production increased (P≤0.05) from 3.3% to 13.2% after the intervention. As a result of the CARP+1 intervention, pig farmers were able to pay school fees for their children (63.3%) and purchase foodstuffs for their families (56.7%). Pig farmers (96.7%) were able to use the knowledge they got from the CARP+1 to improve the housing condition of pigs using deep floor on which indigenous microorganism liquid was applied, formulate cheap feed from local feedstuffs and disease control. In conclusion, the CARP+1 intervention significantly improved pig production and livelihoods of smallholder pig farmers in northern Uganda.
PFAS:
(Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,, 2023-08-31) Awolesi Oluwafemi; Oni Peter; Oshinowo Abiodun; Olubusoye Boluwatife; Owusu Faustina; Sunday Simeon Pama; Osobamiro Temitope; Ongwech Acaye; Awolesi Omotoyosi; Arwenyo Beatrice
The C-F bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry. It is responsible for the great stability of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly
referred to as “PFAS”, a group of man-made chemicals that include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Thermal stability, surface activity, dielectric characteristics, chemical resistance, and inertness are just a few of the technical advantages that this group has over hydrocarbons, and since the 1950s, these chemicals have been largely utilized in a variety of domestic and industrial endeavors. The hydrophilic and lipophilic nature of this class of chemicals accounts for its uniqueness. Up until today, the chemistry and ecotoxicology of these chemicals continue to emerge. Issues concerning the destructive power of ignorance expedited by an ineffective regulatory institution continue to show that manufacturing chemicals are insufficient without giving serious thought to issues of openness and humanity’s awareness of its own safety. When discussing the nature of humanity and how it can be defined or redefined, it is important to allude to the significance of integrating business with ethics in its various forms. This paper highlights the importance of holding polluters accountable for PFAS contamination cleanup costs while emphasizing the need for chemical manufacturers to test and disclose the health and environmental effects of PFAS compounds. In addition, the sources, types, properties, applications, distribution, toxicological implications, regulations, and analytical methods associated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are explored. The effectiveness of the remedial methods described in this paper needs to be progressively tested while exploring other sustainable approaches.