Journals National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
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PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL AND IMPORTED SANITARY PADS
Get PDFA comparative study of Zimbabwean manufactured and imported sanitary pads was carried out in order to elucidate the performance characteristics that make them popular with the majority of women. Five different types of the most popular imported and locally made sanitary pads that were determined by a preliminary questionnaire survey were selected and their performance characteristics, that is, absorbency, liquid retention and strike through properties determined. The results show that imported sanitary pads are preferred by Zimbabwean women (47%) due to their performance characteristics such as comfort, odour control, size, absorption, sticking of adhesive, packaging and protection of strike through. Women using local products account for 39% of the sample population and those using both imported and local products 14% and a significant number of women in rural areas (72%) are still using alternative methods due to the prohibitive costs of modern methods of sanitary protection
Development of Sanitary Towel Using Locally Available Natural Fibres for Marginalised Groups in Kenya
Get PDFDevelopment of a reusable sanitary towel that is easy to make, affordable, and that utilises locally available natural fibres such as wool and cotton is described in this paper. A novel sanitary towel design consisting of a reusable outer shell and a disposable natural fibre insert is proposed and a prototype produced. The preparation of the natural fibres for sanitary towel use is described and their subsequent water imbibitions per gram of fibres established as 1.24 and 1.25 grams of water for cotton and wool fibres, respectively. The absorbency characteristics of the developed sanitary towel compare reasonably well to the KS 507:2005 Standards. The use, care and washing of the developed towel is describe and a cost analysis performed for different scenarios indicate a descent savings of up to 79% compared to commercial sanitary towel usage
CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY: AN ANALYSIS OF ACTION CONTRA LA FAIM’S (ACF) INTERVENTIONS IN CHIPINGE DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE
Get PDFFood insecurity among smallholder farmers in agricultural marginal areas of Zimbabwe has been on the increase despite government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) efforts to curb it. Using Action Contra la Faim’s (ACF) Conservation Agriculture (CA) interventions across three wards in Chipinge district in Zimbabwe as a case study, the study investigated the impacts of CA on household food security. A total of 200 close-ended questionnaires were administered to 200 beneficiaries of CA. Qualitative techniques used in data collection include Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and Participant Observation. Statistical Package for Social Scientists and thematic analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Preliminary findings indicate that household food insecurity remains high despite the introduction of CA. Interlinkages of social, economic and ecological drivers have been noted as possible contributors to these outcomes. The study concludes that there is need for local level participation in designing developmental projects
Technology Gap within Kenyan Textile Cottage Industries
Get PDFTextile cottage industries in Kenya handle diverse products using different production techniques. The industries by virtual of being small and complex in their output have difficulties sustaining quality and quantity. One major reason for this is the technology disparities within the various cottage industries. This paper looks into the current technologies being used in their value addition processes compared to advancements that have been made in the same sector of manufacturing and processing. The shortfalls that come with the technology gaps have been critically evaluated and interventions proposed that could be used for successful business in the competitive markets
Potential of Natural Dye Processing in Matabeleland South Province: Case Study of Masendu Ward, Bulilima-Mangwe District, Zimbabwe.
Get PDFSynthetic dyes are non-biodegradable. There is a quest in the dyeing industry to replace these with natural dyes. The availability of raw material is a pre-requisite is assessing the manufacturing of any product. This paper outlines the results of a survey to determine the availability and distribution of natural dye trees in in Zimbabwe’s Bulilima-Mangwe District. Other plant uses are highlighted. Fifty-eight different plant species were identified. Forty one and fifty-nine percent of the plant species are dye and non-dye plants respectively. With improved technology and commercialisation technics, the district will benefit from the natural dye business venture
Promoting Sustainable Small and Medium Textile Manufacturing Enterprises in Kenya
Get PDFThe Small and Medium Textile Enterprises (SMTE) in Kenya play a pivotal role in contributing to the national economy through creation of employment arising from its labour intensive nature. In addition, the textile industry cuts across diverse sectors of manufacturing. However, SMTEs have not faired well in terms of the rate of growth and transition to medium and large manufacturing industries. This paper investigates the problems that prevent their growth, transition and survival rates. The findings point to pertinent challenges such as access to capital, low skills level, lack of technological know-how, access to markets and low level of inter-firm linkages. The paper recommends specific strategies such as access to affordable capital, human capacity enhancement through training and skills upgrade, adapting dynamic marketing strategies that are responsive to changing market patterns
Partnerships in Education, Training and Management for Sustainable Natural Resources Processing in Zimbabwe’s Rural Communities
Get PDFIn the course of their everyday academic business, universities in developing countries turn over large volumes of mainly foreign-sourced knowledge, while on the other hand typical communities in rural areas are starved of vital information for their own survival and development. Partnerships between universities and their immediate communities have a potential to turn the fortunes of both parties in economic ways. In the area of natural resources harvesting for commercial purposes, the university community partnership plays a critical role in fulfilling mutual needs and tackling environmental stability. This paper explores the perceived roles of education, training and management practices on encouraging rural communities to recognize natural resources within their environments and to develop appropriate capacity to sustainably exploit them for economic benefit. Elaborating on the views of selected players and with reference to textile materials sourcing and processing, the paper identifies the complementary functions of education, management and rural communities in developing informed appreciation for sustainable harvesting of natural resources
Descriptive studies on Paramphistomes of small domestic ruminants in Southern Nigeria
Get PDFGoats and sheep slaughtered in Southern Nigeria had their rumens and reticulums examined for the frequency and intensity of infections with paramphistomes. The overall frequency of infected goats and sheep was 30% and 80% respectively. The range of intensity of parasite in goats and sheep was, 2 to 500 and 2 to 700 respectively. From the morphological and histological studies of diagnostic features, which included the acetabulum, genetilium and pharynx, carried out on flattened whole mounts and median sagittal sections the following parasites were identified, Cotylophoron cotylophorum infecting 8% of the goats, Cotylophoron fuelleborni infecting 20% of the goats, Carmyerius synethes infecting 4% of the goats and 70% sheep, and Calicophoron microbothrium infecting 20% of the goats and 33%, sheep. Goats were infected with all the four species while sheep infected with only the last two species. The degree of tissue damage on both hosts was mild
Towards improved utilization of macimbi Imbrasia belina Linnaeus, 1758 as food and financial resource for people in the Gwanda district of Zimbabwe
Get PDFMacimbi have two generations per annum one in November and the other in April. The November generation has a higher population per tree 206.9±56.7 than the April generation 100±25. The growth rate is the same for both generations. Each moth oviposits on one tree and the average distance between oviposited trees is 45.7±15 m. The protein and fat content of the larvae are 59% and 14% respectively. The mass of fresh full-grown ‘worms’ is 12g and they are 8-9cm long. The growth rate is increased when the relative humidity is above 75% and the temperature is 30±2oC. Worms harvested before maturity need evisceration whereas those gathered when fully grown need no evisceration. Spines begin to be effective as defense mechanism against predators after the fourth week. The pupa stage lasts 38±2 days for the November generation and 180±12 days for the April generation because of winter. It is suggested that persons be allocated woodlots as this could lead to responsible and sustainable harvesting and protection of the environment
Physical Properties of a Wild-silk/Cotton Blend Yarn, and Shrinkage Properties of its Plain Knitted Product
Get PDFThe physical properties (count, twist, strength and yarn evenness) of a 30%/70% wildsilk/cotton blend and shrinkage properties of the resultant plain knitted fabric were investigated. The results show that the yarn had an average count of 62.4 tex, high number of thick places (178.5 per km) but low number of thin places (2/km) and neps (13.5/km), and had an unevenness of 10.5U%. It was also observed that the yarn displayed strength of7.3 Newtons and an elongation of 9-14% which resulted in good knitting performance with no end breakages recorded indicating that the yarn physical properties, strength and elongation, were well suited for knitting.
The shrinkage properties of the developed fabric indicated sensitivity to wet treatment as it shrunk (26.8%) when dried whilst there was no significant change noted after dry relaxation.
It was concluded that the yarn blend could be used to produce knitted products only after it has been pre-treated for shrinkage in order to avoid dimensional changes during use