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Factors Contributing to Maternal Mortality in Uganda
No full textThe study aimed at establishing the factors affecting maternal mortality in Uganda. It was guided by the following objectives; to investigating whether the number of antenatal Care visits, maternal education, age, area and region of residence had any effect on maternal mortality in Uganda. Descriptive statistics are used to summarize characteristics of the respondents, and the results presented in frequencies and percentages. Cross tabulations on the number of antenatal care visits, maternal education, region where mother comes from, age and area of residence to maternal mortality were run to establish the association between them. The Binary Logistic model was used to analyze the relationship between maternal mortality on the number of antenatal care visits, maternal education, age, area and region of residence. All the variables apart from area of residence were found to be significant at bivariate level. The study found mothers who make fewer or no ANC visits had a higher likelihood of death, both for themselves and their babies, than those who had more visits. It was also found that, mothers living in rural areas, compared to those in urban areas, are more likely to die due to pregnancy or related conditions. Maternal education, especially at secondary and tertiary levels increases the likelihood of using and attending ANC hence reducing maternal mortality. The study recommends that the government of Uganda and other stakeholders should increase efforts to enhance female education to attain favorable maternal health outcomes in the future and also to sensitize families more on the effectiveness of attending at least 3 ANC so as to reduce the scourge of maternal mortality
Regional Trade Agreement and Agricultural Trade in East African Community.
No full textAccording to World Bank statistics, agricultural activities contribute about 33 per cent of the East African Community’s Gross Domestic Product, and up to 80 per cent of the populace depends on agriculture directly and indirectly for food, employment and income, while about 40 million people in EAC suffer from hunger. Intra-EAC trade is very low, that is, at 9 per cent of the total regional trade, but it is on upward trend. Agricultural trade accounts for over 40 per cent of the intra-EAC trade. This study investigated the effect of EAC regional trade agreement on the regions agricultural trade by analyzing the degree of trade creation and diversion effects. Several Augmented gravity models were estimated using the Pseudo Poisson Maximum Likelihood (PPML) Approach. Panel data from UNCOMTRADE, International Financial Statistics and World Development Indicators for the period 2000 – 2012 on the five EAC members and other 77 trade partners were used. The empirical findings showed mixed results for the different EAC member states. EAC regionalism had no significant effect on agricultural exports of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, while Kenya and Tanzania had reported significant effect of regionalism on their agricultural exports. This study concluded that EAC regional trade agreement has a potential of promoting EAC regional agricultural trade
Technological Change in Uganda’s Agricultural Sector Between 2005-2010
No full textThe study estimates the rate of technological change in Uganda’s agriculture during 2005-2010, and across the 4 major regions of the country. Using a nationally representative household panel data set, a time trend variable in the stochastic production frontier was used to account for hicksneutral technological change. The frontier is then re-modelled using binary time trend dummy variables to capture the temporal pattern of technological change. Overall it was found that technological progress was small and insignificant of 0.031% but further decomposition at regional level revealed more interesting findings. The western region had technological progress at 0.6%, and the central region had technological regress of 0.57%, both significant at 5% level. The northern region had technological progress at 0.008% and the eastern region had technological regress of 0.11% both insignificant at 5% level. The findings suggest that more public and private investments in region-specific technology development would be required to accelerate technological progress especially in the northern and eastern regions of the country. Alternatively with the existing level of investment, effort should be made to address the institutional issues that constrain efficient dissemination of the technologies developed from the National Agricultural Research System
Quality Assessment on Environmental Conservation Interventions in three Selected Councils of Dodoma Region, Tanzania
No full textThe study highlights some of conservation challenges, quality strategies and interventions that could be enhanced for sustainable eco-development. The study area has one of the most degraded environments in Tanzania. The statement of the problem is that, while progress has been made to a certain level on environmental conservations programme, this change in terms of quality has not been investigated and assessed. A case study design was adopted in which a population of 629 respondents was involved. In this Study the population was used as sample hence Census technique, not sampling. Distribution of respondents for data collection was in four groups and divided into two categories which included intervention designers 215 and intervention implementers 414. Data analysis by using SPSS and descriptive statistics were used to meet the case. Major findings include; poor use of natural resources, lack of adequate knowledge and knowledge dissemination, financial constraints and conflict of interest among stakeholders. Therefore, it is recommended that, ongoing interventions to environmental conservation should be refined and strengthened for quality and sustainable way
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED TANZANIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS
No full textTraditional medicines have been used in the treatment of infections for decades, but unlike most clinical antibiotics, they remain effective against microbial infections. Antimicrobial activity of selected medicinal plants was evaluated against selected Gram negative bacteria. The plants selected were Rhus natalensis, Lannea schweinfurthii, Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Toddalia asiatica, Solanecio cydoniifolius, Ziziphus mucronata and Cyanthnla orthocantha. The extracts were obtained by sequential extraction. The extracts were then assayed for antimicrobial activity using broth microdilution method. The results revealed that R. natalensis leaf ethyl acetate extract had antimicrobial activity with MIC values> 3.125mg mL-1 against all tested microorganisms. The leaf ethyl acetate extract of L. schweinfurthii showed significant antimicrobial activity against tested Gram negative bacteria, with MIC values that ranged from 1.563mg mL-1 to 6.25 mg mL-1. Interestingly, T. asiatica leaf methanolic extract had the highest antimicrobial activity with MIC values of 0.195 mg mL-1against P. vulgaris. The leaf methanolic extract of T. camphoratus had MIC value of 0.391mg mL-1against P. aureginosa. Despite weaker antibacterial activity, C. orthocantha leaf ethyl acetate extract exhibited a better antifungal activity against C. albicans at MIC value of 3.125 mg mL-1. These antimicrobial activity results agree well with the medicinal applications of the selected medicinal plants
THE MANAGEMENT ASPECT OF VOCATIONAL SKILL TRAINING OUTCOMES: THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTIUON AND LEARNING IN TANZANIA VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
No full textHindrances or barriers to learning faced by learners with poor English background in Tanzania Vocational Training Centres (VETs) can lead to increased feelings of desperation, frustration, helplessness and inadequacy. In some cases these outcomes lead to course withdrawal and lowered chances of breaking through the boundaries and achieving job attainment and satisfaction. This research aims to investigate whether the needs of these learners who did not master the medium of instruction were being met by the Information Technology (IT) training they received and whether their difficulties and major hindrances were primarily institutionally (related to the IT training process) or non-institutionally grounded. A questionnaire was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative information and to identify learners who do not master the medium of training (VTCs). The results indicate that both institutional (e.g. poor quality instructions) and non-institutional factors are implicated as hindrances to learning. Code switching was preferred by many learners from a group of those who attended primary education in Non English medium schools (NEMS) Some suggested ways within the training institution of breaking through the barriers are discussed
Foreign Direct Investment and Natural Resources in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Institutions towards the Africa We Want “2063 Visionâ€.
No full textThis study examines the mediating effect of institutions on the relationship between natural resources and FDI inflows using the panel data of 46 Sub-Saharan Africa countries over 20002015. The panel unit root tests by Im, Pesaran and Shin and Fisher type are employed and results indicate that data are stationary at first difference whereas the Pedroni cointegration tests confirm for the long-run relationship among variables. The GMM estimator is employed to account for the endogenous problems. The initial results demonstrate that FDI-Resources curse exists because natural resources crowd out non-natural resource sectors. Moreover, significant positive relationship between FDI and the interaction variable of institutions and natural resources signify that FDI-Resources curse exist in countries with weak institutions. The findings of this study are important in Sub-Saharan Africa because they enforce institutions and governance to promote sectoral linkages and build economy diversity towards the agenda 2063, “The Africa We Wantâ€
Influence of Multiple Media Channels on Adolescents’ Knowledge and Intentions to use Contraceptives: A quantitative Study of Amasaman, the Capital of Ga West District Assembly in Ghana
No full textAvailable literature depicts a strong association between exposure to mass media and intentions to use contraceptives in Ghana. However, little is known about the influence of multiple media on the reminiscence of exact contraceptive messages and intentions to use contraceptives among in-school and out-of-school adolescents. This article, therefore, examines adolescents’ exposure to multiple media messages on contraceptives and its implications on message reminiscence. Their knowledge of the types of contraceptives, their intentions to use contraceptives and their perceptions of usage were also studied. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Amasaman, the capital of Ga West District Assembly in Ghana. Quantitative data were collected from systematically sampled adolescents in-school and out-of-school. The findings indicate that all the adolescents had ever been exposed to media messages on contraceptives, but few had intentions to use a contraceptive within the year preceding the survey. The adverse intentions to use contraceptives were influenced considerably by their fear of being caught due to cultural norms against sexual intercourse at their stage, preference for abstinence based on religious doctrines and poor knowledge of contraceptive usage. Old adolescents (15-19 years) were exposed to multiple media messages on contraceptives more than young adolescents (10-14 years), while majority understood contraceptive messages from radio and television. Generally, there was positive association between exposure to multiple media and recollection of contraceptive messages. In conclusion, multiple media should be used to disseminate elaborative contraceptive messages to adolescents, in order for them to make informed choices and as a result enhance a healthy reproductive life. We suggest that the content of the messages should address negative religious and cultural perceptions about contraceptives, as well as educating them further on the available contraceptive methods
Prospects and Constraints of Seaweeds Farming along the West and South Coasts of Zanzibar
No full textSeaweed farming is among the strategies adopted by the coastal communities in Zanzibar in an attempt to alleviate poverty. The study involved seaweed farmers from the south coast of Unguja. Six shehia[1] were purposeful selected and they included Paje, Bwejuu, Jambiani in the south and Bweleo, Dimani and Fumba for the west. Eighty seaweed farmers were randomly selected for interview. In addition five businessmen and some government officials who are supposedly to be working with seaweed farmers were interviewed. Various PRA tools including structured questionnaire, check list, focus group discussion and direct observation were used to collect the data.  It was found out that majority of respondents were aged between 32-55 and 67% were married. 78% have been working as seaweed farmers for the past 6 years and mostly they produce spinosum type of seaweed. Selling of seaweeds is done individually and normally they sell semi-processed seaweeds. 90.2% of the respondents showed dissatisfaction with the current offered price of Tsh. 250/kg although 74.4% reported positive improvement in their livelihood resulting from engaging in seaweed farming. There was a general concern that the government have rendered little support to seaweed farmer especially in pricing and provision of inputs and to a large extent the price is controlled by few private buyers. Despite these challenges many women have opted to continue with the enterprise owing to absence of alternative income generating activities.[1] Shehia is the smallest administrative unit in the government structure in Zanzibar, led by a local leader appointed by the president. This local leader is called sheha.Â
Photoperiodic Control of Seasonal Breeding: A Review
No full textPhotoperiod is a powerful synchronizer of seasonal changes in endocrine and metabolic physiology in vertebrates living in tropical to polar zone. The purpose of this review is to study the factors which are involved in the process of photoperiodism in control of seasonal breeding in birds and mammals. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is crucial in seasonal breeding mammals and birds, whereby under the influence of thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), it stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release gonadotropins responsible for maturation of reproductive organs. The process that leads to stimulation of GnRH production differs between birds and mammals. In birds, light is perceived by deep brain photoreceptors and long day induced thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) causes local T3 activation. In mammals, light is perceived by the eyes and melatonin which is secreted during the night from the pineal gland regulates TSH. Therefore eyes, pineal gland and melatonin are not essential for regulation of seasonal reproduction in birds. Despite the differences, birds and mammals are subjected to common features i.e. light exposure and TSH during photostimulation. Long photoperiod causes photostimulation followed by photorefractoriness. The latter, has been thought to occur due to the influence of prolactin. The initial gonadal regression which is encountered during photorefractoriness occurs while there is still releasable GnRH. The timing of photorefractoriness is influenced by food availability, temperature and social factors like songs. The dissipation of photorefractoriness occurs during short photoperiods and is characterized by an increase in hypothalamic GnRH