27 research outputs found
Growth performance of the neglected crop Telfairia pedata across elevation and climate gradients in Northern Tanzania
Get PDFThis research article published by Elsevier B.V., 2022Herbaceous vines, including the neglected crop Telfairia pedata, play a key role in small-holder livelihoods of
Eastern Africa. Despite this species’ importance in enhancing agro-biodiversity, little is known about its distri-
bution and growth performance in relation to environmental variables. We collected biophysical and environ-
mental data, i.e., on climate and elevation, for 346 T. pedata vines across four districts of Northern Tanzania from
September, 2019, to February, 2020. The four sites included Same, Lushoto, Muheza and Arumeru districts. We
found that plants of T. pedata were mainly grown in elevations ranging between 900 to 1800 m above sea level
with annual rainfall regimes of 1000 to 1400 mm. We recorded large abundance of T. pedata in Lushoto (46%)
and Arumeru (28%) and observed that the number of fruits and fruit diameter were both positively correlated
with elevation across the study districts. There was a significant effect of elevation on number of seeds, with
Same district having more seeds across the studied districts. Rainfall had a significant effect on fruit diameter and
number of seeds in the study districts. Furthermore, the tree species Albizia schimperiana was most commonly (in
40% of the cases) associated with T. pedata, followed by Persea americana (14%), and Croton macrostachyus (9%).
We highlight that mountainous regions are ideal for this highly nutritious crop, and that native trees are of high
importance for enriching this vine to current agro-ecosystems. Our findings will increase awareness on the
importance of raising T. pedata crop, livelihood diversification, and increasing biodiversity through production of
this orphan crop in small-holder farms.
1. Introduction
Telfairia pedata (Smiths ex Sim) Hook or oyster nut belongs to Cur-
cubitaceae family, which includes over 700 species and approximately
90 genera (Okoli and Mgbeogu, 1983; Odiaka et al., 2008; Chiamaka
et al., 2020). It is a herbaceous woody vine and dioecious that bears
squash-like fruits with large and nutritious oily seeds, is perennial and
can withstand drought to some extent (Onovo et al., 2010; Ifeanyi-Obi
et al., 2013), (Fig. 1). Telfairia pedata is mostly grown for its oilseeds in
Tanzania including Zanzibar Island, and other African countries
including Angola, Mozambique, coast of Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria
(Schippers, 2000; Odiaka et al., 2008; Odiaka and Odiaka, 2011; Are-
gheore, 2012). The nuts are highly valued by East Africa natives and are
in great demand by breastfeeding mothers (Fubara-Manuel et al., 2012;
Nwonuala and Obiefuna, 2015). These oilseeds are related to pumpkin
seeds (Cucurbita moschata) which are also highly important for their
therapeutic and functional (nutraceutical) values (Dotto & Chacha,
2020). Telfairia pedata nuts are mostly eaten raw or boiled, roasted for
confectionery or grounded into a thick paste for use in staple meals such
as soup thickening (Odiaka et al., 2008; Alegbejo, 2012). It contain
protein, fat, carbohydrates, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, pal-
mitic acid, minerals including phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), po-
tassium (K), iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) (Aregheore, 2007; Mwakasege
et al., 2021).
In some cases, Telfairia species provide substantial cash income to
small rural farm families and for biodiversity conservation (Akoroda,
1990; Alegbejo, 2012; Chukwurah et al., 2015). However, despite its
household income generation, nutritional and environmental value, the
cultivation of this crop in Tanzania has been neglected, and little is
known about its distribution, growth performance and constraints. The
climber grows well in presence of hard wood trees or wooden made
structures, and it is regarded as an important component of the rich
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (P.F. Shayo).
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Trees, Forests and People
journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/trees-forests-and-people
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2022.100216
Received 30 August 2021; Received in revised form 25 January 2022; Accepted 3 February 202
Stealing a Woman's Voice\nRegarding Dazai Osamu's Female Monologue Novels
Get PDFpdfThe difference in sex between the author, the narrator, and the characters and their interconnection (the difference in sex of the reader could be included as well) is a fascinating topic, but one that is difficult to pursue. In an attempt to offer an approach this subject, this presentation will look at Dazai Osamu’s female monologue novels. Dazai, from the start of his creative career, devoted himself to meta-fiction and similar narrative styles, but from the 1930s to the 40s during the Asian-Pacific War, he focused on writing novels narrated by women. “Joseito” and the post-war work “Shayo” are supposed to be taking “quotes” from the already existing diaries of women, but these “quotes” are almost indistinguishable from “theft”. Rather than simply looking at similarities in expression as “theft”, I would like to focus on what kind of moral problems arise from a male author borrowing (stealing) the voice of a female narrator and the differences that arise due to differences in expression. The special period relevance and connectedness between the war and post-war periods, and if possible comparisons with Uno Chiyo and other female writers of narrative works at that time, will also be looked at.conference pape
Four critiques of the redistribution hypothesis : an assessment
Get PDFThis paper discusses and assesses critiques of the aurhor's reformulation of the median voter hypothesis and its testing. The author rephrases and redefines more correctly the redistribution hypothesis and clarifies its relationship with the median voter hypothesis. He also reviews four types of critiques leveled at his approach.Inequality,Economic Theory&Research,Poverty Impact Evaluation,Emerging Markets,Markets and Market Access
Improving access, quality and safety of caesarean section services in underserved rural Tanzania: The impact of knowledge translation strategies
Get PDFThis research was designed to study different approaches to improve access to, and quality of caesarean section services in underserved Tanzania and translate evidence into practice. In 2016, 42 associate clinicians from five health centers were trained in teams for three months in comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care and anesthesia followed by post-training supportive supervision and mentorship. From 2016-2019, 2,179 caesarean sections were performed in the intervention and 969 in the control health centers. Catchment population-based caesarean section rates increased significantly in all five intervention health centers and were more than 10% in three facilities. The risk of a woman dying from complications of caesarean section in the intervention health centers was 2.3 per 1,000 caesarean sections (95% CI 0.7 - 5.3). This educational program was adopted by the government and can be used to meet the demand for caesarean section services in other underserved areas in Africa.
Cette recherche a été conçue pour étudier différentes approches pour améliorer l'accès et la qualité des services de césarienne en Tanzanie mal desservie et traduire les preuves en pratique. En 2016, 42 cliniciens associés de cinq centres de santé ont été formés en équipes pendant trois mois aux soins obstétricaux et néonatals d'urgence complets et à l'anesthésie suivis d'une supervision et d'un mentorat post-formation. De 2016 à 2019, 2 179 césariennes ont été réalisées dans les centres de santé d'intervention et 969 dans les centres de santé témoins. Les taux de césariennes dans la population desservie ont augmenté de manière significative dans les cinq centres de santé d'intervention et étaient supérieurs à 10 % dans trois établissements. Le risque qu'une femme meure des complications d'une césarienne dans les centres de santé d'intervention était de 2,3 pour 1 000 césariennes (IC à 95 % 0,7 - 5,3). Ce programme éducatif a été adopté par le gouvernement et peut être utilisé pour répondre à la demande de services de césarienne dans d'autres régions mal desservies d'Afriqu
Enhancing Maternal and Perinatal Health in Under-Served Remote Areas in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Tanzanian Model.
Get PDFBACKGROUND:In Tanzania, maternal mortality ratio (MMR), unmet need for emergency obstetric care and health inequities across the country are in a critical state, particularly in rural areas. This study was established to determine the feasibility and impact of decentralizing comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) services in underserved rural areas using associate clinicians. METHODS:Ten health centres (HCs) were upgraded by constructing and equipping maternity blocks, operating rooms, laboratories, staff houses and installing solar panels, standby generators and water supply systems. Twenty-three assistant medical officers (advanced level associate clinicians), and forty-four nurse-midwives and clinical officers (associate clinicians) were trained in CEmONC and anaesthesia respectively. CEmONC services were launched between 2009 and 2012. Monthly supportive supervision and clinical audits of adverse pregnancy outcomes were introduced in 2011 in these HCs and their respective district hospitals. FINDINGS:After launching CEmONC services from 2009 to 2014 institutional deliveries increased in all upgraded rural HCs. Mean numbers of monthly deliveries increased by 151% and obstetric referrals decreased from 9% to 3% (p = 0.03) in HCs. A total of 43,846 deliveries and 2,890 caesarean sections (CS) were performed in these HCs making the mean proportion of all births in EmONC facilities of 128% and mean population-based CS rate of 9%. There were 190 maternal deaths and 1,198 intrapartum and very early neonatal deaths (IVEND) in all health facilities. Generally, health centres had statistically significantly lower maternal mortality ratios and IVEND rates than district hospitals (p < 0.00 and < 0.02 respectively). Of all deaths (maternal and IVEND) 84% to 96% were considered avoidable. CONCLUSIONS:These findings strongly indicate that remotely located health centres in resource limited settings hold a great potential to increase accessibility to CEmONC services and to improve maternal and perinatal health
Leadership and managerial domains assessed using L&M survey in 2018 and 2021.
No full textLeadership and managerial domains assessed using L&M survey in 2018 and 2021.</p
Score of the BRN key domains before and after capacity building in the ledership and management.
No full textScore of the BRN key domains before and after capacity building in the ledership and management.</p
Obstetric case fatality rate before and after the intervention in the control and intervention health centres.
No full textObstetric case fatality rate before and after the intervention in the control and intervention health centres.</p
