A Gender Analysis on the Participation and Choice of Improved and Local Haricot Bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris L</i>.) by Farmers in Cameroon

Men and women farmer participation and choice of variety could guide breeding and drive the adoption of different haricot bean varieties. Thus, understanding how gender influences participation and choice of bean cultivation and marketing is fundamental. The study sought to analyse how socio-cultural norms determine women and men, participation and choice of variety for cultivation and sale in Cameroon’s West region. A mixed-method was used in collecting data from men and women farmers in six subdivisions in the West region of Cameroon in 2019. Result reveals that women provide most of the labour on haricot bean production than men, who are more involved in selling to national and regional markets. Participation and role were driven by socio-cultural norms of what is expected of men and women in a society where women provide food and men income for household upkeep. Women preferred varieties that were less labour intensive and food taste for household consumption while men went for labour intensive as long as they were market-oriented and high yielding. Thus, breeders should develop varieties that are mostly preferred by women, which meet the market and household demand.

Assessing intersectional gender analysis in Nepal’s health management information system:a case study on tuberculosis for inclusive health systems

Background Tuberculosis(TB)remains a major public health problem in Nepal,high in settings marked by prevalent gender and social inequities.Various social stratifiers intersect,either privileging or oppressing individuals based on their characteristics and contexts,thereby increasing risks,vulnerabilities and marganilisation associated with TB.This study aimed to assess the inclusiveness of gender and other social stratifiers in key health related national policies and the Health Management Information System(HMIS)of National Tuberculosis Programme(NTP)by conducting an intersectional analysis of TB cases recorded via HMIS.Methods A desk review of key policies and the NTP’s HMIS was conducted.Retrospective intersectional analysis utilized two secondary data sources:annual NTP report(2017-2021)and records of 628 TB cases via HMIS 6.5 from two TB centres(2017/18-2018/19).Chi-square test and multi-variate analysis was used to assess the association between social stratifers and types of TB,registration category and treatment outcome.Results Gender,social inclusion and concept of intersectionality are incorporated into various health policies and strategies but lack effective implementation.NTP has initiated the collection of age,sex,ethnicity and location data since 2014/15 through the HMIS.However,only age and sex disaggregated data are routinely reported,leaving recorded social stratifiers of TB patients static without analysis and dissemination.Furthermore,findings from the intersectional analysis using TB secondary data,showed that male more than 25 years exhibited higher odds[adjusted odds ratio(a OR)=4.95,95%confidence interval(CI):1.60-19.06,P=0.01]of successful outcome compared to male TB patients less than 25 years.Similarly,sex was significantly associated with types of TB(P<0.05)whereas both age(P<0.05)and sex(P<0.05)were significantly associated with patient registration category(old/new cases).Conclusions The results highlight inadequacy in the availability of social stratifiers in the routine HMIS.This limitation hampers the NTP’s ability to conduct intersectional analyses,crucial for unveiling the roles of other social determinants of TB.Such limitation underscores the need for more disaggregated data in routine NTP to better inform policies and plans contributing to the development of a more responsive and equitable TB programme and effectively addressing disparities.

Understanding gender and its intersection with social stratifiers on prevention and care seeking behavior of lymphatic filariasis in Nepal

BackgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) is a debilitating and painful neglected tropical disease and is one of the leading causes of permanent disability. In many countries, the intersection of gender with various social stratifiers has influenced exposure to LF and ultimately impacting the disease burden and its elimination. This study aimed to explore the influence of gender and its intersection with other social stratifiers for the prevention and care seeking behavior of LF in Nepal.MethodsThis study employed qualitative research methods: in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection in Bardiya, Nepal. A total of 22 IDIs (11 male, 11 female) and 2 FGDs (1 male and 1 female) were conducted with the community people between January and March 2020. The participants were purposively selected to represent different social stratifiers including age, sex, ethnicity, occupation. The data collected were analyzed using a thematic framework approach with use of intersectional gender analysis matrix.ResultsThe study findings revealed that men spend more time outside their household compared to women while fulfilling their roles and responsibilities, largely determined by societal expectations and gender norms. This resulted in limited access to preventive health services for men, as they often missed annual mass drug administration programme in their community and limited access to preventive methods. Further traditional occupation, specific to particular ethnicity, influenced the vulnerability to LF for certain ethnic groups. The ability to prevent exposure varied among individuals. Although women made decisions regarding the use of protective methods, it was influenced by patriarchal and gender norms. They often felt a responsibility to take care and priorities males and other family members when resources are limited. The intersectionality of gender with other social stratifiers such as marital status, ethnicity, and geographical areas influenced individual’s ability to access information related to LF and care seeking.ConclusionsOverall, the findings emphasized how access to resources, division of work, norms and values and decision-making power alone and its interaction with various social stratifiers shaped peoples’ vulnerability to disease, ability to prevent exposure and response to illness.

Trends in Glaucoma Disability in Ukraine

The article represents the glaucoma disability rates in Ukraine and touches upon medical and social aspects of the problem We have screened a data from source medical documents and analyzed the MSEK （Physical Disability Board of Review） statistical reporting data, further used as a basis for calculation of live indices of general and primary disabilities caused by eye diseases, including the ones caused by primary open-angle glaucoma （7.05% and 9.99%, respectively）, the extensive distribution indices of disability by gender （75.74% male）, age （59.29% of II maturity patients）, and a disability group （56% of patients recognized disabled persons of groups I and II）. Our findings indicate a lack of modern science-based approaches to diagnosis, rehabilitation, and socio-medical examination of patients with ophthalmologic pathologies, thus requiring deeper study of this problem.