Traditional agroecological knowledge and practices:The drivers and opportunities for adaptation actions in the northern region of Ghana

Agroecological practices are promoted as a more proactive approach than conventional agriculture to achieving a collective global response to climate change and variability while building robust and resilient agricultural systems to meet food needs and protect the integrity of ecosystems.There is relatively limited evidence on the key traditional agroecological knowledge and practices adopted by smallholder farmers,the factors that influence smallholder farmers’decision to adopt these practices,and the opportunities it presents for building resilient agricultural systems.Using a multi-scale mixed method approach,we conducted key informant interviews(n=12),focus group discussions(n=5),and questionnaire surveys(N=220)to explore the traditional agroecological knowledge and practices,the influencing factors,and the opportunities smallholder farmers presented for achieving resilient agricultural systems.Our findings suggest that smallholder farmers employ a suite of traditional agroecological knowledge and practices to enhance food security,combat climate change,and build resilient agricultural systems.The most important traditional agroecological knowledge and practices in the study area comprise cultivating leguminous crops,mixed crop-livestock systems,and crop rotation,with Relative Importance Index(RII)values of 0.710,0.708,and 0.695,respectively.It is reported that the choice of these practices by smallholder farmers is influenced by their own farming experience,access to market,access to local resources,information,and expertise,and the perceived risk of climate change.Moreover,the results further show that improving household food security and nutrition,improving soil quality,control of pest and disease infestation,and support from NonGovernmental Organizations(NGOs)and local authorities are opportunities for smallholder farmers in adopting traditional agroecological knowledge and practices for achieving resilient agricultural systems.The findings call into question the need for stakeholders and policy-makers at all levels to develop capacity and increase the awareness of traditional agroecological knowledge and practices as mechanisms to ensure resilient agricultural systems for sustainable food security.

Determinants of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Young Adults Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Shandong Province, China

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand the current situation of knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-management in young patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to explore the relationship between general conditions (personal, social, and environment, clinical factors) and their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of diabetes self-management, This aims to provide patients with high-quality nursing care management and services, as well as to provide relevant recommendations for effective self-management. Methods: This study is a descriptive correlational study that used the purposive sampling method to investigate 359 patients with T2DM aged 18-25 years in four designated tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province. Results: Knowledge of self-management was correlated with sex, age, education level, occupation and work situation, monthly household income, medical payment method, family and friend support, frequency of diabetes health education, and diabetes complications. The attitude subscale was correlated with sex, age, education level, work situation, and family and friend support. The practice subscale was associated with age, education level, work situation, family and friend support, frequency of diabetes health education, and HbA1c values. Conclusion: Young adults aged 18-25 with T2DM have positive attitudes towards diabetes self-management, but there are still deficiencies in knowledge acquisition and behavioral practice. The KAP of self-management of diabetes is influenced by personal factors such as sex, age, and education level, and socio-environmental factors such as family income and family or friends’ social support. Additionally, clinical factors such as complications and HbA1c values significantly impacted the patient’s disease self-management ability.

Effects of Continuous Precision Nursing Model on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Behavior and Cardiac Function in Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Stent Implantation

Objective:To explore the impact of a continuous precision nursing model on patients’Knowledge,Attitudes,and Practices(KAP)and cardiac function during the nursing process of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography and stent implantation.Methods:Ninety patients who underwent percutaneous coronary angiography and stent implantation in our hospital from April 2022 to April 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the control group(45 cases),in which routine nursing support was carried out during the treatment process,and the observation group(45 cases),in which continuous precision nursing model was carried out during the treatment process.Comparisons were made between the two groups of patients on their KAP,cardiac function,and quality of life during recovery.Results:There was no difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),cardiac output(CO),and cardiac index(CI)levels before intervention.After the intervention,the levels of cardiac function in the observation group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).There was no difference in the Exercise of Self-Care Agency(ESCA)self-care ability scale scores before the intervention.After the intervention,the observation group had higher ESCA scores than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Implementation of a continuous precision nursing model in the care of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography and stent implantation improved the patient’s cardiac function,and KAP,and promoted recovery.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Caregivers of Children 0 - 23 Months in Eastern and Central Uganda

Introduction: Appropriate feeding and consequently good nutritional status of young children largely depends on their caregivers. Aim: The current study aimed at assessing maternal/caregivers’ current knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding different aspects of infant and young child feeding in Eastern and Central Uganda. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey design with mixed methods employing both qualitative and quantitative methods was used for data collection. Results: The study participants included 556 caregivers and 572 children. Results indicate that most caregivers (77%) were knowledgeable about key infant and young child feeding practices such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding and meal frequency. However, culture and economic hardships were a major barrier to the applicability of this knowledge. Nearly all (98%) children were ever breastfed with 41% having been initiated on breast milk in the first hour after birth and 68% of all the children below 6 months exclusively breastfed. Three percent of the children aged 6 - 23 months were classified as having either Moderate (2%) or Severe (1%) Acute malnutrition. The median birth weight was 3.2 Kgs with nine percent of the children classified as underweight at birth. The majority (78%) of the children consumed foods from at least four food groups however only 44% consumed heme-rich animal flesh food such as meat, poultry, organ meats and fish, 29% consumed milk and milk products while only 11% consumed eggs. The barriers to improved nutritional status and health-seeking behaviour in children from both regions were largely similar. Some of these included cultural practices which prohibit children from eating certain foods and lack of drugs in the health facilities. Lack of male involvement was a key barrier to health-seeking behaviour and the nutritional well-being of children. Males were, however, more knowledgeable about the key childcare practices that are critical to positive outcomes because they listen to radios, have access to social media and usually congregate at bars where this information is disseminated and exchanged. Conclusion: There should be continuous sensitization of mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding with special focus on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding as well as child feeding practices during illness. To increase protein intake in children 6 - 23 months, interventions aimed at increasing consumption of these vital nutrients such as promotion of nutrition-sensitive agricultural enterprises like rearing of small livestock and chickens should be emphasized. Consumption of these foods is critical, especially during pregnancy and infancy. Finally, male involvement in maternal and child feeding should be encouraged.

Knowledge Attitudes, Practices and Factors Associated with Blood Donation in the Fatick Health District in 2019 (Senegal)

Introduction: Timely availability of safe blood or blood products is essential for all health care facilities where transfusion occurs, but in many developing and transitional countries, there is still a considerable gap between the need for blood and the supply available. The overall objective was to study knowledge attitudes, practices, and factors influencing blood donation in the general population in Senegal. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study conducted among the Fatick health district population from April 1 to 15, 2019. Thus, the sample is based on a two-stage survey. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire designed, pretested, and administered to 466 people by selected and trained enumerators. The data collected on the smartphone was analyzed using Epi Info 7.2.1.0 software. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed with a 5% risk of alpha error. Results: The average age of respondents was 35 years (±13), with 34 years (±12) for women and 38 years (±15) for men, and more than half of them between 20 and 40 years of age. A proportion of 87% of respondents lived in rural areas and had agriculture as their primary income source. More than half of the individuals (70%) were married, and 68% were educated. The level of knowledge of individuals about blood donation was low at 91.8%. On the other hand, more than half of them had good habits (53.65%). A proportion of 68.0% of individuals had an intention to donate in the future. However, only 24.68% of the population surveyed had already donated blood. Eighty percent of the donations were voluntary. However, 26.09% had repeated this practice. Factors that could influence the practice of blood donation were age, male sex (ORb = 2.18 [1.40 - 3. 37]), high level of education, good knowledge of blood donation (ORb = 2.14 [1.07 - 4.26]), the existence of a relatives donor (ORb = 3.4 [2.19 - 5.26]) and individuals who did not necessarily require permission from a parent or spouse (ORb = 3.37 [2.13 - 5.31]). Conclusion: It is necessary to develop mass communication and proximity strategies, also strengthen the blood bank in terms of human resources and logistics to increase voluntary blood donations in the district. An increase and better planning of mobile clinic outings can facilitate and improve voluntary blood donation by improving accessibility to this service.

Knowledge Attitude and Practices Related on Prevention of Mosquito Borne Diseases and Sanitation Conditions in a Salvadoran Urban Community

Introduction: In El Salvador Mosquito Borne Diseases (MBDs) is a serious public health problem due to produce morbidity and mortality. They produce a high economic loss, which contributes to the collapse of the public health system. Over the years, the Salvadoran public health system has invested large amounts of resources to minimize the problem through campaigns against MBDs. Despite this, the population is still affected by diseases such as dengue, and more recently chikungunya and zika outbreaks. The aim of this study is to evaluate sanitation conditions variables and identify knowledge, attitudes, practices related to the prevention of MBDs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey about sanitation conditions and knowledge, attitudes and practices on prevention of MBDs of inhabitant’s ≥ 15 years from an urban community of a municipality with the highest number of cases reported in 2015. Results: Majority of respondents (98.2%) had direct supply of drinking water;however 96.4% of respondents were agreed that they had an inconsistent water supply. Regarding MBDs prevention respondents showed high acceptable knowledge (76.8%), high favorable attitude (92.1%) and an acceptable implementation of practices toward prevention reproduction of mosquitoes (58.5%) and a poor implementation of practices to prevent mosquito bites (38.3%). Conclusions: The findings revealed high acceptable knowledge about MBDs and a high favorable attitude regarding to prevent them, but also revealed a scarce implementation of prevention practices. The generalized storage of water on non-covered barrels because the inconsistent water supplies, can be source of proliferation of mosquitoes and therefore increases the risk of transmission of MBDs. High population density of the community can magnify this risk. It is necessary to enhance education to promote better implementation of practices using the most common media together with the local health workers.

Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children Aged 0 to 12 Months and Father’s Perceptions of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice in the Central Region of Burkina Faso: Case of the Boulmiougou Health District

Introduction: Neonatal mortality remains a major concern in West Africa, and exclusive breastfeeding is recognized as a crucial intervention to promote newborn survival. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers, as well as the perceptions of fathers, in the Boulmiougou health district. Method: This cross-sectional mixed study was conducted between May and July 2022, involving 471 mothers and 103 fathers of children under one year of age. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Results: The practice of exclusive breastfeeding was observed in 44.6% of mothers surveyed. Logistic regression analysis revealed that mothers older than 26 years have a significantly higher chance of exclusive breastfeeding [adjusted OR = 1.7;95% CI: (1.098 - 2.685);p = 0.019] compared to mothers under 26 years of age. Similarly, mothers with at least three antenatal visits were 2.715 times more likely to perform exclusive breastfeeding than those with less than three antenatal visits [adjusted OR = 2.715, 95% CI: (1.184 - 6.225);p = 0.018]. The vast majority of fathers (76.7%) were informed about exclusive breastfeeding, and 59.5% had a correct definition. The analysis of the father’s perception highlighted a stronger focus on traditional practices in 90.3% of cases than on medical recommendations. Conclusion: In light of these results, it is essential to increase sessions to raise awareness and involve men throughout pregnancy, childbirth and early childhood monitoring about the many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.