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Over the years, the consumption of vegetables has grown. Due to growing consumer concern over healthrelated issues, this has happened. The purpose of this study is to investigate the patterns in vegetable consumption and exploration of the underlying factors for that existing pattern. In this study, information was gathered from household surveys. Data was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression and descriptive analysis. The majority (76.6%) of the respondents had up to seven family members. one-third of the sampled population falls in the service sector of the economy (43%). most of the sample households were from rural backgrounds (55.9%). Around (87.8%) of the sample population consumed less than 3 servings of vegetables in a day. The quantity of vegetable consumption as a dependent variable has three categories less than, greater than, and equal to three serving sizes. While taking greater than three serving sizes as a reference category and less than three serving sizes as the dependent variable. It was found that as the family size increases from three members to more than that there is a likelihood increase in taking vegetables more on a per capita basis per day with an odds ratio of 0.21(0.4-0.9), similarly there is a likelihood increase in the vegetable consumption with the increase in monthly income 0.5(0.12-0.95), as the frequency of buying vegetables increases there is an increase in vegetable consumption, accessibility has also significant bearing on its intake. Due to less access to the marketplaces, rural residents have low trips to grocery shops and rely mostly on homegrown vegetables. Respondents from urban residents have frequent trips to the grocery shops mostly due to the availability of vegetables. The results show that implementing an appropriate pricing strategy and promoting market infrastructure will augment the dietary diversity in the population which will lead to the holistic development of the vegetable industry as well as the required nutritional needs efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Iodine is a crucial trace element for thyroid hormone synthesis. All age groups are affected by iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), especially pregnant women, young women, and children. Iodine deficiency disorder has been recognized as a serious public health issue in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the availability of iodized salt and associated factors at the household (HH) level in the Farta district, northwest, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 704 participants in Farta District, Northwest Ethiopia, between February and March 2021. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to recruit participants. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires administered by face-to-face interviewers. The data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 software and exported into Stata version 14 for the purpose of analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the availability of iodized salt. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value ≤ 0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval. Results The availability of adequately iodized salt in the study area was 26.6% (CI = 23.8%, 29.4%) of households. Good knowledge about iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and iodized salt (AOR = 3.85, 95% CI: 3.65, 6.11); short-term storage of salt at the HH [AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.98, 3.23); and stored in covered containers (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.78) were significantly associated with the outcome variable. Conclusion The availability of adequate iodized salt at the HH level was far below the WHO target (more than 90%) in the study area. Knowledge about IDD and iodized salt, stored in covered containers, and short-term storage of salt at the HH were significantly associated with the availability of iodized salt. Hence, at the household level, increasing awareness and disseminating information about the benefits of using iodized salt could be effective. Moreover, education about the proper storage and handling of iodized salt, as well as the recommended storage duration of salt in the home, should be provided as part of our community outreach programs.

Introduction: Iodine is a crucial trace element for thyroid hormone synthesis. All age groups are affected by iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), especially pregnant women, young women, and children. Iodine deficiency disorder has been recognized as a serious public health issue in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the availability of iodized salt and associated factors at the household (HH) level in the Farta district, northwest, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 704 participants in Farta District, Northwest Ethiopia, between February and March 2021. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to recruit participants. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires administered by face-to-face interviewers. The data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 software and exported into Stata version 14 for the purpose of analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the availability of iodized salt. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value ≤ 0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval. Results: The availability of adequately iodized salt in the study area was 26.6% (CI = 23.8%, 29.4%) of households. Good knowledge about iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and iodized salt (AOR = 3.85, 95% CI: 3.65, 6.11); short-term storage of salt at the HH [AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.98, 3.23); and stored in covered containers (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.78) were significantly associated with the outcome variable. Conclusion: The availability of adequate iodized salt at the HH level was far below the WHO target (more than 90%) in the study area. Knowledge about IDD and iodized salt, stored in covered containers, and short-term storage of salt at the HH were significantly associated with the availability of iodized salt. Hence, at the household level, increasing awareness and disseminating information about the benefits of using iodized salt could be effective. Moreover, education about the proper storage and handling of iodized salt, as well as the recommended storage duration of salt in the home, should be provided as part of our community outreach programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food-borne diseases represent a widespread and growing public health problem, both in developed and developing countries. However, this problem has more impact on health and economy in developing countries than in developed countries but reliable data is not available. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 2019 at Debarq town, Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia. A questionnaire prepared in English after adapted from previous studies then translated in to local language Amharic was used in order to collect the data. Data were checked manually for completeness, coded, and entered in to Epi Info version 7.1 and then exported in to SPSS version 26 statistical package for analyze. Descriptive statistics, percentage, frequency, standard deviation, and mean were analyzed. Likewise, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were done to know the relationship between the independent variables and attitude of food safety among mothers. The variables found having a P -value <.2 in the bivariable analysis were further analyzed in multivariable binary logistic regression. The variables with P -value <.05 were considered as significantly associated with food safety attitude of mothers. Results: About 423 mothers of under-5 children were involved in this study. The mean age of the participants was 39.844 ± 11.02. In this study, educational status (primary education (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 2.66; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [1.42-4.97]), secondary education (AOR: 2.66; 95% CI [3.35-14.05]), and diploma and above (AOR: 4.07; 95% CI [1.65-10.06])), higher income (AOR: 3.58; 95% CI [1.54-8.29]), good food safety knowledge (AOR: 3.08; 95% CI [1.51-6.242]) and good food hygiene practice (AOR: 3.97; 95% CI [2.33-6.75]) were factors associated with food safety attitude in the current study. Conclusion: Significant proportion of participants in the study area had poor food safety attitude. Educational status, income, food safety knowledge, and food safety practice were significantly associated with food safety attitude among mothers. Food hygiene practice, knowledge, and level of education should be increased in order to improve food safety attitudes among mothers who were responsible in food processing at household level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a major challenge threatening agricultural productivity in uMsinga. The occurrence of drought is expected to increase in coming decades, intensifying in severity, duration and the way people are affected by drought. The objective of this study is to understand small-scale farmers' and rural communities' perceptions of drought, its environmental and socio-economic impacts, adaptive and mitigation measures at household level and their satisfaction with the government's role in drought management in the community. The study utilized a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, in the form of questionnaires, focus groups and key informant interviews. The sample size for the research study was 180 respondents for the questionnaire component and a total of 30 respondents for the focus groups and key informant interviews. The results show that increased levels of poverty, food insecurity and increased migration were the main socio-economic impacts perceived by respondents. Water scarcity, crop failure, forest degradation and an increase in average temperatures were perceived by respondents as the main environmental impacts caused by drought in uMsinga. Respondents perceived drought as a serious threat to agricultural production and adopted various indigenous adaptive strategies. A majority of respondents adopted a reactive approach to drought management, and therefore did not adopt many mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Iodine deficiency disorder is the leading cause of mental retardation and poor economic performance in developing countries. Worldwide, universal salt iodization has been implemented to eliminate iodine deficiency. However, the adequacy of iodine in salts needs close monitoring to meet its intended goal and this study was aimed at investigating the adequacy of iodine in dietary salt at household level in Dessie and Combolcha Towns. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was employed at household level in Dessie and Combolcha towns from January to February, 2017. Data were collected from 753 households using systematic sampling technique. The adequacy of iodine in salt was analyzed using rapid testing kit. Socio-demographic and economic, dietary sources, labeling, packaging, storage and cooking methods of household’s characteristics were collected via questionnaire developed using open data kit tool and STATA version 12 was used for further statistical analysis. Ordinal Logistic regression was performed to assess associations between explanatory variables and the response variable. Results Nearly one-thrid (31.2%) of the households used inadequate iodized salt, which was below the World Health Organization recommendation level (≥15 ppm at the household level). Most of the respondents from Combolcha town (64.6%) were affected by inadequate use of iodized salt as compared to Dessie Town residents (22.2%). Being Dessie resident (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.31–4.90), households with better socioeconomic status (OR = 2.54; 95% CI:1.10–5.87), site of labeling and packing (salt from open market (OR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04–0.23) and no exposure to sunlight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI:1.31–4.91) were the predictors of adequacy of iodized salt at household level. Conclusions Availability of adequately iodized salt at the household level in the study area was low. There should be regular quality control and regulatory enforcement of salt iodization at production, labeling and packaging sites of small scale industries and at household level.

Abstract The building sector takes a large proportion of electricity consumption and carbon emission in high-density urban areas. To reduce the carbon emissions and use energy more efficiently in the building sector, home energy management system (HEMS) is proposed and used. In the HEMS, the prediction of electricity consumption in the short-term future is used to support the decision makings in the HEMS. Although there existed a number of studies in the prediction of electricity consumption in buildings, there lacks a spatial analysis in the prediction performance, especially on the appliance or sub-meter level and household level. The authors made an assumption that by the performance of household energy consumption prediction can be significantly improved if the prediction is aggregated from the prediction data at the appliance or sub-meter level. Next, two typical datasets are used to validate the assumption by comparing the prediction performance of aggregating the prediction data at appliance level and the one of making direct prediction at the household level. The models used for the prediction are standard stateful long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks, which have been proofed to be promising in load prediction by previous studies. The results from the comparison validated the assumption, showing that the prediction performance can be significantly improved if prediction is made at the appliance-level first and then aggregated to get the household-level prediction. Therefore, the authors conclude that prediction at the finer appliance granularity level can significantly improve the performance of household-level electricity prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the second most consumed staple food crop after maize in Africa and is the main food security crop after maize in Zambia. A study, aimed at analyzing cassava processing and utilization at household level in Zambia, was conducted. Surveys were conducted in five districts (Kasama, Samfya, Mansa, Serenje and Kaoma). A structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 300 randomly selected households. The percentage of households that were involved in processing were 4.3% for income, 34% for consumption and 58% for both income generation and consumption. Levels of awareness and usage of improved cassava processing methods across the districts were low, ranging between 20% and 26%. The only improved processing equipment that farmers used often (69%) was the hammer mill. Product development and utilization were still at a low level (ranging between 9% and 18%) in Zambia. Cassava is mostly consumed in its traditional form for its leaves, as a snack, and for preparing nshima (cassava flour alone or a mixture of cassava and maize meal, called maize-cassava nshima). The limited knowledge of cassava products' diversity and the low usage of improved equipment are challenges to the production of confectionery products that could lead to increased cassava consumption. There has been no significant change over the last two decades in cassava processing and product development, which could spur cassava development. This calls for more efforts to support Government policy in diversifying crop use and crop diversification in order to create wealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyzed the prevalence of water sanitation at the household level against gastrointestinal disease occurrence in the urban slum setting of South Okkalapa Township, Myanmar, using cross-sectional study design techniques. A total of 364 household respondents were interviewed face to face by well-trained research assistants using structured questionnaires. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between independent and dependent variables. Results showed that the source of household water (OR: 13.58, 95% CI: 6.90-26.74), and the types of drinking water (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 0.92-3.71), were significantly associated with gastrointestinal diseases (p-value

Providing safe drinking water is a great challenge for both the developing and the developed world. Increasing demand and source water quality deterioration has led to the exploration of new technological innovations for better water management. Nanotechnology holds great promise in ensuring safe drinking water through designing innovative centralised and decentralised (household-level) water treatment systems. The paper provides an overview of recent advances in nanotechnologies for (household level) water treatment processes, such as its use as nanoadsorbents, photocatalysts, microbial disinfectants and in membranes. Extensive implementation of nanotechnology for water treatment would require overcoming the high cost of the nanomaterials by enabling their reuse and regeneration. This would also ensure minimising potential environmental exposure. Potential advances in nanotechnology must go hand in hand with environmental health to alleviate any undesirable consequences to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock is important due to its multidimensional contributions at the household level. To highlight the contributions of livestock at household level the present study is conducted in Mohmand Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. The study used a dataset of 323 households collected through face to face interviews from women respondents. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, percentages and rank orders. The results revealed that livestock was the second major source of household income with 19 percent share. Among the livestock types, cattle were the major one followed by goats and sheep. Livestock was found significant at household level in two aspects of income provision and of lowering household and farm budget. Livestock income was derived from the sale of milk, milk products (such as yogurt, butter and butter oil), other products (like farm yard manure and dung cakes) and animals which included calves, goats and sheep mainly. The major share of livestock income was accrued from the animal's sale followed by milk and milk products, respectively. The domestically consumed livestock products comprised of milk, milk products and other products. Milk was the major domestically consumed livestock product followed by milk products. The value of domestically consumed livestock products (64 percent) was high as compared to sold products (34 percent) due to lack of market in the study area. The significant share of livestock income was received by women (73 percent) in a household which ultimately show their contribution to livestock rearing. The study recommends that development of the livestock industries in Pakistan focus on establishing a viable market for dairy products, expanding the asset base for livestock production, and introducing a number of policy interventions focused on women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite continuing economic growth, Uganda faces persistent challenges to achieve food security. The effectiveness of policy and development strategies to help rural households achieve food security must improve. We present a novel approach to relate spatial patterns of food security to livelihood strategies, including the contribution of on- and off-farm activities to household food availability. Data from 1927 households from the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study were used to estimate the calorific contribution of livelihood activities to food availability. Consumption of crops produced on-farm contributed most to food availability for households with limited food availability, yet the majority of these households were not food self-sufficient. Off-farm and market-oriented on-farm activities were more important for households with greater food availability. Overall, off-farm income was important in the north, while market-oriented on-farm activities were important in western and central Uganda. Food availability patterns largely matched patterns of agroecological conditions and market access, with households doing worst in Uganda's drier and remote northeast. Less food-secure households depended more on short-cycle food crops as compared with better-off households, who focused more on plantation (cash) crops, although this varied among regions. Targeting interventions to improve food security should consider such differences in enterprise choice and include options to improve household market access and off-farm income opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most important pig diseases, causing high case fatality rate and trade restrictions upon reported outbreaks. In Uganda, a low-income country with the largest pig population in East Africa, ASF is endemic. Animal disease impact is multidimensional and include social and economic impact along the value chain. In low-income settings, this impact keep people poor and push those that have managed to escape poverty back again. If the diseases can be controlled, their negative consequences can be mitigated. However, to successfully argue for investment in disease control, its cost-benefits need to be demonstrated. One part in the cost-benefit equations is disease impact quantification. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the socio-economic impact of ASF outbreaks at household level in northern Uganda. In a longitudinal study, structured interviews with two hundred, randomly selected, pig-keeping households were undertaken three times with a six month interval. Questions related to family and pig herd demographics, pig trade and pig business. Associations between ASF outbreaks and economic and social impact variables were evaluated using linear regression models. The study showed that pigs were kept in extreme low-input-low-output farming systems involving only small monetary investments. Yearly incidence of ASF on household level was 19%. Increasing herd size was positively associated with higher economic output. The interaction between ASF outbreaks and the herd size showed that ASF outbreaks were negatively associated with economic output at the second interview occasion and with one out of two economic impact variables at the third interview occasion. No significant associations between the social impact variables included in the study and ASF outbreaks could be established. Trade and consumption of sick and dead pigs were coping strategies used to minimize losses of capital and animal protein. The results indicate that causality of social and economic impact of ASF outbreaks in smallholder systems is complex. Pigs are mostly kept as passive investments rather than active working capital, complicating economic analyses and further disqualifying disease control arguments based only on standard economic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper interrogates the state of livelihoods under the exercise of new community rights to forest in rural Cameroon. The assessment makes use of a set of livelihoods indicators. The granting and exercise of new community rights, namely, management rights and market rights, are not synonymous with improved livelihoods, despite initial predictions and expectations. The resource base has not changed; it is more and more threatened by poor local level institutional arrangements and social and bio-physical management strategies, in addition to the weak central level regulation and monitoring actions. Similarly, the rights-based reform and community forestry are not improving basic assets and means at the household level. Nevertheless, this paper suggests that this experiment should not be judged hastily, since fifteen years are not enough to judge social and institutional processes like those in progress in Cameroon. The authors draw policy options likely to improve the livelihoods dimension of the reform and launch a debate on the real contribution of community income derived from community forests towards poverty alleviation at the household level.

Background: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) creates major public health problems in India, including Gujarat. The Bharuch district is a known iodine deficiency endemic area. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of goiter in primary school children; to determine the median urinary iodine concentration; to assess the level of iodine in salt samples at the household and retail shop levels; and to study the profile of salt sold at retail shops. Methods: This study was carried out by using the 30-cluster survey method in the primary schools of the rural areas in Bharuch district. A total of 70 students, including five boys and five girls from the first to seventh classes, who were present in class on the day of the visit were selected randomly for goiter examination from each village. Urine samples were collected from one boy and one girl from each class in each cluster. From each community, a maximum of two boys and two girls from each standard in the same age group were examined and also salt samples were tested from their households. From each village, one retail shop was visited and the salt purchased from those shops was immediately tested for iodine with spot kits. Results: We found a goiter prevalence of 23.2% (grade 1 - 17.4% and grade 2 - 5.8%). As the age increased, the goiter prevalence decreased except in nine-year-olds. The median urinary iodine excretion level was 110 μg/L. An Iodine level > 15 ppm was found in 93% of the salt samples tested at the household level. Conclusion: The present study showed moderate goiter prevalence in primary school children in the Bharuch district of Gujarat and an inadequate iodine content of salt at some household levels.

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) create major public health problems in India, including Gujarat. Panchmahal district is known for endemic iodine deficiency. The present study was conducted to (1) estimate the prevalence of goiter in primary school children, (2) determine median urinary iodine concentration, (3) assess the level of iodine in salt samples at the household and retail shop level, and (4) profile of salt sold at retail shops in Panchmahal district, Gujarat. Methods: A total of 70 students including five boys and five girls from 1st to 7th standard who were present on the day of the first visit were selected randomly for goiter examination from each village. Urine samples were collected from one boy and one girl from each standard in each cluster. From the community, at least 28 students, including two boys and two girls from each standard in the same age group, were examined, and salt samples were tested from their households. A total of 2100 students were examined in schools and 928 students were examined in the selected villages. From each village, one retail shop was visited, and salts purchased from those shops were immediately tested for iodine with spot kits.Results: Among young primary school children, goiter prevalence was 23.35% (grade 1—18.35%, grade 2—5.0%). As the ages increase, goiter prevalence also increases except for 9-year-olds. The median urinary iodine excretion level was 110 µg/L. An iodine level >15 ppm was found in 78.3% of the salt samples tested at household level. Conclusion: The present study showed considerable goiter prevalence in primary school children in Panchmahal district of Gujarat and an inadequate iodine content of salt at the household level.

The relation between the quantities of food consumed from different products and the socio-economic characteristics of households is investigated in many empirical studies. At the same time, there are few concerns with regard to other aspects related to the consumption behaviour, such as the number of individual food items consumed over a certain period, in other words, dietary variety or diversity. Identification of economic and socio-demographic factors influencing food consumption diversity on the Romanian households is the aim of this paper. Among the investigated factors, we had in view the incomes in the first place, then the household residence area, the educational level as well as other demographic factors. Count measure and Berry index are used to measure food diversity. The data used are those from the Household Budget Survey for the year 2011, 1st quarter. As conclusions, the study reveals a positive correlation between diversity and household incomes. At the same time, food diversity is higher in the case of urban households compared to the rural households. Among the significant demographic factors, it can be mentioned the household head's educational level and the household members' age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lack of availability of micro-data of population characteristics, the synthesis of individual and household attributes is a necessary step for developing a disaggregate, dynamic travel demand forecasting model. Agent-based micro-simulation models attempt to forecast travel behaviour of individuals and households by simulating the behaviour of the singular actors in the system. The framework for generating synthesis population presented in this paper is a fundamental contribution to the development of an Integrated Transport, Land Use and Environment Modelling System in Nova Scotia, Canada. In this paper, a population is synthesized for individuals and households in Atlantic Canada using the Fitness Based Synthesis (FBS) approach. A synthetic algorithm is designed that allows both individual and household attribute levels to synthesize simultaneously. Unequal probabilities based on the sampling weight are used in the household selection step of the algorithm. In this way, the performance and accuracy of the synthetic population produced has been improved. The synthetic algorithm is tested for two functions: first, using the one level (household) control tables; and second, using two levels (individual and household) control tables. The data used in this study is collected from the 2006 Canadian Census and the 2006 Public Use Micro-data File (PUMF). The algorithm is implemented using a high-level matrix programming language for numerical computation in MATLAB. The results show that the synthetic population with both individual and household level attributes has the best fitness value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is expected that electric vehicles (EVs) will soon represent a large share of the demand for electricity. Several research works have extolled the advantages of these devices as flexible demands, not only to charge their batteries when it is cheaper to do so, but also to provide services in the form of vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) power injections to the system. These services, however, could reduce the useful life of the battery and thus introduce a cost that needs to be taken into account when scheduling the charging of these vehicles. This study presents a scheduling algorithm for EVs under a real time pricing scheme with uncertainty. The objective function explicitly takes into account the cost of battery degradation not only when used to provide services to the system but also in terms of the EV utilisation for motion. The results show that the scheduling of the V2G services is sensitive to the electricity prices uncertainty and to the degradation costs derived from the energy arbitrage. Also, the optimal energy state of charge of the batteries is highly dependent on whether the cost of battery degradation is taken into account or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodine deficiency is the world's single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation. Universal Salt Iodization is a safe, cost-effective and sustainable strategy to ensure sufficient intake of iodine by all individuals. In Uttar Pradesh only 42.5 % households are using cooking salt which was iodized at the recommended level. The present study was conducted to asses the pattern of consumption of iodized salt and the awareness about health benefits of iodized salt among households in Lucknow. A cross sectional study was conducted in rural and urban Lucknow in 400 households selected using PPS technique and were interviewed using predesigned oral questionnaire and household salt was tested for Iodine content by kit. It was observed that 257(64.2%) households were using salt of iodine content of >15ppm, 135(31.8%) were using salt with inadequate iodine content and 8(4%) households were consuming salt with no iodine. On multivariate analysis high social class, literacy status, exposure to mass media was significantly associated with consumption of adequately iodized salt. 62% of the people surveyed knew iodine deficiency results in goiter, iodization of salt as an important attribute to the quality of salt was found only in 11.2 % respondents. It is recommended better IEC is the need of the hour to improve consumption of appropriately iodized salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aila is the second devastative cyclone of the last decade that hit Bangladesh coast on 25 May 2009. The aims of the study are to investigate the disaster impacts at household level due to Cyclone Aila; and to assess recovery nature of the victim families (at household level) in the study area after four years of the event. This research is mainly carried out using primary data including field observation, questionnaire survey, GPS data, official documents etc. A total of 67 households were chosen from 6083 households using Raosoft sample size calculator. Advanced statistical software has been used for data entry and analysis. This study found that most affected sector was family shelter (41.4 percent) while homestead forest (19.3 percent), home lighting (15.2 percent) and livestock (10.6 percent) were moderately damaged and rest are relatively low damaged sector among the eight functional components. After four years, the recovery process is still ongoing. From the identified functional components, drinking water and human waste disposal are fully recovered and some of components are growing firstly. But, homestead forest, food preparation and livestock sectors are behind so far from total recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find out prevalence of goitre in primary school children; to compare prevalence with previous survey; to determine median urinary iodine concentration; to assess level of iodine in salt samples at household and retail shop level; and to study profile of salt sold at retail shops. Design & Settings: 30 cluster survey study in primary schools of Rajkot district. Subjects: Children studying in 1st to 7th standard. Methods: Total 70 students including five boys and five girls from 1st to 7th standard present in class on the day of visit were selected randomly for Goitre examination, so, total 2100 students were examined in schools. Urine sample was collected from one boy & one girl from each standard in each cluster. From community, 28 students including two boys and two girls from each standard in same age group were examined and also salt samples were tested from their households. From each village, one retail shop was visited and salts were purchased and tested for iodine on the spot with spot kit. Results: Goitre prevalence was found 8.8% among primary school children compare to 5.6% in 1999. As the age increases the Goitre prevalence also increases except in age group of 12 years. Median urinary iodine excretion level was found 110 µg/L. Iodine level >15 ppm was found in 81% salts samples tested at household level. Conclusion: Present study showed mild Goitre prevalence in primary school children in Rajkot district of Gujarat but still iodine content of salt found inadequate at household level.

Over the past couple of decades, mobile phones have penetrated Sri Lanka at an unprecedented rate. The rate of adoption of cell phones in the country has been remarkably fast, and not gradual as in other nations. Yet, examination of the developmental impact of mobile phones has drawn surprisingly little attention in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this article attempts to investigate the empowering effect of mobile phones on dependent housewives in poor households of the country by using a mixed research method. Our research found that access to mobile phones was certainly empowering for these women: mobile phones unequivocally strengthened and expanded their social circle and support networks; they led them to domesticate technology, thus challenging negative societal attitudes toward women as technologically incompetent and timid; they reduced women’s information poverty; and opened them up to a newer, non-traditional fun space, which was a clear manifestation of choice and power. However, the women’s use of mobile phones was largely controlled within the household, mainly because they did not have their own income to maintain the phones, thus underlining the need for their financial autonomy. Those women who owned their mobile phones had more control over them than those who lacked legal ownership. To conclude, mobile phones can play a significant role in empowering poor women in Sri Lanka, and can be considered as a tool in the policy agenda for women’s empowerment by the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria is a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality especially among children under five years of age. This pilot project promoted prevention of malaria at household level using an integrated approach in two rural communities in Wakiso District, Uganda. This involved advocating and implementing several strategies in a holistic manner geared towards reduction in the occurrence of malaria. The specific strategies involved can be classified as: 1) personal protection - use of insecticide-treated bed nets and insecticide sprays; 2) reducing mosquito breeding sites - draining pools of water, larviciding and clearing unnecessary vegetation around homes; and 3) reducing entry of mosquitoes into houses - installing mosquito proofing in windows, ventilators and open eaves, and closing windows and doors early in the evenings. Case description: The objectives of the project were to: carry out a baseline survey on malaria prevention; train community health workers and increase awareness among the community on the integrated approach to malaria prevention; and, establish demonstration sites using the integrated approach. A baseline survey among 376 households was conducted which generated information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the community in relation to malaria prevention. The project trained 25 community health workers and over 200 community members were sensitized on the integrated approach to malaria prevention. In addition, 40 demonstration households using the integrated approach were established. Discussion and evaluation: The use of multiple methods in the prevention of malaria was appreciated by the community particularly the demonstration households using the integrated approach. Initial project evaluation showed that the community had become more knowledgeable about the various malaria prevention methods that were advocated in the integrated approach. In addition, some of the methods that were not being used before project implementation, such as early closing of windows, had been adopted. The presence of mosquitoes in the demonstration households had also reduced. Conclusion: The integrated approach to malaria prevention at household level was well perceived by the project community, which could be scaled up to other areas. More rigorous studies such as randomized controlled trials are also recommended to further explore the public health impact of the integrated approach to malaria prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides in-depth information on the multiple realities and time-dependencies during droughts over different sub-groups of an affected society. Dynamics are analyzed based on categorization of impacts into human, social, financial and natural capital effects and using the theory of conservation of resources for the behavioral explanation of selected coping strategies. A qualitative field study based on this approach was conducted in a village in southern Iran. It was found that droughts can cause waves of negative effects on various capital dimensions to farmers, especially the poor. The dimensions are very much interrelated and can multiply negative effects, decreasing resilience to drought to very low levels that can eventually lead to poverty trap-like situations. Furthermore, it was found that government aid interventions unintendedly worsened the situation of the poor. To avoid such situations it is suggested to shift from relief or ex-post interventions to a proactive risk management approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have projected significant climate change impacts in Africa. In order to understand what this means in terms of human well-being at local level, we need to understand how households can cope and adapt. This need has led many authors to argue for approaches to adaptation that are based on vulnerability analysis. Vulnerability is one of the key terms in the climate change literature, but little progress has been made in the field of its quantification. Typically, indicators are combined according to a weighing scheme, with the identification of indicators and the weighing schemes based on expert judgment rather than empirical evidence. In addition, most quantitative assessments are applied to countries or other administrative units, whereas managing climate risk has traditionally been the responsibility of households. We therefore focus on the adaptive capacity of households. We analyze the coping strategies and vulnerability to climatic stresses of agro-pastoralists in Mozambique and test the validity of a number of commonly used vulnerability indicators. We derive a household-level vulnerability index based on survey data. We find that only 9 out of 26 indicators tested exhibit a statistically significant relationship with households' vulnerability. In total, they explain about one-third of the variation in vulnerability between households, confirming the need for more research on underlying determinants and processes of vulnerability. With inclusion of local knowledge, our study findings can be used for local targeting, priority setting and resource allocation. Complemented with studies analyzing climate change impacts and findings from country-level adaptive capacity studies, governmental policy can be informed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper interrogates the state of livelihoods under the exercise of new community rights to forest in rural Cameroon. The assessment makes use of a set of livelihoods indicators. The granting and exercise of new community rights, namely, management rights and market rights, are not synonymous with improved livelihoods, despite initial predictions and expectations. The resource base has not changed; it is more and more threatened by poor local level institutional arrangements and social and bio-physical management strategies, in addition to the weak central level regulation and monitoring actions. Similarly, the rights-based reform and community forestry are not improving basic assets and means at the household level. Nevertheless, this paper suggests that this experiment should not be judged hastily, since fifteen years are not enough to judge social and institutional processes like those in progress in Cameroon. The authors draw policy options likely to improve the livelihoods dimension of the reform and launch a debate on the real contribution of community income derived from community forests towards poverty alleviation at the household level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) creates major public health problems in India, including Gujarat. The Bharuch district is a known iodine deficiency endemic area. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of goiter in primary school children; to determine the median urinary iodine concentration; to assess the level of iodine in salt samples at the household and retail shop levels; and to study the profile of salt sold at retail shops. Methods: This study was carried out by using the 30-cluster survey method in the primary schools of the rural areas in Bharuch district. A total of 70 students, including five boys and five girls from the first to seventh classes, who were present in class on the day of the visit were selected randomly for goiter examination from each village. Urine samples were collected from one boy and one girl from each class in each cluster. From each community, a maximum of two boys and two girls from each standard in the same age group were examined and also salt samples were tested from their households. From each village, one retail shop was visited and the salt purchased from those shops was immediately tested for iodine with spot kits. Results: We found a goiter prevalence of 23.2% (grade 1 - 17.4% and grade 2 - 5.8%). As the age increased, the goiter prevalence decreased except in nine-year-olds. The median urinary iodine excretion level was 110 μg/L. An Iodine level > 15 ppm was found in 93% of the salt samples tested at the household level. Conclusion: The present study showed moderate goiter prevalence in primary school children in the Bharuch district of Gujarat and an inadequate iodine content of salt at some household levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) or goiter is the cause of preventable brain damage, mental retardation, and stunted growth and development in children. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of IDD in Rajkot district, India by testing urinary iodine excretion levels and iodine salt intake of school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2940 school children of both sexes aged 6–12 years from 14 talukas subdivisions of the district. Thirty clusters were selected by using cluster sampling technique. Goiter was assessed in all the studied children along with biochemical analysis of iodine in 420 urine samples and iodine content in 840 edible salt samples in the studied area. Goiter was reported from all talukas subdivisions of the studied area. Goiter prevalence ranged from 1% to 35%, and the overall prevalence was 8.8% (grade 1: 7.6%; grade 2: 1.2%), indicating a mild public health problem. In the study areas, 18.1% of the population showed a level of urinary iodine excretion <50 μg/L. The median level of urinary iodine in the studied areas was 110 μg/L (range 10–415 μg/L). The iodine level of more than 15 ppm was found in 81% of salt samples tested at the household level. There is mild goiter prevalence in primary school children of Rajkot district, which is due to the inadequate iodine intake or content from salt at the household level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) create major public health problems in India, including Gujarat. Panchmahal district is known for endemic iodine deficiency. The present study was conducted to (1) estimate the prevalence of goiter in primary school children, (2) determine median urinary iodine concentration, (3) assess the level of iodine in salt samples at the household and retail shop level, and (4) profile of salt sold at retail shops in Panchmahal district, Gujarat. Methods: A total of 70 students including five boys and five girls from 1st to 7th standard who were present on the day of the first visit were selected randomly for goiter examination from each village. Urine samples were collected from one boy and one girl from each standard in each cluster. From the community, at least 28 students, including two boys and two girls from each standard in the same age group, were examined, and salt samples were tested from their households. A total of 2100 students were examined in schools and 928 students were examined in the selected villages. From each village, one retail shop was visited, and salts purchased from those shops were immediately tested for iodine with spot kits. Results: Among young primary school children, goiter prevalence was 23.35% (grade 1-18.35%, grade 2-5.0%). As the ages increase, goiter prevalence also increases except for 9-year-olds. The median urinary iodine excretion level was 110 µg/L. An iodine level >15 ppm was found in 78.3% of the salt samples tested at household level. Conclusion: The present study showed considerable goiter prevalence in primary school children in Panchmahal district of Gujarat and an inadequate iodine content of salt at the household level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heat sensitivity of poor households in Germany is high, adaptive capacity is low. • Heat hazard and exposure do not differ significantly across income groups. • Technical heat adaptation correlates positively with household income. • There is no income effect on heat adaptation amongst vulnerable households. Heat waves associated with global warming are a significant hazard to human health, and they particularly endanger low-income households. In this study, we systematically analyze how the different components of heat vulnerability are related to household income, and present empirical evidence on the determinants of heat adaptation, focusing on the role of income. We contribute the first empirical analysis of heat vulnerability using household-level data at the national level, based on a longitudinal survey, including data points for 10,226 households in Germany in the period 2012–2020. Our results indicate that low income households are significantly more heat sensitive and have lower adaptive capacity than high income households, measured inter alia by health status, household composition, and economic and psychological resources to implement adaptation measures. However, heat hazard and exposure levels are comparable between income groups, hence there is no sorting of richer households into less hazardous or exposed locations on a national scale. We also contribute robust empirical evidence on the factors influencing household decisions to implement technical adaptation measures (e.g. installation of air conditioning), ultimately showing that the adaptation behavior of the most vulnerable households (e.g. people with poor health conditions or the elderly) is not limited by financial constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]