Search Results (255)

Background: Subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smokers in regions with haze-affected regions is still under-recognized, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smoking adults and examined its determinants and associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 244 non-smoking adults (18–65 years) from three rural districts underwent standardized spirometry and completed the Thai WHOQOL-BREF-26. Subclinical impairment was defined as an FEV₁/FVC < 0.70 or FVC < 80% predicted in the absence of symptoms. Demographic, occupational, and environmental information was obtained through structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests, univariate linear regression, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 37 participants (15.2%) had subclinical respiratory impairment. No demographic, occupational, or environmental factors such as sex, age, BMI category, agricultural work, marital status, and self-reported pollution exposure were found to be independently linked to impaired lung function. There was no correlation between spirometry indices and any WHOQOL-BREF domain. Elderly participants (>50 years) reported a higher level of physical and psychological HRQoL. Those with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) were more likely to have a lower environmental quality of life. Farmers reported a better QoL, while women reported a lower QoL than men. Conclusions: Subclinical respiratory impairment occurs frequently in non-smoking rural adults exposed to haze pollution in Chiang Mai, and isn’t presently assessed by general HRQoL instruments. These findings support early spirometry screening for asymptomatic adults in polluted regions, as well as more stringent air cleanliness strategies to prevent the evolution towards overt respiratory pathology. Full article

Achieving food and nutrition security remains a significant challenge for small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, indigenous vegetables offer a promising solution to this challenge. This systematic review used four databases and retrieved 38 studies published over the past 20 years for synthesis. These studies highlight the growing importance of indigenous vegetables grown in home gardens as a sustainable solution to improve livelihoods and dietary diversity. Indigenous vegetables are well-suited to local conditions, nutritionally rich, and were associated with improved household food availability and income. However, farmers face various risks, including environmental, technological, economic, institutional, and social risks, which threaten their production. To overcome risks, farmers adopt strategies such as training, cooperatives, improved storage, and better seed varieties. Indigenous vegetable cultivation also empowers women and marginalised groups who play key roles in home gardening. Despite their benefits, indigenous vegetables remain overlooked in mainstream markets and policies. The review recommends that policymakers and stakeholders must provide support to promote indigenous vegetables through training and market integration, helping farmers commercialise their produce, while simultaneously enhancing food and nutrition security. Further research is needed to explore the profitability of indigenous vegetable production, analyse supply value chains, and investigate processing and manufacturing opportunities to support their market potential and sustainability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a cornerstone of maternal health strategies designed to minimize the “three delays” in seeking, reaching, and receiving skilled care. In Ethiopia, uptake of BPCR remains insufficient, and little evidence exists on how individual- and community-level factors interact to shape preparedness. This study assessed the determinants of BPCR among women of reproductive age in Hawela Lida district, Sidama Region. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 3540 women using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed with multilevel mixed-effect negative binomial regression to account for clustering at the community level. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported to identify determinants of BPCR. Model fitness was assessed using Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC), the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and log-likelihood statistics. Results: At the individual level, women employed in government positions had over three times higher expected BPCR scores compared with farmers (AIRR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.89–5.77). Women with planned pregnancies demonstrated higher BPCR preparedness (AIRR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.15–3.22), as did those who participated in model family training (AIRR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.76–4.99) and women exercising decision-making autonomy (AIRR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.97–5.93). At the community level, residing in urban areas (AIRR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.81–4.77) and in communities with higher women’s literacy (AIRR = 4.92; 95% CI: 2.32–8.48) was associated with higher expected BPCR scores. These findings indicate that both personal empowerment and supportive community contexts play pivotal roles in enhancing maternal birth preparedness and readiness for potential complications. Random-effects analysis showed that 19.4% of the variance in BPCR was attributable to kebele-level clustering (ICC = 0.194). The final multilevel model demonstrated superior fit (AIC = 2915.15, BIC = 3003.33, log-likelihood = −1402.44). Conclusions: Both individual- and community-level factors strongly influence BPCR practice in southern Ethiopia. Interventions should prioritize women’s empowerment and pregnancy planning, scale-up of model family training, and address structural barriers such as rural access and community literacy gaps. Targeted, multilevel strategies are essential to accelerate progress toward improving maternal preparedness and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Full article

Women play a key role in Greek olive cultivation, a sector at the heart of local economies currently facing increasing pressures from climate change. This study explores gender roles, responsibilities, and access to resources shaping the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. Through in-depth interviews with female farmers on the island of Crete, the results show that women face limited access to training and financial services as well as gender-based discrimination and the hidden caregiving and house working tasks. However, they manifest a strong openness towards sustainable practices, driven by environmental values, even among those lacking decision-making authority. Despite these challenges, women show a positive attitude toward learning and innovation, calling for more institutional support and training opportunities. This study sheds light on the need for recognition of women’s roles in agriculture, particularly in the context of climate adaptation, and offers practical recommendations to improve gender roles within the olive sector. Full article

Short food supply chains are an increasingly important topic within the academic community, as is research into the factors influencing consumers’ intention to buy at farmers’ markets. This study examines the influence of consumers’ product perception and product knowledge on purchase intention at farmers’ markets. Data were collected at farmers’ markets in Croatia. A total of 255 valid responses were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression. Demographically, respondents were predominantly women aged 46–55 with higher education and middle-income levels (family annual income of EUR 20,000 to 40,000). Results indicate that both product perception and product knowledge significantly affect purchase intention at farmers’ markets. Consumers generally view farmers’ market products as superior in quality and value, and they place high trust in farmers’ expertise. The findings suggest that attributes such as freshness, safety, and authenticity, combined with product knowledge-sharing by farmers, strengthen consumer trust and increase their willingness to pay and to recommend these products to family and relatives. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) is a transboundary viral disease that has heavily impacted Southeast Asia since its introduction in 2019. Smallholder pig production systems in Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the Lao PDR), characterized by low biosecurity, free-ranging practices, and limited veterinary oversight, remain particularly vulnerable. To assess farmers’ awareness and practices regarding ASF, a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey was implemented between March and September 2023 by Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières within the framework of the Biosecurity in Pig Farming (BIG) project. A total of 471 pig farmers, including 56% women, were interviewed across eight provinces using a standardized questionnaire (188 in Cambodia and 283 in the Lao PDR). Results showed that ASF awareness was generally high (92% in Cambodia, 66% in the Lao PDR), yet 15% of Cambodian and 30% of Lao respondents expressed doubts about the presence of ASF in their country. While recognition of ASF symptoms was moderate and positively correlated with farmers’ perceived capacity to identify the disease, knowledge of transmission pathways was low and often misaligned with perceptions. Airborne transmission was frequently cited as a risk, and the risks related to visitors and fomites were underestimated by more than 50% of the farmers. Implementation of biosecurity measures (BSM) was limited, with mean scores of 43% in Cambodia and 27% in the Lao PDR. Risky practices such as swill feeding, free-ranging, sharing of boars, traders, and inadequate carcass disposal remained widespread. Statistical analysis identified education level, herd size, knowledge, perceived risks, and perceived benefits of BSM as the main determinants of biosecurity implementation. Farmers with larger herds or stronger commercial orientation demonstrated higher biosecurity adoption, while misconceptions and knowledge gaps remained frequent among smallholder farmers. Strengthening awareness, promoting low-cost and feasible biosecurity practices, and integrating farmer-centred approaches are essential for reducing ASF transmission risks and improving the resilience of smallholder pig production systems in the region. Full article

Agricultural producers experience elevated stress, limited mental health access, and cultural norms that can discourage help-seeking. This study examined farmers’ preferences for receiving mental health information and the barriers that impede care. Data came from a regional needs assessment of 1024 producers across 12 Midwestern states who completed online or paper surveys, including questions on willingness to seek or receive information and the 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation. Analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods to explore demographic and behavioral predictors. Results indicated that while 74.1% were open to receiving mental health information, notable proportions were unwilling to seek (27.8%) or receive (28.4%) it, and 18.7% were unwilling to do either. Preferred sources were medical providers, mental health professionals, and family members, with agricultural retailers least favored. Women, younger producers, veterans, those with mental health symptoms, and individuals with higher education, anxiety, or depression showed distinct patterns of openness and barrier endorsement. Attitudinal barriers were the most common across groups. Findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant approaches that leverage trusted messengers, reduce stigma, and tailor interventions to specific subgroups to strengthen mental health outreach in agricultural communities. Full article

To promote a sustainable coffee industry, Davao Oriental has branded its coffee in association with Mt. Hamiguitan. This study profiles the production capacities and agricultural practices of smallholder coffee farmers along the Mt. Hamiguitan buffer zone, focusing on women’s roles and farmers’ climate change awareness and adaptation strategies. Fifty-seven purposively selected farmers (28 females, 29 males) were interviewed using a validated semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Most farmers (70%) were old (≥51) with over 40 years of experience (51%). Non-participation in farmers’ associations (73.7%) surpassed active membership (26.3%), with only 14% attending training. Most farmers (65%) intercropped 500–600 Robusta coffee trees/ha, with many farms established in the 1980s (36%). The farmers performed clearing (82%) and pruning (94%) of their coffee. Women played a vital role, especially during drying and harvesting. All respondents acknowledged climate change and employed practices such as intercropping, pruning, using ipil-ipil for shade, and utilizing nets, which, though originally aimed at improving crop resilience, can also serve as adaptations to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Recommendations for fostering sustainable practices while improving livelihoods include joining cooperatives, providing training for enhanced climate change adaptation strategies, and increasing women’s participation in coffee production. Full article

Conflicts between crop farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria have intensified in recent decades, posing a danger to agricultural sustainability, rural livelihoods, and food security. This study investigated coping strategies that arable crop farmers have adopted in Enugu State, Nigeria, against herders’ incursions. Data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. According to the result, herders’ activities, including crop destruction, assaults on women, and intimidation, have severely affected livelihoods, which has resulted in reduced income and declining productivity. In response, most farmers applied some measures such as fencing, group farming, and cultivating small plots near homesteads to avoid clashing with the marauding Fulani pastoralists. Among all the measures adopted by the farmers, results reveal that only collective strategies, such as group farming and cultivating small plots close to homesteads, were sustainable. The study pointed out the limited capacity of rural households to cope alone and suggested the need for government assistance, such as the provision of less expensive protective infrastructure and stronger community security arrangements. The study recommends that the government should ensure and employ conflict management strategies through empowering traditional institutions with delegated legislation to ameliorate further occurrences. The research contributes to the body of literature by revealing the farmers’ viewpoints and strategies within the broader discourse on farmer–herder conflicts in Nigeria. Full article

Regenerative agroecology promotes a suite of methods that diversify farmers’ techniques, crops, and income-generating opportunities. Many low- and middle-income countries struggle with food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty, relying on natural resources for their livelihoods. In Madagascar, we led agroecology interventions, sharing locally grounded technologies to increase productivity and regenerate biodiversity. We evaluated the short- and medium-term outcomes using a mixed-methods social science approach. We monitored a cohort of over 500 participants in 27 rural communities who trained in market vegetable farming and poultry husbandry between 2019 and 2025. For participants in market vegetable and poultry husbandry interventions, over half adopted new technologies, reporting positive experiences, though outcome achievement varied. Participants in the market vegetable interventions reported they had the knowledge and skills to practice sustainable agriculture, remarking that the hands-on demonstrations and practice facilitated learning, as well as the accessibility of resources for implementation. Women were 1.68× more likely to adopt vegetable farming than men (multinomial regressions, gender log odds = 0.53, p < 0.01), while there was no difference in genders in adoption of poultry husbandry (gender log odds = 0.28, p > 0.05). Most (95–98%, n = 1012) responded they were satisfied with the results of the interventions and would continue to use the skills they learned. Insights generated by this program evaluation led to the following recommendations and improvements: (1) more hands-on demonstrations compared to classroom presentations; (2) more frequent medium-term consultations with participants; (3) introducing microcredit mechanisms to combat cost-related barriers; (4) diversifying outreach approaches. Implementing these recommendations continues to improve outcomes as we scale our interventions. Full article

Background: Jute, recognized as the ‘golden fiber’ of Bangladesh, produces a substantial amount of stick left over (waste), a byproduct of the fiber. Usually, unused jute sticks (JS) are thrown away or burned, since they are treated as landfill or unusable waste. Noteworthy research gaps exist in the farming process, infrastructure, [supply chains], unfavorable policies, government interference, and insufficient farmers’ knowledge of the export market. This research examines the potential of jute stick charcoal (JSC) as a sustainable and value-added product within the circular economy framework. Methods: This study employs a system dynamics (SD) modeling approach to examine how various factors, including agricultural output, supply chain process efficiency, trade flows, and relevant variables, influence JSC supply chain performance. Considering technologies, logistics, and policy variables, this study constructed a simulation model with three scenarios: current, worst-case, and improved, using Vensim DSS to identify system behavior under changing conditions. Results: The simulation indicates that optimizing idle jute resources, enhancing supply chain processes, and expanding markets can increase economic returns, reduce waste, and create more rural jobs, particularly for women. Conclusions: Enhanced coordination, technologies, and logistics can reduce carbon emissions, benefit farmers, support rural industries, and contribute to SDGs 8, 12, and 13. Full article

The present study provides a socio-economic characterization of an endangered turkey population in Europe for the first time, using the example of a southern Spanish population. To this end, 10 Andalusian turkey breeders were subjected to a 102-item survey, which included the following sections: personal and educational profile, the role of women in breeding, availability and conditions of facilities, welfare conditions, other equipment, maintenance and hygiene, farm access, feeding management, reproductive and replacement management, mortality, market value, and motivations for breeding. The results exhibited a wide variety in the breeder and rearing system attributes. However, the respondents agreed that rearing local breeds was a non-professionalized hobby. Farmers have generally old facilities and makeshift equipment for breeding the animals, which show strong ancestral instincts and a low requirement for breeding. The main purpose of their rearing is for self-consumption; however, there is an established sale demand for meat associated with Christmas. Breeders show a strong emotional motivation for the preservation of this ancestral population, which shares the rearing system with other endangered breeds. Three different profiles of breeders, traditional, neo-rural, and new-peasant, are responsible for maintaining the population selflessly and without administrative support. Full article

This study assesses and inventories agrodiversity within eleven representative oases of the pre-Saharan regions of Morocco, ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and socio-economic pressures. The findings highlight the central role of fruit tree diversity in structuring and sustaining the resilience of oasis agroecosystems, complementing cereal and fodder crops. Special attention was given to the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a secondary but underutilized fruit species in Moroccan agriculture, which was found to hold a significant position in the surveyed oases. Farmer and community surveys identified five local denominations or varieties, including an original form known as “Guersmoum” or “Hamed,” distinguished by its spontaneous, non-cultivated character. This unique case exemplifies the remarkable coexistence between wild and domesticated forms, reflecting the complex dynamics between cultivated and wild biodiversity. The presence and use of this variety are closely linked to the production of a traditional local agri-food product, pomegranate molasses (“Amaghousse”), an artisanal know-how transmitted across generations and primarily preserved by women. The study documents several aspects of this practice, including processing techniques, yield ratios, and marketing channels, emphasizing both the economic and cultural significance of this local product. The discussion underscores the close interconnections between traditional knowledge, gendered practices, and the conservation of genetic diversity, showing how the promotion of local resources contributes not only to the preservation of agrodiversity but also to the maintenance of oasis cultural identities. Finally, the study highlights the broader implications of these findings for development initiatives, particularly through the recognition and promotion of distinctive local agri-food products, the integration of women in local conservation strategies, and the implementation of sustainable management approaches for fruit genetic resources. Full article

Market gardening plays a central role in food security and improving household income in Ziguinchor, Senegal. Faced with growing environmental and socio-economic challenges, agroecology emerges as a sustainable pathway for strengthening this agro-economic activity. This study evaluates the adoption of agroecological practices by urban and peri-urban market gardeners, identifying influencing factors and constraints. A survey of 300 farmers was conducted in Ziguinchor, and data were analyzed using Excel. Relative Importance Index (RII), Weighted Average Index (WAI), and Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) ranked the most used practices, influencing factors, and adoption barriers. Results show that 79.67% of respondents were women, mostly over 45, with secondary education. Most of market gardeners consider this activity main source of income, and have been doing so for more than 10 years. Common agroecological practices include: removing weeds and diseased plants, organic fertilization, watering, crop rotation, and recommended fertilizer application, with relative importance indices of 0.75, 0.75, 0.72, 0.73, and 0.62, respectively. Key constraints include the lack of labor (PCI = 789), lack of information and training (PCI = 597), high cost of improved seeds (PCI = 549), and limited access to organic fertilizer (PCI = 538). Reinforcing extension services, capacity building, and both technical and financial support is essential to promote agroecological practices. Full article

Climate change has been occurring due to global warming since the 1950s, causing impacts on natural and social systems, including health. This review article involves the One Health approach as a holistic approach that integrates environmental, human, and animal health, since there is a significant gap in knowledge about the impacts of climate change on health. The questions that guide this research are as follows: What is the state of the art in studies on climate change and One Health? What are the main topics addressed in studies on climate change and One Health at a global level? The main objective is to conduct a systematic review of studies on climate change and its relationship with One Health to assess the main topics studied, involving climate change and health at a global level, and identify the gaps and challenges of these studies. The review demonstrated the exponential growth of studies that relate climate change to One Health, especially in the last three decades, with more records of studies that address infectious diseases such as arboviruses. Furthermore, studies on climate and its impact on mental health were detected, causing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), solastalgia, and eco-anxiety, especially in vulnerable populations such as indigenous communities, women, children, family farmers, and the elderly. The One Health approach was shown to be restricted to health-related issues. Thus, theoretical and experimental studies are still needed to assess the real impact of climate change on the various axes involving human health and its relationship with anthropogenic activities, environmental health, and animal health. Full article