The study determined the research priorities in Swaziland agricultural sector. Data collection used existing documents on agricultural research prioritizing, Nominal Group Technique and modified Delphi technique, with...The study determined the research priorities in Swaziland agricultural sector. Data collection used existing documents on agricultural research prioritizing, Nominal Group Technique and modified Delphi technique, with analysis of data using content categorization and, group and individual ranking of submissions. Findings showed the agricultural priorities from national policies are tied-up with mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS on food security, reduction of poverty and, sustainable development. The findings also revealed forty-three field crops areas needing research. Seven horticulture areas and eleven livestock sector areas were of high priority. A considerable number of research areas in field crops, horticulture and livestock indicated that the current research system has not adequately addressed research needs, despite efforts made by the private sector, University of Swaziland and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for Swaziland to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Recommendation was that the identified research priorities should be used as basis for directing the limited resources in conducting agricultural research. The participation of all stakeholders would facilitate efficient use of resources and facilitate collaboration amongst research institutions. The University of Swaziland should develop research priorities aligned with national policies and objectives, to facilitate funding for research by both government and donor agencies.展开更多
As Swaziland teeters on the edge of bankruptcy,its bailout package may be a litmus test for regional unity THE Kingdom of Swaziland is wilting under a crippling budget deficit that the International Monetary Fund(IMF)...As Swaziland teeters on the edge of bankruptcy,its bailout package may be a litmus test for regional unity THE Kingdom of Swaziland is wilting under a crippling budget deficit that the International Monetary Fund(IMF) has pegged at 14.3 percent of the country’s GDP. This is within the same range as the Greek budgetary shortfalls ultimately giving precedence to the展开更多
Background:Swaziland has the highest national incidence of tuberculosis(TB)in the world,with treatment success rates well below the 85%international target.Treatment support as part of comprehensive TB services is a c...Background:Swaziland has the highest national incidence of tuberculosis(TB)in the world,with treatment success rates well below the 85%international target.Treatment support as part of comprehensive TB services is a core component of the Stop TB Strategy.This study investigated the effects of financial incentives for treatment supporters on TB treatment outcomes in Swaziland.Methods:This was a controlled study that compared treatment outcomes for patients with a treatment supporter who received or did not receive a financial incentive.Results:The intervention group had a higher chance of treatment success as compared with the control group:73%(95%confidence intervals[CIs]66–80%)versus 60%(95%CIs 57–64%),respectively,p=0.003.This improvement remained significant when treatment success rates were adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics,with the effect of incentivised treatment supporters on treatment outcomes having an odds ratio(OR)of 1.8.There was also a significant improvement in the death rate in the intervention group,as compared with the control group(10.6 versus 23.5%,p=<0.001).Conclusion:Incentives provided to TB treatment supporters appear to significantly improve TB treatment outcomes.Incentivising treatment support may be appropriate as an effective addition to support and supervision measures(199 words).展开更多
The main source of HIV infection in young children is of their mothers, during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or by breastfeeding. The rate of HIV transmission from infected mothers to their newborn children varies fr...The main source of HIV infection in young children is of their mothers, during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or by breastfeeding. The rate of HIV transmission from infected mothers to their newborn children varies from 15% to 40% with one-thirds of these infections was through breastfeeding. This paper examines cross-sectional population-based survey data of HIV test results among mothers and their children in Uganda, Swaziland to estimates of mother-to- child transmission (MTCT) rate of HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV among women aged 15 - 49 who gave birth in the past 5 years in Uganda is 7.3%, and in Swaziland is 37.9%. The HIV prevalence of children who mothers were HIV positive were very similar: 10.3% in Uganda and 11.5% in Swaziland. This association represents the crude rate of MTCT in these two countries at the time of the survey. Presence of HIV antibody in early age (0 - 11 months) is due to both true infection and passive antibody from mothers. The seroconversion dropped nearly half in the second year of age which was likely that many of these children died before reaching the age of 12 - 23 months and passive antibody were gradually cleared at this point. This analysis demonstrated that cross-sectional data can be used to estimate indirectly the magnitude and dynamic of MTCT.展开更多
文摘The study determined the research priorities in Swaziland agricultural sector. Data collection used existing documents on agricultural research prioritizing, Nominal Group Technique and modified Delphi technique, with analysis of data using content categorization and, group and individual ranking of submissions. Findings showed the agricultural priorities from national policies are tied-up with mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS on food security, reduction of poverty and, sustainable development. The findings also revealed forty-three field crops areas needing research. Seven horticulture areas and eleven livestock sector areas were of high priority. A considerable number of research areas in field crops, horticulture and livestock indicated that the current research system has not adequately addressed research needs, despite efforts made by the private sector, University of Swaziland and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for Swaziland to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Recommendation was that the identified research priorities should be used as basis for directing the limited resources in conducting agricultural research. The participation of all stakeholders would facilitate efficient use of resources and facilitate collaboration amongst research institutions. The University of Swaziland should develop research priorities aligned with national policies and objectives, to facilitate funding for research by both government and donor agencies.
文摘As Swaziland teeters on the edge of bankruptcy,its bailout package may be a litmus test for regional unity THE Kingdom of Swaziland is wilting under a crippling budget deficit that the International Monetary Fund(IMF) has pegged at 14.3 percent of the country’s GDP. This is within the same range as the Greek budgetary shortfalls ultimately giving precedence to the
基金The Global Fund to Fight AIDS,Tuberculosis and Malaria,COMDIS HSD,Department for International Development(UK)provided funding for this study。
文摘Background:Swaziland has the highest national incidence of tuberculosis(TB)in the world,with treatment success rates well below the 85%international target.Treatment support as part of comprehensive TB services is a core component of the Stop TB Strategy.This study investigated the effects of financial incentives for treatment supporters on TB treatment outcomes in Swaziland.Methods:This was a controlled study that compared treatment outcomes for patients with a treatment supporter who received or did not receive a financial incentive.Results:The intervention group had a higher chance of treatment success as compared with the control group:73%(95%confidence intervals[CIs]66–80%)versus 60%(95%CIs 57–64%),respectively,p=0.003.This improvement remained significant when treatment success rates were adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics,with the effect of incentivised treatment supporters on treatment outcomes having an odds ratio(OR)of 1.8.There was also a significant improvement in the death rate in the intervention group,as compared with the control group(10.6 versus 23.5%,p=<0.001).Conclusion:Incentives provided to TB treatment supporters appear to significantly improve TB treatment outcomes.Incentivising treatment support may be appropriate as an effective addition to support and supervision measures(199 words).
文摘The main source of HIV infection in young children is of their mothers, during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or by breastfeeding. The rate of HIV transmission from infected mothers to their newborn children varies from 15% to 40% with one-thirds of these infections was through breastfeeding. This paper examines cross-sectional population-based survey data of HIV test results among mothers and their children in Uganda, Swaziland to estimates of mother-to- child transmission (MTCT) rate of HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV among women aged 15 - 49 who gave birth in the past 5 years in Uganda is 7.3%, and in Swaziland is 37.9%. The HIV prevalence of children who mothers were HIV positive were very similar: 10.3% in Uganda and 11.5% in Swaziland. This association represents the crude rate of MTCT in these two countries at the time of the survey. Presence of HIV antibody in early age (0 - 11 months) is due to both true infection and passive antibody from mothers. The seroconversion dropped nearly half in the second year of age which was likely that many of these children died before reaching the age of 12 - 23 months and passive antibody were gradually cleared at this point. This analysis demonstrated that cross-sectional data can be used to estimate indirectly the magnitude and dynamic of MTCT.
