Sedimentation in reservoirs is a significant challenge that affects water storage capacity and operational efficiency.This study establishes a baseline sedimentation status for Mwimba Reservoir in Kasungu,Malawi,five ...Sedimentation in reservoirs is a significant challenge that affects water storage capacity and operational efficiency.This study establishes a baseline sedimentation status for Mwimba Reservoir in Kasungu,Malawi,five years after its commissioning in 2017,using an integrated bathymetric survey and Geographic Information System(GIS)analysis.A bathymetric survey conducted in March 2022 collected depth measurements at 507 points along 23 transects,which were used to construct a Triangulated Irregular Network(TIN)model in ArcGIS for accurate volume calculations.Sediment concentration was determined from seven water samples using the filtration method.The original design volume of 89,200 m^(3)was compared to the current volume of 72,966 m^(3),indicating an 18.2% loss in capacity over the five-year period.Statistical analysis using a one-sample T-test confirmed that this reduction is significant(p=0.013).The annual sedimentation rate was estimated at 1.25 tonnes per year,and the reservoir’s projected operational life is 27.5 years if no intervention is undertaken.Despite a relatively low sedimentation rate compared to other regional reservoirs,targeted sediment management and further catchment analysis are essential.This study provides critical baseline data for future sediment monitoring,management,and conservation planning for Mwimba Reservoir and similar small water bodies in Sub-Saharan Africa.展开更多
To many people,especially women at the Mzuzu Central Hospital(MCH)in the Northern Region of Malawi,Du Shumin is a familiar and respected name.This is because of her expertise in cervical cancer treatment and the many ...To many people,especially women at the Mzuzu Central Hospital(MCH)in the Northern Region of Malawi,Du Shumin is a familiar and respected name.This is because of her expertise in cervical cancer treatment and the many women,some of whom never dreamed of living a normal life again,that Du has helped.展开更多
Background:The genus Rickettsia in the order Rickettsiales(Alphaproteobacteria)consists of gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria that infect a wide range of hosts.Epidemiological studies on the occurrence of R...Background:The genus Rickettsia in the order Rickettsiales(Alphaproteobacteria)consists of gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria that infect a wide range of hosts.Epidemiological studies on the occurrence of Rickettsia spp.and their associated tick vectors are essential to understand their distribution,host range,and transmission mechanisms in nature.This is particularly relevant within the One Health framework,which emphasizes the interconnectedness of animal,human,and environmental health.Methods:To investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp.in dogs and their ticks in Malawi,a molecular survey was conducted.A total of 209 dog blood and 259 tick samples of the species Haemaphysalis elliptica(n=16)and Rhipicephalus linnaei(n=243)were screened using real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)targeting the citrate synthase(gltA)gene.Positive samples were further characterized via the conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing of gltA and the outer membrane protein A(ompA)genes.Results:Rickettsia DNA was not detected in any dog samples.However,the detection rates in R.linnaei and H.elliptica were 2.5%(n=6)and 6.3%(n=1),respectively.The obtained sequences showed 100% identity with Rickettsia conorii subsp.conorii(n=4),99%-100% with Rickettsia massiliae(n=2),and 100% with Rickettsia rhipicephali(n=1).Phylogenetic analysis clustered these sequences with the corresponding sequences of R.conorii subsp.conorii,R.massiliae,and R.rhipicephali reported from other countries in both gltA and ompA gene-based phylogenetic trees.The detection of R.massiliae and R.rhipicephali in southern Africa suggests expansion of the geographical distribution of these potentially zoonotic Rickettsia species.Conclusion:This is the first report of Rickettsia species detection in ticks collected from dogs in Malawi.The findings highlight the need for further surveillance,including humans and other animals,to better assess the public and veterinary health risks.Public engagement is needed to raise awareness on the role of dogs and their ticks in the transmission of Rickettsia within the One Health approach.展开更多
Objectives:This study aimed to explore childbirth fear and childbirth preparation among primigravid women in the late pregnancy from 36 to 40 weeks gestation.Methods:We purposively recruited 18 primigravid women into ...Objectives:This study aimed to explore childbirth fear and childbirth preparation among primigravid women in the late pregnancy from 36 to 40 weeks gestation.Methods:We purposively recruited 18 primigravid women into in-depth interviews,21 birth companions,and 13 health workers into focus group discussions.Participants were recruited from two community hospitals'maternity waiting homes in Lilongwe,Malawi.Semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data that were analyzed using content analysis.NVivo11 computer software was used to organize the data.Results:The four categories developed were:"ambivalent pregnancy feelings","dependence on traditional childbirth counseling","inadequate prenatal childbirth instruction"and"inconsistent roles of a birth companion".The findings suggest that primigravid women who were mainly exposed to traditional childbirth mentoring rather than professional care providers,experienced childbirth fear,and lacked proper psychosocial childbirth preparation.Conclusions:Childbirth fear among primigravid women emanate from personal;family;ineffective traditional counseling;and inadequate antenatal childbirth instruction.Birth companions may increase childbirth stress.However,our findings highlight birth companions as readily available psychosocial support resources among primigravid women.We recommend that professional childbirth instruction during antenatal care should be strengthened to surpass traditional childbirth counseling.Appropriateness and effectiveness of birth companions need to be carefully assessed.展开更多
Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in Malawi remain low despite the acknowledged benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the infant’s wellbeing and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Creating an env...Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in Malawi remain low despite the acknowledged benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the infant’s wellbeing and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Creating an environment supportive of exclusive breastfeeding is critical to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers. However, little is known on factors that influence the environment within which HIV-positive mothers in Malawi practise exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, the exploratory qualitative study on which this article is based was conducted at the Chatinkha maternity unit of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi from April 16, 2009 to May 8, 2009 to explore perceived practice environment related barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers. Data were obtained through indepth interviews with 16 purposively selected breastfeeding HIV-positive mothers between 18 and 35 years old and two focus group discussions with women of unknown HIV status. Semi-structured interview and focus group guides were utilised. Content analysis of data was done. Five main themes emerged regarding factors that may influence the environment within which exclusive breastfeeding was practised: 1) availability of resources;2) societal norms and cultural practices;3) mother-baby proximity;4) health workers’ attitudes and 5) disclosure of the mothers’ HIV status. A multi-sectoral approach to promote exclusive breastfeeding is suggested. This?should include community involvement because it is in the community where breastfeeding norms and cultural practices associated with breast-feeding are propagated.展开更多
Aim:The study aimed to explore factors related to the initiation and utilization of focused antenatal care(FANC)in the Southern District of Mzimba,Malawi.Methods:This study used an exploratory qualitative design.Total...Aim:The study aimed to explore factors related to the initiation and utilization of focused antenatal care(FANC)in the Southern District of Mzimba,Malawi.Methods:This study used an exploratory qualitative design.Total of 22 in-depth interviews with pregnant women and community midwife assistants were conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 in Mzimba.Thematic analysis approach was adopted to identify the facilitator and harriers of the FANC initiation and utilization.Results:Facilitator of FANC initiation and utilization included seeking pregnancy confirmation,medical treatment for an existing health problem and the support by community health extension workers.Barriers included the additional cost to free FANC service,lack of essential equipment,unfriendly adolescent reproductive health service,and HIV stigma.Conclusion:Early initiation of FANC relies on both woman’s awareness and community support.Promoting the use of FANC should focus on creating an enabling environment,e.g.,increasing investment of essential medical equipment,reducing additional costs of FANC services,eliminating the discrimination against adolescent pregnancy and people living with HIV,and strengthening health personnel’s training.展开更多
Objective: To estimate risk factors of urban malaria in Blantyre, Malawi, with the goal of understanding the epidemiology and ecology of the disease, and informing malaria elimination policies for African urban cities...Objective: To estimate risk factors of urban malaria in Blantyre, Malawi, with the goal of understanding the epidemiology and ecology of the disease, and informing malaria elimination policies for African urban cities that have markedly low prevalence of malaria.Methods: We used a case-control study design, with cases being children under the age of five years diagnosed with malaria, and matched controls obtained at hospital and communities. The data were obtained from Ndirande health facility catchment area. We then fitted a multivariate spatial logistic model of malaria risk. Covariate and risk factors in the model included child-specific, household and environmental risk factor(nearness to garden, standing water, river and swamps). The spatial component was assumed to follow a Gaussian process and model fitted using Bayesian inference.Results: Our findings showed that children who visited rural areas were 6 times more likely to have malaria than those who did not [odds ratio(OR) = 6.66, 95% confidence interval(CI): 4.79–9.61]. The risk of malaria increased with age of the child(OR = 1.01,95% CI: 1.003–1.020), but reduced with high socio-economic status compared to lower status(OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.25–0.54 for the highest level and OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.94 for the medium level). Although nearness to a garden, river and standing water showed increased risk, these effects were not significant. Furthermore, significant spatial clusters of risk emerged, which does suggest other factors do explain malaria risk variability apart from those established above.Conclusions: As malaria in urban areas is highly fuelled by rural-urban migration,emphasis should be to optimize information, education and communication prevention strategies, particularly targeting children from lower socio-economic position.展开更多
Background: Late presentation to the hospital and poor post-operative follow-up after cataract surgery are associated with complications which compromise visual recovery and perpetuate disability among children with c...Background: Late presentation to the hospital and poor post-operative follow-up after cataract surgery are associated with complications which compromise visual recovery and perpetuate disability among children with cataract. The objectives of the study were to understand the social, psychological and physical consequences of blindness in families, to understand why some parents with blind children access services and others do not, and to explore factors related to decision making within families that prevent access to health care services. Methodology: A mixed methodology quantitative and qualitative community study of blindness in children conducted in southern Malawi to compare “Doers”: families with blind children from the same communities who had attended cataract surgical services with “Non-doers” versus families with blind children from the same communities who had not attended services. Individual, family, community socio-cultural and economic characteristics and other qualitative data on knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs were recorded and analyzed thematically, based on grounded theory. Results: A total of 53 in-depth interviews of parents;21 in-depth interviews of children;15 focus group discussions with community members;62 children’s clinical eye examinations, and 4 case studies were conducted over the study period. Doer families were likely to have a reliable source of income, have better housing and live closer to health centres than non-doer families. Visual acuity among doers was better than non-doers. Conclusion: This research has highlighted reasons why some families who have children with cataract are likely to be delayed to seek surgical intervention. Comprehensive counseling modules targeting such families need to be developed to increase acceptance and access to children’s cataract surgical services.展开更多
Background: A number of suspected endemic districts with Trachoma have not been mapped in Malawi, and this contributes to delays for scaling up trachoma control activities. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of t...Background: A number of suspected endemic districts with Trachoma have not been mapped in Malawi, and this contributes to delays for scaling up trachoma control activities. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of trachoma and associated risk factors in one of the suspected endemic districts (Salima District) in central Malawi and to generate information to guide policy decisions. Methods: A population-based survey conducted in randomly selected clusters in Salima District (population 418,672), centralMalawi. Children aged 1-9 years and adults aged 15 and above were assessed for clinical signs of trachoma. Results: In total, 884 households were enumerated within 36 clusters. A total of 2765 persons were examined for ocular signs of trachoma. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation, follicular (TF) among children aged 1-9 years was 17.1% (95% CI 14.9-19.4). The prevalence of trachoma trichiasis (TT) in women aged 15 years and above was 1.3% (CI 0.7-2.3), while the prevalence in men was zero. The presence of a dirty face and lack of sanitation were significantly associated with trachoma follicular (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Prevalence rate of trachoma follicles (TF) in Central Malawi exceeds the WHO guidelines for the intervention with mass antibiotic distribution (TF > 10%), and warrants the trachoma SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face washing and Environmental hygiene) control strategy to be undertaken in Salima District.展开更多
Sorting objects and events into categories and concepts is an important cognitive prerequisite that spares an individual the learning of every object or situation encountered in its daily life.Accordingly,specific ite...Sorting objects and events into categories and concepts is an important cognitive prerequisite that spares an individual the learning of every object or situation encountered in its daily life.Accordingly,specific items are classified in general groups that allow fast responses to novel situations.The present study assessed whether bamboo sharks Chiloscyllium griseum and Malawi cichlids Pseudotropheus zebra can distinguish sets of stimuli(each stimulus consisting of two abstract,geometric objects)that meet two conceptual preconditions,i.e.,(1)"sameness"versus"difference"and(2)a certain spatial arrangement of both objects.In two alternative forced choice experiments,individuals were first trained to choose two different,vertically arranged objects from two different but horizontally arranged ones.Pair discriminations were followed by extensive transfer test experiments.Transfer tests using stimuli consisting of(a)black and gray circles and(b)squares with novel geometric patterns provided conflicting information with respect to the learnt rule"choose two different,vertically arranged objects",thereby investigating(1)the individuals'ability to transfer previously gained knowledge to novel stimuli and(2)the abstract relational concept(s)or rule(s)applied to categorize these novel objects.Present results suggest that the level of processing and usage of both abstract concepts differed considerably between bamboo sharks and Malawi cichlids.Bamboo sharks seemed to combine both concepts-although not with equal but hierarchical prominence-pointing to advanced cognitive capabilities.Conversely,Malawi cichlids had difficulties in discriminating between symbols and failed to apply the acquired training knowledge on new sets of geometric and,in particular,gray-level transfer stimuli.展开更多
Introduction: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces chances of contracting HIV during heterosexual intercourse in males, and risk of cervical cancer in their female sexual partners. However, its uptake am...Introduction: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces chances of contracting HIV during heterosexual intercourse in males, and risk of cervical cancer in their female sexual partners. However, its uptake among traditionally circumcising communities, where male circumcision carries a cultural significance, has not been studied. Previous research has focused on barriers to uptake of VMMC in non-circumcising communities. This study was conducted to determine socio-cultural barriers to VMMC uptake in order to identify culture-sensitive and evidence-based interventions to increase its uptake. Methodology: This exploratory mixed methods cross-sectional study generated quantitative data from 262 randomly sampled sexually active men;and qualitative data through four focus-group discussions with 58 purposely selected male participants and 10 key informants. Results: The study established that only 6.3% (n = 15) of those circumcised (90.8%, n = 238) were circumcised in clinical setting. Limited access to VMMC services, cost, pain, being attended to by female providers and cultural influences were the major hindrances to uptake of VMMC. Conclusion: Although there is a paradigm shift of preference from traditional male circumcision to VMMC in this community, its uptake is low. The study recommends that besides introducing mobile VMMC services, the Ministry of Health should collaborate with traditional circumcisers and local leaders to provide gender-and-culture-sensitive safer medical male circumcision services.展开更多
Availability of antiretroviral therapy and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programmes have increased childbearing decisions in people living with HIV. However, pregnancy decisions of married women li...Availability of antiretroviral therapy and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programmes have increased childbearing decisions in people living with HIV. However, pregnancy decisions of married women living with HIV have not been adequately reported in Malawi. In order to provide information to inform the development of antiretroviral and family planning services targeted to the unique needs of women living with HIV, this study explored pregnancy decisions of women living with HIV in rural southern Malawi. Twenty in-depth interviews on married women living with HIV selected purposively were conducted in two antiretroviral clinics of patrilineal Chikhwawa and matrilineal Chiradzulu districts in 2010. With their pregnancy and child rearing experiences, the women who got pregnant after a positive HIV diagnosis decided to never get pregnant again. Their lived experiences of motherhood when living with HIV play a major role in their pregnancy decisions despite free access to antiretroviral therapy, which has improved the quality of their life’s and survival. Societies in Malawi must accept this behavioural change by married women living with HIV and their needs for family planning. Health care workers must be knowledgeable and sensitive about it and assist women living with HIV who are willing to adapt their pregnant decisions based on living experiences.展开更多
Female cichlid fish living in African great lakes are known to have sensory systems that are adapted to ambient light environments.These sen-sory system adaptations are hypothesized to have influenced the evolution of...Female cichlid fish living in African great lakes are known to have sensory systems that are adapted to ambient light environments.These sen-sory system adaptations are hypothesized to have influenced the evolution of the diverse male nuptial coloration.In rock-dwelling Lake Malawi mbuna cichlids,however,the extent to which ambient light environments influence female sensory systems and potentially associated male nuptial coloration remains unknown.Yet,the ubiquitous blue flank coloration and UV reflection of male mbuna cichlids suggest the potential impacts of the blue-shifted ambient light environment on these cichlid's visual perception and male nuptial coloration in the shallow water depth in Lake Malawi.In the present study,we explored whether and how the sensory bias of females influences intersexual communication in the mbuna cichlid,Metriaclima zebra.A series of choice experiments in various light environments showed that M.zebra females (1)have a pref-erence for the blue-shifted light environment,(2)prefer to interact with males in blue-shifted light environments,(3)do not show a preference between dominant and subordinate males in full-spectrum,long-wavelength filtered,and short-wavelength filtered light environments,and (4)show a"reversed"preference for subordinate males in the UV-filtered light environment.These results suggest that the visual perception of M.zebra females may be biased to the ambient light spectra in their natural habitat by local adaptation and that this sensory bias may influence the evolution of blueand UV reflectivepatterns in male nuptial coloration.展开更多
Air pollution in Malawi is recognized as one of the key environmental issues. Out of nine key issues it is ranked eighth on priority issues. This has led to lagging behind in terms of research and reporting on the iss...Air pollution in Malawi is recognized as one of the key environmental issues. Out of nine key issues it is ranked eighth on priority issues. This has led to lagging behind in terms of research and reporting on the issue. However, the Malawi Government has made strides in implementing policies, acts and programs that are directly or indirectly concerned with the improvement and abatement of air quality to meet the millennium development goals (MDGs) especially goal number 7. The inventories and studies show that air quality in Malawi is still good, but future anticipated air quality problems are cause for worry such as impact on human health, global climate change and ozone depletion. Trends in consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS) show a remarkable drive towards total reduction. Emissions standards are in place in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Recommendations on how to deal with air quality issues have been proposed in the national state of environmental report (NSOER) in that: 1) there is a need for an operational framework for climate change programs in Malawi and;2) there is a need to unify climate change policies dealing with enforcement of ODS phasing out, alternative energy sources, emissions from vehicles and industries, and institutional and human resource capacity.展开更多
Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common complications of anaesthesia and surgery. Known risk factors include motion sickness, migraine, gender and types of surgery. Other possible risk factors for pos...Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common complications of anaesthesia and surgery. Known risk factors include motion sickness, migraine, gender and types of surgery. Other possible risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting are ethnicity and genetics surgery. Objective: The main objective of the study was to describe factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting among adult Malawians. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. 138 adult patients were recruited into the study. Data were collected using a predesigned questionnaire. Patients were followed up to 18 hours postoperatively and any episodes of postoperative nausea and vomiting were noted. Results: A total of 138 patients were enrolled in the study. 78 were female (56.5%) and 60 were males (43.5%). The ages ranged from 18 to 87 years. The mean age was 36.9 years. The overall incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 29.6%. It was higher among women than men. Patients with motion sickness had the highest incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (78.6%) followed by those with migraine (73.3%). Patients whose intraoperative systolic blood pressure fell <80 mmHg had an incidence of 71.4% and those who received postoperative opioids had an incidence of 37.7%. Conclusions: Patients with a history of migraine, motion sickness, whose intraoperative blood pressures fall below a systolic of 80 mmHg and who receive postoperative opioids are at an increased risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting.展开更多
This article analyses vulnerability to climate related shocks across five districts in the shire river basin of Malawi. The analysis employs an indicator approach that integrates biophysical and socio-economic indices...This article analyses vulnerability to climate related shocks across five districts in the shire river basin of Malawi. The analysis employs an indicator approach that integrates biophysical and socio-economic indices. Principal component statistical analysis was used to calculate an index for adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure to climate impact for each of the five districts. These indices were aggregated to develop a vulnerability index differentiated also by gender for the surveyed districts. The results showed that Chikwawa, Machinga and Blantyre appear to be more vulnerable to climate related shocks compared with Mwanza and Zomba. Women in Chikwawa are also found to be the most susceptible to the climate hazards impacts. To reduce vulnerability to climate impact, the study suggests that the national adaptation strategies adopted by the government should be mainstreamed into specific local adaptation actions that can be accessible and adopted by the community. Specific emphasis should be given to the improvement of women’s welfare through better access to productive assets and resources.展开更多
Pinus patula is one of the major exotic species grown in Malawi mainly for saw-timber production. It is native to Mexico. Little has been reported about the mechanical properties of the wood. The objective of this stu...Pinus patula is one of the major exotic species grown in Malawi mainly for saw-timber production. It is native to Mexico. Little has been reported about the mechanical properties of the wood. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of Pinus patula in more detail, in order to provide a basis for utilizing this resource. The mechanical properties of small clear wood specimens of Pinus patula were evaluated using 40 cm logs from 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 m above the ground. Small clear wood specimens were selected and subjected to a bending test in accordance with Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) air-dry conditions. The growth rate did not affect the mechanical properties measured. There were significant correlations at 1% level between air-dry density and Modulus Of Elasticity (MOE) (R = 0.85) and between air-dry density and Modulus Of Rupture (MOR) (R = 0.83). There was also a significant correlation between MOE and MOR at 1% level (R = 0.90). At about 12% moisture content, the tested five Pinus patula families have average MOR and MOE of 105.17 MPa and 10.93 GPa, respectively.展开更多
Malawi is resource poor country in Africa with one of the highest infant and child mortality rates in the world. Malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children in Malawi. Studies have sho...Malawi is resource poor country in Africa with one of the highest infant and child mortality rates in the world. Malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children in Malawi. Studies have shown barriers to care of sick children and the formal health sector has shown sub-optimal patient assessments and overreliance on antibiotic treatment of a child with fever. In 2017, a team of students from Korea and USA audited clinic registers of six health centres under the hospital’s administration of Kasungu District in Malawi for the year of 2016. The clinics were included in the study were those that contributed to the largest number of patients in the district annually. The aim of the audit was to examine treatment outcomes of all children presenting with fever and on whom a definitive diagnosis or presumptive diagnosis of malaria was made at the 6 chosen clinics in Kasungu for improvement of health information system for the district health office. The number of children with malaria ranged between 80 and 440 per month, with the peak occurring between the rainy months of February to May. Peak mortality rate occurred in September and November at 21%. Patients presented with multiple symptoms of fever, convulsion, pallor, vomiting, cough, diarrhea, abdominal pain and headache. Average mortality rate differed between traditional authorities, ranging from 4% to 15%. Off-season high mortality finding promotes more studies looking into socioeconomic and hospital support. Multiple symptoms among patients treated for malaria is a common finding emphasizing the need to integrate household practices for malaria prevention, good malaria case management and linkage with community care of childhood illness (CCM) programs at the clinics in the district.展开更多
This paper presents the status of mushroom cultivation in Malawi. This is a developing country located in southeastern Africa between latitudes 9°25' South and 17°08' South and longitudes 33° Ea...This paper presents the status of mushroom cultivation in Malawi. This is a developing country located in southeastern Africa between latitudes 9°25' South and 17°08' South and longitudes 33° East and 36°East. Almost all the mushroom cultivators in the country are growing Pleurotus ostreatus. This species is most preferred because of its easiness to cultivate using the low-cost cultivation method being practiced in the country. On average, the annual P. ostreatus production is estimated at 240 kg per grower. Mushroom cultivators are selling their produce at prices ranging from MK800 (USD2.04) to MK2000 (USD5.10) per kg. At present, there are four institutions that are producing spawn namely Bunda College (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural resources), Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station, Natural Resources College and the Biology Department at Chancellor College, University of Malawi. Currently, a total of about 1307 bottles (330 ml each) of P. ostreatus spawn are sold by these four spawn producers per month. Mushroom cultivation is not that popular in Malawi. This may be, partly, attributed to lack of know-how and awareness on the economic, nutritive and medicinal benefits of cultivated mushrooms. Some of the major supermarkets do sell Agaricus bisporus mushrooms which are imported from the Republic of South Africa. They also sell Pleurotus ostreatus sourced from local cultivators.展开更多
Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in the drainage basin of Lake Malawi over the period 1982-2005 were estimated from satellite imagery, and possible relationships were evaluated among the four major land-cover...Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in the drainage basin of Lake Malawi over the period 1982-2005 were estimated from satellite imagery, and possible relationships were evaluated among the four major land-cover classes: cropland, forest, water, and savanna/shrub/woodland. AVHRR and MODIS sensors gave different values of areal extent of the four classes, limiting the feasibility of establishing consistent temporal trends over the entire period of the study, but forest land showed the least change among three land cover types, and extent of water bodies remained virtually unaltered over the period. AVHRR results show that cropland was mainly derived from savanna/shrub/woodland, which declined by almost 90% over the period 1982-1995.展开更多
基金the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust of Malawi and the Centre of Excellence of Transformative Agriculture Commercialisation at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources for supporting this study.
文摘Sedimentation in reservoirs is a significant challenge that affects water storage capacity and operational efficiency.This study establishes a baseline sedimentation status for Mwimba Reservoir in Kasungu,Malawi,five years after its commissioning in 2017,using an integrated bathymetric survey and Geographic Information System(GIS)analysis.A bathymetric survey conducted in March 2022 collected depth measurements at 507 points along 23 transects,which were used to construct a Triangulated Irregular Network(TIN)model in ArcGIS for accurate volume calculations.Sediment concentration was determined from seven water samples using the filtration method.The original design volume of 89,200 m^(3)was compared to the current volume of 72,966 m^(3),indicating an 18.2% loss in capacity over the five-year period.Statistical analysis using a one-sample T-test confirmed that this reduction is significant(p=0.013).The annual sedimentation rate was estimated at 1.25 tonnes per year,and the reservoir’s projected operational life is 27.5 years if no intervention is undertaken.Despite a relatively low sedimentation rate compared to other regional reservoirs,targeted sediment management and further catchment analysis are essential.This study provides critical baseline data for future sediment monitoring,management,and conservation planning for Mwimba Reservoir and similar small water bodies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
文摘To many people,especially women at the Mzuzu Central Hospital(MCH)in the Northern Region of Malawi,Du Shumin is a familiar and respected name.This is because of her expertise in cervical cancer treatment and the many women,some of whom never dreamed of living a normal life again,that Du has helped.
基金supported in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)KAKENHI(grant numbers JP23K23770,JP24KK0133,and JP25K02166)the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Developmen(AMED)(grant numbers JP18jm0510001 and JP23wm0225034)JST SPRING(grant number JPMJSP2119).
文摘Background:The genus Rickettsia in the order Rickettsiales(Alphaproteobacteria)consists of gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria that infect a wide range of hosts.Epidemiological studies on the occurrence of Rickettsia spp.and their associated tick vectors are essential to understand their distribution,host range,and transmission mechanisms in nature.This is particularly relevant within the One Health framework,which emphasizes the interconnectedness of animal,human,and environmental health.Methods:To investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp.in dogs and their ticks in Malawi,a molecular survey was conducted.A total of 209 dog blood and 259 tick samples of the species Haemaphysalis elliptica(n=16)and Rhipicephalus linnaei(n=243)were screened using real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)targeting the citrate synthase(gltA)gene.Positive samples were further characterized via the conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing of gltA and the outer membrane protein A(ompA)genes.Results:Rickettsia DNA was not detected in any dog samples.However,the detection rates in R.linnaei and H.elliptica were 2.5%(n=6)and 6.3%(n=1),respectively.The obtained sequences showed 100% identity with Rickettsia conorii subsp.conorii(n=4),99%-100% with Rickettsia massiliae(n=2),and 100% with Rickettsia rhipicephali(n=1).Phylogenetic analysis clustered these sequences with the corresponding sequences of R.conorii subsp.conorii,R.massiliae,and R.rhipicephali reported from other countries in both gltA and ompA gene-based phylogenetic trees.The detection of R.massiliae and R.rhipicephali in southern Africa suggests expansion of the geographical distribution of these potentially zoonotic Rickettsia species.Conclusion:This is the first report of Rickettsia species detection in ticks collected from dogs in Malawi.The findings highlight the need for further surveillance,including humans and other animals,to better assess the public and veterinary health risks.Public engagement is needed to raise awareness on the role of dogs and their ticks in the transmission of Rickettsia within the One Health approach.
文摘Objectives:This study aimed to explore childbirth fear and childbirth preparation among primigravid women in the late pregnancy from 36 to 40 weeks gestation.Methods:We purposively recruited 18 primigravid women into in-depth interviews,21 birth companions,and 13 health workers into focus group discussions.Participants were recruited from two community hospitals'maternity waiting homes in Lilongwe,Malawi.Semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data that were analyzed using content analysis.NVivo11 computer software was used to organize the data.Results:The four categories developed were:"ambivalent pregnancy feelings","dependence on traditional childbirth counseling","inadequate prenatal childbirth instruction"and"inconsistent roles of a birth companion".The findings suggest that primigravid women who were mainly exposed to traditional childbirth mentoring rather than professional care providers,experienced childbirth fear,and lacked proper psychosocial childbirth preparation.Conclusions:Childbirth fear among primigravid women emanate from personal;family;ineffective traditional counseling;and inadequate antenatal childbirth instruction.Birth companions may increase childbirth stress.However,our findings highlight birth companions as readily available psychosocial support resources among primigravid women.We recommend that professional childbirth instruction during antenatal care should be strengthened to surpass traditional childbirth counseling.Appropriateness and effectiveness of birth companions need to be carefully assessed.
文摘Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in Malawi remain low despite the acknowledged benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the infant’s wellbeing and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Creating an environment supportive of exclusive breastfeeding is critical to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers. However, little is known on factors that influence the environment within which HIV-positive mothers in Malawi practise exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, the exploratory qualitative study on which this article is based was conducted at the Chatinkha maternity unit of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi from April 16, 2009 to May 8, 2009 to explore perceived practice environment related barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers. Data were obtained through indepth interviews with 16 purposively selected breastfeeding HIV-positive mothers between 18 and 35 years old and two focus group discussions with women of unknown HIV status. Semi-structured interview and focus group guides were utilised. Content analysis of data was done. Five main themes emerged regarding factors that may influence the environment within which exclusive breastfeeding was practised: 1) availability of resources;2) societal norms and cultural practices;3) mother-baby proximity;4) health workers’ attitudes and 5) disclosure of the mothers’ HIV status. A multi-sectoral approach to promote exclusive breastfeeding is suggested. This?should include community involvement because it is in the community where breastfeeding norms and cultural practices associated with breast-feeding are propagated.
基金supported by“Fudan Global Health Seed Grant(Grant No CMB13-131)of China”.
文摘Aim:The study aimed to explore factors related to the initiation and utilization of focused antenatal care(FANC)in the Southern District of Mzimba,Malawi.Methods:This study used an exploratory qualitative design.Total of 22 in-depth interviews with pregnant women and community midwife assistants were conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 in Mzimba.Thematic analysis approach was adopted to identify the facilitator and harriers of the FANC initiation and utilization.Results:Facilitator of FANC initiation and utilization included seeking pregnancy confirmation,medical treatment for an existing health problem and the support by community health extension workers.Barriers included the additional cost to free FANC service,lack of essential equipment,unfriendly adolescent reproductive health service,and HIV stigma.Conclusion:Early initiation of FANC relies on both woman’s awareness and community support.Promoting the use of FANC should focus on creating an enabling environment,e.g.,increasing investment of essential medical equipment,reducing additional costs of FANC services,eliminating the discrimination against adolescent pregnancy and people living with HIV,and strengthening health personnel’s training.
基金Supported by National Institutes of Health(Grant No.5R01TW7599)
文摘Objective: To estimate risk factors of urban malaria in Blantyre, Malawi, with the goal of understanding the epidemiology and ecology of the disease, and informing malaria elimination policies for African urban cities that have markedly low prevalence of malaria.Methods: We used a case-control study design, with cases being children under the age of five years diagnosed with malaria, and matched controls obtained at hospital and communities. The data were obtained from Ndirande health facility catchment area. We then fitted a multivariate spatial logistic model of malaria risk. Covariate and risk factors in the model included child-specific, household and environmental risk factor(nearness to garden, standing water, river and swamps). The spatial component was assumed to follow a Gaussian process and model fitted using Bayesian inference.Results: Our findings showed that children who visited rural areas were 6 times more likely to have malaria than those who did not [odds ratio(OR) = 6.66, 95% confidence interval(CI): 4.79–9.61]. The risk of malaria increased with age of the child(OR = 1.01,95% CI: 1.003–1.020), but reduced with high socio-economic status compared to lower status(OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.25–0.54 for the highest level and OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.94 for the medium level). Although nearness to a garden, river and standing water showed increased risk, these effects were not significant. Furthermore, significant spatial clusters of risk emerged, which does suggest other factors do explain malaria risk variability apart from those established above.Conclusions: As malaria in urban areas is highly fuelled by rural-urban migration,emphasis should be to optimize information, education and communication prevention strategies, particularly targeting children from lower socio-economic position.
文摘Background: Late presentation to the hospital and poor post-operative follow-up after cataract surgery are associated with complications which compromise visual recovery and perpetuate disability among children with cataract. The objectives of the study were to understand the social, psychological and physical consequences of blindness in families, to understand why some parents with blind children access services and others do not, and to explore factors related to decision making within families that prevent access to health care services. Methodology: A mixed methodology quantitative and qualitative community study of blindness in children conducted in southern Malawi to compare “Doers”: families with blind children from the same communities who had attended cataract surgical services with “Non-doers” versus families with blind children from the same communities who had not attended services. Individual, family, community socio-cultural and economic characteristics and other qualitative data on knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs were recorded and analyzed thematically, based on grounded theory. Results: A total of 53 in-depth interviews of parents;21 in-depth interviews of children;15 focus group discussions with community members;62 children’s clinical eye examinations, and 4 case studies were conducted over the study period. Doer families were likely to have a reliable source of income, have better housing and live closer to health centres than non-doer families. Visual acuity among doers was better than non-doers. Conclusion: This research has highlighted reasons why some families who have children with cataract are likely to be delayed to seek surgical intervention. Comprehensive counseling modules targeting such families need to be developed to increase acceptance and access to children’s cataract surgical services.
文摘Background: A number of suspected endemic districts with Trachoma have not been mapped in Malawi, and this contributes to delays for scaling up trachoma control activities. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of trachoma and associated risk factors in one of the suspected endemic districts (Salima District) in central Malawi and to generate information to guide policy decisions. Methods: A population-based survey conducted in randomly selected clusters in Salima District (population 418,672), centralMalawi. Children aged 1-9 years and adults aged 15 and above were assessed for clinical signs of trachoma. Results: In total, 884 households were enumerated within 36 clusters. A total of 2765 persons were examined for ocular signs of trachoma. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation, follicular (TF) among children aged 1-9 years was 17.1% (95% CI 14.9-19.4). The prevalence of trachoma trichiasis (TT) in women aged 15 years and above was 1.3% (CI 0.7-2.3), while the prevalence in men was zero. The presence of a dirty face and lack of sanitation were significantly associated with trachoma follicular (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Prevalence rate of trachoma follicles (TF) in Central Malawi exceeds the WHO guidelines for the intervention with mass antibiotic distribution (TF > 10%), and warrants the trachoma SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face washing and Environmental hygiene) control strategy to be undertaken in Salima District.
基金This study was funded by a DFG Grant(SCHL,1919/4-1)to V.S.
文摘Sorting objects and events into categories and concepts is an important cognitive prerequisite that spares an individual the learning of every object or situation encountered in its daily life.Accordingly,specific items are classified in general groups that allow fast responses to novel situations.The present study assessed whether bamboo sharks Chiloscyllium griseum and Malawi cichlids Pseudotropheus zebra can distinguish sets of stimuli(each stimulus consisting of two abstract,geometric objects)that meet two conceptual preconditions,i.e.,(1)"sameness"versus"difference"and(2)a certain spatial arrangement of both objects.In two alternative forced choice experiments,individuals were first trained to choose two different,vertically arranged objects from two different but horizontally arranged ones.Pair discriminations were followed by extensive transfer test experiments.Transfer tests using stimuli consisting of(a)black and gray circles and(b)squares with novel geometric patterns provided conflicting information with respect to the learnt rule"choose two different,vertically arranged objects",thereby investigating(1)the individuals'ability to transfer previously gained knowledge to novel stimuli and(2)the abstract relational concept(s)or rule(s)applied to categorize these novel objects.Present results suggest that the level of processing and usage of both abstract concepts differed considerably between bamboo sharks and Malawi cichlids.Bamboo sharks seemed to combine both concepts-although not with equal but hierarchical prominence-pointing to advanced cognitive capabilities.Conversely,Malawi cichlids had difficulties in discriminating between symbols and failed to apply the acquired training knowledge on new sets of geometric and,in particular,gray-level transfer stimuli.
文摘Introduction: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces chances of contracting HIV during heterosexual intercourse in males, and risk of cervical cancer in their female sexual partners. However, its uptake among traditionally circumcising communities, where male circumcision carries a cultural significance, has not been studied. Previous research has focused on barriers to uptake of VMMC in non-circumcising communities. This study was conducted to determine socio-cultural barriers to VMMC uptake in order to identify culture-sensitive and evidence-based interventions to increase its uptake. Methodology: This exploratory mixed methods cross-sectional study generated quantitative data from 262 randomly sampled sexually active men;and qualitative data through four focus-group discussions with 58 purposely selected male participants and 10 key informants. Results: The study established that only 6.3% (n = 15) of those circumcised (90.8%, n = 238) were circumcised in clinical setting. Limited access to VMMC services, cost, pain, being attended to by female providers and cultural influences were the major hindrances to uptake of VMMC. Conclusion: Although there is a paradigm shift of preference from traditional male circumcision to VMMC in this community, its uptake is low. The study recommends that besides introducing mobile VMMC services, the Ministry of Health should collaborate with traditional circumcisers and local leaders to provide gender-and-culture-sensitive safer medical male circumcision services.
文摘Availability of antiretroviral therapy and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programmes have increased childbearing decisions in people living with HIV. However, pregnancy decisions of married women living with HIV have not been adequately reported in Malawi. In order to provide information to inform the development of antiretroviral and family planning services targeted to the unique needs of women living with HIV, this study explored pregnancy decisions of women living with HIV in rural southern Malawi. Twenty in-depth interviews on married women living with HIV selected purposively were conducted in two antiretroviral clinics of patrilineal Chikhwawa and matrilineal Chiradzulu districts in 2010. With their pregnancy and child rearing experiences, the women who got pregnant after a positive HIV diagnosis decided to never get pregnant again. Their lived experiences of motherhood when living with HIV play a major role in their pregnancy decisions despite free access to antiretroviral therapy, which has improved the quality of their life’s and survival. Societies in Malawi must accept this behavioural change by married women living with HIV and their needs for family planning. Health care workers must be knowledgeable and sensitive about it and assist women living with HIV who are willing to adapt their pregnant decisions based on living experiences.
文摘Female cichlid fish living in African great lakes are known to have sensory systems that are adapted to ambient light environments.These sen-sory system adaptations are hypothesized to have influenced the evolution of the diverse male nuptial coloration.In rock-dwelling Lake Malawi mbuna cichlids,however,the extent to which ambient light environments influence female sensory systems and potentially associated male nuptial coloration remains unknown.Yet,the ubiquitous blue flank coloration and UV reflection of male mbuna cichlids suggest the potential impacts of the blue-shifted ambient light environment on these cichlid's visual perception and male nuptial coloration in the shallow water depth in Lake Malawi.In the present study,we explored whether and how the sensory bias of females influences intersexual communication in the mbuna cichlid,Metriaclima zebra.A series of choice experiments in various light environments showed that M.zebra females (1)have a pref-erence for the blue-shifted light environment,(2)prefer to interact with males in blue-shifted light environments,(3)do not show a preference between dominant and subordinate males in full-spectrum,long-wavelength filtered,and short-wavelength filtered light environments,and (4)show a"reversed"preference for subordinate males in the UV-filtered light environment.These results suggest that the visual perception of M.zebra females may be biased to the ambient light spectra in their natural habitat by local adaptation and that this sensory bias may influence the evolution of blueand UV reflectivepatterns in male nuptial coloration.
文摘Air pollution in Malawi is recognized as one of the key environmental issues. Out of nine key issues it is ranked eighth on priority issues. This has led to lagging behind in terms of research and reporting on the issue. However, the Malawi Government has made strides in implementing policies, acts and programs that are directly or indirectly concerned with the improvement and abatement of air quality to meet the millennium development goals (MDGs) especially goal number 7. The inventories and studies show that air quality in Malawi is still good, but future anticipated air quality problems are cause for worry such as impact on human health, global climate change and ozone depletion. Trends in consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS) show a remarkable drive towards total reduction. Emissions standards are in place in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Recommendations on how to deal with air quality issues have been proposed in the national state of environmental report (NSOER) in that: 1) there is a need for an operational framework for climate change programs in Malawi and;2) there is a need to unify climate change policies dealing with enforcement of ODS phasing out, alternative energy sources, emissions from vehicles and industries, and institutional and human resource capacity.
文摘Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common complications of anaesthesia and surgery. Known risk factors include motion sickness, migraine, gender and types of surgery. Other possible risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting are ethnicity and genetics surgery. Objective: The main objective of the study was to describe factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting among adult Malawians. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. 138 adult patients were recruited into the study. Data were collected using a predesigned questionnaire. Patients were followed up to 18 hours postoperatively and any episodes of postoperative nausea and vomiting were noted. Results: A total of 138 patients were enrolled in the study. 78 were female (56.5%) and 60 were males (43.5%). The ages ranged from 18 to 87 years. The mean age was 36.9 years. The overall incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 29.6%. It was higher among women than men. Patients with motion sickness had the highest incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (78.6%) followed by those with migraine (73.3%). Patients whose intraoperative systolic blood pressure fell <80 mmHg had an incidence of 71.4% and those who received postoperative opioids had an incidence of 37.7%. Conclusions: Patients with a history of migraine, motion sickness, whose intraoperative blood pressures fall below a systolic of 80 mmHg and who receive postoperative opioids are at an increased risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting.
文摘This article analyses vulnerability to climate related shocks across five districts in the shire river basin of Malawi. The analysis employs an indicator approach that integrates biophysical and socio-economic indices. Principal component statistical analysis was used to calculate an index for adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure to climate impact for each of the five districts. These indices were aggregated to develop a vulnerability index differentiated also by gender for the surveyed districts. The results showed that Chikwawa, Machinga and Blantyre appear to be more vulnerable to climate related shocks compared with Mwanza and Zomba. Women in Chikwawa are also found to be the most susceptible to the climate hazards impacts. To reduce vulnerability to climate impact, the study suggests that the national adaptation strategies adopted by the government should be mainstreamed into specific local adaptation actions that can be accessible and adopted by the community. Specific emphasis should be given to the improvement of women’s welfare through better access to productive assets and resources.
文摘Pinus patula is one of the major exotic species grown in Malawi mainly for saw-timber production. It is native to Mexico. Little has been reported about the mechanical properties of the wood. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of Pinus patula in more detail, in order to provide a basis for utilizing this resource. The mechanical properties of small clear wood specimens of Pinus patula were evaluated using 40 cm logs from 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 m above the ground. Small clear wood specimens were selected and subjected to a bending test in accordance with Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) air-dry conditions. The growth rate did not affect the mechanical properties measured. There were significant correlations at 1% level between air-dry density and Modulus Of Elasticity (MOE) (R = 0.85) and between air-dry density and Modulus Of Rupture (MOR) (R = 0.83). There was also a significant correlation between MOE and MOR at 1% level (R = 0.90). At about 12% moisture content, the tested five Pinus patula families have average MOR and MOE of 105.17 MPa and 10.93 GPa, respectively.
文摘Malawi is resource poor country in Africa with one of the highest infant and child mortality rates in the world. Malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children in Malawi. Studies have shown barriers to care of sick children and the formal health sector has shown sub-optimal patient assessments and overreliance on antibiotic treatment of a child with fever. In 2017, a team of students from Korea and USA audited clinic registers of six health centres under the hospital’s administration of Kasungu District in Malawi for the year of 2016. The clinics were included in the study were those that contributed to the largest number of patients in the district annually. The aim of the audit was to examine treatment outcomes of all children presenting with fever and on whom a definitive diagnosis or presumptive diagnosis of malaria was made at the 6 chosen clinics in Kasungu for improvement of health information system for the district health office. The number of children with malaria ranged between 80 and 440 per month, with the peak occurring between the rainy months of February to May. Peak mortality rate occurred in September and November at 21%. Patients presented with multiple symptoms of fever, convulsion, pallor, vomiting, cough, diarrhea, abdominal pain and headache. Average mortality rate differed between traditional authorities, ranging from 4% to 15%. Off-season high mortality finding promotes more studies looking into socioeconomic and hospital support. Multiple symptoms among patients treated for malaria is a common finding emphasizing the need to integrate household practices for malaria prevention, good malaria case management and linkage with community care of childhood illness (CCM) programs at the clinics in the district.
文摘This paper presents the status of mushroom cultivation in Malawi. This is a developing country located in southeastern Africa between latitudes 9°25' South and 17°08' South and longitudes 33° East and 36°East. Almost all the mushroom cultivators in the country are growing Pleurotus ostreatus. This species is most preferred because of its easiness to cultivate using the low-cost cultivation method being practiced in the country. On average, the annual P. ostreatus production is estimated at 240 kg per grower. Mushroom cultivators are selling their produce at prices ranging from MK800 (USD2.04) to MK2000 (USD5.10) per kg. At present, there are four institutions that are producing spawn namely Bunda College (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural resources), Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station, Natural Resources College and the Biology Department at Chancellor College, University of Malawi. Currently, a total of about 1307 bottles (330 ml each) of P. ostreatus spawn are sold by these four spawn producers per month. Mushroom cultivation is not that popular in Malawi. This may be, partly, attributed to lack of know-how and awareness on the economic, nutritive and medicinal benefits of cultivated mushrooms. Some of the major supermarkets do sell Agaricus bisporus mushrooms which are imported from the Republic of South Africa. They also sell Pleurotus ostreatus sourced from local cultivators.
文摘Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in the drainage basin of Lake Malawi over the period 1982-2005 were estimated from satellite imagery, and possible relationships were evaluated among the four major land-cover classes: cropland, forest, water, and savanna/shrub/woodland. AVHRR and MODIS sensors gave different values of areal extent of the four classes, limiting the feasibility of establishing consistent temporal trends over the entire period of the study, but forest land showed the least change among three land cover types, and extent of water bodies remained virtually unaltered over the period. AVHRR results show that cropland was mainly derived from savanna/shrub/woodland, which declined by almost 90% over the period 1982-1995.
