| 1. |
- Berhane, Hanna Yemane, 1989-
(författare)
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Social Stratification of Children's Diet and Nutrition: Understanding Women's Situation in Addis Ababa
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Childhood undernutrition is the cause of nearly half of all deaths in under-five children. In sub-Saharan African countries, this problem is further complicated by the rising prevalence of overweight. Mothers play a key role in child care and nutrition, however, in cities that are undergoing rapid social and economic changes, little is known about their lived experiences and challenges. Moreover, little is known about the influence of the neighbourhood food environment and family socio-economic conditions of food acquisition and intake in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the study aims to understand the nexus between mothers’ child care and feeding experiences, neighbourhood food environment, diet diversity, and family socioeconomic status. Methods: A mixed qualitative and quantitative study design was used. The qualitative component involved thirty-six in-depth interviews with mothers who had children under the age of five years. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse verbatim transcripts. For the quantitative component, two rounds of cross-sectional household surveys were conducted. The sample was drawn from all districts of Addis Ababa; a total of 5467 households with mother-child pairs. Data were analysed using a generalised estimating equation (GEE) and mixed-effect logistic regression model. Results: Urban mothers are under pressure to ensure their child gets adequate care and food; the changes in their environment owing to the reconstruction of city and migration further limit their ability to do so. Mothers expressed that their decision of what to feed their children is influenced by children’s preferences, perceived safety of the food, familiarity with the food, and affordability.Children receiving the recommended minimum diet diversity totaled 59.9% (58.5–61.3). Having an adequately diverse diet was associated with having an educated mother, and being from the wealthier and more food-secure households. Animal source and vitamin-A-rich food groups are the least affordable and consumed food groups in the study settings. Families with uneducated mothers, in the lowest wealth group and those who perceived food groups to be unaffordable, consumed a less diverse diet.The prevalence of stunting was 19.6% (18.5–20.6) and that of over-weight/obesity was 11.4% (10.6–12.2). Maternal education level was associated with both forms of malnutrition; children with uneducated mothers were more likely to be stunted (AOR: 1.8; 1.4–2.2) and less likely to be overweight/obese (AOR: 0.61; 0.44–0.84), while being from the highest wealth household and from a severely food insecure household were associated with a higher likelihood of obesity and stunting, respectively. Conclusion: Child nutritional outcomes and diet quality vary by the socioeconomic status of the family; particularly that of mothers. Therefore, efforts to improve diet and nutritional outcomes of children need to consider mechanisms to strongly support mothers.
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| 2. |
- Mackay, Heather
(författare)
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Food, farming and health in Ugandan secondary cities
- 2019
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This research contributes to countering a large city research bias by focusing on the food, farming and health experiences of two secondary cities of Uganda: Mbale and Mbarara. It is not an apocalyptic story. Like anywhere in the world, for some residents things were going well; for others, less well. My research explores the varied geometries of advantage and disadvantage in diets, food security, and livelihood circumstances to shed light on why things were more secure for some than for others. I used multiple methods including a household survey, focus groups with local healthcare professionals, and in-depth interviews with varied city residents. A geographic perspective explored intersections of food, farming and health with aspects of identity (such as gender, class, tribe), and with place (the city itself, but also with rural areas, or other urban areas). The starting point was the theorised food system, nutritional and epidemiologic transitions predicted to occur with urban development, often called nutrition transition theory. My research suggests caution with dominant models of how urban life shifts food and farming systems towards a food system and diet pattern focused around large retailer supermarkets, processed foods, fast foods, more meat, less agriculture, less movement. Nutrition transition theory postulates these changes causing a shift in epidemiology from infectious to non-infectious diseases in urban areas. Instead of the suggestion from nutrition transition theory, my work presents evidence of non-communicable disease (obesity, diabetes, hypertension) experience in Mbale and Mbarara’s residents, but without evidence of advanced change in food and farming systems. Findings revealed relatively low dietary diversities and common food insecurity. Diets remained predominantly traditional, as did the main food sources (traditional markets and neighbourhood shops), across diverse residents. The more food secure had regular salaried employment and strong relational links with rural farms and family, supporting work on multi-spatial livelihoods. This contrasts with earlier ideas of who farms the African city, or retains farming livelihoods. Most vulnerable to food insecurity and low diet diversity were those who were most dependent on purchasing all their food. In conclusion, this research suggests that food system, nutritional and epidemiologic transitions in Mbale and Mbarara may be less linked than previously thought, or linked in more complex ways. Other drivers of epidemiologic change are likely. Findings highlight the importance of local data and specific city investigations.
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| 3. |
- Pham, Thi Bich Ngoc
(författare)
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Decentralizing hydraulic society : Actor responses to institutional arrangements in Vietnam
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Irrigation decentralization has been launched worldwide with high expectations of improved governance, efficiency, and productivity through democratic processes. However, there is widespread recognition that decentralization is, in reality, unlikely to bring about these positive outcomes. Poor implementation is widely blamed for these failures, but the current study argues that this is only partially true. Decentralization is usually treated as a technical way of power transfer that can be evaluated through quantitative indicators. Much attention goes to searching solutions to constraints during implementation while less emphasis is on understanding of contexts, processes and the consequences of institutional changes. The common approach mainly focuses on local water users’ organizations but gives insufficient attention to the cross-level interactions between involved actors, their responses to reforms, and power relationships. This approach answers the question: what should be done, but not: why do constraints/limitations occur and why are such contradictory results obtained? In this way the approach itself diffuses some of the challenges in reality and the root of problems leading to surprise consequences and failures during implementation.In this study, two irrigation systems in Vietnam were selected to examine the emerging decentralization processes, actors’ responses to the institutional changes, as well as the main options, challenges and constraints to decentralization. My ambition is also to further understand why constraints occur and have counterproductive effects. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods, and cross-case analysis are applied. The database was built systematically, based on previous experience in this field, and participatory fieldwork. Decentralization is regarded as a power-laden process involving not just local organizations, but also state agencies, local authorities at different levels, state irrigation companies (IDMCs), and farmers. The study describes how institutional arrangements for decentralization have effects on the dynamics and relations of power between actors in multi-level governance, resulting in impacts on autonomy, accountability, participation, and incentives of involved actors.The analysis shows that the legal framework and several well-intended efforts for decentralization have been launched. However, outcomes in terms of power transfer and actors’ performance are not those expected. The current institutional arrangements have created major constraints: (i) imbalanced power relations, (ii) new resource allocation mechanisms creating dependency among actors, (iii) passiveness, vested interest and privilege within state agencies and IDMCs, and (iv) free-riding behavior and distrust among farmers. Prevailing conditions defy policy intentions by finding a new version of a centralized power structure at provincial level, in which power of state agencies and IDMCs are reinforced. Unexpected effects emerge on the autonomy, accountability, participation, and incentives of all involved actors. Decentralization of irrigation systems is a complex process, not merely a technical transfer of power. It is hard to achieve even with policy in place. All the complexities and implications of irrigation need to be thoroughly considered, with the dynamics in society included. Evaluations of decentralization based on production and economic terms are not enough. Impacts of institutional arrangements on power relations between actors, on their incentives, maneuver room in multi-level governance, and ability to comprehend and influence processes, need to be assessed thoroughly. Essential roles remain for central government when irrigation management is decentralized.
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| 4. |
- Hall, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa : how are farm-level factors considered?
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. - : Routledge. - 1473-5903 .- 1747-762X. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA.
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