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Trends in health care

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Authors: 
Kumar, A
1992

Abstract

PRA was conducted in Ambari village, Meghalaya. Importance of diseases was symbolised by stick length and pie diagrams. Recall was used to compare treatment strategies in 1920 and 1990. Seasonality was charted. A causal model was constructed which showed the link between a lack of safe drinking water and disease. A model of the causes of child mortality was built. Health and wealth ranking took place. Illustrations are included of each method.

Qualitative methods for assessing the acceptability of immunization in Somalia

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Authors: 
LaFond, A.
1991

Abstract

Save the Children Fund and the Ministry of Health in Somalia used focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observation to identify factors influencing the acceptance of immunisation. Focus groups consisted of mothers of different ages, Mother and Child Health staff and Traditional Birth Attendants. Three researchers lived with families in the community for 12 weeks. The team found that there were widespread misconceptions regarding the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). All health campaigns were regarded with suspision by the community because of the sensitive political situation. Suggestions are made for adapting future health messages to take into account local perceptions of disease.

A note on the use of disease problem ranking with relation to socio-economic well-being: an example from Sierra Leone

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Authors: 
Welbourn, A.
1992

Abstract

An RRA training exercise was conducted by ActionAid staff in Kambai District, Sierra Leone. Four half days were spent conducting intensive fieldwork, a well-being ranking exercise led to the sub-division of the community into better-off and worse-off members of the community. Ranking exercises with the two groups produced very different results. A graphic example of the differences is given in the ranking of disease importance. (p87 provides illustrations). It is concluded that this method offers an excellent starting point for investigation into health issues and socio-economic conditions.

The application of PRA methods to the study of conflict management in a pastoral society

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Authors: 
Bollig, M.
1994

Abstract

A two-year project investigated modes of conflict management in a pastoral society in north-western Kenya, and tried to find causes for successful or non-successful (that is, non-violent or violent) conflict behaviour. PRA methods were used in an effort to speed up the normally lengthy process of obtaining data on conflict management. The study found that internal conflict was managed fairly successfully despite being thoroughly informal. This stood in sharp contrast to violent inter-ethnic conflicts. The reasons for these differences were many and complex. The paper concludes that although an appreciable amount of descriptive data may be gathered by using PRA methods, they are more limited when it comes to identifying the causes of conflict behaviour.

Livestock rehabilitation programme in Mozambique

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Authors: 
Braganca, A.
1994

Abstract

Thousands of farmers who sought refuge in urban centres during the ten-year civil war in Mozambique are now returning to their farms. In response to this changing situation, VetAid, a UK-based NGO, is planning a community restocking programme. PRA methods were used to gather information on the socio-economic, ecological and political conditions in the villages. This information was then used help design a restocking programme appropriate to the needs of the community. The article describes some of the methods which were used, which included wealth ranking, informal interviews, matrix ranking, diagrams and historical transects.

Historical matrices: a method for monitoring changes in seasonal consumption patterns in Mongolia

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Authors: 
Cooper, L.
Gelezhamtsin, N.
1994

Abstract

Wide-ranging agrarian reforms in Mongolia have led to a change in patterns of consumption. Most important of these reforms has been the dismantling of the collectivised state which formerly organised livestock and livestock product marketing, as well as the supply of flour and other food items and consumer goods. This note reports on the use of matrices as a tool for evaluating the impact of economic liberalisation on consumption patterns among Mongolian pastoral communities. The consumption matrices of a rich household and a poor household indicate that consumption patterns have changed significantly during the five years since privatisation and decollectivisation.

Pastoral production in Mongolia from a gender perspective

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Authors: 
Cooper, L.
Gelezhamtsin, N.
1994

Abstract

The Policy Alternatives for Livestock Development (PALD) project was established to research and make policy recommendations on the liberalisation of the Mongolian pastoral economy and its impact within the household. The paper discusses the organisation of pastoral production at the household level from a gender perspective. The paper describes and explains the use of matrices and mobility mapping as participatory methods for gathering information on seasonal labour allocation, time use and mobility. It was found that a clear division of labour exists within the household, based on gender and age. Women are significantly involved in livestock care, but socially constructed ideas about men and women means that men are associated with overall reproduction of the herd and women with the production of goods.

Ranking with Shagaa in Mongolia

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Authors: 
Cullis, A.
1994

Abstract

'Shagaa' (a bag of sheep and goats' knucklebones) can be found in most Mongolian households. They are used like dice or counters, each facet of the bone representing a different livestock type, in about twenty different games. In this exercise herders used the shagaa bones to rank winter livestock losses over the last ten years. The technique proved useful for illustrating the trends in livestock losses over the years, and providing a basis for discussion. The exercise was enhanced by the use of the bones, which to the herders already represented animals. The paper concludes that there is great potential for much wider use of shagaa in ranking and other participatory techniques with Mongolian herders.

Evaluation of a community-based buffalo project in Tamil Nadu

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Authors: 
Devavaram, J.
1994

Abstract

The study describes a mid-term evaluation of a community-based dairy buffalo project in Tamil Nadu. The project assists families drawn from the socially and economically deprived sectors of society, mostly landless, to purchase a dairy buffalo. The aim of the evaluation was to provide a clear socio-economic-cultural perception of the project from the beneficiaries' perspective. A number of techniques were used: trend change and linkage, semi-structured interviews, seasonal calendars, livelihood analyses and resource mapping/modelling. It was found that the project had failed to achieve a number of its objectives. This was mainly because an in-depth consultation with its intended beneficiaries had not been carried out before the project was implemented. Reliance on key informants and social and economic indicators to identify needs meant that important constraints which had implications for the proposed project were overlooked.

Rapid appraisal techniques: a tool for planning and managing animal health and production development programmes

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Authors: 
Ghirotti, M.
1994

Abstract

This paper outlines the main steps in carrying out a rapid appraisal (RA) to provide a quick, systematic and cost-effective picture of livestock conditions and veterinary problems, especially in agro-pastoral communities. It is concluded that rapid assessment methods are a good complement to, although not a substitute for, more quantitative methods.

Ethnoveterinary question list

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Authors: 
Grandin, B.
Young, J.
1994

Abstract

The article focuses on the collection and use of ethnoveterinary data in the context of community-based animal health care training programmes in Kenya. The programmes ranged from pastoral areas such as Samburu and Pokot to settled farming in Meru and Machakos and were carried out by the Kenya Livestock Programme (KLP) of the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) in collaboration with various community-based NGOs. The lessons learned in the programme and directions for the future are also discussed.

Interviewing cows

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Authors: 
Hadgu, K.
Yisehak, M.
Tekle, G.
1992

Abstract

The technique of 'interviewing' cows involves the livestock owner providing information about the number and fate of calves born to individual animals. It was found to be a useful method for determining reliable estimates of survival and mortality rates among livstock. In this exercise which was carried out in southern Ethiopia, farmers' cows were interviewed to obtain information about cattle productivity and disease patterns. The information was used to improve the design of animal health care and livestock management programmes in the area.

Mapping of seasonal migrations in the Sanaag Region of Somaliland

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Authors: 
Hadrill, D.
Yusuf, H.
1994

Abstract

An ActionAid programme in the Sanaag region of Somaliland provides basic animal health care to the pastoral communities living in the area. Participatory methods have been used by the project staff to build up a more detailed picture of the herders' lifestyle, particulary management of communal resources, animal husbandry practices and methods of managing disease. This article describes mapping exercises which were carried out to chart the seasonal migration patterns followed by different groups of pastoralists in the region. Information about seasonal migration patterns confirmed that herders are likely to be in a certain area during a particular season of the year. This knowledge assisted with the planning of drug distribution, making it compatible with the herders' needs and seasonal location.

Seasonal disease incidence in the Sanaag Region of Somaliland

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Authors: 
Hadrill, D.
Yusuf, H.
1994

Abstract

This article describes a seasonal disease calendar exercise which was carried out with herders in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. The information it provided was then used to plan a Primary Veterinary Assistant training programme. One surprising finding was that common ailments that cause loss of production were considered by the herders to be less important than infrequent, but often terminal, infectious diseases.

Livestock healthcare for Tibetan agro-pastoralists: application of rapid rural appraisal techniques

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Authors: 
Heffernan, C.
1994

Abstract

A rapid appraisal (RA) was conducted with Tibetan agro-pastoralists of the Himalayas with the aim of obtaining an understanding of the primary livestock healthcare system and local knowledge of livestock diseases and healing. Various methods were used, including key informant interviews, individual interviews and livestock disease ranking. These techniques were found to be particularly useful for gathering information with a socio-cultural grounding, in a context where religious beliefs and livestock healthcare are inextricably linked.

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