The main purpose of this study wasto assess and evaluate anIntegrated Extension Modelto improve the overall knowledge, attitude and practice habits of community people over a sustained period.The survey questionnaire results have indicated that the various sources of anthrax message dissemination had played a significant role in the study. Among those responsible for disseminating the information, it was realized that studentsserving in the role of message disseminators played the most significant role (15%) indelivering the anthrax-related key information to the community. Majority community members (97.5%) were made aware of the nature, occurrence, public health importance, and management of the disease. Theirdangerous habits and attitudes toward slaughtering of sick animals were reduced (<30%) the issue of animal slaughter. Vaccination and clinical records reveal that the percentage of vaccination coverage was increased from 40% to 85% andthe percentage of farmers who can diagnose anthrax has been increased from 30% to 40%.On the other hand, their poor economic background together with the dispersed settlement nature of the farmers was the main gaps identified that continued to force them to slaughter infected animals, sell their products and to consequently concealthat information, all issues that are required to be addressed in the future. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that this modelis an efficient, effective and suitable method to raise awareness levels in a large communitywith regards to a zoonotic disease like anthrax.
Keywords: anthrax, One Health, awareness, Integrated Extension Model, community
The aims of the study were to investigate the adoption status of alternate wetting and drying (AWD), finding out the reasons that affect in adoption of AWD and exploring the problems in practicing AWD at farm level. Data were collected from farmers of selected two villages named Noyanagar and Dhinagar of Jhilim union under Sadar upazila (sub-district) of Chapai Nawabganj district during August, 2016. Randomly chosen 80 (40 adopters and 40 non-adopters of AWD) rice farmers were the sample drawn from a population of 600 rice farmers. For collecting quantitative and qualitative data both structured questionnaire and checklists were used. In the study area the level of adoption was at satisfactory level due to the scarcity of water especially in Boro seasons although the technique of AWD was not practiced properly. Majority (80%) of the AWD adopters received preliminary information on this technology mainly from grassroots level extension officers of DAE. Yet, more than half (60%) of the respondents did not receive any training on AWD. This is why a good number of the AWD practicing farmers (45%) had low knowledge on the technology which lowered the rate of adoption. According to the majority of the adopter farmers (92%), main reason of adoption of this technology was for saving irrigation cost. On the other hand, mismatching of existing irrigation scheme with AWD was the major barrier for the adoption according to 98% of the farmers. The existing pattern of irrigation scheme created major problems for practicing AWD as perceived by the farmers (80%). Therefore, the policy maker may rethink on the irrigation policy to rearrange this irrigation scheme. Besides,proper motivational activities should be launched by the different GOs and NGOs in collaboration with DAE to increase the rate of adoption of this water saving technology.
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