Speed of information processing and recognition memory can be assessed in infants using a visual information processing (VIP) paradigm. In a sample of 100 infants 6-8 months of age from Southern Ethiopia, we assessed relations between growth and VIP. The 69 infants who completed the VIP protocol had a mean weight z score of −1.12 ± 1.19 SD, and length z score of −1.05 ± 1.31. The ageappropriate novelty preference was shown by only 12 infants. When age was controlled, longest look duration during familiarization was predicted by weight (sr 2 = .16, p = .001) and length (sr 2 = .05, p =.058), and mean look duration during test phases was predicted by head circumference (sr 2 = . 08, p = .018) implying that growth is associated with development of VIP. These data support the validity of VIP as a measure of infant cognitive development that is sensitive to nutritional factors and flexible enough to be adapted to individual cultures.

Iodine deficiency is one of the major causes of brain damage in childhood. However, iodine supplementation during early pregnancy and lactation can prevent the ill effects of iodine deficiency. This study evaluated maternal and infant thyroid function and infant visual information processing (VIP) in the context of maternal iodine supplementation. A community-based, randomized, supplementation trial was conducted. Mother infant dyads (n = 106) were enrolled within the first 10 days after delivery to participate in this study. Mothers were randomly assigned either to receive a potassium iodide capsule (225 μg iodine) daily for 26 weeks or iodized salt weekly for 26 weeks. Maternal thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), urinary iodine concentration (UIC), breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) and infant T4, TSH, UIC and VIP were measured as outcome variables. At baseline, neither mothers nor infants in the two groups were significantly different in any of the biomarkers or anthropometric measurements. Maternal TSH and goiter prevalence significantly decreased following iodine supplementation. The percentage of infants who preferentially remembered the familiar face was 26% in the capsule and 51% in the I-salt groups. Infant sex, length for age Z score, BMIC, maternal education and household food security were strong predictors of novelty quotient. In conclusion supplementation daily for six months with an iodine capsule or the use of appropriately iodized salt for an equivalent time was sufficient to reduce goiter and TSH in lactating women. Higher BMIC and LAZ as well as better household food security, maternal education, and male sex predicted higher novelty quotient scores in the VIP paradigm.

This paper aims to examine the major determinants and challenges of women's participation in income-generating activities focusing on rural women of Ethiopia. To carry out this study, both primary and secondary data were used. Randomly selected 161 households were the source of primary data for this study. Secondary data were collected from the review of related literature. A binary logistic regression econometric model was implemented to identify major determinants of women's participation in income-generating activities. The finding of this study revealed that in the study area, women are not allowed by their husbands to participate in high-income earning activities. They are considered a housewife and only husband are expected to participate in high income-generating activities due to the local customs. In the study area, women's participation in the income-generating activity is determined by age, husband’s education, women's education, family size, land size, market distance, livestock holding, and access to credit. This paper contributes to the literature on women's participation challenges in income-generating activities, giving emphasis to rural women's perspectives. It provides the basis for further studies aimed at challenges hindering women's participation in high-income earning activities, particularly in developing countries.

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This paper aims to examine the major determinants and challenges of women's participation in income-generating activities focusing on rural women of Ethiopia's practical evidence. To carry out this study both primary and secondary data was collected and analyzed. Randomly selected 161 households were the source of primary data for this study. Secondary data was collected from the review of related works of literature. A binary logistic regression econometric model was implemented to identify major determinants of women's participation in income-generating activities. Women in the study area are not allowed by their husbands to participate in high-income earning activities. They are considered as a housewife and the only husband is expected to participate in high income-generating activities due to the local customs. As a result, some women participate in small business activities like livestock product sales, vegetable and fruit sell, poultry, petty trade, hairdressing, and wage labor. In the study area, women's participation in the income-generating activity is determined by age, husband’s education, women's education, family size, land size, market distance, livestock holding, and access to credit. This paper contributes to the literature on women's participation challenges in income-generating activities, giving emphasis on rural women's perspectives. It provides the basis for further studies aimed at challenges hindering women's participation in high-income earning activities, particularly in developing countries.