Japan International Cooperation Agency

About: Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 555 authors who have published 613 publications receiving 9536 citations.

Development Phases of Irrigated Agriculture in Monsoon Asia The Case of the Philippines

Abstract: 要 約 モ ンスーン ・アジアにおける灌漑農業 の発展過程 を耕地開発のあり方に着 目 しつつ,発 展の動 因が耕地の開墾, 灌漑新規建設,既 存灌漑耕地の質的向上が主 となる三つの局面 を想定 し,独 立後半世紀間の データを用 いて,開 墾投資, 灌漑新規建設投資,灌 漑修復 ・管理改善投資の収益率 を推定す ることによ り,フ ィリピ ンの作物部門がこれ らの局面 を 経過 し,1990年 までには発展の最終段 階である第3局 面 に移行 したことを検証 した.政 府による灌漑投資は これ ら局面 移行 によって示 される長期的必要性 に規定 されつつ も,短 期的 にはそれか ら逸脱す る大 きな変動 が観察 される.特 に現 下 の局面 において必要 と され る灌漑修復 と灌漑維持管理 への投資 は,高 い潜在的報酬率 を持つ にもかかわ らず,過 少投 資となってお り,既 存の灌漑耕地 を維持 しその質的向上を図るために,こ の ミス ・マ ッチが解消 されねばな らないこと を明 らかに した. キーワー ド 稲作,灌 漑投資,農 業発展,費 用便益分析,フ ィリピン

Spectrum of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive determinants of child undernutrition: a multisectoral cross-sectional study in rural Mozambique

Abstract: Background Despite an increasing need for multisectoral interventions and coordinations for addressing malnutrition, evidence-based multisectoral nutrition interventions have been rarely developed and implemented in low-income and middle-income countries. To identify key determinants of undernutrition for effectively designing a multisectoral intervention package, a nutrition survey was conducted, by comprehensively covering a variety of variables across sectors, in Niassa province, Mozambique. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Niassa province, August–October 2019. Anthropometric measurements, anaemia tests of children under 5 years of age and structured interviews with their mothers were conducted. A total of 1498 children under 5 years of age participated in the survey. We employed 107 background variables related to possible underlying and immediate causes of undernutrition, to examine their associations with being malnourished. Both bivariate (χ2 test and Mann-Whitney’s U test) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) were undertaken, to identify the determinants of being malnourished. Results Prevalence rates of stunting, underweight and wasting were estimated at 46.2%, 20.0% and 7.1%, respectively. Timely introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods to children of 6–8 months of age was detected as a determinant of being not stunted. Mother–child cosleeping and ownership of birth certificate were a protective factor from and a promoting factor for being underweight, respectively. Similarly, availability and consumption of eggs at the household level and cough during the last 2 weeks among children were likely to be a protective factor from and a promoting factor for being wasted, respectively. Conclusion Timely introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods could serve as an entry point for the three sectors to start making joint efforts, as it requires the interventions from all health, agriculture and water sectors. To enable us to make meaningful interprovincial, international and inter-seasonal comparisons, it is crucially important to develop a standard set of variables related to being malnourished.

Overcoming Current and Preventing Future Nosocomial Outbreaks during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned at Three Hospitals in Japan.

Abstract: Hospitals are increasingly challenged by nosocomial infection (NI) outbreaks during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although standardized guidelines and manuals regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are available worldwide, case-studies conducted at specified hospitals that are required to cope with real settings are limited. In this study, we analyzed three hospitals in Japan where large-scale NI outbreaks occurred for hints on how to prevent NI outbreaks. We reviewed openly available information from each hospital and analyzed it applying a three domain framework: operation management; identification of infection status; and infection control measures. We learned that despite having authorized infection control teams and using existing standardized IPC measures, SARS-CoV-2 may still enter hospitals. Early detection of suspected cases and confirmation by PCR test, carefully dealing with staff-to-staff transmission were the most essential factors to prevent NI outbreaks. It was also suggested that ordinary training on IPC for staff does not always provide enough practical knowledge and skills; in such cases external technical and operational supports are crucial. It is expected that our results will provide insights into preventing NI outbreaks of COVID-19, and contribute to mitigate the damage to health care delivery systems in various countries.

Combined effects of body mass index and unhealthy behaviors on disability in older Japanese adults: the Okayama study

Abstract: Background: Body mass index (BMI) is a significant predictor of functional disability in older adults. However, when evaluated, the association between BMI and incident functional disability, considering behaviors only as covariates or not, may not be appropriate. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the combined effects of BMI and unhealthy behaviors on the risk of incident functional disability. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that took place in Okayama City, Japan. Data on BMI and unhealthy behaviors were obtained using the health check-up questionnaire. The certification of Long-Term Care Insurance was used to measure functional disability. Cox proportional hazard models were used; adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for incidence of functional disability across categories of BMI and number of unhealthy behaviors. Results: The relationship between BMI and incident functional disability was U-shaped (HR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.11-1.25], among the underweight range; and 1.26 [1.19-1.34] among the obesity range), and its risk was significantly higher within the normal-to-overweight range of BMI values with co-occurring unhealthy behaviors (with normal weight range and one, 1.17 [1.01-1.21]; two, 1.29 [1.18-1.41]; and three or four unhealthy behaviors 1.38 [1.24-1.54]; as well as among overweight range and one, 1.16 [1.05-1.27]; two, 1.26 [1.15-1.38]; and three or four unhealthy behaviors, 1.47 [1.31-1.64]). In each BMI category, the risk of incident functional disability increased with increasing number of unhealthy behaviors (p = 27.5, for both sexes (2.20 [1.64-2.92] in men and 1.66 [1.35-2.04] in women). Conclusion: It is necessary to consider the combined effects of BMI and behaviors on incident functional disability. Furthermore, interventions targeting multiple behaviors should be considered as such interventions may offer greater benefits than simple interventions.