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.

NGO Employments and Job Preferences of Youth: Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have flourished in Bangladesh and continue to have huge potential to provide employment opportunities for the country’s youth. However, the NGO sector faces high employee turnover rates and has difficulty in attracting qualified young people. In this chapter, we exploit the survey on young NGO staff in Bangladesh that allows us understand their job satisfaction as well as job preferences. Our empirical analyses reveal that job satisfaction is positively related to wages, gender, employment status, work location, and NGO sizes. The results from discrete choice experiments (DCEs) suggest that the most valued job attribute among youth are the provision of support for education and upgrading qualifications, and provision for health insurance. Better understanding of job preferences will enhance the employment and productivity of NGOs.

Economic Feasibility of Coconut Coir-Based Hydroponics as an Alternative System for Crop Management in Thailand

Abstract: Coconut coir is an effective growth medium that has been used in hydroponic cultivation of lettuce in Thailand; this material is inexpensive and readily available in tropical regions. Here, we evaluated the financial feasibility of an energy-saving hydroponic system using coconut coir as the growth medium in northeastern Thailand. We first compared coconut coir hydroponic cultivation with the conventional open field cultivation to assess the productivity and marketability of cucumbers in the rainy and dry seasons: in the hydroponic system, profit in the rainy season 57% higher and in the dry season, 95% higher. Next, we assessed a simulation of a new cropping pattern based on the hydroponic system. The assessment included a new 4-year investment in a conventional crop of rice and cucumber in the rainy season and tomato in the dry season, versus an investment in the coconut coir-based hydroponic system for a 0.32 ha (2 rai) field. Incremental cost‒benefit values, comparing existing management practices with the new 4-year term, were calculated at a discount rate of 0.0975, which was the lowest concessional loan rate by the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. The cost‒benefit ratio was 1.14. These findings show that investment in hydroponic cultivation in northeastern Thailand would be cost effective.

Knowledge on intrapartum care practices among skilled birth attendants in Cambodia—a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Delivery is a critical moment for pregnant women and babies, and careful monitoring is essential throughout the delivery process. The partograph is a useful tool for monitoring and assessing labour progress as well as maternal and foetal conditions; however, it is often used inaccurately or inappropriately. A gap between practices and evidence-based guidelines has been reported in Cambodia, perhaps due to a lack of evidence-based knowledge in maternity care. This study aims to address to what extent skilled birth attendants in the first-line health services in Cambodia have knowledge on the management of normal delivery, and what factors are associated with their level of knowledge. Midwives and nurses were recruited working in maternity in first-line public health facilities in Phnom Penh municipality, Kampong Cham and Svay Rieng provinces. Two self-administered questionnaires were applied. The first consisted of three sections with questions on monitoring aspects of the partograph: progress of labour, foetal, and maternal conditions. The second consisted of questions on diagnostic criteria, normal ranges, and standard intervals of monitoring during labour. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify relationships between characteristics of the participants and the questionnaire scores. Of 542 eligible midwives and nurses, 523 (96%) participated. The overall mean score was 58%. Only 3% got scores of more than 90%. Multivariate analysis revealed that ‘Kampong Cham province’, ‘younger age’, and ‘higher qualification’ were significantly associated with higher scores. Previous training experience was not associated with the score. Substantial proportions of misclassification of monitoring items during labour were found; for example, 61% answered uterine contraction as a foetal condition, and 44% answered foetal head descent and 26% answered foetal heart rate as a maternal condition. This study found that knowledge was low on delivery management among skilled birth attendants. Previous training experience did not influence the knowledge level. A lack of understanding of physiology and anatomy was implied. Further experimental approaches should be attempted to improve the knowledge and quality of maternity services in Cambodia. Pregnancy and childbirth are natural phenomena, but sometimes have risk for mothers and babies. Therefore, childbirth should be carefully and continuously monitored by the health care professional. The ‘partograph’ is a useful tool that defines three monitoring aspects of the delivery progress, and conditions of the mother and intrauterine baby. However, it is often used inaccurately or inappropriately in low- and middle-income countries. We hypothesised that health professionals who assist childbirth cannot effectively monitor delivery conditions because their knowledge is insufficient. Therefore, we evaluated the knowledge on monitoring the process of childbirth and explored factors which affect the level of knowledge among health care providers in Cambodia. Midwives and nurses were targeted in this study who deal with normal deliveries in the capital city and two provinces. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate if their knowledge on three monitoring aspects is accurate. Of 542 eligible personnel, 523 (96%) participated. The mean score was 58%. Only 3% got scores of more than 90%. According to the statistical analysis, ‘working in Kampong Cham province’, ‘younger age’, and ‘higher qualification’ were significantly associated with higher scores. Previous training experience was not associated with the score. This study found that basic knowledge was low on delivery management among health care providers. We suspect that a deficiency of basic medical knowledge, such as physiology and anatomy, causes the lack of knowledge on the childbirth process. Further intervention should be attempted to improve the knowledge and quality of maternity services in Cambodia.

Kaizen and Standardization

Abstract: Kaizen, a method and concept developed in Japan, evolved and was modified as Six-Sigma, the Lean Production System and so on as “Western-style Kaizen” to be applicable to Western corporate culture. Western-style Kaizen has become an international standard (ISO 13053-1&2/ISO 18404). The application of Kaizen differs country to country depending on their industrial climate and corporate culture. This chapter first analyzes the similarities and differences between the Japanese-style Kaizen with Western-style Kaizen. Second, it discusses the impact of ISO on African companies and a more suitable and appropriate method of Kaizen for African SMEs. Third, it outlines a research study conducted by JICA on “Standardizing Kaizen Approaches in Africa,” a sub-project of the Africa Kaizen Initiative that JICA and NEPAD launched in April 2017.