Understanding and Awareness of Dementia in the Pakistani-Origin Community of Stoke-on-Trent, UK: A Scenario-Based Interview Study.

The aim of this project was to explore the understanding and awareness of dementia in the Pakistani-origin community in a deprived urban region of the UK. The study was unique in accessing and interviewing Pothwari speakers, some of whom could not read or understand spoken English. Data generated from an earlier study were used to construct five scenarios, which were used as the basis for face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 11 male and female participants from the Pakistani-origin community spanning two generations. Braun and Clarke's six phases of thematic analysis were used to analyse the data to answer the research questions. Themes constructed from these interviews indicated a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, a range of attitudes and assumptions, reluctance to seek external support, and a significant role for the cultural background in shaping the individuals' responses. The study found that poor understanding, cultural differences, and language issues presented barriers to accessing services in the British Pakistani community, particularly among those who had been born in Pakistan and/or spoke Pothwari in preference to English. Services and information may need to be offered by Pothwari speakers in order to reach this neglected sector of the population.

Effect of the combination of biological, chemical control and agronomic technique in integrated management pea root rot and its productivity.

Root rot of pea caused by Fusarium spp. is one of the important diseases of pea (Pisum sativum L.). The causal fungus of the disease isolated from naturally infected pea plants was identified as Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi (Jones). Evaluation of four bio agents and nine fungicides was done in vitro against Fusarium solani. Trichoderma harzianum was the most effective bio agent in inhibiting the mycelial growth of F. solani by (82.62%). Carbendazim 50 WP was the most effective fungicide in inhibiting the mycelial growth of F. solani by (91.06%). Carbendazim at the rate of 0.1% and T. harzianum at concentration of 109 cfu when used as seed treatment under field conditions were evaluated along with three planting techniques v.i.z, raised beds, ridges and flat beds. It was found that Carbendazim at the rate of 0.1% when given as seed treatment in raised beds exhibited the lowest disease incidence (10.97%), intensity (2.89%) and the maximum pod yield (89.63 q ha-1) as compared to control.

Religious Influences on the Experience of Family Carers of People with Dementia in a British Pakistani Muslim Community.

This paper reports on a study that begins to address the paucity of research around the religious motivations of Muslim carers of family members with dementia. Seven carers were recruited for interviews from the British Pakistani Muslim community concentrated in the Midlands and North of England. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using an iterative collaborative methodology. The findings suggested that the Muslim faith plays a pivotal role as a support mechanism for individual carers and their families, but the wider faith community and its leaders did not typically offer support and could impede access to external care. This was a result of cultural pressure and lack of awareness both among religious leaders and the community as a whole. The study concluded that the inequality in access to dementia services may be constructively addressed if service providers engage with these faith concerns in the community and religious leaders to meet the needs of Muslims of British Pakistani origin.