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Purpose : Generally Cooperative Associations play positive and productive role in disseminating the latest information on all aspects and services to the farming communities. However, it seemed imperative to assess the perceptions of the members and evaluate role of the Unaizah Agricultural Cooperative Association (UACA) to improve its working by addressing the issues and concerns of its members. Research Method : One hundred thirty-two respondents representing 25% of registered member farmers of the association were identified by applying a random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a welldesigned and pre-tested questionnaire to achieve the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and interpret the data. Findings : Respondents had high perceptions regarding the role of UACA in the following areas: makes agricultural innovations available to the farmers at suitable prices; establishes good contacts with extension staff; brings useful activities; helps solving agricultural problems; provides timely information; maintains good relations with its members; establishes beneficial agreements with traders to enable farmers to have easy access to markets. Though majority (70.5%) of the respondents were highly aware of the importance of the association yet almost half of the respondents (53%) were moderately satisfied, suggesting an improvement in its working. Originality/ Value : No scientific study of the kind has not been launched before. Hence the outcomes of the study would help the association in enhancing its working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find and analyse the associated determinants of mortality in admitted patients in cirrhotic patients with MELD score >18 presenting in emergency department with variceal bleeding., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Place and Duration of Study: Department of Emergency Medicine, King Sultan Military Hospital Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from July 2017 to January 2018., Methodology: A total of 235 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was made if the patients had platelets <150000/μl, PT >3 sec (prolonged), biochemical (reversal of ALT, AST ratio, albumin <3.5 g/dl) and ultrasongraphic coarse echotexture of liver and splenomegaly; and presence of all of the above variables and for at least six months. Variceal bleeding diagnosed on presentation and emergency endoscopy. MELD score was calculated by following formula. MELD = 3.78 [Ln serum bilirubin (mg/dL)] +11.2 [Ln INR] +9.57 [Ln serum creatinine (mg/dl)] +6.430 NR. Outcome of patients treatment was to record associated morbidity and mortality during follow-up period of one month., Results: There were 156 (66.4%) male and 79 (33.6%) female cirrhotic patients. The mean age was 47.8 ±8.7 years. Out of 235 patients of liver cirrhosis, 47 (20.0%) expired during the hospital stay, while 188 (80.0%) patients survived and discharged from the hospital. Most of the cirrhotic patients were experienced with MELD score 18-20, i.e. 144 (61.3%) followed by 70 (29.8%) in 21-25 and 21 (8.9%) had the range of 26-30. In-hospital mortality rate was statistically insignificant (p>0.05) with respect to MELD scores. Probability of survival was 0.80., Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis with MELD score >18 and variceal bleeding is highly prevalent in young adult patients, more likely in male patients having duration of disease since >1 year to 3 years such that every 1 of 5 patients expired during the hospital stay. Probability of survival was 80%.