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The growing incidence of farmer-herder conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa raises questions about its underlying causes. In Nigeria, for example, where both terrorism and farmer-herder conflicts have increased, questions arise about the roles of Boko Haram, vis-à-vis climate, natural disaster, grazing resources, market and policy-related constraints to grazing. To explain the causes of transhumance-related violence, we conceptualize push factors, which increase the spread of pastoral activities away from historical grazing areas; pull factors, which attract pastoralists to previously less-grazed areas; and escalating factors which explain increased pastoral violence in the latter. We further develop a theoretical location choice model to explain the grazing location decisions of herdsmen and violence resulting from resistance from destination communities. Using the Nigerian Fulani Herdsmen situation as a case study, we confirm the expected influences of hypothesized resource-related causal factors and the escalating roles of some economic, policy, market and land use challenges. Specifically, we empirically find that Boko Haram attacks escalate farmer-herder conflicts by intensifying the effects of drought, natural disasters, high temperature and other grazing constraints on herdsmen. We also explore possible policy solutions to the growing human casualty from violent attacks. • We investigate the factors leading to farmer-herder conflicts and related violence in rural Nigeria. • We conceptualize push, pull and escalating factors which explain the farmer-herder crisis. • Spatial grid level panel data analysis is used to explore the roles of hypothesized factors. • We empirically confirm the role of Boko haram attacks and various climate related factors. • We highlight the complexity of this conflict type and the need for evidence-based solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental disorders are frequently overlooked in the developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Early identification of developmental delays (DDs) is critical to optimal outcomes. This study set out to determine the proportion of children who are at risk of DDs among infants attending immunization clinics at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Infants 6 weeks to 12 months of age (median age 6 months) who presented for routine immunization were screened for DDs using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. A total of 587 infants [312 (53.2%) males] were enrolled. A total of 198 (33.7%) children showed signs of DDs. For the domains of communication skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, problem solving/cognition skills and personal/social skills, the prevalences of DDs were 7.5%, 15.0%, 10.7%, 14.1% and 14.8%, respectively, and 14.3% had global DDs. Factors that significantly predicted DDs included prematurity (odds ratio [OR] 2.64 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.45 to 2.05]) and a history of perinatal asphyxia (OR 1.74 [95% CI 1.77 to 2.49]). There is a need to incorporate routine developmental screening into the Nigerian healthcare system for timely recognition of DDs and prompt interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodic assessments between 1972 and 1999 found consistent increases in the intensity and types of effort exerted by national family planning programs in developing countries. An updated evaluation was needed to examine whether these trends have been affected by recent changes in the family planning environment, such as decentralization, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and funding reductions. METHODS: In 2004, informants in 82 developing countries completed a questionnaire that assessed 30 dimensions of program effort and included several new scales to explore current issues. Selected results were compared with findings from prior rounds of the study. RESULTS: Family planning effort increased between 1999 and 2004, both globally and within regions. When the data were weighted by country population size, effort declined slightly overall but increased in four of six regions. Countries with low initial scores improved more than those with high initial scores. Contraceptive access varied by region and was lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The strongest justifications for programs were improving maternal and child health and preventing unwanted births. Changes in funding were often judged to have had negative effects on programs. Unmarried youth and women receiving postabortion care received the least emphasis among special populations of interest. CONCLUSIONS: Although average program effort scores have risen again, increases in effort, funding and access to contraceptive methods are still needed in many countries, especially in rural areas and among the poor. More emphasis should be placed on providing postpartum and postabortion family planning services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]