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Purpose-Focusing on entrepreneurs' experiences inhibiting them from launching a business-at the micro level-the objective of this empirical study is to identify issues that limit rural entrepreneurship in Pakistan. To identify the cultural, social, economic and religious traditions and settings that discourage entrepreneurship thus hindering economic development. Design/methodology/approach-An ethnographic approach is used to obtain a picture of current problems and perspectives of rural inhabitants. Members of 84 families were interviewed. Findings-Religious, socioeconomic and structural forces play a significant role in suppressing social capital, limiting cultural capital and stifling entrepreneurial spirit in rural areas of Pakistan, explaining the low level of entrepreneurship in these areas. Social and cultural capital require a specific socioeconomic context for entrepreneurship to thrive. Originality/value-This study examines the determinants of very low levels of entrepreneurship in rural settings in the agro-based regions of interior Sindh, Pakistan; this contributes to the gap of understanding the context of rural entrepreneurs in agro

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Trichiasis is a public health problem in most LGAs in Kano. Surgeons need to be trained and deployed to provide community-based trichiasis surgery, with emphasis on delivery of such services to women. Antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement are needed in 10 LGAs.

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of presbyopia, and near vision spectacle coverage in a rural population of Northwestern Nigeria.Study designCross sectional prevalence study.Subjects and methodsSix hundred and fifty people of at least 40 years of age, in 13 clusters (50 per cluster) were examined using a multi-stage random sampling with probability proportional to size. The survey was conducted from April 7 to 28, 2012 at Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nigeria. Presbyopia was defined as the inability to read N8 at 40 cm. Presbyopic Spectacle Correction Coverage (PSCC) was calculated, and information on barriers to using near vision spectacles identified.ResultsThe crude prevalence of presbyopia was 30.4%, 95% CI: (26.8%–34.1%). The prevalence was significantly higher in females (P=0.0005) and individuals with at least secondary education (P=0.022). The age specific prevalence of presbyopia was three times (63.5%) more among those aged 70 years and above, as compared to those within 40–49 years age group (19.3%). The met need was 0.2%, the unmet need 30.2%, and a PSCC of 0.7%. The major barriers reported as reasons for not obtaining near vision spectacles were unawareness and lack of felt need.ConclusionThe prevalence of presbyopia in Bungudu is relatively low compared to other reports with major risk factors being increasing age, female sex and attainment of higher education. The presbyopic spectacles correction coverage is very low with high unmet need thus there is a need to create awareness, and provide affordable and accessible optical services in the affected population.