HIV-1 drug mutations in children from northern Tanzania

Objectives: In resource-limited settings, it is a challenge to get quality clinical specimens due to poor infrastructure for their collection, transportation, processing and storage. Using dried blood spots (DBS) might be an alternative to plasma for HIV-1 drug resistance testing in this setting. The objectives of this study were to determine mutations associated with antiretroviral resistance among children 400 copies/mL. Results: Genotypic resistance mutations were detected in 13 of 46 children (28%). HIV-1 genotypes were A1 (n = 27), C (n = 10), A/D (n = 4), D (n = 3) and CRF10_CD (n = 2). The median age was 12 weeks (IQR 6–28). The mean log10 viral load was 3.87 copies/mL (SD 0.995). All major mutations were detected in the reverse transcriptase gene and none in the protease gene region. The most frequent mutations were Y181C (n = 8) and K103N (n = 4), conferring resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Conclusions: One-third of infants newly diagnosed with HIV in northern Tanzania harboured major drug resistance mutations to currently used antiretroviral regimens. These mutations were detected from DBS collected from the field and stored at room temperature. Surveillance of drug resistance among this population in resource-limited settings is warranted

Knowledge and perceptions of brucellosis in the pastoral communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections globally. Lack of knowledge about brucellosis may affect the health-seeking behavior of patients, thus leading to sustained transmission in these communities. Our study assessed knowledge and perceptions of brucellosis among pastoral communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP), Kiruhura District, Uganda. METHODS: A community cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving 371 randomly selected household heads from three sub-counties neighboring LMNP were interviewed between June and August 2012. Data collected included communities’ knowledge on causes, symptoms, transmission, treatment, prevention and risk factors of brucellosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore strength of association between overall knowledge of brucellosis and various individual factors using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Only 70 (19%) knew the symptoms of brucellosis in animals, and three quarters (279, 75.5%) mentioned joint and muscle pain as a common symptom in humans. Almost all participants (370, 99.3%) had ever heard about brucellosis, majority (311, 84.7%) believed it affects all sexes and two thirds (67.7%) of the respondents believed close proximity to wildlife contributes to the presence of the disease. Almost all (352, 95.4%) knew that brucellosis in humans could be treatable using modern drugs. The main routes of infection in humans such as consumption of unpasteurized dairy products were known by 97% (360/371); eating of half-cooked meat by 91.4% and eating contaminated pasture in animals by 97.4%. There was moderate overall knowledge of brucellosis 197 (53.1%). Factors associated with higher overall knowledge were being agro-pastoralists (aOR: 2.08, CI: 1.17-3.71) compared to pure pastoralists while those who reported that the disease was a health problem (aOR: 0.18, CI: 0.06-0.56) compared to those who said it was not were less likely to be knowledgeable. CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate overall knowledge of human and animal brucellosis among the participants. Majority of the participants believed that close proximity to wildlife contributes to the presence of the disease in the area. There is a need for collaboration between the public health, veterinary and wildlife sectors to provide health education on brucellosis for better management of the disease in the communities

The Adoption of e-Procurement and its impact on the Procurement Performance of Selected Telecommunication Companies in Rwanda

Adoption of newer technology & implementing the systems has become the need of time in the midst of competitive environment. Effectiveness, efficiency, innovation are related to the speed of customer service, which is demanded in service industry, like telecommunication industry. Supply Chain Management (SCM) contributes in the performance of both buyers as well as suppliers. Adoption of e-Procurement contributes in improved customer services, customer satisfaction by improving employee contribution through procurement performance. This study highlights the factors affecting the adoption of e-Procurement, & how this e-Procurement affected the procurement performance of New Artel, Rwanda. The study includes employees of New Artel, Rwanda, data collected using structured questionnaire was analysed statistically using SPSS 17, shows positive benefits of adoption of e-Procurement on procurement performance of New Artel, Rwanda. Keywords: e-Procurement, TAM, Performance, Telecommunication, Supply Chain Managemen

HIV-1 drug mutations in children from northern Tanzania

Objectives: In resource-limited settings, it is a challenge to get quality clinical specimens due to poor infrastructure for their collection, transportation, processing and storage. Using dried blood spots (DBS) might be an alternative to plasma for HIV-1 drug resistance testing in this setting. The objectives of this study were to determine mutations associated with antiretroviral resistance among children 400 copies/mL. Results: Genotypic resistance mutations were detected in 13 of 46 children (28%). HIV-1 genotypes were A1 (n = 27), C (n = 10), A/D (n = 4), D (n = 3) and CRF10_CD (n = 2). The median age was 12 weeks (IQR 6–28). The mean log10 viral load was 3.87 copies/mL (SD 0.995). All major mutations were detected in the reverse transcriptase gene and none in the protease gene region. The most frequent mutations were Y181C (n = 8) and K103N (n = 4), conferring resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Conclusions: One-third of infants newly diagnosed with HIV in northern Tanzania harboured major drug resistance mutations to currently used antiretroviral regimens. These mutations were detected from DBS collected from the field and stored at room temperature. Surveillance of drug resistance among this population in resource-limited settings is warranted

Home-School Partnerships: values and expectations of rural teachers and parents

Background: Through effective partnerships, schools and homes can leverage each other’s strengths to support students, particularly those at risk of educational disengagement. However, effective collaboration relies on factors such as how teachers and parents perceive the values that underlie these partnerships, and expectations of each other within these core values. This study makes an original contribution by investigating these dynamics within socio-economically disadvantaged rural settings in Nigeria. Purpose: The study aimed to capture the previously unheard voices of teachers and parents in five disadvantaged rural secondary schools in Delta State, Nigeria, by exploring how their interpretations of home-school partnership reflected the core values inherent in partnership working and the expectations of all parties. Methods: The study drew on qualitative interview data from a larger project aimed at exploring home-school partnerships as a potential mechanism for supporting disadvantaged rural secondary schools serving a predominantly at-risk student population. It involved semi-structured interviews with 34 teachers and 22 parents of at-risk students. The primary research question guiding the study reported in this paper was: What are teachers’ and parents’ conceptions of values and expectations regarding partnerships in socioeconomically disadvantaged rural settings in Nigeria? Findings were analysed thematically. Findings: Three themes were identified as essential values in partnerships between parents and teachers, which were prioritised by both: shared responsibility in education; communication and information sharing; and joint effort in addressing conduct problems. However, there were gaps between expectations and practices, particularly around decision-making, where teachers did not always acknowledge parents’ potential contributions. Conclusion: This study offers a valuable framework for fostering effective partnerships based on shared responsibility, effective communication, and joint collaboration, essential for supporting rural students’ success in challenging educational contexts. By working towards expectations that genuinely reflect these core themes, parents and teachers can work together as true partners to enhance student outcomes.</p

Children’s Experience With Water Scarcity In Rural Rakai, Uganda

This article presents findings on children’s experience in accessing and utilizing water in two sub-counties of Kagamba and Lwanda; one extremely water-scarce and the other relatively water plenty in Rakai district, Uganda. We answer the following question: How do children in a water-scarce context experience water and what does it mean for their wellbeing? A survey was conducted among school-going children aged 11-17 years (N=405), combined with focus group discussions with children and women. Access to adequate safe water was the fifth most frequently mentioned component of wellbeing. A majority of the children affirmed that water scarcity was the biggest threat to their wellbeing. Water scarcity posed both direct and indirect threats; the direct threat resulting from long distances and risks at the water point. Indirectly, the poor quality of water increased susceptibility to water-related illness. A majority of the children experienced a water problem in their home and were unhappy living in such a situation. Unhappiness also resulted from reduction of playing time, punishment and body aches. Fetching water made up the bulk of the chores performed by children, making it a drudgery due to using heavy water vessels, long distances covered and the number of trips to the water point per day. Childhood, in the context of domestic water scarcity encompasses vulnerability. It hence requires protection through the improvement of domestic water access, both in terms of quantity and quality

Effects of methanol leaf extracts of Loranthus micranthus Linn from three host plants on some biochemical indices of diabetic rats

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of Loranthus micranthus leaf extracts from three host plants on the blood glucose, lipid profile and other biochemical indices of diabetic rats. Methods: The extracts of L. micranthus from Persea americana, Irvingia gabonensis and Cola acuminata were administered (orally at 200 mg/kg for 14 days) to alloxan-induced diabetic rats with glibenclamide serving as the standard drug. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, hematological indices and liver enzyme functions of the rats were determined. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was carried out by standard methods. Results: The extracts reduced (p &lt; 0.05) the FBG, low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and increased (p &lt; 0.05) high density lipoprotein (HDL) and hematological parameters of the rats. However, there was no increase (p &gt; 0.05) in liver enzymes. Phytochemical screening showed abundance of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and terpenoids. Conclusion: The study revealed that L. micranthus extracts from the three host plants possess antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and anti-anemic activities. Keywords: Anemia, Dyslipidemia, Enzymes, Hyperglycemia, Loranthus micranthus, Mistleto