Resistance of the predacious mite, euseius kenyae (acari: phytoseiidae) to chlorpyrifos (dursban ®) in kenyan coffee farms

This study was carried out to assess whether the predacious phytoseiid mite, Euseius kenyae (Swirski and Ragusa), commonly found in major  coffee growing regions in Kenya has developed resistance to Chlorpyrifos. Mite populations were collected from coffee farms harbouring E. kenyae and where Chlorpyrifos or other organophosphates were sprayed to manage the primary coffee insect pests. The mites collected were reared in mass in the laboratory for bioassays. The findings showed that under coffee agro-ecosystems, levels of resistance existed among the populations of E. kenyae after their exposure to Chlorpyrifos or other organophosphates. The population of E. kenyae from a coffee farm (C44) was most susceptible to Chlorpyrifos with LC50 = 0.044 that was below the lowest concentration of 0.1875 ml per litre of water which was tested. The E. kenyae from coffee farms (C1, C4, C7, C37, C25 and C119) had  resistance ratios more than ten times that of C44. The coffee farms (C2, C12, C19, C116, C31, C50 and C72) had populations of E. kenyae  susceptible to Chlorpyrifos at concentration of 0.75 ml per litre of water which is the field recommended rate for control of insect pests in coffee. The population of E. kenyae from C7 was resistant to the highest field rate of 200% (1.5 ml per litre of water) with LC50 of 1.716 and resistance ratio of 39 times. The existence of resistance populations of E. kenyae is an aspect that needs to be considered in the integrated pest control strategies against coffee insect pests

FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF FISH HANDLERS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY MARKETS, KENYA

Fish and fish products have high nutritional value and are important in supplementing human diet. Fish products have little or no cholesterol and saturated fat, but instead have omega 3 and low-fat content essential for human health. Despite the high nutritional value of fish products, their consumption is hindered significantly by setbacks such as spoilage and foodborne diseases that spread through contamination in the fish supply chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate fish vendors' attitudes, knowledge, and practices on food safety in selected markets in Kirinyaga County that included Sagana, Tebere, Mwea, Ndia, Kianyaga, and Kerugoya markets. A structured questionnaire was administered to 54 fish vendors to collect information on fish safety, spoilage, risk factors, personal hygiene, food contamination, type of hazards, foodborne diseases and attitudes towards training on food safety. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to analyse the data from the respondents. The relationship between fish vendors’ demographic characteristics and risk factors was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The majority of the fish vendors had a positive attitude towards education in hygiene practices (56%). There was a positive correlation between education and fish vendors' awareness of fish foodborne diseases at p<0.05. The study revealed that fish foodborne diseases awareness was positively influenced by respondents' level of experience and age. Moreover, there was also a significant (p˂ 0.05) positive correlation on the awareness of fish foodborne diseases with hygiene and food safety. Majority of the fish handlers had average level of knowledge, attitude and hygiene practices for food safety. These findings presented a foundation for formulating policies to increase food safety and hygiene practices of fish handlers in the region, thereby preventing foodborne diseases and postharvest losess. The results of this study can also form a basis for an indepth research for students and researchers in verious disciplines scuh as public health, marketing, community development and more

FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF FISH HANDLERS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY MARKETS, KENYA

Fish and fish products have high nutritional value and are important in supplementing human diet. Fish products have little or no cholesterol and saturated fat, but instead have omega 3 and low-fat content essential for human health. Despite the high nutritional value of fish products, their consumption is hindered significantly by setbacks such as spoilage and foodborne diseases that spread through contamination in the fish supply chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate fish vendors' attitudes, knowledge, and practices on food safety in selected markets in Kirinyaga County that included Sagana, Tebere, Mwea, Ndia, Kianyaga, and Kerugoya markets. A structured questionnaire was administered to 54 fish vendors to collect information on fish safety, spoilage, risk factors, personal hygiene, food contamination, type of hazards, foodborne diseases and attitudes towards training on food safety. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to analyse the data from the respondents. The relationship between fish vendors’ demographic characteristics and risk factors was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The majority of the fish vendors had a positive attitude towards education in hygiene practices (56%). There was a positive correlation between education and fish vendors' awareness of fish foodborne diseases at p<0.05. The study revealed that fish foodborne diseases awareness was positively influenced by respondents' level of experience and age. Moreover, there was also a significant (p˂ 0.05) positive correlation on the awareness of fish foodborne diseases with hygiene and food safety. Majority of the fish handlers had average level of knowledge, attitude and hygiene practices for food safety. These findings presented a foundation for formulating policies to increase food safety and hygiene practices of fish handlers in the region, thereby preventing foodborne diseases and postharvest losess. The results of this study can also form a basis for an indepth research for students and researchers in verious disciplines scuh as public health, marketing, community development and more