Gender Roles in Small Holder Dairy Farming: Pertinent Issues on Access and Control over Dairy Farming in Arumeru District, Tanzania

A study on gender roles in dairy farming and management was conducted in Arumeru district, Tanzania. The study involved women in dairy farming groups and those not in groups. The objective of this study was to assess gender role in dairy farming and management, access and control over income obtained as well as, animal ownership, decision making  and opportunities in dairy farming system in Arumeru. Cross sectional research design was adopted using structured questionnaires to collect information from households from six villages namely Bangata, Sasi, Inshupu, Enaboishu, Sokoni II and Nkoaranga. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square were used to test the statistical significance of categorical and continuous data respectively. The results showed that women contribute more labour force in dairy management than men, those women who were not in groups did not have a full access and control over dairy farming enterprise. Furthermore, it was observed that those women in groups were in a good position to overcome traditional practice. Women who belonged to groups controlled and had access to resources such as livestock (dairy cattle) and income generated from them. However, since most of the farmer groups were still infants, it has been recommended that the women groups should get financial assistance from the government agencies. Similarly, in conjunction with encouraging more women to join groups, gender relations in dairy management should be reassessed to minimize the work load burden to women which affects the level of production and sustainability of the dairy enterprise. Keywords: Access and control, dairy management, gender, women groups.

Major Disease Vectors in Tanzania: Distribution, Control and Challenges

Disease vectors remain a major public health challenge in spite of efforts done to control across Tanzania. Different disease vectors have been controlled and efforts are on to eradicate them but challenges are still emerging and managed. In spite of all these success, different disease vectors have been observed to have developed resistance to all classes of insecticides used in public health practices in Tanzania.Resistance reports to main different vectors have been coming throughout Tanzania. The resistance of vectors to insecticides has been of different mechanisms depending on species, insecticides and mechanisms of action of the pesticides. Social economic factors and housing style still a major factor for the distribution and foci of vector abundance. The impact of public health intervention has been observed but still disease vector existence is noticed. Careful monitoring of the public health priorities for disease vectors control should be rethought to keep the elimination track live. Different tools such as insecticides use, understanding control measures, vector distribution and human lifestyle can lead to reduced burden caused by disease vectors. This chapter has described mosquitoes, tsetse flies, soft ticks, blackflies, and houseflies in terms of distribution, abundance, control and challenges of eradication in Tanzania

Understanding the introduction and use of a mobile device-supported health information system in Nigeria

Copyright @ 2014 The Authors.This paper presents an in-depth analysis of efforts to introduce a mobile health information system in Nigeria as part of a development initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health. Specifically, it examines the use of mobile devices to facilitate maternal health information accessibility and exchange among health practitioners in order to reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality. Further, it also looks at the challenges raised while introducing mobile devices into work practices in the healthcare sector. The study adopts a case study approach, relying on semi-structured interviews and document analysis as its main methods for collecting data. The specific case examined is a mobile phone-based information system introduced to support a national government effort in Nigeria, known as the midwives service scheme. The findings of this study show that this integrated approach of using mobile phones to support (health) information systems has vast potential; for instance increasing the timeliness of (health) data available to stakeholders for monitoring and planning purposes. However, we also find that over time, attaining the potential of development efforts such as this remains difficult as initiatives involving the use of mobile devices is not just about getting the technical aspect right. It is equally dependent on deep seated social-cultural influences such as poor political and financial commitment. These two mutually reinforcing influences have been identified in this study as significant impediments to efforts of this kind. Therefore, this paper argues for, first a strong political commitment across all levels of government whereby their words are backed with action. Second it is important that the government maintains financial integrity by releasing the funds budgeted to support the smooth running of these efforts, for such initiatives to thrive and ultimately contribute to development

Quantifying nitrogen fixation of agroforestry shrub species by the 15N natural abundance and dilution techniques under the greenhouse condition

Non-Peer ReviewedThe land use systems of the province of Saskatchewan has agroforestry trees such as sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), caragana (Caragana arborescens Lam.) and buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea Nutt.) as important components. They have been employed within the systems to perform functions such as ameliorating soil moisture, light and temperature through wind speed reduction and trapping snow. However, their N2-fixation capability has not been determined. Therefore in a greenhouse experiment conducted at the Agriculture greenhouse at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada from January 2012 ̶ April 2012, the N2-fixation rates in the test species were evaluated to know their contributions to on-farm nitrogen management. After 120 days after planting, the shoot N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) in the species ranged from 20-59%, 21-70% and 3-15% for caragana, sea buckthorn and buffaloberry, respectively. Also the whole plant %Ndfa in the species ranged from 18-47%, 49-54% and 38-41% for caragana, sea buckthorn and buffaloberry, respectively by both estimation methods. The contributions of the species to soil N were 73-91, 25-261 and 15-110 kg N ha-1 for caragana, sea buckthorn and buffaloberry, respectively by both methods. The amount was sufficient to meet the N requirements of most of the forage and grass species in the province which would progressively reduce the overreliance on synthetic fertilizers and minimize the risk of agrarian-derived soil and water pollution from inorganic nutrient sources

Distribution of Traditional Irrigation Canals and Their Discharge Dynamics at the Southern Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro

On the southern slopes of Mt.Kilimanjaro like in many other regions in East Africa, agriculture strongly depends on irrigation. Water is supplied to farms by an extensive network of open unlined canals, most of them built centuries ago. However, information about the distribution of these irrigation canals and the dynamics of their discharge is rare thus hampering the implementation of sustainable solutions for agricultural water management. We suppose that several factors like topography, soil properties, shifts of cropping patterns, and weak institutions affect availability and management of agricultural water. Therefore, in this study we determined (i) the distribution of irrigation canals, (ii) their discharge patterns, and (iii) constraints to their sustainable management. Mixed–method approach consisting of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies was used. The discharge of canals was measured at 11 locations along an altitudinal gradient and selected canals were mapped to understanding their distribution, physical characteristics, and potential risks that limits their optimal discharge. Terrain attributes were derived from the Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and soil physical and hydraulic conductivity were measured to understand permeability and stability of the soil. Additionally, we conducted focus group discussions with participants from 15 villages and 10 key informants interviews. We found that during the dry season the discharge of canals was higher than in the short rainy season. The discharge of canals increased with decreasing elevation. The median daily discharges equaled 12.6, 9.5, and 7.0 l/s in the lower, mid and upper areas, respectively. Landscape in the central part of the study area was the steepest (slope > 60%) and the roughest (Topographic Ruggedness Index > 80 m).We attribute this to terrain heterogeneity across the landscape, thus community decisions about distribution and maintenance of canals could differ across different villages. Furthermore, current shifts of cropping patterns increased irrigation water demands. Both formal and informal water institutions were constrained with several challenges that affected overall management of canals and their sources. Findings of this study could contribute to various efforts dedicated to improve management of water resources around Mt. Kilimanjaro

The determination of safety of Muhanse M4®, a traditional herbal preparation used to treat HIV/AIDS-related conditions and diseases in Tanzania

Muhanse M4® is a traditional herbal preparation that has been in use in Tanzania for the past 17 years to improve the quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS. This study was carried out to determine the safety of the extract Muhanse M4® in animal models. The qualitative test to identify alkaloids and saponins compounds was carried out. The toxicity tests in Swiss albino mice and rats were done according to WHO guidelines of 1993. Muhanse M4® was dissolved homogeneously in distilled water and was administered both intraperitonially and orally for 14 days for sub-acute test and 24 hours for acute test. Qualitatively, the extract was found to contain no alkaloids or saponins. In rats intraperitoneal doses that caused 100% lethality were 758.55 mg/kg and 553.7415mg/kg when administered singly and repeated, respectively. Single oral dose up to 3034.200mg/kg did not cause any death in the tested mice or rats. NOEL during intraperitoneal repeated doses for liver in rats was 424.788mg/kg, and NOAEL was 455.130mg/kg. In rats LD10%, LD50% and LD100% were 485.472mg/kg, 526.4337mg/kg and 553.7415mg/kg, respectively. In conclusion, Muhanse M4® extract is considered to be safe in laboratory animals. Keywords: Muhanse M4®, toxicity, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, HIV/AIDS Tanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol. 7(3) 2005: 168-17

Prevalence and Correlates of Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Among Regular Street Food Consumers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: Regular street food consumers (RSFCs) in Africa are at an increased risk of unhealthy eating practices, which have been associated with intermediate risk factors of cardio-metabolic diseases. However, knowledge of the magnitude and correlates of these risk factors is limited in Tanzania. This study aimed to fill this gap using data collected from RSFCs in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 560 RSFCs in three districts of Dar es Salaam between July and September 2018. Information on socio-economic factors and demographics, behavioral risks, anthropometric and biochemical indicators was collected. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and prevalence ratio (PR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable binary logistic and modified Poisson regression models, respectively. Results: On average, participants consumed 11 street food meals/week. The prevalence (95% CI) of cardio-metabolic risk factors was 63.9% (60.6– 69.9%) for overweight/obesity, 42.5% (38.3– 46.9%) for raised blood pressure, 13.5% (10.9– 16.8%) for raised triglycerides and 6.6% (4.9– 9.3%) for raised glucose levels. The correlates of overweight/obesity were female vs male sex (APR=1.3; 95% CI 1.2– 1.5), age of 41– 64 vs 25– 40 years (APR=1.4; 95% CI 1.2– 1.6), high vs low income (APR=1.2; 95% CI 1.04– 1.3), being married/cohabiting vs other (APR=1.2; 95% CI 1.01– 1.4) and family history of diabetes vs no family history (APR=1.2; 95% CI 1.01– 1.3). Age 41– 64 vs 25– 40 years, was the only significant factor associated with raised blood pressure APR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.7– 2.9) and raised glucose AOR (95% CI) 3.9 (1.5– 10.5). Conclusion: Our study revealed that RSFCs are at risk of cardio-metabolic health problems, especially women, middle-aged people and those with higher incomes. Transdisciplinary studies to understand the drivers of street food consumption are needed in order to inform interventions to mitigate the risk of developing cardio-metabolic diseases. These interventions should target both street food vendors and their consumers. Keywords: street food consumers, cardio-metabolic risks, cardio-metabolic correlates, Tanzani

Outpacing the pneumococcus: Antibody dynamics in the first few days following pneumococcal capsular antigen stimulation.

Children in developing countries are frequently exposed to the pneumococcus, but few develop invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We test the hypothesis that natural variation exists in the rapidity of IgG responses following exposure to pneumococcal polysaccharides, and that these differences are sufficiently great to affect susceptibility to and outcome of IPD. We recruited children aged 24-36 months, who had recovered from IPD, and age-matched healthy controls and vaccinated them with 1 dose of the 23-valent PPV to mimic natural exposure. We collected serum samples after vaccination and analysed the dynamics of anti-polysaccharide antibody responses to several capsular antigens. Mean IgG response times to different serotypes were 6.4-7.3 days, with standard deviations of 0.9-1.85 days, suggesting a natural range in response times of up to 7 days. Serotype 1 elicited the largest fold-rise, serotype 23F the smallest. The proportion of responses achieved by day 7 was similar in children with a history of IPD and healthy children. There was considerable natural variation in the rapidity of anti-capsular IgG responses extending over 4-7 days. There was no evidence to suggest that children who have experienced IPD respond more slowly to heterologous pneumococcal capsular antigens than do healthy children