Role of Socio-Cultural Factors on Women’s Right to Land Ownership A Case of Ifakara Morogoro, Tanzania

ABSTRACTContext and backgroundAccess to and ownership of land are important for reducing discrimination. Women’s right to land ownership is a growing challenge to different communities, especially in developing countries, whose most of their societies are patrilineal including Tanzania. Goal and Objectives:Assess the gender-based opinions on the effect of the socio-cultural factors on women’s right to land ownership and the extent to which communities perceive women's right to land to contribute to community development.Methodology:The study used cross-sectional data and applied quantitative and contet analysis. Sample selected using random sampling to select 120 households that participated in the Land Tenure Support Programme in the Ifakara town Council located in the Morogoro region in Tanzania. Data collected using structured quaetionnnare and chickelists for Focus group discussion and Key informants interviews. Content and descriptive analyses were applied to examine the socio-cultural factors that affect women’s right to land ownership. Results:The study found that six socio-cultural claims namely property ownership, polygamy, the reproductive role of women, men’s supremacy, migration of men and property inheritance impeded women’s right to land ownership. The findings showed statistical significance for claims that contribute to impeding women’s officially land ownership. The study recommended that the government should reinforce the right of women to land ownership within marriage through bylaws; promote a gender-responsive land tenure system through locally made bylaws; and support all training programs about women empowerment.

Microbial Quality of Traditional Banana Alcoholic Beverages in Arusha, Tanzania

The objective of this study was to asses the microbial quality and hygienic practices of banana alcoholic beverages produced at Arusha region. The qualitative data were obtained by survey and laboratory analysis. The results from survey which involve interviewing the production attendant selected at random from 12 small scale processing industries showed that out of 12 respondents 66.7% were male and the majority of respondents 75% had primary education level (grade school) and large number of respondents 91.7% were not have any knowledge about food handling. Wine filling is done manually by 75% of all processors. Although all production attendants wash hands before wine fillings but 83.3% use normal soap instead of disinfectant. Total count and coliforms was found ranging from 113-253 × 103cfu/ml, 92-254× 103cfu/ml and 0.075-3.8 × 103cfu/ml, 0.0015-0.77× 103cfu/ml for prebottled and bottled banana alcoholic beverages respectively. Confirmatory test was done for the presence or absence of E-coli and some samples confirmed to have E-coli. No Samonella was detected in any sample. The unhygienic processing and bottling of banana alcoholic beverages lead to serious bacterial contamination. Consuming such contaminated product may cause a public health problem. Keywords: traditional banana alcoholic beverages, microbial quality, hygienic practice

Provision of Library Services for Users in Wheelchairs at Ardhi University and University of Dar es Salaam Libraries

This paper investigated the provision of library services for people in wheelchairs in two university libraries in Tanzania. The paper studied access to the information materials collected in the libraries and the building structure of the two university libraries. At a wider aspect the paper looked at significance of access to library information as the basic right, specifically in higher learning institutions. The study used pragmatism paradigm which is a mixed method approach. Statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The results revealed that the two academic libraries are not complying with library universal services to users in wheelchairs. The study therefore suggested that the libraries should strive to offer services that are inclusive to all users including those in wheelchairs. It was also recommended that the two libraries should formulate policies that would cover issues on the provision of library services for physically challenged users. In addition, it was suggested that library buildings should be modified to accommodate users with developmental disabilities, particularly, those in wheelchairs to access housed resources

High Levels of Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine Resistance Pfdhfr-Pfdhps Quintuple Mutations: A Cross Sectional Survey of Six Regions in Tanzania.

In 2006, the first-line anti-malarial drug treatment in Tanzania was changed from sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) to artemether-lumefantrine (ALu), an artemisinin-based combination (ACT), since when the use of SP has been restricted for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp). A number of Plasmodium falciparum mutations are known to be associated with resistance to SP, but it is not known if the prevalence of these mutations is increasing or decreasing under the conditions of reduced levels of SP use. This study reports on the current SP resistant quintuple Pfdhfr-Pfdhps mutations in six regions of Tanzania. Finger-prick blood on filter paper and rapid diagnostic test strips from P. falciparum-positive individuals of all age groups attending health facilities in six regions of Tanzania between June 2010 and August 2011 were obtained. Using chelex-100 extracted DNA, genotyping was done for mutations on codons 51, 59 and 108 of Pfdhfr and 437 and 540 of Pfdhps genes using PCR-RFLP technique. A total of 802 malaria-positive samples were screened and genotyped. The prevalence of Pfdhfr 51I, Pfdhps 437G and 540E varied between the regions (p < 0.001) whereas Pfdhfr 59R (FE 10.79, p = 0.225) and 108 N (FE 10.61, p = 0.239) did not vary between the regions. The Pfdhfr triple mutant was above 84% and close to fixation levels in all regions, whereas the Pfdhps double mutation ranged from 43.8 to 97% between the regions. The quintuple mutant (IRNGE) was the most prevalent in all regions and it varied significantly from 37.5 to 90.2% (χ2 = 1.11, p <0.001). There is evidence of persistent high levels of SP resistance markers in Tanzania with evidence of quintuple mutations that are likely to become fixed in the population. This threatens the future of SP not only in IPTp programmes, but as a combination drug for ACT. Continuous monitoring of SP-IPTp efficacy should be encouraged subsequent to searching for alternative drugs for IPTp in East Africa

Molecular monitoring of Plasmodium falciparum super-resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is recommended for prophylactic treatment of malaria in pregnancy while artemisinin combination therapy is the recommended first-line anti-malarial treatment. Selection of SP resistance is ongoing since SP is readily available in health facilities and in private drug shops in sub-Saharan Africa. This study reports on the prevalence and distribution of Pfdhps mutations A540E and A581G in Tanzania. When found together, these mutations confer high-level SP resistance (sometimes referred to as 'super-resistance'), which is associated with loss in protective efficacy of SP-IPTp. METHODS: DNA samples were extracted from malaria-positive blood samples on filter paper, used malaria rapid diagnostic test strips and whole blood collected from eight sites in seven administrative regions of Tanzania. PCR-RFLP and SSOP-ELISA techniques were used to genotype the A540E and A581G Pfdhps. Data were analysed using SPSS version 18 while Chi square and/or Fischer Exact tests were used to compare prevalence between regions. RESULTS: A high inter-regional variation of Pfdhps-540E was observed (χ(2) = 76.8, p < 0.001). High inter-regional variation of 581G was observed (FE = 85.3, p < 0.001). Both Tanga and Kagera were found to have the highest levels of SP resistance. A high prevalence of Pfdhps-581G was observed in Tanga (56.6 %) in northeastern Tanzania and in Kagera (20.4 %) in northwestern Tanzania and the 540-581 EG haplotype was found at 54.5 and 19.4 %, respectively. Pfdhps-581G was not detected in Pwani and Lindi regions located south of Tanga region. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of SP super-resistant Pfdhps A581G is highest in northern Tanzania. Variation in distribution of SP resistance is observed across the country: northeastern Tanga region and northwestern Kagera region have highest prevalence of SP super-resistance markers, while in Pwani and Lindi in the southeast the prevalence of super-resistance was zero. More studies should be conducted to understand the factors underlying the remarkable heterogeneity in SP resistance in the country

Management of electronic information resources (EIRs) to enhance their long-term links preservation and access in the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg (PMB) and Howard College campus libraries.

Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.The purpose of this study was to examine the management of electronic information resources (EIRs) to enhance their long-term links preservation and access in the University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg (PMB) and Howard College campus libraries. The study investigated the strategies and policies used in managing EIRs, how the librarians overcome technological obsolescence, the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructures used in the management of the EIRs and the competency of the librarians in electronic preservation. The significance of this study lay in its addressing of the issue of long-term links preservation of and access to EIRs that has not been addressed by previous studies. There is rapid growth in the creation and dissemination of EIRs which has emphasized the digital environment’s speed and ease of dissemination with little regard for its long-term preservation and access. The study population was 33 and it comprised the subject librarians, metadata librarians and electronic resources librarian of PMB and Howard College campus libraries of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Adopting a quantitative approach the research design was that of a survey and the research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire comprising both open and closed questions. A total of 28 librarians responded to the questionnaire giving a response rate of 84.8%. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results were presented in the form of figures and tables. The study was underpinned by the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model, which is being used widelyin the digital preservation community. The analysis of the findings revealed that there was an intermediate level of ICT knowledge and skill with regard to management of EIRs amongst the respondents and a need for training in EIRs management particularly with regards to metadata, migration, emulation, maintenances and bit preservation techniques.It was also revealed that the libraries were using the server’s hard drive to store the EIRs. The results also showed that there were an arguably high number of respondents ten (35.7%) who indicated that their libraries did not have anEIRs management policy. For those respondents who said that their libraries do have a policy, the vast majority indicated that the policy did provide guidelines for acquiring materials in electronic form and for transforming materials from print to electronic form. Recommendations emerging from the conclusion were made and suggestions for further research put forward

Improving the delivery of PPP housing projects in developing countries

The supply of adequate and affordable houses is still a big challenge in many developing countries. Governments have sought to use different housing strategies, such as public private partnerships (PPPs), to solve these urban housing problems, but with limited success. The aim of this study is, firstly, to examine the challenges affecting the delivery of HPPP projects in developing countries and, secondly, to propose a PPP conceptual model to address the identified challenges. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from various stakeholders involved with housing public private partnership (HPPP) projects. Purposive sampling was used to select the targeted respondents. The quantitative data were analysed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0) whereas the qualitative data were analysed by content analysis. This study identified several challenges hindering the success of HPPP projects with the highest ranked challenge found to be: inadequate PPP skills and knowledge. Results demonstrate that PPP can be adopted as an alternative approach; however; the identified challenges need to be addressed for a successful outcome to be achieved. The key contributions to knowledge include: bridging the literature gap as this study is the first that identifies and ranks the HPPP challenges within the developing country context. Additionally, a conceptual model has been developed by adopting (and modifying as appropriate) success factors from international best practice. It is anticipated that the proposed conceptual model, validated by PPP experts, will provide a valuable road map for the successful delivery of HPPP projects in developing countries

Implications of bio-efficacy and persistence of insecticides when indoor residual spraying and longlasting insecticide nets are combined for malaria prevention.

Bio-efficacy and residual activity of insecticides used for indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) were assessed against laboratory-reared and wild populations of the malaria vector, Anopheles arabiensis in south eastern Tanzania. Implications of the findings are examined in the context of potential synergies and redundancies where IRS and LLINs are combined. METHODS: Bioassays were conducted monthly for six months on three LLIN types (Olyset(R) PermaNet 2.0(R),and Icon Life(R)) and three IRS treatments (2 g/m2 pirimiphos-methyl, 2 g/m2 DDT and 0.03 g/m2 lambda-cyhalothrin, sprayed on mud walls and palm ceilings of experimental huts). Tests used susceptible laboratory-reared An. arabiensis exposed in cones (nets and IRS) or wire balls (nets only). Susceptibility of wild populations was assessed using WHO diagnostic concentrations and PCR for knock-down resistance (kdr) genes. IRS treatments killed [greater than or equal to] 85% of mosquitoes exposed on palm ceilings and [greater than or equal to] 90% of those exposed on mud walls, but up to 50% of this toxicity decayed within 1-3 months, except for DDT. By 6th month, only 7.5%, 42.5% and 30.0% of mosquitoes died when exposed to ceilings sprayed with pirimiphos-methyl, DDT or lambda-cyhalothrin respectively, while 12.5%, 36.0% and 27.5% died after exposure to mud walls sprayed with the same insecticides. In wire-ball assays, mortality decreased from 98.1% in 1st month to 92.6% in 6th month in tests on PermaNet 2.0(R), from 100% to 61.1% on Icon Life(R) and from 93.2% to 33.3% on Olyset(R) nets. In cone bioassays, mortality reduced from 92.8% in 1st month to 83.3% in 6th month on PermaNet 2.0(R), from 96.9% to 43.80% on Icon Life(R) and from 85.6% to 14.6% on Olyset(R). Wild An. arabiensis were 100% susceptible to DDT, 95.8% to deltamethrin, 90.2% to lambda cyhalothrin and 95.2% susceptible to permethrin. No kdr gene mutations were detected. CONCLUSIONS: In bioassays where sufficient contact with treated surfaces is assured, LLINs and IRS kill high proportions of susceptible An. arabiensis mosquitoes, though these efficacies decay gradually for LLINs and rapidly for IRS. It is, therefore, important to always add intact nets in sprayed houses, guaranteeing protection even after the IRS decays, and to ensure accurate timing, quality control and regular re-spraying in IRS programmes. By contrast, adding IRS in houses with intact LLINs is unlikely to improve protection relative to LLINs alone, since there is no guarantee that unfed vectors would rest long enough on the sprayed surfaces, and because of the rapid IRS decay. However, there is need to clarify these effects using data from observations of free flying mosquitoes in huts. Physiological susceptibility of An. arabiensis in the area remains 100% against DDT, but is slightly reduced against pyrethroids, necessitating caution over possible spread of resistance. The loss of LLIN toxicity, particularly Olyset(R) nets suggests that protection offered by these nets against An. arabiensis may be primarily due to physical bite prevention rather than insecticidal efficacy