Wastewater Treatment for Pollution Control

Performance of a Dynamic Roughing Filter (DRF) coupled with a Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (HSSFCW) in the treatment of a wastewater was studied in tropical conditions. The results show that in HSSFCW planted with Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites mauritianus in series, the removal rates of TDS, TSS, COD and BOD5 were 72.07%, 80.01%, 81.22% and 78.37%, respectively, while in the second HSSFCW planted with Cyperus papyrus only, the removal rates were 71.00%, 79.00%, 73.76 and 75.78%, respectively. HSSFCW planted with mixed macrophytes, performed better than a HSSFCW planted with single macrophyte. This was attributed to synergetic effects of Cyperus horizontal roots and Phragmites vertical plant roots weaved and entangled in cell 1 providing a good filter mat and a better bacterial attachment. Thus the use of two macrophytes planted in series was recognized to be responsible for better performance of HSSFCW cell 1 in pollutants removal from wastewater

“We have been working overnight without sleeping”: traditional birth attendants’ practices and perceptions of post-partum care services in rural Tanzania

Background: In many low-income countries, formal post-partum care utilization is much lower than that of skilled delivery and antenatal care. While Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) might play a role in post-partum care, research exploring their attitudes and practices during this period is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore TBAs’ practices and perceptions in post-partum care in rural Tanzania. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interview data were collected from eight untrained and three trained TBAs. Additionally, five multiparous women who were clients of untrained TBAs were also interviewed. Interviews were conducted in February 2013. Data were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Our study found that TBAs take care of women during post-partum with rituals appreciated by women. They report lacking formal post-partum care training, which makes them ill-equipped to detect and handle post-partum complications. Despite their lack of preparation, they try to provide care for some post-partum complications which could put the health of the woman at risk. TBAs perceive that utilization of hospital-based post-partum services among women was only important for the baby and for managing complications which they cannot handle. They are poorly linked with the health system. Conclusions: This study found that the TBAs conducted close follow-ups and some of their practices were appreciated by women. However, the fact that they were trying to manage certain post-partum complications can put women at risk. These findings point out the need to enhance the communication between TBAs and the formal health system and to increase the quality of the TBA services, especially in terms of prompt referral, through provision of training, mentoring, monitoring and supervision of the TBA servic

Correlates of Out-of-Pocket and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Tanzania: Results from a National Household Survey.

Inequality in health services access and utilization are influenced by out-of-pocket health expenditures in many low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Various antecedents such as social factors, poor health and economic factors are proposed to direct the choice of health care service use and incurring out-of-pocket payments. We investigated the association of these factors with out-of-pocket health expenditures among the adult and older population in the United Republic of Tanzania. We also investigated the prevalence and associated determinants contributing to household catastrophic health expenditures. We accessed the data of a multistage stratified random sample of 7279 adult participants, aged between 18 and 59 years, as well as 1018 participants aged above 60 years, from the first round of the Tanzania National Panel survey. We employed multiple generalized linear and logistic regression models to evaluate the correlates of out-of-pocket as well as catastrophic health expenditures, accounting for the complex sample design effects. Increasing age, female gender, obesity and functional disability increased the adults' out-of-pocket health expenditures significantly, while functional disability and visits to traditional healers increased the out-of-pocket health expenditures in older participants. Adult participants, who lacked formal education or worked as manual laborers earned significantly less (p < 0.001) and spent less on health (p < 0.001), despite having higher levels of disability. Large household size, household head's occupation as a manual laborer, household member with chronic illness, domestic violence against women and traditional healer's visits were significantly associated with high catastrophic health expenditures. We observed that the prevalence of inequalities in socioeconomic factors played a significant role in determining the nature of both out-of-pocket and catastrophic health expenditures. We propose that investment in social welfare programs and strengthening the social security mechanisms could reduce the financial burden in United Republic of Tanzania

Characterization of agriculture-related land degradation in eastern and western parts of Botswana

A study was carried out during 1998-2001 with the objective of, firstly, assessing the impact of cultivation on soil quality, and secondly, evaluating the effects of human and animal activities on soil erosion and range resources. A Topical Rapid Rural Appraisal (TRRA) based on rapid appraisal approaches, was conducted in three benchmark villages in Bobirwa Sub-district. A diagonistic survey report provided similar information for Kgalagadi District. Three benchmark sites were located in Bobirwa Sub-district and two others in Kgalagadi District. Soils were characterized at benchmark sites and in the laboratory for physiochemical properties. Soil erosion was monitored using embedded nail technique. At all benchmark sites, trends show a deterioration of soil quality, both in terms of nutrient depletion and poor physical properties for cultivated soils in comparison to uncultivated soils. There is visible evidence of environmental degradation of land resources resulting partly from considerable soil trampling and loosening during the dry season by livestock. During the wet season, the loosened soil is washed down elsewhere and/or deposited at watering points. The confounding effects of drought, overgrazing, poor management and ever-increasing utilization of veld products have led to the decline of a considerable number of tree and grass species.Keywords: agriculture, soil quality, range resources, environmental degradation Botswana Journal of Technology Vol 14(1) 2005: 1-1

GRACE Application to the Receding Lake Victoria Water Level and Australian Drought

Lake Victoria in Africa, the world’s second largest freshwater lake, has been experiencing receding water levels since 2001. As it recedes, more than 30 million people who depend on it for livelihood are facing a disaster. Similarly, Australia is facing its worst drought on record with the livelihoods of a few million people at stake. Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) data for 45 months (i.e., April 2002–April 2006) are employed to analyze these emerging challenges by measuring variations in the stored water. The results indicate a general decline in the lake Victoria basins water level at a rate of 1.83 km3/month