Revamping sorghum seed production and supply systems in Tanzania: policy options forward

Seed being an important input in agricultural production, it represents a valuable asset to farmers and the entire society because it serves as the means to attain food, nutrition and income security for both rural and urban populations (Kiambu and Mugo, 2016). To achieve a sustainable agriculture in the drylands, an effective sorghum seed system that involves quality seed production, processing, marketing, and timely delivery is important

Brewery industry-led seed sector development for sorghum in Tanzania

The use of sorghum improved variety seeds has been low among sorghum farmers in Tanzania. Due to this, stakeholders such as brewing companies have launched various initiatives to expand the use of improved sorghum seeds. In general, this study was undertaken to assess the contribution of brewing industry to the sorghum value chain in Tanzania. Specifically, this study aims to determine the extent of use of sorghum in brewing (by quantifying the amount of sorghum grain sold to brewing companies and grain off-takers), identifying stakeholders in the value chain, and the impact of the brewing industry on use of improved seeds by smallholder farmers. The study was conducted in 11 districts in 6 regions of Tanzania covering sorghum farmers, grain off-takers, brewing companies, extension officers, and seed producers. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to select respondents: 591 individual farmers, 160 farmers from 16 focus groups, 15grain off-takers, 14 extension officers, 4 Quality Declared Seed (QDS) producers, and 2 brewing companies. Data was then analyzed using descriptive analysis statistics, Probit Regression, and cost-benefit analysis

Performance and usefulness of the Hexagon rapid diagnostic test in children with asymptomatic malaria living in the Mount Cameroon region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rapid and correct diagnosis of malaria is considered an important strategy in the control of the disease. However, it remains to be determined how well these tests can perform in those who harbour the parasite, but are asymptomatic, so that rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) could be used in rapid mass surveillance in malaria control programmes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Microscopic and immunochromatographic diagnosis of malaria were performed on blood samples from the hyperendemic Mount Cameroon region. Thin and thick blood films were stained with Giemsa and examined under light microscopy for malaria parasites. The RDT was performed on the blood samples for the detection of <it>Plasmodium </it>species. In addition, the performance characteristics of the test were determined using microscopy as gold standard.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results revealed 40.32% to be positive for microscopy and 34.41% to be positive for the RDT. Parasites were detected in a greater proportion of samples as the parasite density increase. <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>was the predominant <it>Plasmodium </it>species detected in the study population either by microscopy or by the RDT. Overall, the test recorded a sensitivity and specificity of 85.33% and 95.05% respectively, and an accuracy of 91.40%. The sensitivity and specificity of the RDT increased as parasite densities increased.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Hexagon Malaria Combi™ test showed a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing malaria in asymptomatic subjects and so could be suitable for use in mass surveillance programmes for the management and control of malaria.</p

A probit Analysis of Determinants of Adoption of Improved Sorghum Technologies Among Farmers in Tanzania

The adoption of improved sorghum technologies by smallholder farmers is still low in Tanzania. Many farmers fail to acquire quality inputs due to different underlying reasons. This article analyzes factors underlining the adoption of improved technologies among sorghum farmers in Tanzania and evaluates profitability of grain production. A total of 212 individual farmers were interviewed through structured questionnaires from nine districts. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, probit regression model and gross margin analysis. Results show that 39.2%, 26.5%, 16.9%, 8.4% and 7.2% of sorghum farmers adopted seeds of improved varieties, insecticides, inorganic fertilizers, threshing machine and optimum seed rate, respectively. Probit estimates indicated that age, sex, number of years in school, group membership, farm size, availability of free seeds, seed accessibility, grain market accessibility and grain market price were the significant factors influencing adoption of these technologies. Adopters obtained higher profitability (822,288 Tshs/ha) than non-adopters (374,363 Tshs/ha) of improved varieties. Further policy actions are needed to improve determinants of adoption, breeding technologies and accessibility of agricultural inputs to ensure benefits to farmers and the sorghum sub-sector

Harnessing Opportunities for Informed Investments in the Sorghum Commodity Value Chain in Tanzania: A Business Case

This study was conducted among sorghum farmers, focus groups, seed producers and extension officers in 10 districts of Tanzania to map out business opportunities along the sorghum value chain. Results obtained demonstrated that socio-economic factors such as number of years spent in school, group membership, availability of free seeds, market accessibility and seed accessibility influenced the adoption of improved varieties among sorghum farmers. Improved sorghum seeds reflected the profitability from positive gross benefits obtained among sorghum farmers and seed producers. The general adoption rate among sorghum farmers was low (39.0%), with variety NACO Mtama 1 having the highest adoption rate among farmers (17.0%). Among traders, a majority were large off-takers (79.0%). These off-takers experienced issues such as quality (71.4%), quantity (15.9%), lack of market information (7.9%), unreliable markets (36.3%), low grain quality (24.8%) and high tax levies (10.6%). Further, financial constraints and poor linkages among stakeholders were some inefficiencies in the sorghum value chain. The study recommends greater accessibility to improved sorghum seeds as well as reliable policies that enable processes for sorghum stakeholders along the sorghum value chain

Diagnostic comparison of malaria infection in peripheral blood, placental blood and placental biopsies in Cameroonian parturient women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In sub-Saharan Africa, <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria in pregnancy presents an enormous diagnostic challenge. The epidemiological and clinical relevance of the different types of malaria diagnosis as well as risk factors associated with malaria infection at delivery were investigated.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>In a cross-sectional survey, 306 women reporting for delivery in the Mutenegene maternity clinic, Fako division, South West province, Cameroon were screened for <it>P. falciparum </it>in peripheral blood, placental blood and placental tissue sections by microscopy. Information relating to the use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, history of fever attack, infant birth weights and maternal anaemia were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among these women, <it>P. falciparum </it>infection was detected in 5.6%, 25.5% and 60.5% of the cases in peripheral blood, placental blood and placental histological sections respectively. Placental histology was more sensitive (97.4%) than placental blood film (41.5%) and peripheral blood (8.0%) microscopy. In multivariate analysis, age (≤ 20 years old) (OR = 4.61, 95% CI = 1.47 – 14.70), history of fever attack (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.58 – 5.73) were significant risk factors associated with microscopically detected parasitaemia. The use of ≥ 2 SP doses (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.06 – 0.52) was associated with a significant reduction in the prevalence of microscopic parasitaemia at delivery. Age (>20 years) (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.15 – 0.75) was the only significant risk factor associated with parasitaemia diagnosed by histology only in univariate analysis. Microscopic parasitaemia (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.33–5.62) was a significant risk factor for maternal anaemia at delivery, but neither infection detected by histology only, nor past infection were associated with increased risk of anaemia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Placenta histological examination was the most sensitive indicator of malaria infection at delivery. Microscopically detected parasitaemia was associated with increased risk of maternal anaemia at delivery, but not low-grade parasitaemia detected by placental histology only.</p

Impact of national malaria control scale-up programmes in Africa: magnitude and attribution of effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 2005, malaria control scale-up has progressed in many African countries. Controlled studies of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) and malaria case management suggested that when incorporated into national programmes a dramatic health impact, likely more than a 20% decrease in all-cause childhood mortality, was possible. To assess the extent to which national malaria programmes are achieving impact the authors reviewed African country programme data available through 2009.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>National survey data, published literature, and organization or country reports produced during 2000-2009 were reviewed to assess available malaria financing, intervention delivery, household or target population coverage, and reported health benefits including infection, illness, severe anaemia, and death.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By the end of 2009, reports were available for ITN household ownership (n = 34) and IPTp use (n = 27) in malaria-endemic countries in Africa, with at least two estimates (pre-2005 and post-2005 intervals). Information linking IRS and case management coverage to impact were more limited. There was generally at least a three-fold increase in household ITN ownership across these countries between pre-2005 (median of 2.4% of households with at least one ITN) and post-2005 (median of 32.5% of households with at least one ITN). Ten countries had temporal data to assess programme impact, and all reported progress on at least one impact indicator (typically on mortality); in under-five year mortality rates most observed a decline of more than 20%. The causal relationship between malaria programme scale-up and reduced child illness and mortality rates is supported by biologic plausibility including mortality declines consistent with experience from intervention efficacy trials, consistency of findings across multiple countries and different epidemiologic settings, and temporal congruity where morbidity and mortality declines have been documented in the 18 to 36 months following intervention scale-up.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Several factors potentially have contributed to recent health improvement in African countries, but there is substantial evidence that achieving high malaria control intervention coverage, especially with ITNs and targeted IRS, has been the leading contributor to reduced child mortality. The documented impact provides the evidence required to support a global commitment to the expansion and long-term investment in malaria control to sustain and increase the health impact that malaria control is producing in Africa.</p

Trends in the incidence of primary liver cancer in Central Uganda, 1960–1980 and 1991–2005

Primary liver cancer (PLC) incidence trends from Africa are unknown. Using Kampala Cancer Registry data from 1960 to 1980 and 1991 to 2005, we identified 771 PLCs. Although rates were stable among men, PLC incidence among women increased >50%. Investigations of viral hepatitis, aflatoxin, obesity, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may help to explain the increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs)

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Hepatitis B Virus D Genotype in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin

Hepatitis B virus genotype D can be found in many parts of the world and is the most prevalent strain in south-eastern Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, and the Indian sub-continent. The epidemiological history of the D genotype and its subgenotypes is still obscure because of the scarcity of appropriate studies. We retrieved from public databases a total of 312 gene P sequences of HBV genotype D isolated in various countries throughout the world, and reconstructed the spatio-temporal evolutionary dynamics of the HBV-D epidemic using a Bayesian framework