Nutrition Country Profile United Republic of Tanzania

Population, Economic, Tanzania, urbanization, Nutrition

Comparative analysis of mercury content in human hair and cosmetic products used in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Total mercury (T-Hg) concentrations were analysed in human hairs and cosmetic products sold in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The average total mercury (T-Hg) concentrations in the scalp hair of females using mercury based cosmetic creams and soaps ranged from 7.0 ± 0.4 to 880 ± 12 ppm. Highest T-Hg concentrations were found in females who work in beauty hair salons and the lowest concentrations were found among students. The average values in non-cosmetic users were found to be lower, with mercury ranging from 0.57 ± 0.07 to 8.29 ± 1.22 ppm. Analysis of cosmetic products indicated high values, ranging from 0.11 ± 0.03 to 8665 ± 15 ppm in soaps and 0.16 ± 0.02 to 25.30 ± 4.2 ppm in cosmetic creams. Mercury being a cumulative toxin, the findings suggests that women who use mercurial crèmes and soaps are likely to be poisoned as the compounds can enter the body through various pathways, including inhalation of vapor, ingestion, and skin contact. Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (1) 2005: pp. 83-9

Incipient continental rifting: insights from the Okavango Rift Zone, northwestern Botswana

In this dissertation aeromagnetic, gravity, and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM DEM) data from the Okavango Rift Zone in northwest Botswana are used to map the distribution of rift and basement structures. The distribution of these structures provide useful insights into the early stages of continental rifting. The objectives of this study are (1) assessing the role of pre-existing structures on rift basin development, (2) characterizing the geometry of the nascent rift basins, (3) documenting fault growth and propagation patterns, and (4) investigating the border fault development --Abstract, page iv

Factors Influencing the Thermic Effect of Food

The studies described in this thesis were designed to determine the potential factors that may influence the magnitude of the thermic effect of food (TEF), and thus, its role in energy balance in humans. The factors studied were meal composition, energy content of a meal, meal frequency, exercise and body composition

Environmental risks for gemstone miners with reference to Merelani tanzanite mining area, Northeastern Tanzania

Artisanal and small-scale gemstone miners are the workers with the highest health risk exposure in Tanzania. Gemstone mining at Merelani tanzanite mines which has gone to depths of 100 m or more in narrow straight and inclined shafts, underground artisanal miners work under a very harsh environment. Tanzanite deposits are located within sheared zones, lying along a deep-seated Lelatema fault zones. Rocks along these zones which are mainly graphitic and or/gypsum-bearing gneisses surrounded by limestone are soft, fractured and strongly weathered. Poor mining techniques, lack of geological background, chronic shortage of capital, and the lack of awareness on environmental pollution in the shafts have led to health and safety problems. In deep mines such as Merelani tanzanite mine, where the rocks are graphitic (C-rich), existence of poisonous gases is common. Dust exposure during drilling, blasting and shovelling indicates high average levels of overall respirable dust 15.5 mg/m3 whereby respirable quartz and graphite are 2.4 mg/m3 and 1.5mg/m3, respectively. The total amount of dust is 28.4 mg/m3. Supply of air (oxygen) to such depths by using small compressors is unreliable and inadequate, since they sometimes fail or deliberately are switched off. Further, lack of adequate ventilation for eliminating the toxic gases after blasting results in particles hazardous to the miners. Exposure to dust mixed with graphite; quartz and micas particles are harmful and may cause lung cancers or development of chronic silicosis. The workers and mine owners are supposed to adhere to mining rules, regulations and code of practice. Mines must be properly ventilated and back filling is necessary in mined out pits. Most of artisanal gemstone mining in Tanzania is sub-standard which results in fatal accidents. It is recommended that proper mining methods should be adhered to following the code of practice issued by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (1) 2005: pp. 1-1

Mercury Contamination in Domestic Ducks in Geita, Northwest Tanzania

Total mercury concentrations (THg) were determined in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhncha) tissues in Mgusu Village, Geita District NW Tanzania. Elevated mercury levels were found in all tissue samples and showed a trend of increasing mercury concentration with weight/age of the poultry. Highest total mercury (THg) levels (mg/kg) in domestic ducks were found in liver (ducklings: 30.5; juvenile: 254.1; mature ducks: 590.2), followed by gizzards (ducklings: 45.9; juvenile: 230.3; mature: 254.6), lungs (ducklings: 12.2; juvenile: 29.1; mature: 46.9) and feathers (ducklings: 0.1; juvenile: 62.1; mature: 198.3). Corresponding THg statistical values (mg/kg) for the tissues increased with age and weight. Highest THg values were found in liver and gizzard suggesting prevalent mercury accumulation in body through ingestion. Low values of THg in lungs were correlated with inhalation of atmospheric Hg, while in feathers they were correlated to THg exposure during bathe in amalgamation pond waters

Expecting too much from the rural development:a case of the Iringa nutrition project

\ud The Iringa Nutrition Project (INP) supported jointly by the Government of Tanzania and UNICEF was started in 1984 as one way to improve mral livelihood. It was implemented in Jringa region because it was found that despite good food supply in the region, there were still high rates of malnutrition among children. The present study was carried out in Thirty­ nine villages of Ludewa and Iringa districts to evaluate the performance of the INP. Child growth and nutrition status data for the period between 1984 and 1992 were used. Indicators of project outcome included success in lowering the proportion of malnourished children and extent of coverage (number of children reached). In addition, regression analysis was used in identifying the community characteristics that were responsible for determining rate of mal­ nutrition changes in the study area. It was observed that 10 percent of the 39 villages in the project area were able to maintain a downward trend in malnutrition during the period 1984-\ud 86 and 18 percent in 1987-92 period. None of the villages was able to sustain a continuous\ud downward trend for the entire period of nine years (1984 to 1992). The regression ana ysis revealed that malnutrition declined significantly in those wards where the rates of malnutri­ tion were highest at the outset of the project. In addition Dominant cropping system and population size indirectly affected the capability to improve nutrition through their influence on coverage. In conclusion, the lringa Nutrition Project appears to have had only a modest impact on improving the nutritional status of children in lringa. This implies that, while the use o_f projects to combat malnutrition in poor countries may still be inevitable, we should not expect too much from these projects.\u

Factors associated with stunting in Dodoma region, Tanzania

Child undernutrition is a major public health concern, claiming the lives of numerous children below five years of age in the developing world. The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with stunting of children of age 6 – 23 months in Dodoma Municipality and Chamwino District in Dodoma region. Dodoma region located in the central zone of Tanzania was chosen for this study because of its high prevalence (56%) of stunting among children under five years of age. A systematic random sampling technique was used to choose wards, villages, and households that had children aged 6 - 23 months, resulting in 394 households participating in this cross-sectional study. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and infant feeding practices. Anthropometric measurements were taken as per WHO standard procedures. A repeated 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess food intake among the study population. Multivariate logistic regression using backward stepwise selection method was used to obtain independent factors of stunting. The overall prevalence of stunting was 40.4% (95% CI; 29.8; 50.9), Chamwino District had a higher prevalence of stunting (44.3%) compared to Dodoma municipality (26.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, age of introduction of complementary food [AOR = 13.3; (95% CI: 2.6 – 67.6)], maternal education [AOR = 5.5; (95% CI: 1.0 – 9.8)], residence in Chamwino District [AOR = 3.2; (95% CI: 1.3 – 5.9)] were factors associated with stunting. About half of the study population (49%) was introduced to complementary foods early, the median age was four months instead of 6 months as recommended by WHO. Infant’s diet was mainly cereal-based, other foods such as animal food source, fruits, and dairy products were consumed by 18%, 11% and 7.1% of children respectively. The dietary pattern of infants was not diversified as 47.7% of infants scored 1 to 3 points out of 12 points categorized as low dietary diversity. Failure to attain normal growth pattern is the most prevalent form of undernutrition in childhood. Associated factors are many, diverse and interrelated. The present study identified maternal education, early introduction of complementary foods and being a resident of Chamwino District as factors to be associated with stunting. Prioritization of identified factors serves as a highlight for better planning of nutrition intervention programs that intend to promote child growth.Key words: Stunting, nutrition status, 6 – 23 months, dietary diversity and complementary foo

Towards Sustainable Building Materials: Evaluation of Carbon Footprint of Commonly Used Walling Materials in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Sustainable development require communities to live and undertake development that is within the earth planet capacity, demanding a balance between societal needs, business and care for the environment. Some studies have shown that the construction industry in some countries account for up to over 44% Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions making this sector a priority area for attention since the gas is responsible for recent observed climate change challenge. The objective of the study was to assess the carbon footprint in the form of CO2 in housing walling blocks. The method used was to assess the CO2 of a square meter of building blocks along with the strength, in N/mm2 (Mega Pascal-MPa), of various types of blocks produced. A recent tool of ‘cement productivity’ was used to assess the fitness of the building blocks since it is considered that bricks that use less cement and at the same time acquiring the required strength is desireable. In line with the UN Sustainable Development (SD) goals, building materials should be affordable, and therefore the price, as an indicator of affordability of the various blocks per square meter was also considered. The study found out that the largest portion of residential houses in Dar es Salaam is done on sandcrete (90%) led by the six inch solid blocks. The results revealed that hollow blocks have a triple advantage compared to the rest of studied blocks and bricks in terms of low carbon footprint, price, and with relatively higher pass rate (70%) in the quality requirements. Ironically however, hollow blocks were among the least preferred walling material. It is recommended to change towards low Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and affordable options of housing walling blocks for sustainable building materials. Keywords: Affordable, hosing building blocks, carbon-footprint, cement, cement productivity, sustainable

The SDGs Will Require Integrated Agriculture, Nutrition, and Health at the Community Level

Child malnutrition is an urgent and complex issue and requires integrated approaches across agriculture, nutrition, and health. This issue has gained prominence at the global level. While national-level efforts are underway in many countries, there is little information on how to integrate at the community level. Here, we offer a community-based approach using cadres of agricultural and community health workers, drawing on qualitative work we have conducted in Tanzania. Agriculture is an important driver of nutritional and health outcomes, and improving child health will require practical solutions for integration that can add to the evidence base