A Redescription of Spironoura duyagi from the Stomach of Malayan Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis)

Two hundred and twenty-six worms taken from the stomachs of three Malayan box turtles (Cuora amboinensis) were studied. The worms were identified as Spironoura spp., and their numerical measurements and morphological details compared to other described species in the genus. The nematodes, generally, conformed to published descriptions of Spironoura duyagi, but varied so widely with regards to presence or absence of key diagnostic features that a complete taxonomic analysis was undertaken

A Redescription of Spironoura duyagi from the Stomach of Malayan Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis)

Two hundred and twenty-six worms taken from the stomachs of three Malayan box turtles (Cuora amboinensis) were studied. The worms were identified as Spironoura spp., and their numerical measurements and morphological details compared to other described species in the genus. The nematodes, generally, conformed to published descriptions of Spironoura duyagi, but varied so widely with regards to presence or absence of key diagnostic features that a complete taxonomic analysis was undertaken

Seasonal comparison of vavoua, biconical and NGU traps for monitoring of Glossina (Diptera: Glossinidae) and Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) in The Gambia

This work shows the effective trapping method used in catching Glossinidae and Tabanidae species and their distribution in The Gambia. One hundred and eight-six traps were used in this study comprising of 62 Biconical traps, 62 NGU traps and 62 Vavoua traps for 50 trapping days. These traps were baited with at least 4 months old cow urine and acetone and they were deployed at a distance of 100 m apart. A total number of 517 flies belonging to the genus Tabanidae and Glossinidae were captured. This included: Atylotus. agrestis (55%), Tabanus sourcouf (0.4%), Tabanus par (1.2%) and T. taeniatus (1.4%), Glossina morsitan submorsitan (26%) and Glossina palpalis gambiensis (16%). However, Atylotus agrestis and Glossina palpalis gambiensis were the species that were mostly caught in this study. The present study also shows that, Lower River Region was the region with the highest number of Tabanidae species caught (85 catches, mean=20.7 and SD=16.76) while Central River Region-North also had the highest catch of Glossinidae species (52 catches, Mean= 14 and Sd=6.98). Late rainy season (October 2020) and late dry season (April 2020) were the seasons in which the highest number of Tabanidae and Glossinidae species were caught respectively. This study clearly demonstrated that, Biconical trap is the most effective trap that can be used to control the population of both Glossinidae and Tabanidae species in The Gambia. &nbsp

Rice growers, hunters and fishermen perception of hippopotamus activities across Central River Region (CRR) of the Gambia: implication for their conservation

The aim of the study is to investigate the types of damages caused by hippopotamus and control methods adapted by farmers in order to facilitate co-existence between hippopotamus and humans. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2021 to assess the activities of Hippopotami across CRR of The Gambia using 252 standardized questionnaire and two Focal Group Discussions (FGDs). About 96% of respondents reported that they have seen hippos before in their communities and 98% of them also said that hippos have been raiding their communities for food for the past 10 years. Majority of the respondents reported that hippos have affected them before and 93% of them said that there was no help from the government when these animals attacked or destroyed their crops/fishing nets. However, 11% of the respondents reported that, hippos are not important to be conserved. The multinomial logistic regression result shows that, the young active, adult active and respondents from Janjanbureh had a positive belief about the importance of conserving hippos

The association between physical complications following female genital cutting and the mental health of 12-year-old Gambian girls: A community-based cross-sectional study.

BackgroundFemale genital cutting (FGC) involve an acute physical trauma that hold a potential risk for immediate and long-term complications and mental health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the prediction of depressive symptoms and psychological distress by the immediate and current physical complications following FGC. Further, to examine whether the age at which 12-year-old Gambian girls had undergone the procedure affected mental health outcomes.MethodThis cross-sectional study recruited 134 12-year-old girls from 23 public primary schools in The Gambia. We used a structured clinical interview to assess mental health and life satisfaction, including the Short Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (SMFQ), the Symptom check list (SCL-5) and Cantril's Ladder of Life Satisfaction. Each interview included questions about the cutting procedure, immediate- and current physical complications and the kind of help and care girls received following FGC.ResultsDepressive symptoms were associated with immediate physical health complications in a multivariate regression model [RR = 1.08 (1.03, 1.12), p = .001], and with present urogenital problems [RR = 1.19 (1.09, 1.31), p ConclusionOur findings indicate that the immediate and long-term complications following FGC have implications for psychological health. Only a minimal number of girls received medical care when needed, and the dissemination of health education seems crucial in order to prevent adverse long-term physical and psychological health consequences

Participatory approach to identify interventions to improve the health, safety, and work productivity of smallholder women vegetable farmers in the Gambia

Objective: This paper describes the qualitative, community-based participatory approach used to identify culturally-acceptable and sustainable interventions to improve the occupational health, safety, and productivity of smallholder women vegetable farmers in The Gambia (West Africa). Materials and Methods: This approach was used to conduct: 1) analysis of the tasks and methods traditionally used in vegetable production, and 2) selection of interventions. Results: The most arduous garden tasks that were amenable to interventions were identified, and the interventions were selected through a participatory process for further evaluation. Conclusions: Factors contributing to the successful implementation of the participatory approach used in this study included the following: 1) ensuring that cultural norms were respected and observed; 2) working closely with the existing garden leadership structure; and 3) research team members working with the subjects for an extended period of time to gain first-hand understanding of the selected tasks and to build credibility with the subjects

Perceptions and impacts of climate variability on livestock farming in The Gambia

ABSTRACTClimate variability has had major health consequences for both humans and animals. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six administrative regions of The Gambia to respond to three questions: (i) what are the livestock farmers’ perceived occurrences and causes of climate variability? (ii) what are the perceived impacts of climate variability on livestock farming? (iii) what factors influence livestock farmers’ knowledge and perception of the causes and impact of climate variability? A total of 440 livestock farmers comprising 351 (80%) males and 89 (20%) females were interviewed and 6 Focus Group Discussions were held. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-squares test and Binary logistic regression. Livestock farmers are aware of the causes and effects of climate variability on their productivity. Climate variability caused cattle farmers to have production issues, and as a result, this investigation also reveals the impact on their productivity. Finally, the result also shows that the explanatory variables (age and region of residence) were the main factors significantly influencing livestock farmers’ perception of climate variability. There is need for the government of The Gambia to address the challenges faced by livestock farmers due to climate variability