Detection and Quantification of Oestrogenic Endocrine Disruptors in Water in Mwanza Gulf in the Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to detect the presence and quantify the total oestrogens (estriol (E1), estradiol (E2), and estrone (E3)) in Lake Victoria water with a view of assessing their contribution to the health status of fish. A total of 27 water samples; three from each of the nine sampling sites were collected in Mwanza gulf in the city in May 2012. Solvent extraction procedures were used to obtain extracts of pollutants that were further analysed using the competitive Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique to detect and quantify the total oestrogens. Overall, the concentration of total oestrogens was low and ranged from 10 – 200 pg/L. Concentrations of these chemicals decreased along the gradient, being highest (107±81.4 pg/L) in rivers before entering into the lake and lowest (19±5.4 pg/L) in water samples collected in the lake at about 100 meters from inshore (intermediate sampling points). Levels of total oestrogens were significantly different between categories of water sources (P = 0.009). Two most polluted rivers were Butimba and Nyakurunduma with concentrations at 150 pg/L and 200 pg/L respectively. Dumping of wastes in rivers without treatment was the most likely source of the pollutants. Findings from this study have revealed the existence of oestrogens with endocrine disrupting properties at different concentrations, and that rivers are the main sources of oestrogenic endocrine disruptors in Lake Victoria water near Mwanza City.Keywords: ELISA, endocrine disruptors, oestrogens, pollutio

Implementation research of a cluster randomized trial evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria using dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on reducing malaria burden in school-aged children in Tanzania: methodology, challenges, and mitigation

BACKGROUND: It has been more than 20 years since the malaria epidemiologic shift to school-aged children was noted. In the meantime, school-aged children (5-15 years) have become increasingly more vulnerable with asymptomatic malaria prevalence reaching up to 70%, making them reservoirs for subsequent transmission of malaria in the endemic communities. Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in schoolchildren (IPTsc) has proven to be an effective tool to shrink this reservoir. As of 3(rd) June 2022, the World Health Organization recommends IPTsc in moderate and high endemic areas. Even so, for decision-makers, the adoption of scientific research recommendations has been stifled by real-world implementation challenges. This study presents methodology, challenges faced, and mitigations used in the evaluation of the implementation of IPTsc using dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in three councils (Handeni District Council (DC), Handeni Town Council (TC) and Kilindi DC) of Tanga Region, Tanzania so as to understand the operational feasibility and effectiveness of IPTsc on malaria parasitaemia and clinical malaria incidence. METHODS: The study deployed an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design to assess feasibility and effectiveness of IPTsc using DP, the interventional drug, against standard of care (control). Wards in the three study councils were the randomization unit (clusters). Each ward was randomized to implement IPTsc or not (control). In all wards in the IPTsc arm, DP was given to schoolchildren three times a year in four-month intervals. In each council, 24 randomly selected wards (12 per study arm, one school per ward) were chosen as representatives for intervention impact evaluation. Mixed design methods were used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing IPTsc as part of a more comprehensive health package for schoolchildren. The study reimagined an existing school health programme for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control include IPTsc implementation. RESULTS: The study shows IPTsc can feasibly be implemented by integrating it into existing school health and education systems, paving the way for sustainable programme adoption in a cost-effective manner. CONCLUSIONS: Through this article other interested countries may realise a feasible plan for IPTsc implementation. Mitigation to any challenge can be customized based on local circumstances without jeopardising the gains expected from an IPTsc programme. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04245033. Registered 28 January 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04245033

Quantification and health implications of selected heavy metals in Lake Victoria, Tanzania

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY OF THE SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE MOROGORO, TANZANIAIncreased human population and anthropogenic activities around Lake Victoria leads to pollution and health risks to consumers of water and fish. This study was conducted to assess the levels of Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in Nile perch muscles, water, and sediment in Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Mara and Kagera in Tanzania. A total of 180 samples were collected from 60 national designated sampling stations. From each region, 20 sampling stations were selected and three samples including water, sediment and Nile perch muscles were collected from each station. The collected samples were analyzed using Graphite Furnace, Flame and Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometers techniques. The human health risk due to the consumption of Nile perch was established by calculating the daily exposure rates, hazard quotients and the total hazard indices of the toxic metals. In sediments, the concentration of heavy metals ranged from 0.05 – 2.11, 16.06 – 39.07 and 520.25 – 1086.88 μg/kg for Hg, Cd and Pb, respectively. The corresponding concentrations in the water ranged from 0.0004 – 0.161, 2.34 – 31.06 and 0.13 – 99.54 μg/L for Hg, Cd and Pb, respectively. The concentrations in Nile perch muscles ranged from 0.03 – 0.38, 20.93 – 79.17 and 166.33 – 527.97 μg/kg for Hg, Cd and Pb, respectively. The highest levels of Hg and Pb were recorded in sediment samples and for Cd in Nile perch muscle samples. The lowest levels of Hg, Cd and Pb were recorded in the water. The total hazard indices of Hg, Cd and Pb indicated no risk outcome from the consumption of the Nile perch from Lake Victoria. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb were lower compared to the WHO permissible limits; hence the consumption of Nile perch may not pose any significant threat to human health.European Union (EU) financial support through the TASP II projec

Quantification and health implications of selected heavy metals in Lake Victoria, Tanzania

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY OF THE SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE MOROGORO, TANZANIAIncreased human population and anthropogenic activities around Lake Victoria leads to pollution and health risks to consumers of water and fish. This study was conducted to assess the levels of Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in Nile perch muscles, water, and sediment in Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Mara and Kagera in Tanzania. A total of 180 samples were collected from 60 national designated sampling stations. From each region, 20 sampling stations were selected and three samples including water, sediment and Nile perch muscles were collected from each station. The collected samples were analyzed using Graphite Furnace, Flame and Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometers techniques. The human health risk due to the consumption of Nile perch was established by calculating the daily exposure rates, hazard quotients and the total hazard indices of the toxic metals. In sediments, the concentration of heavy metals ranged from 0.05 – 2.11, 16.06 – 39.07 and 520.25 – 1086.88 μg/kg for Hg, Cd and Pb, respectively. The corresponding concentrations in the water ranged from 0.0004 – 0.161, 2.34 – 31.06 and 0.13 – 99.54 μg/L for Hg, Cd and Pb, respectively. The concentrations in Nile perch muscles ranged from 0.03 – 0.38, 20.93 – 79.17 and 166.33 – 527.97 μg/kg for Hg, Cd and Pb, respectively. The highest levels of Hg and Pb were recorded in sediment samples and for Cd in Nile perch muscle samples. The lowest levels of Hg, Cd and Pb were recorded in the water. The total hazard indices of Hg, Cd and Pb indicated no risk outcome from the consumption of the Nile perch from Lake Victoria. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb were lower compared to the WHO permissible limits; hence the consumption of Nile perch may not pose any significant threat to human health.European Union (EU) financial support through the TASP II projec

Community knowledge, attitude, practices and beliefs associated with persistence of malaria transmission in North-western and Southern regions of Tanzania

Abstract Background Despite significant decline in the past two decades, malaria is still a major public health concern in Tanzania; with over 93% of the population still at risk. Community knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), and beliefs are key in enhancing uptake and utilization of malaria control interventions, but there is a lack of information on their contribution to effective control of the disease. This study was undertaken to determine KAP and beliefs of community members and service providers on malaria, and how they might be associated with increased risk and persistence of the disease burden in North-western and Southern regions of Tanzania. Methods This was an exploratory study that used qualitative methods including 16 in-depth interviews (IDI) and 32 focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect data from health service providers and community members, respectively. The study was conducted from September to October 2017 and covered 16 villages within eight districts from four regions of mainland Tanzania (Geita, Kigoma, Mtwara and Ruvuma) with persistently high malaria transmission for more than two decades. Results Most of the participants had good knowledge of malaria and how it is transmitted but some FGD participants did not know the actual cause of malaria, and thought that it is caused by bathing and drinking un-boiled water, or consuming contaminated food that has malaria parasites without warming it. Reported barriers to malaria prevention and control (by FGD and IDI participants) included shortage of qualified health workers, inefficient health financing, low care-seeking behaviour, consulting traditional healers, use of local herbs to treat malaria, poverty, increased breeding sites by socio-economic activities and misconceptions related to the use of bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Among the misconceptions, some participants believed that bed nets provided for free by the government came with bedbugs while others reported that free bed nets caused impotence among men. Conclusion Despite good knowledge of malaria, several risk factors, such as socio-economic and behavioural issues, and misconceptions related to the use of bed nets and IRS were reported. Other key factors included unavailability or limited access to health services, poor health financing and economic activities that potentially contributed to persistence of malaria burden in these regions. Relevant policies and targeted malaria interventions, focusing on understanding socio-cultural factors, should be implemented to reduce and finally eliminate the disease in the study regions and others with persistent transmission