Mutations in dhfr in Plasmodium falciparum infections selected by chlorproguanil-dapsone treatment.

Treatment with the novel antifolate drug combination chlorproguanil-dapsone effectively cleared asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in 246 (93.5%) of 263 children in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania during the course of a 2-week follow-up. Samples from 71 recurrent infections, collected over a 9-week follow-up, showed selection for parasites with the triple mutant Ile(51)-Arg(59)-Asn(108) in dihydrofolate reductase. There was no selection for mutations in dihydropteroate synthetase, the target enzyme of dapsone. Search for complete identity in the highly polymorphic genes coding for merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 in parasite samples collected before and after treatment indicated that the majority of recurrent parasitemias were new infections. These observations on selection in Tanzania and the lack of selection reported from a less endemic area suggest that the active metabolite of chlorproguanil, which has a short half-life in the blood, may persist in the liver, where it exerts selective pressure on growing preerythrocytic stages

Consumption Of Indigenous Fruits In Uluguru North And Ruvu North Forest Reserves, Tanzania

The study was conducted between 1998 and 2000 to compare the number, types and consumption of indigenous fruit species by sex and age classes in the Uluguru North Forest Reserve (UNFR) and Ruvu North Forest Reserve (RNFR). Data were collected through household interviews and forest inventory. A total of 120 households from six villages (3 bordering the RNFR and 3 near the RNFR) were randomly selected for interviews. Plots with the size of 0.1 ha were established along the transects after every 400m during forest inventory for the purpose of identifying fruit plants. A total of 25 indigenous fruit species were identified in the study areas. 20 and 16 species were identified in the UNFR and the RNFR respectively. 9 species were only found in UNFR while 5 were identified in RNFR. 11 species were identified in both study areas. Responses on consumption by age showed that, in both sites, children consumed more indigenous fruits than any other age group followed by adult women. The consumption of these fruits in UNFR was 64% (children), 47% (adult women) and 25% (adult men) while in RNFR consumption was 46% (children), 39% (adult women) and 23% (adult men). Seasonality and availability of exotic species had effect on consumption of indigenous fruits. The consumption of indigenous fruits appeared to be much higher when the supply of exotic fruits was low and vice versa. TJFNC Vol. 75 2004: pp. 65-7

Community based aquaculture in the western Indian Ocean: Challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable coastal livelihoods

The small-fisheries social-ecological system in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) represents a typical social-ecological trap setting where very poor natural resources dependent coastal communities face local and global threats and engage in unsustainable practices of exploiting limited resources. Community-based aquaculture (CBA) has been implemented as an important alternative or supplementary income generating activity for minimizing the overdependence on marine natural resources and promoting biodiversity conservation. Despite its proliferation throughout the WIO region in recent decades, little is known about the degree to which CBA activities have contributed to achieving the objectives of breaking the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation and promoting community development and biodiversity conservation. In order to improve understanding of common challenges and to generate recommendations for best practice, we assessed the most common CBA activities practiced in the region through literature review and workshop discussion involving practitioners and key stakeholders. Findings indicated that despite favorable environmental conditions for various CBA practices, the sector remains underdeveloped, with few activities delivering the intended benefits for coastal livelihoods or conservation. Constraints included a shortage of seed and feed supplies, low investment, limited technical capacity and skills, insufficient political support, and lack of a clear strategy for aquaculture development. These are compounded by a lack of engagement of local stakeholders, with decision making often dominated by donors, development agencies, and private sector partners. Many of the region’s CBA projects are designed along unrealistically short time frames, driven by donors rather than entrepreneurs, and so are unable to achieve financial sustainability, which limits the opportunity for capacity building and longer-term development. There is little or no monitoring on ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Except for a few isolated cases, links between CBA and marine conservation outcomes have rarely been demonstrated. Realizing the potential of CBA in contributing toward food security in the WIO will necessitate concerted investment and capacity strengthening to overcome these systemic challenges in the sector. Lessons herein offer managers, scientists, and policy advisors guidance on addressing the challenges faced in building strategic development initiatives around aquaculture in developing countries

Initiatives for promoting CED program in Tanzania

This study assesses the effectiveness of promotional initiatives such as newsletter, website, T-shirts and mugs in promoting Community Economic Development (CED) philosophy to a wider spectrum of the population. It examines if the promotional initiatives currently in use are addressing the CED philosophy and if they effectively promote the CED programme. Furthermore, it explores the relevance of the initiatives to CED stakeholders. A total of 188 respondents were interviewed, representing different groups of project beneficiaries including: former CED students, current CED students and representatives of different groups who receive copies of the newsletter and other promotional materials. The study revealed that, the promotional materials used by CED programme have promoted the CED philosophy more especially the newsletter. T-shirts and mugs as well have promoted the CED philosophy although they were found to be expensive. Furthermore, the study revealed that the CED programme webpage which is hosted by the OUT need to be marketed to the wider audience. The design and content of the page need to be revisited and improved as well. The study concludes that, the promotional initiatives have a major impact on disseminating CED philosophy, however the distribution mechanism of the newsletter need to be improved. (Author abstract)Hassan, A. K., Bihondwa, J. G., Justinian, K. N., Simba, S. Msuya, M. S., Makoye, A., Igongo, D. & Pangani, M. (2007). Initiatives for promoting CED programme in Tanzania. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

Predictors of HIV Serostatus Disclosure to Partners among HIV-Positive Pregnant women in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) has been scaled, to more than 90% of health facilities in Tanzania. Disclosure of HIV results to partners and their participation is encouraged in the program. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns and predictors of HIV sero-status disclosure to partners among HIV positive pregnant women in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. A cross sectional study was conducted in March to May 2010 among HIV-positive pregnant women who were attending for routine antenatal care in primary health care facilities of the municipality and had been tested for HIV at least one month prior to the study. Questionnaires were used to collect information on possible predictors of HIV disclosure to partners. A total of 250 HIV-positive pregnant women were enrolled. Forty one percent (102) had disclosed their HIV sero-status to their partners. HIV-disclosure to partners was more likely among pregnant women who were < 25 years old [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2--4.1], who knew their HIV status before the current pregnancy [AOR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.7--8.3], and discussed with their partner before testing [AOR = 6.9; 95% CI: 2.4--20.1]. Dependency on the partner for food/rent/school fees, led to lower odds of disclosure to partners [AOR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1--0.7]. Nine out of ten women reported to have been counseled on importance of disclosure and partner participation. Six in ten HIV positive pregnant women in this setting had not disclosed their results of the HIV test to their partners. Empowering pregnant women to have an individualized HIV-disclosure plan, strengthening of the HIV provider initiated counseling and testing and addressing economic development, may be some of the strategies in improving HIV disclosure and partner involvement in this setting

Revitalization of education for self-reliance in education for enhancing youth involvement in agriculture in Tanzania

Agriculture is the backbone of the Tanzania’s economy regardless of its low productivity. Several efforts have been put in place to improve the situation including introduction of Education for Self-Reliance (ESR) policy to guide Tanzania education system to produce graduates who are competent in agricultural production and other hands on activities necessary for  community development. Regardless of its contextual, theoretical and practical relevance, ESR policy overtime lost its position in the education circles. A Dialogue Conference was organised in Morogoro for exploring stakeholders’ views on the need for revitalization of ESR in education for enhancing youth involvement in Agriculture. Data were collected by voice recording and note taking while thematic method was used for data analysis. Majority of the participants perceived the relevance of  reconsidering ESR since it helps to inculcate positive attitude towards agriculture, equip students with hands-on skills, source of  self-employment, self-reliance and improve classroom learning.  Challenges of revitalization were also elicited, like teachers’ lack of knowledge and skills on planning and utilizing experience developed through the ESR, shortage of teachers and inadequate resources for implementation. Voices of stakeholders favour rethinking of ESR and therefore appropriate strategies should be considered in the process of revitalising ESR taking into consideration the highlighted challenges.Keywords: Revitalisation, Education for self-reliance, Agriculture, Education, Yout

Determinants of isoniazid preventive therapy completion among people living with HIV attending care and treatment clinics from 2013 to 2017 in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. A cross-sectional analytical study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) disease is a common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV (PLHIV). WHO recommends at least 6 months of isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) to reduce the risk of active TB. It is important to monitor the six-month IPT completion since a suboptimal dose may not protect PLHIV from TB infection. This study determined the six-month IPT completion and factors associated with six-month IPT completion among PLHIV aged 15 years or more in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. METHODS: Secondary analysis of routine data from PLHIV attending 58 care and treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam region was used. PLHIV, aged 15 years and above, who screened negative for TB symptoms and initiated IPT from January, 2013 to June, 2017 were recruited. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with IPT completion. Multilevel analysis was used to account for health facility random effects in order to estimate adjusted PR (APR) for factors associated with IPT six-month completion. RESULTS: A total of 29,382 PLHIV were initiated IPT, with 21,808 (74%) female. Overall 17,092 (58%) six-month IPT completion, increasing from 42% (773/1857) in year 2013 to 76% (2929/3856) in 2017. Multilevel multivariable model accounting for health facilities as clusters, showed PLHIV who were not on ART had 46% lower IPT completion compared to those were on ART (APR: 0.54: 95%CI: 0.45-0.64). There was 37% lower IPT completion among PLHIV who transferred from another clinic (APR: 0.63: 95% CI (0.54-0.74) compared to those who did not transfer. PLHIV aged 25-34 years had a 6% lower prevalence of IPT completion as compared to those aged 15 to 24 years (APR:0.94 95%CI:0.89-0.98). CONCLUSION: The IPT completion rate in PLHIV increased over time, but there was lower IPT completion in PLHIV who transferred from other clinics, who were aged 25 to 34 years and those not on ART. Interventions to support IPT in these groups are urgently needed