Determinants of Poverty on Household Characteristics in Zanzibar: A logistic Regression Model

The two succession of Zanzibar Household Budget Survey (ZHBS) in 2004/2005 and 2009/2010 use head count to address poverty as the base of all analysis with several social and economic variables. This study attempts to use logistic regression to venture ratio of the probability of occurrence of poverty in Zanzibar with social dimension. The study reveals that social demographic dimensions are important in explaining poverty and that the likelihood of poverty significant relates to household size, household head, and basic education (primary and secondary). Furthermore, the study exposes that all district in Pemba are on high risk of being enter into poverty. Key words: Zanzibar, poverty, households, determinant of poverty, logistic regressio

Perceptions on the Status of Livelihoods Among Communities in Lower Tana Delta Conservancy in Tana River County Along the Kenyan coast

Human effort towards establishment of conservancies is important for the conservation of biodiversity. Perceptions of the local communities towards the Lower Tana Delta Conservancy (LTDC) effort for livelihoods improvement in Tana River County along the Kenyan coast are not well understood. The key objective of the study was to determine perceptions among the local communities living in Chara, Ozi and Konemansa Locations on LTDC towards their livelihood improvements in Tana River County. The study was conducted through a randomized study design using semi-structured questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). The research was conducted between December 2015 and February 2016. The participants who were interviewed came from 207 households, 15 key informants who consisted of some conservancy board members, community leaders and elders. R statistical software was used to analyze the categorical data sets. There were significant differences on the participants’ perceptions on LTDC contribution towards institutional governance, benefits of the conservancy to the community. Overall the results showed differential perceptions on contributions of LTDC towards livelihood improvements of local communities in Tana River County and suggest that the establishment of the conservancy as a resource has had accrued benefits to different communities living in the conservancy. Keywords: Lower Tana Delta Conservancy; Community Livelihoods; Institutional governanc

Correction to: Urogenital schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar: accuracy of urine filtration and haematuria reagent strips for diagnosing light intensity Schistosoma haematobium infections

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that unfortunately an error had been introduced to the Conclusions section of the article's Abstract, during production of the article

Evaluation of integrated interventions layered on mass drug administration for urogenital schistosomiasis elimination: a cluster-randomised trial

Elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem and interruption of transmission in selected areas are targets set by WHO for 2025. Our aim was to assess biannual mass drug administration (MDA) applied alone or with complementary snail control or behaviour change interventions for the reduction of Schistosoma haematobium prevalence and infection intensity in children from Zanzibar and to compare the effect between the clusters.; In a 5-year repeated cross-sectional cluster-randomised trial, 90 shehias (small administrative regions; clusters) in Zanzibar eligible owing to available natural open freshwater bodies and public primary schools were randomly allocated (ratio 1:1:1) to receive one of three interventions: biannual MDA with praziquantel alone (arm 1) or in combination with snail control (arm 2), or behaviour change activities (arm 3). Neither participants nor field or laboratory personnel were blinded to the intervention arms. From 2012 to 2017, annually, a single urine sample was collected from approximately 100 children aged 9-12 years in the main public primary school of each shehia. The primary outcome was S haematobium infection prevalence and intensity in 9-12-year-old children after 5 years of follow-up. This study is completed and was registered with the ISRCTN, number 48837681.; The trial was done from Nov 1, 2011, through to Dec 31, 2017 and recruitment took place from Nov 2, 2011, until May 17, 2017. At baseline we enrolled 8278 participants, of whom 2899 (35%) were randomly allocated to arm 1, 2741 (33%) to arm 2, and 2638 (32%) to arm 3. 120 (4·2%) of 2853 in arm 1, 209 (7·8%) of 2688 in arm 2, and 167 (6·4%) of 2613 in arm 3 had S haematobium infections at baseline. Heavy infections (≥50 eggs per 10 mL of urine) were found in 126 (1·6%) of 8073 children at baseline. At the 5-year endline survey, 46 (1·4%) of 3184 in arm 1, 56 (1·7%) of 3217 (odds ratio [OR] 1·2 [95% CI 0·6-2·7] vs arm 1) in arm 2, and 58 (1·9%) of 3080 (1·3 [0·6-2·9]) in arm 3 had S haematobium infections. Heavy infections were detected in 33 (0·3%) of 9462 children.; Biannual MDA substantially reduced the S haematobium prevalence and infection intensity but was insufficient to interrupt transmission. Although snail control or behaviour change activities did not significantly boost the effect of MDA in our study, they might enhance interruption of transmission when tailored to focal endemicity and applied for a longer period. It is now necessary to focus on reducing prevalence in remaining hotspot areas and to introduce new methods of surveillance and public health response so that the important gains can be maintained and advanced.; University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Participatory forest management in Tanzania : 1993-2009 : lessons learned and experiences to date

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Impact of Eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis and E. saligna seedlings in Tanzania

9pA study was carried out to determine the impact of Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and E. saligna Smith seedlings in Tanzania. Three- month old seedlings were infested with L. invasa. Twenty two weeks post infestation, heights of infested E. grandis seedlings were reduced by 39.6%, while diameters were reduced by 11.3% compared to uninfested seedlings. On the other hand, the heights of infested E. saligna seedlings were reduced by 38.2% and diameters were reduced 7.7% compared to uninfested seedlings. Dry weight biomass reduction of infested seedlings was significantly higher on stem and leaves than roots and branches of both E. grandis and E. saligna. The impact of L. invasa infestation on growth and biomass production was higher in E. grandis than E. saligna. Prevention and control of L. invasa infestation should be given priority. Similar future trials should examine other commercially grown Eucalyptus species in Tanzania

Impact of Eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis and E. saligna seedlings in Tanzania

9pA study was carried out to determine the impact of Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and E. saligna Smith seedlings in Tanzania. Three- month old seedlings were infested with L. invasa. Twenty two weeks post infestation, heights of infested E. grandis seedlings were reduced by 39.6%, while diameters were reduced by 11.3% compared to uninfested seedlings. On the other hand, the heights of infested E. saligna seedlings were reduced by 38.2% and diameters were reduced 7.7% compared to uninfested seedlings. Dry weight biomass reduction of infested seedlings was significantly higher on stem and leaves than roots and branches of both E. grandis and E. saligna. The impact of L. invasa infestation on growth and biomass production was higher in E. grandis than E. saligna. Prevention and control of L. invasa infestation should be given priority. Similar future trials should examine other commercially grown Eucalyptus species in Tanzania

Enhanced Magnetic Wireless Sensor Network Algorithm for Traffic Flow Monitoring in Low-Speed Congested Traffic

Traffic flow monitoring using magnetic wireless sensor networks in chaotic cities of developing countries represents an emergent technology. One of the challenges facing such deployment is the development of effective detection signal-processing algorithm in low-speed congested traffic based on the Earth’s magnetic fields. The proposed algorithm is the performance improvement of the previous algorithm known as the Scanning and Decision Algorithm (SDA). The novel algorithm based on the moving-average model includes an addition of a two-pass moving-average filter to improve the signal-to-noise ratio after analog-to-digital conversion. The improved mathematical capabilities enable us to capture additional features of vehicular direction and classification. Other outputs of the model include vehicular detection, count, speed, and travel time index (TTI). The performance evaluation of a proposed algorithm is conducted through on-site real-time experiments at the designated road segment. The results indicated that the roadside magnetic sensor improved vehicular detection, count, travel time index, and classification during low-speed congested traffic state

Performance Evaluation of Magnetic Wireless Sensor Networks Algorithm for Traffic Flow Monitoring in Chaotic Cities

Traffic flow monitoring involves the capturing and dissemination of real-time traffic flow information for a road network. When a vehicle, a ferromagnetic object, travels along a road, it disturbs the ambient Earth’s magnetic field, causing its distortion. The resulting distortion carries vehicle signature containing traffic flow related information such as speed, count, direction, and classification. To extract such information in chaotic cities, a novel algorithm based on the resulting magnetic field distortion was developed using nonintrusive sensor localization. The algorithm extracts traffic flow information from resulting magnetic field distortions sensed by magnetic wireless sensor nodes located on the sides of the road. The model magnetic wireless sensor networks algorithm for local Earth’s magnetic field performance was evaluated through simulation using Dar es Salaam City traffic flow conditions. Simulation results for vehicular detection and count showed 93% and 87% success rates during normal and congested traffic states, respectively. Travel Time Index (TTI) was used as a congestion indicator, where different levels of congestion were evaluated depending on the traffic state with a performance of 87% and 88% success rates during normal and congested traffic flow, respectively

Effect of Spacing Regimes on Growth, Yield, and Wood Properties of Tectona grandis at Longuza Forest Plantation, Tanzania

This study examined the effects of planting spacing on growth, yield, and wood properties of teak planted at square spacing regimes of 2 m, 3 m, and 4 m at Longuza Forest Plantation, Tanzania. To achieve this, tree, stand, and wood properties were studied at age of 14 years. Results showed that diameter at breast height and total height increased with increasing spacing. Mean annual increment increased significantly with increasing spacing while spacing did not have significant effect on total volume production and basal area. Basic density is also not affected by spacing while heartwood proportion increases as planting spacing increases. All studied wood properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compression strength tangential to grain, and shear tangential to the grain) except cleavage tangential to grain were not significantly affected by increasing spacing. It is recommended to use the spacing of 3 × 3 m, but if thinning can be done before onset of competition at 5 years, the currently used spacing of 2.5 × 2.5 m can still be used. However, the use of a spacing of 4 × 4 m can give at least 50% heartwood at shorter rotation age of 30 years