ABSTRACT This thesis is prepared according to “Published manuscripts” format of the Sokoine University of Agriculture. This thesis discusses the role of potential plague reservoirs and their flea-vectors in the plague epidemiology in eastern Zambia. The goal was to identify and describe roles domestic pigs, goats and sheep, and rodents with their fleas play in maintaining and transmitting the plague pathogen, Yersinia pestis. Plasminogen activator gene (pla) of Y. pestis was successfully ...
ABSTRACT The study aimed at determining factors influencing the effectiveness of decentralised agricultural extension information and service delivery in Tanzania. A cross sectional research design was used to collect data from 390 respondents from Arumeru District which were purposively selected. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, focused group discussions, key informant interviews and observations checklist. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in ...
ABSTRACT Political-administrative interactions in local governments have gained wide attention among most development practitioners and scholars of public administration. Politicaladministrative relations focus on the interaction and reciprocal relations between the elected and appointed officials in performing local governments’ functions. Through decentralization by devolution “D by D”, local governments have been mandated to provide social services within their jurisdictions such as ...
ABSTRACT Despite efforts to control malaria with its morbidity and mortality rates in Tanzania, it still persists. The main objective of the study on which this thesis is based was to investigate people’s knowledge, attitudes and socio-economic factors associated with receptivity of malaria control strategies. The specific objectives of the study were to assess knowledge about malaria control strategies and its association with demographic and socio-economic variables, examine attitude towa...
ABSTRACT The study presents the analysis of the effect of savings and credit facilities to migrants’ and non- migrants’ gendered livelihood options and development of Ilula Emerging Urban Centre (EUC). Specifically, the study aimed at establishing rural-urban migration determinants, identifying and analysing migrants’ and non-migrants livelihood options across different gender groups, and assessing factors influencing household access to savings and credit services and investment decisi...
ABSRACT The Government of Tanzania has exempted the elderly from cost sharing in health service delivery as it is stipulated in the National Ageing Policy and in the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty in Tanzania. However, the majority of the elderly do not get the services freely. The main objective of this study was to assess factors influencing access of the elderly to free health services. The study was conducted in Iringa and Makete Districts. A cross-sectional design ...
ABSTRACT Studies were carried out to establish ethno-botanical information and biological activities of crude extracts from Commiphora swynnertonii against selected microbes of veterinary importance in chickens. Initially, a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather information on practices and knowledge on ethno-botanical uses of C. swynnertonii in the study area. Then extracts from different morphological parts of the study plant were tested against selected bacteria and fungi in vitro u...
ABSTRACT Non-Governmental Organisations’ (NGOs’) access to funds has remained a problem despite several interventions focusing on improving it. The main objective of this study was to assess NGO funding and its implication for delivery of services. Specifically, the study sought to examine funding patterns for NGOs’ service delivery, analyse determinants of access to funding by NGOs, determine attitude of beneficiaries towards service delivery and to determine linkages between access to...
ABSTRACT Crop production in semi-arid areas is faced with different challenges that resulted into low crop productivity, low household income and food insecurity. The main production challenges in these areas are declining soil fertility and moisture stresses. The integration of different techniques, which restore soil nutrients at low costs and improve soil moisture can be used as a strategy to cope with these constraints and ensuring sustainable crop production. The purpose of this work was...
ABSTRACT Adoption of innovations in paddy farming has a potential to impact productivity. The Government of Tanzania in partnership with non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) like Kilimo Trust (KT) have been promoting rice sector through implementation of agricultural programmes and strategies whereby among other initiatives farmers are encouraged to adopt innovations. However, the adoption of innovations by farmers is not sufficiently explored. The overall objective of the study was to asses...
ABSTRACT Surveys were conducted in 2013 and 2014 to determine geographical variation and phylotypes of RYMV and the influence of environment and climatic factors on their distribution in Morogoro, Pwani, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, Kigoma, Mbeya and Rukwa regions. Farmers’ field practices and perceptions on the disease were also studied. Most of the farmers (91%) interviewed planted their own saved rice seeds. There were positive correlations (P ≤ 0.05) between weeding methods and sou...
ABSTRACT Avipoxviruses (APVs) are double stranded DNA viruses belonging to the family Poxviridae, sub-family Chordopoxvirinae and genus Avipoxvirus. APVs cause pox in birds; in chickens the disease is known as fowl pox, caused by Fowlpox virus (FWPV). In the recent years the incidence and prevalence of fowl pox in chickens has increased in Tanzania, characterized by high mortalities of chicks and growers. The main research question among researchers has been “are there variant strains of FW...
ABSTRACT This study assessed the effects of institutional changes on forest condition, stakeholders’ interests, the performance of local institutions and factors influencing the performance of local governance structures, using a case study of Chenene Forest Reserve (CFR) in Bahi, Tanzania. Data were collected through forest inventory using 120 systematically selected sample plots. Satellite images were collected and analysed using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System techniqu...
ABSTRACT Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is among the most important export crops in Tanzania, contributing directly to peoples‘ livelihood and economic development. Cotton is grown under both conventional and organic farming systems and both farming systems are characterised by low cotton yield. Low fertilizer input use and low fertility contributes to such low yields. A quick solution to address the low cotton yield seems to be enhanced use of fertilizer and pesticide, which is also challe...
ABSTRACT Deviance has devastating effects on the individual and the community as a whole. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between parental attachment, family socioeconomic status and deviant behavior among secondary school students in Homabay County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess the relationship between parental attachment styles and deviant behavior among secondary school students; to evaluate the relationship between family socioeco...