ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess and characterize the food types consumed by Hadzabe hunter-gatherer nomads in Karatu and Meatu districts, northern Tanzania. A total of 259 respondents from the target districts were involved in the study. Through cross-sectional study design, the data were collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires to investigate the temporal patterns for the availability of food types consumed. Micronutrients (Cadmium, Copper, Chromium, Ferrou...
ABSTRACT Experimental studies to determine the chemical composition of the Commiphora swynnertonii as well as its effect in plasma cholesterol levels and weight changes in Rattus rattus. A total of 24 rats were used in the dose and time dependent experiments of resin, C. swynnertonii at (0 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) on daily basis for 21 days. Six samples of root and stem bark were used in the proximate, selected minerals and heavy metals analysis by using AOAC (1995). Weekly ...
ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium and enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) Escherichia coli O157:H7 are two important pathogens in humans among other common representative zoonotic pathogens carried by animals especially cattle and are discharged through their faeces into the environment. With the increasing practice of urban farming, the risk of transmission of these pathogens to humans is increased. The study aimed at determining the public health risks associated with integrated urban farming using Non-Sorbi...
A B S T RA C T A cross-sectional study was conducted between November,2014 and March,2015 in Lushoto and Rungwe districts of Mbeya and Tanga regions respectively to estimate the seroprevalenceof bovine brucellosis in smallholder dairy cattle and the associated risk factors. Blood samples from 400 animals from Lushoto (n=172)and Rungwe (n=228) were tested for Brucella circulating antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) and Competitive-enzyme-Linked Immunosorbe...
ABSTRACT Pig production is among other animal keeping activities that have been practised in Morogoro region for food as well as generating income. The increase in urban population in the region has resulted into the increase in urban and peri-urban farming as a response to the increament in food demand from plants as well as animals; thus created a need to understand the health risks that could be brought about, and the biosecurity measures that can cancel those risks. This crosssectional s...
ABSTRACT Urinary tract infection (UTI) is among the commonest causes of febrile illness in children of less than five years of age in Sub-Saharan Countries and is in most cases associated with poor hygiene. This cross sectional study was conducted between August 2014 and October, 2015. It aimed at determining the epidemiology of urinary tract infection in children less than five years of age who attended healthcare facilities in Morogoro Municipality and also to establish bacteria susceptibi...
ABSTRACT Increased 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 samp...
ABSTRACT Cross-sectional field and experimental studies were carried out to determine the mercury distribution in the Mabubi River and to establish its biological effects in the ecosystem using snails as bioindicators. The median and range for total mercury concentration in Lymnaea stagnaliswere 4298 and 12.62 to 50618 respectively. The total mercury concentrations were recorded as below the detection limit (
ABSTRACT A cross sectional study was carried out in January 2017 with the aim of estimating the seroprevalence of Brucella circulating antibodies, detection of Brucella abortus in raw cattle milk, assess the risk factors for infection and establish the presence and levels of antimicrobial residues in raw milk in Bukombe district, Tanzania. A total of 221 blood samples from purposively selected lactating cows in 17 villages were collected and analysed for Brucella circulating antibodies using...
ABSTRACT The consumption of raw milk is a common practice among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities of Tanzania. This behaviour predisposes consumers to the risk of contracting milk-borne and zoonotic diseases. This study was carried out to assess milk quality based on identification of bacterial contaminants indicated by total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC) and contamination with Brucella and E .coli 0157: H7 microorganisms. The study was carried out along the milk value...
ABSTRACT Cholera is an epidemic disease of major global and public health significance. A cholera outbreak in Kigoma region of Tanzania is reported to be endemic as it occurs almost every year. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, pathogenic markers and antibiotic susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae in sardines, water and phytoplankton in Lake Tanganyika. A total of 120 samples from sardines, water and phytoplankton were collected from October, 2015 to February, 2016. Isola...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Actellic Super (pirimiphos methyl) in Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in Mvomero District, Morogoro, Tanzania. Field surveys using questionnaire interviews were used to collect sociological data from households that own f ish ponds. The response of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Pseudocholinesterase ( BuChE /PChE) activities in O. niloticus as a result of Organophosphates (OPs) and carbaryl water borne exposure was deter...
ABSTRACT Many reproductive health studies have examined trends and outcomes of adolescent sexual behaviour but have overlooked the patterns of reproductive communication between mothers and daughters that have implications on girls’ reproductive wellbeing. Although there is a need to safeguard adolescent health, not enough work exists at the interface between female reproductive change and communication. The patterns of communication determine the effectiveness of reproductive knowledge tr...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to conduct a parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school children in Mkuranga District. The study has three specific objectives: First, to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, second to determine the intensity of infection of urinary Schistomiasis and third to assess awareness, knowledge, attitude and practices related to the occurrences of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in Mkuranga District. The da...
ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study design was used to assess bacteriological contamination in Rastrineobola argentea along its value chain in Lake Victoria, Mwanza. Rastrineobola argentea were collected from different points along the chain. Fresh, dried on raised racks and on ground samples of R. argentea were purposively collected from landing sites, drying areas and retail markets. Bacterial counts were performed and Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp were identified using bacteriological s...