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Efectiveness of participatory monitoring and evaluation on achievement of community‑based water projects in Tanzania
No full textThe Government of Tanzania is struggling to implement water projects throughout the country to ensure that 90% of the population has access to clean and safe drinking water by 2025. While most of the community-based water projects fail to deliver as expected, participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E), critical for projects’ achievement, is at an infancy stage. This article determines effectiveness of PM&E on achievement of community-based water projects’ objectives. The article adopted sequential exploratory research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A random sample of 120
water users in the government and NGOs funded projects was involved whereby 53.3% were women. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. SPSS was used to summarize descriptive statistics. Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare median differences between the projects, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Overall, 51.7% of the respondents reported that community-based water projects’ objectives were achieved except capacity building. The projects funded by NGOs recorded high achievement relative to the government funded projects. In addition, PM&E was effective in achieving water projects’ objectives. There was a statistically significant difference in responses between low, medium and high effectiveness of PM&E (P ≤ 0.05). Majority reported
high effectiveness, more so for NGOs-funded water projects. The article concludes that PM&E was effective in achieving projects’ objectives except capacity building. Therefore, it recommends strengthening of capacity building for the local communities to manage community-based water projects effectively. This is a policy issue that needs serious efforts at all levels of the government.Privately sponsored by a masters studen
Gendered analysis in academic career advancement: fifteen years’ trend at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
No full textJournal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 33(2): 1-8, 2020; Article no.JESBS.54847Aims: Despite notable success in reducing gender disparity in some sectors, the problem still
persists in many higher learning institutions in Tanzania. Using fifteen years data of staff
employment from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), this study assessed gender disparity in
employment and career advancement among academic staff.
Study Design: The study adopted the descriptive research design by describing the current
situation using SUA as a case study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture
between March and May 2017 using data of academic staff.
Methodology: The Publish or Perish software was used to retrieve data on scholarly publications of
individual academic staff between 1985 to 2017 for cohorts employed between 1985 and 2011.
Descriptive analysis was employed to establish gender disparity in staffing and publication
productivity.Results: The findings show female academic staff increased from 5.3% to 20.78% only between
the academic year 2000/2001 to 2015/2016. Likewise, gender gaps are observed across all
academic ranks since the majority of staff are at the lower academic ranks where women were less
in each aspect. Age-wise, the university is composed of aging senior academic staff where among
33.22% of all professors almost 15% (13.5% M & 1.1%F) were above 60 years old. On scientific
publications, findings reveal female staff to be below the cohort/ group average for almost all years
against their counterparts.
Conclusion: There is a clear disparity between male and female staff based on age, academic
qualifications, ranks and publication productivity that implies the existence of some obstacles
Global extent and drivers of mammal population declines in protected areas under illegal hunting pressure
No full textIllegal hunting is a persistent problem in many protected areas, but an overview of the extent
of this problem and its impact on wildlife is lacking. We reviewed 40 years (1980–2020) of
global research to examine the spatial distribution of research and socio-ecological factors
influencing population decline within protected areas under illegal hunting pressure. From
81 papers reporting 988 species/site combinations, 294 mammal species were reported to
have been illegally hunted from 155 protected areas across 48 countries. Research in illegal
hunting has increased substantially during the review period and showed biases towards
strictly protected areas and the African continent. Population declines were most frequent in
countries with a low human development index, particularly in strict protected areas and for
species with a body mass over 100 kg. Our results provide evidence that illegal hunting is
most likely to cause declines of large-bodied species in protected areas of resource-poor
countries regardless of protected area conservation status. Given the growing pressures of
illegal hunting, increased investments in people’s development and additional conservation
efforts such as improving anti-poaching strategies and conservation resources in terms of
improving funding and personnel directed at this problem are a growing priority.Commonwealth Commissio
The relationship between farmers’ attitude towards the improved cassava processing technology and adoption
No full textInternational Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies
Vol.7, No.1, pp.12-26, February 2020This paper discusses the relationship between farmers’ attitude towards
improved cassava processing technology and its adoption. About 360 participants [181
(50.3%) males and 178 (49.7%) females], strategically selected from Serengeti,
Sengerema and Biharamulo districts in Mara, Mwanza and Kagera regions respectively
in Tanzania responded questions on both attitude towards cassava processing technology
and adoption of the same. Chi-square test indicated farmers’ difference in two
components of adoption (involvement in pre-processing tasks and utilization of the cassava processed products) with two components (instrumental attitude and cognitive attitude) of attitude towards improved cassava processing technology. Further, direct logistic regression analysis indicated that attitude was not the only and sufficient variable uniquely explaining adoption of improved cassava processing technology despite having an influence on the same. Other variables such as attendance to training in improved cassava processing technology and intention to adopt the technology also uniquely explained adoption of improved cassava processing technology
Healthcare workers awareness on diagnosis and management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
No full textNon-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are also referred to as mycobacteria other than
tuberculosis (MOTT). These bacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and their
distribution varies depending on environmental microbial distribution, climate and
weather condition. Transmission occurs by aerosols for example during bathing and
steaming. Over time the numbers of species and burden have been increasing. This
includes saprophytes and emergence of species that cause diseases to human and animals.
In general Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) has been the most common isolated
group of NTM. These bacteria have commonly been isolated from among patients
presumed to have pulmonary Tuberculosis
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria cause a variety of clinical conditions from localized
infection to disseminated disease. Commonly they have been isolated from patients with
atypical pulmonary TB. This condition is also known as NTM Pulmonary Disease (NTMPD)
and it is clinically similar to TB. NTM-PD cases have remained undiagnosed or
misdiagnosed for TB. This poses a high risk of unsuccessful treatment outcomes and long
hospitalization. Management of NTM requires Healthcare Workers (HCW) with expertise
in the field because despite of long courses of treatment required, treatment regimen also
varies depending on the infecting species. Treatment of Mycobacteria avium Complex
(MAC) and Mycobacteria abscessus Complex (MABC) mostly relies on the use of
macrolides and aminoglycosides.
Problem of NTM-PD is not yet well addressed in Tanzania. Success in detection and
management of cases is largely limited by the level of awareness among HCWs and drug
susceptibility of circulating species. The current study assessed knowledge gap, identify
circulating NTM species as a single or co-infections with TB and their drug susceptibility.
This study adopted a cross-sectional design. NTM-PD awareness was carried out on
HCWs from Health facilities (HFs) in the four administrative Regions that make the
Northern zone of Tanzania; Tanga, Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro. Four cadres of
HCWs from TB clinics were conveniently interviewed using standardized questionnaire.
These included; clinicians, nurses, laboratory personnel and pharmacists. A list of HCWs
for each cadre in each HF provided the sampling frame for the study. In a situation where
more than one HCWs per cadre met inclusion criteria for survey in a particular HF, simple
random selection was applied.
Analysis of culture positive isolates was carried out at the Central TB Reference
Laboratory. These included sample selection, storage, DNA extraction, speciation, drug
susceptibility testing (DST). Isolates that were positive for para-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB)
and all isolates from Kibong’oto zonal laboratory received between November, 2019 and
August, 2020 were screened for NTMs. GenoLyse® protocol was used to extract DNA
that were stored at – 200C till analysis. DNA amplification was done on the GTQ Cycler
96. Mycobacterium species were identified using GenoType® Mycobacterium CM/AS
and GenoType® NTM-DR protocol. GenoType® NTM-DR was used to determine
mutations that lead to drug resistance.
An average score for awareness on Pulmonary NTM was 24.1% (n=120; 95% CI:
10.5-37.7 STD: = 11.72), for which the highest was 61% and the lowest was 3%.
Only 5 (4%) of all participants had a fair level of awareness (scored 50 to 74%) while all
the remaining had poor level of awareness. A strong relationship was observed between
history of attending training in which NTM was a topic of study and high level of
awareness (p<0.05). There was no statistical significant difference among the two
genders. Mean awareness score of clinicians, laboratory staff, pharmacy staff and nurses
were at 26% (STD: 13), 26% (STD: 11), 22% (STD: 14) and 21% (STD: 10),
respectively. Level of education did not have statistically significant impact on the level
of awareness in this study. Of the four regions; Kilimanjaro had the highest average
awareness score of 26% (STD: 12.9) followed by Tanga 25% (STD: 11.7) and Manyara
24% (STD: 11.7) while Arusha had the lowest mean awareness score of 18% (STD: 7.5).
A total of 188 mycobacteria isolates were GenoType® d for NTM species. Of these, 179
were positive for mycobacteria and the remaining were negative. Among the positive, 24
(13.4%) were NTM while others were MTBC. Fifteen (62.5%) of the NTM could be
GenoType® d to species level. Predominant NTM groups were six (25%) MAC and four
(16.7%) were MABC. Four (16.7%) isolates were M. intracellulare, 3 (12.5%)
M. abscessus sub. abscessus, 2 (8.3%) M. avium sub. avium and 2 (8.3%) were in the
M. fortuitum group. Other species included; 1(4.2%) M. bollettii), 1 (4.2%) M. kansasii,
1(4.2%) M. simiae and 1 (4.2%) M. szulgai.
GenoType® NTM-DR was performed on MAC and MABC (10 (67%) isolates) of the
identified species. Mutations were detected in three isolates of MABC on the erm (41)
gene. Two of them are M. abscessus sub. abscessus and one M. abscessus sub. bollettii
both with negative band C and positive T band making the isolates resistant to the
macrolides. On the other hand no mutation was detected in the rrl and rrs genes hence all
MAC were susceptible to both macrolides and aminoglycosides.
This study makes it the first attempt to determine the level of awareness among HCW in
TB clinics on NTM-PD. It provides baseline information on the level of awareness.
It is also the first study in Tanzania to investigate the drug susceptibility profiles of NTM
to the recommended drugs. To address the challenges this study uncovers a low HCW
awareness on the disease and existence of strains that are resistant to macrolides.
Observations predict a low suspicious index (case detection) and treatment failures. In
addition to increased burden especially of MAC and MABC, inability to treat with routine
TB drugs and under-reporting of cases in Tanzania with no regulated cases management
guidelines all these urge TB programs to take action as this has a direct impact on
management of TB.
The level of awareness on NTM pulmonary disease was generally poor among health care
workers at the TB clinics in Northern Tanzania despite of the existence of significant
number of cases. Mycobacteria avium complex species have been found the most
prevalent NTMs among tested mycobacterial isolates. Finally this study uncovered
existence of macrolides resistant mutations among MABC strains.
The TB programs should consider building awareness of its team HCWs so can be able to
identify cases. As this study reveals an influence of previous participant training to
awareness of NTM-PD, we recommend TB programs include a topic on NTM as a
module in their current TB training packages.
In management of TB, it is important for clinicians to rule out NTM (specifically MAC
and MABC) for all patients presenting with TB symptoms. Clinicians should anticipate
macrolides resistances especially among MABC infected individuals
Response of communal grazing land to selected rangeland improvement practices at Lubungo village in Mvomero district, Tanzania.
No full textThis study consisted of two experiments, (i) Assessment of pasture composition and productivity
during dry season, (ii) Assessment of the response of communal grazing land to selected rangeland
improvement practices (oversowing, manure application and furrows for rain water spreading) on
pasture composition and productivity was conducted at Lubungo village in Mvomero district,
Morogoro Tanzania. In study one, data of vegetation ground cover, dry matter yield of pasture and
tree density were collected by using tape measure, quadrat and Point centered quarter method
respectively in three transect lines. Study two, adopted completely randomized design and the
treatments were manure, oversowing and furrrowing. The results showed that the rangeland had low
dry matter yield of pasture during the dry season (806.77±29.9 kg DM/ha) due to high tree density
of about 1500 trees/ha with total canopy cover of 67.4%. Bare soil patches had high soil seed bank
density mainly comprised of annual grasses, few perennial grasses and several undesirable and
unedible annual forbs. The assessment of the response of communal grazing land to selected
rangeland improvement practices indicated fast growth in plots treated with combination of
manure, oversowing and furrowing as rain water spreading, followed by manure and furrowing and
thereafter manure alone. High dry matter yield was attained in plots treated with manure,
oversowing and furrowing (8.4±0.19 t DM/ha), manure and oversowing (6.4±0.19 t DM/ha),
manure and furrowing (5.8±0.19 t DM/ha) and manure alone 5.1±0.19 t DM/ha). Dry matter yield
were low in plots treated with furrows and oversowing (3.1±0.19 t DM/ha), furrows (2.8±0.19 t
DM/ha), oversowing (2.6±0.19 t DM/ha) and control (2.6±0.19 t DM/ha). It is therefore
recommended that, combination of manure and oversowing as well as manure, oversowing and
furrowing can be used to improve pasture composition and productivity of the communal grazing
land at Lubungo village.Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT
Epidemiology of Newcastle disease in backyard chickens rearing system in Iringa rural district, Tanzania
No full textMasters ThesisNewcastle disease (ND) outbreaks have been occurring in Iringa backyard chickens and
causing high mortalities leading to severe economic losses to rural households.
The study aimed at ascertain the epidemiological status of Newcastle disease (ND) in
Iringa rural district focusing on determining risk factors of the disease, prevalence of the
disease and genomic characteristics of NDV the etiology of the disease. A total of 250
structured questionnaires were subjected to respondents to assess the knowledge and
practices with regard to ND. The results of questionnaire survey depict that all
respondents (100%) were aware with the disease and 91.2% had experienced the
problem in their backyard chickens. Also 69.6 % of the respondents were aware about
the presence of vaccine against the disease. Most respondents (52.2%) were following
the correct vaccination regime by vaccinating three times a year, while 29.6% of the
respondents were vaccinating their chickens only once and 15.2% reported to have never
vaccinated their chickens. The awareness with disease and proper follow -up of
vaccination regime by the chicken keepers might be the contributing factor to the low
prevalence of the disease. Majority of the respondents (68%) kept chickens only in the
backyards, while 32% of respondents owned other birds such as ducks, pigeons, geese
and quills. About 60% of the respondents reported that their chickens were interacting
with wild birds while 40% of the respondents reported that their chickens were not
interacting with wild birds. Other birds apart from chickens including wild birds act as
reservoir for the disease and maintain the circulation of the virus in backyard chickens. A
total of 321 swabs and 63 tissue samples were randomly collected from backyard
chickens and virus detected by conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR). Two chickens out of 384 were found positive for NDV, therefore the
detection rate of disease was 0.01%. The low detection rate could be due to most of the
chickens were the survivors of a preceding outbreak. Partial F-gene sequencing using
cycle dideoxy nucleotide sequencer and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA X software
shows that the circulating NDV strain in the backyard chickens in Iringa belong to
genotype VII and is similar to Mozambican isolates of 2011 and 2012. Moreover, the
isolate belongs to a different genotype with currently used vaccines. This study has
shown that NDV is still a threat in most backyard chickens as it causes massive death of
chickens and therefore mass education is essential in order to reduce the burden. Also,
regular molecular epidemiological studies on the characteristics of the virus will help to
improve vaccine and vaccination measures with regard to existing circulating strains to
end the problem in backyard chickens rearing communities.SACIDS Africa Centre of Excellenc
Factors affecting uptake of modern family planning services in Kishapu rural district, Tanzania
No full textMasters DissertationModern family planning is important as it helps couples to decide the number of children,
improve maternal child health as well as saving the life of newborns. Globally, there is
high uptake of modern family planning in developed countries but still the uptake is low in
many rural Sub-Saharan African countries (SSA) such as Tanzania. This study was
conducted to investigate factors affecting the uptake of modern family planning in
Kishapu District located in rural Tanzania. The study adopted cross-sectional design and
mixed method approach whereby, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected
from randomly 120 women from selected two wards in Kishapu District. Data were
collected through structured and semi structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and
binary logistic regression using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and content
analysis were employed to examine awareness, socio- economic and cultural factors
affecting the uptake of modern family planning services. Generally, study findings in the
first manuscript show that the use of modern family planning is still low, fear of side
effects and desire for more children were the main reasons for women's not using modern
family planning services. Socio-economic factors such as living with mother in law,
partner preference for modern family planning services and income ≤ 500 000 were
observed to have significance (p < 0.001) negative effects on the odds of uptake of modern
family planning. Furthermore, in the second manuscript study identify cultural and
traditions related factors that affect uptake of modern family planning methods includes
preference for tradition family planning methods, prestige, beliefs, household power
dynamics and relationships and peer pressure. The study also, suggest the need to
eliminate the existing cultural norms and practices which undermines women’s power to
access and use modern family planning. In addition, the study show there is a need to
include key socio groups such as men, in laws, religious leader and traditional healers in
family planning related programmes. Moreover, Tanzania has to address these factors
contribute to the low uptake of modern family planning in order to attain a target of 60%
contraceptives prevalence rate indicated in national family planning costed implemented
programs.Parents.
Kishapu District Council.
Nimr Mwanza research scientists
Prevalence and characterisation of C TX-M-Type extended spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Samonella Typhimurium in poultry farms in the Copperbelt province,Zanzibar
No full textMasters DissertationPoultry is a major reservoir of Salmonella worldwide associated with increasing incidences
of strains producing ESBL enzymes that are capable of inactivating a wide variety of β-
lactam antibiotics. CTX-M ESBLs have been described in S. Typhimurium isolates with
resistance genes located on transferable plasmids. The aim of this study was to determine
the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of S. Typhimurium, prevalence and characterise
CTX-M-Type ESBL-producing S. Typhimurium in poultry farms in the Copperbelt
Province in Zambia. A cross-section study design was used which involved five districts.
One poultry farm per district was randomly selected for sampling of birds. An overall of
384 faecal samples were analysed for the presence of S. Typhimurium using
microbiological and molecular methods. S. Typhimurium was detected at 17.7% prevalence
in poultry farms of which 12.8% were found harboring the CTX-M-Type ESBL genes.
Antibiotic use, purpose of use, withdrawal period, manure handling, hygiene and biosecurity
were found to be associated with this prevalence. Chingola district had a
prevalence of 7.3% followed by Ndola district with a prevalence of 5.2%, Luanshya
district 2.9%, Kitwe 1.6% and Mufulira 0.8%. Further findings indicated that all the
isolates showed 100% resistance to tetracycline followed by erythromycin with 97.1%,
ampicillin and amoxicillin with 91.2%. A study in Nigeria, reported a prevalence of 16.0%
S. Typhimurium in poultry farms and china reported a prevalence on 17.76% CTX-M-Type
producing Salmonella in foodborne animals which are slightly similar with findings from
this study. Antibiotic resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was at 58.8%
cefotaxime and 54.4% ceftazidime. This could be due to the presence of cefotaximases that
have more hydrolytic activity to cefotaxime than ceftazidime.Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA
Women’s insights on anaemia and the impact of nutrition training: An intervention study among rural women in Dodoma, Tanzania
No full textJournal Cogent Food & AgricultureAn interventional pre-post study was conducted to evaluate rural women’s
insights on anaemia and the effects of nutritional training on the knowledge and haemoglobin
(Hb) levels among women of reproductive age (19–45 years) in Dodoma,
Tanzania. The respondent was the mother/woman or any other person responsible for
food preparation and serving in the household. Baseline and endline data on demographic
and socioeconomic information, women’s insights on anaemia, knowledge gaps
of mothers’/caregivers’ in nutrition, iron deficiency and iron-rich foods were collected
using a face to face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Haemoglobin concentration
of the women was measured at baseline and endline using a portable battery-operated
electronic HemoCue Hemoglobinometer. Training was done once every month for three
months consecutively. A total of 350 women were involved at baseline and 260 women
at endline. Among all respondents, only 18% of women had baseline knowledge
regarding the causes of anaemia which was increased significantly to 72% after the
intervention. At baseline, 19% of women had haemoglobin levels of below 12.0 g/dl this
number decreased to 13% during the endline survey. The results indicated a significant association between a woman having consumed green leafy vegetables in the previous
24 hours preceding the survey and haemoglobin levels during the endline period. The
findings of this study indicate that the nutrition education given directly to rural women
could have some impact in improving women’s knowledge and haemoglobin status