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An Analysis of Drivers of Health Care Seeking Sources Preferences in Selected Wards in Eastern Tanzania
No full textAccess, effectiveness, and utilization of healthcare services can affect the attainment of good health as healthcare services
have a role in promoting the population's health and livelihoods of communities. Understanding factors that drive an individual's
preference in seeking health care from a particular source(s) is an important aspect that has a profound contribution in facilitating the
effective provision of health services. Though this aspect is generally known; very scanty information is available on what drives
individuals’ preference on health care service sources under One Health Approach in Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted
in Morogoro municipality and Mvomero district in Tanzania, inter alia, to analyse the determinants of individuals' health care service
source preference. A structured questionnaire administered through a Computer-Aided Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic
platform was used to collect data from 1440 respondents obtained through a multistage sampling procedure. IBM-SPSS v20 was used to
analyse quantitative data. Binary logistic regression determined an individual preference for sources to seek health care. The results
revealed that 41.2% of the respondents preferred to seek health care services from informal sources and 58.8% from formal sources.
Marital status (Exp B= 0.001, 95% CI, .000 to .010), ß=-6.946, p=0.000, service characteristics (Exp B= 1.678, ß=0.518, p=0.000), beliefs
on the effectiveness of health services (Exp B= 5.268, ß=1.662 at p=0.001) had significant influence on determining preference for a
source of health care. It is recommended that health services should be improved from the formal health care sources since the majority
of respondents had a preference for i
Technical efficiency of smallholder pearl millet farmers in the semi-arid farming system of Dodoma, Tanzania
No full textA Dissertation In Agricultural and Applied EconomicsThe objective of this study was to examine the level of technical efficiency of smallholder
pearl millet producers and identify its determinants in the semi-arid farming system of
Dodoma, Tanzania. A Translog stochastic production function model was used in the
analysis. To specify technical inefficiency effects of socioeconomic variables, Maximum
Likelihood Estimation (MLE) technique using cross sectional data collected from 300
randomly selected sample farmers in 2016 was applied. The MLE results revealed that
land size under pearl millet cultivation and squared labour man days are the major factors
influencing positively changes in the pearl millet output. The effect of land area on the
output is positive and the coefficient is found to be significant, implying the economies of
scale. The test result indicates that there is inefficiency in the production of pearl millet in
the study area. The relative deviation from the frontier due to inefficiency is 67%. The
average estimated technical efficiency for smallholder maize producers ranges from 0.18
to 0.91 with a mean technical efficiency of 0.78 (78%). The analysis also reveals that
educational level of the farmer, experience of household head, and household size are the
major socioeconomic factors significantly influenced farmers’ technical efficiency and
pearl millet output at 10%, 1% and 5% respectively. The implication of the study is that
technical efficiency in pearl millet production in the study area could be increased by 22
percent through better use of available resources, given the current state of technology
Determinants of the Elderly’s Social Protection Services Access in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
No full textInaccessibility to Social Protection Services (SPSs) is a major concern for the majority of the elderly on the globe and developing countries, including Tanzania. This paper establishes the extent to which the elderly have access to SPSs and determines the factors that influence SPSs access to the elderly. A cross-sectional research design was used whereby 202 respondents aged 60 years and above were involved. Data were analysed using Ordinal Logistic Regression and content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The indicators based on protective, preventive, promotive, and transformative dimensions were established to measure SPSs access levels among the elderly. The elderly in the study area were categorized at medium level of SPSs accessibility (87.1%). Ordinal logistic regression analysis results showed that SPSs access to the elderly’s and their awareness on policy and rights, health insurance, and financial assistance were the important determinant factors that influence SPSs access to the elderly in the study area. The study recommends to the Government and Civil Society Organizations to devise intervention mechanisms for the elderly including the provision of health insurance services, cash transfers (universal pension), and enactment of law(s) that promote the elderly’s welfare and eventually improve the delivery of SPSs in Tanzania
Analysis of tomato value chain in Rugombo District, Burundi
No full textM.Sc. DissertationThis study analysed the tomato value chain in Rugombo district in order to develop new
insights on the nature of activities along the chain and shade light on possible strategies
that may increase primary actor’s (smallholder farmer’s) income. Primary data for this
study were collected from various primary, support and institutional actors of the value
chain using structured questionnaire and checklist. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and
multiple linear regression models were used to analyse the collected data. The findings of
this study show that although the tomato value chain in Rugombo constituted by
conventional actors such as input suppliers, farmers, rural assemblers, wholesalers,
retailers, consumers, support and institutional actors, the chain is largely dominated by
smallholder producers. Furthermore, the tomato value chain is characterized by the lack of
value addition, weak horizontal and vertical coordination among actors in the chain. The
gross margin results show that retailers enjoy high margins with a minimum of 312.58BIF
per Kg of tomato when compared to producers whose margin stands at a minimum of
260.06 BIF per kilogram of tomato. The results from multiple linear regression indicate
that level of education (p< 0.05), member of organisation (p<0.05), land under tomato
production (p <0.1) and experience in tomato production (p<0.1) are statistically
significant to influence tomato profit at farm level. Therefore, the results of this study
suggest that smallholder tomato producers in Rugombo are not fetching high margins in
value chain. Their incomes are consistently reflected by low margins fetched from
participation in tomato value chain activities. Therefore, any strategies geared towards
improvement of producers’ income should take into account the fact that farmers (as
strategic primary actors) fetch low margins compared to other actors in the chain
Canonical correlation analysis across vegetation and soil properties of the disturbed and undisturbed coastal forest ecosystems
No full textAdvances in Research, 2019; 18(3): 1-14This study presents comparative initial information about canonical correlation across forest stand
parameters, diversity indices and soil properties in undisturbed forest sites (IFS), agriculture
disturbed sites (ADS) and livestock disturbed sites (DGS). Data were collected from Uzigua Forest
Reserve in Tanzania. Forty- seven sample plots of 25 m × 25 m were randomly established on IFS,
ADS and DGS from which tree inventory data and 141 soil samples were drawn. Data were
subjected into Canoco windows 4.5 software for multivariate analyses and comparisons across IFS,
ADS and DGS. The correlation of tree stand parameters (TSP) and soil physical properties (SPP)
were F=1.207, p=0.242 in IFS, F=2.400, p=0.012 in ADS and F=0.529, p=0.938 in DGS. For soluble
bases and TSP were F=2.448, p=0.018 in IFS, F=0.687, p=0.790 in ADS and F=0.743, p=0.808 in
DGS. Carbon, nitrogen and potassium (CNP) and TSP were F=0.816, p=0.572 in IFS, F=0.687,
p=0.790 in ADS and F=0.070, p=0.020 in DGS. The SPP and Shannon indices had F=1.103,p<0.388 in IFS, F=0.520, p=0.714 in ADS and F=0.932, p=0.444 in DGS. The SPP and Independent
Value Index (IVI) were F=0.042, p=0.996 in IFS, F=0.819, p=0.620 in ADS and F=0.633, p=0.724 in
DGS. Soluble bases and equitability were F=0.119, p=0.968 in IFS, F=0.001, p=0.001 in ADS and
F=0.011, p=0.001 in DGS. The CNP and IVI had F=4.246, p=0.014 in IFS, F=2.729, p=0.018 in ADS
and F=2.007, p=0.060 in DGS. The mean higher canonical correlation in the non-disturbed sites
indicates that crop-agriculture and livestock grazing affect the interplays between forest vegetation
and soil properties. Therefore, human activity disturbs the structure and soil properties
Effects of green urban bio-wastes compost on soil productivity for onion and black nightshade production in Arusha, Tanzania
No full textA DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOIL SCIENCE AND LAND MANAGEMENT AT SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF
AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA.In Tanzania most of biowaste produced from vegetable and fruits markets are dumped off which results to loss of nutrients and imposing environmental problems. Composting of wastes is important when used as organic fertilizer and benefits the environment by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. However, little is known about the nutrient content and rate of application of green urban bio-wastes compost sourced from vegetable and fruit markets due to variations attributed to type and source of bio-wastes used. This study therefore, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of green urban bio-wastes compost in increasing productivity and quality of black nightshade and onion crops. A series of studies were carried out to attain the above objective including laboratory work, pot experiments and field trials.
Laboratory work conducted from August to September 2018 to investigate the physical and chemical properties of soil from Tengeru and biowaste compost prepared by Guavay company made from urban bio-wastes collected from open markets. Investigated parameters included: pH, EC, organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients. Findings from the present study revealed that the pH were 6.21 and 7.11 for soil in CaCl2 and water, respectively and that of green urban biowaste compost were 8.74 and 9.5 in CaCl2 and water, respectively, EC was 0.094 dS/ m for soil and 0.004 dS/ m for green biowaste compost. Total nitrogen was 0.17 % for soil and 1 % for green biowaste compost. Phosphorus and Potassium values were 56.39 mg kg- and 2.86 cmol (+)/kg and 0.07 % and 0. 85 % - 0.91 % for soil and green urban biowaste compost, respectively. Analytical results indicate that the ‘processed bio-wastes’ do not qualify to be called fertilizer because they contain less than 5% of the primary macronutrients the threshold value recognized by soil scientists. Thus N,P and K in bio-wastes compost are not sufficient for crop production since it cannot meet the crops demand hence more ‘inputs’ are required in green bio-wastes to qualify it as a fertilizer.
A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of pelletized and non-pelletized urban green biowaste compost on the growth and yield of black nightshade and onion. The treatments tested were: sole application of pelletized and non-pelletized green urban bio waste compost (GUBC) at rates of 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg N kg-1 soil. Also sole application of urea at a rate of 800 mg N kg-1 soil and complementary application of 400 mg N of bio waste and 400 mg N of urea kg of soil were included. The combination of GUBC and urea (400 GUBC + 400 urea) produced the best total number of leaves (58.22) while 800 mg N (urea) kg-1soil and (400 GUBC + 400 urea) mg N kg-1soil produced the best chlorophyll content (60.60 and 58.40 respectively) and 400 (GUBC) mg N kg-1soil produced the tallest plants (33.05 cm) for black night shade. On the other hand onion performed best in terms of both growth and yield parameters under a treatment with a combination of biowaste and urea. For example bulb fresh and dry weight increased from 29.08 g and 24.71 g in control to 130.94 g and 118.69 g in combination of GUBC and urea (400 GUBC + 400 urea) respectively, followed by plants in a treatment with a sole urea whereby the fresh and dry weight of the bulb increased to 95.04 g and 87.71 g respectively. The increase in all cases was highly significant (P≤0.05). However, there was no significance difference (P=0.05) between pelletized and non-pelletized forms of biowaste. The overall results indicate that bio-waste compost was a good soil amendment material for black nightshade and onion production and that the best results are obtained when used together with urea compared to exclusive application of green biowaste compost.
A field experiment was carried out at TARI-Tengeru farm from December 2018 to May 2019 to evaluate the effects of different rates of biowaste compost on growth, development and yield of black nightshade and onion. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four different application rates (regarded as treatments) of biowaste compost (GUBC)/urea viz., 0 kg N ha-1, 400 kg N (GUBC) ha-1, 400 kg N (UREA) ha-1 and 200 kg N (GUBC) ha-1 + 200 kg N (UREA) ha-1. Each treatment was replicated three times. Plant growth and yield parameters were used to evaluate the effects of the treatments. Parameters measured were; plant height, leaf number, leaf area and leaf fresh weight for black night shade and bulb size, neck size, bulb fresh weight for onion. The application of a combination of 200 kg N (GUBC) ha-1 + 200 kg N (UREA) ha-1significantly (p=0.05) increased the leaf area and fresh weight for black nightshade, bulb size and bulb weight for onion compared to the rest. Therefore, the use of combination of organic fertilizer and urea is recommended to farmers for improved yield.Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA
Prevalence and management of tomato bacterial wilt using selected resistant varieties in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
No full textDissertation in Crop Science 2019Bacterial wilt disease is a very serious problem to Tomato growers of Morogoro region.
The objective of this study was to identify the status and pathogenicity of Ralstonia
solanacearum causing Tomato bacterial wilt disease in Morogoro region. Most of the
farmers 71.7% had a farm of less than 1 ha. Majority of the farmers 32% were growing
both hybrid and OPV while the reasons for variety preference differed across the villages.
Most of respondents 79% were knowledgeable with the disease and considered uprooting
affected plants as the only major control measure on the disease. Most of the farmers
35.5% neither burn nor bury the remains of uprooted infected plants and the remained
32.6% bury while 31.9% burn the crop remains. The results showed the highest disease
incidence and severity were 42.32% and 3.1 recorded in Kiberengeni and the lowest were
13.76% and 1.75 Nyandira respectively. Majority of the farmers are using seedbed and
furrow irrigation system contrary to seedling trays and drip irrigation system. Assila F1
recorded the lowest disease scores, then Rio safari variety while Cal J recorded the
highest. Root drenching+wounding inoculation technique recorded significantly highest
disease scores and was fatal compared to the other inoculation techniques. Most of
Tomato growing farmers84.8% don’t manage the disease properly in Morogoro.
Equipping farmers with knowledge of good agronomic practices will enhance proper
management techniques of the disease. The use of certified and disease free seeds,
resistant or tolerant varieties, good agronomic practices can help in proper management of
the disease across Morogoro region. The bacterial inoculum isolated from Morogoro was
confirmed as R. solanacearum using biochemical tests, Serological test and pathogenicity
test. From above such results it was observed that Assila F1 tomato variety was
significantly resistant compared to Rio safari and the susceptible Cal J. The use of Asilla F1, followed by Rio safari variety with proper agronomic methods can help farmers to minimize the disease new infections and ultimately spread
The role of institutions in mitigating natural resource- based conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa and Mvomero districts, Tanzania
No full textA Thesis 2019Recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists have brought significant impact
on both groups and the society at large in Kilosa and Mvomero districts. Mitigation
of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, with the intention of bringing up peace
and tranquility in the community is important for empowering farmers and
pastoralists in terms of skills in modern farming without encroaching other land,
keeping livestock without disturbing others and arbitration mechanisms applied to
mitigate conflicts with little success. This study (i) examined drivers and
consequences of recurrent conflicts, (ii) determined mitigation strategies that would
ameliorate recurrent conflicts arising between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa and
Mvomero districts and (iii) assessed the role of formal and informal institutions in
mitigating conflict. A sample size of 203 farmers and pastoralists was chosen using a
simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using interview, a
questionnaire survey, documentary review and focus group discussions (FGDs)
methods. Collected data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using
content analytical and binary logistic regression approaches respectively. The
findings show that it would be effective to use a conflict resolution model which is
solely based on social order in four main stages: developing expectations for win-win
solutions, defining each party's interests, brainstorming creative options, and
combining options into win-win solutions. Importantly, the findings revealed that
weak governance structures associated with unethical behaviour, regulatory
deficiencies, socio-economic and environmental factors are responsible for the
recurrence of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. Consequently, the recurrent conflicts have resulted into major socio-economic impacts that include loss of lives
and property to both farmers and pastoralists. Drawing from conflict and conflict
resolution theories, which advocate use of coercive power and participatory
approaches to restore peace, respectively; this thesis concludes that no single strategy
fits all conflicts given the complexity in which such conflicts occur. In the light of
the results, this thesis recommends that the effective way to address farmers-
pastoralists conflicts: should twofold i.e. use both coercive and participatory
approaches. Therefore, the choice of the appropriate strategy will depend on the
context since no single approach fits all types of conflicts. Also the study
recommends that various stakeholders such as the local government and civil
societies should encourage pastoralists to establishing pasture land. In addition, the
LGA should regulate the number of animals per area by formulating bylaws for
controlling livestock populations in areas with limited land in order to match its
carrying capacity, controlling migration of other ethnic groups and guaranteed water
right for farmers and pastoralists for the sake of bringing peace and harmony
between farmers and pastoralists. More importantly, the land policy has some
deficiencies and contradictions because it does not guarantee security of tenure to
some users, especially smallholder groups. Unsecured land tenure system in Tanzania
has accounted to the underdevelopment of the land resource in the country.
Therefore, the situation has resulted into unethical practices such as corruption. For
instance, some village leaders have been receiving bribes from pastoralists thus
allowing them to enter in the villages which ... loads to conflicts with crop producer
This also creates enmity between farmers and pastoralists. The study recommends
that there is a need for the government to effectively establish a transparent and accountability committee whose obligation will be to critically observ rules,
regulations as far as land tenure is concerned. Additionally, the study recommends
that there should be investigation conducted by relevant authorities such as the
Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in order to identify the
sources of these vices and institute legal procedures/actions against the offenders
Participatory epidemiology of newcastle disease across the rift valley in Manyoni district, Tanzania
No full textA Dissertation 2019The study was conducted to assess the contribution of local knowledge, practices and
attitudes of the rural community in relation to disease occurrence, poultry production
systems, and management practices in the face of outbreaks of Newcastle disease in
vaccinating and non-vaccinating wards. Participatory epidemiology techniques were
employed in twelve selected villages to collect data. The information collected covered
the existence of poultry diseases, clinical signs, disease incidences, perceptions regarding
disease causes, the use of the vaccine, seasonal patterns, veterinary and local knowledge
concerning the control of Newcastle disease. A questionnaire was used to collect data on
the production system and management practices. Data were subjected to descriptive
statistical analyses. The Chi-square statistic was used for testing relationships between
categorical variables. Friedman test and Kendall coefficients of concordance were used to
determine the level of agreement between informant groups. Results from the study
indicated that village chickens, at 21.1%, constituted the largest proportion of livestock
species kept. Newcastle Disease, fowl typhoid, coccidiosis, fowl pox, ectoparasites and
endoparasites were reported to be the poultry diseases affecting poultry production.
Newcastle disease was described to be the most economically important disease in non-
vaccinated areas and ectoparasites were the most important in vaccinating areas. The
occurrences of Newcastle disease was described to coincide with onset of dry season with
a peak in September. Also, there is a considerable use of local remedies and antibiotics to
treat Newcastle disease. The traditional remedies used are neem tree, aloe vera and
moringa
while
conventional
treatment
included
tetracycline, amoxicillin
and
metronidazole. The results from the study show the difference in attitude and
management practices between vaccinating and none vaccinating households had a
contribution to the outbreaks of Newcastle disease to the village chickens
Conservation of medicinal plants for managing hiv/aids opportunistic infections in Rungwe district, Mbeya region, Tanzania
No full textThe application of medicinal plants in primary health care for people living with HIV/AIDS is well acknowledged in Tanzania. However, the conservation status of medicinal plants is questionable. This study aimed at assessing the conservation status of medicinal plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, Tanzania. Specifically, this study sought to: identify and document medicinal plant species used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in the study area, explore indigenous knowledge of conserving medicinal plants in the study area, assess the wild population status of medicinal plant species used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections and to propose a conservation framework for medicinal plant species in the study area. This study employed a cross sectional research design through which data were collected at a single point in time. Ethnobotanical data were collected using questionnaires, key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Furthermore, the inventory was conducted to collect data on the wild population status of priority medicinal plant species. While quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative data were analysed using content analysis method. Logistic regression models were developed to analyse the influence of socio-demographic factors of the respondents on ethnobotanical knowledge. Preference ranking method was used to obtain priority medicinal plant species used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in the study area. Analysis of inventory data was done by using Microsoft Excel and QGIS software version 2.18 to analyse spatial data gathered on assessment of wild population status of priority medicinal plant species. Inventory data were further analysed for species structure and density. It was revealed that a total of 31 medicinal plant species belonging to 23 families were used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in the study area. Compositae and Rosaceae were the
mostly extracted plant families (15%). With regards to plant parts, the study indicated that leaves were mostly extracted for medicine (44%) than others. Of the cited HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections, Tuberculosis utilized the largest share of the medicinal plant species (60%). The ethnobotanical knowledge of the respondents was independent of age and sex, but was significantly influenced by ethnic background and education levels of the respondents (p=0.00). In relation to indigenous knowledge on conservation, the study indicated that up to nine indigenous conservation practices were recorded. Out of the nine indigenous conservation practices, selective harvesting was the most popular to 94% of the respondents. Moreover, the study revealed that indigenous knowledge on conservation was significant among males than females (p=0.031) and adults than youth respondents (p=0.002). The study revealed up to seven priority medicinal plant species used by communities to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in the study area. The assessment of the wild population status of medicinal plant species was carried out on two species (Hagenia abyssinica and Myrica salicifolia). The findings on population status of priority medicinal plant species indicated that, both species were mostly distributed within 1950-2050 meters above sea level in the Poroto forest reserve and were linearly distributed adjacent rivers. The population structure of priority medicinal plant species showed J-shaped curves, most species were dominant in (>10cm) size class and few in the lowest size class (<10cm) for Hagenia abyssinica while there were no species of the lowest size class found for Myrica salicifolia. With regards to stem density, the findings revealed that Hagenia abyssinica had a total of 200 stems/ha whereas only 28 stems/ha density were found in Myrica salicifolia. Further, it was indicated that arable farming, logging, and animal grazing inside the forest reserve interfered the sustainability of medicinal plant species. To address those conservation challenges the respondents suggested approaches such as ex-situ (32%) and in-situ (23%). The findings from all objectives were scrutinized to arrive at proposing a
conservation framework suitable for medicinal plant species. The aim of the conservation framework is to attain sustainability of medicinal plants and ensuring improvement of health of the people. The framework proposed encompasses many variables such as: legal and institutional frameworks ex-situ and in-situ conservation and conservation knowledge (formal and/or indigenous). Other variables include suitable site selected for ex-situ conservation from which the properly prepared seeds/seedlings will be planted. With regards to in-situ conservation, it is required that seedlings for restoring the wild are properly prepared and they are left to grow under proper managed and protected environment. In conclusion, the communities in the study area are rich in ethnobotanical knowledge. This study recommends for preservation and transmission of ethnobotanical knowledge across generations by the elders to the youth. Based on the study findings, there is a necessity of taking urgent measures to address conservation challenges and safeguarding the medicinal plant species. The implementation of the proposed conservation framework requires government’s responsible institutions such as the Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS), Tanzania Forest Research Institution (TAFORI) together with academic and other research institutions, environmental policy makers and conservationists, local authorities and all stakeholders interested in the medicinal plants sector to work cooperatively.Prof. Robinson Mdegel