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Seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasma gondii infection among goats from Choma district, Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Tropical Infectious Diseases and ZoonosisToxoplasmosis is a disease of economic importance and of public health significance. Despite being a zoonotic disease, information on Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in goats has not yet been reported in Zambia. A cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study of T. gondii infection in goats was carried out from 31st August to 5th September, 2021 in eight veterinary camps of Choma district, Southern Province, Zambia. A closed-ended questionnaire was also
administered to forty one farmers whose goats were included in the study to identify potential risk factors for T. gondii infections in goats. Three hundred and twenty-four goat sera were examined for IgG anti- T. gondii antibodies using an ELISA kit. All factors attributing to T. gondii infection in goats were analyzed using Chi-square and logistic regression analysis. The serological results showed an overall seroprevalence of 3.11% (95% CI: 2.71-9.43). Female goats had a seroprevalence of 4.13% (95% CI: 3.55-13.61: p =0.001), while all the males were negative. According to age, adults had a seroprevalence of 4.00% (95% CI: 3.16-13.23: p =0.001) than the young 1.01% (95% CI: 0.09-10.63). The significant risk factors were presence of stray cats within the farm yards (aOR: 5.092, 95% CI: 2.442-16.376: p =0.033), cats access to water and feed troughs (aOR: 2.806, 95% CI: 1.002-11.528: p =0.041) and presence of cat feaces within the farm yards (aOR: 0.042: 95% CI: 0.010-0.761: p =0.029). The detection of T. gondii infection among goats indicates a potential risk presented to humans from food animals. This further highlighted the impact of T. gondii infection on the health, production and reproduction of goats and other ruminants
Marketing potential and factors leading to the acceptability of faecal sludge briquettes in low income areas of Lusaka : a case of Kamanga compound.
Get PDFThesisExcreta ought not to be viewed solely as a problem but as a potential resource from
which valuable resources can be obtained and sold to consumers. One of the resources
that can be recovered from faecal sludge is briquettes. Briquettes can be processed
from faecal sludge and used as a sustainable energy source at the domestic,
institutional and industrial levels. Despite faecal briquettes being a good sustainable
energy source produced from an abundant resource, end-user acceptability is still a
challenge. This is mainly attributed to the perception that faecal sludge is a waste, not
a resource. The perception of end users influences the future success of the faecal
briquettes as an energy source. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors leading
to acceptance of faecal sludge briquette based on views of potential users and market
potential. The market potential is based on an available energy source the briquettes
could replace, referred to as a substitute product. Qualitative methods, employing
focus group discussions were suitable for determining the acceptability of the product
through participant response. Quantitative methods were employed when determining
the market volume potential of the product and the cost compared to other energy
sources. An interview guide, guided the Focus group discussions (FGD), which
resulted in identification of themes related to factors leading to acceptability of faecal
sludge briquettes. Household heads were purposively sampled through a list of
household heads, provided by community heads of each of the six zones that make up
kamanaga. A total of six focus group discussions were carried out. Total sampling was
used to sample charcoal traders who provided both quantitative for market potential
and qualitative data in line with FS briquette acceptance. Both the quantitative data
and the qualitative data from the charcoaltraders was collected with the use of a survey
tool for key informants. Chi square was carried out, no associations were found
between acceptability factors and individual factors such as religion, gender etc as
suggested by other studies.Market Driven Approach (MDA) calculation tool was used
to analyse the market potential of faecal sludge briquettes based on the substitute
product. Findings on market growth potential revealed that factors such as; an increase
in the number of traders, increase in the daily purchase of charcoal were good
indicators of growth. Calculation of the market volume revealed that 50kg bags of
charcoal had the largest market volume (694.4). The application of a 1.1 adjustment factor resulted
in a total adjusted market volume for all the charcoal quantities to be $5809.078. Major
FGD themes included; Current energy sources used in Kamanga and factors leading
to the acceptability of faecal sludge briquettes in Kamanga compound. Sub themes
included; Perceived usefulness, ease of use, affordability, smoke production,
awareness creation, availability, and perceived performance of faecal sludge
briquettes. A comparative cost analysis of currently used energy sources in the area
was carried out where it was found that faecal briquettes cost ZMW 0.5 more than
charcoal. Despite the ZMW 0.5 cost difference between charcoal and faecal sludge
briquettes, the longer burning time of briquettes would make them more cost-effective.
Based on participant responses, acceptability for faecal sludge briquettes is achievable
if the product can meet the expectations of the users. Positive user response coupled
with better or similar growth trends of charcoal will make for good market potential.
Product development and user education will be required to bring awareness to
potential market participants as they are key in the success of the briquettes.
Key Words: faecal sludge briquettes, market-driven, acceptability, market growth,
market volume, excreta, themes, market potential, substitute produc
Waste to energy potential assessment : case study of Ndola.
Get PDFThesisWaste to Energy is a Suitable option for municipal Solid Waste Management and a source of
renewable energy. Generation of massive waste due to population growth and urbanization and an
energy down turn in Zambia particularly Ndola is a daunting task for the city. The purpose of this
study was to assess the potential for waste to energy generation in Ndola. To achieve this, the study
assessed disposal methods used and waste composition in the city of Ndola in Zambia.
The demographic characteristic of the study was drawn from Ndola with respondents from Ndola
city council, independent Waste pickers, Informal waste pickers and selected housing units across
the city compromising of High cost , medium cost and Low cost.
To answer to the objectives the study, the researcher employed a survey approach with simple
random sampling method where qualitative as well as quantitative survey questionnaires were used
to gather data, and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), then tabulated and
analysed using Excel and presented in percentages, frequencies, cross tabulation and correlation
The Waste to Energy (WtE) opportunities in Ndola were carried out in the context of simulating
two scenarios: Biomethanation and Incineration. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change
(IPCC) default model was presented to estimate emission of methane from municipal solid waste
at kaloko landfill site Ndola, Zambia. Findings revealed that the estimated Net Annual methane
emission potential from solid waste landfills was 22.09 (Gg/yr.) in the year 2015, giving a net power
Generation Potential of 7.57MW.The maximum methane production rate by the IPCC default
model was calculated to be 32.2(Gg/yr.) and was observed during the year 2035, giving a Net Power
Generation Potential of 11.07MW. The power generation potential for Ndola was estimated at
21MW in the year 2015 resulting in Energy Generation Potential of 0.52GWh from incineration.
The Maximum Power generation potential was estimated in the year 2035 giving a Net Power
Generation Potential from Incineration of 7.87MW.The Energy Generation potential was found to
be 0.75GWh in the year 2035 at an efficiency of 25 percent. Biomethanation can be used as the
most suitable technology in Ndola due to availability of degradable organic waste stream
(134.13Gg/yr.), high efficiency (25% to 30%); lowest annual capital ($0.1–0.14/ton) and
operational cost. Maintenance of methane emissions has a direct impact on national energy security
and mitigating potential climate change. It can be assumed that the increased volume of generated
methane, from increased solid waste in this landfill, is sufficient enough to be considered for new
standard landfill site construction with methane capturing facilities.
Keywords: (Bio-Methanation, Gasification, Landfill, Gasification IPCC default model, Municipal
Solid Waste, and Waste to Energy
Physiological and yield responses of cassava (manihot esculent crantz) to fertilizer and leaf harvesting treatments under different cropping systems in Luapula province of Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy.Comparatively, Zambian smallholder cassava productivity is low. Zambian farmers produce 6 ton ha-1 , compared to 20–25 ton ha-1 in Zambia. Therefore, understanding smallholder farmers' poor yields is necessary to develop cassava cropping systems for yield intensification. In this study, field trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of three cassava varieties for yield, physiology, and morphology under four fertilization regimes while three varieties were assessed for field performance under NPK fertilizer and no fertilizer (Control). In addition, three cassava varieties were evaluated for growth, yield, and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in response to three leaf harvesting intensities and two fertilizer management regimes. The trials were conducted for two seasons at the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute Station (ZARI) in the Mansa District of Luapula Province. For objective (i), Fertilization regimes were treated as the main plot, Mweru (V1), Bangweulu (V2), and Katobamputa (local) (V3) were subplots while for objective (ii), the same cassava varieties were used, either with NPK fertilization and no fertilizer treatment. Objective (iii)examined three cassava varieties (Bangweulu-V1, Mweru-V2, and Katobamputa-V3) under two fertilizer management regimes (M1=Control and M2 NPK+Lime) and variable leaf harvesting intervals (D1 = no leaf harvesting, D2 = 2-week, and D3 = 3-week respectively) using split-split plot design. At 75–410 days after planting (DAP), leaf area index (LAI), light interception, yield, and yield components were measured at six different times, along with daily weather data. Using a linear mixed model, analysis of the variance examined fertilization regimes, variety, and harvesting interval effects using R-statistical software. Tukey's Honest Significant test was used for mean separation. Cross-treatment Pearson correlation was used to compare continuous variables for treatment means while stepwise regression was used to determine the most important cassava yield components. Irrespective of the variety, NPK + lime followed by NPK only yielded more and had a superior response for cassava yield components than lime and the control. NPK fertilisation increased cassava RUE, light extinction coefficient, and yield across seasons and varieties. Harvesting 5-8 young cassava leaves per plant at 3- week intervals for home and commercial use may not affect yield, independent of fertilizer or variety according to this study. Cassava growth, root yield, LAI, and RUE were affected by bi-weekly leaf harvesting. In poor soil nutrient conditions, NPK fertilizer+ lime, and NPK fertilizer treatments can increase cassava productivity, physiology, and morphology under high-rainfall environments
Public health importance and antibiotic resistance patterns of listeria species in food and food processing environments in selected districts of Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public HealthAwareness of food safety risks has increased, given the occurrence and intensity with which zoonotic diseases are reported. Due to the widespread distribution of food products, controlling foodborne pathogens has become increasingly relevant worldwide. Consequently, this present study aimed to evaluate public health importance and antibiotic resistance patterns of Listeria species in selected Districts of Zambia across foods and food processing environments.
654 food and environmental samples were collected from poultry abattoirs n=150, beef abattoirs n=250, fish plants n=150, RTE deli meats n=52, lettuce n=52, and environmental samples n=80. Samples were collected randomly, using a cross-sectional study design from March 2020 to August 2021. Samples were first imperiled to pre-enrichment in half-strength Fraser broth, followed by enrichment in full-strength Fraser broth, and subsequent plating on Listeria agar. Listeria growth characteristics were identified based on their morphological and biochemical reactions. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using STATA Version 15.0 software and WHONET. Further, we used molecular detection to determine genes conferring resistance and genomic relatedness of Listeria species. Custom pipeline was used for sequence assembly and analysis.
Of the 654 samples examined, 16.4% (95% CI: 13.5 – 19.2) contained Listeria species. When specific allocated sample size for each variable was considered, Listeria species were present in 42.5% (95% CI: 33.6 – 51.4), 14.5% (95% CI: 9.6 – 19.4), 23.1% (95% CI: 11.5 – 34.7), 13.5% (95% CI: 4.1 – 22.8) and 10.0% (95% CI: 3.4 – 16.6) of poultry samples, beef samples, RTE deli meats, lettuce, and environmental samples respectively. The proportions of Listeria species were L. innocua 67.2%, L. monocytogenes 21.5%, L. ivanovii 5.6%, L. seeligeri 3.7%, and L.
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marthii 1.9%. Considering surface samples, those from poultry had a 60% contamination rate compared to cloacal samples, which was at 25.0%. Among samples from beef, interior samples were more contaminated at 17.0% than exterior surfaces at 12.0%. Isolation of Listeria species was not recorded from tilapia fish and environmental swabs from beef abattoirs. Furthermore, L. seeligeri was only recorded in lettuce vegetables. At WGS, all 42 (100%) isolates expressed intrinsic resistant genes fosX (resistance to fosfomycin) and lmo0919 (resistance to lincosamides) with only 17.5% expressing the Tet(M) (resistance to tetracycline) resistant genes. While only one isolate, 42 (2%) recorded dfrE (resistance to trimethoprim), erm(B) (macrolide), lsa(A) (resistance to Lincosamide, streptogramin), Tet (L) (resistance to tetracycline).
Within its limits, this study has elucidated the occurrence of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species across different food sources at different processing and value points in Zambia. The isolation of closely related genetic species clustering within and between food sources strongly intimates the potential occurrence of cross-contamination. To a greater extent, these findings strongly suggest the need for policy shift regarding pathogen tracking and monitoring in relation to food safety, food outbreak investigations, and applying transformative food systems
Densification of residential areas in Lusaka: the case of Chilenje.
Get PDFDegree of Master of Spatial PlanningUrbanisation in Zambia has continued at a rapid pace since independence. Lusaka
continues to attract new dwellers who need to be accommodated though it has grown
and development sprawled beyond its boundary limits. The study on densification of
residential areas in Lusaka with a focus on Chilenje, a former public housing area,
sought to determine the nature of densification taking place in Chilenje. Establishing the
forms of densification taking place, residents’ perception of the densification on the
neighbourhood and the impact of densification on basic services provided in Chilenje
were key to this study. Designed as a descriptive case study, purposive sampling was
used to select the respondents and houses for the interview and observation,
respectively. A total of 45 questionnaires were administered. Aerial satellite imagery of
a part of the study area from 2004, 2010 and 2016 was also analysed to depict new
development in each period. It was revealed from the field visits and aerial imagery that
many houses have gradually been transformed mainly by constructing extensions or
rooms for rental income or to accommodate the growing family. Though over half of the
respondents had lived in Chilenje for more than 30 years, most of them perceived their
area as the same with a few who mentioned an increase in population, improved services
and development of new structures in their neighbourhood. Payments for services such
as water, electricity and refuse collection by the households living on a given plot is
pooled each month. It can be concluded that transformation of the housing area has
taken place mainly through additional development of rooms for rent or to house family
members. Increased number of residents entails that when planned well and guided, the
established prospect for affordable rentals in a low-cost residential area could cultivate
aesthetically pleasing and sustainable residential areas which are well serviced. To this
effect, the study recommends that policies and strategies formulated for the area should
be cognizant of planning needs that are appealing to residents such as the type of
housing units and estimated costs
An investigation of sustainable building construction practices in Zambia.
Get PDFMaster of Engineering in Construction Management.Since the Earth Summit held in Brazil in 1992 when agenda 21 was formulated as the international blueprint for sustainable development, all sectors of society have been in the process of interpreting and pursuing sustainability and sustainable development within their specific contexts. However, the Zambian construction industry has not seen much of sustainable building construction principles being put into practice. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to: examine the current construction (building) practices in Zambia; explore the fundamental principles of sustainable construction practices; to identify the main challenges in implementing sustainable construction practices in the Zambian Construction Industry; and make recommendations for strategies that could be taken to promote sustainable construction in the Zambian Construction Industry. This study was conducted through a survey research design and made use of both qualitative and quantitative modes. A random sample of thirty-five (35) professionals and stakeholders of the 50 targeted were used for the study. The results indicated that, 14% of the respondents have excellent level of awareness on sustainable construction while 86% have a good level and the aim of achieving a sustainably built environment calls for excellence. Results on current construction practices indicate organization/firms putting more preference (37%) on the economic aspect of construction, while the professionals (51%) feel the environmental aspects should be the ones prioritised. In conclusion, the status of sustainable construction in Zambia is still in its infancy. The lack of awareness/training is among the major barriers for sustainable construction practices. Besides the need for capacities, technologies and tools, ardent commitment by all players in the construction industry including the government and the public is required to achieve sustainable construction in the Zambian Construction Sector
Effect of using red-claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) meal, blood meal or black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal / as replacement for fishmeal on the growth and survival rate of the three spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii).
Get PDFThesisAquaculture is fastest food producing sector in the world with most of the production coming from
small and medium income countries, Unfortunately, the development of aquaculture in Africa has
largely lagged behind Asian countries due to the high cost and scarcity of fishmeal, which is an
important animal protein source used in the formulation of good quality fish feed. The objective
of this study was to compare the effect of red-claw crayfish meal, bloodmeal or black soldier fly
larvae meal as replacement of fishmeal on growth performance, survival and whole-body
composition of Oreochromis andersonii. Four diets containing 35% crude protein were provided
at 5% live body weight to four groups of O. andersonii fingerlings of 2.92 ± 0.1g replicated 3
times for 90 days; Diet 1 (control) contained fishmeal (FM), Diet 2 contained Red-claw crayfish
meal (CFM), Diet 3 contained bloodmeal (BM), Diet 4 contained black soldier fly larvae meal
(BSFM). The final mean weight varied from 20.87±0.16g(BM) to 23.39±0.25g(FM) and Weight
gain varied from 17.92±0.16g(BM) to 20.50±0.27g(FM) respectively, FM was significantly
different (P 0.05) from BSFM
with respect to final mean weight and weight gain of fish respectively. Specific growth rate (SGR)
ranged from 2.17±0.02g(BM) to 2.33±0.02g(FM), in this category FM did not differ significantly
(P > 0.05) from BSFM and it was significantly higher in these two treatments, however, FM was
significantly different (P < 0.05) from CFM and BM. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed
significant differences (P < 0.05) across the treatments with BSFM(1.24±0.01) performing
significantly better than other treatments followed by FM, BM(2.06±0.02) was significantly lower.
The results showed that the best growth performance and good feed utilization was noticed in FM
and BSFM and the least was observed in BM. Furthermore, survival rate of fish ranged from
89±0.05% (BM) to 98±0.02% (CFM) and it did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) across the
treatments. Crude protein ranged from 40.47±0.52% (CFM) to 56.19±0.72% (BM), fish fed FM
was significantly different (P < 0.05) from those fed CFM and BSFM but it was not significantly
different (P > 0.05) from that fed BM. Crude fat varied from 27.33±0.21% (FM) to 40.41±0.41%
(BSFM), significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in crude fat across all the treatments.
The Ash content varied from 15.44±0.35%(CFM) to 16.55±0.23%(FM), significant differences (P
< 0.05) in ash content were observed between fish fed FM and those fed CFM and BM but fish
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fed FM was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that fed BSFM, however among the
treatments, fish fed CFM and BM were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other. The
results of this study shows that black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) can be used to replace
fishmeal (FM) in fish feeds without having any adverse effect on growth performance, survival
rate and whole-body composition of Oreochromis andersonii.
Key words: Red-claw Crayfish, Black soldier fly larvae, blood meal, Fishmeal, Oreochromis
andersoni
Occurrence of extended –spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae and bacterial loads in dust from poultry farms in Lusaka-Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in One Health Analytical EpidemiologyPoultry houses accommodate substantial amounts of microorganisms which are carried by the dust present in these premises and the effects of this dust on humans and animal health is detrimental when inhaled. Extended Spectrum beta lactamases are a universal public health alarm which are frequently
identified in humans and animals including poultry. Poultry dust is a possible source of drug resistant microorganisms including Extended spectrum beta lactamases which confer antimicrobial resistance to different classes of antimicrobials including beta lactam, cephalosporins and fruoloquinolones. The
concentration of microorganisms in dust from poultry houses in Lusaka-Zambia is not known and in order to know the risks for birds, environment and people working in these houses, it is important to have information on the microbial composition of this dust, therefore, this study is conducted to determine poultry dust bacterial composition in farms in Lusaka, Zambia. A cross sectional study with quantitative data collection approach was conducted in Kafue, Lusaka and
Chongwe districts of Lusaka province where 351 dust samples from intensive poultry production were collected from 29 poultry farms (10 kafue,12 Lusaka and 7 Chongwe). 4 farms were for indigenous chickens, 15 layer farms and 10 broiler farms. They were analyzed for total viable bacteria counts (cfu/g), the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta- lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriacea, antimicrobial resistance for ESBL-E isolates. The association between the sociodemographic issues and the occurrence of the pathogens in dust from poultry houses in Lusaka- Zambia was also determined. The total viable bacterial counts was 2.599 x108 cfu/g. For Enterobacteriaceae was 2.296x108 cfu/g. 62 Positive ESBL samples occurred in 16 farms (n=29) where ESBL samples was 4.842x104cfu/g. E.Coli showed highest resistant rate amongst other isolates. All ESBL- E isolates showed 100% resistance rate to penicillin followed by 56.5% for cefotaxime and 48.4% for ciprofloxacin. There was no association between the sociodemographic issues and the occurrence of the pathogens in dust from poultry houses. The results obtained would help that ensures poultry farms comply to safety rules by providing protective clothing for their workers and also close monitoring of antibiotic usage to poultry to avoid dust transmitted antimicrobial organisms to humans, animals and the environment