East African Journal Of Science, Technology and Innovation
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A mobile digital technology (Fionet™) to improve accuracy, completeness and timeliness of research data compared with a non-digital system in Kenya
Full text linkThe World Health Organization’s Global Malaria Program implemented a multi-country study to assess the entomological and epidemiological impact of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spray (IRS). Study activities included home visits to perform a LLIN survey and malaria testing of children in the household. In Kenya, Fionet™, a technology for automated malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) processing and interpretation at point-of-care, was evaluated against traditional paper-based methods and manual mRDT processing. Objective: To measure and compare the accuracy of diagnosis, completeness, and timeliness of data transmission between a digital mobile solution (Fionet™) and a paper-based system. Methodology: A randomised cluster sampling design of two cohorts: 1) an Active Infection Detection cohort, and 2) an Active Case Detection cohort was undertaken between November 2013 and April 2014. Community Health Workers (CHWs) visited rural households to: 1) measure malaria prevalence in children under the age of five using mRDTs, and 2) survey the use and physical status of LLINs in the household. Ten clusters were randomly assigned to Fionet™ to perform automated testing, interpretation, and survey data capture. Fionet™ transmitted all the tests and survey data to a cloud-based database. Results: A total of 1770 households were visited, 437 children tested, and 742 LLINs inspected. Fionet™ significantly improved the quality of data gathered; a two-fold increase in adherence to study protocols using Fionet™ resulted in more accurate data, data completeness was 10 times higher than with paper-based collection methods, and 87% of data were available in less than one day. Fionet™ significantly improved data quality and management, which enhanced the health system’s ability to meet the research objectives. This technology can help ensure accurate, complete, and timely availability of data. Future studies should incorporate mobile technologies such as Fionet™ to improve RDT based diagnostics of malaria and data quality
Microstructure and Residual Stress Effect on the Flexural Strength of Porcelain Tiles Formulated from Locally Available Materials in Uganda
No full textQuartz is an inexpensive raw material used in the production of porcelain tiles. The presence of quartz prevents pyroplastic deformation during sintering. However, the use of quartz particle size exceeding 32 µm has a deleterious effect on the flexural strength of porcelain tiles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of microstructure and residual stress on the flexural strength of porcelain tiles formulated with different quartz particle sizes, within the range of 45 to 200 µm. The samples made of kaolin, feldspar and quartz were mixed in the ratio of 5:3:2 respectively, and die pressed at 40 MPa. Afterwards, the green body was sintered at 1300 0C for 2 hours at a rate of 60 0C/min. The microstructure of the sintered body was characterized by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the nature and size of the pores. In addition, the residual stress was evaluated based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and corroborated with SEM. The flexural strength was determined using three points loading method. The samples formulated with quartz particle size of 45 µm exhibited smooth granules, and isolated pores within the range of 3-8 µm. But, those with 200 µm particles size exhibited rough granules, and interconnected pores between 10-34 µm. Initially, there was an increase in the residual stress, but above 90 µm particle size, it decreased due to evolution of cracks. Also, an increase in quartz particle size resulted in a decline in flexural strength from to MPa. These results show that increasing quartz particle size affected the pore morphology and the residual stresses. Therefore, fine quartz particle milling should be taken into account for further improvement of flexural strength
The biological integrity of streams and channels draining into the Rwizi River system in Western Uganda
No full textRwizi River, often called the life-line river, supports over five million people in Western Uganda and is a major contributor of freshwater to Lake Victoria. Surrounded by a large and rapidly growing population, the river has suffered anthropogenic disturbances whose impact on the integrity of the system is a subject of concern. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, used globally to monitor both short- and long-term environmental conditions, were thus used to assess the biological integrity of streams and channels draining into the river system. Macroinvertebrates were sampled for six months in 2017 encompassing the wet and dry seasons using the kick net sampling method. The macroinvertebrates were identified morphologically using peer reviewed identification keys and their pollution sensitivity scored using the Tanzanian River Scoring System (TARISS). The Shannon diversity index was computed per site and related to average score per taxon (ASPT). We collected a total of 5442 macroinvertebrates belonging to 54 families dominated by Chironomidae (29.1%). Macroinvertebrate diversity increased with ASPT (r = 0.57; N = 131; P = 0.000). The water quality was generally poor and was not affected by the season (t = 1.03; df = 64; P = 0.303) though sites had different water quality (F = 11.32; df = 20; P = 0.000) attributed the degree of anthropogenic disturbance. We concluded that river Rwizi system is highly degraded and thus recommend restoration of the entire catchment. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are good indicators of long-term conditions but less sensitive to short-term changes. Multiple approaches, biological and chemical, are encouraged during the restoration process
Stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization in co-management of Lake Turkana fisheries, Kenya
Full text linkLake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is the second largest producer of freshwater fishery in Kenya. The lake is co-managed by stakeholders’ groups called Beach Management Units (BMUs) in a co-management arrangement with the government. Despite the enactment of co-management policy, management related challenges including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, overexploitation and resource use conflicts still bedevil the lake leading to plummeting fisheries production. This study identified gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization methods used by BMUs. Data was collected using questionnaires from 693 respondents in eight beaches. Chi-square was used to test for statistical associations between variables (p?0.05). Results showed that 13 stakeholders grouped into county government (24%), national government (35%) and donors (42%) were included in the lake’s fisheries management. Although stakeholders’ level of inclusion was not statistically significant (x2=4.8911, df=2, p=0.08668), they were associated with certain activities (x2=202.72, df=8, p<0.001). Donors were engaged in training (84%) and provision of equipment (62%), national government mainly provided security (60%) while County government was associated with marketing infrastructure (56%). BMUs enhanced stakeholder’s inclusion by accepting their opinions (54%), invitation to BMU meetings (26%) and allocation of roles (20%). Information was disseminated through BMU secretaries (41%), announcement in public forums (35%) and phone calls/messages (24%). Although most stakeholders were included in fisheries management, key institutional stakeholders such as National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority and Kenya Ports Authority were missing indicating absence of multiple stakeholders who would provide support in specific areas of co-management. Besides, current mobilization methods were inadequate since they excluded traditional leaders, publicity materials, periodic newsletters and electronic/social media platforms. This study points out critical gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization. The gaps should be filled by careful review of fisheries co-management policy at County level to allow for effective fisheries management.
 
A comparison between indirect ELISA and tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in Kenya
Full text linkBovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an important zoonotic disease which has remained persistent in many areas of the World. Control and eradication has proved problematic due to the challenges in effective screening and diagnosis. Limited information on the status of BTB in Kenya presents a need to investigate its occurrence in cattle population. The study was carried out using an indirect antibody Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA-IDEXX-USA) to assess the agreement with Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin Test (CITT) test results between August and December 2013 in Laikipia County. The study also determined the apparent prevalence of cattle BTB antibodies in Laikipia County. A total of 276 bovine serum samples were tested using MPB70 and MPB83 recombinant proteins as capture antigens in the ELISA kit. Data were recorded in Microsoft Excel and exported to SPSS 16.0 for analysis. Apparent prevalence was calculated as a proportion at 95% CI, Kappa statistics computed, and test of significance assessed by Chi-square and Fisher exact test. The results showed an individual animal apparent prevalence of 3.9% (11/276) and a herd prevalence of 58.3% (7/12). There was no significant association between BTB infection and both animal level factors, breed and sex. Kappa agreement test between ELISA test and TST showed a good agreement at K= 0.65. This study reported the prevalence of BTB in cattle for the first time in Laikipia County Kenya using the IDEXX ELISA. The ELISA test was comparable to the tuberculin test which is used as the gold standard for screening TB on live animals. The two tests can be used alongside for series or parallel interpretation to achieve desirable diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in disease control programs
Ethno-varieties and Distribution of jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) in Uganda: implications for trade, food security and germplasm conservation
No full textArtocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a fruit tree crop largely grown in tropical regions for its edible fruits. Though listed among underutilized crops, the demand for jackfruit in Uganda has increased. Amidst the increase in demand, the crop faces strong selective pressure and yet there is no documentation of the varieties and distribution of the crop in the country. This study therefore aimed at determining the varieties and distribution of jackfruit in Uganda using folk knowledge to provide a baseline for its production, booming market and conservation. A cross-sectional survey involving 349 participants comprising of 205 jackfruit traders and 144 jackfruit farmers from three political regions and three agro-ecological zones was conducted. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and direct observations. Classification of jackfruit varieties, geographical location of the source of jackfruits for traders and the time of harvest of the fruit by the farmers were investigated. Occurrence of varieties per household was determined through on-farm visits. Data analysis techniques involved descriptive, chi-square and Cramer’s V measure of association analyses. Traders mainly obtained jackfruit from Central (46.0%) and Eastern (37.6%) political regions, Lake Victoria Crescent and Mbale Farmlands (41.1%) and Southern and Eastern Lake Kyoga Basin (30.0%) agro-ecological zones. Jackfruit varieties were classified basing on fruit texture and pulp colour, revealing four ethno-varieties, soft (Serebera), firm yellow (Kanaanansi), firm red (Namusaayi) and firm white (Namata). Namata and Serebera registered the lowest occurrences political regions and agro-ecological zones. Farmers harvested jackfruit throughout the year with a peak season in December and January. Folk knowledge provided baseline information for jackfruit variety categorization. Selection pressure exerted on Serebera and Namata demands for germplasm conservation. Since jackfruit thrives in a wide range of climatic conditions, its cultivation should be encouraged to ensure food security and sustain the increasing demand
Factors associated with leg cleanliness of smallholder dairy cows in Kenya
No full textDairy cow cleanliness provides information about animal welfare, along with risk of diseases and quality of housing environments. This study determined animal- and farm-level factors associated with upper hind leg cleanliness in smallholder dairy cows. All lactating cows (n=234) on 118 randomly selected zero-grazing fams participated in this cross-sectional study between May to August 2015 in the Naari area of Meru County, Kenya. Cleanliness scores of hind legs were assessed visually on a 1-4 ordinal scale (clean to very soiled). Potential risk factors for poor leg cleanliness were evaluated by inspection of cows and their housing, along with a questionnaire about herd management. Descriptive statistics, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with soiled legs (cleanliness score>2) in the analyses. Prevalence of soiled legs was 59.0% (137/234). In the final model, factors positively associated with soiled legs included failure of the knee wetness test on the stall floor (OR=11.2; 95%CI: 5.1, 24.7), animal restlessness in the stall (OR=4.9; 95%CI: 1.8, 13.5), and milk production in kg/cow/day (OR=1.09; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.16). Protective factors for soiled legs included having stalls without excessive space (OR=0.25; 95%CI: 0.11, 0.57), and having an intact stall roof (OR=0.34; 95%CI; 0.15, 0.76). Our results suggest that farmers should address both housing design (especially the roof and stall size) and management issues (especially stall cleanliness) to enhance leg cleanliness and animal welfare