Bagamoyo District Research Articles

Enterobiasis and strongyloidiasis and associated co-infections and morbidity markers in infants, preschool- and school-aged children from rural coastal Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThere is a paucity of data pertaining to the epidemiology and public health impact of Enterobius vermicularis and Strongyloides stercoralis infections. We aimed to determine the extent of enterobiasis, strongyloidiasis, and other helminth infections and their association with asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitaemia, anaemia, nutritional status, and blood cell counts in infants, preschool-aged (PSAC), and school-aged children (SAC) from rural coastal Tanzania.MethodsA total of 1,033 children were included in a cross-sectional study implemented in the Bagamoyo district in 2011/2012. Faecal samples were examined for intestinal helminth infections using a broad set of quality controlled methods. Finger-prick blood samples were subjected to filariasis and Plasmodium parasitaemia testing and full blood cell count examination. Weight, length/height, and/or mid-upper arm circumference were measured and the nutritional status determined in accordance with age.ResultsE. vermicularis infections were found in 4.2% of infants, 16.7%, of PSAC, and 26.3% of SAC. S. stercoralis infections were detected in 5.8%, 7.5%, and 7.1% of infants, PSAC, and SAC, respectively. Multivariable regression analyses revealed higher odds of enterobiasis in children of all age-groups with a reported anthelminthic treatment history over the past six months (odds ratio (OR): 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 - 3.79) and in SAC with a higher temperature (OR: 2.21; CI: 1.13 - 4.33). Strongyloidiasis was associated with eosinophilia (OR: 2.04; CI: 1.20-3.48) and with Trichuris trichiura infections (OR: 4.13; CI: 1.04-16.52) in children of all age-groups, and with asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitaemia (OR: 13.03; CI: 1.34 - 127.23) in infants. None of the investigated helminthiases impacted significantly on the nutritional status and anaemia, but moderate asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitaemia was a strong predictor for anaemia in children aged older than two years (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.23 – 5.86).ConclusionsE. vermicularis and S. stercoralis infections were moderately prevalent in children from rural coastal Tanzania. Our data can contribute to inform yet missing global burden of disease and prevalence estimates for strongyloidiasis and enterobiasis. The association between S stercoralis and asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitaemia found here warrants further comprehensive investigations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0644-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The pervasive triad of food security, gender inequity and women's health: exploratory research from sub-Saharan Africa.

This study was designed to explore the interactions between food securing activities, health and gender equity from the perspective of rural east African women. The specific objectives were to document the critical interaction among these three issues-food security, gender inequity, women's health within the context of sub-Saharan Africa; to describe the nature of this triad from the perspective of women farmers in Africa; and to propose a framework for linking available interventions to the vicious nature of this triad. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with rural women farmers in Kwale District, Kenya and Bagamoyo District, Tanzania. A total of 12 in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions have been included in this analysis. Transcribed text from interviews and focus group discussions were coded and thematic conceptual matrices were developed to compare dimensions of common themes across interviews and settings. A thematic analysis was then performed and a framework developed to understand the nature of the triad and explore the potential for interventions within the interactions. The vicious cycle of increasing work, lack of time, and lack of independent decision making for women who are responsible for food production and health of their families, has health and social consequences. Food securing activities have negative health consequences for women, which are further augmented by issues of gender inequity. The African development community must respond by thinking of creative solutions and appropriate interventions for the empowerment of women farmers in the region to ensure their health.

Anti-mosquito plants as an alternative or incremental method for malaria vector control among rural communities of Bagamoyo District, Tanzania.

BackgroundPlants represent one of the most accessible resources available for mosquito control by communities in Tanzania. However, no documented statistics exist for their contribution in the management of mosquitoes and other insects except through verbal and some publications. This study aimed at assessing communities’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of using plants as an alternative method for mosquito control among selected communities in a malaria-prone area in Tanzania.MethodsQuestionnaires were administered to 202 respondents from four villages of Bagamoyo District, Pwani Region, in Tanzania followed by participatory rural appraisal with village health workers. Secondary data collection for plants mentioned by the communities was undertaken using different search engines such as googlescholar, PubMED and NAPRALERT.ResultsResults showed about 40.3% of respondents used plants to manage insects, including mosquitoes. A broad profile of plants are used, including “mwarobaini” (Azadirachta indica) (22.5%), “mtopetope” (Annona spp) (20.8%), “mchungwa/mlimau” (Citrus spp) (8.3%), “mvumbashi/uvumbati” (Ocimum spp) (7.4%), “mkorosho” (Anacadium occidentale) (7.1%), “mwembe” (5.4%) (Mangifera indica), “mpera” (4.1%) (Psidium spp) and “maganda ya nazi” (4.1%) (Cocos nucifera). Majority of respondents collected these plants from the wild (54.2%), farms (28.9%) and/or home gardens (6%). The roles played by these plants in fighting mosquitoes is reflected by the majority that deploy them with or without bed-nets (p > 0.55) or insecticidal sprays (p >0.22). Most respondents were aware that mosquitoes transmit malaria (90.6%) while few respondents associated elephantiasis/hydrocele (46.5%) and yellow fever (24.3%) with mosquitoes. Most of the ethnobotanical uses mentioned by the communities were consistent with scientific information gathered from the literature, except for Psidium guajava, which is reported for the first time in insect control.ConclusionThis survey has indicated some knowledge gap among community members in managing mosquito vectors using plant. The communities need a basic health education and sensitization for effective exploitation of this valuable tool for reducing mosquitoes and associated disease burdens. On the other hand, the government of Tanzania should strengthen advocacy of botanical pesticides development, registration and regulation for public health benefits because they are source of pest control tools people rely on them.

Adherence to artemether-lumefantrine drug combination: a rural community experience six years after change of malaria treatment policy in Tanzania.

BackgroundAdherence to multidosing is challenging worldwide. This study assessed the extent of adherence to multidosing artemether-lumefantrine (ALu) in a rural community in Tanzania, six years after switching from single dose policy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine.MethodsThis study was a prospective observational, open label, non-randomized study involving 151 patients with uncomplicated malaria recruited at Fukayosi dispensary in Bagamoyo district in Tanzania. Patients treated with ALu were visited at home on day 3 for interview on drug intake, capillary blood sample collection for microscopy and ALu tablets count. Venous blood samples (2 ml) for determination of blood lumefantrine concentrations and blood slides for microscopy were collected on day-7. Kappa’s coefficient was used to assess agreement between pill count and self-report. Adherence was categorized depending on the tablets remaining and what the patient reported. Only those with empty blister pack available but no tablet remaining and reported taking all six doses of ALu at a correct dose and correct time were regarded as definite adherent. The rest were either probable adherent or probable non-adherent.ResultsOnly 14.9% of the patients were definite adherent the rest took the drug at incorrect time or did not finish the tablets. Out of 90 patients with analysed plasma samples for lumefantrine blood concentrations, 13/90 (14.4.0%) had lumefantrine concentrations <175 ng/ml. There was no difference in mean lumefantrine concentration in the patients who stated to have taken all doses as required (561.61 ng/ml 95% CI = 419.81-703.41) compared to those who stated to have not adhered well to drug intake (490.95 ng/ml, 95% CI = 404.18-577.7074 (p = 0.643). None of the patients had detectable parasites by microscopy on day-3 and day-7 regardless of adherence status and the level of day-7 blood lumefantrine. There was strong agreement between the self-reported responses on drug intake and pill-counts (kappa coefficient = 0.955). Age, sex, education and place where first dose was taken were associated with adherence.ConclusionsThe overall adherence six years after the change of malaria treatment policy was low. It is, therefore, important to continuously monitor the level of adherence to treatment in order to get the current situation and institute corrective measures on time.

Outcome of artemether-lumefantrine treatment for uncomplicated malaria in HIV-infected adult patients on anti-retroviral therapy.

BackgroundMalaria and HIV infections are both highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, with HIV-infected patients being at higher risks of acquiring malaria. The majority of antiretroviral (ART) and anti-malarial drugs are metabolized by the CYP450 system, creating a chance of drug-drug interaction upon co-administration. Limited data are available on the effectiveness of the artemether-lumefantrine combination (AL) when co-administered with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). The aim of this study was to compare anti-malarial treatment responses between HIV-1 infected patients on either nevirapine- or efavirenz-based treatment and those not yet on ART (control-arm) with uncomplicated falciparum malaria, treated with AL.MethodThis was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label study conducted in Bagamoyo district, with three arms of HIV-infected adults: efavirenz-based treatment arm (EFV-arm) n = 66, nevirapine-based treatment arm (NVP-arm) n = 128, and control-arm n = 75, with uncomplicated malaria. All patients were treated with AL and followed up for 28 days. The primary outcome measure was an adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) after treatment with AL by day 28.ResultsDay 28 ACPR was 97.6%, 82.5% and 94.5% for the NVP-arm, EFV-arm and control-arm, respectively. No early treatment or late parasitological failure was reported. The cumulative risk of recurrent parasitaemia was >19-fold higher in the EFV-arm than in the control-arm (Hazard ratio [HR], 19.11 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 10.5–34.5]; P < 0.01). The cumulative risk of recurrent parasitaemia in the NVP-arm was not significantly higher than in the control-arm ([HR], 2.44 [95% {CI}, 0.79–7.6]; P = 0.53). The median (IQR) day 7 plasma concentrations of lumefantrine for the three arms were: 1,125 ng/m (638.8-1913), 300.4 ng/ml (220.8-343.1) and 970 ng/ml (562.1-1729) for the NVP-arm, the EFV-arm and the control-arm, respectively (P < 0.001). In all three arms, the reported adverse events were mostly mild.ConclusionAfter 28 days of follow-up, AL was statistically safe and effective in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in the NVP-arm. The results of this study also provide an indication of the possible impact of EFV on the performance of AL and the likelihood of it affecting uncomplicated falciparum malaria treatment outcome.

Asthma prevalence, knowledge, and perceptions among secondary school pupils in rural and urban coastal districts in Tanzania.

BackgroundAsthma is a common chronic disease of childhood that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of asthma among secondary school pupils in urban and rural areas of coast districts of Tanzania. The study also aimed to describe pupils’ perception towards asthma, and to assess their knowledge on symptoms, triggers, and treatment of asthma.MethodsA total of 610 pupils from Ilala district and 619 pupils from Bagamoyo district formed the urban and rural groups, respectively. Using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, a history of “diagnosed” asthma or the presence of a wheeze in the previous 12 months was obtained from all the studied pupils, along with documentation of their perceptions regarding asthma. Pupils without asthma or wheeze in the prior 12 months were subsequently selected and underwent a free running exercise testing. A ≥ 20% decrease in the post-exercise Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) values was the criterion for diagnosing exercise-induced asthma.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 16.8 (±1.8) years. The prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months was 12.1% in Bagamoyo district and 23.1% in Ilala district (p < 0.001). Self-reported asthma was found in 17.6% and 6.4% of pupils in Ilala and Bagamoyo districts, respectively (p < 0.001). The prevalence of exercise-induced asthma was 2.4% in Bagamoyo, and 26.3% in Ilala (P < 0.002). In both districts, most information on asthma came from parents, and there was variation in symptoms and triggers of asthma reported by the pupils. Non-asthmatic pupils feared sleeping, playing, and eating with their asthmatic peers.ConclusionThe prevalence rates of self-reported asthma, wheezing in the past 12 months, and exercise-induced asthma were significantly higher among urban than rural pupils. Although bronchial asthma is a common disease, pupils’ perceptions about asthma were associated with fear of contact with their asthmatic peers in both rural and urban schools.

Accuracy of Fever and Fraction of Fevers Attributable to Malaria among Under-fives under Reduced Malaria Infection Prevalence in District

A decline in malaria transmission is evident in malaria endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa and is likely to reduce the proportion of fevers due to malaria. Fever has been used as a predictor of malaria, however, the proportion of fevers due to malaria vary with prevalence such that low malaria infection prevalence might alter the accuracy of fever as a marker of malaria. This study examined the diagnostic accuracy and proportion of fevers attributable to malaria among under-fives in a cross-sectional survey carried out in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania from April–May 2012 during peak malaria transmission. Consecutive under-fives with and without history of fever were recruited; for each, fever was measured by digital thermometer, and two Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films taken for parasite count and species identification. Accuracy of fever for prediction of malaria was assessed by performance indices, microscopy as gold standard. Proportion of fevers attributable to malaria was computed by the odds ratio technique at 0.05 significance level.{Formatting Citation} Only 98 out of 925 (10.6%) under-fives had parasitaemia. Among under-fives with a history of fever, the fraction attributable to malaria was 71.4% [95%CI: 54.8–81.9]; in those with measured fever ≥ 37.5EšC, the fraction was 74.3% [95%CI: 61.8–82.7]. In bivariate and multivariate analyses, at 1001-10000 parasites/μl the attributable fraction was 66%, and 93% for parasitaemia>10000/μl. Fever was more likely to be due to malaria among infants<12 months than subsequent months. Despite the recorded decline in malaria infection prevalence, fever is highly likely to be due to malaria among under-fives with fever and malaria infection in peripheral blood. This observation highlights the need to scale up and maintain parasitological confirmation of malaria; and to look for other causes of fever.

Clinical performance of an automated reader in interpreting malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Tanzania

BackgroundParasitological confirmation of malaria is now recommended in all febrile patients by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce inappropriate use of anti-malarial drugs. Widespread implementation of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is regarded as an effective strategy to achieve this goal. However, the quality of diagnosis provided by RDTs in remote rural dispensaries and health centres is not ideal. Feasible RDT quality control programmes in these settings are challenging. Collection of information regarding diagnostic events is also very deficient in low-resource countries.MethodsA prospective cohort of consecutive patients aged more than one year from both genders, seeking routine care for febrile episodes at dispensaries located in the Bagamoyo district of Tanzania, were enrolled into the study after signing an informed consent form. Blood samples were taken for thick blood smear (TBS) microscopic examination and malaria RDT (SD Bioline Malaria Antigen Pf/Pan™ (SD RDT)). RDT results were interpreted by both visual interpretation and Deki Reader™ device. Results of visual interpretation were used for case management purposes. Microscopy was considered the “gold standard test” to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Deki Reader interpretation and to compare it to visual interpretation.ResultsIn total, 1,346 febrile subjects were included in the final analysis. The SD RDT, when used in conjunction with the Deki Reader and upon visual interpretation, had sensitivities of 95.3% (95% CI, 90.6-97.7) and 94.7% (95% CI, 89.8–97.3) respectively, and specificities of 94.6% (95% CI, 93.5–96.1) and 95.6% (95% CI, 94.2–96.6), respectively to gold standard. There was a high percentage of overall agreement between the two methods of interpretation.ConclusionThe sensitivity and specificity of the Deki Reader in interpretation of SD RDTs were comparable to previous reports and showed high agreement to visual interpretation (>98%). The results of the study reflect the situation in real practice and show good performance characteristics of Deki Reader on interpreting malaria RDTs in the hands of local laboratory technicians. They also suggest that a system like this could provide great benefits to the health care system. Further studies to look at ease of use by community health workers, and cost benefit of the system are warranted.

Temporal trends of molecular markers associated with artemether-lumefantrine tolerance/resistance in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

BackgroundDevelopment and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) constitutes a major threat to recent global malaria control achievements. Surveillance of molecular markers could act as an early warning system of ACT-resistance before clinical treatment failures are apparent. The aim of this study was to analyse temporal trends of established genotypes associated with artemether-lumefantrine tolerance/resistance before and after its deployment as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania 2006.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms in the P. falciparum multidrug resistance gene 1 (pfmdr1) N86Y, Y184F, D1246Y and P. falciparum chloroquine transporter gene (pfcrt) K76T were analysed from dried blood spots collected during six consecutive studies from children with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Fukayosi village, Bagamoyo District, Tanzania, between 2004–2011.ResultsThere was a statistically significant yearly increase of pfmdr1 N86, 184F, D1246 and pfcrt K76 between 2006–2011 from 14% to 61% (yearly OR = 1.38 [95% CI 1.25-1.52] p < 0.0001), 14% to 35% (OR = 1.17 [95% CI 1.07-1.30] p = 0.001), 54% to 85% (OR = 1.21 [95% CI 1.03-1.42] p = 0.016) and 49% to 85% (OR = 1.33 [95% CI 1.17-1.51] p < 0.0001), respectively. Unlike for the pfmdr1 SNP, a significant increase of pfcrt K76 was observed already between 2004–2006, from 26% to 49% (OR = 1.68 [95% CI 1.17-2.40] p = 0.005). From 2006 to 2011 the pfmdr1 NFD haplotype increased from 10% to 37% (OR = 1.25 [95% CI 1.12-1.39] p < 0.0001), whereas the YYY haplotype decreased from 31% to 6% (OR = 0.73 [95% CI 0.56-0.98] p = 0.018). All 390 successfully analysed samples had one copy of the pfmdr1 gene.ConclusionThe temporal selection of molecular markers associated with artemether-lumefantrine tolerance/resistance may represent an early warning sign of impaired future drug efficacy. This calls for stringent surveillance of artemether-lumefantrine efficacy in Tanzania and emphasizes the importance of molecular surveillance as a complement to standard in vivo trials.

Schoolgirls’ Knowledge of, and Efforts against Risky Sexual Activity: The Needs for Sex Education in Schools

This study explored schoolgirls’ knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against riskysexual activity including unplanned–premarital–pregnancies in Bagamoyo district andShinyanga district, in Tanzania. Schoolgirls in Tanzania are under considerable pressure toengage in sexual activity unrealistically, and consequently drop out of school due topregnancy. Using questionnaire, covert observation, and focus group interviews to 96schoolgirls, the study revealed that schoolgirls have the basic knowledge of sexual activity,and most of them are sexually active. Schoolgirls practise sexual activity but they have lessnegotiating power on safer sex and preventing themselves from pregnancy and HIVinfections. They are also at considerable risks of sexual violence or abuse from their teachersand the ‘sugar daddies’ through sexual exploitation. The study, then, underscores theprovision of sex education to students and the whole community as well as rethinking on howto bring up the youths in acceptable sexual behaviours.

First steps towards interprofessional health practice in Tanzania: An educational experiment in rural Bagamoyo district

Health workers in Tanzania struggle to provide adequate health care for populations with high maternal, neonatal, and child mortality and high prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases. There are longstanding shortages of staff and resources. Universities are training more health professionals and revising curricula to be sure that staff have the specific skills needed to work in rural districts. This includes training people from different disciplines to work more effectively together. While teamwork is important in all settings, it is particularly critical in rural areas where there are few trained professionals. The health professional schools at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) developed curricula that share common competencies to promote interprofessional cooperation. In this article, we describe a pilot program developed by MUHAS to train its professional students (dentists, doctors, environmental health officers, nurses, and pharmacists) to work collaboratively with each other and with other health staff at the district level. We describe the reactions of participants, and identify some considerations for taking such an exercise to scale for education.

Rural-Urban Interactions: Potential or Constraint to Rural Development? Lessons from Western Bagamoyo District, Tanzania

This paper discusses the contribution of rural-urban interaction to rural development in western Bagamoyo, Tanzania, based on a study that was conducted in 2009. A sample of 232 households was drawn from five villages that have good transport linkage to Dar es Salaam and other intermediate towns. The study area has a long history of rural-urban interactions (RUIs). However, the potentials of RUIs are not realised due to the relatively marginal position of rural-urban migrants from the area that compels them to access low paying occupations in towns, and consequently limits their contribution despite having strong ties with their rural homes. The majority of migrants have very little to offer for rural development due to their low incomes in town. However, there are cases of successful migrants who have the potential to contribute to rural development through their own investment and influence. These should be targeted for collaboration with local communities. Whereas RUIs facilitate access to rural resources by urban dwellers, the rural to urban flow of resources often has limited benefits to rural communities due to weaknesses in valuation, taxation and allocation of revenues collected to local communities. In order to benefit from RUIs, policy and development planning should ensure the protection of interests of rural communities, as well as promote economic opportunities for rural-urban migrants.

Plasmodium falciparum population dynamics during the early phase of anti-malarial drug treatment in Tanzanian children with acute uncomplicated malaria

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore Plasmodium falciparum population dynamics during the early phase of anti-malarial drug treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy in children with clinical malaria in a high transmission area in Africa.MethodsA total of 50 children aged 1-10 years with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania, were enrolled. Participants were hospitalized and received supervised standard treatment with artemether-lumefantrine according to body weight in six doses over 3 days. Blood samples were collected 11 times, i.e. at time of diagnosis (-2 h) and 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after initiation of treatment. Parasite population dynamics were assessed using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-genotyping of merozoite surface protein (msp) 1 and 2.ResultsPCR-analyses from nine sequential blood samples collected after initiation of treatment identified 20 and 21 additional genotypes in 15/50 (30%) and 14/50 (28%) children with msp1 and msp2, respectively, non-detectable in the pre-treatment samples (-2 and 0 h combined). Some 15/20 (75%) and 14/21 (67%) of these genotypes were identified within 24 h, whereas 17/20 (85%) and 19/21 (90%) within 48 h for msp1 and msp2, respectively. The genotype profile was diverse, and varied considerably over time both within and between patients, molecular markers and their respective families.ConclusionPCR analyses from multiple blood samples collected during the early treatment phase revealed a complex picture of parasite sub-populations. This underlines the importance of interpreting PCR-outcomes with caution and suggests that the present use of PCR-adjustment from paired blood samples in anti-malarial drug trials may overestimate assessment of drug efficacy in high transmission areas in Africa.The study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT00336375.

Clients’ perceptions on Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) use as a first line anti-malarial drug in bagamoyo district, Tanzania September 2005

Objectives: To assess clients’ perceptions onSulfadoxine- Pyrimethamine (SP) use as a first line anti-malarial drug in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania and put forward intervention strategies based on the obtained findings. Design: Community based Cross-sectional descriptive study. Settings: Bagamoyo district in the Coastal region, Tanzania. Subjects: All individuals aged 15-49 who were present in the sampled households during the time of study. Results: More than half of the study population (52.1%) perceived SP as a bad drug, 44.5% of them thought that the drug was unsafe for use and 49.9% of them were not ready to use it for malaria treatment in future. However most of them had no knowledge on the drug itself, its course of action and the expected outcomes after using it. Recommendation: There is a great need for mass education regarding the drug, its actions, possible side effects and how to overcome these side effects if possible when introducing drugs that are recommended by the national guidelines and especially those that are widely used by the community like SP.

Vegetation Community Structure, Composition and Distribution Pattern in the Zaraninge Forest, Bagamoyo District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Zaraninge Forest, part of the Coastal Forest Biodiversity Hotspot of Tanzania, is threatened by human activities. The effect of such activities on the ecology of the forest is less known. Nested quadrat sampling technique was used along preestablished transect lines. Trees had a stem density of 521 ha-1, the majority falling in Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) size classes 9.5 to 44.9 cm. There was no significant difference in species diversity between sampling areas, which had a Shannon's diversity index ranging from 1.64 to 2.63. PCA identified two vegetation sample groups with Baphia kirkii, Cynometra webberi, C. brachyrachis, Scorodophloeus fischeri and Tessmannia burttii being abundant in both groups. TWINSPAN revealed three vegetation communities: Community A was fragmented woodlands characterized by the effects of fire and exploitation and having few remaining individuals of the valuable timber trees Afzelia quanzensis and Pterocarpus angolensis; community B was growing in a moist ecologica...

The Environmental and Economical Challenges in Fishing Industry: The Case of Bagamoyo District

Fishing is Bagamoyo’s second biggest industry after agriculture. Artisanal fishing is dominant and engages numerous fishing vessels. However, artisanal fishing is mainly in the very shallow waters while trawlers, mostly foreign owned, fish in areas ranging from coast to more than 20m deep. The trawlers scoops all types and sizes of fish, and ultimately retain only those aspired for markets, while artisanal fisheries in their old, worn out dugout canoes resort to dynamite fishing and coral mining for quick production. In addition to normal nets, the seine nets which destroy much of species and coastal reefs are also in wide use due to economic hardships. These trends contribute towards the degradation of coral reef ecosystem and pose as environmental challenges including loss of valuable natural habitat, reduction in biodiversity and marine lives. This paper discusses the state of affairs of artisanal fisher people that derive environmental and economical challenges in fishing industry, and looks at the actions necessary to save the industry from over-fishing and the juvenile fishing, and to protect the unique and fragile reefs.

Field Evaluation of Spatial Repellency of Metofluthrin-Impregnated Plastic Strips Against Anopheles gambiae Complex in Bagamoyo, Coastal Tanzania

Metofluthrin is a newly synthesized pyrethroid possessing high knockdown and lethal activity against mosquitoes. Studies of metofluthrin-impregnated plastic strips have been performed with dengue vectors. This study reports the efficacy of the new prototypes of metofluthrin-impregnated plastic strips against malaria vectors, Anopheles gambiae complex, in the Kongo villages of Bagamoyo district in coastal Tanzania. The study, using 20 houses, half intervention, half control, was conducted for a 124-day period. Pyrethrum spray sheets and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps were used to sample mosquito population indices. The mosquito density indices of the intervention houses were observed to be significantly lower than those of the control houses when pyrethrum spray sheet collection was used (F = 4.61, 1 df, P = 0.038; 98.7% reduction of total mosquito collection compared with that for the controls). These low indices were observed despite the large openings found in Bagamoyo houses, which were predicted to have a considerable negative effect on the spatial repellency of metofluthrin. Based on the present results, the pyrethrum spray sheet collection was the better of the 2 collection methods.

Examining the linkages between AIDS and biodiversity conservation in coastal Tanzania

This paper summarizes a field study on the linkages between AIDS and coastal biodiversity in eight coastal villages in the Bagamoyo and Pangani Districts in Tanzania. Summarizing the current literature, we suggest that there are three categories of direct impacts of AIDS on natural resources—accelerated rate of resources extraction, decreased availability of labor and management capacity, and loss of indigenous knowledge on coastal resource management and biodiversity conservation. Evidence of these types of detrimental impacts of AIDS on the natural environment is found in the coastal villages of Tanzania, but overall it is difficult to disentangle the impacts of AIDS on local resource use and biodiversity conservation from other factors driving change. However, this paper contributes to an understanding of the key factors critical in shaping the impact of AIDS on the natural environment in coastal areas—especially gender inequity and migration. Our conclusion is that reducing gender inequality and poverty, and improving livelihood opportunities are integral to mitigating the negative impacts of AIDS on natural resources.

Prevalence and impact of water-borne zoonotic pathogens in water, cattle and humans in selected villages in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo districts, Tanzania

A study on the prevalence of water-borne zoonotic pathogens in water, cattle and humans was conducted in six villages in Dodoma Rural (5) and Bagamoyo (1) districts, Tanzania. Water sources were screened for faecal coliform organisms, thermophilic Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Faecal samples from cattle and humans were also analysed for the above specific pathogens. Results indicate that 70.8% ( n = 48) of the water sources screened were contaminated with faecal coliform organisms. Water sources in two villages, one each in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo districts were also contaminated with Giardia lamblia. The overall prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in cattle in the two study areas was 2.3% ( n = 942) and at least one animal in each village was infected with C. jejuni. Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in 0.5% ( n = 942) of the cattle examined in three villages in Dodoma district. Salmonella spp. was demonstrated in only 1.4% ( n = 144) of the cattle in Chalinze village in Dodoma Rural district while G. lamblia was only detected in 1.5% ( n = 202) of the animals examined in Chamakweza village in Bagamoyo district. Nine (1.9%) of the people screened at three heath centres in the study areas were infected with C. jejuni while 3.7% ( n = 484) of the people had C. parvum oocysts. G. lamblia was detected in 2.5% of the 202 people screened at the Chalinze health centre in Bagamoyo district. Analysis of the secondary data revealed that clinical complaints related to enteric diseases were prevalent in humans in the two areas throughout the year and the prevalence varied from about 1% to 25% in both <5 years and ⩾5 years patients. In conclusion, this study has highlighted the possible public health risks, which may be associated with keeping of animals and sharing of water sources between humans and animals.

Preliminary observations on accessibility and utilisation of water in selected villages in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo Districts, Tanzania

A study was carried out to establish the availability and utilisation of water in eight villages in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo districts, Tanzania. A total of 128 respondents were interviewed, involving 64 people in each district. The study revealed that the main sources of water for domestic and animal uses in Dodoma district were wells and dams, while in Bagamoyo district; the main sources were dams and ponds. Nine percent of the respondents reported water to be ‘readily available’, whereas 50% and 41% reported water to be ‘not easily available’ and ‘problematic’, respectively. Distances travelled to the nearest water source were in the range of 0.5–2.0, 0.25–15.00 and 0.5–14.40 km for the respondents who reported water as “readily available”, “not easily available” and “problematic”, respectively and, the corresponding time taken to the nearest water source was 0.17–2.00; 0.10–6.00 and 0.17–5.00 hours for the three categories of respondents respectively. More than two-thirds of the respondents reported that water sources were shared between households and also 71.9% reported sharing of water sources with animals, particularly cattle, sheep and goats. The proportions of respondents that reported occurrence of enteric or diarrhoeic cases amongst household members within the past three months before the study were 35.9% and 37.5% in Dodoma and Bagamoyo districts, respectively. All respondents in Dodoma district had latrines whereas 84% in Bagamoyo district had these facilities. All except one of the respondents who had no latrines in Bagamoyo district were based in Chamakweza, a village dominated by a Maasai pastoral community. Interestingly, a significantly higher proportion of diarrhoeic cases were reported in this village compared to the other three villages in Bagamoyo district ( p = 0.029). These findings show that availability of safe water is a serious problem in the study areas and that this may have serious consequences on public health. Studies to establish the association between water quality and magnitude of zoonotic enteric pathogens are underway.