Communities In Tanzania Research Articles

The vulnerability of fisheries-based livelihoods to climate variability and change in coastal small pelagic fishing communities in Tanzania

Fisheries-based livelihood activities constitute an essential means of income and well-being for the majority living in coastal areas. This paper examines vulnerability of fisheries-based livelihoods caused by climate variability and change. It focuses on three small pelagic fishers’ communities including Kipumbwi, Kilindoni, and Kilwa-Kivinje, along the Tanzanian coast, as a case study. Little research has been done on the effect of climate variability and change on the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities in developing countries, particularly along the Tanzanian coast. In collecting data, questionnaire, focused group discussion and an interactive governance approach were used. Results showed that the natural vulnerability issues include, reduced catches, and strong winds. Economic vulnerability, mentioned lack of credit facilities. For social vulnerability, respondents mentioned an increased number of fishers and fishing vessels On the aspect of technology, respondents mentioned lack of modern fishing methods. As findings suggest, these vulnerability aspects, are possibly associated with anthropogenic factors such as illegal fishing, may not be related to climate change, but climate change may intensify them. The findings further showed that climate variability has negatively affected the fisheries on which fisher communities depend for income and for food security thus affecting their local economy. Climate change has negatively affected small pelagic fishers. The decline in fish catches and economic- un-matching changes in fish prices have negatively affected the fishing community's income, employment, and food security. The recommended means for reducing vulnerability include reducing taxes and levies, availability of facilities for reducing post-harvesting loss and availability of reliable markets.

Constructivism Effects of the Project Planning Discourses Used in the Maasai Pastoral Community

In literature, the Maasai community has been identified as the dominating ethnic group among the multiple pastoral communities in Tanzania. The Maasai socio-cultural practice is under external pressure in meaning negotiation and interpretation. The literature identifies globalization and modernity elements as the most influential external factors. Furthermore, project planning is considered as inseparable from globalization and modernity elements as all are focused on social change processes. Different literatures consider discourses as the core of the change process, and that pastoral development projects are associated with discursive practices through its communicative dimensions that entail social interactions whereby discourses are produced, distributed, and consumed. Although studies in development projects are fundamental in understanding discursive practices of such projects, this paper found a very limited body of knowledge on discursive practices in development planning specifically in the Maasai community. Therefore, this paper uses Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to underscore constructive effects of the used discourses in project documents targeted to the Maasai community on its wider socio-cultural context. This paper employed Fairclough three dimensional model of CDA as its underpinning theoretical and methodological approach. This model guided analyses of the data retrieved from eight (8) project strategic documents that were targeted to the Maasai community. Analyses involved three analytical levels which are textual analysis, discursive practices analysis and socio-cultural practices analysis level as depicted in the used model. Analysis was eclectic in nature as it involved forth and back analyses between the three levels, whereby the first two levels informs socio-cultural constructivism effects of the used discourses. Generally, the study revealed construction of Maasai’s identity, social relations and varying ideologies as the major three categories of constructivism effects of the underscored project planning discourses in the Maasai community. Furthermore this paper found devastating misconceptions and domination of negative portrayals of the Maasai community within the analyzed documents. Finally this paper recommends radical shift on the conveyed meanings and misrepresentation of the indigenous communities specifically the Maasai community in the global and national strategic and developmental process or frameworks.

A new framework on climate-induced food-security risk for small-scale fishing communities in Tanzania

Food insecurity is a pressing issue facing our world, particularly affecting coastal communities who rely on marine resources. The problem is further compounded by the rapidly changing climate, a deteriorating environment and growing human populations. It is essential to evaluate this issue accurately to reduce risk and improve the situation of coastal communities, especially in countries with less socioeconomic development. To this end, we develop a food security social-ecological risk assessment framework for developing communities in coastal areas of the Western Indian Ocean facing a changing environment. The framework integrates local ecological knowledge, expert scientific opinion, survey data, and satellite sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a observation. We conducted a local-scale case study in four regions in Tanzania; Mafia, Pemba, Tanga, and Unguja, revealing that they face moderate to high risk levels of food insecurity. The highest risk was observed in the island communities of Pemba and Unguja, while the communities of Mafia and Tanga had the lowest risk due to lower exposure and sensitivity to climate change. Our results show that recognizing the key differences across risk components is crucial in identifying effective intervention strategies for local practitioners. This study highlights the need for detailed assessments to provide accurate information on local-scale food security dynamics, specifically when assessing impacts induced by environmental and climatic changes.

The influence of conservation policies and legislations on communities in Tanzania

Benefit-sharing mechanisms have been instrumental in securing the support of local communities living on the edge of protected areas, and in resolving human-wildlife conflicts. Understanding how current conservation policies influence benefit-sharing and the management of human-wildlife conflicts is vital for designing strong mechanisms to achieve both conservation and ethical community outcomes. Here we examined how benefit-sharing and human-wildlife conflicts are acknowledged and addressed within the current conservation policies (wildlife policies, legislations, regulations and strategic plans) using the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem (GSE) as a case study. The fourteen policies focusing primarily on wildlife conservation in Tanzania are analysed. We also drew on the findings of three studies conducted during 2021 and 2022 documenting community interactions with wildlife and adjacent protected areas. These studies covered the types of benefit provided by various conservation institutions to local communities, the effectiveness of benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the conservation-related losses incurred by communities. The study uncovered a wide range of benefits provided to local communities in the form of social amenities, livelihood support and employment. However, the losses and costs experienced are far greater than these benefits. Integrating these findings with policy analysis, we identified that the main limitations reducing the impacts of benefits in motivating positive conservation behaviours to be: losses of livestock and crops were more than four times the value of benefits/compensation offered to communities; a lack of details and clarity of benefit-sharing mechanisms; benefit/conservation rates that have not been indexed against inflation and; shortcomings in implementation. To achieve conservation outcomes, we recommend revising the conservation policies and legislation across the country in collaboration with local communities who experience the impacts of conservation in their day-to-day life. We also propose a coordinated approach for all conservation institutions managing wildlife to address widespread human-wildlife conflicts across the country effectively and to achieve better conservation outcomes rather than leaving that task to a single organization (i.e. Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority).

Tourism-driven livelihood dynamics: A comprehensive empirical study of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park communities in Tanzania

Tourism is pivotal for rural economic development; however, despite hosting a substantial number of tourists, many developing countries with rural landscapes face persistent poverty among local communities. This study aims to delve into the impact of tourism (geoheritage and national parks) on local livelihoods, examining drivers for livelihood portfolio and community decisions to engage in tourism activities. The Multivariate Probit and instrumental variable models (Instrumental Variable Probit, and Two Stage Least Squares) were employed on data from 582 respondents collected through cross-sectional questionnaires. Results highlight the significant influence of socioeconomic factors—sex, age, household size, credit access, market access, social membership, and education—on livelihood portfolio. Results show that specific tourism activities, such as accommodation services, handcrafts, catering and hospitality, and tour guiding, exert varying effects on household food security, income, and access to essential social services. Challenges hindering participation include education levels, information and awareness, service quality, cultural barriers, financial costs, government policies, competition, resource monopolisation, corruption, and infrastructure deficiencies. Recommendations include investments in skill development, infrastructure enhancement, cultural preservation, financial inclusion, regulatory frameworks, and community awareness programs. These strategies aim to facilitate household participation in tourism activities, promoting geotourism and enhancing the well-being of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park communities. Policymakers are urged to implement these measures to uplift local livelihoods and foster sustainable tourism in the region.

Examining the Role of Lower-Level Local Government Leaders in Mitigating Climate Change Impacts on Smallholder Farmers

The agricultural sector remains the main source of livelihoods for rural communities in Tanzania, but faces the challenge of changing climate. This study aimed at assessing the roles played with local government leaders towards smallholder farmers escaping from climate change effects. Specifically, the study examined the influence of Climate change information Adoptive strategies, Updated farming knowledge from local government leaders on smallholders’ ability to escape from climate change effects. The study employed a cross-sectional research design on 200 smallholder farmers. Data collection methods included survey, key informants’ interview (KIIs) and focus group discussions. The study collected and analysed both qualitative and quantitative data from primary and secondary sources. Quantitative data were analysed using a multiple regression model while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. findings revealed that local government leaders are not effectively supporting smallholders farmers escaping from climate change effects since the result under this study reveal that local government leaders are not providing supporting knowledge to smallholder farmers on climate change and strategies towards its adoptions, it can be concluded that local government leaders has a slight influence on supporting smallholders farmers to escape from climate change effects in the study area since observed that local leaders are not providing adequate climate and its adoption strategies. The study concludes that local government leaders have less knowledge on climate issues hence negatively influencing smallholder farmers to escape from climate change effects due to the absence of local government employees development program particularly to wards and village executive officers who are directly closely to local natives by increasing the ability of the smallholders’ farmers to have good wellbeing performance. The study recommends to the Moshi District Council particularly to local government leaders and ministry of agricultural to establish capacity building program to local government employees working at lower levels and local government leaders have to include climate change information agenda in their assembly to ensure farmers are updated with climate change issues.

Will a lack of fabric durability be their downfall? Impact of textile durability on the efficacy of three types of dual-active-ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets: a secondary analysis on malaria prevalence and incidence from a cluster-randomized trial in north-west Tanzania

BackgroundThe Dual-Active Ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets (Dual-AI LLIN) have been developed to counteract the reduced efficacy of pyrethroid (PY)-only nets due to widespread pyrethroid insecticide resistance in malaria vector mosquitoes. They constitute half of the nets distributed in sub-Saharan Africa between 2022 and 2024. However, their effectiveness once they develop holes is unclear, particularly in pyrethroid-resistant settings. This study evaluates the textile integrity of three dual- AI LLINs compared to standard PY LLN, over 3 years of use in a community in Tanzania and the associated impact on malaria prevalence and incidence.MethodsA secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in North-western Tanzania was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of α-cypermethrin only; pyriproxyfen and α-cypermethrin (PPF-PY); chlorfenapyr and α-cypermethrin (chlorfenapyr-PY); and the synergist piperonyl butoxide and permethrin (PBO-PY) LLINs on malaria infection prevalence and case incidence. The association between the net textile condition and 1/malaria prevalence over 3 years of use between 2019 and 2022, and 2/malaria case incidence in a cohort of children over 2 years of follow-up was assessed between 2019 and 2021.ResultsThere was no significant association between damaged (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.71–1.37, p-value = 0.655) and too-torn (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.77–1.47, p-value = 0.694) compared to intact nets on malaria prevalence for all net types. However, there were reduced rates of malaria case incidence in children sleeping under a net in good condition compared to too-torn nets (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.76 [95% CI 0.63–0.92], p = 0.005). Malaria incidence was also consistently lower in too-torn PBO-PY LLIN (IRR = 0.37 [95% CI 0.19–0.72], p = 0.003) and chlorfenapyr-PY LLIN (IRR = 0.45 [95% CI 0.33–0.97], p = 0.053) compared to an intact PY-only LLIN during the first year of follow up. In year 2, the incidence was only significantly lower in intact chlorfenapyr-PY LLIN (IRR = 0.49 [95% CI 0.29–0.81], p = 0.006) compared to intact PY LLIN.ConclusionThe study confirmed that sleeping under a chlorfenapyr-PY LLIN or PBO-PY LLIN offered superior protection to pyrethroid-only nets even when torn. Preventing the development of holes is essential as they impact the level of protection offered against malaria infection.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, number (NCT03554616)

Cultural acceptability of probiotic fermented fruit juice and millet porridge in Tanzania and Kenya

Probiotics are live microorganisms that may confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. The Fiti program is a non-profit initiative that has helped provide probiotic yogurt supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 to communities in Tanzania and Kenya for over 15 years. This study assesses the acceptability of non-dairy Fiti probiotic products developed in previous investigations. These non-dairy Fiti probiotic products include fruit juices such as mango, pineapple, orange juice, and millet porridge. Moreover, a sensory evaluation was conducted on 140 participants from both Mwanza, Tanzania and Juja, Kenya, to evaluate these samples based on appearance, colour, texture, taste, smell, and overall acceptability. Study results found that probiotic mango juice, pineapple, and yogurt were consistently ranked as the top three probiotic foods in appearance, colour, texture, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability. Conversely, Fiti probiotic orange juice and Uji were the least preferred probiotic samples. In addition, fruit juices were reported as a daily consumable by 37.1 % of participants, compared to yogurt, which was only consumed daily by 21.8 % of participants. Lastly, 95 % of participants said they would purchase at least one of the probiotic foods. Thus, we conclude that probiotic fruit juices can be a cost-effective alternative for introducing probiotics into low-income communities.

Trends in Communication Strategies through Traditional Medicine: Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tanzania

This study sought to establish trends in communication strategies through traditional medicine in Tanzania. The study employed the descriptive content analysis design as it was crucial for gaining insights into how language and communication strategies impact the utilization of traditional medicine in the context of COVID-19 management in Tanzania. The study involved a comprehensive documentary review of COVID-19 communication materials used in Tanzania to establish how language and communication strategies impact the utilization of traditional medicine in the context of COVID-19 management in Tanzania. Data was analyzed through the qualitative content analysis approach.The study concludes that COVID-19 communication materials made commendable efforts to reach the diverse linguistic communities in Tanzania, taking into account the country's linguistic diversity. Kiswahili and English emerged as the dominant languages, which aligns with the linguistic distribution of the population. This approach promotes inclusivity and ensures access to information. The materials demonstrated effective translation and interpretation, highlighting a commitment to accurate translation and cultural sensitivity. It is advisable to incorporate multiple languages, including local languages, to make the campaigns more accessible and relatable to linguistically diverse communities in Tanzania. Secondly, it is imperative to maintain clear communication strategies that empower individuals with varying levels of health literacy. Furthermore, when discussing traditional remedies, adopting an objective approach and stressing the significance of consulting healthcare providers for well-informed decision-making is essential. Moreover, the strategic use of visual elements should be employed to ensure a consistent and well-structured presentation of crucial information.

Factors determining Goat Names in the Sukuma Speech Community of Tanzania

The purpose of this article describes the factors that influence the choice of goat names in the ẞasukuma communities of Tanzania. No study being conducted to investigate these names is known, a reason this study was conducted under the guidance of Nick name and Mediated Reference or Descriptive Theories. The study used a case study design and was grounded on the Phenomenology Paradigm which was considered appropriate for obtaining qualitative information about the concerned topic. Ten informants were selected purposively through snowball sampling techniques from two villages: Mwamashimba village located in Kwimba District in Mwanza Region and Kasamwa Village in Geita District. Unstructured interviews and focus group discussion were the instruments used to collect data. The study revealed three determinant factors of goat names given by the ẞasukuma people namely: Structure (e.g. Bhuyenze, ẞusolo or nsolo), color (e.g. Matimyabhili, Shilungu, Ng’hubha, Bhulegi and Ibhala or Wilongo) and etymology (e.g. Subhi). Each goat name has cultural signification in the Sukuma speech community. Based on the findings, it was concluded that names are very important in social and cultural maintenance in Sukuma speech communities. It is recommended that children have to be taught the traditional names that signify phenomena related to lives such as events, birth, beliefs, agriculture, unity, peace and healing.

The Role of Nyakyusa Proverbs in Behavioural Development

This article examines the role of sayings in developing human behaviour in the Nyakyusa community in Tanzania. The primary data for this article were obtained by interview method in Luteba (Ipuguso), Kandete (Ipelo) and Mpombo (Lulasi) wards in Rungwe district, Mbeya region. Those areas met the data requirements presented in this article. The Sociological Theory was used in the analysis and discussion of data by looking at literature as a special unit that reflects both the science and culture of the society. Selected community sayings were examined as a special link to social relations. This article has revealed that the sayings of the selected community are a special link of social relations considering its history, philosophy, culture and economy. The sayings serve as a specific reference library for social issues, and a strong indigenous link that builds a system to train, strengthen and keep the community together in the foundations of culture and the whole philosophy of life from tradition until now. This article concludes that sayings are used as a special warehouse for reference to social issues that keep the community together in the foundations of culture and the whole philosophy of life from ancient times until now.

Traditionally removed mandibular central incisors and oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study among adolescents in Maasai populated areas, Northern Tanzania

BackgroundThe traditional removal of mandibular anterior teeth has been existing for many years in the Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and sociodemographic distribution of traditionally removed mandibular central incisors (TRMCI) and its association with oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) among adolescents in Maasai populated areas in the Northern part of Tanzania.MethodsUsing a two-stage cluster sample design, with schools as the primary sampling unit, 23 out of 66 eligible rural schools were randomly selected. From each selected school, one class, expected to contain adolescents aged 12–14 years, was identified. The students from these selected classes were invited to participate in the study. A total of 989 adolescents were invited and 906 (91.6%) accepted to participate and completed both an interview and a clinical oral examination.ResultsMean age was 13.4 years (12–17 years, SD 1.2) and 43.9% were males (n = 398). The participants from Longido district amounted to 47.1%. The Maasai group constituted 79.6% of the study participants. The frequency of the participants missing at least one mandibular central incisor were 18.5%. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that adolescents from Longido district were more likely to report at least one TRMCI (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.4–3.3). Adolescents from non-Maasai group were less likely to have atleast one TRMCI compared to adolescents from Maasai ethnic group (OR = 0.02, 95% CI 0.002–0.15). Adolescents with at least one TRMCI were more likely to report impacts on OIDP (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.9–5.7) than those without TRMCI. Independent of the TRMCI status, adolescents from Longido district were less likely than their counterparts to report oral impacts (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.6). Similarly, adolescents from non-Masaai group were more likely than their counterparts to report oral impacts (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.5).ConclusionTRMCI is common among adolescents in the Maasai populated areas in the Northern part of Tanzania and strongly associated with the district of residence and Maasai ethnicity and has a negative impact on oral health related quality of life. There is a need for oral health education in the rural Maasai communities in Tanzania to increase awareness of the negative consequences of this practice.

A one health approach to tackling AMR and why gender matters: findings from pastoralist communities in Tanzania.

Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a major driver of AMR in low-resource settings, where the regulation of supply for pharmaceuticals is limited. In pastoralist settings in Tanzania, men and women face varying degrees of exposure to antibiotics due to gender relations that shape access and use of antimicrobials. For example, critical limitations in healthcare systems in these settings, including inadequate coverage of health services put people at risk of AMR, as families routinely administer self-treatment at home with antimicrobials. However, approaches to understanding AMR drivers and risk distribution, including the One Health approach, have paid little attention to these gender considerations. Understanding differences in access and use of antimicrobials can inform interventions to reduce AMR risk in community settings. This paper focuses on the gendered risk of AMR through a study of gender and social determinants of access to and use of antimicrobials in low-resource pastoralist settings in Tanzania. A mixed methods approach involving household surveys, interviews and ethnographic participant observation in homes and sites of healthcare provision was used, to investigate access and administration of antibiotics in 379 adults in Naiti, Monduli district in northern Tanzania. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit study participants and all data was disaggregated by sex, age and gender. Gender and age are significantly associated with the use of antibiotics without a prescription in the study population. Young people aged 18-24 are more likely to use unprescribed antibiotics than older people and may be at a higher risk of AMR. Meanwhile, although more men purchase unprescribed antibiotics than women, the administration of these drugs is more common among women. This is because men control how women use drugs at the household level. AMR interventions must consider the critical importance of adopting and implementing a gender-sensitive One Health approach, as gender interacts with other social determinants of health to shape AMR risk through access to and use of antimicrobials, particularly in resource-limited pastoralist settings.

The Guidance of Nyakyusa Sayings in Building Consciousness Against AIDS

This article examines the guidance of sayings in building consciousness against AIDS in the Nyakyusa community in Tanzania. What has been investigated is the way sayings are used to guide the community about issues related to AIDS in the community. The target sampling method was used to find study areas and respondents. Three wards were selected in (Rungwe district in the Mbeya region, Tanzania. The respondents were found in Kandete (Mwela village), Luteba (Isale village) and Mpombo (Lusanje village) wards. The sample of defendants was representative of all groups in the selected wards. A review of the documents used to clarify and verify the primary data were found through electronic and library means. The analysis and discussion of the data accessible was guided by Sociological theory. The investigated results were presented descriptively. The results show that sayings have a great role to guide the community through building consciousness against the AIDS virus. Therefore, the article concludes that it is the responsibility of every member of a specific society to be well-informed about AIDS.

Misperception of peer beliefs reinforces inequitable gender norms among Tanzanian men.

Gender role ideology, i.e. beliefs about how genders should behave, is shaped by social learning. Accordingly, if perceptions about the beliefs of others are inaccurate this may impact trajectories of cultural change. Consistent with this premise, recent studies report evidence of a tendency to overestimate peer support for inequitable gender norms, especially among men, and that correcting apparent 'norm misperception' promotes transitions to relatively egalitarian beliefs. However, supporting evidence largely relies on self-report measures vulnerable to social desirability bias. Consequently, observed patterns may reflect researcher measurement error rather than participant misperception. Addressing this shortcoming, we examine men's gender role ideology using both conventional self-reported and a novel wife-reported measure of men's beliefs in an urbanising community in Tanzania. We confirm that participants overestimate peer support for gender inequity. However, the latter measure, which we argue more accurately captures men's true beliefs, implies that this tendency is relatively modest in magnitude and scope. Overestimation was most pronounced among men holding relatively inequitable beliefs, consistent with misperception of peer beliefs reinforcing inequitable norms. Furthermore, older and poorly educated men overestimated peer support for gender inequity the most, suggesting that outdated and limited social information contribute to norm misperception in this context.

Parental Engagement in Children’s Pre-Primary Education in Marginalized Communities in Tanzania Before and During the COVID-19 Era

ABSTRACT This study examines parental engagement in their children’s pre-primary education in socioeconomically deprived settings in Tanzania. The study administered a Caregiver Report survey to 384 to parents in rural areas prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, focus group discussions were conducted with 106 parents both before and immediately after the pandemic-related school closures. The findings reveal that parental engagement in their children’s schooling and learning at home was below expectations, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents’ engagement with their children’s learning was hampered by several socio-economic factors. During the pandemic, children from families with a low socio-economic status, and where the parents have a low level of education and were illiterate, were more marginalized in terms of accessing learning. Thus, they might have experienced a greater learning loss because they were neither attending school nor engaging in learning activities at home during the school closures.

Assessing the influence of artisanal fishing on income and livelihood of the coastal communities in Tanzania: the case of Mkinga district, Tanga region

This study unveiled the influence of artisanal fishing on a coastal community's income and livelihood in the Mkinga District, Tanga region. Particularly, it seeks to: determine fish catch and gross margins across, investigate the influence of fish income on the households total incomes, and factors affecting income earnings in the marketing chain. The study used interviews and focus group discussions on obtaining primary data. Simultaneously, the internet, government documentation units at different levels were the sources of secondary data. It involved a total of 125 randomly selected respondents. Moreover, Gross Margin (GM), Marketing Margin (MG), and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics 25) were employed for analysis.Results show the socio-economic status of the respondents was generally poor. The majority of fishers have low education levels (44%), and they depend on fishing for livelihoods. Furthermore, compared to other groups computation of gross margins revealed that artisanal fishers earned the lowest (12.2%) with a gross margin of T.shs 443.6. Despite the lowest gross margin earning than other players, the fish income contributes highly (83.8%) to the total household incomes. Therefore, improvement in the fisheries sector results has a high impact on artisanal fishers' wellbeing. Moreover, factors affecting their income include lack of credit to purchase modern fishing and storage equipment, high cost of fishing gear, poor roads, low bargaining power, inadequate extension services, and lack of market information. Hence, the study recommends the government address observed constraining factors affecting artisanal fishers' incomes to increase their incomes

Development and Profiling of Affordable and Nutritionally Optimal Pigeon Pea-Based Products for Improved Recipes Diversification in Rural Communities in Tanzania

Pigeon pea is an affordable source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Despite its nutritional importance, the legume has not been adequately utilized for human consumption in Tanzania due to limited recipes. Therefore, the study aimed to develop and profile quantitative attributes of value-added pigeon pea-based noodles (PPBN) and instant porridge (PPIP) flour for diversification of recipes in rural Tanzania communities. The computation on the amount of ingredients, the cost of the product mix and optimization was done using Linear programming, simplex method. PPBN and PPIP were developed and Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) was done by trained panelists. Data were analysed using R and XLSTAT software. Eight and four samples of PPBN and PPIP respectively were formulated and developed. Major ingredients for PPBN was pigeon pea, wheat and orange flesh sweet potatoes flour and for PPIP was pigeon pea, maize, orange flesh sweet potatoes flour (or pumpkin flour). The protein content for PPBN ranged from 41.0 to 58.2 g. The highest amount of iron content was observed in sample PPBN193 (26.4 mg), followed by PPBN1718 (21.0 mg), PPBN267 (19.3 mg) and PPBN136 (18.3mg). The highest value of zinc and pro-vitamin A was observed in sample PPBN136. For instant porridge the highest value of protein (17.1 g), iron (7.9 g), zinc (5.4 mg) and pro-vitamin A (308.5 µg) was observed in sample PPIPofspr. The highest mean intensity score for colour, aroma and mouthfeel was observed in samples PPBN718, PPBN193 and PPBN136. For sample PPIPofspr, colour (8.7) Aroma (7.7), mouthfeel (7.8), sweetness (7.1) and viscosity (7.9) had the highest mean intensity score. There was a significant increase in protein, iron, zinc and pro-vitamin A with an increase in the amount of pigeon pea and/or orange flesh sweet potato flour. Sample PPBN718, PPBN193, PPBN136 and PPIPofspr had better nutritional and sensory qualities that make

Population pharmacokinetics of ivermectin after mass drug administration in lymphatic filariasis endemic communities of Tanzania.

Ivermectin (IVM) is a drug of choice used with albendazole for mass drug administration (MDA) to halt transmission of lymphatic filariasis. We investigated IVM pharmacokinetic (PK) variability for its dose optimization during MDA. PK samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h from individuals weighing greater than 15 kg (n = 468) receiving IVM (3-, 6-, 9-, or 12 mg) and ALB (400 mg) during an MDA campaign in Tanzania. Individual characteristics, including demographics, laboratory/clinical parameters, and pharmacogenetic variations were assessed. IVM plasma concentrations were quantified by liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and analyzed using population-(PopPK) modeling. A two-compartment model with transit absorption kinetics, and allometrically scaled oral clearance (CL/F) and central volume (Vc /F) was adapted. Fitting of the model to the data identified 48% higher bioavailability for the 3 mg dose compared to higher doses and identified a subpopulation with 97% higher mean transit time (MTT). The final estimates for CL/F, Vc /F, intercompartment clearance, peripheral volume, MTT, and absorption rate constant for a 70 kg person (on dose other than 3 mg) were 7.7 L/h, 147 L, 20.4 L/h, 207 L, 1.5 h, and 0.71/h, respectively. Monte-Carlo simulations indicated that weight-based dosing provides comparable exposure across weight bands, but height-based dosing with capping IVM dose at 12 mg for individuals with height greater than 160 cm underdoses those weighing greater than 70 kg. Variability in IVM PKs is partly explained by body weight and dose. The established PopPK model can be used for IVM dose optimization. Height-based pole dosing results in varying IVM exposure in different weight bands, hence using weighing scales for IVM dosing during MDA is recommended.

Optimising engagement in a digital parenting intervention to prevent violence against adolescents in Tanzania: protocol for a cluster randomised factorial trial

BackgroundViolence against adolescents is a universal reality, with severe individual and societal costs. There is a critical need for scalable and effective violence prevention strategies such as parenting programmes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where rates of maltreatment are highest. Digital interventions may be a scalable and cost-effective alternative to in-person delivery, yet maximising caregiver engagement is a substantial challenge. This trial employs a cluster randomised factorial experiment and a novel mixed-methods analytic approach to assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of intervention components designed to optimise engagement in an open-source parenting app, ParentApp for Teens. The app is based on the evidence-based Parenting for Lifelong Health for Teens programme, developed collaboratively by academic institutions in the Global South and North, the WHO, and UNICEF.Methods/designSixteen neighbourhoods, i.e., clusters, will be randomised to one of eight experimental conditions which consist of any combination of three components (Support: self-guided/moderated WhatsApp groups; App Design: sequential workshops/non-sequential modules; Digital Literacy Training: on/off). The study will be conducted in low-income communities in Tanzania, targeting socioeconomically vulnerable caregivers of adolescents aged 10 to 17 years (16 clusters, 8 conditions, 640 caregivers, 80 per condition). The primary objective of this trial is to estimate the main effects of the three components on engagement. Secondary objectives are to explore the interactions between components, the effects of the components on caregiver behavioural outcomes, moderators and mediators of programme engagement and impact, and the cost-effectiveness of components. The study will also assess enablers and barriers to engagement qualitatively via interviews with a subset of low, medium, and high engaging participants. We will combine quantitative and qualitative data to develop an optimised ParentApp for Teens delivery package.DiscussionThis is the first known cluster randomised factorial trial for the optimisation of engagement in a digital parenting intervention in a low- and middle-income country. Findings will be used to inform the evaluation of the optimised app in a subsequent randomised controlled trial.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR202210657553944. Registered 11 October 2022, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=24051.