Morogoro Region Of Tanzania Research Articles

Determinants of Internal Audit Effectiveness in Local Government Authorities (LGAs): Evidence from Morogoro Region of Tanzania

This study examines the determinants of internal audit effectiveness in Local Government Authorities (LGAs), addressing the growing importance of robust Internal Audit Function (IAF) in public sector governance. The study employed the descriptive research design based on a mixed research approach integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected from 45 purposively selected respondents with extensive auditing experience. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the impact of these factors on internal audit effectiveness. The empirical results indicate that the four factors account for 65.7% of the variance in internal audit effectiveness, with IT utilization being the most significant contributor (R² = 0.657, Adjusted R² = 0.616). The ANOVA results further validate the model, showing a statistically significant F-statistic of 3.2976 with a p-value of 0.001, indicating the robustness of the findings. Top management support was found to be critical in fostering a culture of accountability, while the independence of internal audit ensures objectivity and unbiased assessments. IT utilization was identified as a key driver in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of audit processes. Finally, the competence of internal auditors was shown to significantly influence the quality and accuracy of audit outcomes. The study recommends the need for institutionalizing top management support, safeguarding auditor independence, advancing IT utilization, and promoting continuous professional development for auditors. These measures are essential for improving governance and accountability within LGAs, thereby contributing to more effective and reliable internal audit practices.

Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Rice Farmers in Mbeya and Morogoro Regions of Tanzania

Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Rice Farmers in Mbeya and Morogoro Regions of Tanzania

Prevalence and predictors of residual antibiotics in children's blood in community settings in Tanzania

ObjectivesChildren account for a significant proportion of antibiotic consumption in low- and middle-income countries, with overuse occurring in formal and informal health sectors. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of residual antibiotics in the blood of children in the Mbeya and Morogoro regions of Tanzania. MethodsThe cross-sectional community-based survey used two-stage cluster sampling to include children aged under 15 years. For each child, information on recent illness, healthcare-seeking behaviour, and use of antibiotics, as well as a dried blood spot sample, were collected. The samples underwent tandem mass spectrometry analysis to quantify the concentrations of 15 common antibiotics. Associations between survey variables and the presence of residual antibiotics were assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression. ResultsIn total, 1742 children were surveyed, and 1699 analysed. The overall prevalence of residual antibiotics in the blood samples was 17.4% (296/1699), the highest among children under the age of 5 years. The most frequently detected antibiotics were trimethoprim (144/1699; 8.5%), sulfamethoxazole (102/1699; 6.0%), metronidazole (61/1699; 3.6%), and amoxicillin (43/1699; 2.5%). The strongest predictors of residual antibiotics in the blood were observed presence of antibiotics at home (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0–4.1) and reported consumption of antibiotics in the last 2 weeks (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6–3.9). However, half (145/296) of the children who had residual antibiotics in their blood, some with multiple antibiotics, had no reported history of illness or antibiotic consumption in the last 2 weeks, and antibiotics were not found at home. DiscussionThis study demonstrated a high prevalence of antibiotic exposure among children in Tanzanian communities, albeit likely underestimated, especially for compounds with short half-lives. A significant proportion of antibiotic exposure was unexplained and may have been due to unreported self-medication or environmental pathways. Incorporating biomonitoring into surveillance strategies can help better understand exposure patterns and design antibiotic stewardship interventions.

Evaluation of Lab-on-a-Disc Technique Performance for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Diagnosis in Animals in Tanzania.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are caused by roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and thread worms. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, prevention, and control of these infections. This study evaluates a new diagnostic method called Single-image Parasite Quantification (SIMPAQ), which uses a lab-on-a-disc (LoD) technique to isolate STH eggs into a single imaging zone for digital analysis. The study evaluates the purification performance of the SIMPAQ technique for detecting STH eggs in animal samples. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 237 pigs and 281 dogs in the Morogoro region in Tanzania. Faecal samples were collected and processed with the LoD technique, as well as flotation and McMaster (McM) methods for comparison purposes. The overall prevalence of STH infections was high as per the LoD technique (74%), followed by McM (65.44%) and flotation (65.04%). Moreover, the overall performance of the LoD technique, using McM as the gold standard, was 93.51% (sensitivity), 60.89% (specificity), 81.91% (PPV), and 83.21% (NPV). The LoD technique exhibited high prevalence, sensitivity, and NPV, which demonstrates its value for STH egg detection and its crucial role in the era of accurate STH diagnosis, promoting proper management of the infection.

Risk of exposure to aflatoxin M1 through consumption of cow's milk among children in Magadu, Morogoro.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination of milk affects the general population with particular attention to children who frequently consume milk as part of complementary food. This study determined AFM1 contamination of cow's milk and estimated the health risk of dietary AFM1 through consumption of cow's milk among children (6 to 36months) in the Magadu ward of Morogoro region in Tanzania. A total of 165 mother-baby pairs were recruited and interviewed on child feeding practices with a focus on feeding of cow's milk in the past 24h. Alongside the interview, 100 raw cows' milk samples were collected from subsampled respondent households and were analyzed for AFM1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that about 35% of the surveyed children consumed cow's milk in the form of plain milk, incorporated in porridge and/or tea. The amount consumed varied from 62.5 to 500 mls with a median of 125 (125, 250) mls at a frequency of 1 to 2 times a day. All raw cows' milk (100%) samples (n = 100) were found contaminated with AFM1 at concentrations ranging from 0.052 to 9.310µg/L and median of 2.076µg/L (1.27, 2.48). All samples were contaminated by AFM1 at levels above the limits of 0.05µg/L of raw milk set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standard and the European Union, while 97% exceeded 0.5µg/L set by the US Food and Drug Administration. Exposure to AFM1 due to consumption of cow's milk ranged from 0.0024 to 0.077 µg/kg bw per day with a median of 0.019 (0.0016, 0.026) µg/kg bw per day, while the margin of exposure (MOE) ranged from 5.19 to 166.76 and median 20.68 (15.33, 25.40) implying high risk of public health concern. This study recommends that advocacy on consumption of cows' milk to combat undernutrition in children should consider a holistic approach that considers the milk's safety aspect.

Effects of Parental Migration on the Education Outcome of their Children: A Case of Sukuma Society in Tanzania

The Purpose: To investigate the effects of parents’ migration on the schooling and education outcome of their children. The study was guided by three specific objectives, namely: (i) to find out the effects of parent migration on children's academic performance. (ii) to determine the awareness of immigrant parents towards their children academic outcome and lastly (iii) to analyze the strategies taken by different stakeholders to reduce the negative effect of migration towards children schooling and academic performance.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried in Ifakala District in Morogoro region in Tanzania from October 2022 to May 2023.
 The Study Design: The study adopted a qualitative research approach with a case study design.
 Research Methodology: Simple randomly sampling techniques with a total of 40 respondents were used to get the respondents. Interview, questionnaire and documentary review were used to get the desired information from the selected respondents. Questionnaire approach in data collection was used to collect information asking open ended questions to the respondents. The quantitative data were collected using interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine frequency, and percentage. Data gathered was presented in tables computed using Microsoft excel.
 Results: With regards to specific objectives of this study, findings of the study showed that the main effects of parents’ migration on their children among Sukuma society at Morogoro Region are, truancy, drop out from school, poverty, health problem, additional responsibility, suscept to victims of crime, lack of appropriate care and low self-esteem and emotional difficult. It was concluded that the government should put some strategies which can help the parents to overcome the effects of parents’ migration to their children’ academic outcome through educating parents on how to live with their children and motivate in their academic performance at school.

Pedological characterization and soil fertility assessment of the selected rice irrigation schemes, Tanzania

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the second cereal food crop grown in Tanzania after maize (Zea mays L.) and covers approximately 18% of the agricultural land. Soil degradation due to intensive cultivation along with low organic matter input and nutrient imbalance has led to a decline in rice crop yields. This study was conducted to characterize, classify, and assess the fertility status of soils in two rice irrigation schemes of Morogoro region in Tanzania. The data obtained through this study will contribute significantly to land use planning and will facilitate the transfer of agro-technology and other development of the regions with similar ecological conditions. The studied pedons were named MKU-P1 and MKD-P1 for Mkula and Mkindo irrigation schemes, respectively. A total of seven composite soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected for soil fertility assessments. Landform, soil morphological features, parent material, natural vegetation, drainage, erosion, and laboratory data were used to classify the soils in their respective order as per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy and the World Reference Base (WRB) soil classification systems. Results showed that the pedons were sandy clay loam in the topsoil and sandy clay to clay in the subsoil; soil reaction ranged from medium acid (pH 5.7) to strongly alkaline (pH 8.6). The topsoil and subsoil nutrients of the studied pedons including available K+, total N, soil organic matter, and organic carbon are low. Based on the USDA Soil Taxonomy, MKU-P1 is classified as Inceptisols cumulic humaquepts and MKD-P1 as Vertisols Fluvaquentic endoaquerts corresponding to Subaquatic fluvisols (loamic, oxyaquic) and Irragric vertisols (gleyic) in the WRB, respectively. The pedons were ranked as suitable for rice production. However, the chemical fertility of the soil is ranked as low fertile associated with deficient in total N; available P, K+, and Ca2+ with excessive iron and manganese; and likely to pose toxicity to crops. The application of organic and mineral amendments in recommended rates and timing for N and P is therefore essential to increase the nutrient content of these soils and minimize losses. Salinity in the subsurface pedon MKD-P1 needs to be taken into future consideration.

The Contribution of the Udzungwa Mountain National Park to the Livelihoods of Communities in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania

The effect of Udzungwa Mountain National Park (UMNP) on the livelihoods of communities is important.National Park is crucial in supporting the livelihoods of communities socially, economically andenvironmentally. This article analyzes the contribution and importance of the management of UMNP on thelivelihoods of communities in Kilombero District in Morogoro Region. This paper adopted mixed researchapproach where data were collected using questionnaires, interviews and observations. Data were collected inthe villages’ proximity to UMNP; Msosa, Msolwa, Mkula and Ruipa villages. A total of 233 heads of householdswere interviewed. The results showed that, heads of households were motivated to manage the park because ofthe benefits accrued from it. People managed the park because they get firewood, poles, water and othersbenefits. This paper adopted Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). SLF is a useful tool for analyzing thecontribution of UMNP to livelihood of the communities residing close to it. The livelihood supports offered byUMNP among others include income, improved food (forest vegetables), fruits and improved well-being.Challenges encountered in the management of UMNP among others include climate change, deforestation,cutting trees for building houses, wildfire, illegal collection of herbs for medicines, poaching and illegal hunting.The study concludes that, fringe communities must be motivated to manage the park because of the continuingbenefits accrued from it. The study recommends that communities should be encouraged to take measures toprotect, conserve and participate in the management of UMNP.

Genetic diversity and genomic analysis of G3P[6] and equine-like G3P[8] in children under-five from Southern Highlands and Eastern Tanzania

Rotavirus group A genomic characterization is critical for understanding the mechanisms of rotavirus diversity, such as reassortment events and possible interspecies transmission. However, little is known about the genetic diversity and genomic relationship of the rotavirus group A strains circulating in Tanzania. The genetic and genomic relationship of RVA genotypes was investigated in children under the age of five. A total of 169 Fecal samples were collected from under-five with diarrhea in Mbeya, Iringa and Morogoro regions of Tanzania. The RVA were screened in children under five with diarrhea using reverse transcription PCR for VP7 and VP4, and the G and P genotypes were determined using Sanger dideoxynucleotide cycle sequencing. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on selected genotypes. The overall RVA rate was 4.7% (8/169). The G genotypes were G3 (7/8) and G6 (1/8) among the 8 RVA positives, while the P genotypes were P[6] (4/8) and P[8] (2), and the other two were untypeable. G3P[6] and G3P[8] were the identified genotype combinations. The genomic analysis reveals that the circulating G3P[8] and G3P[6] isolates from children under the age of five with diarrhea had a DS-1-like genome configuration (I2-R2-C2-M2-axe-N2-T2-E2-H2). The phylogenic analysis revealed that all 11 segments of G3P[6] were closely related to human G3P[6] identified in neighboring countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and other African countries, implying that G3P[6] strains descended from a common ancestor. Whereas, G3P[8] were closely related to previously identified equine-like G3P[P8] from Kenya, Japan, Thailand, Brazil, and Taiwan, implying that this strain was introduced rather than reassortment events. We discovered amino acid differences at antigenic epitopes and N-linked glycosylation sites between the wild type G3 and P[8] compared to vaccine strains, implying that further research into the impact of these differences on vaccine effectiveness is warranted. The phylogenic analysis of VP7 also identified a bovine-like G6. For the first time in Tanzania, we report the emergence of novel equine-like G3 and bovine-like G6 RVA strains, highlighting the importance of rotavirus genotype monitoring and genomic analysis of representative genotypes.

Association of Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence With Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Early Childhood Socioemotional Development Among Mothers and Children in Rural Tanzania

Approximately 1 in 4 women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) or nonpartner sexual violence during their lifetime. Mothers exposed to IPV are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and to discipline their children harshly, which may affect their children's socioemotional development; however, there is limited evidence on these outcomes. To examine the association between IPV, maternal depressive symptoms, harsh child discipline, and child stimulation with child socioemotional development. This study used cross-sectional follow-up data collected from February 19 to October 10, 2014, from a birth cohort of children aged 18 to 36 months who were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of neonatal vitamin A supplementation in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. Data analysis occurred between September 10, 2019, and January 20, 2020. Lifetime experience of IPV was assessed using an abbreviated module of the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, maternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire, and data on harsh child discipline and maternal stimulation of their children were collected using modules of the United Nations Children's Fund Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. Child socioemotional development was measured by the Caregiver-Reported Early Childhood Development Instruments. A total of 981 mother-child dyads were included in the analytic sample; 388 children (39.6%) were between ages 18 and 24 (mean [SD] age, 27.06 [6.08]) months, and 515 (52.5%) were male children. A negative association was observed between maternal report of physical IPV only (mean difference, -0.022; 95% CI, -0.045 to -0.006) and physical and sexual IPV (mean difference, -0.045; 95% CI, -0.077 to -0.013) with child socioemotional scores, but neither was statistically significant after including depressive symptoms in the model, which is consistent with mediation. Furthermore, a negative association was observed between maternal mild to severe depressive symptoms and child socioemotional development, including adjustment for IPV (mean difference, -0.073; 95% CI, -0.103 to -0.043). Harsh disciplinary practices and stimulation were not associated with child socioemotional development after adjusting for IPV, maternal depressive symptoms, and other factors. The findings of this study suggest that maternal depressive symptoms may explain the negative association between IPV and child socioemotional development.

PROBLEMATIC ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, KNOWLEDGE OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND HEALTH RISKS AMONG FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN IFAKARA, MOROGORO REGION, TANZANIA

Aims
 This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of alcohol use disorder, drinking attitude, knowledge of standard drinks and health risks associated with alcohol consumption among health science students in Ifakara town, Morogoro region in Tanzania.
 Design
 This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted between June and October 2020 among 372 medicine and allied health students. Participants were selected from the study institutions using random sampling. Results were presented by descriptive statistics, chi- square (χ2) test for associations and logistics regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence (CI) for alcohol use disorder among participants.
 Results
 The prevalence of alcohol consumption is 39.2% with males accounting a higher prevalence among drinkers (63.7%). Ages 21-25 accounted for the highest drinking prevalence (65.8% of drinkers). There were associations between drinking and gender (p=0.002), institution of study (p=0.000) and course of study (p=0.000). Ever drinkers were about 41% of respondents. The median age of first consumption is 20.0 (IQR: 17-22). The prevalence rates of AUD (AUDIT score greater than 8) is 16.4%. Women were significantly less likely than men to report AUD (OR=0.22, 95% CI (0.11-0.47), p<0.05). Over 60% of participants did not know the number of standard drinks in commonly sold alcoholic beverages in Tanzania.
 Conclusion
 The prevalence of alcohol consumption and hazardous drinking is high among health sciences students. There is also a poor knowledge of standard drinks and recommended drinking limits.

Students-Teachers' Professional Development during Teaching Practice in Tanzania: Experience from the Host Institutions

This study sought to explore the opportunities and challenges experienced by student-teachers during their Teaching Practice (TP) in various host institutions in Tanzania. A mixed research approach with cross-sectional survey was employed in this study. The study was carried out in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interview. The study involved 245 participants, whereby 230 were the student-teachers, 10 heads of secondary schools, 3 primary school head teachers and 2 principals from teachers’ training colleges. The findings indicate that student-teachers received positive mentorship from host institutions through orientation on different matters before getting the direct classroom exposure. It was also found that student-teachers had a collaborative working relationship with the host institutions. Findings indicate further that student-teachers were involved in both administrative and academic activities. However, there were some challenges that faced them such as limited teaching and learning facilities, limited exposure to the use of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) as a pedagogical tool, and the overall limited infrastructural support for their stay in various host institutions. It was also found that in some institutions, student–teachers were not trusted to handle the administrative activities. It is recommended in this study that there is a need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and educational stakeholders to collaborate with schools for the creation of a conducive learning environment for student-teachers.

Women's Empowerment through Small-scale Mixed Porridge Flour Processing in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania

Women's Empowerment through Small-scale Mixed Porridge Flour Processing in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania

Spatial and temporal distribution of Anopheles mosquito's larvae and its determinants in two urban sites in Tanzania with different malaria transmission levels

BackgroundIn order to be able to design and implement control measures directed to the mosquito larva stages an understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution and its determinants in different malaria transmission settings is important. This study therefore, intended to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of Anopheles mosquito's larvae and its determinants in two urban sites with different transmission levels, in Tanzania. MethodologyThis study was conducted in Dodoma and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. The study was an ecological study of repeated cross-sectional type. Searching for water bodies in the selected wards was done by going around all streets. Potential breeding sites were given unique identification numbers and larval sampling was done using the standard dipping method with a 350 ml mosquito scoop and a calibrated pipette. Visual identification of presence of larvae and its abundance in each sampling were used to describe the larvae density. A sample of Anopheles mosquitoes which emerged from collected larvae, were processed for species identification using PCR. Descriptive statistics were arrived at by calculating different proportions for the variables. The overall impact of the variables on the density of Anopheles larvae was tested using multiple logistic regression. Variables with p-value less than 0.05 were regarded as significant. ResultsA total of 724 water bodies out of which, 576 (79.6%) potential breeding sites were analyzed. It was found that, most (96.2%) of the potential breeding sites were manmade and most (59.5%) were less than 5 m in diameter and 87.2% were within 100 m from human settlement. Out of all the potential breeding sites, 69.8% and 30.2% were in Morogoro and Dodoma respectively, out of which 72.2% and 68.4% respectively, were found during rainy season. Habitats with clean water, at a distance of 10–100 m from the house, in natural, shaded and partial sunlight habitats had higher odds of having high density of mosquito larvae than their counterparts (p < .05). The PCR analysis showed that 72.5% were An. arabiensis, 4.5% An. gambiaes.s, 0.5% An.coustaniand 20% An. quadrianulatuswhile 2.5% of the samples could not be identified because DNA was not amplified. Conclusion and recommendationType of water, distance from the breeding site to human settlement, light intensity and habitat origin were significant predictors of variation on the spatial and temporal distribution of Anopheles mosquito breeding sites. With increased global emphasis on control measures that targets mosquito immature stages; we recommend that larval control measures should be developed while considering the findings from this study.

Bioaccumulation and distribution pattern of heavy metals in aquaculture systems found in Arusha and Morogoro regions of Tanzania

ABSTRACT The assessment of the current distribution and concentrations of As, Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cr in farmed catfish and tilapia, fish feed, and pond sediment in Tanzania is important in order to establish the potential dietary exposure to heavy metals from aquaculture sources. Thirteen fish ponds were selected from each of the 10 sites (villages) studied in Arusha and Morogoro regions. Representative samples collected were analysed using polarised energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (PED-XRF) spectrometer. Human health risk from fish consumption was established by calculating the estimated daily intakes (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), total hazard indices (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) of the heavy metals. Arusha had the highest concentrations (dry weight) of As (2.49–4.75 mg/kg) in the fish feed. Morogoro had the highest concentrations of Hg (1.65–2.69 mg/kg), Pb (4.59–5.64 mg/kg), and Cd (1.99–3.97 mg/kg) for sediment, fish feed, and fish muscles, respectively. Cr was the most accumulated heavy metal in the fish muscles sampled in Arusha (4.61–9.50 mg/kg) and Morogoro (2.53–5.57 mg/kg). Concentrations and EDI calculated based on mean fish consumption of 22.1 g per person per day by a 60 kg Tanzanian adult found heavy metal intakes were below the recommended daily dietary allowance (RDA) while THQ values were lower than 1, indicating no health risk related to consumption of the fish. The estimated HI was greater than 1, suggesting a potential significant non-carcinogenic health risk. The CR values were below 10−4, indicating no carcinogenic health risk in humans from fish consumption. This study recommends continued surveillance given potential bioaccumulation of these heavy metals in fish.

Nocturnal enuresis among children in Morogoro region in Tanzania: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Enuresis is common childhood disorders which affecting quality of life of children and causing significant psychosocial disturbances to children and their families. This condition has been widely reported globally with increasing data from sub-Saharan African region. In Tanzania there is no reports on its magnitude and therefore this study was carried out with the aim of determine the prevalence of this condition among children in Tanzania.Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study conducted among children aged between 5 and 14 years recruited from 12 streets in Morogoro Municipality in Tanzania. Standardized Swahili questionnaire was used to collect data including socio-demographic details of parents, children and presence of enuresis. Socio-demographic data included age of the child, sex, level of education of the parents, education of the child, presence of bed wetting, history of enuresis in the family.Results: Five hundred and ten children were recruited into this study out of which 271 (53.1%) were females and mean age of study participants was 9±2.8 years. Enuresis was noted in 19% (97/510) of children, 68% (66/97) and 32% (31/97) had primary and secondary enuresis respectively. Significantly higher prevalence rates of enuresis were noted for children aged below 8 years 26.4% (43/162) and those with family history of enuresis 47% (18/38) with p values of 0.01 and &lt; 0.001 respectively. Forty-one (42.3%) out of 97 respondents whose children had enuresis reported to have punished their children and only 21.4% (20/97) reported to have sought treatment for their children.Conclusions: Enuresis is common among children in Tanzania particularly those with positive family history. Punishment to children with enuresis was noted in this study and only one in five parents/guardians sought treatment for their affected children. Therefore, there is a need for initiatives for raising community awareness about enuresis in Tanzania&#x0D; Key words: Enuresis in children, prevalence of enuresis in Tanzania, factors affecting enuresis in children.

Serological evidence of exposure to Rift Valley, Dengue and Chikungunya Virusesamong agropastoral communities in Manyara and Morogoro regions in Tanzania: A community survey.

Tanzania has recently experienced outbreaks of dengue in two coastal regions of Dar es Salaam and Tanga. Chikungunya and Rift Valley Fever outbreaks have also been recorded in the past decade. Little is known on the burden of the arboviral disease causing viruses (Dengue, Rift Valley and Chikungunya) endemically in the inter-epidemic periods. We aimed at determining the prevalence of the dengue, rift valley and chikungunya among humans in two geo ecologically distinct sites. The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Magugu in Manyara region and Wami-Dakawa in Morogoro region in Tanzania. Venous blood was collected from participants of all age groups, serum prepared from samples and subjected to ELISA tests for RVFV IgG/IgM, DENV IgG/IgM, and CHIKV IgM/IgG. Samples that were positive for IgM ELISA tests were subjected to a quantitative RT PCR for each virus. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information. Data analysis was performed by using SPSSv22. A total of 191 individuals from both sites participated in the study. Only one individual was CHIKV seropositive in Magugu, but none was seropositive or positive for either RVFV or DENV. Of the 122 individuals from Wami-Dakawa site, 16.39% (n = 20) had recent exposure to RVFV while 9.83% (n = 12) were seropositive for CHIKV. All samples were negative by RVFV and CHIKV qPCR. Neither infection nor exposure to DENV was observed in participants from both sites. Being more than 5 in a household, having no formal education and having recently travelled to an urban area were risk factors associated with RVFV and CHIKV seropositivity. We report a considerable exposure to RVFV and CHIKV among Wami-Dakawa residents during the dry season and an absence of exposure of the viruses among humans in Magugu site. In both sites, neither DENV exposure nor infection was detected.

Continued Exploration of Tanzanian Rainforests Reveals a New Echiniscid Species (Heterotardigrada).

The Afrotropical tardigrade fauna is insufficiently studied, and consequently its diversity in this region is severely underestimated. Ongoing sampling in the Udzungwa Mountains, Morogoro Region of Tanzania has revealed a new representative of the genus Echiniscus C.A.S. Schultze, 1840 (Echiniscidae). Echiniscus tantulus sp. nov. belongs to the spinulosus group, but it stands out from other members of this speciose Echiniscus clade by having a heteromorphic sculpture of the dorsal plates and an uncommonly stable body appendage configuration A-C-C d -D d -E. The new species is characteristic by being equipped with long dorsal spines and very short lateral spicules, which so far have been found only in one other species of the group, Echiniscus spinulosus (Doyère, 1840). An updated checklist of Tanzanian Echiniscidae is provided, incorporating recent advances in their classification.

Participation 0f Banana Intolerance in AtherosclerosisReview 0f the Literature

A study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition education intervention among women residing in the villages of Dodoma and Morogoro regions of Tanzania. Prior to the intervention, a baseline survey was conducted in July-August 2016. The survey involved 663 women who completed a pre-test assessment for nutrition knowledge and practice and enrolled in nutrition education intervention.

Determinants of Agro-credit Repayment of Small- Holder Farmers in Tanzania

The study investigated the determinants loan repayment in the two selected districts of Kongwa in Dodoma region and Kilombero in Morogoro region of Tanzania. The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of agro-credit repayment of small-holder farmers in Tanzania. The main problem in this study is the existence of high rates of non-compliance to Agrocredit transactions among smallholder farmers. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and key informants. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a total of 329 loan beneficiaries in the four segments namely; commercial banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), government institutions and moneylenders were purposively and randomly selected and interviewed in the two districts. A Logistic (logit model) regression analyses were carried out to isolate and examine the determinants of loan repayment from the respondents' perspective. Findings revealed that the variables of farm size, type of crop, farming experiences, interest rates, and multiple borrowing were the main determinants of loan repayment. The findings also revealed that credit default rate was caused by high interest rates and loan access’ denial from commercial banks due to lack of bankable collaterals. The evidence from the analysis of the study indicating that farmer’s credit repayment is based on many factors which statistically proved significantly in both inferential and descriptive findings. Therefore, the study recommended the need for government to support the establishment of central collateral registry sometimes referred to as secured transactions which will unlock credit to smallholder farmers and assure them access to credits from both formal and informal sources at relatively low interest rates.