Mainland Tanzania Research Articles

The establishment, persistence, and scaling of marine community-based natural resource management in four coastal districts in Tanzania

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is common in most types of ecosystems that are characterized by common property practices. However, the emergence and spread of CBNRM has varied across geographies and contexts. This study explores factors that have enabled the modern emergence, persistence, and spread of marine CBNRM in four coastal districts in Tanzania. It also investigates how CBNRM—particularly local ownership and management of marine resources —is implemented and developed. It draws on a document review of the grey and scientific literature, and in-depth qualitative field work carried out in four coastal districts on mainland Tanzania. The field work involved 15 key informant interviews, 12 focus groups discussion, and participant observation, documenting the perceptions of resource users. The findings indicate that marine CBNRM – operationalized largely through local organizations called Beach Management Units (BMUs) – have strong support from local communities, but emerged, persist, and scaled largely through government and donor led initiatives. The local communities' strong desire to safeguard fisheries resources and reduce overexploitation, caused by illegal harvesting practices, promoted the quick expansion of BMUs, which in turn ensured the continuation of CBNRM. The positive experience and lessons learned from BMUs established early in the process encouraged the spread and ultimately scaling out of CBNRM. Expanding and sustaining marine CBNRM beyond its current form, which relies heavily on external support, will require innovative approaches that foster collective action, identify sustainable financing mechanisms, provide clarity in roles and responsibilities, and identify cost-effective and scalable CBNRM approaches.

Confidence on COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey in selected regions of Tanzania

BackgroundSeveral vaccines were introduced in Tanzania to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. While studies have explored the acceptability and hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccines within the general population, there is limited research focusing on the confidence and associated factors among People Living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aims to fill that gap by investigating vaccine confidence and its determinants in this demographic group.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in centres for care and treatment in four regions of mainland Tanzania using structured questionnaires. A generalized linear mixed model was fitted to determine the factors associated with confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.ResultsA total of 1,100 participants were interviewed; 761 (69.2%) were female. The mean age and standard deviation were 41.6 ±12.1 years. The overall level of confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was 55.3%. Females were less likely to express confidence compared to males (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.72–0.84). Participants with primary (aOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.65–1.94), secondary (aOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.57–2.09), and university-level education (aOR = 2.14; 95% CI: 0.17–26.54) were more likely to report confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. Attending a dispensary-level health facility (aOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.27–1.38) and living in rural areas (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.23–1.66) were significantly associated with confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.ConclusionAlthough COVID-19 is no longer a global public threat, these findings highlight the significance of being prepared in public health and the necessity of continuous efforts to comprehend and enhance vaccine acceptance and confidence among people living with HIV. By tackling the factors that impact vaccine attitudes in this group, we can improve our preparedness for future public health challenges where vaccine uptake may once again become crucial.

Assessing the Content Relevance of Gender-based Violence News Articles in Tanzanian Newspapers on Reducing the Problem

Aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the content relevance of Gender-based Violence (GBV) news articles in Tanzanian newspapers on reducing the problem. The study applied Agenda setting theory (McCombs and Shaw, 1972) as a leading theory complemented by the Priming theory (Iyengar, Peters, and Kender, 1982) and Framing theory (Gregory Bateson, 1972). Study Design: The study adopted a triangulation approach where both quantitative and qualitative methods and tools were applied. The study was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023 in six regions of Tanzania Mainland (Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Mtwara, Mwanza, and Tanga) and two main Islands of Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba). Methodology: The study was cross-sectional and applied a triangulation approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied in data collection, analysis, and reporting. It involved 161 respondents and 297 copies of five daily newspapers for data. Findings: From the study, it was revealed that GBV content had little relevance. It was scarcely reported; that was, only 2% of GBV articles out of 14,618 were identified. There was also a significant variation in GBV reporting between newspapers - the highest percentage of articles in newspapers was 0.76% and the lowest was 0.06%. In addition, the study revealed sexual violence was reported more frequently 36% and psychological violence less frequently 11%. Furthermore, Kiswahili newspapers carried 80% of all GBV articles compared to 20% of English newspapers. GBV articles were geographically relevant but were not enough to motivate respondents to read newspapers. Hence the majority of the respondents 52% were not satisfied with the usefulness of GBV issues reported in newspapers. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the contents of GBV articles in the Tanzanian newspapers had little relevance and thus low contribution to reducing GBV in the country. It was therefore recommended that media houses/outlets should think of establishing special GBV reporting desks, investing in investigative reporting of GBV, and considering the recruitment of specialized GBV editors and reporters.

Driving Forces of Strategic Outsourcing in Telecommunication Companies in Tanzania

Abstract This article aims to evaluate the driving forces of outsourcing strategies on the organizational performance of mobile network operators in mainland Tanzania. The objectives are to identify the driving forces of outsourcing and determine the challenges of outsourcing in telecommunication companies. The article adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The selection of mobile companies is based on high market share and operation period. Findings show that customer needs for high-quality services, high-rated change in service, reduction of operational expenditure, and accessing the world’s capability are among the major driving forces for outsourcing. Dependability, loss of security, hidden costs, and selection of competent partners to mention a few are the challenges faced by telecom companies. It is noted that outsourcing enables network operators to advance their organizational performance in terms of operating cost, productivity, profitability, and market share. However, customer satisfaction suffers due to the inconsistency of the quality of service offered. Therefore, it is advised that mobile operators closely monitor outsourcing service providers to ensure that agreed service levels are met, thereby, safeguarding the reputation of the company to customers.

The Impacts of the Legal Framework Governing Ship Registration in Tanzania

The ship registration system in the United Republic of Tanzania is a vital component of the nation's maritime infrastructure, playing a key role in ensuring compliance with national and international maritime laws. This research provides A Case Study of The Effectiveness of the Ship Registration System: Examining the Legal Framework and Administrative Procedures of The United Republic of Tanzania. The mixed-methods approach combined qualitative and quantitative data collection. The findings were to assess the impacts of the legal framework governing ship registration in Tanzania. The study observed that, the maritime sector of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) operates under a complex legal framework that is divided between two distinct legal systems, each with its own governing authority. This duality is primarily reflected in the Merchant Shipping Act of 2003 and the Merchant Transport Act of 2006, which cater to the maritime needs of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, respectively. The Merchant Shipping Act of 2003 is designed to be applicable across the entire URT, encompassing both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. This is explicitly stated in Section 3 (1) of the Act, which asserts that the provisions apply to all Tanzanian ships, irrespective of their geographical location.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Quality of Antimalarial Medicines in Mainland Tanzania: Insights from Five Years of Postmarket Surveillance.

Sustainable access to high-quality antimalarial medicines is pivotal to achieving universal and effective malaria control. Poor-quality antimalarial medicines are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, impeding malaria control initiatives and claiming the lives of many children. Regular monitoring of the quality of antimalarial medicines is crucial to ensure the quality of service to the community. A cross-sectional study using a postmarket surveillance (PMS) approach was conducted from 2019 to 2023. Samples were collected from the port of entry, local manufacturers, and various distribution outlets in 15 regions of mainland Tanzania. The samples were subjected to tier 1 evaluation, comprising a product information review (PIR) and identification using the Global Pharma Health Fund-Minilab® techniques. Samples that failed the identification tests and 10% of the samples from distribution outlets that passed the tests were subjected to confirmatory testing (tier 2), which included assays, related substances, dissolution, and sterility per the pharmacopeial monographs. During five annual PMSs, 2,032 antimalarial samples were collected and subjected to quality tests. All samples complied with the standard specifications for identity, dissolution, related substances, sterility, physical evaluation, disintegration, and assay. A total of 292 (55.5%) tested samples failed the PIR evaluation, with incomplete package information in leaflets contributing to 64.7% of all deviations. Antimalarial medicines circulating in the mainland Tanzanian market meet expected quality standards. Continuous monitoring of the quality of antimalarial medicines is recommended.

Nutrition learning gaps in the undergraduate curricula of Nursing and Medicine degree and diploma programs in Tanzania Mainland

BackgroundNutrition has been widely ignored in the curricula of many health professional training programs in Sub-Saharan African countries. The present review was conducted to explore the adequacy of medical and nursing curricula in training graduates to treat, educate effectively, and counsel patients/clients with nutritional disorders in Tanzania.MethodsAn assessment of accredited medical and paramedical curricula in mainland Tanzania. The assessment followed Stufflebeam's CIPP model (context, input, process, and product) to enhance methodological rigour and transparency.ResultsOf the twelve curricula studied, only one had a dedicated course for nutrition. In the undergraduate medicine degree curriculum, only 119 out of 6580 hours over five years were allocated for nutrition training, which is merely 1.7% of the total curriculum hours. Similarly, in the undergraduate nursing degree curriculum only 370 hours out of 5280 over four years were allocated for nutrition training, which is equivalent to 0.07% of the total hours. In the paramedical diploma programs of clinical medicine and nursing, nutrition content was scattered among various courses within the curriculum. Most curricula were teacher-centred with limited use of validated methods to assess trainee on skills such as Observed Structured Practical/ Clinical Examination.ConclusionsBased on this assessment of accredited curricula, nutrition receives scant attention in medical and paramedical education in mainland Tanzania. Thus, it is imperative to support integrating stronger nutrition content into medical and paramedical schools focusing on skills and attitudes to enhance the efficient implementation of the nation’s nutrition policies and strategies.

Prevalence of human schistosomiasis in various regions of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted for the past ten years (2013-2023).

Schistosomiasis is a significant public health problem in Tanzania, particularly for the people living in the marginalized settings. We have conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis on the prevalence of schistosomiasis to add knowledge towards the development of effective approaches to control the disease in Tanzania. Online databases namely, Pub Med, SCOPUS and AJOL, were systematically searched and a random effect model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of the disease. Heterogeneity and the between studies variances were determined using Cochran (Q) and Higgins (I2) tests, respectively. A total of 55 articles met the inclusion criterion for this review and all have satisfactory quality scores. The pooled prevalence of the disease in Tanzania was 26.40%. Tanzania mainland had the highest schistosomiasis prevalence (28.89%) than Zanzibar (8.95%). Sub-group analyses based on the year of publication revealed the going up of the pooled prevalence, whereby for (2013-2018) and (2018-2023) the prevalence was 23.41% and 30.06%, respectively. The prevalence of the Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma hematobium were 37.91% and 8.86% respectively. Mara, Simuyu, and Mwanza were the most prevalent regions, with a pooled prevalence of 77.39%, 72.26%, and 51.19%, respectively. The pooled prevalence based on the diagnostic method was 64.11% for PCR and 56.46% for POC-CCA, which is relatively high compared to other tests. Cochrans and Higgins (I2) test has shown significant heterogeneity (p-value = 0.001 and I2 = 99.6). Factors including age, region, diagnostic method and sample size have shown significant contribution to the displayed heterogeneity. The pronounced and increasing prevalence of the disease suggests potential low coverage and possibly lack of involvement of some regions in the control of the disease. This, therefore, calls for an intensive implementation of control interventions in all endemic regions, preferably using an integrated approach that targets several stages of the disease lifecycle.

The political economy of energy transitions in Africa: Coalitions, politics and power in Tanzania

The understanding of the political economy of energy transitions in lower-income African countries is little developed. A focus on coalitions has emerged as a promising approach, but it was largely developed based on experiences from higher-income countries. This article has two interrelated purposes. First, it explores and develops the coalition approach to the study of the prioritisation between energy sources in lower-income countries by combining it with a political settlement framework that has been adapted to analysing energy transitions. Secondly, it researches the promotion and implementation of non-hydro renewable energy in mainland Tanzania as a case. The article covers the period from 2008, when the first potent coalitions around private non-hydro renewable energy emerged, up until today. Until recently, these coalitions were overtaken by stronger coalitions around state-owned gas and hydropower. Only with a new president and administration in power and a donor that was pragmatic with regard to state ownership did a large-scale solar plant materialize. Based on the Tanzanian example, the article argues first, that large-scale energy projects are of such importance politically that the analysis of coalitions at the sector level must take into account how these coalitions are embedded in a country's broader distribution of power. Secondly, that for renewable energy policies and projects to get implemented they must fit with the priorities and ideas about broader development held by a country's ruling political elite. A number of implications for the study of the political economy of energy transitions are further unfolded in the article.

Prevalence of mutations associated with artemisinin partial resistance and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance in 13 regions in Tanzania in 2021: a cross-sectional survey

The emergence of the artemisinin partial resistance (ART-R) mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 gene (k13), Arg561His, in Rwanda and the regional presence of polymorphisms affecting sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine have raised concern in neighbouring Tanzania. The goal of this study was to assess the status of antimalarial resistance in Tanzania, with a focus on the border with Rwanda, to understand the distribution of the Arg561His mutation, partner drug resistance, and resistance to chemoprevention drugs. In this cross-sectional survey, capillary dried blood spots were collected from malaria positive asymptomatic individuals in the community and symptomatic individuals in health facilities aged 6months and older, in 13regions of mainland Tanzania from Jan 31to June 26, 2021. Exclusion criteria included residence of the areas other than the target sites, presenting to the health facility for care and treatment of conditions other than malaria, and not providing informed consent. Samples were assessed for antimalarial resistance polymorphisms and genetic relatedness using molecular inversion probes targeting Pfalciparum and short-read whole-genome sequencing. The primary outcome was the prevalence of molecular markers of antimalarial resistance at the region level, as well as at the district level in Kagera, a region in the northwest of the country at the border with Rwanda. 6855 (88·1%) of 7782capillary dried blood spot samples collected were successfully genotyped. The overall prevalence of k13 Arg561His in Kagera was 7·7% (90% CI 6·0-9·4; 50of 649), with the highest prevalence in the districts near the Rwandan border (22·8% [31 of 136] in Karagwe, 14·4% [17 of 118]) in Kyerwa, and 1·4% [two of 144] in Ngara). k13 Arg561His was uncommon in the other regions. Haplotype analysis suggested that some of these parasites are related to isolates collected in Rwanda in 2015, supporting regional spread of Arg561His. However, a novel k13 Arg561His haplotype was observed, potentially indicating a second origin in the region. Other validated k13 resistance polymorphisms (one Arg622Ile and two Ala675Val isolates) were also identified. Aregion of prevalent dihydrofolate reductase Ile164Leu mutation, associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance, was also identified in Kagera (15·2% [12·6-17·8%]; 80of 526). The mutant crt Lys76Thr mutation, associated with chloroquine and amodiaquine resistance, was uncommon, occurring only in 75of 2861genotyped isolates, whereases the wild-type mdr1 Asn86Tyr allele, associated with reduced sensitivity to lumefantrine, was found in 99·7% (3819 of 3830) of samples countrywide. These findings show that the k13 Arg561His mutation is common in northwest Tanzania and that multiple emergences of ART-R, similar as to what was seen in southeast Asia, have occurred. Mutations associated with high levels of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance are common. These results raise concerns about the long-term efficacy of artemisinin and chemoprevention antimalarials in the region. Understanding how multiple emergences interact with drivers of regional spread is essential for combating ART-R in Africa. This study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Lessons from enriching Tanzania’s clinical research ethics clinical trials oversight and pharmacovigilance through the ASCEND project

Engaging in clinical trials in Africa not only enhances researchers' comprehension of local health concerns but also plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges. In Tanzania, there has been a surge of clinical research for the past 10 years indicating a need to improve ethical and clinical trial regulatory capacity. Several initiatives to address the clinical trial regulatory and ethics challenges have been done. Lessons from such initiatives are important to inform evidence-based decision-making for sustainability. The ASCEND project with the theme of “Moving Tanzania’s Clinical Research Ethics and Medicines Regulatory Capacity to the Next Level: Fostering Medicine Quality, Safety and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) on Clinical Trials” was implemented in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar from November 2020 to December 2023. A thorough review of the project implementation reports and on deliverables was conducted to identify the lessons learned. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the information. A total of seven lessons were deduced from the reviewed documents. These include capacity building through training on clinical trials review and approval process, research ethics and GCP inspection which cannot be overlooked; engaging the community in reporting adverse drug events is worth considering; digitalization of electronic systems enhances clinical trial control and creates a dynamic regulatory ecosystem; compliance to requirements for clinical trials conduct is enhanced by training of early and mid-career researchers; networking and broad stakeholders’ engagement and participation in ethics and regulations governing clinical trials is a cornerstone for strengthening collaboration between researchers and regulators; the need for electronic systems for monitoring and evaluation of the project is inevitable and the need for adhering to project timelines is crucial for successful implementation of the project. Sustainability is the take-home message from the ASCEND project and should inform stakeholders for future improvement. Continuous investment and advancement in research ethics and regulatory oversight across Africa should be prioritized.

Unfolding Factors Influencing Household Expenditure in Private Households in the Tanzania Mainland Using Quantile Regression

Unfolding Factors Influencing Household Expenditure in Private Households in the Tanzania Mainland Using Quantile Regression

Adopting Pedagogical Content Knowledge Principles in Secondary School Chemistry Teaching: An Insight from Tanzania

Tanzania is currently shifting from content-based to competence-based curriculum implementation, aligning with modern-day and global demands. Despite extensive research on enhancing science teaching methods, some gaps in understanding how these innovations diffuse into practice. This study aimed at assessing the local conditions and contexts which supported the adoption of pedagogical content knowledge principles in teaching secondary school chemistry in Tanzania. The study focuses on introducing pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) principles into secondary school chemistry education. This study was conducted from June to December 2022. Three Ordinary level secondary school chemistry modules were developed and used to empower 15 in-service secondary school teachers from 15 secondary schools across 6 regions of mainland Tanzania. A mixed approach, incorporating case study and quasi-experimental designs, along with the use of an Online Community of Practice (CoP) and the Higher-Order Thinking with Inclusion and Equity (HOTIE) framework, was employed to gain a deeper understanding of the innovation transfer. Data were collected and analyzed based on Moore and Benbasat’s [1] framework. Findings indicated positive impact in voluntariness, relative advantage, compatibility, ease of use, result demonstrability and visibility. However, findings revealed that inclusivity and equity issues were not sufficiently addressed. Participating teachers voluntarily engaged in the program and found the PCK approach compatible with their needs and experiences. The study concludes that the innovation holds promise for broader implementation, highlighting its potential scalability within Tanzania’s education system and elsewhere particularly in the developing countries. The study recommends more researches on use of PCK with inclusivity and equity.

The past, present and future developments in mariculture in the coastal waters of mainland Tanzania

AbstractMarine coastal resources are crucial to Tanzania's socio‐economic development and are a lifeline for the livelihoods and incomes of coastal communities. This study provides an overview of the coastal development of mariculture in mainland Tanzania and suggests future development strategies. The review article covers extensive reports available through field interviews, government policy documents, library literature searches and field work carried out by the authors. Despite the immense potential of mariculture to improve food security for localcommunities, its development has been uneven. Specifically only seaweed farming has advanced to commercial‐scale production. Other mariculture activities, such as finfish farming (e.g. milkfish, silver pompano), shellfish farming (e.g. prawn, mud crab and half‐pearl) and sea cucumber farming, are underdeveloped and confined to small‐scale operations. Locally consumed finfish, such as milkfish and pompano, have not attracted investors out of fear that the recovery of investment may not be achieved due to the low prices offered in the market. In this context, the sustainable use of coastal resources through mariculture becomes paramount to alleviating poverty and facilitating controlled migration from rural to urban. This comprehensive review explores the historical evolution and current status of mariculture initiatives in the coastal waters of mainland Tanzania, which presents a crucial aspect of the socio‐economic development of the nation. With declining global capture fisheries production and a growing demand for fish protein, Tanzania has strategically embraced mariculture as a viable alternative. The article traced the development of mariculture since the 1970s, highlighting past and current initiatives managed by government agencies, non‐government organizations and the private sector. Notable successes, such as seaweed culture, are highlighted along with the challenges that hinder the growth of marine farming activities. The review integrates insights from a comprehensive survey in coastal Tanzania, focusing on mariculture activities and collecting information on people who have stopped such practices, elucidating reasons for quitting. By consolidating experiences from past and present mariculture initiatives, this review provides valuable guidance for decision‐making towards promoting sustainable mariculture that supports coastal communities while preserving marine biodiversity.

“If I die for touching him, let me die”: a rapid ethnographic assessment of cultural practices and Ebola transmission in high-risk border regions of Tanzania

BackgroundEbola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare but contagious disease caused by Ebola Virus (EBOV). The first Ebola outbreaks were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before subsequent reported cases in Western and East African countries, including Uganda, which borders Tanzania. Proximity to EVD-infected countries raises the prospect of cross-border transmission, raising alarm in Tanzania. This study aimed to explore the cultural practices likely to prevent or escalate EVD transmission in the event of its outbreak in the country.MethodsThis rapid ethnographic assessment employed observation, interviews, and focus group discussions to collect data from people with diverse characteristics in five regions of Tanzania Mainland namely, Kagera, Kigoma, Mwanza and Songwe regions and Zanzibar Island. The qualitative data was then subjected to thematic analysis.FindingsCultural practices may escalate the transmission of EVD and hinder its prevention and control. These cultural practices include caring sick people at home, confirmation of death, mourning, and body preparation for burial. Communal life, ceremonies, and social gatherings were other aspects observed to have the potential for compounding EVD transmission and hindering its containment in case of an outbreak.ConclusionCultural practices may escalate EVD transmission as identified in the study settings. As such, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities should be interventionist in transforming cultural practices that may escalate the spread of EVD as part of preparedness, prevention, and control efforts in the event of an outbreak.

Comparative Study of the Use of Tax Management Information Systems between Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland

ax Management Information Systems (MIS) are crucial for efficient tax administration, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and governance. This study aimed to compare the use of Tax MIS in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, focusing on the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAX), respectively. The study's goals were to identify key factors facilitating effective Tax MIS use and to improve its usage in Zanzibar. Using a mixed comparative descriptive design based on the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, data were collected from 108 participants through questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Key findings indicated that system availability, compatibility, and top management support are essential for effective Tax MIS use. However, significant differences were observed between Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland, with Zanzibar's Tax MIS still in its early stages, lacking full automation in some processes. To improve the usage of Tax MIS in Zanzibar, the existing process should be redesigned and integrated into the system, the management should encourage their staff in using the system by being champion users and providing training and incentives. In addition, the Tax MIS infrastructure should be improved.

Fostering Employee Engagement through Innovative Leadership: Lessons from Tanzanian Public Secondary Schools

This article investigated the influence of innovative leadership on employee engagement in Tanzanian public secondary schools. Specifically, the study explored whether innovative leaders could influence organisational commitment and job involvement among employees. Conducted in three regions of mainland Tanzania, the cross-sectional survey adopted a positivist philosophy suitable for hypothesis development. Data was gathered from 386 teachers using structured, closed-ended questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with AMOS 23 was used for data analysis. The results revealed that innovative leadership significantly enhances both organisational commitment and job involvement among teachers. The study underscores the need for school heads to adopt innovative practices to engage teachers effectively. Social Exchange Theory (SET) is applicable in this context due to the reciprocity observed in teachers’ engagement and involvement. It is recommended that leaders in all sectors should innovate to enhance employee engagement, ensuring organisational sustainability and quality service delivery.

Strong isolation by distance and evidence of population microstructure reflect ongoing Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Zanzibar.

The Zanzibar archipelago of Tanzania has become a low-transmission area for Plasmodium falciparum. Despite being considered an area of pre-elimination for years, achieving elimination has been difficult, likely due to a combination of imported infections from mainland Tanzania and continued local transmission. To shed light on these sources of transmission, we applied highly multiplexed genotyping utilizing molecular inversion probes to characterize the genetic relatedness of 282 P. falciparum isolates collected across Zanzibar and in Bagamoyo district on the coastal mainland from 2016 to 2018. Overall, parasite populations on the coastal mainland and Zanzibar archipelago remain highly related. However, parasite isolates from Zanzibar exhibit population microstructure due to the rapid decay of parasite relatedness over very short distances. This, along with highly related pairs within shehias, suggests ongoing low-level local transmission. We also identified highly related parasites across shehias that reflect human mobility on the main island of Unguja and identified a cluster of highly related parasites, suggestive of an outbreak, in the Micheweni district on Pemba island. Parasites in asymptomatic infections demonstrated higher complexity of infection than those in symptomatic infections, but have similar core genomes. Our data support importation as a main source of genetic diversity and contribution to the parasite population in Zanzibar, but they also show local outbreak clusters where targeted interventions are essential to block local transmission. These results highlight the need for preventive measures against imported malaria and enhanced control measures in areas that remain receptive to malaria reemergence due to susceptible hosts and competent vectors. This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, grants R01AI121558, R01AI137395, R01AI155730, F30AI143172, and K24AI134990. Funding was also contributed from the Swedish Research Council, Erling-Persson Family Foundation, and the Yang Fund. RV acknowledges funding from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (reference MR/R015600/1), jointly funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), under the MRC/FCDO Concordat agreement and is also part of the EDCTP2 program supported by the European Union. RV also acknowledges funding by Community Jameel.

Genetic polymorphism and evidence of signatures of selection in the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein gene in Tanzanian regions with different malaria endemicity

BackgroundIn 2021 and 2023, the World Health Organization approved RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix M malaria vaccines, respectively, for routine immunization of children in African countries with moderate to high transmission. These vaccines are made of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP), but polymorphisms in the gene raise concerns regarding strain-specific responses and the long-term efficacy of these vaccines. This study assessed the Pfcsp genetic diversity, population structure and signatures of selection among parasites from areas of different malaria transmission intensities in Mainland Tanzania, to generate baseline data before the introduction of the malaria vaccines in the country.MethodsThe analysis involved 589 whole genome sequences generated by and as part of the MalariaGEN Community Project. The samples were collected between 2013 and January 2015 from five regions of Mainland Tanzania: Morogoro and Tanga (Muheza) (moderate transmission areas), and Kagera (Muleba), Lindi (Nachingwea), and Kigoma (Ujiji) (high transmission areas). Wright’s inbreeding coefficient (Fws), Wright’s fixation index (FST), principal component analysis, nucleotide diversity, and Tajima’s D were used to assess within-host parasite diversity, population structure and natural selection.ResultsBased on Fws (< 0.95), there was high polyclonality (ranging from 69.23% in Nachingwea to 56.9% in Muheza). No population structure was detected in the Pfcsp gene in the five regions (mean FST = 0.0068). The average nucleotide diversity (π), nucleotide differentiation (K) and haplotype diversity (Hd) in the five regions were 4.19, 0.973 and 0.0035, respectively. The C-terminal region of Pfcsp showed high nucleotide diversity at Th2R and Th3R regions. Positive values for the Tajima’s D were observed in the Th2R and Th3R regions consistent with balancing selection. The Pfcsp C-terminal sequences revealed 50 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_50), with only 2% of sequences matching the 3D7 strain haplotype (H_50). Conversely, with the NF54 strain, the Pfcsp C-terminal sequences revealed 49 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_49), with only 0.4% of the sequences matching the NF54 strain (Hap_49).ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate high diversity of the Pfcsp gene with limited population differentiation. The Pfcsp gene showed positive Tajima’s D values, consistent with balancing selection for variants within Th2R and Th3R regions. The study observed differences between the intended haplotypes incorporated into the design of RTS,S and R21 vaccines and those present in natural parasite populations. Therefore, additional research is warranted, incorporating other regions and more recent data to comprehensively assess trends in genetic diversity within this important gene. Such insights will inform the choice of alleles to be included in the future vaccines.

Perspectives and Practices of Constructive Journalism in Mainland Tanzania

This article offers a comprehensive examination of constructive journalism practices on the Tanzanian mainland, with the primary goal of redefining news framing. By analyzing the interplay between negativity and positivity in news coverage, the study explores its execution and its impact on news consumers. The research methodology encompasses a survey involving 169 respondents, complemented by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 30 participants. Furthermore, an extensive analysis of 240 news items from eight media outlets scrutinizes editorial perspectives on news framing and presentation, particularly the integration of negative and positive elements. The findings uncover a notable dissonance: while the media and journalists predominantly gravitate towards negative narratives, the audience clearly prefers positive content. These results underscore the urgency for Tanzanian media and journalists to reevaluate their approach to defining news and their portrayal of it, emphasizing the imperative for a more balanced and constructive narrative