Browsing by Author "Mboera, Leonard E. G"
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Item Accessibility, availability and utilisation of malaria interventions among women of reproductive age in Kilosa district in central Tanzania(BMC Health Services Research, 2014) Rumisha, Suzan F; Zinga, Maria M; Fahey, Carolyn A; Wey, Dorothy; Bwana, Veneranda M; Mlozi, Malongo R.S; Shayo, Elizabeth H; Malima, Robert C; Mayala, Benjamin K; Stanley, Grades; Mlacha, Tabitha; Mboera, Leonard E. GBackground: Universal access to and utilization of malaria prevention measures is defined as every person at malaria risk sleeping under a quality insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) and every pregnant woman at risk receiving at least two doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). This study aimed to determine factors affecting accessibility, availability and utilisation of malaria interventions among women of reproductive age in Kilosa district in central Tanzania. Methods: Women of reproductive age with children <5 years old or those who had been pregnant during the past 5 years were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to seek information on malaria knowledge, accessibility and utilization of malaria interventions during pregnancy. Results: A total of 297 women (mean age=29±6.8 years) were involved. Seventy percent of the women had attained primary school education. About a quarter of women had two children of <5 years while over 58% had ≥3 children. Most (71.4%) women had medium general knowledge on malaria while only eight percent of them had good knowledge on malaria in pregnancy. A significant proportion of women were not aware of the reasons for taking SP during pregnancy (35%), timing for SP (18%), and the effect of malaria on pregnancy (45.8%). Timing for first dose of SP for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) was 1-3 months (28.4%) and 4-6 months (36.8%). Some 78.1% were provided with SP under supervision of the health provider. Knowledge on malaria in pregnancy had a significant association with levels of education (p=0.024). Ninety-eight percent had an ITN, mostly (87.1%) received free from the government. All women attended the ANC during their last pregnancy. The coverage of IPT1 was 53.5% and IPTp2 was 41.1%. The proportion of women making more ANC visits decreased with increasing parity. Conclusion: This study showed that the knowledge of the pregnant women on malaria in pregnancy and IPTp was average and is likely to have an impact on the low IPTp coverage. Campaigns that provide educational massages on the risk of malaria during pregnancy and the usefulness of IPTp need to be emphasised.Item Aedes aegypti abundance, larval indices and risk for dengue virus transmission In Kinondoni district, Tanzania(BMC, 2022) Ngingo, Baraka L; Mboera, Leonard E. G; Chengula, Augustino; Machelle, Ines; Makange, Mariam R; Msolla, Michael; Mwanyika, Gaspary O; Rugarabamu, Sima; Misinzo, GeraldBackground: Tanzania has experienced periodic dengue outbreaks with increased incidence since 2010. However, there is limited information on vector dynamics and transmission risk in most parts of the country. This study was conducted to determine Aedes mosquito abundance, larval indices and dengue virus infection rate as risk indicators for DENV transmission in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three wards of Kinondoni district in Tanzania between Decem- ber 2019 and January 2020. In each ward, three streets were randomly selected for adult and immature mosquito sampling. The adult mosquitoes were collected using Mosquito Magnet traps, while mosquito larvae and pupae were inspected in water-holding containers in the selected household compounds. The detection of dengue virus (DENV) in female Aedes mosquitoes was done using a one-step reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) method. Results: Of the 1416 adult female mosquitoes collected, Ae. aegypti accounted for 16.8% (n = 238). A total of 333 water-holding containers were inspected and 201 (60.4%) had at least an Aedes larvae or pupae. Water-holding containers supporting the breeding of Aedes larvae and pupae included discarded car tires, flowerpots and small and large plastic containers. The overall House Index, Container Index and Breteau Index were 55.1%, 60.4% and 114.2, respectively. None of the 763 female Aedes mosquitoes tested by RT–PCR was found to be infected with DENV. Conclusion: The presence and abundance Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and the large proportion of water-holding con- tainers infested with the mosquito larvae and pupae put residents of Kinondoni district at high risk of DENV trans- mission. Our findings emphasize the need for continuous mosquito vector surveillance and control to prevent the possibility of future DENV outbreaks in Tanzania.Item Antimicrobial use and resistance in food- producing animals and the environment: an African perspective(BMC, 2020-05) Kimera, Zuhura I; Mshana, Stephen E; Rweyemamu, Mark M; Mboera, Leonard E. G; Matee, Mecky I. NThe overuse of antimicrobials in food animals and the subsequent contamination of the environment have been associated with development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This review presents information on antimicrobial use, resistance and status of surveillance systems in food animals and the environment in Africa.Item Climate change influences potential distribution of infected aedes aegypti co-occurrence with dengue epidemics risk areas in Tanzania(PLOS, 2016) Mweya, Clement N; Kimera, Sharadhuli I; Stanley, Grades; Misinzo, Gerald; Mboera, Leonard E. GDengue is the second most important vector-borne disease of humans globally after malaria. Incidence of dengue infections has dramatically increased recently, potentially due to changing climate. Climate projections models predict increases in average annual tem- perature, precipitation and extreme events in the future. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of changing climate on distribution of dengue vectors in relation to epi- demic risk areas in Tanzania.Item Exploring local knowledge and perceptions on zoonoses among pastoralists in northern and eastern Tanzania(PLOS, 2017-02) Mangesho, Peter Ernest; Neselle, Moses Ole; Karimuribo, Esron D; Mlangwa, James E; Queenan, Kevin; Mboera, Leonard E. G; Rushton, Jonathan; Kock, Richard; Häsler, Barbara; Kiwara, Angwara; Rweyemamu, MarkZoonoses account for the most commonly reported emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited knowledge on how pastoral com- munities perceive zoonoses in relation to their livelihoods, culture and their wider ecology. This study was carried out to explore local knowledge and perceptions on zoonoses among pastoralists in Tanzania.Item Mosquito larval productivity in rice-fields infested with Azolla in Mvomero District, Tanzania(Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 2009) Mwingira, V.S; Mayala, Benjamin K; Senkoro, Kesheni P; Rumisha, Suzan F; Shayo, E.H; Mlozi, Malongo R.S; Mboera, Leonard E. GAzolla (Salviniales: Azollaceae) is known to reduce oviposition and adult emergence of a number of mosquito species. Several species of Azolla are reportedly indigenous to Tanzania. However, the potential of Azolla as a biocontrol agent against malaria mosquitoes has not been evaluated in the country. This crosssectional study was carried out to assess mosquito larval productivity in irrigated rice-fields infested with Azolla in Mvomero District, Tanzania. A systematic larval sampling covering all open water bodies along designed transect was carried in rice-fields. Larval density was estimated by dipping water bodies with or without Azolla. The degree of Azolla coverage was categorized as 0%, <50%, 50%, and >80%. Larvae densities were categorised as low (<50/m2), medium (50-500/m2) and high (≥500/m2) productivity. A total of 120 water bodies were surveyed and 105 (87.5%) had Azolla microphyla and A. pinnata at varying degrees of coverage. Of the total 105 water bodies with Azolla, 80 (76.2%) had a green Azolla mat, and 25 (23.8%) a brown Azolla mat. Eightyeight (73.3%) of the sites were infested with anophelines and 109 (90.8%) with culicine larvae. Seventy percent of all water bodies contained anophelines and culicines in sympatric breeding, while 20.8% and 3.3% had only culicines and anophelines, respectively. The majority (82%) of mosquito breeding sites were found in area with Azolla substrate. Mosquito larva productivity was low in sites with highest (>80%) Azolla coverage. Seventytwo (81.8%) of the anopheline and 90 (82.6%) culicine breeding sites were infested with Azolla. Water bodies infested with green Azolla were more productive than those covered by brown coloured Azolla substrates for both culicines (13%) and anophelines (8%). Of the 1537 field collected larvae that hatched to adult stage, 646 (42.03%) were Anopheles gambiae s.l., 42 (2.73%) were An. funestus and 769 (50.03%) were Culex quinquefasciatus. These findings suggest that the mosquito productivity is low when the Azolla coverage is high (>80%). The promotion of Azolla in mosquito control should take into consideration the degree of Azolla coverage.Item A systematic review on integration mechanisms in human and animal health surveillance systems with a view to addressing global health security threats(BMC, 2020-06) George, Janeth; Häsler, Barbara; Mremi, Irene; Mboera, Leonard E. G; Rweyemamu, Mark; Mangwa, JamesBackground: Health surveillance is an important element of disease prevention, control, and management. During the past two decades, there have been several initiatives to integrate health surveillance systems using various mechanisms ranging from the integration of data sources to changing organizational structures and responses. The need for integration is caused by an increasing demand for joint data collection, use and preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.