Browsing by Author "Mdegela, R."
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Item Community awareness of the sources and impact of pollutants with emphasis on endocrine disruptors in Lake Victoria: the case of Jinja in Uganda(2014-06) Msuya, C. P.; Byarugaba, D.; Mdegela, R.; Kamundia, P.; Mbuthia, P. G.Despite its potential, Lake Victoria faces many challenges, including pollution. This study was conducted within Jinja District in, Uganda to establish the sources of pollutant; in particular, those likely to contain endocrine disruptors and their impact on fish productivity. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions, case stories, key info. rmants interviews and observations. The collected data were analysed using the inductive thematic analysis method. The findings reveal that pollutants that find access into the lake have the potential to disrupt the endocrine systems of organisms in the study area. However, awareness of the pollutants among community members was low. Human, animal, industrial, agricultural, hospital and domestic waste were the main sources of pollutants likely to contain endocrine disruptors. These pollutants were handled poorly and most of them were disposed into the lake without treatment. This calls for efforts to conduct education and extension programmes for awareness creation and for extending information to the community regarding sources and impacts of these pollutants. Such initiatives will enhance the awareness of local people such that they will be more alert when handling such pollutants in order to improve fish health which will in turn enhance the productivity offish in Lake Victoria.Item Ecological and Epidemiological Findings Associated with Zoonotic Rabies Outbreaks and Control in Moshi, Tanzania, 2017–2018(International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019-08-07) Killewo, Japhet; Mtui-Malamsha, N.; Sallu, R.; Mahiti, G. R.; Mohamed, H.; OleNeselle, M.; Rubegwa, B.; Swai, E. S.; Makungu, S.; Otieno, E. G.; Lupindu, A. M.; Komba, E.; Mdegela, R.; Assenga, J. A.; Bernard, J.; Marandu, W.; Warioba, J.; Makondo, Z.; Chang'a, J.; Mramba, F.; Hezron, N.; Killewo, J.; Kafeero, F.; Makonnen, Y. J.; Rivas, A. L.; Fasina, F. O.Approximately 1500 people die annually due to rabies in the United Republic of Tanzania. Moshi, in the Kilimanjaro Region, reported sporadic cases of human rabies between 2017 and 2018. In response and following a One Health approach, we implemented surveillance, monitoring, as well as a mass vaccinations of domestic pets concurrently in >150 villages, achieving a 74.5% vaccination coverage (n = 29, 885 dogs and cats) by September 2018. As of April 2019, no single human or animal case has been recorded. We have observed a disparity between awareness and knowledge levels of community members on rabies epidemiology. Self-adherence to protective rabies vaccination in animals was poor due to the challenges of costs and distances to vaccination centers, among others. Incidence of dog bites was high and only a fraction (65%) of dog bite victims (humans) received post-exposure prophylaxis. A high proportion of unvaccinated dogs and cats and the relative intense interactions with wild dog species at interfaces were the risk factors for seropositivity to rabies virus infection in dogs. A percentage of the previously vaccinated dogs remained unimmunized and some unvaccinated dogs were seropositive. Evidence of community engagement and multi-coordinated implementation of One Health in Moshi serves as an example of best practice in tackling zoonotic diseases using multi-level government e orts. The district-level establishment of the One Health rapid response team (OHRRT), implementation of a carefully structured routine vaccination campaign, improved health education, and the implementation of barriers between domestic animals and wildlife at the interfaces are necessary to reduce the burden of rabies in Moshi and communities with similar profiles.