Browsing by Author "John, D."

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Investigation of Pupils’ english language abilities in Tanzania: The case of english medium primary schools
(2015-02-14) Komba, S. C.; John, D.
This article is based on the study which sought to assess pupils’ abilities in written English language skills among English medium primary school pupils in Tanzania. The objectives of the study were to examine pupils’ abilities in constructing complete and meaningful sentences; to investigate pupils’ abilities in using tenses; to assess pupils’ abilities in using punctuation marks; and to examine pupils’ abilities in spelling words. The respondents were 240 pupils from four English medium primary schools, based in Mbeya and Dar es Salaam Cities. The data collection process was done using an achievement test and the collected data were subjected to item analysis in which frequencies and percentages of students exhibiting the specified abilities were computed. The findings indicated that the majority of the pupils had serious problems in the tested English language abilities. It was recommended, among others, that English medium primary schools should recruit teachers who are proficient in English language so that they could serve as role models to the pupils.
Tsetse and trypanosomosis in Meatu district: socio-economic assessment, parasitological and molecular characterization
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2017) John, D.
This study sought to evaluate tsetse and trypanosomes and to investigate the socio economic importance of trypanosomosis in Meatu district where sleeping sickness cases have been reported in villages that border state-protected wildlife parks. Socio economic data indicated that 77.5% of respondents in the study area were agro-pastoralists. Tsetse flies were well known to be associated with both African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT), which was well known (90%) and Human African Trypanosomosis (HAT) which was fairly known (40%). Abusive use of anti trypanocidal drug in cattle treatment was observed (48.4%) threatening not only the economy but also public health. Significant difference in the occurrence of tsetse species was observed with G. pallidipes contributing 50% compared to G. swynnertoni and G. morsitans. Overall occurrence of animal trypanosomes in cattle was 2.4% with Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax being the main trypanosome species identified microscopically. The packed cell volume (PCV) measurements revealed that prevalence of anaemia was 8.3% but anaemia was not correlated with trypanosomosis. Molecular characterization by PCR revealed T. congolense in cattle and T. simiae as well as T. godfreyi in tsetse. Moreover, phylogenetic tree showed monophyletic nature of the salivaria trypanosomes. However, closely related to other species from different countries the identified species formed distinct clusters themselves with higher significant support. Neither parasitological nor molecular technique identified human-infective trypanosomes. Since the trypanosomosis risk is permanent; its control remains a significant approach in protecting public and animal health against both diseases. Moreover, findings of this study clearly indicate that awareness of HAT is poor whereas current tsetse control practices being not sustainable. Therefore, strategic and integrated control approach involving community should be advocated.