Browsing by Author "Mgonja, Frida Richard"

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Antibiotic Residues in Foods of Animal Origin: Review
(Macrothink Institute, 2023) Mgonja, Frida Richard; Kaswija, John Paul
Antibiotic residue in food is a serious public health issue that demands much attention and has a harmful impact on consumer health. The presence of antibiotic residue in food of animal origin creates challenges in global trade in animals and animal products. Public health implications of antibiotic residue in food include the development and propagation of antimicrobial drug resistance, hypersensitivity reactions, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, bone marrow suppression, and disruption of normal intestinal flora. Improper use of antibiotics in animals results in the existence of residues beyond maximum limit levels and is associated with harmful health effects in humans. Supervision of antibiotics is required to ensure the safety of animal products. In this review, the use of antibiotics in food animals, antibiotic residues in foods of animal origin, and the effect of different cooking techniques on antibiotic residue levels are discussed.
Assessment of antimicrobial activity of velvet bush willow (Combretum molle) crude bark extracts on selected bacteria species
(2021-10) Mgonja, Frida Richard; Ally, Mohamed Hamed Sango
Treatment and control of infectious diseases in humans and animals play a vital role in prevention of illness and death. Conventional drugs treatment has been providing effective therapy for treatment of infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms; However, some do not respond to conventional therapy. Conventional therapy are expensive and have more adverse side effects. Plant based medicinal productshas been used as an alternative curative for infections caused by resistant pathogenic microorganisms, moreover, plant medicinal products have less adverse side effects. This study was conducted to assess thecrude Combretummolle bark extracts antimicrobial activityagainst three selected bacteria species. Three solvents, distilled water; ethanol and acetone were used for crude combretum molle bark extraction. The agar well diffusion method was used to assess antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the most active extracts was determined by the broth dilution technique. Extracts from three solvents tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition diameters ranging from 14 to 24 mm. Acetone extract was the most potent with its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 1.25 to 2.50 mg/ml. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the potency of the three extracts and standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin on the bacteria species tested. The study showed that the crude bark extract of C. molle has antimicrobial activity against all the test microorganisms.
Assessment of knowledge and practices on home management of malaria among selected families in Morogoro Municipality
(Academic Journals, 2022) Angelina, Julius; Mgonja, Frida Richard
Knowledge and practices in preventing malaria infection were assessed in a cross-sectional study in Morogoro Municipal. Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted caused by plasmodial species which are plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium ovale, and plasmodium malariae. With most of the cases of malaria being due to Plasmodium falciparum accounting for more than 95% of infections. A total of sixty families were randomly selected from five study areas (Chamwino, Mafiga, Kichangani, Misufini and Manzese) to participate in the study. The questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions was administered. The results indicated that knowledge on malaria transmission and prevention was reasonable as the respondents declared to have a significant knowledge (85%) on malaria transmission and prevention, though there was a knowledge gap among respondents. Breeding sites were also assessed and the results showed that 26.7% reported dark places as breeding sites, 40% mentioned the edges of ponds and stagnant water, 26.7% tagged dirty areas as breeding sites, 1.7% mentioned cattle sheds, and 5% were not aware at all. Methods used for management of malaria in their homes indicate that most of the respondents (73.3%) agreed with indoor residual spraying (IRS) while (26.7%) did not agree with IRS. Most respondents commented on the effectiveness of Home Management of Malaria (HMM) to be somehow helpful in reducing malaria infection cases, while 31.7% strongly agreed that HMM has been effective in reducing malaria infection cases. Therefore, there is a need to improve the emphasis of HMM to ensure that the effectiveness of HMM is being achieved at a great level.
Assessment of knowledge and practices on home management of malaria among selected families in Morogoro municipality
(Academic Journals, 2022-03-30) Mgonja, Frida Richard; Julius, Angelina
Knowledge and practices in preventing malaria infection were assessed in a cross-sectional study in Morogoro Municipal. Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted caused by plasmodial species which are plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium ovale, and plasmodium malariae. With most of the cases of malaria being due to Plasmodium falciparum accounting for more than 95% of infections. A total of sixty families were randomly selected from five study areas (Chamwino, Mafiga, Kichangani, Misufini and Manzese) to participate in the study. The questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions was administered. The results indicated that knowledge on malaria transmission and prevention was reasonable as the respondents declared to have a significant knowledge (85%) on malaria transmission and prevention, though there was a knowledge gap among respondents. Breeding sites were also assessed and the results showed that 26.7% reported dark places as breeding sites, 40% mentioned the edges of ponds and stagnant water, 26.7% tagged dirty areas as breeding sites, 1.7% mentioned cattle sheds, and 5% were not aware at all. Methods used for management of malaria in their homes indicate that most of the respondents (73.3%) agreed with indoor residual spraying (IRS) while (26.7%) did not agree with IRS. Most respondents commented on the effectiveness of Home Management of Malaria (HMM) to be somehow helpful in reducing malaria infection cases, while 31.7% strongly agreed that HMM has been effective in reducing malaria infection cases. Therefore, there is a need to improve the emphasis of HMM to ensure that the effectiveness of HMM is being achieved at a great level.
Correlation between aspergillus flavus fungal biomass and aflatoxin contamination in harvested maize: insights from Kenya and Tanzania
(Tehran university of medical sciences., 2023) Temba, Benigni Alfred; Bakari, Gaymary George; Mgonja, Frida Richard; Mushi, James Richard
Controlling the occurrence of aflatoxins in foods must be accompanied by managing the fungi responsible for their production. The abundance and diversity of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus are responsible for the accumulation of these toxins in crops, posing a persistent threat to public health and the economy in tropical developing countries. A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and level of A. flavus and relate them to aflatoxin levels in maize in Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 786 maize samples were collected during harvesting in selected areas of the two countries for analysis. The fungal abundance in the samples was measured as the amount of fungal DNA relative to maize DNA. This was accomplished by quantifying the fungal DNA using qPCR, targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene, while the maize DNA was quantified through the alpha-tubulin gene, the two genes known to be conserved. Aflatoxins were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, coupled with ultra-high sensitivity, ultra-fast triple quadrupole tandem-mass spectrophotometer. A. flavus was detected in 88.5% of the 786 tested samples, and the average fungal load for these samples (expressed as the log host/pathogen ratio) was 5.53. Aflatoxin occurrence was positive in 31.9% of the samples, with an average level of 2.3 ± 0.643 ppb. The study established a positive relationship between the occurrence and level of aflatoxin B 1 and the presence and biomass of A. flavus, which was statistically proven. These findings emphasize the need to place substantial attention on preharvest control of A. flavus in cereal fields as an effort to control the accumulation of aflatoxin B1 in foods.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward over-the-counter medication use; among selected students at Sokoine University of Agriculture
(Macrothink Institute, 2022) Mkola, Mafwolo; Rajabu, Awami; Mgonja, Frida Richard
Every day, we are practicing self-medication (SM) with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs within the frame of self-care for our wellbeing. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices on OTC medication use among selected students at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS). A cross-sectional study was carried out at CVMBS, in Morogoro included veterinary students and non-veterinary students. A simple random sampling technique was used to select samples and the data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with structured and open-ended questions. Data entry, cleaning, and analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that the majority of the students 100 (64%) practice SM. Fever 69 (80.2%), emergency illness 46.0%, healthy facility charges 16.0%, distance to the health facility 12.0%, taking a long time of waiting for 11.0%, the proximity of the pharmacy shop 5.0%, no medicine in the health facilities 4.0%, 3.0% emergency illness and health facility charges, and emergency illness and takes a long time of waiting for 3.0%. The most commonly used OTC for SM in this study was painkillers (35%) and antibiotics (30%). The study revealed that community pharmacies were the major source of medicines for those who practiced SM with OTC drugs 67.0%, followed by medicines from relatives/friends 21.0%. The study also showed that there is optimal knowledge among CVMBS students, also study showed that most students have a negative attitude about SM where 38.0% strongly disagree and 37.0% disagree that SM can be practiced for all medicines. Malpractices were observed such as using remains from previous illnesses and using expired medications.
Perceptions, attitudes, and practices of Tanzanian university communities regarding the use and formalization of traditional medicine
(European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2023) Kimario, Wilfrida Adolfu; Mgonja, Frida Richard; Mushi, James Richard; Bakari, Gaymary George; Temba, Benigni Alfred
Introduction: Traditional medicines (TMs) play a vital role in the public healthcare system of Tanzania and other sub-Saharan countries. The community has been advocating for greater recognition and formalization of this sector. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the community's knowledge and views on formalization to maximize the beneficial use of TMs in Tanzania.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the university community, involving a total of 458 students and staff from three major public universities in Tanzania. Participants were interviewed regarding their history, knowledge, and inclination towards using TMs. They were also asked about their opinions on community involvement and the necessity of strengthening the formalization of education and usage in this field. Results: The results revealed that 84.7% of the participants had utilized TMs, with 71.6% currently using them and 16.8% using them on a regular basis. Furthermore, 30.5% of the participants agreed that the community is aware of the importance of TMs, while 18.8% believed that the community receives adequate education regarding their significance. Additionally, 33.6% indicated that the government recognizes and promotes the importance of TMs. The study also found strong community support for introducing TM practitioners who can attend to patients and provide TMs. There was also strong support for formalizing education on TMs within the Tanzanian education system. Conclusion: The study's findings underscore the significance of recognizing and leveraging traditional medications to improve public health and preserve the benefits of local knowledge.