Browsing by Author "Mkupasi, Ernatus"

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Assessment of compliance with good agricultural practices in pig farming in Mpwapwa and Mbulu districts, Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2023-07-14) Nonga, Cosmas; Zacharia, Issa; Mkupasi, Ernatus; Ngowi, Helena
A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2022 to explore the pig farming practices and assess their compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and their associated constraints in Mpwapwa and Mbulu districts. A total of 136 pig farmers were randomly chosen from purposively selected wards for interview using a structured questionnaire. The study revealed that 71.3% of all pig farmers were aware of GAPs on pig farming, but only 19.8% of the pig farmers complied with the stipulated GAPs. About 81.6% of the respondents had poor piggery hygiene and 76.5% had poor piggery conditions. Pig farmers reported the cost of feeds (83.8%) and veterinary services (81.6%) to be the hindrance to compliance with GAPs. It was concluded that pig farmers are aware of GAPs but not all implement them. Limited availability and high costs of pig feeds and veterinary services are among the factors limiting the full implemantation of GAP in pig farming in the Mpwapwa and Mbulu districts. Therefore, there is a need for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development and private investors to collaborate to ensure accessibility to Agro-vet services in rural areas with minimal cost. A positive effect could also result from encouraging pig farmers to use locally available ingredients to compose pig feeds.
Challenges in the diagnosis of taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniosis in medical and veterinary settings in selected regions of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
(Hindawi, 2022-06-30) Mlowe, Fredy; Karimuribo, Esron; Mkupasi, Ernatus; Churi, Ayubu; Nyerere, Antony D.; Schmidt, Veronika; Ngowi, Helena; Winkler, Andrea S.; Mlangwa, James
Taenia solium (neuro) cysticercosis/taeniosis (TSCT) is a zoonotic disease complex. There is a perceived inefficient diagnosis of infections by either form, the adult pork tapeworm (taeniosis) and the larval stage of it (cysticercosis), in low-income settings, including Tanzania. This study aimed at identifying potential gaps around TSCT diagnosis and knowledge of primary healthcare providers (officers in charge (OICs) of primary healthcare facilities (PHFs)) and veterinarians (meat inspectors (MIs)) on various aspects of TSCT disease complex and addressing effective disease control in Tanzania. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2020 in Manyara, Dodoma, Ruvuma, Iringa, and Arusha regions in Babati, Mbulu, Kongwa, Mbinga, and Nyasa districts. We interviewed 152 OICs of PHFs and 108 MIs using a structured questionnaire and 33 medical and veterinary officers from level I healthcare facilities and district livestock offices, respectively, from selected study districts to the respective ministerial level using key informant interviews. Results. Quantitative data revealed inadequate microscopic diagnostic facilities (54.6%) and personnel (100%) for taeniosis diagnosis in PHFs (n 152). Approximately 81.2% of MIs compared with only 42.1% of OICs of PHFs scored above average regarding T. solium cysticerci knowledge. Nevertheless, 61.2% of OICs of PHFs compared with only 42.6% of MIs scored above average regarding the adult T. solium tapeworm knowledge. Qualitative data revealed inadequate availability of advanced diagnostic facilities (neuroimaging) and trained personnel for specific diagnosis of TSCT with a focus on neurocysticercosis (NCC) in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. Inadequately number of qualified MIs, slaughter slabs, and resource facilitation challenged porcine cysticercosis diagnosis. Conclusion. It is concluded that diagnostic capacity and knowledge of OICs of PHFs and MIs regarding TSCT are insufficient in both medical and veterinary sectors. A One Health approach should be adopted to improve TSCT diagnostic capacity and practitioners’ knowledge in both medical and veterinary sectors.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of frontline health workers in relation to detection of brucellosis in rural settings of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
(BMC, 2022) Belinda, Joseph Mligo; Calvin, Sindato; Yapi, Richard B; Mathew, Coletha; Mkupasi, Ernatus; Kazwala, Rudovick R; Karimuribo, Esron D
Background: Brucellosis an important zoonotic disease worldwide, which frequently presents as an undiferentiated febrile illness with otherwise varied and non-specifc clinical manifestations. Despite its importance, there are few reports on its awareness among frontline health workers. This study aimed at assessing the baseline knowledge, atti tude and practice (KAP) related to detection and management of brucellosis among frontline health workers (FHWs) namely; healthcare workers (HWs) and community health workers (CHWs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020 in Kilosa and Chalinze dis tricts of Tanzania. Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding brucellosis were collected from the study participants using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with 32 HWs and 32 CHWs who were systematically selected in study districts. Chi square/fsher Exact was used to assess the associa tion between sociodemographic variables and those related to knowledge, attitude and practices. Results: Overall, a total of 30 (93.8%) HWs and nine (28.1%) CHWs from the study districts heard about brucello sis, with (34.4%) of HWs having knowledge about the causative organism. Overall, knowledge showed almost half (46.9%) HWs and (28.1%) CHWs were aware of the symptoms, clinical signs, diagnosis and control regarding brucel losis. Knowledge diference was statistically signifcant with HWs’ age (p=0.016). Almost half (46.9%) HWs and less than quarter (12.5%) CHWs had good practices regarding brucellosis control. Almost three quarters (71.9%) of HWs and (21.9%) CHWs had positive attitude regarding brucellosis control; overall attitude was statistically signifcant with CHWs age (p=0.028) and education level (p=0.024). Lack of awareness and unavailability of diagnostic tools were the main challenges faced by FHWs in the two districts. Conclusion: The majority of participants were not aware of human brucellosis. Moreover, their overall knowledge was inadequate and the common practices were diagnostic tools, and adequate knowledge to manage brucellosis cases. These fndings highlight the need to strengthen frontline health workers knowledge, practices and diagnostic capacities related to brucellosis