Browsing by Author "Mlozi, M. R. S."

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Challenges and opportunities for implementing an intersectoral approach in malaria control in Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 2015) Mlozi, M. R. S.; Mlacha, T.; Bwana, V. M.; Shayo, E. H.; Mayala, B. K.; Malima, R. C.; Mashoto, K. O.; Mboera, L. E. G.
Background: Malaria is a complex health problem related to socio-economic and environmental factors that cut across a number of sectors. Establishing intersectoral linkages is important to facilitate joint efforts to address the problem at all levels. The objectives of this study were to explore key sectoral engagements in malaria control policy formulation and implementation, and to determine decision and policy makers’ opinions about different sectoral activities that contribute to malaria transmission and control in Tanzania. Methods: This study included documentary review, self-administered interviews and group discussion. Interviews and group discussions involved key informants at district and national levels. The sectors involved were health, agriculture, environment, livestock, fisheries, education, works, irrigation, water resources, land development, forestry, and community development. Results: Institutions and organizations that were involved in the development of the previous and current National Malaria Strategic Plan (2007-2013 and 2013-2020) were the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Prime Minister’s Office of Regional Administration and Local Government, Public universities and non-governmental organizations. All the individuals involved in the development of the plans were either medical or health professionals. According to key informants, sectoral activities identified to contribute to malaria transmission included farming systems, deforestation, fishing, nomadic pastoralism, household water storage, water resource development projects, road and house construction and mining. The lack of intersectoral approaches in malaria control programme included the facts that the Health Sector does not involve other sectors during planning and development of policy guidelines, differences in sectoral mandates and management culture, lack of a national coordinating framework and lack of budget for intersectoral activities. Conclusion: The current strategies for malaria control in Tanzania need to address socio-economic and development activities across sectors and emphasise the need for intersectoral collaboration. It is recommended that the future of malaria control strategies should, therefore, be broad based and intersectoral in planning and implementation.
Cooking and Eating Quality of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus Resistant Rice Mutants: Its Implications for Future Breeding Work
(Tanzania J.Agric.Sc., 2008) Mlozi, M. R. S.; Luzi_Kihupi, A.
The study was conducted to evaluate the cooking and eating quality of mutant lines Obtained from irradiating a local cultivar, Supa. Five early maturing mutant lines plus two controls, IR! 53234-27-1 and Supa were evaluated for their physical grain characteristics including length and shape of grain kernel, translucence and chalkiness of the endosperm. Cooking qualities of the tested genotypes were evaluated in terms of percent amylose content and gelatinization temperature. To determine the eating quality , a taste panel comprising of extension officers and the staff of the Kilimanjaro Agricultural Training Centre, Moshi, Tanzania was used. The panel was required to taste the cooked rice of the seven genotypes and to record the aroma, stickiness, softness, taste and general acceptability of the cooked rice. Regression analysis was also performed on selected parameters in order to isolate those that have more influence on the inherent variety quality. The results showed that all the rice genotypes tested had grain appearance that was accepted by the taste panel. The taste panelists, however, generally rated supa parent variety as very good and SSD 7 as normal. The results revealed that significant differences were observed for all the characters tasted except the taste of the cooked rice. Regression analysis showed that of the six parameters of quality, aroma significantly contributed to the isolation of the rice quality, while softness of cooked rice and aroma determined the general acceptance by the panelists. These parameters could be useful as selection criteria in evaluation for rice grain quality.
Efficacy of Conventional Extension Approaches: A Case of Morogoro District, Tanzania
(Institute of Continuing Education, 2005-01) Mlozi, M. R. S.
In Tanzania, smallholder the adoption of agricultural and livestock recommended practices and technologies is remains constrained. At the hub of the problems is the limited level of knowledge and skills, which is compounded by lack of money among small holder farmers to buy the improved technologies. This study's findings go further to emphasize that the agricultural inputs should be available when they are need and at prices that small holder farmers can afford. This requires that there are supportive policies towards smallholder farmers, such as the government subsidizing the price of some agricultural inputs. This study stresses that agricultural extension agents should use available conventional extension methods and approaches in order to teach small holders farmers to raise the productivity of the inputs they use, and subsequently increase their income from crop sales.
Factors affecting students academic achievement in secondary schools in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2000-11) Mlozi, M. R. S.
This study was conducted in the ten secondary schools in three regions namely Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Tanga. Of the ten surveyed schools, five of them were in Dar Es Salaam region and these included Azania, Jangwani, Kinondoni Moslem, Shaaban Roberts and Jitegemee-JKT. Three secondary schools surveyed in Morogoro region included Kilakala, Morogoro and Lutheran Junior Seminary. The other two schools surveyed in Tanga region where Kifungilo and St. Mary's Mazinde Juu. Of the ten schools, five of them (Kinondoni Moslem, Lutheran Junior Seminary, Jitegemee-JKT, Morogoro secondary, Shaaban Robert) were co-education. Four of the surveyed schools (Kilakala, Kifungilo, Jangwani and St. Mary’s Mazinde Juu) were girls only, while one (Azania) was boy's only secondary school. Based on school ownership, four schools were government owned and ran (Azania, Kilakala, Jangwani, Morogoro Secondary) while Kinondoni secondary school was owned and ran by the Moslem community in Dar es Salaam. Two schools (Kifungilo, St. Mary’s Mazinde Juu) were owned and ran by Roman Catholic, and one (Lutheran Junior Seminary) were owned and run by CC of Tanzania. Jitegemee and Shaaban Robert secondary school were owned and ran by Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa-SUMA, and the Indian community of Dar es Salaam, respectively. Based on the school type: Azania, Jangwani and Morogoro secondary schools had boarders and day going students, while Kilakala, Kifungilo, Lutheran Junior Seminary and St. Mary’s Mazinde Juu were boarding schools. Day school in the survey included Kinondoni Moslem, Jitegemee-JKT and Shaaban Robert secondary schools. The study included respondents in the school with the most students (over 500), medium student (about 200) and the least (less than 100) students. Of the 630 interviewees, 217 (34.4%), 167 (26.6%), 91 (14.4%), 78 (12.4%), and 77 (12.2%) came from the government, religious-Christian, Jitegemee-SUMA-J.K.T, religious-Moslem, and individual secondary schools, respectively. Of the ten surveyed secondary schools, eight of them having 554 (88%) respondents were located in urban areas. This bias was purposive because most of the secondary schools in the country are located in urban areas. Also, of the 630 surveyed students, 422 (67%) came from five schools in the city of Dar es Salaam because city has many schools in the country. Of the 630 respondents, 353 (56.0%) were girls and 273 (43.3%) males (Table 2). The average age of interviewees was 17.7 year old. Most of the surveyed students, 599 (95.1%) were sampled from Forms III and IV because these has stayed long enough in the schools and were hypothesized to have more knowledge about the phenomena being studied. Selection of schools was purposive and not all government schools were sampled for the study. Currently, about 90 per cent of all students finish their ordinary and advanced secondary school education from the government schools. About half of the sampled students, 330 (52.4%) were in co-education, 164 (26.0%), and 136 (21.6%) were in girls and boys only secondary schools, respectively. Most respondents, 568 (92%), 583 (94%), 576 (93%) agreed that biology, chemistry and physics laboratories were available in their schools. Over half of female and male interviewees, 411 409 (67%), (66%), 394 (65%), and 356 (63%) agreed that teachers used laboratories for practical sessions, classroom had enough chairs and desks, and teachers used teaching materials, respectively. Of the 630 interviewees, most, 528 (84%) agreed that they used only English during note taking in the classrooms. Respondents based on gender reported a similar observation: 306 (86%) and 222 (81%) female and male respondents respectively. Over half of the respondents, 415 (68%) and 380 (62%) agreed that they used English in answering and asking questions in the classrooms, respectively. Similarly, 385 (63%) of the interviewees agreed that they used both English and Kiswahili in group discussions. Of the 630 interviewees, 554 (89.1%), 448 (73.9%) agreed that their school had libraries and library attendants, respectively. Over half of the respondents, 384 (63%), 317 (51.8%), and 299 (50.2%) agreed that they borrowed books from their libraries, that their libraries had enough chairs and tables, their teachers asked students to go to the libraries and borrow books, respectively. Less than half of the respondents, 292 (47.9%), 282 (46.5%), 239 (40.7%) agreed that the school libraries had enough books, that libraries were within their vicinity, and that they frequently used the libraries. But, when students were asked to mention the clubs that they were involved in, only a few of them were able to name the specific clubs. Of the 630 respondents, 201 (31.9%) agreed that they were involved in the debate clubs in their schools. Most interviewees in the ten schools, 530 (84.1%) agreed that English was only used during note taking in the classrooms. And over half of them, 431 (68,4%), 418 (66.3%), 387 (61.4%), and 383 (61.1%) agreed that they preferred teachers to use English when teaching, used English when answering questions, used both English and Kiswahili in group discussions, and used English when asking questions, respectively. Furthermore, most interviewees in the girls secondary schools, 193 (90%) agreed to using English during note-taking than boys 72 (84%), followed by co-education 265 (80%), although the difference was not significant. Over half of the interviewees, 431 (68%), 418 (66%), and 383 (60%), based on their school systems agreed that they like to use English, they used English in answering questions, and used English in asking questions, respectively. However, less than half of the respondents, 252 (40%) agreed that their teachers used English when teaching--this low response may be contributing to poor English among Tanzanian secondary school graduates. Over half of the interviewees, 385 (61%) and 317 (50%) agreed that they borrowed books from their libraries and that schools classrooms had enough chairs and tables. However, of the 630 interviewees, less than half, 299 (48%), 292 (46%), and 284 (45%) reported that their teachers asked students to go to the libraries, that their libraries had enough books, and there was a nearby library, respectively. Further examination of these show that most respondents in the girls only schools, 154 (72%) followed by those in co-education, 199 (60%) borrowed books from the school libraries. However, few, 32 (37%) of the respondents in the boys only schools borrowed books from the school libraries. Over half of interviewees, 413 (66%), 411 (65%), and 395 (63%) agreed that their schools had enough chairs and desks, enough teachers, used laboratories for practical sessions, respectively. Summarily, data show that on average less than half 113 (42.2%) of the interviewees in the government-owned and ran schools agreed to most aspects pertaining to classroom-, teaching materials- and laboratories-related variables. This implied that most of the government-run secondary schools did not have an adequate supply of these items. Of the 40 teachers, 25 (62.5%), 8 (20%), 6 (15%) and 1 (2.5%) were surveyed from the government, Christian, individual, and JKT secondary schools, respectively. Of the 25 teachers in the government secondary school, 15 (60%) had completed Form VI, which implied that they had no formal teaching skills. Most interviewees, 35 (87.5%) were trained teachers, and about half, 20 (50%) indicated that they had completed teacher training between 1986 and 1992. However, less than half, 18 (45%) had started teaching between 1986 and 1992, i.e. had an experience of between 13 and seven years of teaching. Also, the study shows that 9 (30%), 9 (22.5%), and 7 (17.5%) of the respondents taught biology and chemistry, English, mathematics and physics subjects, respectively. Of the 40 teachers, 27 (67.6%) of them agreed that they had not attended in-service courses and of these, the majority, 19 (76%) were from the government secondary schools. Similarly, 34 (85%), 28 (70%), 27 (67.5%) teachers sampled from the categories of school ownership type agreed that they had not attended refresher courses, seminars, and workshops, respectively. Less than half, 18 (45%) of the respondents agreed that their class sizes were between 30 to 40 students. And, most teachers, 31 (77.5%) reported that teaching materials in their schools were enough. However, most teachers in the government secondary schools, 22 (88%), about half, 3 (50%) in the individual schools, and 2 (25%) in the Christian/religious schools reported that their schools had enough teaching materials. Secondary school teachers were asked to assess their English competence levels. Of the 40 teachers, 15 (37.5%), 9 (22.5%), and 1 (2.5%) agreed that their English competence levels were good, very good, and excellent, respectively. This data implied that some secondary school teachers were not confident with their English competence, an aspect that may affect the performance of secondary school students. Less than half of the 40 teachers, 19 (47.5%) and 17 (42.5%) agreed that their schools had laboratories for physics, chemistry, biology and domestic science subjects, respectively. However, most teachers did not agree with the statement that their laboratories were well equipped as only six (15%) said so. Also, about half of the teachers, 21 (52.5%) agreed that there were librarians, but less than half, 19 (47.5%) disagreed that the school libraries had enough chairs and desks. Few interviewees, 13 (32.5%) agreed that they always used the library. This data implied that if teachers do not frequently use the library it could be difficult to advise students to do so--as only 18 (45%) assigned students to use the library. However, as school observations revealed this was due to the fact that most libraries in the schools had few books in terms of relevance, quality and quantity. For instance, few of the surveyed teachers, 7 (17.5%) agreed that libraries had enough book copies for the students. Of the 40 respondents, less than half 19 (47.5%) said that the school libraries had outdated books that needed updating. Few teachers agreed to be members to about six subject clubs in the schools. This small number of teacher involvement in school subject clubs manifests itself in the small numbers of students in the clubs as explained elsewhere. Consequently, this might have an effect on the performance of students in their respective subjects. Of the surveyed seven school administrators, six indicated that they were trained teachers, and of all, three, two for each were trained at the University of Dar Es salaam, at Kleruu and Dar TTC, and abroad (USA, U.K.), respectively. Years in which they attended training were between 1969 to 1991. Four, two and one of the school administrators had Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Science in Education, and a diploma in Education, respectively. The length of years worked in the schools varied. Three, two, one for each had worked for three, one, six and seven years, respectively. Of the seven respondents, three, one for each, agreed that the number one hindering factor was lack of teaching materials, textbooks, the double sessions, and interruption brought about by unplanned school closure before time, respectively. Two, one for each administrator mentioned that hindering factors included as lack of teaching materials, lack of study areas for students, lack of librarians, lack of emphasis of games and sports, respectively. Of the seven interviewees, two, and one for each agreed that the number one hindering factor was that teachers did not mark the students' home work in time, lack of effective teaching, and that teachers did not use teaching materials, and had heavy teaching loads, respectively. Of the six, four, one for each commented that the final examinations performance of their students were good, very good, and good if students were availed the facilities for practical. Also, seven interviewees gave their comments on their students' English language competence, and two, one for each said that they were average, very good, not competent, lack practice out of the classrooms, respectively.
Factors Influencing the use of mobile phones in communicating agricultural Information: A case of Kilolo District, Iringa, Tanzania
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 2012-07) Nyamba, S. Y.; Mlozi, M. R. S.
This study sought to investigate factors influencing the use of mobile phones in communicating agricultural information in Rural Tanzania. Generally, it aimed at addressing the following questions: (1) in what ways do farmers make use of mobile phone technologies to meet their agricultural information needs? (2) How the uses of the mobile phones enable farmers to confront the challenges they face in their farming business? (3) What are the farmers’ attitudes toward the use of mobile phone technology? Specifically, the study had three objectives: (1) to determine the extent of ownership of mobile phones by farmers in the study area. (2) to assess the type of agricultural information that farmers send and or receive using mobile phones and (3) to identify socio-economic factors influencing the use of mobile phones in the communication of agricultural information in the study area. A cross-sectional research design and simple random sampling technique were adopted, 384 respondents and 16 key informants were contacted for interview and Focus Group Discussion, respectively. Data collected were summarize, coded before being analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study found that, asymmetry information generates uncertainties in farming business which eventually limit the economic potential of farmers as market participants. Basically, the study results, can be interpreted that, mobile phone technology acceptance to rural Tanzania was high enough for one to accompany it with a predictable positive economic impact. In terms of access to agricultural information through mobile phones, it was evident that, people in the study area capture the advantages of increased number of mobile phone to access information related to their farming business. Most of respondents valued mobile phones as easy, fast and convenient way of communicating agricultural information. Factors that influenced mobile phone use in communicating agricultural information included mole phone ownership, type of agricultural information to be communicated, farming system practiced, network coverage, and respondents’ socio-economic characteristics. On the other hand, lack of electricity, poverty and lack of knowledge limited respondents’ mobile phone ownership and use.
Knowledge Sharing and Communication Tools for Dialogue Issues on Productivity of Water in Agriculture in Mkoji Sub-catchment, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2003) Kasele, S. S.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Hatibu, N.; Mahoo, H. F.
The concept of productivity of water in agriculture is new and is understood differently by different stakeholders. Yet to apply it, all stakeholders require a common understanding. Currently there is limited understanding of how the concept can be communicated to different stakeholders. This limits the potential for dialogue to enable concerns to be resolved. This study investigated knowledge-sharing and communication tools suitable in facilitating dialogue among different stakeholders on the productivity of water in agriculture in Mkoji sub-catchment in the upper part of the Rufiji Basin, Tanzania. The study was based on a survey of multiple stakeholders of water in the study area, including direct water users in agriculture, namely farmers; water resources and agricultural experts; and water managers, especially in irrigated systems. A high proportion (87.5%) of the smallholder farmers indicated low awareness of the concept as universally defined. The experts were aware of the basic definition of productivity of water in agriculture as the ratio of total crop yield to the volume of water used. Given past experience in the study areas, knowledge sharing through farmer training, demonstration plots, field visits, radio and posters will assist in increasing the understanding of different stakeholders and thus improve dialogue.
Land Degradation and Smallholder Farmers’ Response: A Case of Villages in the Southern Parts of Ludewa District, Iringa Region
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2013) Haule, C. B. M.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Mulengera, M. K.
A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate response of smallholder farmers to land degradation in the southern parts of Ludewa District. The study involved 240 respondents randomly selected from stratified population based on gender and type of village. Besides, focus group discussions were made to gauge farmers’ opinions based on age and gender for sixteen groups, and key informants provided trends of land use. The smallholder farmers’ perceptions on the status of soil fertility varied from one village type to another, where over 70 % of the respondents in the villages that experienced out-migration acknowledged the decline in soil fertility in their farms compared to less than half (44 %) in those villages that experienced in-migration. Over 50 % of the respondents in all villages attributed the decline of soil fertility to continuous cultivation where less than 30 % of the respondents left their farm fallow for two to five years. To overcome the impact of loss in soil fertility, over 50 % of farmers adopted improved cultivars of cassava, and 12 % adopted new maize cultivars. Over 90 % of new cassava crop cultivars were supplied by farmers. However, only 4.2 % irrigated their rice farms, 28.3 % used animal manure and 8.8 % applied pesticides in their farms. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that few farmers are accessed by extension services and efforts to restore soil fertility are negligible. The study recommends extension services to enhance its support to smallholder farmers’ initiatives in maintenance of crop cultivars and ensure proper land uses.
Land Degradation and Smallholder Farmers’ Response: A Case of Villages in the Southern Parts of Ludewa District, Iringa Region
(2013) Haule, C. B. M.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Mulengera, M. K.
A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate response of smallholder farmers to land degradation in the southern parts of Ludewa District. The study involved 240 respondents randomly selected from stratified population based on gender and type of village. Besides, focus group discussions were made to gauge farmers’ opinions based on age and gender for sixteen groups, and key informants provided trends of land use. The smallholder farmers’ perceptions on the status of soil fertility varied from one village type to another, where over 70 % of the respondents in the villages that experienced out-migration acknowledged the decline in soil fertility in their farms compared to less than half (44 %) in those villages that experienced in-migration. Over 50 % of the respondents in all villages attributed the decline of soil fertility to continuous cultivation where less than 30 % of the respondents left their farm fallow for two to five years. To overcome the impact of loss in soil fertility, over 50 % of farmers adopted improved cultivars of cassava, and 12 % adopted new maize cultivars. Over 90 % of new cassava crop cultivars were supplied by farmers. However, only 4.2 % irrigated their rice farms, 28.3 % used animal manure and 8.8 % applied pesticides in their farms. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that few farmers are accessed by extension services and efforts to restore soil fertility are negligible. The study recommends extension services to enhance its support to smallholder farmers’ initiatives in maintenance of crop cultivars and ensure proper land uses.
Land degradation and smallholder farmers’ response: A case of villages in the southern parts of Ludewa District, Iringa Region
(2013) Haule, C. B. M.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Mulengera, M. K.
A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate response of smallholder farmers to land degradation in the southern parts of Ludewa District. The study involved 240 respondents randomly selected from stratified population based on gender and type of village. Besides, focus group discussions were made to gauge farmers’ opinions based on age and gender for sixteen groups, and key informants provided trends of land use. The smallholder farmers’ perceptions on the status of soil fertility varied from one village type to another, where over 70 % of the respondents in the villages that experienced out-migration acknowledged the decline in soil fertility in their farms compared to less than half (44 %) in those villages that experienced in-migration. Over 50 % of the respondents in all villages attributed the decline of soil fertility to continuous cultivation where less than 30 % of the respondents left their farm fallow for two to five years. To overcome the impact of loss in soil fertility, over 50 % of farmers adopted improved cultivars of cassava, and 12 % adopted new maize cultivars. Over 90 % of new cassava crop cultivars were supplied by farmers. However, only 4.2 % irrigated their rice farms, 28.3 % used animal manure and 8.8 % applied pesticides in their farms. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that few farmers are accessed by extension services and efforts to restore soil fertility are negligible. The study recommends extension services to enhance its support to smallholder farmers’ initiatives in maintenance of crop cultivars and ensure proper land uses.
Participatory involvement of farming communities and public sectors in determining malaria control strategies in Mvomero district, Tanzania
(Tanzania Health Research Bulletin, 2006) Mlozi, M. R. S.; Shayo, E. H.; Senkoro, K. P.; Mayala, B. K.; Rumisha, S. F.; Mutayoba, B.; Senkondo, E.; Maerere, A.; Mboera, L. E. G.
Addressing the malaria-agriculture linkages requires a broad inter-disciplinary and integrated approach that involves farming communities and key public sectors. In this paper, we report results of participatory involvement of farming communities in determining malaria control strategies in Mvomero District, Tanzania. A seminar involving local government leaders, health and agricultural officials comprising of a total of 27 participants was held. Public meetings in villages of Komtonga, Mbogo, Mkindo, Dihombo and Luhindo followed this. Findings from a research on the impact of agricultural practices on malaria burden in the district were shared with local communities, public sector officials and other key stakeholders as a basis for a participatory discussion. The community and key stakeholders had an opportunity to critically examine the linkages between agricultural practices and malaria in their villages and to identify problems and propose practical solutions. Several factors were identified as bottlenecks in the implementation of malaria control in the area. Lack of community participation and decision making in malaria interventions was expressed as among the major constraints. This denied the community the opportunities of determining their health priorities and accessing knowledge needed to effectively implement malaria interventions. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of participatory approach that involves community and other key stakeholders in malaria control using an ecosystem approach. An interdisciplinary and integrated approach is needed to involve farmers and more than one sector in malaria control effort.
Power dynamics between farmers and market masters: a case of tomato value chain in Kilolo District and Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 2016) Nyamba, S. Y.; Martin, R.; Kalungwizi, V. J.; Busindeli, I. M.; Kilima, F. T. M.; Bengesi, C.P. M.; Chija, B. B.; Mvena, Z. S. K.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Gjotterud, S. M.; Kiranga, E.
Like in many places in rural Tanzania, tomato production has become an important economic horticultural activity. The main reasons for the sudden upsurge of tomato production over the past few years include its better market prospect compared to other traditional crops although this prospect vary across seasons and locations. Of late however, tomato farmers have faced a number of challenges in the production and marketing of tomatoes. The main challenges include high cost of production and perishable nature of the crop that induce significant variation in farmers’ earnings. Another challenge facing tomato producers is the long chain of actors between production and consumption leading to information gaps between farmers and consumers in terms of optimal price for the product. This paper examines the status of tomato marketing with respect to information sharing and power relations between farmers and market masters in the tomato value chain. The paper concludes by giving possible avenues for resolving the communication problems through project interventions.
Spatial Clustering of Porcine Cysticercosis in Mbulu District, Northern Tanzania
(PLoS, 2010-04-06) Ngowi, H. A.; Kassuku, A. A.; Carabin, H.; Mlangwa, J. E. D.; Mlozi, M. R. S.
Background: Porcine cysticercosis is caused by a zoonotic tapeworm, Taenia solium, which causes serious disease syndromes in human. Effective control of the parasite requires knowledge on the burden and pattern of the infections in order to properly direct limited resources. The objective of this study was to establish the spatial distribution of porcine cysticercosis in Mbulu district, northern Tanzania, to guide control strategies. Methodology/Principal Findings: This study is a secondary analysis of data collected during the baseline and follow-up periods of a randomized community trial aiming at reducing the incidence rate of porcine cysticercosis through an educational program. At baseline, 784 randomly selected pig-keeping households located in 42 villages in 14 wards were included. Lingual examination of indigenous pigs aged 2–12 (median 8) months, one randomly selected from each household, were conducted. Data from the control group of the randomized trial that included 21 of the 42 villages were used for the incidence study. A total of 295 pig-keeping households were provided with sentinel pigs (one each) and reassessed for cysticercosis incidence once or twice for 2–9 (median 4) months using lingual examination and antigen ELISA. Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was computed in Epi Info 3.5. The prevalence and incidence of porcine cysticercosis were mapped at household level using ArcView 3.2. K functions were computed in R software to assess general clustering of porcine cysticercosis. Spatial scan statistics were computed in SatScan to identify local clusters of the infection. The overall prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was 7.3% (95% CI: 5.6, 9.4; n = 784). The K functions revealed a significant overall clustering of porcine cysticercosis incidence for all distances between 600 m and 5 km from a randomly chosen case household based on Ag-ELISA. Lingual examination revealed clustering from 650 m to 6 km and between 7.5 and 10 km. The prevalence study did not reveal any significant clustering by this method. Spatial scan statistics found one significant cluster of porcine cysticercosis prevalence (P = 0.0036; n = 370). In addition, the analysis found one large cluster of porcine cysticercosis incidence based on Ag-ELISA (P = 0.0010; n = 236) and two relatively small clusters of incidence based on lingual examination (P = 0.0012 and P = 0.0026; n = 241). These clusters had similar spatial location and included six wards, four of which were identified as high risk areas of porcine cysticercosis. Conclusion/Significance: This study has identified local clusters of porcine cysticercosis in Mbulu district, northern Tanzania, where limited resources for control of T. solium could be directed. Further studies are needed to establish causes of clustering to institute appropriate interventions.
Spatio-temporal variation in malaria transmission intensity in five agro-ecosystems in Mvomero district, Tanzania
(Geospatial Health, 2010) Mboera, L. E. G.; Senkoro, K. P.; Mayala, B. K.; Rumisha, S. F.; Rwegoshora, R. T.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Shayo, E. S.
In Africa, malaria is predominantly a rural disease where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. V arious agro-ecosystems and crop production systems have an impact on mosquito productivity, and hence malaria transmission intensity. This study was carried out to determine spatial and temporal variations in anopheline mosquito population and malaria transmission intensity in five villages, representing different agro-ecosystems in Mvomero dis- trict, Tanzania, so as to provide baseline information for malaria interventions. The agro-ecosystems consisted of irri- gated sugarcane, flooding rice irrigation, non-flooding rice irrigation, wet savannah and dry savannah. In each setting, adult mosquitoes were sampled monthly using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps from August 2004 to July 2005. A total of 35,702 female mosquitoes were collected. Anopheles gambiae sensu lato was the most abundant (58.9%) mosquito species. An. funestus accounted for 12.0% of the mosquitoes collected. There was a substantial village to village variation and seasonality in the density of Anopheles mosquito population, with peaks in May towards the end of the warm and rainy season. Significantly larger numbers of anophelines were collected from tra- ditional flooding rice irrigation ecosystem (70.7%) than in non-flooding rice irrigation (8.6%), sugarcane (7.0%), wet savannah (7.3%) and dry savannah (6.4%). The overall sporozoite rates for An. gambiae and An. funestus were 3.4% and 2.3%, respectively. The combined overall sporozoite rate ( An. gambiae + An. funestus ) was 3.2%. The mean annual entomological inoculation rate (EIR) for An. gambiae s.l. was 728 infective bites per person per year and this was sig- nificantly higher in traditional flooding rice irrigation (1351) than in other agro-ecosystems. The highest EIRs for An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus were observed during May 2005 (long rainy season) and December 2004 (short rainy sea- son), respectively. The findings support the evidence that malaria transmission risk varies even between neighbouring vil- lages and is influenced by agro-ecosystems. This study therefore, demonstrates the need to generate spatial and tempo- ral data on transmission intensity on smaller scales taking into consideration agro-ecosystems that will identify area-spe- cific transmission intensity to guide targeted control of malaria operations.
Stakeholders’ Analysis using Value Chain Analysis: AHP in action
(2013-06) Sanga, C.; Tumbo, S. D.; Mlozi, M. R. S.; Kilima, F.
Choosing stakeholders to be involved in an agricultural value chain research is a complex problem. Many researchers have used different qualitative and quantitative methods but few have tried the multi-criteria decision making algorithm which has ability to combine both methods. The approach used in this research is of great importance to those researchers who are involved in any research studying optimization of evaluation processes in different agricultural value chains. In addition, it can be used to enhance decision making in any phase of research requiring the ranking of evaluation criteria in order to make an informed decision.
System design and ICT adoption in agricultural extension services delivery in Tanzania
(IGI Global, 2014) Sanga, C. A.; Tumbo, S. D.; Mlozi, M. R. S.
The major purpose of this chapter is to explore the options of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to complement conventional agricultural extension services in Tanzania. Group discussions and meetings were conducted to investigate the role of ICTs in extension services delivery using CATWOE framework of Soft Systems Methodology. The findings of the study reveal that the use of SSM helped the researchers to understand easily the problematic areas of the current situation of agricultural extension services. In addition, it was easy to plan feasible actions to be taken to improve the situation. The framework for the conceptual model towards improving the agricultural extension services in Kilosa District of Tanzania was developed. These results have been used in the development of an ICT-based system (Web- and Mobile-Based Farmers’ Advisory Information Systems) to supplement the conventional agricultural extension system. The roadmap developed as the implementation plan for this research can be used in any e-Government project. The need to improve the way agricultural extension is done in Tanzania through integration of relevant and affordable ICTs is well researched. This book chapter presents how this can be done using SSM approach in an action and participatory research. This is the first presentation of SSM intervention in agricultural informatics in Tanzania. The approach used in this study can be adopted by researchers doing any e-Government research.
Unlocking the potential of the mobile phones by University undergraduate students: A case of Sokoine University of Agriculture
(International Journal of Computing and ICT Research, 2016) Mlozi, M. R. S.; Mussa, M.; Mapunda, K. M.; Kalungwizi, V. J.; Mwakapina, W. J.; Tumbo, S. D.; Sanga, C.
Literature show that use of mobile phones is omnipresent and pervasive in developing countries, especially among the youth. This study was carried out to assess the academic benefits of owning and using mobile phone among the undergraduate students at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. Specifically, the study assessed the type of people students communicate to, preferred people and preferred period of the day and also the type of information that is communicated, and when mobile phones are inactivated. Students were randomly sampled from all departments. The study involved semi-structured questionnaires, and 302 undergraduate students who were randomly sampled from various degree programmes participated. The study found that most students prefer to communicate to their mothers and most of the communications are done from late evenings. Family issues were mostly communicated on mobiles phones. Further, the study found little use of mobile phones in academic issues. The study recommends that the University should educate newly enrolled students on proper use of mobile phones, with the view of using mobile phones in academic-related issues.