Browsing by Author "Ramula Issa"

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Anthropometrics, hemoglobin status and dietary micronutrient intake among Tanzanian and Mozambican pigeon pea farmers
(Nutrients, 2022-07-15) Eleraky Laila; Ramula Issa; Mbwana Hadija; Rybak Constance; Jan Frank; Stuetz Wolfgang
Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense and protein-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes and meat is an important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of vitamin A and iron in rural communities of Tanzania and Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status (anthropometrics and hemoglobin) and diets in particular micronutrient intake of female and male pigeon pea farmers from Lindi, Tanzania, and Gurué, the Zambézia province of Mozambique. A total of 1526 farmers (669 from Tanzania, 857 from Mozambique) were studied, of whom 16% were overweight and 35% were anemic. The highest prevalence of overweight and anemia, at 35% and 48%, was observed in Tanzanian and Mozambican women, respectively. Overall, only a small proportion of women and men reached the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin A (10%), iron (51%) and zinc (44%). Multiple regression models revealed that dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) highly predicted vitamin A intake, whereas legumes in Tanzania and starchy plants in Mozambique were actually the dominant sources of vitamin A. Cereals covered over half of the iron and the zinc intake in both countries. An increased consumption of micronutrient-rich DGLVs and legumes, while reducing the high amounts of refined maize or polished rice, is suggested to counteract the high prevalence of anemia and overweight among smallholder farmers in East and South Eastern Africa.
Fuel scarcity or household wealth? Assessing the drivers of cooking energy consumption patterns in rural areas in East Africa
(Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, 2022) Matavel Custodio Efraim; Hoffmann Harry; Hafner Johannes Michael; Kipkulei Harison Kiplagat; Uckert Götz; Kaingo Jacob; Salavessa João; Mbwana Hadijah A.; Ramula Issa; Novela Leonel Silva; Sieber Stefan; Rybak Constance
Rural households in Tanzania and Mozambique depend mainly on charcoal, firewood and other traditional fuels, such as cow dung or agriculture by-products, to cook. Simultaneously, fuel scarcity is an important phenomenon that leads households to apply coping strategies such as reducing the number of meals or increasing walking distance to collect firewood. Despite the well-known negative health, economic and potential ecologic impacts, the transition away from solid biomass energy sources is not expected in the short run. Thus, understanding the patterns of biomass energy consumption is essential to allow sustainable development in the household cooking sector. In this study, we evaluated the influence of wealth status and fuelwood scarcity on household energy choices in four villages with case study sites in Mozambique and Tanzania. The fuel usage patterns are consistent with the ‘energy stacking’ model as, despite an increase in the consumption of charcoal, firewood remains the principal cooking fuel. Wealth does not necessarily result in a transition toward cleaner fuels, nor does scarcity result in the use of other forms of traditional bioenergy. We suggest the promotion of fuel reduction strategies such as improved cookstoves or the implementation of on-farm trees to reduce the pressure on forests.