Browsing by Author "Shirima, G."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Predicting body weight of Tanzania shorthorn zebu cattle using heart girth measurements
(Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2011-04-01) Kashoma, I.; Luziga, C.; Werema, C.; Shirima, G.; Ndossi, D.
Impact of research findings on Tanzania shorthorn zebu (TSHZ) cattle under agropastoral system in Tanzania have been lessened due to difficulties in relating visual appearance of animals with their live body weights. Managerial decisions have therefore been based on rough and inaccurate estimates. A simple, workable and accurate means was therefore thought to predict live weight of zebu cattle using heart girth measurement. A total of 300 TSHZ cattle were subjected to weighbridge as well as heart girth measurements and the findings subjected to regression analysis. Their live weights ranged from 170 to 390 Kg. The study revealed that heart girth had high correlation coefficient with live weight (r = 0.94, p<0.01). Grouping of data according to sex indicated that heart girth and live weight had closest correlation coefficient in both male and female, r = 0.9385 and r = 0.9318, respectively. The regression analysis of live weight on heart girth was highly significant (R² = 0.88, P<0.01), and the regression lines indicated that a linear relationship existed. The general equation for prediction of live weight of the TSHZ cattle was as follows: Y = 4.55 X – 409 (± 17.9), Where, Y = live weight (Kg), X = heart girth (cm). This implies that the use of the heart girth measurements in prediction of live weight of TSHZ cattle is credible.
The role of livestock keeping in tuberculosis trends in Arusha, Tanzania
(The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2003-01-15) Mfinanga, S. G.; Mørkve, O.; Kazwala, R. R.; Cleaveland, S.; Sharp, J. M.; Shirima, G.; Nilsen, R.
OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors that might influence TB control in the general population and in livestockkeepers. METHODS: Of 242 villages in four districts, 27 were selected randomly. In each village, a general and a livestock- keeping group were selected at random. The households were home-visited and 426 family members were interviewed. RESULTS: On average, three-quarters of households practised at least one risk activity for transmission of zoonotic tuberculosis, and respondents had poor knowledge about tuberculosis. In the livestock-keeping group, the risks of having a tuberculosis patient in the family were determined by poor ventilation (OR 2.6, 95%CI 1.1–6.5), confining livestock indoors with people (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.1–5.0) and multiple determinants including poor ventilation (OR 13.5, 95%CI 2.5–71.7). Risk activities and the risks of having a tuberculosis patient in a family were significantly higher in the livestock-keeping group. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents had limited knowledge about tuberculosis, and the households had practices that posed potential risks for both human and bovine tuberculosis infection. Poor ventilation and confining livestock indoors were associated with tuberculosis spread in the households. These risks were observed more in the livestock-keeping group than in the general population group.
Tribal differences in perception of tuberculosis: A possible role in tuberculosis control in Arusha, Tanzania
(International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease., 2003) Mfinanga, S. G.; Mørkve, O.; Kazwala, R. R.; Cleaveland, S.; Sharp, J. M.; Shirima, G.; Nilsen, R.
SETTING: Arusha, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To determine tribal differences in knowledge and practices that might influence tuberculosis control. METHOD: Twenty-seven villages were selected randomly out of 242 villages in four districts. In each village, a general and a livestock keeping group were selected at random. The households were home-visited and 426 family members were interviewed. RESULTS: On average, 40% of respondents practiced habits that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Barabaig tribe had a significantly higher number of respondents (50%, X2(2) = 5.1, P = 0.024) who did not boil milk. Eating uncooked meat or meat products was practised by 17.9% of all respondents. The habit was practised more by Iraqw (21.1%, X2(2) = 6.9, P = 0.008) and Barabaig (31.6%, X2(2) = 5.6, P = 0.016) than other tribes. About 75% of the respondents had a poor knowledge of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: All tribes had habits and beliefs that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Iraqw and Barabaig tribes practised such habits more than other tribes. Knowledge of tuberculosis was limited in all tribes.