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Ngingo BL, Mchome ZS, Bwana VM, Chengula A, Mwanyika G, Mremi I, Sindato C, Mboera LEG. Socioecological systems analysis of potential factors for cholera outbreaks and assessment of health system's readiness to detect and respond in Ilemela and Nkasi districts, Tanzania. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1261. [PMID: 37968626 PMCID: PMC10652585 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholera outbreaks are a recurrent issue in Tanzania, with Ilemela and Nkasi districts being particulary affected. The objective of this study was to conduct a socio-ecological system (SES) analysis of cholera outbreaks in these districts, identifying potential factors and assessing the preparedness for cholera prevention and control. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in Ilemela and Nkasi districts of Mwanza and Rukwa regions, respectively in Tanzania between September and October 2021. A SES framework analysis was applied to identify potential factors associated with cholera outbreaks and assess the readiness of the districts to cholera prevention and control. RESULTS Ilemela is characterised by urban and peri-urban ecosystems while Nkasi is mainly rural. Cholera was reported to disproportionately affect people living along the shores of Lake Victoria in Ilemela and Lake Tanganyika in Nkasi, particularly fishermen and women involved infish trading. The main potential factors identified for cholera outbreaks included defecation in the shallow ends and along the edges of lakes, open defecation, bathing/swimming in contaminated waters and improper waste disposal. The preparedness of both districts for cholera prevention and response was found to be inadequate due to limited laboratory capacity, insufficient human resources, and budget constraints. CONCLUSION People of Ilemela and Nkasi districts remain at significant risk of recurrent cholera outbreaks and the capacity of the districts to detect the disease is limited. Urgent preventive measures, such as conducting considerable community awareness campaigns on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation are needed to alleviate the disease burden and reduce future cholera outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baraka L Ngingo
- Department of Applied Sciences, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Mbeya, Tanzania.
| | - Zaina S Mchome
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Research Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Veneranda M Bwana
- National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Research Centre, Muheza, Tanzania
| | - Augustino Chengula
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Gaspary Mwanyika
- Department of Applied Sciences, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Irene Mremi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Calvin Sindato
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tabora Research Centre, Tabora, Tanzania
| | - Leonard E G Mboera
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Ngingo BL, Mboera LEG, Chengula A, Machelle I, Makange MR, Msolla M, Mwanyika GO, Rugarabamu S, Misinzo G. Aedes aegypti abundance, larval indices and risk for dengue virus transmission in Kinondoni district, Tanzania. Trop Med Health 2022; 50:1. [PMID: 34980286 PMCID: PMC8725502 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-021-00395-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tanzania has experienced periodic dengue outbreaks with increased incidence since 2010. However, there is limited information on vector dynamics and transmission risk in most parts of the country. This study was conducted to determine Aedes mosquito abundance, larval indices and dengue virus infection rate as risk indicators for DENV transmission in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in three wards of Kinondoni district in Tanzania between December 2019 and January 2020. In each ward, three streets were randomly selected for adult and immature mosquito sampling. The adult mosquitoes were collected using Mosquito Magnet traps, while mosquito larvae and pupae were inspected in water-holding containers in the selected household compounds. The detection of dengue virus (DENV) in female Aedes mosquitoes was done using a one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. RESULTS Of the 1416 adult female mosquitoes collected, Ae. aegypti accounted for 16.8% (n = 238). A total of 333 water-holding containers were inspected and 201 (60.4%) had at least an Aedes larvae or pupae. Water-holding containers supporting the breeding of Aedes larvae and pupae included discarded car tires, flowerpots and small and large plastic containers. The overall House Index, Container Index and Breteau Index were 55.1%, 60.4% and 114.2, respectively. None of the 763 female Aedes mosquitoes tested by RT-PCR was found to be infected with DENV. CONCLUSION The presence and abundance Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and the large proportion of water-holding containers infested with the mosquito larvae and pupae put residents of Kinondoni district at high risk of DENV transmission. Our findings emphasize the need for continuous mosquito vector surveillance and control to prevent the possibility of future DENV outbreaks in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baraka L Ngingo
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
- Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, St John's University of Tanzania, Dodoma, Tanzania.
| | - Leonard E G Mboera
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Augustino Chengula
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ines Machelle
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Mariam R Makange
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Michael Msolla
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Gaspary O Mwanyika
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Sima Rugarabamu
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gerald Misinzo
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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