Search Results (11)

Long-term ingestion of water contaminated with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) may pose health risks. Water around the Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania was assessed by high-purity germanium gamma spectrometry to quantify the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, and computed age-stratified ingestion doses and risk indices were determined. The average activity concentrations were 57 mBq L⁻¹ for ²²⁶Ra and 5026 mBq L⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K, while the activity concentrations of ²³²Th were below the detection limit in all samples. The estimated adult fatal cancer risk ranged from 0.9 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.1 × 10⁻⁶ (mean 2.0 × 10⁻⁶). The excess lifetime hereditary effect ranged from 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.3 × 10⁻⁶ for males (average 4.5 × 10⁻⁶ ± 1.5 × 10⁻⁶) and 2.1 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.7 × 10⁻⁶ for females (average 4.8 × 10⁻⁶ ± 1.6 × 10⁻⁶). One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlations indicated significant spatial variation in activities and indices across sites and age groups. Under current conditions, waters appear to be radiologically safe. However, mine-adjacent hotspots warrant targeted surveillance. The obtained results provide a baseline for sound monitoring approaches at the Geita Gold Mine and other mines showing similar activity profiles. Full article

Background: Adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) are critical to maintaining good health and hygiene. However, health is a function of many health determinants, and WASH services alone may not be sufficient to improve health outcomes. Objective: To identify whether the presence of WaSH services is associated with fewer children under five years of age experiencing symptoms of diarrhea in Katoma, Geita, Tanzania. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect health data, demographics, and other variables, such as WASH, food insecurity, education of the mother, vaccination data, and household income data, for 452 households with children under five. Surveys were completed in-person through interviews. Health outcome data included being sick with diarrhea or symptoms. Data analysis was performed using SAS OnDemand for Academics. Multivariate logistic regression and mixed-effects logistic regression models were employed to determine the association between the covariates and sickness of inclusion children and all the children involved in the study, respectively. Results: The findings suggest that WASH services alone do not have a significant impact on diarrhea, but other determinants of health, including the education of the mother, showed a significant impact on health outcomes among children with at least one WASH service. These demographic variables were also associated with lower food insecurity and poverty. The findings highlight the need to (1) include other covariates when analyzing WASH data to understand health outcomes; and (2) improve education attainment for women to maximize health benefits for their children. Full article

We conducted a point prevalence survey (PPS) to determine the prevalence of antibiotic use at Geita Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) located along the shores of Lake Victoria in north-western Tanzania. This has led to the identification of gaps for improvement. This PPS study was conducted on 9–10 March 2023. Patient-related information, including sociodemographic and clinical data, was collected from medical records. STATA software version 15.0 was used to perform descriptive data analysis. About 94.8% (55/58) patients were on antibiotics with a mean (±SD) prescription of 2 (±0.5) antibiotic agents ranging from 1 to 4 different agents. The commonest indications of the antibiotic prescription were medical prophylaxis 47.3% (26/55) followed by empiric treatment 41.8% (23/55). In total, 110 prescriptions were made, of which metronidazole (25.5%; n = 28), ceftriaxone (23.6%; n = 26), and ampicillin–cloxacillin (23.6%; n = 26) were frequently observed. Only 67.3% (n = 74) of prescriptions complied with Tanzania Standard Treatment Guidelines. Moreover, according to the WHO-AWaRe classification, 50.9%, 23.6%, and 25.5% were under the Access category, Watch category, and Not Recommended category, respectively. The prevalence of antibiotic use among patients admitted to GRRH was high, whereby medical prophylaxis and empiric treatment were the commonest indications for antibiotic prescription. To support rational therapy and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, we recommend that laboratories in regional hospitals be equipped to conduct sustained routine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Full article

Rubella virus (RV) infection in susceptible women during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with congenital Rubella syndrome (CRS). In countries where a vaccination program is implemented, active case surveillance is emphasized. This report documents the magnitude of active cases before and after vaccine implementation in Tanzania. A total of 8750 children and adolescents with signs and symptoms of RV infection were tested for Rubella IgM antibodies between 2013 and 2019 using enzyme immunoassay followed by descriptive analysis. The median age of participants was 3.8 (IQR: 2–6.4) years. About half (4867; 55.6%) of the participants were aged 1–5 years. The prevalence of RV active cases was 534 (32.6%, 95% CI: 30.2–34.9) and 219 (3.2%, 95% CI: 2.7–3.6) before and after vaccine implementation, respectively. Before vaccination, the highest prevalence was recorded in Pemba (78.6%) and the lowest was reported in Geita (15.6%), whereas, after vaccination, the prevalence ranged between 0.5% in Iringa and 6.5% in Pemba. Overall, >50% of the regions had a >90% reduction in active cases. The significant reduction in active cases after vaccine implementation in Tanzania underscores the need to sustain high vaccination coverage to prevent active infections and eventually eliminate CRS, which is the main goal of Rubella vaccine implementation. Full article

We report on the management of infant feces in a rural village in Geita region, Tanzania. Findings discussed here emerged incidentally from a qualitative study aimed at investigating vulnerability and resilience to health challenges in rural settings. Data was gathered through semi-structured focus group discussions (FDGs) with women (n = 4; 32 participants), men (n = 2; 16 participants), and community leaders (n = 1; 8 participants). All FDGs were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti. Respondents reported feces of a child under the age of six months were considered pure compared to those of older children. Infant feces were seen as transitioning to harmful at the point when the child began to eat solid food, resulting in their stool visually changing in appearance. Caregivers reportedly used soft implements to handle infant feces due to the belief that tools with hard surfaces would physically harm the child. Infant feces were disposed in environments around the house due to the belief that disposal in latrines would prevent developmental milestones and result in other perceived negative health outcomes for the child. Changing views expressed by participants suggest a window of opportunity to implement evidence-based and culturally relevant interventions to encourage the safe disposal of infant feces. Full article

LA-ICPMS analysis of pyrite in ten gold deposits is used to determine the precise siting of invisible gold within pyrite, and thus the timing of gold introduction relative to the growth of pyrite and related orogenic events. A spectrum of invisible gold relationships in pyrite has been observed which suggests that, relative to orogenic pyrite growth, gold introduction in some deposits is early at the start of pyrite growth; in other deposits, it is late toward the end of pyrite growth and in a third case, it may be introduced at the intermediate stage of orogenic pyrite growth. In addition, we report a distinct chemical association of invisible gold in pyrite in the deposits studied. For example, in the Gold Quarry (Carlin type), Mt Olympus, Macraes and Konkera, the invisible gold is principally related to the arsenic content of pyrite. In contrast, in Kumtor and Geita Hill, the invisible gold is principally related to the tellurium content of pyrite. Other deposits (Golden Mile, Bendigo, Spanish Mountain, Witwatersrand Carbon Leader Reef (CLR)) exhibit both the Au-As and Au-Te association in pyrite. Some deposits of the Au-As association have late orogenic Au-As-rich rims on pyrite, which substantially increase the value of the ore. In contrast, deposits of the Au-Te association are not known to have Au-rich rims on pyrite but contain nano- to micro-inclusions of Au-Ag-(Pb-Bi) tellurides. Full article

Support from partners/fathers and families can play a significant role in a mother’s decision to initiate, continue or cease breastfeeding postnatally. This study systematically reviewed published studies to determine the impact of specific types of partner support on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. We used the 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for the review. Seven computerized bibliographic databases (Embase, ProQuest Central, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed and CINAHL) were searched. Of a total of 695 articles retrieved from the databases, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and reported on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. Four of the seven studies found that partner support in the form of verbal encouragement to new mothers increased breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Other types of partner supportive actions that led to improved breastfeeding behavior included sensitivity of the partner to the nursing mother’s needs, assistance in preventing and managing breastfeeding difficulties, and helping with household and child care duties. This review showed that specific supportive actions of partners/fathers in the community positively improved breastfeeding practices. To maximise the impact of breastfeeding policies and interventions among new mothers, breastfeeding programmes should consider the involvement of partners/fathers and their specific roles. Full article

Comprehensive epidemiological data on prevalence, trends, and determinants of the use of unskilled birth attendants (traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and other unskilled birth attendants) are essential to policy decision-makers and health practitioners, to guide efforts and resource allocation. This study investigated the prevalence, trends, and drivers of the utilization of unskilled birth attendants during democratic governance in Nigeria from 1999 to 2018. The study used the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys data for the years 1999 (n = 3552), 2003 (n = 6029), 2008 (n = 28,647), 2013 (n = 31,482), and 2018 (34,193). Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between socioeconomic, demographic, health-service, and community-level factors with the utilization of TBAs and other unskilled birth attendants in Nigeria. Between 1999 and 2018, the study showed that the prevalence of TBA-assisted delivery remained unchanged (20.7%; 95% CI: 18.0–23.7% in 1999 and 20.5%; 95% CI: 18.9–22.1% in 2018). The prevalence of other-unskilled-birth-attendant use declined significantly from 45.5% (95% CI: 41.1–49.7%) in 2003 to 36.2% (95% CI: 34.5–38.0%) in 2018. Higher parental education, maternal employment, belonging to rich households, higher maternal age (35–49 years), frequent antenatal care (ANC) (≥4) visits, the proximity of health facilities, and female autonomy in households were associated with lower odds of unskilled birth attendants’ utilization. Rural residence, geopolitical region, lower maternal age (15–24 years), and higher birth interval (≥2 years) were associated with higher odds of unskilled-birth-attendant-assisted deliveries. Reducing births assisted by unskilled birth attendants in Nigeria would require prioritized and scaled-up maternal health efforts that target all women, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, those who do not attend antenatal care, and/or those who reside in rural areas. Full article

Three major gold deposits, Matandani, Kukuluma, and Area 3, host several million ouncez (Moz) of gold, along a ~5 km long, WNW trend in the E part of the Geita Greenstone Belt, NW Tanzania. The deposits are hosted in Archaean volcanoclastic sediment and intrusive diorite. The geological evolution of the deposits involved three separate stages: (1) an early stage of syn-sedimentary extensional deformation (D₁) around 2715 Ma; (2) a second stage involving overprinting ductile folding (D_2–4) and shearing (D_5–6) events during N-S compression between 2700 and 2665 Ma, coeval with the emplacement of the Kukuluma Intrusive Complex; and (3) a final stage of extensional deformation (D₇) accommodated by minor, broadly east-trending normal faults, preceded by the intrusion of felsic porphyritic dykes at ~2650 Ma. The geometry of the ore bodies at Kukuluma and Matandani is controlled by the distribution of magnetite-rich meta-ironstone, near the margins of monzonite-diorite bodies of the Kukuluma Intrusive Complex. The lithological contacts acted as redox boundaries, where high-grade mineralization was enhanced in damage zones with higher permeability, including syn-D₃ hydrothermal breccia, D₂–D₃ fold hinges, and D₆ shears. The actual mineralizing event was syn-D₇, and occurred in an extensional setting that facilitated the infiltration of mineralizing fluids. Thus, whilst gold mineralization is late-tectonic, ore zone geometries are linked to older structures and lithological boundaries that formed before gold was introduced. The deformation-intrusive history of the Kukuluma and Matandani deposits is near identical to the geological history of the world-class Nyankanga and Geita Hill deposits in the central part of the Geita Greenstone Belt. This similarity suggests that the geological history of much of the greenstone belt is similar. All major gold deposits in the Geita Greenstone Belt lack close proximity to crustal-scale shear zones; they are associated with intrusive complexes and volcanics that formed in an oceanic plateau rather than subduction setting, and formed late-tectonically during an extensional phase. They are not characteristic of typical orogenic gold deposits. Full article

Tanzania is the third largest gold exporter in Africa, thanks in part to the liberalization of the mining sector which started in the early 1990s. Neoliberal mining reforms promised a win-win situation in which government, investors and local host communities would benefit through export earnings, profits, local employment, and corporate social responsibility initiatives (e.g., the building of schools and clinics). While the rising price of gold and foreign investments in mining activities have delivered on some of these promises, many residents in mining regions have not benefited socioeconomically. Worse still, their communities have unjustly borne the brunt of the environmental, social, and public-health costs associated with large-scale mining operations. This paper examines these injustices through research in Geita and Kahama, two of the most active gold mining areas of Tanzania. Drawing on Kuehn’s [1] taxonomy of environmental injustice, we detail the negative impacts of mining activities in these communities and describe how residents have developed strategies of resistance as means to obtain reparations. We then explore the political, financial, organizational, and social limitations on these resistance strategies and argue that the social movements associated with mining lack the political space necessary to affect significant changes to structure, quality, and impact of the industry in western Tanzania. Full article

Reporting on contributions to community development is one way gold mining companies communicate the expanse and depth of their commitment to social responsibility. These projects are intended to provide the mine-proximate communities with some of the wealth and other benefits generated by mine development in their locales. We raise questions about reporting and evaluation of community development projects undertaken by AngloGold Ashanti in the two communities of Nyakabale and Nyamalembo, near its Geita mining projects in the Lake Victoria goldfields of Tanzania. We use archival data and data obtained from field research conducted during different periods throughout 2005, 2007 and 2010 to compare what the company reports to have done with what is found on the ground. Our findings revealed that the corporate reporting is misleading, ambiguous, and omissive. Much of the effort labeled “community development” benefited the companies directly via infrastructure development, food supplies to the mine cafeteria, and worker health. We argue that, if Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects are to be the primary way local people directly benefit from mine development, the relationship between the value of those projects and the wealth taken from the location should be considered, community projects should be well defined and differentiated from company-oriented projects, and community representatives should participate in monitoring the success and impact of community development projects. Full article