Browsing by Author "Mukuma Mercy"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

A Deterministic Risk Assessment of the Human Exposure to Cadmium, Lead and Chromium Through the Consumption of Well and Bottled Water in Lusaka District, Zambia
(2023-2-28) Banda Mkuzi; Muma John Bwalya; Bumbangi Flavien N.; M'kandawire Ethel; Mukuma Mercy; Munyeme Musso; Musawa Grace; Ndaki Enock M; Benhard Vistorina; Mumba Chisoni
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number six is to ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, which is an essential component for human survival. Access to safe drinking water is essential for health, a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection. Safe drinking water implies that the water does not represent any significant risk to health over a lifetime of consumption, including different sensitivities that may occur between life stages. However, water is prone to contamination with heavy metals through natural and anthropogenic sources, making it unsuitable for human consumption due to the cumulative potential risks associated with the presence of heavy metals. This study was conducted to assess the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of human exposure to cadmium, lead and chromium through the consumption of well and bottled water in Lusaka district of Zambia. Secondary data was used to determine the mean concentrations of heavy metals in well and bottled water in Lusaka district as well as to calculate the hazard index (non-carcinogenic risk) and cancer risk for the metals under study. The results revealed that a hazard index for cadmium, lead and chromium in both well and bottled water was higher than 1, indicating adverse effects on human health over a lifetime of consumption. Similarly, the total cancer risk through exposure to cadmium and chromium in well and bottled water was 1.2 x 10-1 and 2.25 x 10-1, respectively, higher than the safe threshold limit set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) of 1 × 10−4. The study concludes that there is a possible non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to cadmium, lead and chromium through the consumption of well and bottled water in Lusaka district. Further, the study concludes that there is a possible carcinogenic risk of exposure to cadmium and chromium through the consumption of both well and bottled water. Owing to the proportion of both well and bottled water samples that exceeded the Zambia Bureau of Standards threshold limit, cadmium poses the greatest concern and requires intervention to reduce exposure. Therefore, it is recommended that heavy metal concentrations in drinking water should be periodically monitored to minimize health risks to consumers.
A Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human Exposure to Brucellosis Through the Consumption of Contaminated Raw Cow Milk in Arusha, Tanzania
(2023-2-28) Ndaki Enock Magoke; Muma John Bwalya; M'kandawire Ethel; Musawa Grace; Mukuma Mercy; Karimuribo Ezron; Banda Mkuzi; Benhard Vistorina; Munyeme Musso; Mumba Chisoni
The study aimed to assess the risk of exposure to brucellosis through the consumption of cow milk in the Arusha region, of Tanzania. Primary data related to milk consumption was collected through a structured questionnaire from 400 cattle farmers. Data was directly coded and entered into IBM SPSS version 20 and analysed for frequencies and descriptive statistics. Stochastic Monte Carlo simulation in @risk Software (Version 8.1) platform was used to estimate the risk of human exposure to brucellosis through the consumption of contaminated milk. Results revealed that 96.5% of the population consumed milk in three (3) portions: morning, afternoon, and night. More than 70% of the people in the area consume 500ml-1000ml of milk daily. People in rural settings (71%) reported consuming raw milk, compared to 10% of people in urban settings. The probability of getting infected with Brucella through the consumption of raw milk was estimated at 0.64 (95%CI 0.333-0.861). The model also predicted the number of people likely to get infected with Brucella in Arusha region in a one-year consumption period to be 1,084,358 (95%CI: 565,000-1458,000) out of 1,694,310 people following consumption of contaminated raw milk. The risk of exposure was estimated to be high when dairy cows were infected with Brucella at the farm and when the milk portions were consumed raw. The risk of human exposure to the brucella pathogen is high. To reduce the risk of human exposure, there is a need to create awareness about brucellosis in the study communities concerning how the disease is transmitted to humans, its associated effects, and the preventive and control measures. Further studies are required to assess the risk of exposure to brucellosis through other pathways, such as the consumption of soft cheese and contact with cattle.
Factors Associated with Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance in Broiler Chickens in Selected Districts, Zambia
(2025-1-3) Mirisho Robert; Mukuma Mercy; Mainda Geoffrey; Bumbangi Flavien Nsoni; Mudenda Steward; Silwamba Isaac; Phiri Nelson; Muonga Elizabeth Muligisa; Mwansa Mwaba; Munyeme Musso; M’kandawire Ethel; Muma John Bwalya
A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Zambia. The study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in broiler chickens in Zambia. A total of 109 broiler farms were included in the study, of which 104 were small-scale farms, two were medium-scale, and three were commercial-scale. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered alongside the collection of cloacal swabs and litter samples to determine the risk factors associated with the occurrence of AMR of food pathogen microorganisms on the selected broiler farms. Data collected was analysed using STATA version 12. The broiler farm-level AMR prevalence was 84.4% (n= 109). Gender, marital status, administration of drugs by veterinary personnel or the farmer and the poultry house drainage destination were among the predictors of AMR on broiler chicken farms. The high prevalence of AMR in broiler chicken farms suggests a high dependence on antimicrobials in poultry production in Zambia. In addition, socio-demographics such as gender and age, as well as farm characteristics and management practices, may primarily contribute to the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance. This study has demonstrated the association between the AMR of foodborne pathogens and the risk factors for AMR during poultry production. It is, therefore, necessary for risk management measures such as biosecurity to be put in place to target the identified AMR predictor variables. There is also a need to strengthen AMR surveillance to ensure intervention strategies are appropriate to the existing risk.