Browsing by Author "Mumba Chisoni"

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A Cross-Sectional Study on Socio-Ecological and Socio-Anthropological Determinants of COVID-19 in Lusaka Province of Zambia
(2022-9-28) Fonchin Alyce Fri; Mumba Chisoni; Basikolo Linda; Kallu Simegnew Adugna; Kainga Henson; Mwiinde Jezreel; Benhard Vistorina; Muma John Bwalya; Munyeme Musso
The COVID-19 disease constitutes a pandemic that has created an international public health emergency. Besides the significant health challenges, the impact of the COVID-19 disease has been the restriction of movements that have heavily affected the global economy. The first case of COVID-19 in Zambia was identified on March 18th, 2020. By the end of November 2020, the number of districts reporting COVID-19 infections had increased from 68 to 96, with reports of the highest transmission in the capital city, Lusaka, the Copperbelt, and Ndola districts. As COVID-19 spread across the nation of Zambia, several factors are responsible for the spread of the virus. Despite the extensive collection of research done on determinants of COVID-19 disease, the spatial distribution of the disease along socio-demographical and socio-ecological domains remains speculative and infectious diseases have been less looked into in the areas of anthropological dynamics. This study used a cross-sectional design to investigate the ecological and anthropological determinants of COVID-19 disease in four compounds in the Lusaka district of Zambia. A guided questionnaire was used to collect data from 301 participants. A descriptive analysis of all independent variables was done. Analysis for associations of dependent and independent variables and multivariate analysis of the independent variables significant at the bi-variate level was conducted to investigate the association between the dependent variable (Knowledge of anyone infected with COVID-19 virus) and the independent variables. The bi-variate analysis results showed that 14 independent variables with odds ratios greater than one were significantly associated with the spread of COVID-19. Two variables were found to be highly significant in the multivariable logistic regression analysis model. These included beliefs about COVID-19 (odds = 3.0; p = 0.003; CI 1.2-3.3), and participants area of residence (odds = 2.6; p = 0.003; CI = 1.2-5.5). Other significant multivariate variables were ecological variable; climate and anthropological variables; hand hygienic practices. The current research provides further insight into the potential role ecology and anthropology contribute to the spread of communicable diseases. The study recommends awareness of the population to enhance preparedness and response to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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.
Assessment of the Price Elasticity of Demand for Veterinary Services: A Case Study of the University of Zambia Veterinary Hospital
(2021-10-27) Banda Nelly; Bwalya Eugene C; Munyeme Musso; Muma John Bwalya; Mumba Chisoni
Developing a price policy that ensures financial viability in order to continue providing a service. The same is true for veterinary services whose economic nature has to be understood for practitioners to adjust prices for smooth income flows to the business. However, veterinary practitioners’ prices often vary across practices without a clear understanding of the economic nature of animal healthcare or elasticity of demand for the services they provide. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the price elasticity of demand for veterinary services using the University of Zambia Veterinary Clinic (UNZAVET) as a case study. To meet this objective, historical five-year data (2014-2018) was collected from the clinics’ medical and financial records. The data was then entered and analysed using both Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Version 20. The price elasticity of demand was calculated using an end-point method. The association between inflation rate and revenue was estimated using Simple Linear Regression Analysis. Overall, the results showed that most of the services offered at UNZAVET were relatively inelastic (<1). However, demand for the services gradually declined while total revenue was steadily increased due to the overall increase in prices. The study demonstrated that the country's inflation rate had a direct effect on the rise in prices and a decline in demand for animal health services. There was no significant statistical association (p=0.35) between annual revenue and inflation rate, nevertheless, a unit increase in inflation reduced income by K29, 815.81 (≈$2000) per annum. The study concludes that prices for veterinary services are traded in monopolistic competition, with mostly inelastic commodities. The study recommends that Veterinarians should consider inflation and price elasticity of demand for each animal health commodity before changing prices. Veterinary practitioners must know that within their practice, there are some veterinary services that if you raise their price, consumers will still buy the same amount, and practitioners will make more money. Similarly, there are other commodities which if practitioners lowered their prices; consumers would buy more hence increasing their income on such services.
Modeling the Non-Monetary Societal Burden of Tick-Borne Diseases for Cattle: A Case Study of East Coast Fever in the Traditional Cattle-Keeping Households of Namwala District of Zambia.
(2022-11-3) Mwila Natasha; Mumba Chisoni; Salih Omran; Sichibalo Karen; Simulundu Edgar S; Changula Katendi; Chitanga Simbarashe
The study aimed at estimating the disease burden of East Coast Fever (ECF) among rural cattle-keeping households of Namwala District of Zambia using Productivity Adjusted Life Years (PALYs). We modified Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) equations for humans to PALYs to estimate the societal burden of tick-borne animal diseases. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data on parameters that feed into PALY equations and then coded and entered data from the questionnaires directly into the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Version 20). Further, we entered the estimated values of PALY parameters into mathematical calculus software called integral calculator (https://www.integral-calculator.com/). We then used the integral calculator to calculate PALY equations, which we used to estimate the societal disease burden of ECF in cattle. Productivity Adjusted Life Years calculations were done in three categories; PALYs without discounting and age weighting, PALYs with only discounting, and PALYs with discounting and age weighting.Results revealed that the years of the productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox that suffered from ECF were estimated at 15, 10, and 15 years, respectively. In the second category, the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox were seven, six, and seven years, respectively. In the final category, the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox were five years. East Coast Fever caused a total of 517,165 PALYs in Namwala District. The quality of life reduced in years due to disability (YLD) caused by ECF per cow, bull, and ox was 0.07, 0.07, and 0.02 per cent of their life expectancy, respectively. The estimated values for the years of a lifetime lost due to mortality (YLL) caused by ECF were 35%, 49%, and 35% of the life expectancy per cow, bull, and ox. These results are essential for measuring outcomes of animal health problems in terms of PALYs. The findings are helpful in the future projections for the future burden of any disease and can be used as a basis in policy and decision-making, particularly priorities in animal health research. We recommend that a classification of animal diseases of national economic importance should consider both the societal burden (non-monetary) and economic impact instead of the common practice of only considering the economic (monetary) impact.
Modelling the Societal Burden of Anthrax in Cattle in Western Province of Zambia using a Modification of Disability Adjusted Life Years
(2022-7-5) Banda Yolan; Mumba Chisoni; Simuunza Marti; Hang'ombe Bernard
Abstract Background: Anthrax which is a naturally occurring zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis has been endemic in Western Zambia. This paper estimated the societal burden of anthrax on cattle using Productivity Adjusted Life Years (PALYs) among cattle farmers in the Western province of Zambia. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from cattle farmers in Mongu, Nalolo and Limulunga districts of Western Zambia. The Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) model for human populations was modified and adapted to the animal population model, PALYs, to estimate the societal burden of animal diseases. The integral calculator was used to estimate the societal disease burden of anthrax using PALY equations in three categories: PALYs without discounting and age weighting, PALYs with only discounting, and PALYs with discounting and age weighting. Results: The results showed that anthrax affected the quality of life years lived by animals significantly due to years lost due to disability (YLD) and Years lost due to premature death (YLL). A cow, bull and ox lost about 34%, 39% and 37% of productivity years of its life span due to anthrax. Anthrax further caused a total loss of 459,280.90 PALYs in the three districts. The quality of life is improved, and productivity losses are reduced to almost 0% for all three types of animals by introducing effective anthrax control measures in the absence of other adverse health conditions. Conclusion: Anthrax negatively affected livestock production due to significant loss of healthy years of life and loss of quality of life. Therefore, it is important to minimize the loss of cattle productivity through morbidity and mortality. Different intervention programs for the same disease can be compared in cost-effective analysis using PALYs as one of the tools. Therefore, societal burden of diseases should also be applied on top of other existing methods used to assess the impact of diseases on animals to enable policymakers to have a complete and comprehensive picture of the impact
Potential Causes of Acaricide Resistance in Rhipicephalus and AmblyommaTicks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Namwala District, Zambia
(2022-1-3) Sichibalo Karen; Changula Katendi; Mumba Chisoni; Mwila Natasha; Chibesa Kennedy; Mubemba Benjamin; Nalubamba King S; Muleya Walter; Simulundu Edgar; Chitanga Simbarashe
Acaricide resistance in ticks poses a great threat to livestock production in many parts of the world where ticks are a problem. The objectives of this study were to screen for acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma ticks using phenotypic and molecular assays, and to assess current tick control practices used by cattle farmers in the traditional sector of Namwala District. The larval packet test was used to screen for acaricide resistance in ticks covering concentrations up to twice the discriminatory dose for amitraz, diazinon and cypermethrin. Genetic mutations associated with resistance to amitraz (A22C-T8P and T65C-L22S), and organophosphates/ pyrethroids (G1120A) were screened using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Information on tick control practices at the household level was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Intermediate resistance (21-50%) to amitraz and cypermethrin was detected in both Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma ticks, with both tick genera showing susceptibility to diazinon (<10%). None of the ticks in this study had the reported acaricide resistance-conferring molecular markers that were screened for. The findings suggest that the resistance detected in the studied tick population may be due to other mechanisms yet to be identified. Tick control practices observed amongst the farmers, such as the incorrect use of acaricide concentrations and rotations, could be fuelling the development of acaricide resistance. Considering that acaricide treatment is the mainstay of tick control in the country, it is thus, critical to comprehensively unravel the factors contributing to treatment failure as this would allow for the application of appropriate remedial actions for effective tick control in Zambia.