A5030319543- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- Microfinance and Financial Inclusion
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- ICT in Developing Communities
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Nutritional Studies and Diet
Ifakara Health Institute
2019-2024
University of Surrey
2022
University of Messina
2022
University of Oxford
2022
Oxford BioMedica (United Kingdom)
2022
Oxford Biomedical Research
2022
Many subsistence farmers in rural southeastern Tanzania regularly relocate to distant farms river valleys tend crops for several weeks or months each year. While there, they live makeshift semi-open structures, usually far from organized health systems and where insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) do not provide adequate protection. This study evaluated the potential of a recently developed technology, eave ribbons treated with spatial repellent transfluthrin, protecting migratory rice against...
Abstract Background Agricultural pesticides may exert strong selection pressures on malaria vectors during the aquatic life stages and contribute to resistance in adult mosquitoes. This could reduce performance of key vector control interventions such as indoor-residual spraying insecticide-treated nets. The aim this study was investigate effects agrochemicals susceptibility fitness across farming areas Tanzania. Methods An exploratory mixed-methods conducted assess pesticide use four...
Background Understanding mosquito biting behaviours is important for designing and evaluating protection methods against nuisance mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. dengue, malaria zika). We investigated the preferred sites by Aedes aegypti Anopheles arabiensis on adult volunteers in standing or sleeping positions; estimated theoretical limits affordable from protective clothing repellent-treated footwear. Methods Adult dressed shorts t-shirts were exposed to infection-free laboratory-reared...
Abstract Background Livestock keeping is one of the potential factors related to malaria transmission. To date, impact livestock on transmission remains inconclusive, as some studies suggest a zooprophylactic effect while others indicate zoopotentiation effect. This study assessed management risks in rural Tanzania. Additionally, explored knowledge and perceptions residents about relationships between selected village. Methods In longitudinal entomological Minepa village, South Eastern...
Adequate nutrition is essential for good health and active life. However, diets in most low middle-income households lack diversity, especially settings where people eat predominantly starchy foods. In this study, we assessed the associations between socio-economic status household dietary diversity families living South-eastern Tanzania. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 925 parents of school children four wards Tanzania, as part a trial; assessing effects physical...
Introduction Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), specifically long-lasting insecticidal (LLINs), are the most commonly used, scalable, and cost-effective tools for controlling malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. However, multiple alternative uses of retired LLINs have been associated with poor disposal practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided guidelines recommendations proper management worn-out LLINs. This study assessed existing practices old Methods An explanatory...
Abstract Introduction Larval source management (LSM) can effectively suppress mosquito populations at and provides an opportunity to address major challenges such as insecticide resistance that undermine primary interventions like insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). While mostly implemented in urban arid settings, emerging research indicates its potential some rural settings east southern Africa, where the main malaria vector, Anopheles funestus , prefers permanent semi-permanent water bodies...
Larval source management (LSM) effectively reduces mosquito populations at their breeding sites, addressing issues like insecticide resistance that limit the effectiveness of primary interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Although traditionally used in urban and dry areas, recent research suggests it might also be effective rural settings eastern southern Africa, where Anopheles funestus thrives permanent water bodies sustain year-round transmission. Targeting these habitats...
Abstract Background Early-evening and outdoor-biting mosquitoes may compromise the effectiveness of frontline malaria interventions, notably insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). This study aimed to evaluate efficacy low-cost eave ribbons sandals as supplementary interventions against indoor-biting in south-eastern Tanzania, where ITNs are already widely used. Methods was conducted three villages, with 72 households participating (24 per village). The were divided into four arms assigned:...
Abstract Background To detect and identify mosquitoes using their characteristic high-pitched sound, we have developed a smartphone application, known as the ‘HumBug sensor’, that records acoustic signature of this along with time location. This data is then sent remotely to server where algorithms species according distinctive signature. Whilst system works well, key question remains what mechanisms will lead effective uptake use mosquito survey tool? We addressed by working local...
Abstract Background Agricultural pesticides may exert strong selection pressures on malaria vectors during the aquatic life stages and contribute to resistance in adult mosquitoes. This could reduce performance of key vector control interventions such as indoor-residual spraying insecticide-treated nets. The aim this study was investigate effects agrochemicals susceptibility fitness vectors, Anopheles arabiensis across farming areas Tanzania. Methods An exploratory mixed-methods conducted...
Abstract Background Current malaria surveillance methods are considered too expensive to scale within limited-resource settings; hence, new technologies and approaches necessary maximize the collection of data ultimately design control tools. Effective mosquito can be enhanced through utilization digital engagement citizens in real-time collection. This study used HumBug acoustic sensor with MozzWear app detect identify host-seeking mosquitoes based on their flight sounds, receiving airtime...
<title>Abstract</title> Background Livestock keeping is one of the potential factors related to malaria transmission. To date, impact livestock on transmission remains inconclusive, as some studies suggest a zooprophylactic effect while others indicate zoopotentiation effect. This study assessed management risks in rural Tanzania. Additionally, explored knowledge and perceptions residents about relationships between selected village. Methods In longitudinal entomological Minepa village,...
<title>Abstract</title> Background Integrating gender inclusivity in strategies against vector-borne diseases is crucial for addressing their disproportionate impacts and enhancing the translation of research findings. Unfortunately, current efforts do not adequately consider key experiences perspectives local practitioners regarding factors like cultural norms, stereotypes, power structures, leadership, workplace dynamics, further hindering African vector control programs. We therefore...
House improvement is associated with remarkable reductions in indoor mosquito bites and disease incidences, even typical rural houses. However, its exploitation remains extremely poor Tanzania other endemic countries due to limited financial resources. Nevertheless, village community banks (VICOBA), practiced for nearly two decades, have proven provide services communities that would otherwise not be able get them from formal institutions. This study explored the need, opinion, willingness...
Abstract Background: Early-evening and outdoor-biting may compromise the efficacy of frontline malaria interventions, notably insecticide treated nets (ITNs). This study investigated potential low-cost insecticide-treated eave ribbons sandals against mosquitoes indoors outdoors in rural-Tanzanian villages where ITNs are widely used vectors have resistance to pyrethroids. Methods : Seventy-two (72) households were selected from three villages, (24 per village), upon consent recruited into...
Abstract Background: To detect and identify mosquitoes using their characteristic whining sound, we have developed a smartphone application that records the acoustic signature of these sounds, along with time location. This data is then sent remotely to server where algorithms species according distinctive signature. Whilst this system works well, key question remains what mechanisms will lead effective uptake use mosquito survey tool? We addressed by working local communities in rural...
Abstract Introduction Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) specifically long-lasting insecticidal (LLINs) are one of the most commonly used, scalable and cost-effective tools for controlling malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. However, multiple alternative uses retired LLINs have been observed associated with poor disposal practices. Nevertheless, World Health Organisation (WHO) provided guidelines recommendations proper management worn-out LLINs. This study assessed existing practices...