A Case of Celiacomesenteric Trunk in a Tanzanian Man.

Variation in the branching patterns of the three major arteries that supply the digestive system may occur due to different embryological mechanisms. The present case report describes the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery originating from the abdominal aorta through a common trunk. The celiac artery in turn gave rise to the splenic artery and a common trunk for common hepatic and left gastric artery. The superior and inferior mesenteric arteries had normal branching patterns. Awareness of these variations on the part of the surgical team before surgery can help avoid iatrogenic arterial injury

Pattern and Factors Associated with Congenital Anomalies among Young Infants Admitted at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Congenital anomalies or birth defects are among the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity around the world. The impact of congenital anomalies is particularly severe in middle- and low-income countries where health care resources are limited. The prevalence of congenital anomalies varies in different parts of the world, which could reflect different aetiological factors in different geographical regions. Between October 2012 and January 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving young infants below 2 months of age, admitted at a university teaching hospital in Tanzania. Face-to-face interviews with parents/caretakers of young infants were carried out to collect socio-demographic and clinical information. Physical examinations were performed on all young infants. Echocardiography, X-ray, cranial as well as abdominal ultrasonographies were performed when indicated. Analysis of the data showed that among 445 young infants enrolled in the study, the prevalence of congenital anomalies was 29%, with the Central Nervous System (CNS) as the most commonly affected organ system. Maternal factors that were significantly associated with congenital anomalies included the lack of peri-conceptional use of folic acid (OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.4-6.7; p = 0.005), a maternal age of above 35 years (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.3; p = 0.024) and an inadequate attendance to antenatal clinic (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.4-3.3; p < 0.001). Infant factors that were significantly associated with congenital anomalies were female sex, a birth weight of 2.5 kg or more, singleton pregnancy and a birth order above 4. Due to the high prevalence of congenital anomalies observed in this particular context, the hospital should mobilize additional resources for an optimal and timely management of the patients with congenital anomalies. In this study, the proportion of women taking folic acid supplements during early pregnancy was very low. Efforts should be made to ensure that more women use folic acid during the peri-conceptional period, as the use of folic acid supplement has been linked by several authors to a reduced occurrence of some congenital anomalies

FACTORS AFFECTING THE ATTITUDES OF THE LOCAL INHABITANTS OF THE KONDOA DISTRICT-TANZANIA, TOWARD THE RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)

Interactions between humans and the red-billed queleas in the Kondoa District have shaped the attitudes of the local inhabitants toward these birds. This bird is considered a pest of small grain cereal crops, which represent the major crops grown in the area. On the other hand, quelea birds are caught and consumed as a household food source. Furthermore, harvested birds are sold at bus stops to passengers, as well as to local villagers, as a source of household income. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of differential costs and benefits of the red-billed quelea, as well as the socio-economic factors (education level, gender, age and economic activity) that might shape the attitudes of the local inhabitants of Kondoa. To explore the attitudes of the inhabitants, a questionnaire survey was randomly conducted among 360 households in six villages within Kondoa from June to August 2012. Most of the inhabitants who incurred costs of crop damage exhibited negative attitudes toward the red-billed quelea, despite the benefits obtained from them. In contrast, those who benefitted from harvested quelea birds exhibited positive attitudes. The most important socio-economic factors influencing both the positive and negative attitudes were education and gender. In contrast, economic activity only influenced the negative attitudes. Most of the inhabitants of Kondoa rely on crop production as the only important economic activity. However, the majority of local people exhibited negative attitudes because the benefits from the red-billed quelea were perceived to be lower than the costs of the resulting crop damage. To change such negative attitudes; practical, economical and applicable solutions for the quelea pest problem are needed. Further studies examining the application of harvesting methods with a sustainable quelea management strategy are therefore recommended.Key words: Attitudes, costs, benefits, red-billed quelea, socio-economic factors, local inhabitants and Kondoa-Tanzania

Attitudes towards NGOs‟ and their initiatives aiming at alleviating poverty in Tanzania: The case of Musoma District, Mara Region.

Mastergradsstudium i samfunnsarbeidThe general objective of this study was to examine beneficiaries‟ attitudes towards NGOs‟ initiatives aiming at alleviating poverty. Other specific objectives were; to identify the activities done by NGOs, to identify the main socio-economic problems facing the NGO‟ beneficiaries, to explore the NGOs‟ and locals‟ definitions of poverty and development, and to examine the knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of the beneficiaries on NGOs‟ initiatives. Data were collected by using four methods which included in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, observation and documentary review. The findings showed that the main economic activities in Musoma District are crop cultivation, animal husbandry and small business. The main socio-economic problems are poverty, low marketing plus fluctuating prices, expensive inputs, lack of accessibility to credits, HIV/AIDS and vagaries of weather. In order to alleviate poverty NGOs such as ACCODEO, ADM, FINCA and PRIDE are engaged in the fields of education, health, HIV/AIDS, and income generating activities. The study revealed that there were duplications of interventions, selectivity, disempowerment, nonparticipatory approaches, corruption, and negligence of local knowledge among the NGOs. The study found that many of the NGOs‟ beneficiaries have generated negative attitudes towards NGOs‟ initiatives. Moreover, a recap of the major issues in the findings is provided. These are; on the definition of poverty and development, on community participation, on empowerment, on sustainability of the project and on local knowledge. The study concludes by re-visting the theoretical framework (agency theory) to establish whether the theory used has enabled this study to unravel the beneficiaries‟ attitudes or not

TEACHERS’ CONCEPTION TOWARDS THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AS A TOOL FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS: THE CASE OF DODOMA MUNICIPALITY, TANZANIA

The study sought to assess teachers’ conception towards the use of social networks as a tool for professional development in Tanzania government secondary schools in Dodoma Municipality. Thus, the specific objectives of this study were to assess teachers’ conception on the available social networks opportunities that can support professional development, and to examine the limitations that hinder teachers’ use of social networks available for professional development. The paper is guided by the social-cognitive theory which stresses that learning takes place in a social environment. A cross-sectional  research design  was  used  to  collect  data  that  involved 84  teachers  from  ten secondary schools, six heads of schools, three quality assurers and one respondent from District education office. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis and quantitative data were descriptively analyzed through SPSS Version 20 of which the mean score was obtained. The survey results indicated teachers had positive conceptions towards the use of social networks as a tool for professional development. Furthermore, the findings revealed that teachers faced several challenges which include lack training on how to integrate SNs in TPD and high costs of the internet bandwidth, just to mention a few. Finally, the researchers recommend that, teachers should be exposed to professional development programmes that empower them to develop various pedagogical skills and understand a variety of learning environment that can improve their practice through collaborative online social networks. Again, teachers should be provided with opportunities to use the available SNs to create professional learning networks in their local context and globally.  Article visualizations

Descriptive Epidemiology of Orofacial Clefts in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of birth defects including orofacial clefts (OFC) in Ethiopia is not known and there is no established birth defects registration system. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and incidence of OFC in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Retrospective hospital based descriptive study. METHODS: We obtained data from the Smile Train database on Ethiopian patients with OFC who underwent surgical treatment from June 2007 - December 2013 at 31 hospitals distributed throughout the country. Data related to live births in Ethiopia during the mentioned period was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health database for estimates of the incidence and prevalence rates. RESULTS: The total number of life births during the study period was 18,811,316. During this same period, 18,073 cleft patients approximately ranging from 1 to 75 years old were examined and treated at the hospitals mentioned above. The incidence rate estimated from the total number of affected children during the study period (N=8232) is 0.44/1000 live births. The prevalence rate is 0.20/1000 and this was estimated using the number of total population in 2013 (N= 88,703,914). There is a significant difference in frequency between bilateral CLP (26.9%) versus unilateral CLP (73.1%) (P<0.0001). There is also a significant difference in frequency between bilateral cleft lips only (15.4%) versus unilateral cleft lip only (84.6%) P<0001. CONCLUSION: It is obvious that the findings in this study cannot be representative of the true picture but provides a previously unavailable national estimate of incidence and prevalence of orofacial clefts in Ethiopia. It can also be used as comparison for future community based studies

Fiscal Policy and Debt Dynamic: Evidence from Tanzania

This paper investigates fiscal policy and debt dynamics in Tanzania by using time series data for the period 1970 to 2011. The methodologies adopted include unit root tests, cointegration tests and fiscal reaction function. The three approach employed validate similar results that fiscal policy for Tanzania has not been sustainable for the annual sample period 1970-2011. The unit root tests report that the data generating process of debt follow non-stationary process. Alternatively, in testing the null  hypothesis of no-cointegration, our results show that there is weak  cointegration between government expenditure and revenue which make fiscal policy to be unsustainable. In supporting the ensuing findings, the fiscal reaction function provides evidence that there is negative linear relationship between primary balance and debt relative to GDP. This is additional evidence that fiscal policy has not been sustainable, and the government is advised to take corrective measures to counteract the accumulation of debt.Keywords: -Ponzi game, Inter-temporal budget constraint, Transversality condition, Fiscal reaction function

Pbx loss in cranial neural crest, unlike in epithelium, results in cleft palate only and a broader midface.

Orofacial clefting represents the most common craniofacial birth defect. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is genetically distinct from cleft palate only (CPO). Numerous transcription factors (TFs) regulate normal development of the midface, comprising the premaxilla, maxilla and palatine bones, through control of basic cellular behaviors. Within the Pbx family of genes encoding Three Amino-acid Loop Extension (TALE) homeodomain-containing TFs, we previously established that in the mouse, Pbx1 plays a preeminent role in midfacial morphogenesis, and Pbx2 and Pbx3 execute collaborative functions in domains of coexpression. We also reported that Pbx1 loss from cephalic epithelial domains, on a Pbx2- or Pbx3-deficient background, results in CL/P via disruption of a regulatory network that controls apoptosis at the seam of frontonasal and maxillary process fusion. Conversely, Pbx1 loss in cranial neural crest cell (CNCC)-derived mesenchyme on a Pbx2-deficient background results in CPO, a phenotype not yet characterized. In this study, we provide in-depth analysis of PBX1 and PBX2 protein localization from early stages of midfacial morphogenesis throughout development of the secondary palate. We further establish CNCC-specific roles of PBX TFs and describe the developmental abnormalities resulting from their loss in the murine embryonic secondary palate. Additionally, we compare and contrast the phenotypes arising from PBX1 loss in CNCC with those caused by its loss in the epithelium and show that CNCC-specific Pbx1 deletion affects only later secondary palate morphogenesis. Moreover, CNCC mutants exhibit perturbed rostro-caudal organization and broadening of the midfacial complex. Proliferation defects are pronounced in CNCC mutants at gestational day (E)12.5, suggesting altered proliferation of mutant palatal progenitor cells, consistent with roles of PBX factors in maintaining progenitor cell state. Although the craniofacial skeletal abnormalities in CNCC mutants do not result from overt patterning defects, osteogenesis is delayed, underscoring a critical role of PBX factors in CNCC morphogenesis and differentiation. Overall, the characterization of tissue-specific Pbx loss-of-function mouse models with orofacial clefting establishes these strains as unique tools to further dissect the complexities of this congenital craniofacial malformation. This study closely links PBX TALE homeodomain proteins to the variation in maxillary shape and size that occurs in pathological settings and during evolution of midfacial morphology

Eradicating Corruption in Public Service Entities through Ethical Leadership

This paper investigates the need to eradicate unethical practices in the public service. It responds to high levels of corruption in the public service and explains why ethical leadership is critical to engaged ethical employee outcomes. When there is ethical leadership, the work engagement of employees is higher and they view their roles as being meaningful. The values associated with the public service need to be ethically driven and self-interest must have no place. There is no doubt whatsoever that corruption in the public sector has a hugely negative impact on a country’s service delivery quality. In South Africa, despite a carefully crafted superior legislative framework and stratagems to combat corruption in the public sector, it is on the increase and invariably affects the poor the most. This is a predominantly worrying phenomenon in developing nations like South Africa where billions of dollars are required to make a success of a country. Needed resources are stolen by corrupt individuals and this means that the much needed socio-economic and developmental plans are scuppered and not achieved as planned. The apparently weak application of legislation promotes corruption and is exacerbated by a meritocratic mindset and seeming lack of political will. The public sector urgently need to lay stress on nurturing ethical leadership and motivate employees to act ethically through effective recruitment and selection, training, codes of ethics and a sense of significance in what they do at work. The oversight mechanisms also need to be carefully administered. The public service needs to nurture ethical leadership which role-models desired behaviours and stimulates employees to act ethically. An ethical stance will reduce corruption, improve the integrity of governance, public values, and also improve the societal perception of the public service