ASHA S H A B A N I RIPANDA | The University of Dodoma, Tanzania (original) (raw)

Papers by ASHA S H A B A N I RIPANDA

Research paper thumbnail of Journal Pre-proof Ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in sub-Saharan Africa aquatic ecosystems: An implication to environmental health

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of RATIONAL INTEGRATION OF PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS IN SOLICITING SPATIAL 'LANDMARK-CONTAMINANTS' OF TANZANIA GROUNDWATER

International Journal of Current Research, 2019

Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely af... more Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely affected by evaporations, kinds of chemicals resulting in a contaminants destabilize the the considerable risks upon consumption of such water. landmark contaminants, physicochemical, heavy metals and microbial content of selected water wells from Temeke and Nkuhungu wards were ana followed by bivariate correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) for data analysis. It was observed that Temeke had a strong association between electrical conductivity and hardness while Dodoma had slightly higher alkalinity, pH values and coliform counts as compared to Temeke. A perfect linear relationship between electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts was further observed in Dodoma. The first principal component was electric salts merely from Temeke. The third and last principal components were respectively hardness from Dodoma.PCA proved to be a perfect tool for regional solicitation of landmark contaminants. and pH values were unique properties of Nkuhungu ground water as compared to low pH values and high electrical conductivity of Temeke ground water.

Research paper thumbnail of Journal Pre-proof Senna singueana (Delile) lock: Ethnomedicinal uses and medicinal properties

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry and Antiviral Potential of Turmeric (Curcuma longa

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Antibiotic-resistant microbial populations in urban receiving waters and wastewaters from Tanzania

Antimicrobial resistance against certain medications in the pathogenic microbial community is glo... more Antimicrobial resistance against certain medications in the pathogenic microbial community is globally increasing due to the continual discharge and disposal of pharmaceuticals in the environment. The phenomenon resulted in significant antibiotic resistance among several exposed Enterobacteriaceae species, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and rivers serving as significant reservoirs. Despite antibiotic resistance being a tragedy, particularly in treating diseases by using antibiotics, local and regional studies indicating the severity, resistant species and the molecular level insight into these pathogens are scarce, thus requiring immediate intervention. This study, therefore, investigated wastewater from wastewater treatment ponds and receiving waters for the presence of resistant pathogens through phenotypical and molecular approach screening of their genes. Among the 57 analyzed samples, 18 (67%, n = 27) isolates of Klebsiella spp.., 4 (80%, n = 5) isolates of Proteus spp., 1 (100%, n = 1) of isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 6 (18%, n = 34) of E. coli found were resistant to at least 1 among the tested antibiotics. E. coli had an 83% higher proportion of multi-drug resistance (MDR) than Klebsiella spp.., which had 68.5%, and no MDR was shown by P. aeruginosa isolates. Among the 20 bacterial isolates of antibiotic-resistant genes, showed that E. coli harboured 39%, followed by 22% of Klebsiella spp. Eleven (11) isolates of these 20 (55%) contained sulphonamides resistant genes: Sul 1 (n = 4) and Sul 2 (n = 7). Ten (10) isolates (50%) contained the tetracyclineresistant genes in which 4 isolates showed the Tet A, Tet B-1 and 5 isolates contained Tet D. β-lactamases (bla CTX-M and bla SHV) were found in 7 isolates (35%). The existence of these antibiotic-resistant species in the urban receiving and wastewater presents a threat of transmission of diseases to humans and animals that are not cured by the existing medications, jeopardizing public health safety.

Research paper thumbnail of Contribution of Illicit Drug Use to Pharmaceutical Load in the Environment: A Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa

Illicit drug abuse and addiction are universal issues requiring international cooperation and int... more Illicit drug abuse and addiction are universal issues requiring international cooperation and interdisciplinary and multisectoral solutions. ese addictive substances are utilized for recreational purposes worldwide, including in sub-Saharan Africa. On the other hand, conventional wastewater treatment facilities such as waste stabilization ponds lack the design to remove the most recent classes of pollutants such as illicit drug abuse. As a result, e uents from these treatment schemes contaminate the entire ecosystem. Public health o cials are concerned about detecting these pollutants at alarming levels in some countries, with potential undesirable e ects on aquatic species and increased health hazards through exposure to contaminated waters or recycling treated or untreated e uents in agriculture. Contaminants including illicit substances enter the environment by human excreta following illegal intake, spills, or through direct dumping, such as from clandestine laboratories, when their manufacturer does not follow accepted production processes. ese substances, like other pharmaceuticals, have biological activity and range from pseudopersistent to highly persistent compounds; hence, they persist in the environment while causing harm to the ecosystem. e presence of powerful pharmacological agents such as cocaine, morphine, and amphetamine in water as complex combinations can impair aquatic organisms and human health. ese compounds can harm human beings and ecosystem health apart from their low environmental levels. erefore, this article examines the presence and levels of illicit substances in ecological compartments such as wastewater, surface and ground waters in sub-Saharan Africa, and their latent impact on the ecosystem. e information on the occurrences of illicit drugs and their metabolic products in the sub-Saharan Africa environment and their contribution to pharmaceutical load is missing. In this case, it is important to research further the presence, levels, distribution, and environmental risks of exposure to human beings and the entire ecosystem.

Research paper thumbnail of Transport behavior and risk evaluation of pharmaceutical contaminants from Swaswa Wastewater Stabilization Ponds

Researchers repeatedly discovered primary pharmaceutical contaminants, their metabolites, and tra... more Researchers repeatedly discovered primary pharmaceutical contaminants, their metabolites, and transformation products in aquatic ecosystems. Body metabolism may not convert consumed pharmaceuticals to their metabolic elements before excretion. In this case, clinical and industrial wastes ensure their presence in the environment. Nevertheless, conventional wastewater treatment methods are ineffective for removing pharmaceutical wastes. Once in the ecosystem, they alter the physiological response of nontarget exposed aquatic and even terrestrial organisms due to induced toxicity. In the course of this study at Swaswa Wastewater Stabilization Ponds (SWSP), the transport of the quantified 0.104 ppm of metronidazole under advection mode in a laminar flow to a longitudinal predictive distance of 230 m. Beyond this distance, no significant concentration changes. The quantified metronidazole had a risk quotient of less than 1, implying no toxicity risks. Despite being acceptable, their hydrophobic nature and physiological activeness present a long-term ecological risk such as developing antibiotic resistance genes, endocrine disruption, and immunity suppression. A combination of engineered constructed wetlands and adsorption using biodegradable adsorbents are among natural remedial practices for eliminating pharmaceuticals with promising efficacy, cost-effectiveness and being environmentally friendly.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on seaweeds and its bioactive compounds: Implication to the WIO ecosystem health

Seaweeds available in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) provide several benefits including income, n... more Seaweeds available in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) provide several benefits including income, nutrients, medicine and as primary producers, they are foundation species important for marine ecosystems capable of modifying their surrounding abiotic and biotic environments. The WIO coast provides natural and necessary environments for seaweed existence. In this review article the potential of seaweeds and their bioactive compounds was investigated; their contribution to the provision of ecosystem services; medicinal and nutritional value for the wellbeing of the WIO ecosystem. It was observed that seaweeds and their bioactives have the potential to humans, other animals, agriculture, and the whole ecosystem. Therefore, for the sustainability of the WIO ecosystem, the potential given by seaweeds and their bioactives in the provision of nutrients, mitigation of health conditions, organic farming, and restoration of environments must be utilized.

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on the Occurrence and Impacts of Nutrient Pollution in the Aquatic Ecosystem of Sub-Saharan Countries

Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthrop... more Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthropogenic activities. In this case, algae grow faster than the ecosystem can handle. Apart from other reported effects, some algae blooms are toxic and produce toxins, leading to the deterioration of ecosystem health. These blooms are becoming prevalent, hence the possibility of increased diseases to the entire ecosystem and unsustainability. In many parts of the world, nutrient contamination poses a significant hazard to human health and the ecosystem. Effects of excessive nutrients in the environment include excessive growth of algae. Apart from the difficulties of handling excess nitrogen in the air that make it difficult to breathe, reduce visibility, affect plant growth, a recently reported altering the gut microbiome of a territorial reef fish. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) contamination in the Sub-Saharan African environment in various matrices including water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, sediments and surface waters to inform policy. In this case, this study investigates the status of nutrient pollution in Sub Saharan Africa, the potential source of nutrient pollution, the reported effects of nutrient pollution; How to overcome nutrient pollution in the environment. Among the measures recommended for nutrient, pollution management includes decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides or organic farming and considerations during the choice of detergents, soaps and household cleaners to nutrient-free products for environmental conservation.

Research paper thumbnail of Forensic Science International: Reports

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on the Occurrence and Impacts of Nutrient Pollution in the Aquatic Ecosystem of Sub-Saharan Countries

Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthrop... more Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthropogenic activities. In this case, algae grow faster than the ecosystem can handle. Apart from other reported effects, some algae blooms are toxic and produce toxins, leading to the deterioration of ecosystem health. These blooms are becoming prevalent, hence the possibility of increased diseases to the entire ecosystem and unsustainability. In many parts of the world, nutrient contamination poses a significant hazard to human health and the ecosystem. Effects of excessive nutrients in the environment include excessive growth of algae. Apart from the difficulties of handling excess nitrogen in the air that make it difficult to breathe, reduce visibility, affect plant growth, a recently reported altering the gut microbiome of a territorial reef fish. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) contamination in the Sub-Saharan African environment in various matrices including water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, sediments and surface waters to inform policy. In this case, this study investigates the status of nutrient pollution in Sub Saharan Africa, the potential source of nutrient pollution, the reported effects of nutrient pollution; How to overcome nutrient pollution in the environment. Among the measures recommended for nutrient, pollution management includes decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides or organic farming and considerations during the choice of detergents, soaps and household cleaners to nutrient-free products for environmental conservation.

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Environment: A Focus on Active Chemicals in Sub-Saharan Africa

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Journal Pre-proof A Review on the Potential of Underutilized Blackjack (Biden Pilosa) Naturally Occurring in sub-Saharan Africa

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of RATIONAL INTEGRATION OF PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS IN SOLICITING SPATIAL 'LANDMARK-CONTAMINANTS' OF TANZANIA GROUNDWATER

Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely af... more Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely affected by evaporations, kinds of chemicals resulting in a contaminants destabilize the the considerable risks upon consumption of such water. landmark contaminants, physicochemical, heavy metals and microbial content of selected water wells from Temeke and Nkuhungu wards were ana followed by bivariate correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) for data analysis. It was observed that Temeke had a strong association between electrical conductivity and hardness while Dodoma had slightly higher alkalinity, pH values and coliform counts as compared to Temeke. A perfect linear relationship between electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts was further observed in Dodoma. The first principal component was electric salts merely from Temeke. The third and last principal components were respectively hardness from Dodoma.PCA proved to be a perfect tool for regional solicitation of landmark contaminants. and pH values were unique properties of Nkuhungu ground water as compared to low pH values and high electrical conductivity of Temeke ground water.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of potentiality of traditional hygienic practices for the mitigation of the 2019-2020 Corona Pandemic

Public health nursing, 2022

The coronavirus outbreak threatens global well-being, costing thousands of lives and an unstable ... more The coronavirus outbreak threatens global well-being, costing thousands of lives and an unstable economy. Traditional hand-washing (HaWa) with clean water and hand-washing sanitizers (HaWaSas) are among WHO recommended practices against the outbreaks. HaWaSa and HaWa lacked proper quality monitoring evaluation that may pose health risks. The current study investigates the potential of traditional hygienic practices adopted to mitigate the 2019-2020 Pandemic. It involved assessing the effectiveness of 15 HaWaSa collected from the Dodoma market. Thirty volunteered participants were subjected to different hygienic practices involving HaWa and HaWaSa. The obtained hand-swabbed samples were subjected to the streak plate technique for inoculation, followed by counting colonies. The results revealed that, among the collected HaWaSa brands, only 33.3% were certified by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). In the setting under no hand-wash, each client had a different number of colony cou...

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the occurrences of persistent organic pollutants in corals, sediments, fish and waters of the Western Indian Ocean

The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 2020

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) present a class of synthetic chemicals that include organoch... more Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) present a class of synthetic chemicals that include organochlorine
pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins. They are characterized by environmental persistence,
transboundary mobility, lipophilicity, and bioaccumulation that may induce fatality especially to top
ranked biota due to biomagnification. The oceanic ecosystems are essential pools through which POPs
accumulate. Despite the abundance and biotic effects caused by POPs, data on their occurrences as well
as the fate of persistent organic pollutants in corals, sediments, fish and waters of the Western Indian
Ocean are still scarce. The present review evaluates the status quo, equilibrium distribution of POPs
among oceanic ecosystems, and future perspectives of POPs in the Western Indian Ocean. It was observed
that some POPs such as DDT and PCBs reported across Africa were more of transformation products than
fresh entities. Coastal corals and ocean waters were more contaminated than offshore areas as an indication of terrestrial anthropogenic-based pollution. The Indian Ocean ecosystem, especially fishes, had
POPs residuals, whereby DDT and its metabolites were identified as the most frequently occurring
POPs. This puts all the interacting ecosystems at high risk through biomagnification. Thus, the reduction
of terrestrial contamination and monitoring the trends of POPs in oceanic compartments are necessary
for the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and factors associated with continual opioid use among patients attending methadone clinic at Mwananyamala Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Forensic Science International: Reports

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Environment: A Focus on Active Chemicals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Applied Sciences

Active chemicals are among the contaminants of emerging concern that are rarely covered in regula... more Active chemicals are among the contaminants of emerging concern that are rarely covered in regulatory documents in sub-Saharan Africa. These substances are neither in the list of routinely monitored substances nor in the guidelines for routine environmental monitoring activities. This has been of concern to public health officials, toxicologists, communities, and governments, hence the need for risk assessment and regulation of these substances. In this review article, the presence of active chemicals in the sub-Saharan African environment was investigated. The results indicate the availability of few studies in some countries, while in other countries no reports of active chemicals were found, hence the need for further research targeting such countries. It was further observed that mixtures of active chemicals from different therapeutic categories—such as antibiotics and analgesics—were reported. The natural environment is increasingly at risk due to the presence of these substanc...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and factors associated with continual opioid use among patients attending methadone clinic at Mwananyamala Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Forensic Science International: Reports

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the occurrences of persistent organic pollutants in corals, sediments, fish and waters of the Western Indian Ocean

The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research

Research paper thumbnail of Journal Pre-proof Ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in sub-Saharan Africa aquatic ecosystems: An implication to environmental health

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of RATIONAL INTEGRATION OF PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS IN SOLICITING SPATIAL 'LANDMARK-CONTAMINANTS' OF TANZANIA GROUNDWATER

International Journal of Current Research, 2019

Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely af... more Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely affected by evaporations, kinds of chemicals resulting in a contaminants destabilize the the considerable risks upon consumption of such water. landmark contaminants, physicochemical, heavy metals and microbial content of selected water wells from Temeke and Nkuhungu wards were ana followed by bivariate correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) for data analysis. It was observed that Temeke had a strong association between electrical conductivity and hardness while Dodoma had slightly higher alkalinity, pH values and coliform counts as compared to Temeke. A perfect linear relationship between electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts was further observed in Dodoma. The first principal component was electric salts merely from Temeke. The third and last principal components were respectively hardness from Dodoma.PCA proved to be a perfect tool for regional solicitation of landmark contaminants. and pH values were unique properties of Nkuhungu ground water as compared to low pH values and high electrical conductivity of Temeke ground water.

Research paper thumbnail of Journal Pre-proof Senna singueana (Delile) lock: Ethnomedicinal uses and medicinal properties

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry and Antiviral Potential of Turmeric (Curcuma longa

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Antibiotic-resistant microbial populations in urban receiving waters and wastewaters from Tanzania

Antimicrobial resistance against certain medications in the pathogenic microbial community is glo... more Antimicrobial resistance against certain medications in the pathogenic microbial community is globally increasing due to the continual discharge and disposal of pharmaceuticals in the environment. The phenomenon resulted in significant antibiotic resistance among several exposed Enterobacteriaceae species, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and rivers serving as significant reservoirs. Despite antibiotic resistance being a tragedy, particularly in treating diseases by using antibiotics, local and regional studies indicating the severity, resistant species and the molecular level insight into these pathogens are scarce, thus requiring immediate intervention. This study, therefore, investigated wastewater from wastewater treatment ponds and receiving waters for the presence of resistant pathogens through phenotypical and molecular approach screening of their genes. Among the 57 analyzed samples, 18 (67%, n = 27) isolates of Klebsiella spp.., 4 (80%, n = 5) isolates of Proteus spp., 1 (100%, n = 1) of isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 6 (18%, n = 34) of E. coli found were resistant to at least 1 among the tested antibiotics. E. coli had an 83% higher proportion of multi-drug resistance (MDR) than Klebsiella spp.., which had 68.5%, and no MDR was shown by P. aeruginosa isolates. Among the 20 bacterial isolates of antibiotic-resistant genes, showed that E. coli harboured 39%, followed by 22% of Klebsiella spp. Eleven (11) isolates of these 20 (55%) contained sulphonamides resistant genes: Sul 1 (n = 4) and Sul 2 (n = 7). Ten (10) isolates (50%) contained the tetracyclineresistant genes in which 4 isolates showed the Tet A, Tet B-1 and 5 isolates contained Tet D. β-lactamases (bla CTX-M and bla SHV) were found in 7 isolates (35%). The existence of these antibiotic-resistant species in the urban receiving and wastewater presents a threat of transmission of diseases to humans and animals that are not cured by the existing medications, jeopardizing public health safety.

Research paper thumbnail of Contribution of Illicit Drug Use to Pharmaceutical Load in the Environment: A Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa

Illicit drug abuse and addiction are universal issues requiring international cooperation and int... more Illicit drug abuse and addiction are universal issues requiring international cooperation and interdisciplinary and multisectoral solutions. ese addictive substances are utilized for recreational purposes worldwide, including in sub-Saharan Africa. On the other hand, conventional wastewater treatment facilities such as waste stabilization ponds lack the design to remove the most recent classes of pollutants such as illicit drug abuse. As a result, e uents from these treatment schemes contaminate the entire ecosystem. Public health o cials are concerned about detecting these pollutants at alarming levels in some countries, with potential undesirable e ects on aquatic species and increased health hazards through exposure to contaminated waters or recycling treated or untreated e uents in agriculture. Contaminants including illicit substances enter the environment by human excreta following illegal intake, spills, or through direct dumping, such as from clandestine laboratories, when their manufacturer does not follow accepted production processes. ese substances, like other pharmaceuticals, have biological activity and range from pseudopersistent to highly persistent compounds; hence, they persist in the environment while causing harm to the ecosystem. e presence of powerful pharmacological agents such as cocaine, morphine, and amphetamine in water as complex combinations can impair aquatic organisms and human health. ese compounds can harm human beings and ecosystem health apart from their low environmental levels. erefore, this article examines the presence and levels of illicit substances in ecological compartments such as wastewater, surface and ground waters in sub-Saharan Africa, and their latent impact on the ecosystem. e information on the occurrences of illicit drugs and their metabolic products in the sub-Saharan Africa environment and their contribution to pharmaceutical load is missing. In this case, it is important to research further the presence, levels, distribution, and environmental risks of exposure to human beings and the entire ecosystem.

Research paper thumbnail of Transport behavior and risk evaluation of pharmaceutical contaminants from Swaswa Wastewater Stabilization Ponds

Researchers repeatedly discovered primary pharmaceutical contaminants, their metabolites, and tra... more Researchers repeatedly discovered primary pharmaceutical contaminants, their metabolites, and transformation products in aquatic ecosystems. Body metabolism may not convert consumed pharmaceuticals to their metabolic elements before excretion. In this case, clinical and industrial wastes ensure their presence in the environment. Nevertheless, conventional wastewater treatment methods are ineffective for removing pharmaceutical wastes. Once in the ecosystem, they alter the physiological response of nontarget exposed aquatic and even terrestrial organisms due to induced toxicity. In the course of this study at Swaswa Wastewater Stabilization Ponds (SWSP), the transport of the quantified 0.104 ppm of metronidazole under advection mode in a laminar flow to a longitudinal predictive distance of 230 m. Beyond this distance, no significant concentration changes. The quantified metronidazole had a risk quotient of less than 1, implying no toxicity risks. Despite being acceptable, their hydrophobic nature and physiological activeness present a long-term ecological risk such as developing antibiotic resistance genes, endocrine disruption, and immunity suppression. A combination of engineered constructed wetlands and adsorption using biodegradable adsorbents are among natural remedial practices for eliminating pharmaceuticals with promising efficacy, cost-effectiveness and being environmentally friendly.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on seaweeds and its bioactive compounds: Implication to the WIO ecosystem health

Seaweeds available in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) provide several benefits including income, n... more Seaweeds available in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) provide several benefits including income, nutrients, medicine and as primary producers, they are foundation species important for marine ecosystems capable of modifying their surrounding abiotic and biotic environments. The WIO coast provides natural and necessary environments for seaweed existence. In this review article the potential of seaweeds and their bioactive compounds was investigated; their contribution to the provision of ecosystem services; medicinal and nutritional value for the wellbeing of the WIO ecosystem. It was observed that seaweeds and their bioactives have the potential to humans, other animals, agriculture, and the whole ecosystem. Therefore, for the sustainability of the WIO ecosystem, the potential given by seaweeds and their bioactives in the provision of nutrients, mitigation of health conditions, organic farming, and restoration of environments must be utilized.

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on the Occurrence and Impacts of Nutrient Pollution in the Aquatic Ecosystem of Sub-Saharan Countries

Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthrop... more Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthropogenic activities. In this case, algae grow faster than the ecosystem can handle. Apart from other reported effects, some algae blooms are toxic and produce toxins, leading to the deterioration of ecosystem health. These blooms are becoming prevalent, hence the possibility of increased diseases to the entire ecosystem and unsustainability. In many parts of the world, nutrient contamination poses a significant hazard to human health and the ecosystem. Effects of excessive nutrients in the environment include excessive growth of algae. Apart from the difficulties of handling excess nitrogen in the air that make it difficult to breathe, reduce visibility, affect plant growth, a recently reported altering the gut microbiome of a territorial reef fish. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) contamination in the Sub-Saharan African environment in various matrices including water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, sediments and surface waters to inform policy. In this case, this study investigates the status of nutrient pollution in Sub Saharan Africa, the potential source of nutrient pollution, the reported effects of nutrient pollution; How to overcome nutrient pollution in the environment. Among the measures recommended for nutrient, pollution management includes decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides or organic farming and considerations during the choice of detergents, soaps and household cleaners to nutrient-free products for environmental conservation.

Research paper thumbnail of Forensic Science International: Reports

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on the Occurrence and Impacts of Nutrient Pollution in the Aquatic Ecosystem of Sub-Saharan Countries

Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthrop... more Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthropogenic activities. In this case, algae grow faster than the ecosystem can handle. Apart from other reported effects, some algae blooms are toxic and produce toxins, leading to the deterioration of ecosystem health. These blooms are becoming prevalent, hence the possibility of increased diseases to the entire ecosystem and unsustainability. In many parts of the world, nutrient contamination poses a significant hazard to human health and the ecosystem. Effects of excessive nutrients in the environment include excessive growth of algae. Apart from the difficulties of handling excess nitrogen in the air that make it difficult to breathe, reduce visibility, affect plant growth, a recently reported altering the gut microbiome of a territorial reef fish. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) contamination in the Sub-Saharan African environment in various matrices including water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, sediments and surface waters to inform policy. In this case, this study investigates the status of nutrient pollution in Sub Saharan Africa, the potential source of nutrient pollution, the reported effects of nutrient pollution; How to overcome nutrient pollution in the environment. Among the measures recommended for nutrient, pollution management includes decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides or organic farming and considerations during the choice of detergents, soaps and household cleaners to nutrient-free products for environmental conservation.

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Environment: A Focus on Active Chemicals in Sub-Saharan Africa

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Journal Pre-proof A Review on the Potential of Underutilized Blackjack (Biden Pilosa) Naturally Occurring in sub-Saharan Africa

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of RATIONAL INTEGRATION OF PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS IN SOLICITING SPATIAL 'LANDMARK-CONTAMINANTS' OF TANZANIA GROUNDWATER

Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely af... more Background: within tectonic plates. This forms a vague groundwater containment which is likely affected by evaporations, kinds of chemicals resulting in a contaminants destabilize the the considerable risks upon consumption of such water. landmark contaminants, physicochemical, heavy metals and microbial content of selected water wells from Temeke and Nkuhungu wards were ana followed by bivariate correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) for data analysis. It was observed that Temeke had a strong association between electrical conductivity and hardness while Dodoma had slightly higher alkalinity, pH values and coliform counts as compared to Temeke. A perfect linear relationship between electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts was further observed in Dodoma. The first principal component was electric salts merely from Temeke. The third and last principal components were respectively hardness from Dodoma.PCA proved to be a perfect tool for regional solicitation of landmark contaminants. and pH values were unique properties of Nkuhungu ground water as compared to low pH values and high electrical conductivity of Temeke ground water.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of potentiality of traditional hygienic practices for the mitigation of the 2019-2020 Corona Pandemic

Public health nursing, 2022

The coronavirus outbreak threatens global well-being, costing thousands of lives and an unstable ... more The coronavirus outbreak threatens global well-being, costing thousands of lives and an unstable economy. Traditional hand-washing (HaWa) with clean water and hand-washing sanitizers (HaWaSas) are among WHO recommended practices against the outbreaks. HaWaSa and HaWa lacked proper quality monitoring evaluation that may pose health risks. The current study investigates the potential of traditional hygienic practices adopted to mitigate the 2019-2020 Pandemic. It involved assessing the effectiveness of 15 HaWaSa collected from the Dodoma market. Thirty volunteered participants were subjected to different hygienic practices involving HaWa and HaWaSa. The obtained hand-swabbed samples were subjected to the streak plate technique for inoculation, followed by counting colonies. The results revealed that, among the collected HaWaSa brands, only 33.3% were certified by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). In the setting under no hand-wash, each client had a different number of colony cou...

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the occurrences of persistent organic pollutants in corals, sediments, fish and waters of the Western Indian Ocean

The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 2020

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) present a class of synthetic chemicals that include organoch... more Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) present a class of synthetic chemicals that include organochlorine
pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins. They are characterized by environmental persistence,
transboundary mobility, lipophilicity, and bioaccumulation that may induce fatality especially to top
ranked biota due to biomagnification. The oceanic ecosystems are essential pools through which POPs
accumulate. Despite the abundance and biotic effects caused by POPs, data on their occurrences as well
as the fate of persistent organic pollutants in corals, sediments, fish and waters of the Western Indian
Ocean are still scarce. The present review evaluates the status quo, equilibrium distribution of POPs
among oceanic ecosystems, and future perspectives of POPs in the Western Indian Ocean. It was observed
that some POPs such as DDT and PCBs reported across Africa were more of transformation products than
fresh entities. Coastal corals and ocean waters were more contaminated than offshore areas as an indication of terrestrial anthropogenic-based pollution. The Indian Ocean ecosystem, especially fishes, had
POPs residuals, whereby DDT and its metabolites were identified as the most frequently occurring
POPs. This puts all the interacting ecosystems at high risk through biomagnification. Thus, the reduction
of terrestrial contamination and monitoring the trends of POPs in oceanic compartments are necessary
for the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and factors associated with continual opioid use among patients attending methadone clinic at Mwananyamala Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Forensic Science International: Reports

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Environment: A Focus on Active Chemicals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Applied Sciences

Active chemicals are among the contaminants of emerging concern that are rarely covered in regula... more Active chemicals are among the contaminants of emerging concern that are rarely covered in regulatory documents in sub-Saharan Africa. These substances are neither in the list of routinely monitored substances nor in the guidelines for routine environmental monitoring activities. This has been of concern to public health officials, toxicologists, communities, and governments, hence the need for risk assessment and regulation of these substances. In this review article, the presence of active chemicals in the sub-Saharan African environment was investigated. The results indicate the availability of few studies in some countries, while in other countries no reports of active chemicals were found, hence the need for further research targeting such countries. It was further observed that mixtures of active chemicals from different therapeutic categories—such as antibiotics and analgesics—were reported. The natural environment is increasingly at risk due to the presence of these substanc...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and factors associated with continual opioid use among patients attending methadone clinic at Mwananyamala Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Forensic Science International: Reports

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the occurrences of persistent organic pollutants in corals, sediments, fish and waters of the Western Indian Ocean

The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research

Research paper thumbnail of A Review on the Occurrence and Impacts of Nutrient Pollution in the Aquatic Ecosystem of Sub-Saharan Countries | JBES 2022

International Network for Natural Sciences | INNSpub, Jan 12, 2022

Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthrop... more Nutrient pollution significantly threatens ecosystem health globally and is aggravated by anthropogenic activities. In this case, algae grow faster than the ecosystem can handle. Apart from other reported effects, some algae blooms are toxic and produce toxins, leading to the deterioration of ecosystem health. These blooms are becoming prevalent, hence the possibility of increased diseases to the entire ecosystem and unsustainability. In many parts of the world, nutrient contamination poses a significant hazard to human health and the ecosystem. Effects of excessive nutrients in the environment include excessive growth of algae. Apart from the difficulties of handling excess nitrogen in the air that make it difficult to breathe, reduce visibility, affect plant growth, a recently reported altering the gut microbiome of a territorial reef fish. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) contamination in the Sub-Saharan African environment in various matrices including water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, sediments and surface waters to inform policy. In this case, this study investigates the status of nutrient pollution in Sub Saharan Africa, the potential source of nutrient pollution, the reported effects of nutrient pollution; How to overcome nutrient pollution in the environment. Among the measures recommended for nutrient, pollution management includes decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides or organic farming and considerations during the choice of detergents, soaps and household cleaners to nutrient-free products for environmental conservation.