Browsing by Author "Gumbo, Tapiwa"

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    Gastrointestinal parasite prevalence, diversity and association in free-ranging Chacma baboon troops in a semi-arid savanna ecosystem of Zimbabwe
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-12) Banda, Annabel; Moyo, Doreen Z.; Ncube, Nokubonga; Utete, Edmore; Machingura, James; Gumbo, Tapiwa; Gandiwa, Edson
    Free-ranging Chacma baboon species are known to harbour a wide range of zoonotic parasites, and their frequent close interactions with humans pose a risk of transmission of zoonotic parasites between the two species. This research study focused on understanding parasite dynamics in free-ranging baboon populations that inhabit human-wildlife interface areas, a case of Gwanda State University's Epoch Mine campus in Filabusi at Insiza district. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional design was used to investigate the prevalence, diversity and association of gastrointestinal parasites among three baboon troops found at the Epoch Mine campus. One hundred and twenty (120) fresh faecal samples were collected from the three troops between February and September 2023. The centrifugal floatation technique was used to process and analyse faecal samples, and parasite ova and cysts were identified using morphological features like shape and size. The prevalence of the parasite taxa and a chi-squared multiple comparison test was computed. Results showed significant differences among most parasite taxa except Coccidia spp and Entamoeba spp among the three troops. The Shannon–Wiener (H′) index was used to calculate diversity and graphs were utilized to present the association. The Kruskal-Wallis tests showed no significant difference in parasite diversity among the three troops. Although troop-parasite association showed different parasite species for each troop, helminths Strongylid spp. and Schistosoma spp. were highly common across all three troops. Troop 1 and 3 were associated with four parasite taxa, whereas Troop 2 had only three. The study reveals the presence of gastro-intestinal parasites of public health concern, as they are capable of causing diseases in humans and domestic animals. The study, therefore, underscores the importance of understanding parasite-host dynamics in mitigating zoonotic disease transmission and suggests the need to generate baseline data for mitigating zoonotic diseases and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
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    Worrying cadmium and lead levels in a commonly cultivated vegetable irrigated with river water in Zimbabwe
    (Cogent OA, part of Taylor & Francis Group, 2020-08-10) Tibugari, Handsen; Mafere, Gerald; Dube, Sinikiwe; Chakavarika, Murawu; Mandumbu, Ronald; Musara, Joseph P.; Mapuranga, Rangarirai; Gumbo, Tapiwa; Banda, Annabel; Mathema, Ndabanye; Goche, Tatenda; Zvigumbu, Bernard M.; Mpofu, Nkosentsha
    Vegetable cultivation using river water, which may be polluted with heavy metals, can cause health problems to consumers. A study to establish cadmium and lead levels in water from Msasa, Manyame; Mukuvisi and Nyatsime Rivers was conducted in 2019. A questionnaire survey involving 105 randomly selected urban vegetable growers was conducted to examine farmer knowledge of the potential of polluted water to contaminate produce through heavy metals. Water, soil and vegetable samples were also collected and analysed for heavy metal presence using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that some farmers (62%) were aware that wastewater could contain heavy metals. The majority of farmers (67%) applied phosphate-based fertilisers, a potential source of cadmium. Tested at P < 0.05, the results showed that sampled water from the four sites failed to meet the Standards Association of Zimbabwe 5560 (1997) standards. Cadmium tissue concentration from wastewater from Msasa and Manyame rivers was 1.3 and 1.17 mg g−1 respectively, which were 59 and 65 times higher than 0.02 mg g−1 from the control. Water from Manyame and Nyatsime rivers contains levels of heavy metals which exceed the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) safety guidelines. Farmers need to be educated on health hazards from contaminated wastewater. Enforcing regulations on effluent disposal, licencing of vegetable vendors and labelling of vegetables with information on source of water used to irrigate the crop can help reduce exposure of unsuspecting vegetable consumers.