Browsing by Author "Echodu, Richard"

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    Heterogeneity in the prevalence and intensity of bovine trypanosomiasis in the districts of Amuru and Nwoya, Northern Uganda
    (Biomedical Central- Veterinary Research, 2015) Angwech, Harriet; Nyeko, Jack H. P.; Opiyo, Elizabeth A.; Okello-Onen, Joseph; Opiro, Robert; Echodu, Richard; Malinga, Geoffrey M.; Njahira, Moses N.; and Skilton, Robert A.
    Background: Livestock trypanosomiasis, transmitted mainly by tsetse flies of the genus Glossina is a major constraint to livestock health and productivity in the sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of the prevalence and intensity of trypanosomiasis is important in understanding the epidemiology of the disease. The objectives of this study were to (a) assess the prevalence and intensity of trypanosome infections in cattle, and (b) to investigate the reasons for the heterogeneity of the disease in the tsetse infested districts of Amuru and Nwoya, northern Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September, 2011 to January, 2012. Blood samples were collected from 816 cattle following jugular vein puncture, and screened for trypanosomes by HCT and ITS-PCR. A Pearson chi-squared test and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between location, age, sex, and prevalence of trypanosome infections. Results: Out of the 816 blood samples examined, 178 (22 %) and 338 (41 %) tested positive for trypanosomiasis by HCT and ITS-PCR, respectively. Trypanosoma vivax infection accounted for 77 % of infections detected by ITS-PCR, T. congolense (16 %), T. brucei s.l (4 %) and mixed (T. vivax/ T. congolense/T.brucei) infections (3 %). The risk of trypanosome infection was significantly associated with cattle age (χ 2 = 220.4, df = 3, P < 0.001). The highest proportions of infected animals were adult males (26.7 %) and the least infected were the less than one year old calves (2.0 %). In addition, the risk of trypanosome infection was significantly associated with sex (χ 2 = 16.64, df = 1, P < 0.001), and males had a significantly higher prevalence of infections (26.8 %) than females (14.6 %). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the prevalence and intensity of trypanosome infections are highly heterogeneous being associated with cattle age, location and sex
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    In-situ morphological characterization of indigenous chicken Ecotypes in Uganda
    (Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 2022-09-01) Beyihayo, Geoffrey Akiiki; Ndyomugyenyi, Elly Kurobuza; Echodu, Richard; Kugonza, Donald
    Genetic improvement of indigenous chickens (IC) is hindered by limited knowledge on the various chicken Ecotypes. This study characterized and assessed the genetic diversity of nine (9) IC Ecotypes based on quantitative morphological traits. A total of 576 IC (288 cocks and 288 hens) were sampled from 288 households across the 9 agro-ecological zones of Uganda. Data on linear morphological traits and live weight of IC were collected using a field guide developed by African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR, 2015). Over-all, body live weight (LWT), shank/tarsus length (SL), drumstick length (DL), thorax circumference (TC) and body length (BL) of IC varied significantly (P < 0.05) across Ecotypes except tarsus circumference (TAC) of cocks. Cocks and hens on average weighed 2.2 ± 0.53 and 1.6 ± 0.58 kg respectively. On average, SL, DL, TC, BL, TAC was 9.8 ± 1.23, 4.9 ± 2.50, 16.2 ± 1.63, 38.4 ± 5.96, 24.7 ± 4.93 cm for cocks and 7.8 ± 1.04, 3.9 ± 0.53, 13.2 ± 1.42, 33.8 ± 5.29, 21.3 ± 4.37 cm for hens respectively. Body weight and linear morphological traits except TAC were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by Ecotype. Principal component analysis based on live body weight and morphological linear traits did not identify any distinct chicken Ecotype. The disparity in weight estimation models further emphasizes the ecologically induced variations across Ecotypes. Therefore, the current study confirms the morphological and more so genetic similarity implying genetic improvement can be achieved through selection of superior IC across Ecotypes.
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    Prevalence of aflatoxin along processing points of locally made complementary food formulae in northern Uganda: Safety and children’s exposure across seasons
    (Heliyon, 2023-07-22) Achiro, Eunice; Okidi, Lawrence; Echodu, Richard; Alarakol, Simon Peter; Anena, Juliet; Ongeng, Duncan
    Aflatoxin contamination along the processing points of locally made complementary food composite needs to be ascertained and minimized to reduce exposure to weaning children. The study established the concentrations of total aflatoxin (TAF) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) along the processing points of locally made malted millet sesame soybean composite (MMSSC) across season one (wet) and season two (dry) and determined children's exposure to them. A total of 363 samples were collected in 2019. TAF and AFB1 concentrations were determined quantitatively using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Consequently, exposure of individual children was assessed as Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), (ng kg−1 bw day−1). All the samples along the processing points had detectable concentrations of TAF and AFB1 ranging from 0.578 μg kg−1 to 1.187 μg kg−1 and 0.221 μg kg−1 to 0.649 μg kg−1 respectively. Contamination was highest in raw materials; soybean (Glycine max) > sesame (Sesamum indicum), followed by stored composite, freshly prepared composite, and least in millet (Eleusine coracana). Contamination varied significantly across seasons with the wet season having higher contamination than the dry season at P = 0.05. All samples (100%) were within the European Commission (EC) acceptable maximum tolerable level for TAF and AFB1 (4 μg kg−1 and 2 μg kg−1) respectively for processed foods for general consumption. But were below the EU acceptable maximum tolerable level for TAF and AFB1 (0.4 μg kg−1 and 0.1 μg kg−1) respectively for processed baby foods cereals. However, all were within the United States- Food and Drug Authority (US-FDA) and East African Community (EAC) set maximum acceptable limit of 20 μg kg−1 for TAFs, 10 μg kg−1 and 5 μg kg−1 for TAF and AFB1 respectively. Conversely, exposure to these toxins was much higher than the Provisional Maximum Tolerable Dietary Intake (PMTDI) of 0.4 ng kg−1 bw day−1 to 1.0 ng kg−1 bw day−1. A significant difference in exposure to both toxins was observed with the weight. The age of 5 months was the most exposed. A concerted effort is needed to reduce children's exposure to MMSSC to TAF and AFB1, taking sesame and soybean as priority ingredients and proper storage based on season to control contamination.
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    Status of food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers of children in northern Uganda
    (2023-05-31) Achiro, Eunice; Okidi, Lawrence; Nassanga, Prossy; Echodu, Richard; Alarakol, Simon Peter; Nassanga, Prossy; Ongeng, Duncan
    The safety of homemade weaning foods in low- and middle- income countries is of great concern as rural households have limited access to standardized commercial weaning foods. In the Acholi subregion of Uganda, complementary foods are locally produced. However, there is limited information on the Food safety knowledge (FSK), food safety attitude (FSA), and food hygiene practices (FHP) of the caregivers. This study examined food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices of the caregivers of children 6– 23 months of age in Amuru and Nwoya districts, Northern Uganda, be tween March 2019 and June 2019. A cross- sectional study was conducted involving 180 caregivers. Data were collected using semi- structured questionnaires and focus group discussions and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate binary logis tic regression, and thematic content analysis. Caregivers had sufficient FSK (74.1%) and positive FSA (68.1%). However, only 17.6% of them adhered to FHP. Frequency of food safety training (p = .041) and households with children who suffered from foodborne illness (p = .001) significantly predicted FSK. Conversely, both FSK and FSA were significantly predicted by gender roles in decision- making on household income (p = .006) and households with older children (p = .041). A significant positive correla tion was observed between FSK and FSA (r = .406, p = .000). However, major barriers to adherence to FHP were inadequate sanitation facilities and caregiver's workload. The overall nontranslation of sufficient FSK and positive FSA into proper FHP calls for future intervention to harness the sociodemographic factors that influence FSK and FSA and address the barriers to FHP among caregivers.