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Simulundu, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Simulundu, E..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2021

Estimating the societal disease burden of East Coast fever among rural cattle keeping households of Namwala District, Zambia

The study aimed to estimate the disease burden of East Coast fever (ECF) among rural cattle keeping households of Namwala District of Zambia using Productivity Adjusted Life Years (PALYs). We modified Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) equations for humans to PALYs to estimate the societal burden of animal diseases. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data on parameters that feed into PALY equations. We coded and entered data from questionnaires directly into Statistical Package of Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Version 20), and entered the estimated values of PALY parameters into Mathematical Calculus Software called Integral Calculator (https://www.integral-calculator.com/). We then used the integral calculator to calculate PALY equations, which we used to estimate the societal disease burden of ECF in cattle. PALYs calculations were done in three categories; PALYs without discounting and age weighting, PALYs with only discounting, and PALYs with discounting and age weighting. Results revealed that the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox that suffered from ECF were estimated at 15, 10, and 15 years, respectively. In the second category, the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox were seven, six, and seven years, respectively. In the final category, the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox were five years. ECF caused a total of 517,165 PALYs in Namwala District. The quality of life reduced in years due to disability (YLD) caused by ECF per cow, bull, and ox was 0.07, 0.07, and 0.02 percent of their life expectancy, respectively. The estimated values for the years of a lifetime lost due to mortality (YLL) caused by ECF were 35, 49, and 35 percent of the life expectancy per cow, bull, and ox. These results are important for measuring outcomes of animal health problems in terms of PALYs. The findings are helpful in future projections for the future burden of any disease and can be used as a basis in policy-making and decision-making, particularly on priorities in animal health research. We recommend that a classification of animal diseases of national economic importance should consider both the societal burden and economic impact instead of the common practice of only considering the economic impact.

scientific communication and education↗
bioRxiv2019

Household socio-economic status and likelihood of HIV infection among under five-year children in Muheza district, north-eastern Tanzania

BackgroundThere are evidences of the association between socio-economic factors and HIV prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is dearth of information on such relationship in Tanzania. Here, we present data on the relationship between households socio-economic factors and HIV prevalence among under five-year children in Muheza district, Tanzania.\n\nMethodsWe conducted a facility-based study from June 2015 to June 2016 in which we enrolled under five-year children born to HIV positive mothers. Information on HIV status of the child and socio-demographic characteristic of the head of the household was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using STATA version 13.0.\n\nResultsA total of 576 mothers/guardians were interviewed each with respective HIV exposed under five-year child. Children who belonged to a head of household with at least a high education level (AOR= 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8) and living in a relatively wealthy household (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9) was associated with reduced odds of HIV infection among children. Univariate analysis revealed that the odds of HIV infection was three-fold (COR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-7.0) higher among children living in rural than in urban areas. The heads of household living in rural areas (AOR=0.3 95% CI 0.1-0.9) had low education level compared to those living in urban areas.\n\nConclusionChildren who belong to the head of households with high educational level, high household wealth were associated with reduced likelihood of HIV infection in Tanzania. Children living in rural areas had increased likelihood of acquiring HIV infection. These findings stress the need to focus on improving education status of the population and economically disadvantaged populations as a strategy for HIV prevention and control measures.

epidemiology↗