Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health

The community’s awareness of the prevalence and impact of zoonotic diseases has been significantly underestimated, leading to insufficient implementation of control measures. This study was carried out in Northern Tanzania between 2019 and 2023 to investigate zoonotic parasites and the risks associa...

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Main Authors: Barakaeli Abdieli Ndossi, Eblate Ernest Mjingo, Hansol Park, Dongmin Lee, Mohammed Mebarek Bia, Heejae Yang, Sungbo Seo, Keeseon S. Eom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Parasitology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8872837
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author Barakaeli Abdieli Ndossi
Eblate Ernest Mjingo
Hansol Park
Dongmin Lee
Mohammed Mebarek Bia
Heejae Yang
Sungbo Seo
Keeseon S. Eom
author_facet Barakaeli Abdieli Ndossi
Eblate Ernest Mjingo
Hansol Park
Dongmin Lee
Mohammed Mebarek Bia
Heejae Yang
Sungbo Seo
Keeseon S. Eom
author_sort Barakaeli Abdieli Ndossi
collection DOAJ
description The community’s awareness of the prevalence and impact of zoonotic diseases has been significantly underestimated, leading to insufficient implementation of control measures. This study was carried out in Northern Tanzania between 2019 and 2023 to investigate zoonotic parasites and the risks associated with human activities that contribute to zoonotic diseases. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 12 villages, including nine in Loliondo Division and three in Babati District. Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were conducted to assess the community’s knowledge and practices regarding the risks associated with zoonotic diseases in the surveyed areas. A total of 255 samples were collected from various sources, including latrines, households, livestock enclosures, domestic dogs, and chickens. Out of these samples, 152 tested positive for identifiable parasite eggs and oocysts. These parasites included hookworms (21.7%), Trichuris sp. (14.5%), Strongyloides sp. (13.8%), Eimeria sp. (19.7%), Taeniids (5.9%), Hymenolepis sp. (3.3%), Spirometra sp. (2.6%), and Dipylidium sp. (0.7%). Taeniids and Spirometra species were predominantly found in villages near protected areas such as Arash Sokoni, Oloipiri, Sukenya, Wasso, Orkuyiene, Haytemba, and Loliondo. Hookworms were most commonly detected in Arash Sokoni, Loliondo, Isuguro, and Hyatemba, while Strongyloides sp. was prevalent in Wasso, Sukenya, and Olobo villages. The quantitative analysis reveals significant associations between hygiene practices, proximity to livestock enclosures, ecological factors, and human–animal interaction, highlighting their pivotal roles in determining soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence across different villages. This study reveals that there was a generally low level of awareness regarding zoonotic diseases and STHs. The detection of STH samples, combined with the limited understanding of zoonotic diseases, emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to reduce transmission risks. Prioritizing education and promoting awareness along with implementing comprehensive strategies are essential steps to effectively tackle the problems linked to STH infections and substantially lessen the public health burden caused by zoonotic diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-8873cfdd5a5b4a5b9c2a5b41dbdab90f2025-02-03T07:23:36ZengWileyJournal of Parasitology Research2090-00312024-01-01202410.1155/2024/8872837Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One HealthBarakaeli Abdieli Ndossi0Eblate Ernest Mjingo1Hansol Park2Dongmin Lee3Mohammed Mebarek Bia4Heejae Yang5Sungbo Seo6Keeseon S. Eom7Tanzania Wildlife Research InstituteTanzania Wildlife Research InstituteDepartment of ParasitologyDepartment of ParasitologyDepartment of ParasitologyDivision of Biobanking SolutionsDivision of Biobanking SolutionsDepartment of ParasitologyThe community’s awareness of the prevalence and impact of zoonotic diseases has been significantly underestimated, leading to insufficient implementation of control measures. This study was carried out in Northern Tanzania between 2019 and 2023 to investigate zoonotic parasites and the risks associated with human activities that contribute to zoonotic diseases. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 12 villages, including nine in Loliondo Division and three in Babati District. Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were conducted to assess the community’s knowledge and practices regarding the risks associated with zoonotic diseases in the surveyed areas. A total of 255 samples were collected from various sources, including latrines, households, livestock enclosures, domestic dogs, and chickens. Out of these samples, 152 tested positive for identifiable parasite eggs and oocysts. These parasites included hookworms (21.7%), Trichuris sp. (14.5%), Strongyloides sp. (13.8%), Eimeria sp. (19.7%), Taeniids (5.9%), Hymenolepis sp. (3.3%), Spirometra sp. (2.6%), and Dipylidium sp. (0.7%). Taeniids and Spirometra species were predominantly found in villages near protected areas such as Arash Sokoni, Oloipiri, Sukenya, Wasso, Orkuyiene, Haytemba, and Loliondo. Hookworms were most commonly detected in Arash Sokoni, Loliondo, Isuguro, and Hyatemba, while Strongyloides sp. was prevalent in Wasso, Sukenya, and Olobo villages. The quantitative analysis reveals significant associations between hygiene practices, proximity to livestock enclosures, ecological factors, and human–animal interaction, highlighting their pivotal roles in determining soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence across different villages. This study reveals that there was a generally low level of awareness regarding zoonotic diseases and STHs. The detection of STH samples, combined with the limited understanding of zoonotic diseases, emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to reduce transmission risks. Prioritizing education and promoting awareness along with implementing comprehensive strategies are essential steps to effectively tackle the problems linked to STH infections and substantially lessen the public health burden caused by zoonotic diseases.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8872837
spellingShingle Barakaeli Abdieli Ndossi
Eblate Ernest Mjingo
Hansol Park
Dongmin Lee
Mohammed Mebarek Bia
Heejae Yang
Sungbo Seo
Keeseon S. Eom
Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health
Journal of Parasitology Research
title Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health
title_full Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health
title_fullStr Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health
title_full_unstemmed Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health
title_short Zoonotic Parasites and Their Association With Human Activities in Northern Tanzania: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach for One Health
title_sort zoonotic parasites and their association with human activities in northern tanzania an integrated ecosystem approach for one health
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8872837
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