NRU :: Browsing by Author "Nantima, Noelina"

Browsing by Author "Nantima, Noelina"

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African swine fever: Uganda smallholder pig value chain capacity development training manual
(ILRI Manual, 2015) Nantima, Noelina; Dione, Michel M.; Brandes-van Dorresteijn, Diana; Kawuma, Brian; Smith, Jeff
Pork production and consumption have risen rapidly in Uganda over the past decade, driven by population growth, urbanization, increasing incomes, and changing tastes. In 2011, Uganda had the highest per capita consumption of pork in East Africa (3.4 kg/person per year). The number of pigs has increased more than tenfold from less than 200,000 three decades ago to roughly 3.2 million. More than 1 million households in Uganda raise those pigs. The majority of the pigs are kept by women in rural areas, with limited access to technology, services and markets
Enhancing biosecurity along Uganda’s pig value chains to control and prevent African swine fever
(CGIAR, 2017) Dione, Michel; Nantima, Noelina; Mayega, Lawrence; Amia, Winfred; Wieland, Barbara; Ouma, Emily
African swine fever (ASF) is an important health challenge facing the Ugandan pig sector, causing significant economic losses. While effective control and treatment of ASF are unavailable due to the absence of effective treatment or vaccination, its impact can be minimized through the adoption of biosecurity measures designed to prevent the entry and spread of the disease on farms. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, local Government of Hoima, Kamuli, Lira, Mukono and Masaka districts, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Makerere University, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) undertook detailed assessments of the pig value chain in Uganda to document critical areas for intervention and pilot tested practical biosecurity measures for controlling ASF along pig value chains. This brief highlights lessons learnt from these studies.
Enhancing knowledge and awareness of biosecurity practices for control of African swine fever among smallholder pig farmers in four districts along the Kenya–Uganda border
(Tropical animal health and production, 2016) Nantima, Noelina; Davies, Jocelyn; Dione, Michel; Ocaido, Michael; Okoth, Edward; Mugisha, Anthony; Bishop, Richard
A study was undertaken along the Kenya–Uganda border in four districts of Tororo and Busia (Uganda) and Busia and Teso (Kenya) to understand smallholder farmers’ knowledge, practices and awareness of biosecurity measures. Information was collected by administering questionnaires to 645 randomly selected pig households in the study area. In addition, focus group discussions were carried out in 12 villages involving 248 people using a standardized list of questions. The outcome suggested that there was a very low level of awareness of biosecurity practices amongst smallholder farmers. We conclude that adoption of specific biosecurity practices by smallholder farmers is feasible but requires institutional support. There is a clear requirement for government authorities to sensitize farmers using approaches that allow active participation of farmers in the design, planning and implementation of biosecurity practices to enable enhanced adoption.
Identification of Peste des Petits Ruminants Transmission Hotspots in the Karamoja Subregion of Uganda for Targeting of Eradication Interventions
(Frontiers in veterinary science, 2019) Nkamwesiga, Joseph; Coffin-Schmitt, Jeanne; Ochwo, Sylvester; Mwiine, Frank Norbert; Palopoli, Annabella; Ndekezi, Christian; Isingoma, Emmanuel; Nantima, Noelina; Nsamba, Peninah; Adiba, Rogers; Hendrickx, Saskia; Mariner, Jeffrey C.
This paper describes an assessment of the patterns of peste des petits ruminants virus circulation in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda conducted to identify the communities that maintain the virus and inform the development of a targeted vaccination strategy. Participatory epidemiological methods were used to develop an operational hypothesis for the patterns of PPR in Karamoja that was subsequently validated through outbreak investigation and genomics. The participatory epidemiological assessment included risk mapping with livestock owners, community animal health workers and veterinarians and indicated there were two critical foci of virus transmission on the Uganda-Kenya border. One was located in two adjacent subcounties of Kotido and Kaabong Districts in northern Karamoja and the other in Loroo subcounty of Amudat District in southern Karamoja. Participants reported that these were locations where outbreaks were usually first observed in Karamoja and subsequently spread to other areas. Following the participatory assessment, surveillance activities were implemented across the Karamoja subregion in 2018. Three outbreak were detected, investigated and sampled. Two outbreaks were located in the northern and one on the southern focus of transmission. No Outbreaks were diagnosed in Karamoja outside of these foci during 2018. Genomics indicated different clusters of viruses were associated with the northern and southern foci that were more closely related to other East African isolates than to each other. This indicates these are two separate systems of virus circulation which should be explicitly addressed in eradication as separate cross-border systems that require integrated cross-border interventions.
Measurement and Sampling Error in Mixed-Methods Research for the Control of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in the Karamoja Subregion of Northeastern Uganda: A Cautionary Tale
(Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2021) Coffin-Schmitt, Jeanne L.; Moore, Emily V.; McKune, Sarah L.; Nkamwesiga, Joseph; Isingoma, Emmanuel; Nantima, Noelina; Adiba, Rogers; Mwiine, Frank Norbert; Nsamba, Peninah; Hendrickx, Saskia; Mariner, Jeffrey C.
A team of interdisciplinary researchers undertook a mixed methods, participatory epidemiology (PE) based study as part of a pilot project for localized control of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a small ruminant disease of high socio-economic impact. Mixed methods research combines qualitative and quantitative methods, allowing iterative comparison of results to arrive at a more comprehensive and informed outcome. In this study, the use of PE and a household survey (HHS) resulted in contradictory results. However, the mixed methods approach also facilitated the detection and the explanation of bias in the HHS, which may have gone undetected and unexplored had only one method been used. Results show that logistical constraints leading to a failure to apply key aspects of the sampling strategy led to problematic gender/ethnic composition of the HHS sample population. Additionally, while PE findings on local disease and terminology were integrated during HHS development and training, there is apparent measurement error related to enumerator bias in HHS results, possibly due to insufficient respondent understanding or a lack of analytic clarity. The extensive nature of the PE, surveillance methodologies used in the initial site assessment, and formative research for the HHS allowed for a critical analysis and interpretation of HHS results as well as reflection on the research process. The findings of this paper underscore the (1) flexibility and utility of participatory methods, (2) the importance of mixed methods research in designing health interventions, and (3) the necessity of tight integration of study design with team planning for implementation of research in environments such as Karamoja, Uganda. If all three are to be achieved not only researchers but funders must provide these space and structure beginning in the study design phase. These findings are relevant in many places, but have particular importance for international, interdisciplinary teams working from various on-and-off-site locations with traditional or indigenous knowledge systems.
Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus from Outbreaks in Uganda 2017–2018
(BMC veterinary research, 2020) Ochwo, Sylvester; VanderWaal, Kimberly; Ndekezi, Christian; Nkamwesiga, Joseph; Munsey, Anna; Witto, Sarah Gift; Nantima, Noelina; Mayanja, Franklin; Okurut, Anna Rose Ademun; Atuhaire, David Kalenzi
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious viral disease of cattle caused by a Capripoxvirus. LSD has substantial economic implications, with infection resulting in permanent damage to the skin of affected animals which lowers their commercial value. In Uganda, LSD is endemic and cases of the disease are frequently reported to government authorities. This study was undertaken to molecularly characterize lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) strains that have been circulating in Uganda between 2017 and 2018. Secondly, the study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relatedness of Ugandan LSDV sequences with published sequences, available in GenBank.A total of 7 blood samples and 16 skin nodule biopsies were screened for LSDV using PCR to confirm presence of LSDV nucleic acids. PCR positive samples were then characterised by amplifying the GPCR gene. These amplified genes were sequenced and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Out of the 23 samples analysed, 15 were positive for LSDV by PCR (65.2%). The LSDV GPCR sequences analysed contained the unique signatures of LSDV (A11, T12, T34, S99, and P199) which further confirmed their identity. Sequence comparison with vaccine strains revealed a 12 bp deletion unique to Ugandan outbreak strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the LSDV sequences from this study clustered closely with sequences from neighboring East African countries and with LSDV strains from recent outbreaks in Europe. It was noted that the sequence diversity amongst LSDV strains from Africa was higher than diversity from Eurasia.The LSDV strains circulating in Uganda were closely related with sequences from neighboring African countries and from Eurasia. Comparison of the GPCR gene showed that outbreak strains differed from vaccine strains. This information is necessary to understand LSDV molecular epidemiology and to contribute knowledge towards the development of control strategies by the Government of Uganda.
Multisectoral prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Uganda, 2017: A One Health perspective
(PLoS ONE, 2017) Sekamatte, Musa; Krishnasamy, Vikram; Bulage, Lilian; Kihembo, Christine; Nantima, Noelina; Monje, Fred; Ndumu, Deo; Sentumbwe, Juliet; Mbolanyi, Betty; Aruho, Robert; Kaboyo, Winyi; Mutonga, David; Basler, Colin; Paige, Sarah; Behravesh, Casey Barton
Zoonotic diseases continue to be a public health burden globally. Uganda is especially vulnerable due to its location, biodiversity, and population. Given these concerns, the Ugandan government in collaboration with the Global Health Security Agenda conducted a One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization Workshop to identify zoonotic diseases of greatest national concern to the Ugandan government.
Participatory evaluation of delivery of animal health care services by community animal health workers in Karamoja region of Uganda
(PLoS ONE, 2017) Bugeza, James; Kankya, Clovice; Muleme, James; Akandinda, Ann; Sserugga, Joseph; Nantima, Noelina; Okori, Edward; Odoch, Terence
An evaluation exercise was carried out to assess the performance of Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in the delivery of animal health care services in Karamoja region, identify capacity gaps and recommend remedial measures. Materials & methods Participatory methods were used to design data collection tools. Questionnaires were administered to 204 CAHWs, 215 farmers and 7 District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) to collect quantitative data. Seven DVOs and 1 Non Government Organization (NGO) representative were interviewed as key informants and one focus group discussion was conducted with a farmer group in Nakapiripirit to collect qualitative data. Questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS version 19. Key messages from interviews and the focus group discussion were recorded in a notebook and reported verbatim. Results 70% of the farmers revealed that CAHWs are the most readily available animal health care service providers in their respective villages. CAHWs were instrumental in treatment of sick animals, disease surveillance, control of external parasites, animal production, vaccination, reporting, animal identification, and performing minor surgeries. Regarding their overall performance 88.8%(191/215) of the farmers said they were impressed. The main challenges faced by the CAHWs were inadequate facilitation, lack of tools and equipments, unwillingness of government to integrate them into the formal extension system, poor information flow, limited technical capacity to diagnose diseases, unwillingness of farmers to pay for services and sustainability issues. Conclusions and recommendations CAHWs remain the main source of animal health care services in Karamoja region and their services are largely satisfactory. The technical deficits identified require continuous capacity building programs, close supervision and technical backstopping. For sustainability of animal health care services in the region continuous training and strategic deployment of paraprofessionals that are formally recognised by the traditional civil service to gradually replace CAHWs is recommended.
Risk factors associated with occurrence of African swine fever outbreaks in smallholder pig farms in four districts along the Uganda-Kenya border
(Tropical animal health and production, 2015) Nantima, Noelina; Ocaido, Michael; Ouma, Emily; Davies, Jocelyn; Dione, Michel; Okoth, Edward; Mugisha, Anthony; Bishop, Richard
A cross-sectional survey was carried out to assess risk factors associated with occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in smallholder pig farms in four districts along Kenya-Uganda border. Information was collected by administering questionnaires to 642 randomly selected pig households in the study area. The study showed that the major risk factors that influenced ASF occurrence were purchase of pigs in the previous year (p<0.000) and feeding of pigs with swill (p<0.024). By employing cluster analysis, three clusters of pig production types were identified based on production characteristics that were found to differ significantly between districts. The most vulnerable cluster to ASF was households with the highest reported number of ASF outbreaks and composed of those that practiced free range at least some of the time. The majority of the households in this cluster were from Busia district in Uganda. On the other hand, the least vulnerable cluster to ASF composed of households that had the least number of pig purchases, minimal swill feeding, and less treatment for internal and external parasites. The largest proportion of households in this cluster was from Busia district Kenya. The study recommended the need to sensitize farmers to adopt proper biosecurity practices such as total confinement of pigs, treatment of swill, isolation of newly purchased pigs for at least 2 weeks, and provision of incentives for farmers to report suspected outbreaks to authorities and rapid confirmation of outbreaks.

Browsing by Author "Nantima, Noelina"

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