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Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is a parasite that causes serious diseases in humans and pigs. The parasite causes epilepsy in humans and is estimated to be responsible for approximately 212 deaths per year in Tanzania. The parasite costs Tanzanian society approximately USD 8 million annually due to costs for management of epilepsy caused by the parasite (USD 5 million) and losses due to condemnation of infected pork (USD 3 million). Pork tapeworm diseases are currently not a control and prevention priority in Tanzania, and collaborative efforts among relevant sectors at various levels are limited. This policy brief recommends a One Health approach for effective and sustainable control of the pork tapeworm diseases. It puts forward fourteen actionable recommendations for the country to achieve this goal

Abstract Background Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniasis (TSCT) is reported to be endemic in pig producing areas around the world, causing significant disease burden and economic losses. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed at assessing Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) regarding TSCT in four districts, namely Mbulu, Mpwapwa, Mbinga, and Rungwe in Tanzania. Data on KAP were collected through questionnaire-based interviews and household infrastructure observations. Results Knowledge about porcine cysticercosis was good, particularly among pig keepers across the districts. Many participants had heard about the pork tapeworm (T. solium taeniasis), and the knowledge about signs/symptoms and treatment was fair, but the means of transmission and prevention measures were often unknown. Whilst most participants were familiar with epilepsy, no one knew anything about human cysticercosis and the link between cysticercosis and epileptic seizures. A similar trend is reflected through the attitudes toward the low risk perception of cysticercosis infection. Not surprisingly, the risk perception of the infection with the pork tapeworm was low too. Many participants reported not washing their hands before eating or after using the toilet which highlights potential risks for the development of human cysticercosis. Albeit nearly every participant reported using the toilet always, household observations revealed that toilets were either lacking or had no complete walls. Generally, household observations revealed a discrepancy between questionnaire answers on the one hand and the availability of toilet and handwashing facilities and the confinement of pigs on the other hand. Conclusion This study demonstrates knowledge gaps and adverse practices which may hinder and/or slow down the control/elimination of T. solium in endemic countries. The study results are also useful for appropriate designing of TSCT health interventions that need to be planned carefully, taking into account the local context and designing TSCT in partnership with the local communities from the beginning to the end applying a One Health approach to allow the possible sustained and best impacts. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: WHO and UNICEF classify shared sanitation facilities as unimproved regardless of their structural design or technology used. This classification is based on the argument that shared sanitation facilities are poorly maintained. Objectives: This study explored perceptions, acceptability, and determinants of sanitation facilitysharing habits among households in three regions of Tanzania. In 2014, this cross-sectional study employed a structured questionnaire for data collection to interview 1,751 heads of households or their representatives using Open Data Kit software. Methods: Data analysis involved estimating descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The proportion of households sharing sanitation facilities was 14.6%, a significantly higher proportion being from urban settings. Most households sharing sanitation facilities did not like to continue sharing based on health risks. However, those who would like to continue sharing indicated that a maximum of five households could be tolerated--Additionally, those who shared sanitation facilities preferred to share with their relatives rather than neighbours. Factors significantly associated with sharing sanitation facilities include sex, location, and facility condition. Shared sanitation facilities can be necessary in some circumstances, such as when land space limits the construction of toilets and in multi-habited rental houses. Conclusion: In such situations, information on proper management of sanitation facilities is necessary for better health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate dewatering technologies are reported as the dominant challenge in handling faecal sludge (FS) within urban settings of most African countries. Studies have been carried out to evaluate the efficiencies of unplanted sand drying beds (USDBs), decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS), and geo-tubes. However, limited information is available on comparative capabilities in dewatering the FS. This work reviewed treatment efficiencies by assessing the reported actual waste removal capacities and ascertaining if they align with the design removal provisions. Peer-reviewed papers, books, and technical reports from trusted sources were examined. The results show that all the technologies perform best in dewatering the FS; however, USDBs are widely adopted for city-wide treatment, and the other two are suited for decentralized communities. The USDB is challenged by frequent clogging and poor quality of dewatered sludge when reused or recycled in the production of solid fuel and compost due to sticking sand after sludge harvesting. The DEWATS and geo-tubes increase operational costs when used to treat the FS at a large scale. More studies should be conducted to explore locally made, cost-effective filter media and technologies to enhance the dewatering quality and quantity of the FS and increase the quality of recycled by-products. HIGHLIGHTS: This paper reviewed the capabilities of sand drying beds, decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) and geo-tubes in dewatering the faecal sludge (FS). All reviewed dewatering technologies significantly reduce the solid concentration of faecal sludge, so they perform best in dewatering the FS. Sand drying beds are considered a suitable technology for city-wide sanitation management, the other two are best suited for decentralized communities. Although sand drying beds are viewed as the most promoted and adopted city-wide dewatering technology, they face clogging and poor quality of harvested dry solids for reuse and recycling purposes. More studies on alternative filter media and/or technologies are urgently needed. If the filter media is in contact and or is removed together with dry sludge during harvesting, then the media should be organic so that it enhances the quality of reused or recycled byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative approaches using biomass and waste for briquette production are needed to address energy deficiencies in household cooking and heating. Fecal sludge (FS) can serve as a feedstock for briquette production. However, the physical and chemical qualities of the briquettes produced using FS and different binding materials are still inadequate. This article examines the physical and combustion properties of carbonized FS bio‐briquettes made using five different binders, namely, waste paper (WP), cooked banana peels (CB), non‐cooked banana peels (NB), cooked cassava peels (CC), and non‐cooked cassava peels (NC). Bio‐briquettes were made at various binder ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%) using a locally fabricated manual pressing machine. Overall, the study discovered that all bio‐briquettes fabricated can be utilized for heating and cooking; however, the type and quantity of binders employed influence their quality. The study concluded that FS bio‐briquettes blended with 75% WP binder were the best, outperforming others in many tests including drying rates (6 days), physical tests (passed shattering [95%], water boiling [240 s], and tumbling tests [100%]), and burning/thermal efficiency (19.23 MJ/kg). The study suggests further research to be conducted on combining FS with other biomass feedstocks to decrease volatile matter and emissions in bio‐briquettes made with FS and non‐carbonized binders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed quality of briquettes produced from bagasse (B), corn husk (CH), and cassava roots (CR) using banana peels (BP), wastepaper (WP), and clay soil (CS) as binders. Mixing ratios were established from carbonized materials, and briquettes physical and combustion properties were determined. Weak shatter resistance appeared in WP, CS briquettes had best tumbling resistances while WP briquettes had better water penetration. CS briquettes (3:1:1) had low (2.7%) moisture content (MC), and 1:3:1 had low (28%) volatile matter (VM) while the highest was 41% for 2:2:1. Ash content (AC) for 2:2:1 was the highest (41%) with highest heating value (HV). BP briquettes for 0:4:1 (CH:CR:BP) had the lowest MC (4.9%), whereas 2:2:1 (B:CH:BP) had the highest VM (41.5%). AC (15.5%) for 1:3:1 was the highest while 2:2:1 (CH:CR) had the highest HV. WP briquettes 1:3:1 (B:CH) had the lowest MC (2%) and 3:1:1 had highest VM (35%), while the highest AC appeared for 4:0:1. The 2:2:1 (B:CR:WP) briquette yielded the highest HV (25.5 MJ/Kg). All materials were suitable for briquetting, although their qualities are sensitive to weather conditions. Together with BP briquettes, WP briquettes 2:2:1 (B:CR:WP) produce the best results, especially when using CR and CH feedstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]