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Ceramic wastes are found to be suitable for usage as substitution for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete production. This study is an investigation into the utilization of waste tiles as partial replacement for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. The control mix and other mixes containing cement, water, granite and partial replacement for sand with crushed tiles (in 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% proportions) were cast, cubed, cured and crushed. Also, another mix containing cement, water, sand and partial replacement of granite with crushed tiles (in 25%, 50% and 75% proportions) were cast, cubed, cured and crushed. The specimens were tested for their respective compressive strengths using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days of curing. At 28 days, the compressive strength value of 5% of fine-waste tiles replacement was 20.12 N/mm² while that of 10%, 15% and 20% were 14.24 N/mm², 11.04 N/mm2 and 10.12 N/mm² respectively. Moreover, at 28 days, the compressive strength of 25% of coarsewaste tiles replacement shows an increase to 22.45 N/mm² while that of 50% and 75% were 18.4 N/mm2 and 12.2 N/mm² respectively. Thus it can be concluded that fine aggregates can be substituted at 5% waste tiles while coarse aggregates can be substituted at 25% waste tiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an exploratory, descriptive study based on a convenience sample from a rural nursing service and in-country area farmers from The Gambia. The purpose of the study was to provide descriptive information about agricultural-related injury and illness from area farmers and to obtain data from rural nurses about the time they spent caring for and treating farmers. Employees of the nursing service could read and write English fluently and thus completed a written questionnaire; the area farmers were unable to read and write English so they were interviewed by farm extension workers in their own tribal language. The most alarming findings were the nursing respondents' report of farm workers using pesticides in their homes, the poor condition of pesticide sprayers, and the lack of personal protective equipment. Despite their claim of following pesticide instructions, farm workers reported a surprisingly high number of respiratory and neurological signs and symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Africa, it has been estimated that 50 million cattle and 70 million sheep and goats are at risk of animal African trypanosomiasis, and three million cattle die annually., Methods: This study was conducted in all the regions of The Gambia except Kombo Saint Mary Island (Banjul). Structured questionnaires were administered to 440 randomly selected livestock owners and 23 livestock assistants, and 7 focus group discussions were held for both livestock owners and livestock assistants. The data were analyzed mainly using descriptive statistics and content analysis methods., Results: A total of 94.5% and 75% of livestock owners reported having seen tsetse and horse flies, respectively, while 100% of livestock assistants reported having seen tsetse flies. Forty-seven percent of the livestock owners indicated a positive attitude toward control measures, while 42% of them had no idea how to control tsetse flies. On the other hand, 57% of livestock assistants believe that tsetse and horse flies are the main reasons why AAT is still in their community. There was a statistically significant difference between all the respondents' characteristics and the practices done by livestock owners to prevent AAT vectors from biting their animals., Conclusion: This study shows that trypanosomiasis is still a major problem for livestock health and production in The Gambia, and it requires disease and vector control., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 Alpha Kargbo et al.)

The purpose of this retrospective matched-cohort study was to evaluate the stability of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients using synthetic compared with desiccated thyroid products. Patients using a thyroid product for the treatment of hypothyroidism were matched 1:1 on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and had a follow-up period of 3 years after the index date. The primary outcome was percent of in-range TSH values. Over 3 years, TSH values in both groups were in-range 79% of the time ( P = 0.905). Our results showed no difference in longitudinal TSH stability between desiccated thyroid products and synthetic levothyroxine., (© 2020 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.)

In January 2007, former president of The Gambia Yahya Jammeh created the Presidential Alternative Treatment Program (PATP), which introduced a fraudulent "HIV cure." PATP and the fraudulent HIV herbal cure (PATP cure) were widely advertised in state media through patient testimonials and specially produced broadcasts of Jammeh administering treatment, enticing people living with HIV to join the program. Jammeh faced little to no opposition from within The Gambia. Due to the great power and influence he wielded, PATP was nothing short of a health dictatorship. This paper argues that PATP and the PATP cure violated the human rights of people living with HIV in The Gambia and compromised HIV health service delivery. In addition, during PATP's 10-year operation, the global health community was derelict in its duty to stop Jammeh's promotion and use of the PATP cure and to protect people living with HIV., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Objective: This study evaluated land preparation interventions (new short- and long-handled hoes), developed in a participatory manner with women vegetable farmers in West Africa, and identified indicators of long-term adoption of these interventions., Methods: Subjects (n = 48) engaged in timed trials, alternating between using an intervention tool and their traditional hand hoe to till specified plots of land. Heart rates were measured and subjects reported the relative ergonomic comfort and safeness of the tool after each trial. Follow-up interviews and focus groups were held one, two, and three months after the trials., Results: Compared to the traditional hoe, the new long-handled hoe required 22% less time (p = 0.01), while the new short hoe took 20% more time (p = 0.05) to till the standard plots in this study. Two months after the initial trials, 94% of subjects preferred the new hoes over the traditional hoe. Most subjects (75%) preferred the new short hoe over the new long hoe and thought it was faster (81%), despite measurements to the contrary., Conclusions: While the new long-handled hoe performed better in the timed trials in this study, most subjects preferred the new short-handled hoe. Subjects should be sensitized on the benefits of the long-handled hoe., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This paper describes the qualitative, community-based participatory approach used to identify culturally-acceptable and sustainable interventions to improve the occupational health, safety, and productivity of smallholder women vegetable farmers in The Gambia (West Africa)., Materials and Methods: This approach was used to conduct: 1) analysis of the tasks and methods traditionally used in vegetable production, and 2) selection of interventions., Results: The most arduous garden tasks that were amenable to interventions were identified, and the interventions were selected through a participatory process for further evaluation., Conclusions: Factors contributing to the successful implementation of the participatory approach used in this study included the following: 1) ensuring that cultural norms were respected and observed; 2) working closely with the existing garden leadership structure; and 3) research team members working with the subjects for an extended period of time to gain first-hand understanding of the selected tasks and to build credibility with the subjects.

This manuscript reports results of our study to characterize the historical developments of agricultural practices in The Gambia and related health risks of farm workers. It surveys the various factors that shape production agriculture in the country and examines the degrees to which hand tools, animal traction, motorized traction and manual labour all contribute to the inherent hazards of farm work. The principal objective of this study is to lay the ground work for detailed research of occupational health hazards in Gambian agriculture; and development of policies and programmes to promote the health of Gambian farmers. The authors of this paper assume the belief that one must first understand the industry and its people before effective policies and programmes can be developed. The study concludes by highlighting the need for the integration of epidemiological investigations in the country's agricultural research programme.

This study was undertaken to provide baseline information on the injuries and health and safety conditions in Gambian agriculture. The objective was to produce information to guide the formulation of an agricultural health and safety policy for the country, future investigations, prevention and surveillance of the adverse health effects in agriculture. A cross-sectional survey of 20 farmers, 20 nurses, and 20 agricultural extension workers was conducted in the Central and Upper River Divisions of The Gambia. The survey was implemented by the means of questionnaires, walk-through survey and hazard checklist. Seventy percent of farms reported an injury during the past year. Major sources and contributing factors for the injuries were characterized. Predisposing factors to the injuries were climatic conditions, working in static positions, bending and twisting and carrying heavy objects. Cuts and lacerations were identified as the commonest injury types and the most common sources were hand tools (hand hoe, cutlass, axe and knife) and animal-powered carts. A workshop for the major stake holders in the country's agriculture was also held to identify problems and possible solutions for health promotion of Gambian farmers.