Health problems related to algal bloom among seaweed farmers in coastal areas of Tanzania

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dc.contributor.authorSaid, A.H.
dc.contributor.authorMsuya, F.E.
dc.contributor.authorKyewalyanga, M.S.
dc.contributor.authorMmochi, A.J.
dc.contributor.authorMwihia, E.W.
dc.contributor.authorSkjerve, E.
dc.contributor.authorNgowi, H.A.
dc.contributor.authorLyche, J.L.
dc.date.accessioned2021-03-31T13:30:01Z
dc.date.available2021-03-31T13:30:01Z
dc.date.issued2018-08
dc.description.abstractThere is a scarcity of research-based data on the factors associated with skin irritation due to algal blooms in seaweed farming. Changes in temperature with an increase in nutrients levels lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms, which produce many active metabolites, some of which induce toxic responses in human including skin irritation. The objective of this study was to identify health problems experienced by seaweed farmers and the seasons when they occur, and how these are treated. A cross sectional study design was used to gather data using structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study was conducted between June and August 2015, in six villages, two from Mainland, and four from Zanzibar Islands, Tanzania. Study revealed that seaweed more than 50% of farmers experienced skin irritation problem, followed by 30.4% who had eye related problems, and only 19.6% had respiratory disorders as the most serious. Hot season, which is associated with algal blooms, was the period with the highest occurrence of skin irritation. No specific medication was used to treat the health problems reported. In some severely affected areas, farmers could not tend to their farms for months, a situation which affected their income. It is suggested that the findings from this study would reduce this knowledge gap and motivate stakeholders especially the policy makers to implement measures, which reduce the health problems observed due to algal blooms in the seaweed farmers.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipFunded by the Norwegian Research Council through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) (project number Tan-13/0027). The grant was given to the University of Dar es Salaam, Institute of Marine Sciences via the TRAHESA Project.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSaid, A.H., Msuya, F.E., Kyewalyanga, M.S., Mmochi, A.J., Mwihia, E.W., Skjerve, E., Ngowi, H.A. and Lyche, J.L. (2018). Health problems related to algal bloom among seaweed farmers in coastal areas of Tanzania. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology. Vol 10(8), pp 303-312.en_US
dc.identifier.doi10.5897/JPHE2018.1020
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/5570
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherACADEMIC JOURNALen_US
dc.subjectAlgal blooms, cyanobacteria, seaweed farming, seaweed farmers, skin irritation, Tanzaniaen_US
dc.titleHealth problems related to algal bloom among seaweed farmers in coastal areas of Tanzaniaen_US
dc.typeJournal Articleen_US
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