Anti SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Zanzibar in 2021 before the Omicron wave.

Objectives: For Tanzania, including Zanzibar, the development of the COVID-19 pandemic has remained unclear since the reporting of cases was suspended during 2020/21. Our study was the first to analyze data on COVID-19 seroprevalence in the Zanzibari population before the Omicron variant wave began in late 2021. Design: During August through October 2021, representative cross-sectional data were collected from randomly selected households in 120 wards of the two main islands, Unguja and Pemba. Participants voluntarily provided blood samples to test their sera for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using a semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: 58.9% of the 2051 sera analysed were positive, without significant differences between Unguja and Pemba or between rural and urban areas. The results were in agreement with observations from other sub-Saharan African countries. Conclusions: The antibody levels observed were most likely due to previous infections with SARS-CoV-2, since vaccination was generally not available before the survey. Therefore, this study offers the first insights into how many Zanzibari had COVID-19 before the Omicron variant emerged. Furthermore, it provides an appropriate basis for a follow-up survey addressing how this seroprevalence has influenced susceptibility to the Omicron variants, given the use of harmonized methodologies.

Antifouling paint biocides (Irgarol 1051 and diuron) in the selected ports of Peninsular Malaysia: occurrence, seasonal variation, and ecological risk assessment.

Irgarol 1051 and diuron are photosystem II inhibitors in agricultural activities and antifouling paints in the shipping sector. This study focused on three major ports (western, southern, and eastern) surrounding Peninsular Malaysia to construct the distribution of both biocides on the basis of the seasonal and geographical changes. Surface seawater samples were collected from November 2011 to April 2012 and pretreated using the solid-phase extraction technique followed by quantification with GC-MS and LC-MS-MS for Irgarol 1051 and diuron, respectively. Generally, the distribution of Irgarol 1051 was lowest during November 2011 and highest during April 2012, and similar patterns were observed at all ports, whereas the distribution of diuron was rather vague. The increasing pattern of Irgarol 1051 from time to time is probably related to its accumulation in the seawater as a result of its half-life and consistent utilization. On the basis of the discriminant analysis, the temporal distribution of Irgarol 1051 varied at Klang North Port, Klang South Port, and Pasir Gudang Port, whereas diuron was temporally varied only at Kemaman Port. Furthermore, Irgarol 1051 was spatially varied during November 2011, whereas diuron did not show any significant changes throughout all sampling periods. Ecological risk assessment exhibited a high risk for diuron and Irgarol 1051, but Irgarol 1051 should be of greater concern because of its higher risk compared to that of diuron. Thus, it is recommended that the current Malaysian guidelines and regulations of biocide application should be reevaluated and improved to protect the ecosystem, as well as to prevent ecological risks to the aquatic environment.

The association between leptin and inflammatory markers with obesity indices in Zanzibari children, adolescents, and adults.

BACKGROUND: Research from Western populations describes abdominal obesity as a low-grade inflammatory disease; less is known from tropical areas with high pathogen burden. OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study investigated whether obesity contributes to low-grade inflammation in 587 individuals from randomly selected households in Zanzibar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Association between obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and percentage body fat [%BF]), leptin, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor-necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) was investigated using multinomial logistic regression analysis, accounting for ordinal outcome variables with four categories; 1st-4th quartile. RESULTS: Study participants were between 5 and 95 years; 49.6% were male. Mean serum levels were; leptin: 4.3 ± 5.2 ng/ml, CRP: 0.19 ± 0.42 µg/ml, IL-6: 2.8 ± 5 pg/ml, and TNF-α: 5.3 ± 5.2 pg/ml. Obesity indices were associated with leptin and CRP in the third and fourth quartiles in single models. In combined models, associations were observed between BMI (OR = 6.36 [95% CI, 1.09; 34.12]); WC (OR = 4.87 [95% CI, 1.59; 14.94]); and %BF (OR = 19.23 [95% CI, 4.70; 78.66]) and leptin in the fourth quartile; also between %BF and CRP in the third quartile (OR = 3.49 [95% CI 1.31; 9.31]). CONCLUSION: Total body fat was associated with low-grade inflammation in this tropical population rather than body fat distribution such as abdominal obesity. This may increase the risk of insulin resistance and other obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular health endpoints.

Association between cardiometabolic risk factors and body mass index, waist circumferences and body fat in a Zanzibari cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of obesity indices (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat per cent (BF%)) and cardiometabolic risk factors. To investigate the association between obesity indices and cardiometabolic risk factors in a Zanzibari population. DESIGNS: Cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Participants randomly selected from 80 Shehias (wards) in Unguja, Zanzibar in 2013. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 470 participants between 5 and 95 years were examined. Data on socioeconomic status, area of residence, anthropometry and venous blood were collected. Associations between obesity indices and cardiometabolic risk factors were investigated using multilevel logistic regression analyses in two steps: first, each obesity indicator was tested independently; second, all indicators combined in one model were tested for their association with cardiometabolic risk factors. RESULTS: The proportion of overweight/obese individuals was 26.4%, high WC (24.9%) and high BF% (31.1%). Cardiometabolic risk factors with highest prevalence of abnormal values included hypertension (24.5%), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (29.4%), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (21.3%) and high glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (19.1%). Obesity and hypertension increased with age, and were most prevalent in participants aged 45 years and above. Low HDL-C was most prevalent among participants aged ≥18 to <45 years, while high LDL-C was more prevalent in those above 45 years. High WC and high BF% were associated with high levels of LDL-C (OR=2.52 (95% CI 1.24 to 5.13), OR=1.91 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.58), respectively). Additionally, BMI and WC were associated with high levels of HbA1c (OR=2.08 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.79), OR=3.01 (95% CI 1.51 to 6.03), respectively). In the combined regression model, WC was associated with higher chances for hypertension (OR=2.62 (95% CI 1.14 to 6.06)) and for high levels of HbA1c (OR=2.62 (95% CI 1.12 to 6.15)). CONCLUSION: High BMI, WC and BF% were strongly associated with hypertension, with individuals with high WC being twice more likely to have hypertension; this calls for early and effective screening strategies for this study population.

Design, Response Rates, and Population Characteristics of a Cross-Sectional Study in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Data on nutritional status and correlates of noncommunicable diseases are scarce for resource-poor settings in sub-Saharan countries. With the scope of a project, "Access to Food and Nutrition Status of the Zanzibari Population," data for investigating public health questions were collected using proven measurement and laboratory standards. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims at providing a descriptive overview of recruitment approaches, standardization, quality control measures, and data collection, with special attention to the design, responses, and participant characteristics of the overall project. METHODS: A cross-sectional study across 80 randomly selected Shehias (wards) was conducted in 2013 in Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Examinations included all members living in 1 household, face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, waist and hip circumference, and body composition) were assessed for all household members, blood pressure was taken from participants older than 2 years, and biosamples (urine and blood) from eligible household members were collected. Data collected from the core sample included sociodemographic data, nutritional status, and medical history (hypertension). Physical activity data was collected from a subsample of children between 3 and 16 years of age. RESULTS: A total of 1314 participants (mean age 23.6 ± 18.9 years, 54.54% female) completed all anthropometric measurements and were included in the analysis. Out of which, 98.40% (1293/1314) completed the household member's questionnaire, 93.32% (1229/1314) participants older than 2 years completed blood pressure measurements, and 64.31% (845/1314) blood samples were collected from participants older than 5 years. Underweight prevalence for the total study population was 36.53% (480/1314) with the highest prevalence in children under 14 years. Overweight and obesity was highest among females with the prevalence of 7.61% (100/1314) and 6.62% (87/1314), respectively; obesity was rare among male participants. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides valuable data to investigate the interplay of socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, physiological, and behavioral factors in the development of diet-related disorders in a representative sample of the Zanzibari population.

Contamination of diuron in coastal waters around Malaysian Peninsular.

The use of antifouling paints to the boats and ships is one among the threats facing coastal resources including coral reefs in recent decades. This study reports the current contamination status of diuron and its behaviour in the coastal waters of Malaysia. The maximum concentration of diuron was 285 ng/L detected at Johor port. All samples from Redang and Bidong coral reef islands were contaminated with diuron. Temporal variation showed relatively high concentrations but no significant difference (P>0.05) during November and January (North-East monsoon) in Klang ports (North, South and West), while higher levels of diuron were detected during April, 2012 (Inter monsoon) in Kemaman, and Johor port. Although no site has shown concentration above maximum permissible concentration (430 ng/L) as restricted by the Dutch Authorities, however, long term exposure studies for environmental relevance levels of diuron around coastal areas should be given a priority in the future.

Occurrence and distribution of antifouling biocide Irgarol-1051 in coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia.

Emerging booster biocides contamination raises particular attention in the marine ecosystem health. This study provides the baseline data on the occurrence of Irgarol-1051 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamiono-s-triazine) in the selected coastal water around Malaysia. The maximum detected concentration of Irgarol was 2021 ng/L at Klang West, commercial and cargo port. Coral reef Islands (Redang and Bidong) were relatively less contaminated compared to other coastal areas. The temporal variation revealed that only 1% of 28 stations sampled on November, 2011 was above the environmental risk limit of 24 ng/L as suggested by Dutch Authorities, while in January and April, 2012; 46% and 92% of the stations were above the limit respectively. The present findings demonstrate the wide detection of novel antifouling materials Irgarol-1051 which advocates the need for proper monitoring and conservation strategies for the coastal resources.