Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes.

This study evaluates the environmental impact and economic viability of a solar-biogas hybrid dryer using life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis. The LCA, in accordance with ISO 14040/14044, employs a cradle-to-grave approach using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method. Results indicate a global warming potential of 1,100 kg CO₂-eq per functional unit, primarily from mild steel (69.4%) and aluminium (18.8%), representing 40–50% lower emissions than solar-electric and solar-diesel hybrid systems. Total energy consumption is 9,110 MJ per functional unit, with fossil fuels dominating (82.4%), while renewable energy use remains minimal. Human toxicity is significant, with mild steel and aluminium contributing 71.6% and 13.2% to carcinogenic toxicity, respectively. Integrating biogas reduces dependence on grid electricity and lowers operational emissions by 85%. Techno-economic analysis shows capital expenditure (CapEx) of USD 3,618.20 and operational expenditure (OpEx) of USD 9,458, with a payback period of 1.3 years and return on investment of 76.39%, indicating strong economic viability. Sensitivity analysis reveals that reductions in banana prices decrease operating expenses and the payback period, while reductions in biogas costs increase net cash flow and return on investment. The dryer demonstrates lower global warming potential and energy use compared with conventional dryers, supporting its adoption for sustainable agricultural processing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Interspecific competition between mosquito larvae may affects adult vectorial capacity, potentially reducing disease transmission. It also influences population dynamics, and cannibalistic and predatory behaviors. However, knowledge of interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti and Anopheles species is limited. The study examined interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti larvae and either An.arabiensis, An. gambiae, or An. funestus on individual fitness in semi-field settings. The experiments involved density combinations of 100:100, 200:0, and 0:200 (Ae. aegypti: Anopheles), reared with and without food, in small habitats (8.5 cm height × 15 cm diameter) with 0.5 liters of water and large habitats (15 cm height × 35 cm diameter) with 1 liter of water. The first group received Tetramin^® fish food (0.02 g), while the second group was unfed to assess cannibalism and predation. While interspecific competition affected both genera, Anopheles species experienced greater effects, with reduced survival and delayed development, compared to Ae. aegypti. The mean wing lengths of all species were significantly small in small habitats with a mixed population (p < 0.001). The presence of food reduced cannibalism and predation compared to its absence. These interactions have implications for diseases transmission dynamics and can serve as biological indicators to signal the impacts of vector control interventions.

In many parts of the world, shallow well drinking water is contaminated and often consumed without treatment, contributing to over 3.4 million deaths annually due to water-related diseases. This research aims to assess the efficacy of Waltheria indica plant root extracts as an affordable method for disinfecting shallow well water in rural Tanzania. Laboratory experiments were conducted using dried plant roots in powdered form, as well as soaked and boiled extracts, to test their effectiveness in eliminating Escherichia coli and total coliforms at varying concentrations and contact times. Contaminated water samples were collected from shallow wells in the Misungwi district, Tanzania, and treated using all three forms of Waltheria indica extracts. Phytochemical profiling of the plant root extracts was performed using Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify potential antimicrobial compounds. The disinfection efficacy was evaluated using a flocculator with 1-litre beakers to determine bacterial removal and the effects on key physicochemical parameters. Results showed that all three extract forms significantly reduced E. coli and total coliforms, achieving up to 100% reduction within 12 hours. The soaked extract was most effective, reducing E. coli and total coliforms by approximately 94.3% and 93.8%, respectively, followed by the boiled extract (83.9% and 85.8%) and the powdered form (81.9% and 68.2%). The treated water’s pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) were not significantly affected across all treatments. However, turbidity levels remained above the acceptable limit of 5 NTU, indicating the need for further optimization. Overall, the results suggest that Waltheria indica plant root extracts have strong potential as a natural, low-cost water disinfectant.