Community Talks

Mycotoxins an insidious problem for human health in Northern Uganda

Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites produced by some species of fungi. Exposure to these fungal metabolites can cause failure of the liver, brain, kidney, reproductive organs, endocrine organs, and immune systems. Acute exposure to a high-level of mycotoxin such as aflatoxin can results into death. In sub-Saharan Africa, exposure to mycotoxins is perennial  Poor pre-harvest and post-harvest activities among farmers catalyse mycotoxins contamination of food. In this study, food samples were collected from households in northern Uganda and were evaluated for mycotoxin contamination.

Overall, the study indicates a high prevalence of mycotoxins in all the staple foods (Groundnut, Maize, millet, and Sorghum). Only 7% of the household foods collected were not contaminated with any mycotoxins. Fumonisins were the most frequently detected mycotoxins followed by aflatoxin and then ochratoxin. Among the four food types analyzed, sorghum was the most susceptible to contamination mycotoxins. Meanwhile, contamination with all the four mycotoxins was generally low in millet. Most of the food samples were contaminated with multiple mycotoxins and the frequency of occurrence varies with food types. The mycotoxins exposure results indicate that most people who rely on these staple foods frequently get exposed to multiple mycotoxins in their diet at level above recommended tolerable daily intake.

Speakers:

- Prof. Geert Haesaert, Ghent University, faculty of bio-engineering.

- Prof Richard Echodu, Associate Professor; Molecular Biology/Genetics and Director, Multifunctional Research Laboratories, Gulu University  

- MS Godfrey Wokorach, PhD student, Gulu University
 

Creative participatory HIV research in Cape Town, South Africa

HIV prevalence is highest in Africa, with East and Southern Africa being the most affected. Adolescents (10 to 19 years) and young people (10 to 24 years), especially young women and young key populations continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. A key population with limited representation in the literature is youth living with perinatally acquired HIV. In this project, we explored the concept of the biopsychosocial-material model of adherence to antiretroviral treatment for young women living with perinatal infections of HIV. 

We completed a qualitative evidence synthesis, conducted fieldwork with young women in communities in Cape Town, South Africa, and together produced a short documentary and art exhibition. We adopted a value laden approach to our participatory community health research project. The agenda for the project was flexible to the needs of the participants who took on the role of co researchers. 

Speakers:

Ms Lynn Hendricks, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University and Department of Social Sciences, KU Leuven

Prof Karin Hannes, Department of Social Sciences, KU Leuven

Prof Taryn Young, Head of the Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University

Mrs Rizqah Dollie, Visual Anthropologist, The Dollie House

Mr Reshaan Dollie, Visual Anthropologist, The Dollie House

Ms Robin Julies, Registered Counsellor, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University