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Improving SSA Predictios by Inverse Distance Weighting
(REVSTAT– Statistical Journal, 2013) Awichi, Richard O.; Muller, Werner G.
This paper proposes a method of utilizing spatial information to improve predictions in one dimensional time series analysis using singular spectrum analysis (SSA). It employs inverse distance weighting for spatial averaging and subsequently multivariate singular spectrum analysis (MSSA) for enhanced forecasts. The technique is exemplified on a data set for rainfall recordings from Upper Austria
Environmental levels and human body burdens of per- and poly-ﬂuoroalkyl substances in Africa: A critical review
(Elsevier, 2020) Ssebugere, Patrick; Sillanpää, Mika; Matovu, Henry; Wang, Zhanyun; Schrammg, Karl-Werner; Omwoma, Solomon; Wanasoloi, William; Ngenoa, Emily Chelangat; Odongo, Silver
Per-and polyﬂuoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are known organic pollutants with adverse health effects on humans and the ecosystem.This paper synthesises literature about the status of the pollutants and their precursors, identiﬁes knowledge gaps and discusses future perspectives on the study of PFASs in Africa. Limited data on PFASs prevalence in Africa is available because there is limited capacity to monitor PFASs in African laboratories. The levels of PFASs in Africa are higher in samples from urban and industrialized areas compared to rural areas. Perﬂuorooctanesulfonicacid (PFOS) and perﬂuorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the dominant PFASs inhuman samples from Africa . Levels of PFOS and PFOA in these samples are lower than or comparable to those from industrialized countries. PFOA and PFOS levels in drinking water in Africa are, in some cases, higher than the EPA drinking water guidelines suggesting potential risk to humans. The levels of PFASs in birds' eggs from South Africa are higher,while those in other environmental media from Africa are lower or comparable to those from industrialized countries. Diet inﬂuences the pollutant levels in ﬁsh, while size and sex affect their accumulation in crocodiles. No bioaccumulation of PFASs in aquatic systems in Africa could be conﬁrmed due to small sample sizes. Reported sources of PFASs in Africa include municipal landﬁlls, in efﬁcient wastewater treatment plants,
Per-andpoly-fluoroalkylsubstancesinaquaticecosystemsandwastewater treatmentworksinAfrica:Occurrence,ecologicalimplications,and futureperspectives
(Elsevier, 2025) Miiro, Ashirafu; Oghenekaro Nelson Odume; Nyakairu, George William; Odongo, Silver; Matovu, Henry; Drago, Charles Kato; Sp´anike, Ivan; Sillanpa, Mika; Mubiru, Edward; Ssebugere, Patrick
The increasing levels of industrialization and urbanization have led to the generation of significant amounts of wastewater and waste products, often containing chemicals like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) commonly found in consumer products. PFAS sare known for their persistence, ubiquity, and ecotoxicological impacts, raising concerns about potential harm to ecosystems. This paper reports the occurrence and evaluates the ecological risks of PFASs in aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) across Africa. We reviewed 32papers published in the period 2009–2024 and identified a total of 35 PFAS compounds in surface waters, wastewater,s ediments, fish, crocodiles, and invertebrates. Much of the reported studies came from South Africa, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. PFAS concentrations in Africa were<0.7–390.0ngL− 1 in surface waters, 0.05–772 ng g− 1 dw in sediments, and <0.2–832 ng L− 1 in wastewater, while the highest levels in fish and invertebrateswere460.7and35.5ngg− 1 ww, respectively. The PFAS levels were in the same range of data as those reported globally. However, the high concentrations of PFAS s in sediments and wastewater suggest are as of point contamination and a growing risk to aquatic ecosystems from effluent discharges. Calculated risk quotients suggested that, in Africa, organisms in river systems face greater risks due to exposure to PFASs compared to those in lakes, while marine organisms might facehig herrisk compared to freshwater organisms. Future studies should focus on PFAS contamination sources, especially WWTWs, as emerging sources of PFASs in aquatic systems.
Organochlorine pesticides and their markers of exposure in serum and urine of children from a nodding syndrome hotspot in northern Uganda, east Africa
(Elsevier, 2024) Odongo, Silver; Ssebugere, Patrick; Spencer, Peter S.,; Palmer Valerie S.,; Angues, Raquel Valdes; Mwaka, Deogratius Amos; Wasswa, John
Nodding syndrome (NS) is a neurologic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by vertical head nodding that has affected children aged 5–18 years in East Africa. Previous studies have examined relationships with biological agents (e.g., nematodes, measles, and fungi), but there is limited data on the possible contributions of neurotoxic environmental chemicals frequently used as pesticides/insecticides to the development and progression of this disorder. We examined the levels of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in children (5–18 years old) from Kitgum District, Northern Uganda. These children previously lived in internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps, where they were exposed to various health risks, including contaminated food and water. Exposure to OCPs through contaminated food and water is postulated here as a potential contributor to NS etiology. We analyzed serum (n = 75) and urine (n = 150) samples from children diagnosed with NS, and from
Folic acid supplementation and neural tube defects: a cross-sectional study of knowledge and practice among pregnant mothers in Lira, Northern Uganda
(BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2026) Nakaziba, Rebecca; Muhindo, Miriam
Background and aim: Folic acid requirements increase during pregnancy to meet the metabolic needs, DNA synthesis, and rapid cell division during fetal development. Low levels of folate before and during pregnancy augment the chances of poor pregnancy outcomes, like neural tube defects. Awareness of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects is low among women of childbearing age. This study intended to explore the level of knowledge and practices of pregnant mothers regarding folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects in Lira, northern Uganda. Study design: This study employed a cross-sectional approach of data collection. A consecutive sampling technique was employed to recruit and interview 199 pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Lira regional referral hospital. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed using SPSS V20 to determine the association between knowledge and practices of folic acid supplementation for prevention of neural tube defects. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The knowledge level regarding folic acid was adequate. 88% had ever heard of it; 73.0% knew its benefits, but only 20.1% knew that it prevents neural tube defects; 83.9% were currently taking it, while only 18.0% took it before conception. In addition, the practice of folic acid supplementation was significantly associated with cues to action (p < 0.001), and perceived risk (p < 0.001) while knowledge was significantly associated with practice (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Pregnant mothers in Lira had limited knowledge of the role of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects. The pre-conception intake of folic acid was very low. Health education should include the role of folic acid in averting neural tube defects among women of childbearing age. Mothers should be encouraged to take folic acid pre- and post-conception, especially during the first trimester.