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Background: Despite immense global malaria prevention efforts, the disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. An integrated approach to malaria prevention, which advocates the use of several malaria prevention measures holistically, is being explored to reduce the occurrence of the disease. Aim: The aim of the thesis was to assess experiences, perceptions and practices on the integrated approach to malaria prevention in Wakiso district, Uganda. Methods: Study I was a pilot project that promoted the integrated approach and involved 3 phases. Phase 1 (baseline) was cross-sectional, and determined knowledge and practices on malaria prevention. Phase 2 (intervention) implemented an intervention on the integrated approach. Phase 3 (evaluation) was a cross-sectional impact evaluation of using the integrated approach. Study II was a clustered cross-sectional survey that assessed perceptions, utilisation and barriers of integrated malaria prevention. Results: The majority of participants (64.6%) had low knowledge on malaria prevention methods, with mosquito nets (81.7%) most known. Insecticide-treated nets were the most used method with 45.5% of households owning at least one net (Study I phase 1). The pilot project trained 25 community volunteers, sensitised over 200 community members, and established 40 demonstration households (Study I phase 2). There was improvement in knowledge on removal of mosquito breeding sites (51% versus 7%) in the evaluation in comparison with the baseline respectively. Improvement in practices in the evaluation compared with the baseline included mosquito screening in windows and ventilators (χ2 = 62.3; p < 0.001). The benefits reported by the demonstration households included reduction in mosquito populations and occurrence of malaria (Study I phase 3). If trained, most participants (68.6%) would use all methods in the integrated approach. Only 33.0% households were using the integrated approach, which was associated with reading newspapers (AOR 0.34; 95% CI 0.22 – 0.53) (Study II). Conclusion: Stakeholders involved in malaria control should intensify efforts of promoting multiple malaria prevention methods.

The issue of particulate matter (PM) and associated health and environmental problems has been subjected to extensive research in a number of countries. However, there are no recent studies concerning the physical and chemical properties of PM from urban Cardiff. Measurements were made to study particulate matter, their sources, chemical compositions, gaseous precursors and their seasonal variations in urban Cardiff (latitude: 51° 28´ 59.47¨N and longitude: 03° 09´ 58.08¨W) from December 2009 to November 2010. A low volume air sampler for PM10 and PM2.5 particles, and real-time air samplers for TSP, PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2 and VOCs were used during sampling. The collected ambient air suspended particles were analysed for seven major ions (Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺) and 12 elements (Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) by using an ion chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometer respectively. Cl⁻, SO42− and NO3− were generally the major ions in fractions of PM10 and PM2.5, while the elements Na, Mg, Ca, Al, K, and Fe were the most abundant elements. A good correlation was observed between PM10 and PM2.5 indicating that PM10 and PM2.5 contribute significantly to PM levels in urban Cardiff. Most of the ions and elements in both PM fractions were abundant in the winter season. Natural sources were the highest contributors followed by anthropogenic sources for the analysed elements in PM10 and PM2.5. Enrichment factor (EF) analysis showed the enrichment factor was higher in PM10 and PM2.5 elements such as Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd. The high enrichment factor of these elements in urban Cardiff suggested that the dominant sources for these elements were non-crustal. Real-time measurements of PM precursor gases did not exceed the standard concentrations given by the Air Quality Strategy (AQS) for these pollutants.

The study was carried out during August–September 2006 and May 2007 to evaluate the working environment of a materials recycling facility in South Wales, UK. A complete comprehensive risk assessment was undertaken. The measurements were conducted at various monitoring points within the segregation hall and administration area at the materials recycling facility: tipping hall, segregation line, baling area, resting room, administration area, and upwind and downwind monitoring points. The results of risk assessment showed that the segregation line and the baler area were the high-risk areas. Concentrations of radon, particulate matter, BTEX, and the levels of light, noise, temperature, and relative humidity were determined. High concentrations of particulate matter, radon, and BTEX as well as the noise level were identified to be real problems at the segregation line and in baler area. Radon concentration was highest during the process of baling aluminum cans. Radon concentration was higher than the action limit, 200 Bq m-3, in the residual area; however, the average concentration in the administration area was always as low as 37 Bq m-3. Simple remedy techniques such as entilation, accepting fire detectors, and minimising green waste, recommended by the author, resulted in the reduction of radon, particulate matter, and BTEX at the materials recycling facility.

The issue of acid deposition and associated environmental problems has received special attention during recent decades and has been the subject of extensive research in a number of countries. However, there are no recent studies on acid deposition in Cardiff. Weekly rainfall samples were obtained from two urban areas in Cardiff from February 2006 to July 2007 and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity and major ions; SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+ and Pb2+. The chemical composition of precipitation was analysed in conjunction with meteorological variables to evaluate temporal and seasonal variations. Annual wet deposition was estimated, and enrichment factors determined. The pH of individual precipitations fluctuated excessively with a wide range from 4.9 to 6.6 indicating high variability in the acid sources and in neutralisation processes. Correlations between calcium and sulphate imply that CaSO4 may merge with the rainfall and neutralise the acidity. The volume-weighted mean concentrations of NO3− and non-sea salt SO42− were 24.1 and 31.4 μeq l−1, respectively. With the exception of the sea salt ions, no distinct spatial variations in ion composition were observed. Enrichment factors were calculated for most ions and higher correlation coefficients were obtained among most of the ions. Sea-derived material (Na+, Mg2+ and Cl−) showed pronounced cycles in concentration with maxima in autumn/winter. The Cl- (102 kg ha-1 yr-1) and Na+ (66 kg ha-1 yr-1) showed the highest wet deposition flux compared to the other ions. Anthropogenic and crustal sources made a significant contribution to both the acidification and neutralisation of precipitation in Cardiff. In all rain samples SO4-2 concentration exceeded NO3- concentration. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the physico-chemical parameters of the rainfall samples between the sites when tested at p<0.05. However, the ionic concentrations of wet precipitation depicted significant seasonal differences except for rainfall volume, K+, NO3- and SO4-2