The East African health research journal最新文献

{"title":"Using Theory of Planned Behaviour to Assess the Determinants of Uptake of Modern Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Settings of Morogoro, Tanzania; A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Dionisia Danda, Erick Donard Oguma, Fabiola Vincent Moshi","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.805","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Modern family planning is considered one of the most cost-effective health intervention to improve the well-being of women and newborns. Little is known about the influence of the theory of planned behaviour on the uptake of modern family planning. Therefore, the study aims to address the existing gap in using the theory of planned behaviour to explain the uptake of modern family planning in rural settings of Morogoro, Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Malinyi District in rural Morogoro, in June to July 2022. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 421 women of reproductive age. A structured questionnaire adapted from previous studies was used as the data collection tool. The determinants for the uptake of modern family planning were analyzed using bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression model. The final results, which were statistically significant from the regression analysis model were presented using Adjusted Odd's Ratio (AOR), Confidence Interval (95% CI), and <i>p</i>-value <.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of women of reproductive age, 328 (78%), were using modern family planning methods, with more than half of respondents (54.1%) using implants. Depo Provera (29.1%) and the pill (14.4%) were the second and third most frequently used methods. Only 4.9% reported IUCD and 2.8% condom use. The majority of the women, 342 (81%), had a positive attitude, positive subjective norms 289 (68.6%), positive perceived behaviour control 388 (92%), and high intention on uptake of modern family planning 61 (85.7%). The women with a positive attitude on modern family planning uptake (AOR 2.307: 95% CI, 1.243 to 4.281) and positive perceived Behavioural control (AOR 6.015: 95% CI; 0.017 to 2.569) were more likely to be significantly associated with increased uptake of modern family planning. Those with high intention on uptake of modern family planning (AOR 0.038; 95% CI; 0.018 to 0.080) were less likely to be significantly associated with increased uptake of modern family planning.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Positive attitude and high perceived behavioural control have a direct positive effect on the uptake of modern family planning. The family planning education-based programs could be offered to the community, particularly in rural areas, to maximise the community awareness and uptake of modern family planning. The theory of planned behaviour could predict intention to use but not the actual utilisation of modern family planning. A combination of theoretical models may be required to understand additional external elements that may influence the utilisation of modern family planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 3","pages":"354-362"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12083717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144096188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of Practice and Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control of Neonatal Sepsis Among Nurses in Selected Health Facilities of Pwani Region, Tanzania.","authors":"Maua Halfani Pendo, Mahamudu Rashid Hussein, Fabiola Vincent Moshi","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.814","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.814","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although guidelines on neonatal care and infection prevention exist, it is unclear what factors influence nurses' adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) in neonatal care. This study aimed to assess the determinants of nurses' adherence to IPC in neonatal sepsis prevention in the Pwani Region, Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study with 282 nurses was conducted. Assessing the how Socio demographic characteristics, Health facility factors, attitude of the nurses affect the Nurse's practices on adherence to IPC for prevention of neonatal sepsis. Data collection methods included a questionnaire and an observation checklist. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to determine the factors influencing nurses' adherence to IPC. Nurse's adherence to IPC was measured using the mean score whereby those who score above the mean were regarded as adequate adherence. A Probability value of .05 and a 95% confidence interval was regarded as statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The present study found that only one-third (37.0%) of the nurses had adequately adhered to IPC. Significant associations were observed between nurse's adherence to IPC in the prevention of neonatal sepsis and; working experience of 13 to 24, 7 to 12, and 6 months [AOR =5.30, <i>p<.001</i>], [AOR=3.9, <i>p<.024</i>] and [AOR=3.640, <i>p<.001</i>] respectively, >10 years in nursing professional [AOR=2.627, <i>p<.023</i>], staffing of 6-10 and 1-5 [AOR=5.992, <i>p<.001</i>] and [AOR=3.791, <i>p<.001</i>] respectively, 3 and >3 staffs per shift [AOR=3.276, <i>p<.017</i>] and [AOR=2.364, <i>p<.017</i>) respectively, working at District and regional hospitals [AOR=1.101, <i>p<.001</i>] and [AOR= 2.320, <i>p<.028</i>] respectively, on-job training [AOR = 2.08, <i>p<.034</i>], isolation room availability [AOR=1.783, <i>p<.042</i>], SOPs and IPC guidelines availability [AOR=4.320, <i>p<.004</i>], sufficient medical equipment and supply [AOR =1.414, <i>p<.015</i>] and positive attitude [AOR=1.490, <i>p<.035</i>].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study results indicated Nurse's adherence to IPC in the prevention of neonatal sepsis is associated with working experience, staffing, healthcare level, on-job training, isolation room availability, current SOPs and IPC guidelines, access to medical equipment/supply, and positive attitude. Strategies should be employed to strengthen the adherence of nurses to IPC guidelines to minimize the morbidity and mortality resulting from neonatal sepsis. Interventional studies from each factor for nurse's adherence to IPC in the prevention of neonatal sepsis should be of priority.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 3","pages":"432-442"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12083739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144096215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community Perceptions on Health Conditions Related to Indoor Air Pollution Among Adults Living in Urban Informal Settlements in Mwanza City, Tanzania.","authors":"Happyness Kunzi, Erica Sanga, Sospatro Ngallaba, George PrayGod","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.748","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.748","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) from biomass fuel is one of the major health threats globally. There is limited data on community awareness and perceptions of health conditions associated with IAP in urban informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored community perceptions of IAP-associated health conditions, risk behaviors, and potential interventions to reduce IAP in urban informal settlements.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used purposive sampling to recruit participants from households located in Mwanza urban informal settlements. We conducted 16 In-depth Interviews (IDIs), two Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), and four Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Obtained data were then transcribed, translated, coded and analyzed thematically with Dedoose qualitative data analysis software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Majority of participants were unaware of the health conditions associated with IAP. Participants perceived biomass fuel from charcoal as a safe fuel compared to other known fuels (firewood and gas). Indoor biomass fuel use for cooking and use of rubber and plastic materials for fire lighting were the commonly practices and risk behaviors for IAP. Moreover, poverty is what guides the choice of fuel use for cooking.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Participants awareness health effects of biomass fuel was low, strategies to reduce poverty and health promotion on the health effects of IAP are urgently needed in the Mwanza urban informal settlements.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"52-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371020/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Health Workers and General Public in Tanzania.","authors":"Kijakazi Obed Mashoto, Mukome A Nyamhagatta, Maro Mwikwabe Chacha, Pricillah Kinyunyi, Ismail Habib, Masanja Robert Kasanzu, Florian Tinuga","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.757","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.757","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Insufficient knowledge about COVID-19 and low socioeconomic status have been associated with distrustful attitudes towards vaccination against COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to explore determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the general population and health workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross sectional study was conducted in 16 councils which included; Milele, Mpanda, Newala, Simanjiro, Nanyumbu, Muleba, Longido, Ulanga, Igunga, Mbulu, Karatu, Mufindi, Mvomero, Kilolo and Tabora Town. A total of 427 health care workers and 1,907 individuals were sampled from health facilities and households. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the required information.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Although the majority (93.2%) of health workers were vaccinated, 35.4% perceived their risk of getting COVID-19 infection as high. Self-reported uptake of COVID-19 vaccine was 42.4% among the general population. Significantly low proportion of the general population in Mufindi district council (7.5%) were vaccinated against COVID-19. Health workers' knowledge and perception on COVID-19 vaccination did not vary with socio-demographic factors. Among the general population, those who were separated/divorced (ARR: 0.8: 95% CI; 0.7 to 0.9), those who attained primary level of education (ARR: 0.8: 95% CI; 0.7 to 0.9), self-employed (ARR: 0.8: 95% CI; 0.7 to 0.9) and unemployed (ARR: 0.7: 95% CI; 0.6 to 0.8) were less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Having positive attitude (ARR: 1.2: 95% CI; 1.1 to 1.5) and perception (ARR:1.8: 95% CI; 1.5 to 2.2), and knowledge on COVID-19 prevention (ARR: 3.0: 95% CI; 2.1to 4.4) increased the likelihood COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Prior experience of vaccination against other diseases (ARR:1.2: 95% CI; 1.0 to1.3), having history of chronic diseases (ARR:1.3: 95% CI; 1.2 to 1.4) and a family member who died of COVID-19 (ARR:1.3: 95% CI; 1.1to1.4) were also determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among the general population was significantly low among individuals with primary level of education, self-employed, unemployed, and those who were divorced or separated. Individuals with comprehensive knowledge on COVID-19 vaccination, those with positive attitude and perception on COVID-19 vaccination, having history of chronic diseases, prior vaccination against other diseases, and having a family member who succumbed to COVID-19 increased the likelihood COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the general population. Provision of health education and implementation of socio-behavioural communication change interventions are necessary to equip the general population with appropriate knowledge to transform their negative attitude and perception on COVID-19 vaccination.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"116-128"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371015/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Factors Associated with Potassium Abnormalities Among Outpatients with Heart Failure Taking Diuretics in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Tanzania.","authors":"Hadija Bushahu, Bahati Wajanga, Benson Kidenya, Igembe Nkandala","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.759","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heart failure (HF) is a chronic progressive condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen. Globally, about 64 million people are affected with HF. This study was undertaken to determine the magnitude and factors associated with potassium abnormalities in heart failure patients on diuretics in Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted at Bugando Medical Centre's outpatient clinic. The selection of this hospital was driven by the significant presence of heart failure patients in the facility and the convenience for the researchers, who were stationed at this facility during the study period. All consenting adult patients aged 18 years and above that were attending the cardiac clinic and had met Framingham criteria for heart failure and were taking diuretics for at least one month were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia was found to be 4.3% And 19.3% respectively. The median (IQR) age was 61 (46-70) years and majority of them (52.8%) were females. most of the patients (87.7%) had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III heart failure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Factors associated with potassium abnormalities include medication use, kidney disease and more severe heart failure. Healthcare providers should ensure that all patients with these associated factors receive regular electrolyte testing. Electrolytes should be part of the baseline investigation to all patients with heart failure starting treatment, and should be closely monitored in every clinic visit for early detection of these abnormalities and possible intervention, including dose adjustments.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"142-147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371019/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-reported Provision of Preconception Care and Associated Factors.","authors":"Everlyne N Morema, Collins Ouma, Robert Egessa, Lydia Nyachiro, Morris Shisanya","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.749","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.749","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preconception care (PCC) is the provision of health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs and is valuable in promoting healthy maternal, birth, and neonatal health outcomes. In Africa, more so in Kenya, maternal and neonatal health indicators have remained poor. The key constraint limiting progress is the gap between what is needed and what exists in terms of skills and availability of human resources & infrastructures in the face of increased demand. This gap was yet to be measured for PCC in Kenya, more so in Kisumu County.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a cross-sectional design, this study specifically sought to determine the rate of self-reported PCC provision and to illustrate how it is influenced by health provider characteristics. Structured interviews were conducted with health providers (n=476) to ascertain their knowledge, perceptions and practice of PCC care. The significance of the differences in means was determined by the Student's t test and linear regression were used to show the relationship between the health provider characteristics and the PCC provision rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Self-reported PCC provision was estimated at 39%. There was a significant difference in the mean for cadres {nurses (M=70.04, SD=8.951) and non-nurses (M=71.90, SD=8.732); t (473) =-2.23, <i>P=.026</i>)}, years of experience up to 5 years (M=72.04, SD=8.417) and more than 5 years (M=69.89, SD=9.283); t (465) =2.63, <i>P=.009</i>, the mean provision per level (M=60.21, SD=4.902; t (26)=-5.06, <i>P<.001</i>) and type of service (M=69.36, SD=4.924; t (26) =4.63, <i>P<.001</i>). A significant regression model was found, and the model statistics were F (2,464) =5.97, <i>P=.003</i>, R2=.03. Only cadre (b=0.01, t (464) =2.23, <i>P=.026</i>) and years of experience (b=-0.13, t (464) =-2.79, <i>P=.005</i>) were significant determinants of PCC provision. The health workers felt PCC was an important service whose provision was low due to inadequate human capital investment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Self-reported provision of PCC by health workers was relatively low and was influenced by the cadre of health workers and their years of experience. It specifically demonstrated the importance of various aspects of human capital, i.e., knowledge, perceptions, competence and adequacy of training in the provision of this care. Furthermore, it showed that the nursing cadre has a higher probability of providing this care. Investing in on-the-job training for health providers, especially nurses, and providing care in primary health facilities in rural areas can improve PCC service delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"58-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371014/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urogenital Infections Among Women Attending Mwingi Hospital, Kitui County, Kenya: Safeguarding Antibiotics Through Microbiological Diagnosis.","authors":"Christine Musungi Mbuvi, Boniface Nzioki Musila, Anthony Kebira Nyamache","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.754","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.754","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urogenital infections pose a considerable public health threat, as almost half of women will experience urinary and reproductive system infections at some point in their lives. However, the urogenital infection burden is often not clear in some regions. Nevertheless, the misuse of antimicrobial agents, including self-prescription, has increased widespread antimicrobial resistance, limiting treatment benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the various urogenital infections, associated risk factors, and profile the bacterial isolates, and assess their antibiotic resistance among women attending Mwingi Hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on 322 women aged between the ages of 15 to 44 years. Urine and high vaginal swabs were collected from all participants and analyzed within 6 hours. Microscopic examination on wet mounts was done, bacterial isolation was done and those with significant growth were confirmed and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using specific media. Descriptive statistics were used in expressing the infection frequencies and antimicrobial resistance. Odds ratios were used to determine the risk of urogenital infection. The level of significance was considered at a P value of less than 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 322 women, 45.3% (146) had a urogenital infection, with bacteria being the primary cause (26.4%). The infections included UTI (22.7%), <i>Candidiasis</i> (15.2%), <i>Trichomoniasis</i> (3.7%), <i>Gonorrhea</i> (2.5%), and <i>Bacterial vaginitis</i> (1.2%). Antibiotic use was 32.9%, with only 2.8% receiving a microbiological diagnosis before antibiotic use. The overall antibiotic resistance was 53%, with the lowest resistance observed against penicillin and combinations (31.4%) and 3rd Cephalosporins (39.4%). The highest resistance was observed against nalidixic acid (74.8%) and cotrimoxazole (62.6%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women attending Mwingi Hospital are commonly affected by various urogenital infections. Antibiotic use without microbiological diagnosis was observed. Among the antibiotics tested, 3^rd generation cephalosporins and penicillin combination agents were noted as the most effective in treating bacterial urogenital infections, while nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole were ineffective. Improved diagnosis and targeted treatments are necessary to prevent further development of antibiotic resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"99-105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371010/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasitological Study on Fruits Sold in Huye Complex Market and Rango Local Market in Rwanda.","authors":"Eric Murinda, Ally Dusabimana","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.755","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fruits are essential for good health and they form a major component of human diet. They are vital energy contributors that are depended upon all levels of human as food supplement or nutrients. Although they have all these benefits, when there are not handled with good hygiene they can transmit parasitic infections especially intestinal parasitic infections in the world including Rwanda. The study was conducted to determine the parasitological patterns on fruits purchased in \"Huye complex market and Rango local market\" in southern province of Rwanda.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess and identify the parasitological patterns on fruits purchased in Huye complex market and Rango local market in Southern Province of Rwanda.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross-sectional study was designed and 188 fruits were sampled from Huye complex market and Rango local market then washed by using normal saline and the suspension was centrifuged and the sedimentation was examined on a microscope. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and MS Excel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of all parasites obtained from the fruits was 52.65%, whereby the prevalence of all parasites in Rango local and Huye complex markets was 66.63% and 44.7%, respectively. The frequency of identified parasites' contamination was <i>Ascaris Lumbricoides</i> 44.44%, cysts of <i>Giardia lamblia</i> 24.24%, eggs of <i>Trichuris trichura</i> 10.1%, cysts of <i>Entamoeba coli</i> 17.17% and <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> 4.04%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The level of fruits contamination by pathogenic parasites remain high, hence regular health education on hygiene of fruit have to be increased to the population and continuous monitoring on sellers of fruits is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"106-110"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371017/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Severity and Morphological Characteristics of Anaemia Among 6 to 59 Months Old Children in Temeke, Dar es Salaam-Tanzania: Clinics Based Cross Sectional Analysis.","authors":"Salha Ally Omary, Florence Salvatory Kalabamu, Maulidi Rashidi Fataki, Shani Shamsi Salum, Ummulkheir Hamid Mohamed, Joseph Gasper Kimaro, Kelvin Melkizedeck Leshabari","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.780","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.780","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anaemia is a global public health indicator of both poor nutrition and poor health. Besides, it stands as a silent signal of mal-aligned health system across the entire human lifespan. Globally, the importance of anaemia is most pronounced among children. This study was conceived to assess severity and morphological characteristics of anaemia among children aged from 6 to 59 months old in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We designed a cross sectional, clinics-based analytical study. Children aged 6 to 59 months with anaemia were the target population. Severity and morphological characteristics of anaemia were the main outcome variables. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. Data were summarised using median and inter-quartile range (continuous variables) or frequency and proportions (categorical variables). Chi-square tests were applied to assess association between categorical variables. Alpha level of 5% was used as a limit of type 1 error in findings. Written informed consent was sought from mother of each child prior to inclusion into the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We successfully recruited and analysed 250 children. Participants median age was 17.5 (IQR: 9 - 34) months (females, n=112, 44.8%). Point prevalence of anaemia (Hb<12 g/dL) was 66.8%. Among anemic children (n=167), about 19%, 63% and 18% had mild, moderate and severe anaemia respectively. A direct linear association between MCV and MCHC was observed among anemic children (n=167, Spearman's rank ´Y= 0.86, <i>P=.000</i>). There was a significant association between prevalence and severity of anaemia among studied children (LR χ² (corrected) = 229.5, df=3). Majority (n=121, 72%) of the studied children had normocytic normochromic anaemia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Majority of under-fives in attendance at outpatient clinics in Temeke were anemic. Normochromic normocytic anaemia was the most prevalent variant of anaemia in this study population.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 2","pages":"188-194"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407129/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142303017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare-Associated Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital: Significance of Patient Referral Practices.","authors":"Agapiti H Chuwa","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.756","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Nosocomial infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), are infections that a patient acquires while receiving healthcare services within 48 hours of admission to hospital. In high income countries, an average of 7% of hospitalised patients acquire a nosocomial infection. In low and middle income countries, however, prevalence rates can be as high as 30%. This is due to limited resources and supplies for infection control, inadequate training and lack of compliance with infection prevention and control regulations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional, hospital based study was conducted among patients admitted to a tertiary care facility in Tanzania. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 134 patients in different wards. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the independent variables, i.e. chronic illness, invasive procedures, use of antibiotics and referral status, and the dependent variable, i.e. new symptom, and their level of significance. The significance level was set at <i>P≤ .05</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 134 patients participated in the study. Of the total number, 61% (n=82) of the patients were male and 43% (n=57) were referrals from other institutions. Fifteen percent (n=21) of the surveyed patients reported a new symptom. There was a positive correlation between referral status and invasive procedure with the occurrence of a new symptom. Multivariate analysis identified 'referral status' as an independent significant factor positively associated with healthcare-associated infetions (<i>P=.041</i>).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results indicate a prevalence of 15.7% of healthcare-associated infections, which is unacceptably high for a tertiary care facility. Referral status was independently and significantly associated with HCAI. Improving patient referral patterns and hospital infection control can significantly reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"111-115"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371007/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}