The Role of Corporate Communication in Creating Public Awareness on Cardiovascular Diseases in Tanzania: A Case Study of Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI)

This research examined corporate communication strategy of Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) about Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). The aim of the research was to improve corporate strategic communication about CVD to the public in order to contribute to public health in Tanzania. The methods used to collect data were extensive literature reviews, archives and interviews among stakeholders such as medical doctors and nurses, patients and other health professionals from government and other institutions. The results reveal that JKCI uses different approaches in creating awareness to the public such as use of media, forums and hospital sessions. It was revealed that large population acknowledge and is aware of the efforts made by the institute in doing the same. Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are diseases of poverty, low socioeconomic status, and inadequate access to health care. These preventable diseases remain largely ignored in Tanzania while they continue to cause significant mortality and morbidity in the country. In the face of no existing cure, we need to focus on prevention and control methods. To this end, creating awareness of the disease and its effects on thousands of people in our communities is critically important. In this study, we outlined the importance of these efforts, their effectiveness, discuss the barriers to awareness and education, but without highlighting some important models in this arena. We strongly support awareness-raising and health promotion strategies as an integral part of Cardiovascular disease prevention and control program. Lastly, there is a need to conduct research which uses holistic approaches by applying different methods and different cases studies for comparative analysis. Keywords: Cardiovascular Diseases, corporate strategic communication, CVD to the public, public health in Tanzani

Human immunodeficiency virus infection acquired through a traditional healer’s ritual: a case report

Abstract Background Globally, over 36 million people were infected with human immunodeficiency virus by the end of 2015. The Sub-Saharan African region home to less than one-fifth of the global population disproportionately harbors over two-thirds of the total infections and related deaths. Residents of Sub-Saharan Africa continue to face limited access to allopathic medicine and it is estimated that over 80% of primary health care needs in the region are met through traditional healing practices. It is known that some of these practices are performed in groups and the use of unsterilized instruments is common thus potentiating the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. Case presentation A 29-year-old business woman of African origin residing in rural Tanzania presented at a screening event to confirm her human immunodeficiency virus status. Her past medical history was unremarkable and so were two past pregnancies. As per the antenatal clinic card for the second pregnancy, her human immunodeficiency virus serostatus was negative. She reported that she had been taken to a traditional healer to take an oath of remaining faithful during her husband’s absence. The oath involved cutting of the healer’s skin followed by hers using the same instrument. Approximately 4 months following this traditional ritual she developed a febrile illness accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes of her neck. She was investigated for malaria, typhoid fever, and urinary tract infection which were negative but she tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Owing to her disbelief regarding the human immunodeficiency virus status, she went to three other care and treatment clinics and the results remained similar. She denied any history of transfusion or extramarital affairs. She tested positive at the screening event and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human immunodeficiency virus performed at our institution was reactive. Tenofovir, lamivudine, and efavirenz antiretroviral combination was initiated. Conclusions Persistence of cultural norms involving exposure of bodily fluids and use of unsterilized instruments especially in the developing world remains a viable source of human immunodeficiency virus transmission especially in rural areas

Public knowledge of risk factors and warning signs of heart attack and stroke

Abstract Background Knowledge of the predisposing risk factors and prompt recognition of the warning signs for heart attack and stroke is fundamental in modification of lifestyle behaviors and an imperative precursor to health-seeking behavior. In view of an existing knowledge gap amidst increasing incidence of heart attack and stroke in Tanzania, we conducted this community-based cross-sectional study among residents of Dar es Salaam city. Results A total of 1759 respondents were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 45.4 years, females constituted over a half of participants and over two-thirds had attained at least secondary school education. Regarding risk factors, just over 2% of participants displayed satisfactory awareness and only stress was recognized by at least half of participants. With regard to warning signs, barely 1% of participants had satisfactory knowledge for either of the conditions while nearly three-quarters of participants failed to mention even a single warning sign for heart attack. Recognized by about two-thirds of respondents, sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg was the most acknowledged stroke symptom; however, other symptoms were familiar to less than a third of participants. Although over a half of respondents acknowledged going to a hospital as their first resort, over one-tenth of respondents expressed inappropriate reactions towards heart attack and stroke victims. Old age, higher level of education, positive history of heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure and history of dyslipidemia showed association with both risk factors and warning signs knowledge during bivariate analyses. Conclusions Public knowledge of common risk factors and typical warning signs for heart attack and stroke was critically suboptimal. These findings herald an utmost need for public health efforts to increase community awareness of risk factors and typical signs of the two conditions to curb the rising prevalence and associated morbimortality