5 research outputs found
The spectrum of dermatological disorders among primary school children in Dar es Salaam
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Dermatologic disorders are common in many countries but the spectrum varies greatly. Many studies have reported a significant burden of skin diseases in school children. The objective of this study was to determine the current spectrum of dermatological disorders in primary school children in Dar es Salaam city. Primary school children were recruited by multistage sampling. Detailed interview, dermatological examination and appropriate laboratory investigations were performed. Data was analyzed using the 'Statistical Package for Social Sciences' (SPSS) program version 10.0 and EPI6. A p-value of < 0.5 was significant. A total of 420 children were recruited (51% males; mean age 11.4 ± 2.8 years; range 6-19 years). The overall point prevalence of any skin disorder was 57.3% and it was 61.9% and 52.6% in males and females respectively (p = 0.05). Infectious dermatoses accounted for 30.4% with superficial fungal infections (dermatophytoses and pityriasis versicolor) being the commonest (20%). Dermatophytoses were diagnosed in 11.4% (48/420); the prevalence in males and females being 12.6% and 10.1% respectively (p = 0.41) and higher (21.8%) in the age-group 6-10 years (p = 0.045). Fungal cultures were positive in 42/48 children (88%). All three dermatophyte genera were isolated. Tinea capitis was the commonest disease among culture-positive dermatophytoses (30/42; 71.4%) with an overall prevalence of 7.1% (30/420) followed by tinea pedis (11/42; 26.1%) whose overall prevalence was 2.6%. Microsporum canis was common in tinea capitis (14/30; 46.7%) followed by Trichophyton violaceum (6/30; 20%). Trichophyton rubrum was common in tinea pedis (5/11; 45.5%). Thirty six children (8.6%) had pityriasis versicolor which was more prevalent (6/27; 22.l2%) in the age group 16-19 years (p = 0.0004). The other common infectious dermatoses were pyodermas (4%) and pediculosis capitis (3.6%). Common non-infectious dermatoses were: acne vulgaris (36.4%), non-specific dermatoses (10.7%), non-specific ulcers (5%) and atopic eczema (2.6%). Rare conditions (prevalence < 1%) included: vitiligo, alopecia areata and intertrigo. The majority of the affected children (67.2%) did not seek any medical assistance. Skin disorders are common in primary school children; infectious dermatoses are still rampant and many children do not seek medical assistance.\u
Sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania: implications for public health
As meat consumption is increasing worldwide to cover for protein demands, also raise concerns and challenges regarding meat hygiene and safety. The current one year follow up study aimed at investigating on sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions, during post-mortem examination, in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality abattoir. Sanitary practices were assessed through direct observation where as routine post-mortem inspection procedures were employed to detect zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter. During the study period a total of 30,713 cattle were slaughtered and inspected at the abattoir. Results revealed poor hygienic practices at the level of abattoir surrounding, the slaughter operation area, personnel as well as meat vans. Whole carcasses, lungs, livers, hearts and heads were condemned due to zoonotic conditions at rates of 0.026%, 1.96%, 1.61%, 0.02% and 0.21% respectively. Bovine tuberculosis, Cysticercus bovis cysts, fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the responsible zoonotic conditions for the condemnations. Bovine tuberculosis was a leading zoonotic cause of condemnations accounting for 95.7% of lungs and 100% of all head and carcass condemnations. Cysticercus bovis cysts were ranking the second in serving as causes of condemnations closely followed by fasciolosis and lastly hydatidosis. Occurrence of disease conditions with zoonotic implication in cattle at slaughter, meant for human consumption, may pose significant economic and public health risks to especially disaster-prone marginalized communities. Thus, there is a need to introduce appropriate control measures of livestock diseases to minimize the rate of infection; and eventually reduce economic losses and safeguard public health
Sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania: implications for public health
As meat consumption is increasing worldwide to cover for protein
demands, also raise concerns and challenges regarding meat hygiene and
safety. The current one year follow up study aimed at investigating on
sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions, during
postmortem examination, in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality
abattoir. Sanitary practices were assessed through direct observation
where as routine post-mortem inspection procedures were employed to
detect zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter. During the study
period a total of 30,713 cattle were slaughtered and inspected at the
abattoir. Results revealed poor hygienic practices at the level of
abattoir surrounding, the slaughter operation area, personnel as well
as meat vans. Whole carcasses, lungs, livers, hearts and heads were
condemned due to zoonotic conditions at rates of 0.026%, 1.96%, 1.61%,
0.02% and 0.21% respectively. Bovine tuberculosis, Cysticercus bovis
cysts, fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the responsible zoonotic
conditions for the condemnations. Bovine tuberculosis was a leading
zoonotic cause of condemnations accounting for 95.7% of lungs and 100%
of all head and carcass condemnations. Cysticercus bovis cysts were
ranking the second in serving as causes of condemnations closely
followed by fasciolosis and lastly hydatidosis. Occurrence of disease
conditions with zoonotic implication in cattle at slaughter, meant for
human consumption, may pose significant economic and public health
risks to especially disaster-prone marginalized communities. Thus,
there is a need to introduce appropriate control measures of livestock
diseases to minimize the rate of infection; and eventually reduce
economic losses and safeguard public health