Dental Practitioners' Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Intentions to Practice Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) in Tanzania.

The aim of this study was to describe the attitude and subjective norm of dental practitioners towards practicing the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in Tanzania. A pre-tested questionnaire on attitudes and subjective norms to practice ART was mailed to all 147 dental practitioners working in the regional and district government clinics. The independent variables were: gender, working experience, qualification and ever heard of ART. The dependent variables were: attitude, subjective norm and intention to practice ART. Chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis were used to test for effects between independent and dependent variables. Significance level was set at 5%. A total of 138 practitioners returned completed questionnaires. More experienced dental practitioners encountered moderate social pressure than less experienced dental practitioners, who met strong social pressure (p=0.045). A total of 73.2% of dental practitioners felt that ART was worth introducing in Tanzania, 92.8% recommended ART training for all dental practitioners and 97.8% recommended inclusion of ART in dental curricula. Positive attitude, strong subjective norm and high intention to practice ART were recorded in 76.3%, 28.1% and 90.6% of the practitioners, respectively. Only subjective norm had a statistically significant influence on the intention to practice ART (p<0.0001). The results indicated that dental practitioners were willing to have ART introduced in Tanzania and had positive attitudes towards practicing this technique. Nevertheless, their intention to perform ART was strongly influenced by social pressures. Therefore, in order to have a successful introduction of ART in Tanzania, people who matter in the daily practice of dental practitioners need to accept and appraise the ART approach positively

Subjective prosthodontic treatment need, tooth loss and associated factors among dental patients in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Background: A full complement of teeth has been shown to be a prerequisite for a healthy masticatory system and satisfactory function and having tooth loss can be undesirable.Objective: To determine the subjective prosthodontic treatment need, tooth loss and associated factors among patients attending dental clinics in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among subjects with tooth loss aged 18 years and above attending public dental clinics in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. A questionnaire and clinical examination were used to obtain data. Chi-Square test and logistic regression analyses were performed and a p-value of ≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Majority of the 402 participants were aged 18-34 years (52.2%), females (64.9%) and with primary level of education or less (52.2%). Subjective prosthodontic treatment need was indicated by more than half of the participants 54.2%) and those who lost 4 or more teeth and those who lost teeth upper anterior had higher odds of expressing subjective treatment need (OR=2.6; CI=1.5-4.3 &amp; OR=4.9; CI=2.2-10.8 respectively).Conclusions: This study highlights that having four or more missing teeth and having tooth loss in the anterior location of the upper jaw were significant contributing factors in expressing patient’s subjective prosthodontic treatment need. Keywords:&nbsp;Subjective prosthodontic treatment need; tooth loss; dental patients; Dar es salaam; Tanzania

Prevalence and distribution of oral health knowledge according to sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics in selected coastal districts of Tanzania

Background: Having knowledge about health issues is necessary for making informed decisions related to practicing lifestyles conducive to good health. The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical covariates of knowledge related to the cause and prevention of oral diseases among older adults in Tanzania.Methods: A cross sectional household survey was conducted in two regions of Tanzania; Pwani and Dar es Salaam city. A total 1031 older adults aged 55 and above were personally interviewed, before undergoing a full mouth examination.Results: the proportion of older adults with knowledge (total knowledge score≥ 1) on dental caries and gum disease was 14.9% and 2.3%, respectively. Having low education level, belonging to a lower wealth quartile and lack of perceived need to see a dentist, were strongly associated with having no knowledge on dental caries. None of the covariates were significantly associated with knowledge on gum disease.Conclusion: Knowledge on the two oral diseases is low among older adults interviewed. Factors associated with knowledge demonstrate substantial socio economic disparities. Development of policies and health education programs that target behavioural and socio economic determinants is recommended

Induction of early apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by Tanzanian basidiomycete (Cantharellus miomboensis)

Cantharellus miomboensis is a new basidiomycete fungus recently found in Miombo woodlands in Tanzania. In this study, crude extract was prepared from fruiting bodies of C. miomboensis and was in vitro screened for its cytotoxicity using Tetrazolium salt (3-(4,5-dimethlthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) in human cell lines namely; Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), Human non-small cell lung carcinoma (H157) and Human colon adenocarcinoma (HT.29). Thereafter, pro-apoptotic effects were determined using biochemical changes in apoptotic cells. These included externalization of phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) using APO Percentage dye by flow cytometry and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential using Tetramethyl rhodamine ethyl ester perchlorate (TMRE) assay. The test extract was found to induce dose dependent PS externalization on human cell lines when treated with various concentrations (1 - 5 mg/ml) and completely depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential after 6 hours on HepG2 cell line. When the extract was examined for ROS production using 2’,7’- dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining, there was no ROS generation found in HepG2 cells. It is therefore concluded that C. miomboensis extract is able to induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells and PS externalization and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in HepG2 cells appear to be independent of ROS production. © 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Miombo woodlands, apoptosis, basidiomycete, reactive oxygen species, carcinoma

Dental practitioners' attitudes, subjective norms and intentions to practice atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in Tanzania

The aim of this study was to describe the attitude and subjective norm of dental practitioners towards practicing the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in Tanzania. A pre-tested questionnaire on attitudes and subjective norms to practice ART was mailed to all 147 dental practitioners working in the regional and district government clinics. The independent variables were: gender, working experience, qualification and ever heard of ART. The dependent variables were: attitude, subjective norm and intention to practice ART. Chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis were used to test for effects between independent and dependent variables. Significance level was set at 5%. A total of 138 practitioners returned completed questionnaires. More experienced dental practitioners encountered moderate social pressure than less experienced dental practitioners, who met strong social pressure (p=0.045). A total of 73.2% of dental practitioners felt that ART was worth introducing in Tanzania, 92.8% recommended ART training for all dental practitioners and 97.8% recommended inclusion of ART in dental curricula. Positive attitude, strong subjective norm and high intention to practice ART were recorded in 76.3%, 28.1% and 90.6% of the practitioners, respectively. Only subjective norm had a statistically significant influence on the intention to practice ART (

Dental pain, oral impacts and perceived need for dental treatment in Tanzanian school students: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dental caries, dental pain and reported oral problems influence people's oral quality of life and thus their perceived need for dental care. So far there is scant information as to the psychosocial impacts of dental diseases and the perceived treatment need in child populations of sub-Saharan Africa.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Focusing on primary school students in Kilwa, Tanzania, a district deprived of dental services and with low fluoride concentration in drinking water, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental pain and oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP), and to describe the distribution of OIDP by socio-demographics, dental caries, dental pain and reported oral problems. The relationship of perceived need estimates with OIDP was also investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008. A total of 1745 students (mean age 13.8 yr, sd = 1.67) completed an extensive personal interview and under-went clinical examination. The impacts on daily performances were assessed using a Kiswahili version of the Child-OIDP instrument and caries experience was recorded using WHO (1997) criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 36.2% (41.3% urban and 31.4% rural, p < 0.001) reported at least one OIDP. The prevalence of dental caries was 17.4%, dental pain 36.4%, oral problems 54.1% and perceived need for dental treatment 46.8% in urban students. Corresponding estimates in rural students were 20.8%, 24.4%, 43.3% and 43.8%. Adjusted OR for reporting oral impacts if having dental pain ranged from 2.5 (95% CI 1.8–3.6) (problem smiling) to 4.7 (95% CI 3.4–6.5) (problem sleeping),- if having oral problems, from 1.9 (95% CI 1.3–2.6) (problem sleeping) to 3.8 (95% CI 2.7–5.2) (problem eating) and if having dental caries from 1.5 (95% CI 1.1–2.0) (problem eating) to 2.2 (95% CI 1.5–2.9) (problem sleeping). Students who perceived need for dental care were less likely to be females (OR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.6–0.9) and more likely to have impacts on eating (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.4–2.7) and tooth cleaning (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.6–2.5).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Substantial proportions of students suffered from untreated dental caries, oral impacts on daily performances and perceived need for dental care. Dental pain and reported oral problems varied systematically with OIDP across the eight impacts considered. Eating and tooth cleaning problems discriminated between subjects who perceived need for dental treatment and those who did not.</p

Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity during Growth of Pleurotus HK 37 on Saba comorensis Exocarp

Mushrooms degrade lignocellulosic biomass by releasing lignolytic and hydrolytic enzymes which convert lignocellulosic material into soluble and low molecular weight compounds which are then absorbed as nutrients. In the present study, enzymatic activities of Pleurotus HK 37 during growth on Saba comorensis exocarps were evaluated. It was observed that, Pleurotus HK 37 has ability to produce lignolytic enzyme (Laccase) and hydrolytic enzymes (Carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and filterpaperase). Maximum laccase activity of 3.33 ± 0 UmL-1 was observed during colonization period and the activity dropped during fruitification phase. Similar to hydrolytic enzymes, the activity was observed during colonization period and decreased during fruitification. However, higher filterpaperase activity of 0.93 ± 0.13 UmL–1 was observed compared to other hydrolytic enzymes (CMCase 0.78 ± 0.13 UmL–1, and Xylanase 0.56 ± 0.07 UmL–1). Pleurotus HK 37 showed ability to degrade Saba comorensis exocarps and to release enzymes which can be used in biotechnological industries. Keywords:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mushroom, Lignolytic, Hydrolytic, Enzyme, Saba comorensi

Enhanced REC collaborative review through video-conferencing

As international collaborative health research activities increase, building research ethics committees (REC) infrastructure and capacity in lowand middle-income countries for efficient and thorough review of research protocols becomes more critical, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. International investigators may face multiple challenges when conducting research in these settings, an important one being the length of time involved in securing REC review and approval. We discuss an approach to the problem that involved organisation of ‘rapid review’ REC sub-committees who met via video-conference for collaborative review of research protocols

Socio-demographic and behavioural correlates of oral hygiene status and oral health related quality of life, the Limpopo - Arusha school health project (LASH): A cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Promoting oral health of adolescents is important for improvement of oral health globally. This study used baseline-data from LASH-project targeting secondary students to; 1) assess frequency of poor oral hygiene status and oral impacts on daily performances, OIDP, by socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, 2) examine whether socio-economic and behavioural correlates of oral hygiene status and OIDP differed by gender and 3) examine whether socio-demographic disparity in oral health was explained by oral health-related behaviours.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 using one-stage cluster sampling design. Total of 2412 students (mean age 15.2 yr) completed self-administered questionnaires, whereas 1077 (mean age 14.9 yr) underwent dental-examination. Bivariate analyses were conducted using cross-tabulations and chi-square statistics. Multiple variable analyses were conducted using stepwise standardized logistic regression (SLR) with odds ratios and 95% Confidence intervals (CI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>44.8% presented with fair to poor OHIS and 48.2% reported any OIDP. Older students, those from low socio-economic status families, had parents who couldn't afford dental care and had low educational-level reported oral impacts, poor oral hygiene, irregular toothbrushing, less dental attendance and fewer intakes of sugar-sweetened drinks more frequently than their counterparts. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that reporting any OIDP was independently associated with; older age-groups, parents do not afford dental care, smoking experience, no dental visits and fewer intakes of sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Behavioural factors accounted partly for association between low family SES and OIDP. Low family SES, no dental attendance and smoking experience were most important in males. Low family SES and fewer intakes of sugar-sweetened soft drinks were the most important correlates in females.</p> <p>Socio-behavioural factors associated with higher odds ratios for poor OHIS were; older age, belonging to the poorest household category and having parents who did not afford dental care across both genders.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Disparities in oral hygiene status and OIDP existed in relation to age, affording dental care, smoking and intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks. Gender differences should be considered in intervention studies, and modifiable behaviours have some relevance in reducing social disparity in oral health.</p

Relationship Between Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Blood Levels of Epstein-Barr Virus in Children in North-Western Tanzania: A Case Control Study.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL) are common in African children, with endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) being the most common subtype. While the role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in endemic BL is known, no data are available about clinical presentations of NHL subtypes and their relationship to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) load in peripheral blood of children in north-western, Tanzania. A matched case control study of NHL subtypes was performed in children under 15 years of age and their respective controls admitted to Bugando Medical Centre, Sengerema and Shirati district designated hospitals in north-western, Tanzania, between September 2010 and April 2011. Peripheral blood samples were collected on Whatman 903 filter papers and EBV DNA levels were estimated by multiplex real-time PCR. Clinical and laboratory data were collected using a structured data collection tool and analysed using chi-square, Fisher and Wilcoxon rank sum tests where appropriate. The association between NHL and detection of EBV in peripheral blood was assessed using conditional logistic regression model and presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 35 NHL cases and 70 controls matched for age and sex were enrolled. Of NHLs, 32 had BL with equal distribution between jaw and abdominal tumour, 2 had large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 1 had NHL-not otherwise specified (NHL-NOS). Central nervous system (CNS) presentation occurred only in 1 BL patient; 19 NHLs had stage I and II of disease. Only 1 NHL was found to be HIV-seropositive. Twenty-one of 35 (60%) NHL and 21 of 70 (30%) controls had detectable EBV in peripheral blood (OR = 4.77, 95% CI 1.71 - 13.33, p = 0.003). In addition, levels of EBV in blood were significantly higher in NHL cases than in controls (p = 0.024). BL is the most common childhood NHL subtype in north-western Tanzania. NHLs are not associated with HIV infection, but are strongly associated with EBV load in peripheral blood. The findings suggest that high levels of EBV in blood might have diagnostic and prognostic relevance in African children