Microbiological Assessment of Commercially Available\ud Quinine Syrup and Water for Injections in Dar Es\ud Salaam, Tanzania

To conduct microbiological assessment of commercially available quinine syrups and water for injection in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Dar es Salaam Region. Samples of quinine syrups (QNSs) and water for injection (WFI) of different batches were randomly purchased. Each QNS was inspected for label disclosure, and physicochemical properties were examined by the use of sense of organs and pH meter. Isolation and quantification of microbial contaminants from each sample was preceded by 24 - 48 h incubation at 37 ºC, and the microbial contaminants were expressed as colony forming unit per millilitre (cfu/ml). Microbiological identification of contaminants was performed by examination of colony morphologies and growth characteristics. Gram staining technique, as well as biochemical and serological tests were also conducted for further identification. Albino rabbits were used for the pyrogen test to determine the presence of microbial contamination in WFI. Twenty-four samples of QNS underwent label disclosure, physical-chemical and microbiological assessments. All QNS samples complied with the guidelines and microbial limits as per United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). All batches of WFI were found to be microbiologically contaminated, revealing average microbial counts of 87, 94 and 100 cfu/ml, and this was buttressed by pyrogen test, with the animals showing temperature rise of 1.0, 2.2 and 2.4 ºC, respectively. The QNS products available in the Dar es Salaam market were of good microbial quality. However, WFI products were microbiologically contaminated. We recommend that regulatory authorities in Tanzania should diligently enforce regulatory control of the products to assure consumer safety.\u

Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: In Tanzania, it is considered a taboo for teachers and parents to talk with children about sexual matters including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in schools and at home because of cultural and religious barriers. Political pressure also keeps sexual education and thus education on STDs out of classrooms. Generally, there is disagreement over STDs education on what to teach, by whom, and to what extent. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of STDs, and attitude towards sexual behavior and STDs among secondary school students. Methods: This was a cross- sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire. A sample size of 635 students was determined by simple random sampling. Results: Majority of the students (98%) said have heard about STDs; however their knowledge of the symptoms associated with STDs was poor. Similarly 147 (23%) students did not know other means of STDs transmission rather than sexual intercourse. A number of students who were capable of identifying all tracer STDs was comparable between the ordinary (10.5%) and advanced (10.6%) level students (

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF SPERMICIDAL CONTRACEPTION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN DAR ES SALAAM

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, acceptability and attitude towards the use of spermicides among students of University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over four-month period among UDSM students. A random sample of students was recruited from all three university campus namely University College of Land and Architectural Studies (UCLAS), Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) and Mlimani Campus (MC). Questionnaires with both closed and open end-questions were used for data collection in which knowledge, attitude, and acceptability of spermicides were determined. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/PC+ version 10.0, 1999 computer package. Results: A total of 300 students participated in this study, out of which 154 (51.3%) were females and 146 (48.7%) males. Majority of the students 276 (92%) had poor knowledge of spermicidal products, and out of these, 146 (53%) were absolutely unable to describe the use of spermicides. Ninety-three percent of the students had never used spermicides. Of those who had never used spermicides, 84 (30%) said because they used other contraceptive means, 50 (17.8%) said they are expensive, 29 (10.3%) attributed this to unavailability of the products, 3(1.1%) to fear of "contracting" cancer and 13(4.6%) to the unreliability. Furthermore, a few who had used them didn’t trust the products as ideal means of contraception. Conclusion: The respondents had poor knowledge of spermicides. Spermicides were not accepted by the students because of the presumed side-effects, being very expensive and unreliable for contraception purpose. However, the respondents accepted spermicides usage as an ideal alternative to condom and effective means for a female-controlled method to prevent/reduce unwanted pregnancy and HIV risk. The study recommends that the Government/responsible authorities should encourage spermicides usage, particularly when coupled with microbicides, in reduction of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV infection inclusive

Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Secondary School Students in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Background: In Tanzania, it is considered a taboo for teachers and parents to talk with children about sexual matters including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in schools and at home because of cultural and religious barriers. Political pressure also keeps sexual education and thus education on STDs out of classrooms. Generally, there is disagreement over STDs education on what to teach, by whom, and to what extent. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of STDs, and attitude towards sexual behavior and STDs among secondary school students. Methods: This was a cross- sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire. A sample size of 635 students was determined by simple random sampling. Results: Majority of the students (98%) said have heard about STDs; however their knowledge of the symptoms associated with STDs was poor. Similarly 147 (23%) students did not know other means of STDs transmission rather than sexual intercourse. A number of students who were capable of identifying all tracer STDs was comparable between the ordinary (10.5%) and advanced (10.6%) level students (p<0.001). Thirty-two students (8%) were completely unable to identify even a single tracer STD. About 96% respondents said were capable of preventing themselves from contracting STDs, however 38% of them admitted that they were at risk of contracting STDs. Majority (99%) described more than one source of information on STDs, television and radio were the most commonly mentioned sources, whilst none of them cited parents as source of information (p<0.001). Regarding vulnerability to STDs, 503 (79%) students said female students were more vulnerable to STDs compared to males. Conclusions: The level of knowledge about STDs (ability to identify tracer STDs, to describe symptoms associated with STDs and their mode of transmission) is poor with regard to the students’ levels of education. Female students are more vulnerable to STDs compared to male counterparts. Mass media is still the more effective means of educating the students on STDs.The authors thank the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Tanzania for financial assistanceMinistry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Tanzani

Health Concerns on Microbiological Quality of Bottled Drinking Water Sold in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background:Dar es Salaam City has over 10 million habitants, who are constantly circumvented by water-borne diseases. The city experiences humid and hot weather throughout a year, which lead to high consumption of bottled drinking water because of being perceived as safer than tap or well water. Waterborne disease outbreaks still create havoc among the city habitants. This study determines heterotrophic plate count (HPC) values in bottled water and performs antimicrobial resistance tests on isolated microorganisms. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Fifty-four samples of bottled water were randomly purchased from shops, supermarkets and street vendors. HPC values were determined and microbial contaminants identified. The disk diffusion method was employed for testing antimicrobial resistance of microbial contaminants against four widely used antibiotics. Results: HPC values were variable (4.7 x102 to 7.0 x105 cfu/ml). Majority (86.7%) of analyzed samples revealed high HPC values. Four bacterial species were isolated and identified from 47 samples. Predominant bacterial contaminants were Brevundimonas vesicularis (54.5%), while Pseudomonas thomasii was only isolated from one brand A sample. Brand E samples had the highest HPC values (2.2 x 104 to 2.16 x105 cfu/ml) while F samples were free from microbial contaminants. A total of 21 (46.7%) bacterial isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics namely ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. Conclusion: Of 54 analyzed bottled water samples, 47 had high HPC values. High rates of antibacterial resistance was exerted against ciprofloxacin (68.2%) and ampicillin (56%). This calls for responsible authorities to impose more stringent measures on in-process quality control among bottled water producers and indefatigably conduct post- production surveillance to avert the endemic water-borne outbreaks resulting from consumption of such products

Microbiological Assessment of Commercially Available Quinine Syrup and Water for Injections in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Purpose: To conduct microbiological assessment of commercially available quinine syrups and water for injection in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Dar es Salaam Region. Samples of quinine syrups (QNSs) and water for injection (WFI) of different batches were randomly purchased. Each QNS was inspected for label disclosure, and physicochemical properties were examined by the use of sense of organs and pH meter. Isolation and quantification of microbial contaminants from each sample was preceded by 24 - 48 h incubation at 37 ºC, and the microbial contaminants were expressed as colony forming unit per millilitre (cfu/ml). Microbiological identification of contaminants was performed by examination of colony morphologies and growth characteristics. Gram staining technique, as well as biochemical and serological tests were also conducted for further identification. Albino rabbits were used for the pyrogen test to determine the presence of microbial contamination in WFI. Results: Twenty-four samples of QNS underwent label disclosure, physical-chemical and microbiological assessments. All QNS samples complied with the guidelines and microbial limits as per United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). All batches of WFI were found to be microbiologically contaminated, revealing average microbial counts of 87, 94 and 100 cfu/ml, and this was buttressed by pyrogen test, with the animals showing temperature rise of 1.0, 2.2 and 2.4 ºC, respectively. Conclusion: The QNS products available in the Dar es Salaam market were of good microbial quality. However, WFI products were microbiologically contaminated. We recommend that regulatory authorities in Tanzania should diligently enforce regulatory control of the products to assure consumer safety

Antibacterial Efficacy of Commonly Available Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers on Escherichia Coli

Background: The WHO estimates that approximately 600 million people fall ill after consumption of contaminated food and over 420 000 die every year, resulting in loss of 33 million healthy life years. Hand hygiene is considered by the WHO to be the most effective preventive measure for infectious diseases including food borne diseases.Methods: A laboratory-based study involving convenient sampling of common brands alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) from retail community pharmacies and local supermarkets was conducted in Ilala District, Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study was conducted, between December 2018 to January 2019. A modified protocol of The European Norm (EN) 1500 was used for in vivo testing of sampled ABHs. Efficacy was evaluated using standard strain of Escherichia coli. A total of 26 healthy volunteers were used for hand sanitization. The percentage of bioburden/microbial reduction was assessed at baseline and after treatment, and the log reduction factor calculated.Results: A total of 10 gel ABHS were purchased and assayed for antibacterial efficacy. Majority (70%) of ABHS were imported products and contained ethanol as the sole active ingredient. About 60% of them did not correctly indicate the label disclosure information on concentration of active ingredients. Only one product was efficacious against E. coli with log reduction of 3.75; while majority (70%) of the samples had poor bacterial efficacy with log reduction ranging from 0.140 -0.664.Conclusions: Most of ABHS gel products available in the Dar es Salaam market were not efficacious as per FDA and EN 1500 guidelines. Post market surveillance is recommended of the circulating ABH to safe guard consumers. Keywords: Hand sanitizers, efficacy, E. coli, EN 1500