14 research outputs found
Food Insecurity is Associated with Food Consumption Patterns and Anthropometric Measures but not Serum Micronutrient Levels in Adults in Rural Tanzania.
The purpose of the present paper is to assess the relationship between food insecurity and food consumption patterns, anthropometric measures and serum micronutrient levels in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out between March and May of 2005. Rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Analysis was restricted to 1014 adults aged 15-44 years with children and complete data. A large majority of the participants (91 %) reported some kind of food insecurity. Food insecurity was significantly associated with age, marital status and occupation. Participants reporting food insecurity were significantly less likely to frequently consume animal products, fruits and vegetables compared with participants categorized as food secure. Women categorized as experiencing individual food insecurity had a larger waist circumference than food-secure women (P = 0.026) while the mean BMI of women appeared to decline if they had a child who was food insecure (P = 0.038). There were no observed differences in serum micronutrient levels by food insecurity status. Food insecurity is highly prevalent and associated with food consumption patterns, waist circumference and BMI of women in rural Tanzania. Further studies should apply self-report measures in assessing food insecurity to larger and more diversified populations
Trends in HIV-1 prevalence and risk behaviours over 15 years in a rural population in Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens
Prevalence and risk factors for HIV-1 infection in rural Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania: Implications for prevention and treatment
BACKGROUND: Variability in stages of the HIV-1 epidemic and hence HIV-1 prevalence exists in different areas in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the magnitude of HIV-1 infection and identify HIV-1 risk factors that may help to develop preventive strategies in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May of 2005 involving all individuals aged between 15–44 years having an address in Oria Village. All eligible individuals were registered and invited to participate. Participants were interviewed regarding their demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and medical history. Following a pre-test counseling, participants were offered an HIV test. RESULTS: Of the 2 093 eligible individuals, 1 528 (73.0%) participated. The overall age and sex adjusted HIV-1 prevalence was 5.6%. Women had 2.5 times higher prevalence (8.0% vs. 3.2%) as compared to men. The age group 25–44 years, marriage, separation and low education were associated with higher risk of HIV-1 infection for both sexes. HIV-1 infection was significantly associated with >2 sexual partners in the past 12 months (women: Adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.5 (95%CI: 1.3–4.7), and past 5 years, [(men: AOR, 2.2 (95%CI:1.2–5.6); women: AOR, 2.5 (95%CI: 1.4–4.0)], unprotected casual sex (men: AOR,1.8 95%CI: 1.2–5.8), bottled alcohol (Men: AOR, 5.9 (95%CI:1.7–20.1) and local brew (men: AOR, 3.7 (95%CI: 1.5–9.2). Other factors included treatment for genital ulcers and genital discharge in the past 1 month. Health-related complaints were more common among HIV-1 seropositive as compared to seronegative participants and predicted the presence of HIV-1 infection. CONCLUSION: HIV-1 infection was highly prevalent in this population. As compared to our previous findings, a shift of the epidemic from a younger to an older age group and from educated to uneducated individuals was observed. Women and married or separated individuals remained at higher risk of infection. To prevent further escalation of the HIV epidemic, efforts to scale up HIV prevention programmes addressing females, people with low education, lower age at marriage, alcohol consumption, condom use and multiple sexual partners for all age groups remains a top priority. Care and treatment are urgently needed for those infected in rural areas
Epidemiology of Measles in Tanzania: A Hospital-Based Survey of Measles Morbidity and Mortality
Objective: To estimate measles morbidity and mortality in selected
regions on mainland Tanzania Design: Cross-sectional study Setting:
Hospital-based review of existing records on measles morbidity and
mortality in the selected district hospitals on mainland Tanzania.
Methods: Review of records on measles morbidity and mortality was
performed using a standard instrument adopted from the Ministry of
Health. The instrument was pre-tested before use. Researchers were
recruited from the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences and
were trained on how to collect data from the hospital records. Ethical
clearance was obtained from the Ministry of Health in Dar es Salaam.
Upon arrival in the respective regions, the researchers recruited and
trained local research assistants on methods of data collection.
Completed questionnaire forms were entered into a computer and data
cleaning was done before data analysis. Results: Measles was found to
occur in individuals of over 15 years of age and beyond. Overall 35%
(N=2277) of all measles cases were reported from the Iringa region
while Mara region had the lowest number of cases. On the other hand
Shinyanga had the highest case fatality rate (6%) compared with other
regions. Mortality was higher in children below two years of age and
among individuals who had no history of measles vaccination.
Conclusion: We conclude that despite high measles vaccination
coverage, measles is still a public health problem in Tanzania. Efforts
should be made to give several booster doses up to the age of 15 years
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regrading Cholera Outbreaks in Ilala Municipality of Dar Es Salaam Region, Tanznia
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine knowledge, attitudes
and practices regarding cholera outbreaks and measure socio cultural
practices that influence cholera outbreaks in Ilala Municipality in Dar
es Salaam city, Tanzania. Study design: A cross sectional study was
conducted in Ilala municipality in Dar es Salaam city. Methods: The
study population was obtained using multistage sampling technique. One
ward was sampled and within the ward 10 hamlets (administrative cluster
consisting of 10 households) were randomly selected. All households
within the hamlets were included into the study sample. A structured
questionnaire was used to collect data concerning knowledge, attitudes
and practices about cholera and factors influencing cholera occurrence
within household settings. Information collected included the number of
families and number of people in one house, availability of toilet
facilities and number of toilets in one house. The research project was
cleared by the ethical clearance committee of the Muhimbili University
College of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Informed consent
was obtained from each consenting participant. Results: Three hundred
and ten (310) respondents were included in the study of whom 186
(59.9%) were females and 124 (40.1%) were males aged between 18 and 84
years. The proportion of respondents with good knowledge of cholera in
the study was 85%. The study revealed that the main practices
associated with cholera occurrence among respondents with high level of
knowledge in Ilala by water source were: use of piped water 84.3%,
water from deep wells 88.3% and shallow wells 71.4%. The distribution
of respondents by low knowledge and water source were: piped water
15.7%, shallow well 28.6% and deep well 11.7%. The proportions of
respondents by low knowledge and water quantity were: adequate water
13.6% and inadequate water 18.3%. About 14% of the respondents with low
level of knowledge of cholera drink water from wells without boiling
while 31.8% drink unboiled piped water and wash their hands in a common
container 21.6%. Furthermore the proportion of respondents with
positive attitudes towards cholera prevention in this study was 97.4%.
Conclusion and recommendations: The hygienic practices concerning
cholera prevention were lagging behind knowledge and attitudes. A range
of specific interventions are likely to be necessary for the control of
cholera in this population. Misconceptions about transmissibility of
cholera that cholera cannot be transmitted through cow’s dung,
young children stool and chicken faeces need to be addressed.
DETERMINANTS OF UTILISATION OF MOSQUITO BEDNETS FOR MALARIA PREVENTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN KIGOMA URBAN DISTRICT, WESTERN TANZANIA
Objectives: To determine factors influencing utilisation of mosquito
bednets for malaria prevention among pregnant women in Kigoma urban
district in western Tanzania. Setting: Kigoma urban MCH clinics
Methodology: Pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in Kigoma
municility were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The
questionnaire originally developed in the English language was
translated into Swahili language and pre-tested before use. A trained
team administered the questionnaire as part of a larger baseline study
involving several malaria chemoprophylaxis strategies among pregnant
women. Informed consent was obtained from each pregnant woman before
questionnaire administration. The project was reviewed and cleared by
the ethical clearance committee of the Muhimbili University College of
Health Sciences. Results: A total of 729 pregnant women participated in
the interview. The age of the participating women ranged from 14-45
years with mean age of 26.7 years and standard deviation (SD) of 5.4.
Of the 729 pregnant women interviewed, 61.0% (445) knew about malaria
and of these 69.4% (309) stated that they knew how to protect
themselves against malaria. About 47% (N=728) of the pregnant women
interviewed reported being current users of bednets. Reported use of
bednets appeared to increase with increasing age of the pregnant women.
Single and divorced pregnant women were less likely to report being
users of bednets as compared to married or cohabiting pregnant women
(49.2% versus 18.6%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.24, 95% confidence interval
(95%CI) = 0.12 - 0.46). Similarly, reported use of bednets
significantly increased with increasing level of education. Employed
and those engaged in business were significantly more likely to be
bednet users than housewives or peasants. Conclusion: We conclude that
factors influencing use of bednets among pregnant women in Kigoma urban
district include marital status, educational level and occupational
status
ASYMPTOMATIC PARASITAEMIA AND PLACENTAL MALARIA INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN KIGOMA URBAN DISTRICT, WESTERN TANZANIA
Objective: To determine the magnitude of malaria infection and anaemia
among pregnant women in Kigoma Municipality, western Tanzania. Setting:
An urban maternal and child health clinic (MCH) located in the Kigoma
Municility in western Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was
conducted in an urban MCH clinic in Kigoma Municility. Informed consent
to participate in the study was sought from each pregnant woman.
Consenting Pregnant women were interviewed to solicit for
socio-demographic characteristics and information relating to use of
malaria preventive measures. The women were also examined for anaemia
and malaria parasitaemia. At delivery, the women were also examined for
malaria infection of the placenta. The research was cleared by the
Ethical Clearance Committee of the Muhimbili University College of
Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam. Data were managed and analysed using
SPSS/PC+ for windows. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was
26.7 years (SD = 5.4) with the youngest woman being 14 years and the
oldest being 45 years. The response proportion to participate in the
study was 96.7% (N= 705). It was found that 8.4% of the women examined
had asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia while2.8% had malaria infection
of the placenta. Women with placental malaria were more likely to
deliver low birth weight babies than others (8.8% versus 2.1%. Pregnant
women who reported using bednets were less likely to have placental
malaria compared to those not using bednet (2.2% versus 3.3%).
Similarly, pregnant women who reported using bednets were less likely
to have asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia than others (5.9% versus
10.4%). Conclusions: We conclude that placental malaria occurs in
Kigoma municipality and it appears that use of bednets might be an
effective strategy in controlling malaria among pregnant women in
Tanzania
CIGARETTE SMOKING AND USE OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO IN MOSHI RURAL DISTRICT IN NORTHERN TANZANIA
Background: We assessed age and sex differences in cigarette smoking
and use of smokeless tobacco over time in a rural population in
Tanzania. This paper presents data on tobacco use among men and women
15-36 years old from 1991 to 1997. Methods: Cross-sectional studies
were conducted in 1991, 1993 and 1997 in the Oria rural village
situated 30 kilometres south of Moshi town in Kilimanjaro region.
Verbal informed consent was obtained from each participant before
questionnaire administration. Interviewers were fully trained on how to
administer the questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of
cigarette smoking in men declined from 36.0% in 1991 to 23.1% in 1997
while for women prevalence declined from 3.0% in 1991 to 1.0% in 1997.
Prevalence of cigarette smoking increased significantly with increasing
age (p = 0.001). The overall self-reported prevalence of consumption of
nasal tobacco snuff was 0.6% and that of oral snuff was 1.9%. There was
no significant difference observed on the use of nasal tobacco snuff
among men as compared to women (0.5% versus 0.6%). However,
significantly more women than men used oral tobacco snuff in this
population (3.0 versus 0.5%) (OR =6.31; 95% CI 1.45 to 57.11).
Conclusions: More men than women reported being cigarette smokers while
for oral tobacco snuff more women than men used it. Cigarette smoking
declined over time and may have been due to economic hardships
following floods that hit the village in 1997
AIDS Knowledge and Risk Perception in Urban and Rural Communities in Arusha Region, Tanzania
The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic, cognitive and
behavioral factors associated with levels of AIDS knowledge and
perceived susceptibility to HIV. Cross-sectional, population-based
surveys were conducted in two urban communities, two townships and two
rural villages in Arusha region, Tanzania. Eligible participants were
15 to 54 years old living in randomly selected household clusters. A
total of 3068 of the eligible men and women participated (62%). The
large majority of participants from all six communities had heard of
AIDS (96%) and perceived AIDS to be a serious threat to their community
(97%). Both men and women had high levels of AIDS knowledge (67%
answered at least 17 out of 18 questions correctly). Men reported to
discuss AIDS more frequently than did women, and they perceived
themselves as being at high risk for HIV infection more often than did
women. For both men and women, having higher education and reporting
having frequently discussed AIDS were significantly associated with a
high score on the AIDS knowledge scale. Living in an urban community,
frequently discussing AIDS and previous sexu al behavior were
significantly associated with perceived susceptibility for HIV
infection among both men and women. It is recommended that future
educational efforts focus on creating opportunities for people to
discuss HIV/AIDS in safe and supporting environments
Utilization of Health Care Services for STD Treatment in Kahe Community of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania.
A population based survey set to find out the existence of Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and use of health care services among
residents of Oria village in Kahe ward of Kilimanjaro region in
northern Tanzania in 1997. A few of the STDs symptoms covered were
history of painful micturation (dysuria), urethral discharge and
genital ulcer(s). This was a cross-sectional study using quantitative
data collection technique in which a total of 898 villagers were
interviewed. Findings revealed that in the past 223 (25.4%) had
dysuria, 69 (7.7%) had urethral discharge while 28 (3.1%) had genital
ulcer. At the time of the interview, 88 (9.8%) people had dysuria, 29
(3.2%) had urethral discharge and 9 (1.0%) had genital ulcer. Health
care was sought from different sources, mostly from modern health care
especially government health facilities (HFs) followed by private HFs
and less so to pharmacies and traditional healers. No significant
differences were found between the proportions of respondents that
pertained to the different demographic variables with regard to
utilization of the different health services. However, it is doubtful
as to whether people treat themselves adequately since among those
currently having STDs symptoms, some had previous history of treatment
for the same problems. This may be due to either inadequate treatment,
re-infection from untreated partners or new infections. A real
explanation ought to be explored through future studies. Meanwhile,
there is need to re-direct the existing strategies in addressing STDs
in Oria village. The increasing demand for STDs management requires an
increase in the number of HFs both private and public that have skilled
health workers, the necessary supplies and drugs. Special efforts be
made to target high risk groups using different health education
packages on STDs and reinforce contact tracing while alternative
sources of health care need to be explored further