Formative qualitative research on the potential for digital solutions to address diabetes care gaps in Tanzania and Sri Lanka.

Objectives: Diabetes care remains unavailable and unaffordable for many people. Adapting models of care to low-income and middle-income country contexts is a priority. Digital technology offers substantial potential yet must surmount health system, technological and acceptability issues.

Factors associated with retention of community health workers in maternal, newborn and child health programme in Simiyu Region, Tanzania.

 Attrition of community health workers (CHWs) continues to threaten the full realisation and sustainability of community-based health programmes globally. Aim: This study aimed to understand factors associated with CHWs' recruitment and their retention. Setting: This study was conducted in five districts of the Simiyu Region, namely, Bariadi, Busega, Itilima, Maswa and Meatu in north-western Tanzania.

Ethics of task shifting in the health workforce: exploring the role of community health workers in HIV service delivery in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Task shifting is increasingly used to address human resource shortages impacting HIV service delivery in low- and middle-income countries. By shifting basic tasks from higher- to lower-trained cadres, such as Community Health Workers (CHWs), task shifting can reduce overhead costs, improve community outreach, and provide efficient scale-up of essential treatments like antiretroviral therapies. Although there is rich evidence outlining positive outcomes that CHWs bring into HIV programs, important questions remain over their place in service delivery.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease Among Patients Presenting at a Haemodialysis Unit in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide, due to its epidemic proportions and the associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, data on the burden of CKD among patients attending hospitals in Tanzania are still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with CKD among patients presenting at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) haemodialysis unit in Tanzania.

Short-term effectiveness of a community health worker intervention for HIV-infected pregnant women in Tanzania to improve treatment adherence and retention in care: A cluster-randomized trial.

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) are lay workers who have the potential to enhance services to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) and improve the health of women living with HIV infection. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial of an intervention to integrate CHWs with 'Option B+' PMTCT services in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania.

Methods: The intervention was implemented for 11 months and included four integrated components: 1) formal linkage of CHWs to health facilities; 2) CHW-led antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence counseling; 3) loss to follow-up tracing by CHWs; and 4) distribution of Action Birth Cards (ABCs), a birth planning tool.

Challenges and outcomes of haemodialysis among patients presenting with kidney diseases in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Background: Kidney Diseases contribute a significant proportion to the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Haemodialysis services as the main modality of renal replacement therapy in most resource limited countries is only available in few cities and at higher costs. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges and outcomes of patients who were on haemodialysis at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) haemodialysis unit in Tanzania.

Accessibility to sexual and reproductive health and rights education among marginalized youth in selected districts of Tanzania.

Introduction: Access to information, education and services is central in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among young people. It enables young people make informed choices on sexuality matters, hence reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study assessed accessibility of SRH rights' information among marginalized young people in three municipalities of Iringa, Ilala and Kinondoni in Tanzania.

Factors Influencing Anti-Malarial Prophylaxis and Iron Supplementation Non-Compliance among Pregnant Women in Simiyu Region, Tanzania.

Malaria and iron-deficient anemia during pregnancy pose considerable risks for the mother and newborn. Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) and iron supplement to prevent anemia to all pregnant women receiving antenatal care (ANC) services is highly recommended. However, their compliance remains low.

Prevalence and predictors of HIV sero-discordance among cohabiting couples tested in northern Tanzania.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa where HIV/AIDS epidemic is predominantly generalized, majority of HIV infections occur among heterosexual couples. The majority of people do not know their sero-status. Thus, utilisation of Couples' HIV Counselling and Testing (CHCT) services remain to be critical in preventing new infections.

Women, poverty and adverse maternal outcomes in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: The link between poverty and adverse maternal outcomes has been studied largely by means of quantitative data. We explore poor urban Kenyan women's views and lived experiences of the relationship between economic disadvantage and unpleasant maternal outcomes.

Method: Secondary analysis of focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews data with women in two slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

Treatment-seeking behavior for sexually transmitted infections in a high-risk population.

The World Health Organization estimates that 340 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur every year, while 33 million individuals are estimated to be living with HIV. The AIDS and STI epidemics are not independent with untreated STIs increasing HIV acquisition and transmission. Female sex workers have increased prevalence of untreated STIs and have been hypothesized to affect the health and HIV incidence of the general population.