Efficacy of praziquantel drug against Schistosoma haematobium and performance of urine reagent strips among pre-and-school aged children during the high transmission season in North-Western Tanzania.

The World Health Organization calls for schistosomiasis endemic countries to regularly monitor the efficacy of Praziquantel (PZQ) drug, the only antischistosomal drug used for four decades in Tanzania. In response to that call, the current study investigated the efficacy of single dose of PZQ against Schistosoma haematobium during the high transmission season and further assessed, the sensitivity and specificity of urine reagent strips before and after treatment. The study recruited a total of 2,498 -children aged (4 -17 years old) who provided a single urine sample that was visually examined for macro-haematuria, then using urine dipstick and urine filtration technique for microhaematuria and the presence of S.

High Specificity but Low Sensitivity of Lab-on-a-Disk Technique in Detecting Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs among Pre- and School-Aged Children in North-Western Tanzania.

An estimated 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (hookworms, and ). These infections are targeted for elimination by the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2030, with the main interventions being mass drug administration using albendazole or mebendazole.

Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa in orphans and street children in Mwanza city, Northern Tanzania.

Background: Parasitic infections are highly prevalent in low-income environments worldwide. While orphans and street children represent a particularly vulnerable population group, they are often exempt from preventive interventions such as Mass Drug Administration. In part, this could be due to a lack of data showing the burden of disease in this group.

Disposal practices of expired and unused medications among households in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Background: The community practice towards disposal of expired and unused medications in spite of its adverse impact have been widely neglected in many developing countries. The available guidelines in Tanzania focus on the disposal of expired medications and cosmetics in hospitals and community pharmacies only.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the disposal practice of expired and unused medications at household level in Mwanza city, north-western Tanzania.

Self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Makongoro health centre in Mwanza, Tanzania: a challenge to health systems.

Background: Self-medication is a universal challenge that requires attention because of the potential threat not only to the pregnant women but also to unborn child. Data on self-medication practice and predictors among pregnant women is lacking in Tanzania. Information on the effects of this practice to the pregnant woman and the foetus globally is also scanty.

Factors Associated With IgG and IgM Antibodies, and Placental Histopathological Changes Among Women With Spontaneous Abortion in Mwanza City, Tanzania.

Background: infection in early pregnancy has been associated with significant adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite being common in the city of Mwanza, its association with spontaneous abortion has never been studied. Here, we report the IgG and IgM seropositivity and histopathological changes of toxoplasmosis among women with spontaneous abortion.

Schistosoma mansoni among pre-school children in Musozi village, Ukerewe Island, North-Western-Tanzania: prevalence and associated risk factors.

Background: Recent evidence indicates that pre-school children (PSC) living in S. mansoni highly endemic areas are at similar risk of schistosomiasis infection and morbidity as their school aged siblings. Recognizing this fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) is considering including this age group in highly endemic areas in control programmes using mass drug administration (MDA).