Influence of peer discussions on trust in recommendations for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

Background: Mothers attending prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV clinics seem to lack knowledge on many aspects of PMTCT, among which is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding recommendations in PMTCT have changed several times over the years leaving some confused and doubtful of what is currently recommended. One method shown to help improve their knowledge and acceptance of PMTCT recommendations is the use of peer educators.

Public engagement by early career researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic: case studies from East Africa.

Background: Community engagement and involvement (CEI) in research usually depends on face-to-face interactions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented such interactions because of national lockdowns and social distancing. This paper highlights the ways in which early career researchers from East Africa tackled CEI activities during the pandemic.

Midgut Atresia: Diagnostic and Management Challenges From Northern Tanzania.

Intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies in the neonatal period. Early diagnosis is vital for proper management and good outcome. Intestinal obstruction can be divided into high, for example, duodenal atresia and jejunal atresia, or low, for example, ileal atresia, colonic atresia, and Meckel's diverticulum.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia with Gastric Volvulus and Splenic Herniation: An Unusual Delayed Presentation in a Six-Month Child.

Background: Acute gastric volvulus associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia is an uncommon disorder in infancy and a surgical emergency.

Methods: We present a six-month female baby who presented with clinical features of intestinal obstruction. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed gastric volvulus.

A narrative review of course evaluation methods for continuing professional development: The case of paediatric and neonatal acute-care in-service courses in low and lower-middle income countries: BEME Guide No. 76.

Background: Training a skilled healthcare workforce is an essential part in reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to end preventable deaths in children and neonates. The greatest burden of mortality lies in low and lower-middle income countries (LLMIC). Short term, in-service courses have been implemented in many LLMIC to improve the quality of care delivered, but the evaluation methods of these courses are inconsistent.

Effect of placebo versus prophylactic postoperative amoxicillin on post-(adeno) tonsillectomy morbidity in Tanzanian children: a two-centre, double-blind randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Introduction: to date in Africa, there is limited evidence regarding the role of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent post (adeno) tonsillectomy ((A)TE) morbidity in children. As (A)TE is the most performed surgery in the pediatric population, the use of prophylactic antibiotics is likely a major factor in the development of AMR. In Tanzania, as in many other settings with limited resources antibiotics are misused and overprescribed.

Adherence to Optimal Breastfeeding Practices Among HIV-Positive Mothers in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Purpose: We sought to assess how HIV-positive mothers enrolled in the PMTCT program adhere to breastfeeding recommendations concerning early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), ie, within one hour of birth, pre-lacteal feeds, exclusive breastfeeding until six months (EBF), and continued breastfeeding to one year of age. This study was designed to assess the practices in response to changing recommendations for breastfeeding in HIV, which have differed drastically over the years.

Patients And Methods: We recruited 524 mother-child pairs from 37 PMTCT clinics across Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Esophageal stenosis: A case of delayed dysphagia in an infant from northern Tanzania.

Introduction And Importance: Congenital stenosis of the esophagus is often overlooked in children with feeding difficulties leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This can have detrimental effects on the child's growth and general health, ranging from malnutrition to life-threatening complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Case Presentation: We present a case diagnosed at the age of 3 years when the child already had developed moderate malnutrition and offer the diagnostic and surgical findings in the hope of helping others suspect and clench the diagnosis early.

Prevalence and patient related factors associated with Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae carriage and infection among pediatric patients in Tanzania.

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae (EPE) is increasing worldwide, though less documented in low-income settings. Here we determined the prevalence of EPE infection and carriage, and patient factors associated with EPE-carriage among pediatric patients in three health care levels in Tanzania. Between January and April 2016, 350 febrile children (median age 21 months) seeking care at a university or a regional referral hospital, or a health centre in Moshi municipality, Tanzania, were included.

Perforated Meckel's diverticulum in omphalocele in a newborn: A case report of an uncommon presentation from northern Tanzania.

Introduction And Importance: The concurrent existence of Omphalocele and Meckel's diverticulum is not unheard of but is relatively uncommon. A few cases of their coexistence have been reported. Due to the uncommon dual presentation, it is easy to delay or even miss the diagnosis, delaying management.

Bilateral Subdural Hematoma following Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion in a Ten-month Old Tanzanian Female with Congenital Hydrocephalus: An Uncommon Presentation.

There is an unmet need for the treatment of hydrocephalus in Tanzania. Thousands of newborns each year in the region are affected by this condition and access to care remains a challenge. While treatment options like cerebrospinal fluid diversion through ventriculo-peritoneal shunting are within the skill set of general surgeons, the potential complications represent an additional challenge.

Contributing Factors and Outcome after Cryotherapy of Molluscum Contagiosum among Patients Attending Tertiary Hospital, Northern Tanzania: A Descriptive Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a benign infection caused by a member of the Poxviridae family, molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). The contributing factors for MCV infection are different in different populations and study areas. Few studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of cryotherapy in the treatment of MC.

Do Women Enrolled in PMTCT Understand the Recommendations: A Case Study from Kilimanjaro.

Introduction: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) remains a cornerstone of HIV prevention and control efforts. It is vital that the beneficiaries of PMTCT programs understand PMTCT recommendations, especially since their adherence to recommendations is key to successful PMTCT. There have been several major changes in PMTCT recommendations, and many women have encountered different recommendations.

Ectopia cordis: A case report of pre-surgical care in resource-limited setting.

Introduction And Importance: Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital malformation of thoracic midline fusion that presents as location of the heart outside the open chest cavity. This presents as a surgical emergency and demands early and specialized intervention. Particularly in resource-limited settings, where prenatal ultrasonography screening is not done, these children are often born in facilities without the capability of managing such conditions definitively, necessitating them to be referred to a specialized centre.

A giant choledochal cyst: A case reported from Tanzania.

Introduction: Choledochal cyst is a rare common bile duct malformation that usually presents in the pediatric group with abdominal pain, distension, and jaundice. The pathophysiology remains unclear for the cause, and surgery aims to restore biliary enteric drainage.

Case Presentation: We present a six-year-old female who presented with gradual abdominal distention associated with jaundice.

Medical management of induced and incomplete first-trimester abortion by non-physicians in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Unsafe abortion is the cause of a substantial number of maternal mortalities and morbidities globally, but specifically in low- and middle-income countries. Medical abortion methods provided by non-physicians may be a way to reduce the burden of unsafe abortions. Currently, only one systematic review comparing non-physicians with physicians for medical abortion exists.

Inequalities in stunting among under-five children in Tanzania: decomposing the concentration indexes using demographic health surveys from 2004/5 to 2015/6.

Background: Child stunting is a global health concern. Stunting leads to several consequences on child survival, growth, and development. The absolute level of stunting has been decreasing in Tanzania from from 50% in 1991/92 to 34% in 2016 although the prevalence is still high (34%)Stunting varyies across socioeconomic determinants with a larger burden among the socioeconomic disadvantaged group.

A Report of a Large Axillary Cystic Hygroma (a.k.a Lymphangioma) in a Newborn from a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Introduction: Cystic hygroma is a rare condition of the lymphatic system that occurs mainly in children. They are found around the neck, axilla, inguinal, or thoracic regions. .

Community engagement in COVID-19 prevention: experiences from Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania.

Prevention of exposure to the COVID-19 virus in the general population is an essential strategy to slow community transmission. This paper shares the experiences and challenges of community engagement in COVID-19 prevention in the Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania implemented by our team from the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) in collaboration with the COVID-19 response team in the Moshi Municipality. We conducted an education session with the COVID-19 response team and together brainstormed transmission hotspots and which interventions would be most feasible in their settings.

Prevalence of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Manifestations Among HIV Seropositive Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Tanzania: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: To date, HIV/AIDS remains a threat of the 21st century. The overall rate of new HIV infection continues to decline in several countries, but there is still a remarkable burden of disease seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies observed that 70% to 90% of HIV-infected patients present with ear, nose and throat symptoms.

Association between Chronic Urticaria and Infection among Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disease; however, its etiology is rarely recognized. Infection due to (. ) has been shown in some studies to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CU.

Recurrence rate of preterm birth and associated factors among women who delivered at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Northern Tanzania: A registry based cohort study.

Background: Preterm birth is a public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with infant morbidity and mortality. Survivor of preterm suffers long term health consequences such as respiratory, hearing and visual problems as well as delivering preterm infants.

Dyslipidemia in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy Receiving Care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Worldwide prevalence of dyslipidemia in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral medications (ARVs) is rising due to extensive use of treatment during their entire lives. Dyslipidemia is the potential side effect of ARVs, especially in individuals taking protease inhibitors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in HIV-infected children on ARVs receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania.