Quality equivalence and in-vitro antibiotic activity test of different brands of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid tablets in Mwanza, Tanzania: A cross sectional study.

Background: Each film coated tablet of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid contains 500 mg of amoxicillin as an active pharmaceutical ingredient and 125 mg of clavulanic acid. Different brands have the same active ingredients but different excipients, which may cause differences in efficacy. With the emergence of generic antibiotics post-patent expiration, the antibiotic activity of generics is in question in comparison to the innovator.

Hypertension among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) among adolescents is common in high-income countries, and leads to increased premature cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the prevalence of HTN among adolescents, associated risk factors and CVD complications are not well-described. Such data is needed for planning public health programs to prevent premature CVD in SSA.

Five-year cross-sectional study to determine the burden of spp. infections of the urinary tract system among patients attending tertiary hospital in Northwestern Tanzania.

Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) stand as a prominent global health concern. This study entails a 5-year retrospective analysis, using a cross-sectional study design to examine microbiology laboratory data of individuals clinically diagnosed with UTIs at Bugando Medical Centre to gain insights into the prevalence and factors linked to candiduria.

Methodology: Data extracted were meticulously cleaned and coded in an MS Excel sheet, subsequently transferred to STATA V.

Prevalence of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis and Their Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Itilima District, North-Western Tanzania.

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis remain a public health concern in Tanzania. This study investigated the prevalence and intensities of , , and soil-transmitted helminths and associated factors in Itilima district, north-western Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2020 among 3779 primary schoolchildren in 62 primary schools and 1122 adults in 19 villages.

Isolated renal and urinary tract aspergillosis: a systematic review.

Background: Aspergillosis localized to the kidneys and the urinary tract is uncommon. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to evaluate risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients with isolated renal and genito-urinary tract aspergillosis.

Methods: We systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Embase, African Journal Online, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, covering the period from inception to August 2023 using the key terms 'renal' OR 'kidney*' OR 'prostate' OR 'urinary bladder' OR 'urinary tract*AND 'aspergillosis' OR 'aspergillus' OR 'aspergilloma' OR 'mycetoma'.

Forty Years of Helicobacter pylori: The African Perspective.

Background: Helicobacter pylori colonises 50% of the world population and is a causative agent of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, mucosa associate lymphoid tissue lymphoma and gastric cancer.

Summary: In Africa, the prevalence rate has been found to be the highest in comparison to other parts of the world. Despite its high prevalence there are low rates of gastric cancer recorded in Africa.

Antibacterial activity of soil-isolated complex against methicillin-resistant from Mwanza, Tanzania.

Unlabelled: Antimicrobial resistance in methicillin-resistant and beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria is a global health concern necessitating research and the development of effective antimicrobial agents. This study, conducted in May 2020 in Mwanza, Tanzania, aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of metabolites from soil-isolated species against clinical bacterial pathogens. One soil-isolated species, identified as complex, showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive cocci, including a methicillin-resistant strain with inducible clindamycin resistance, previously isolated from a patient with osteomyelitis.

Disability inclusion in malaria services in western Tanzania: A rapid barrier analysis.

Background: Persons with disabilities generally face greater challenges in accessing healthcare and interventions compared with the general population. Malaria is one of the diseases that can seriously affect individuals with disabilities, as it requires early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Objective: This study explores the extent to which locally available malaria services and interventions are inclusive of persons with disabilities and identifies associated access barriers.

Patterns and outcomes of health-care associated infections in the medical wards at Bugando medical centre: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: The burden of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains underestimated due to diagnostic complexity and lack of quality surveillance systems. We designed this study to determine clinical diagnosis, laboratory-confirmed, associated factors and risks of HCAIs.

Methods: This hospital-based longitudinal cohort study was conducted between March and June 2022 among adults (≥ 18 years) admitted in medical wards at BMC in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Stroke characteristics and outcomes in urban Tanzania: Data from the Prospective Lake Zone Stroke Registry.

Background: Stroke is a second leading cause of death globally, with an estimated one in four adults suffering a stroke in their lifetime. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes in adults with stroke in urban Northwestern Tanzania.

Methods: We analyzed de-identified data from a prospective stroke registry from Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, the second largest city in Tanzania, between March 2020 and October 2022.

BCMA CAR-T cells in multiple myeloma-ready for take-off?

Although the approval of new drugs has improved the clinical outcome of multiple myeloma (MM), it was widely regarded as incurable over the past decades. However, recent advancements in groundbreaking immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), have yielded remarkable results in heavily pretreated relapse/refractory patients, instilling hope for a potential cure. CAR-T are genetically modified cells armed with a novel receptor to specifically recognize and kill tumor cells.

Antenatal corticosteroid therapy, delivery intervals and perinatal mortality in low-resource settings.

Background: Uncertainty exists regarding the ideal interval between the administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) and delivery. The study's objective was to assess the risks of perinatal mortality and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) among preterm neonates whose mothers gave birth within 48 h of the administration of ACS and those whose mothers gave birth between 48 h and 7 days.

Methods: The study design was a secondary analysis of data from an observational prospective chart review study that was carried out in Tanzania in 2020.

Seroprevalence of Dengue and Chikungunya Virus Infections in Children Living in Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dengue and chikungunya viruses are frequent causes of malarial-like febrile illness in children. The rapid increase in virus transmission by mosquitoes is a global health concern. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the childhood prevalence of dengue and chikungunya in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

A Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Use at Geita Regional Referral Hospital in North-Western Tanzania.

We conducted a point prevalence survey (PPS) to determine the prevalence of antibiotic use at Geita Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) located along the shores of Lake Victoria in north-western Tanzania. This has led to the identification of gaps for improvement. This PPS study was conducted on 9-10 March 2023.

Overexpression of cytochrome P450 and esterase genes involved in permethrin resistance in larvae and adults of Culex quinquefasciatus.

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several arthropod-borne diseases, which remain a priority for epidemiological research. Mosquito vector control strategies have traditionally relied on chemical insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has resulted in the development of resistance in many mosquito species.

Efficacy of disinfectants on control and clinical bacteria strains at a zonal referral hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania: a cross sectional hospital-based study.

Contaminated-hospital surfaces are an important source of pathogenic bacteria causing health-care associated infection (HCAIs). Monitoring the performance of disinfectants that are routinely used to clean hospital surfaces is critical for prevention and control of HCAIs. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the performance of disinfectants and their efficacy are not routinely practiced in most resource-limited countries.

Influence of intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation on cognitive abilities among adolescent girls in northwestern Tanzania.

Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation to reduce anemia is key for improving substantial lost disability adjusted life years (DALYs) for adolescent girls. This study assessed the impact of weekly IFA supplementation (WIFAS) on cognitive ability among adolescent girls in the Simiyu Region in northernwestern Tanzania. This cross-sectional comparative evaluation study of 770 adolescent girls (396 -WIFAS supplemented; 374 -not supplemented) evaluated the association between WIFAS and cognitive ability through a face-to-face survey and cognitive ability assessment using standardized tests (Span-forward Test, Span-backward Test and Maze Test).

Virulence genes and plasmid replicon profiles of selected β-lactamase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii from orthopaedic patients and the environment in a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania, East Africa.

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen due to its high resistance to multi-drugs and disinfectants plus its ability to survive in hospital environments. Rectal swabs were collected for screening β-lactamases-producing Acinetobacter baumannii among hospitalized orthopedic patients at a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania. Swabs were also taken from patients' caretakers, healthcare workers, and the neighboring inanimate environment.

Ovarian schistosomiasis: challenges of a neglected ectopic involvement of blood flukes. Case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), infection of . trematode in the gynaecological apparatus, is the most neglected sexual and reproductive health condition in sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated of 20-120 million cases. The ectopic entrapment of eggs after oviposition can occur in 0.

Prevalence and factors associated with ongoing transmission of after 12 rounds of Praziquantel Mass Drug Administration among school age children in Southern Tanzania.

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) recommends periodic praziquantel Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to vulnerable populations, especially school-aged children, to reduce the risk of transmission. In the endemic Lindi region, on the southeastern coast of Tanzania, praziquantel has been distributed for more than a decade (12 rounds) in schools. However, there is a paucity of data on the current burden and factors perpetuating ongoing urogenital schistosomiasis among SAC.

Factors associated with adherence to oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers in the Mara Region, Tanzania: A 2022 cross-sectional study.

Female sex workers (FSWs) have a higher risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compared with the general female population. Tanzania adopted pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use for HIV-negative key populations in 2019 as a strategy to reduce HIV transmission. We aimed to identify factors associated with PrEP adherence among FSWs in Tanzania.