Causes of death among older children and adolescents (5-19 years) in the Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance Study, Tanzania, 1995-2022.

Background: Population data on mortality and causes of death among 5-19-year-olds are limited.

Objectives: To assess levels, trends, and risk factors of cause-specific mortality and place at death among 5-19-year-olds in Tanzania (1995-2022).

Methods: Using longitudinal data from the Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance System in northwest Tanzania, we identified leading causes of death among 5-19-year-olds from verbal autopsy interviews, using physician review and a Bayesian probabilistic model (InSilicoVA).

The rise of pathogen genomics in Africa.

The routine genomic surveillance of pathogens in diverse geographical settings and equitable data sharing are critical to inform effective infection control and therapeutic development. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of routine genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to detect emerging variants of concern. However, the majority of high-income countries sequenced >0.

Factors Associated With Uptake of Breast Cancer Screening Among Catholic Nuns in Lake Zone, Tanzania.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Breast cancer screening programs are widely promoted because of their effectiveness in the early detection of cancer. However, a significant proportion of eligible Catholic nuns in the Lake Zone of Tanzania remain underscreened.

Validation of Pediatric Self-Report Pain Scales in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review.

Context: Pediatric self-report pain scales must be validated in cultural/language contexts to provide optimal pain management. Sub-Saharan Africa included vast numbers of people groups, cultures, and languages.

Objective: This systematic review sought to identify studies that validated a self-report pediatric pain scale within a sub-Saharan African context.

Antibiotic prescription, dispensing and use in humans and livestock in East Africa: does morality have a role to play?

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human and livestock health. Although AMR is driven by use of antimicrobials, it is often attributed to "misuse" and "overuse", particularly for antibiotics. To curb resistance, there has been a global call to embrace new forms of moral personhood that practice "proper" use, including prescription, dispensing and consumption of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics.

Tanzanian midwives' clinical practices and experiences in caring for women with antepartum hemorrhage: a critical incident technique study.

Background: Antepartum hemorrhage (APH) is an obstetric emergency that complicates pregnancy worldwide and continues to lead to hemorrhagic conditions in parts of Tanzania. Midwifery education received by midwives consists theoretical knowledge on the subject but with no or minimal practical skills in the laboratory, which may reduce their practical capacity as graduated midwives. This study therefore aimed to explore midwives' clinical actions and experiences regarding the care of women with APH in Mwanza region.

Urogenital schistosomiasis among school children in northwestern Tanzania: Prevalence, intensity of infection, associated factors, and pattern of urinary tract morbidities.

Background: The planning and implementation of intervention measures against schistosomiasis, particularly mass administration, require knowledge of the current status of the infection. This is important for monitoring the impact of the intervention on disease indicators such as a decline in infection prevalence, intensity of infection, and urogenital morbidities. Following repeated rounds of mass treatment in northwestern Tanzania, the epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis has changed; thus, for the effective planning and allocation of resources, it is important to understand the current status of the disease in the targeted groups.

Quality Evaluation of Locally Manufactured Paracetamol Tablets in East Africa.

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is categorized as an analgesic and antipyretic medication and is available as over the counter (OTC) medication. It is commonly used in conditions associated with pain and fever. There is a tendency for community to prefer using imported paracetamol tablets from Europe and United States than from Asia and Africa worrying of the quality of the products.

Neonatal mesenteric cyst in a 5-day-old patient: a case report.

Mesenteric cysts have been documented as a rare occurrence in children. They are mostly renowned to be benign intra-abdominal tumors with no known etiology. The symptoms are non-specific ranging from being asymptomatic to an acute abdomen.

Evaluating the implementation of the Pediatric Acute Care Education (PACE) program in northwestern Tanzania: a mixed-methods study guided by normalization process theory.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Tanzania, the competency of healthcare providers critically influences the quality of pediatric care. To address this issue, we introduced Pediatric Acute Care Education (PACE), an adaptive learning program to enhance provider competency in Tanzania's guidelines for managing seriously ill children. Adaptive learning is a promising alternative to current in-service education, yet optimal implementation strategies in LMIC settings are unknown.

Effects of Schistosoma haematobium infection and treatment on the systemic and mucosal immune phenotype, gene expression and microbiome: A systematic review.

Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium affects approximately 110 million people globally, with the majority of cases in low- and middle-income countries. Schistosome infections have been shown to impact the host immune system, gene expression, and microbiome composition. Studies have demonstrated variations in pathology between schistosome subspecies.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Potassium Abnormalities Among Outpatients with Heart Failure Taking Diuretics in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Tanzania.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic progressive condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen. Globally, about 64 million people are affected with HF. This study was undertaken to determine the magnitude and factors associated with potassium abnormalities in heart failure patients on diuretics in Tanzania.

Community Perceptions on Health Conditions Related to Indoor Air Pollution Among Adults Living in Urban Informal Settlements in Mwanza City, Tanzania.

Introduction: Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) from biomass fuel is one of the major health threats globally. There is limited data on community awareness and perceptions of health conditions associated with IAP in urban informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored community perceptions of IAP-associated health conditions, risk behaviors, and potential interventions to reduce IAP in urban informal settlements.

Etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria causing pneumonia among adult patients with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mwanza, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Bacterial pneumonia is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The extensive misuse and overuse of antibiotics observed during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have changed the patterns of pathogens causing bacterial pneumonia and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. This study was designed to establish the prevalence of culture-confirmed bacterial pneumonia and describe their antimicrobial susceptibility profile in adult patients who presented with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.