Expanding the food environment framework to include family dynamics: A systematic synthesis of qualitative evidence using HIV as a case study.

Food environment changes in low- and middle-income countries are increasing diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This paper synthesizes the qualitative evidence about how family dynamics shape food choices within the context of HIV (Prospero: CRD42021226283). Guided by structuration theory and food environment framework, we used best-fit framework analysis to develop the Family Dynamics Food Environment Framework (FDF) comprising three interacting dimensions (resources, characteristics, and action orientation).

Evaluation of the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) surveillance system in Tanzania, 2022.

Background: The evaluation of surveillance systems has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify the performance and areas for improvement. Universal salt iodization (USI) as one of the surveillance systems in Tanzania needs periodic evaluation for its optimal function. This study aimed at evaluating the universal salt iodization (USI) surveillance system in Tanzania from January to December 2021 to find out if the system meets its intended objectives by evaluating its attributes as this was the first evaluation of the USI surveillance system since its establishment in 2010.

Acceptance and Risk Perception of COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant and Non Pregnant Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Matched-Sample Study.

This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and risk perception of pregnant and non pregnant women towards COVID-19 vaccines using a cross-sectional matched-sample study approach. A web-based questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions was administered to adults older than 18 years in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region. Respondents ( = 131) were grouped based on their pregnancy status (54 pregnant and 77 non pregnant women) and matched for comparison by age.

Comparison of Total Body Vitamin A Stores Using Individual versus Population C-Natural Abundance of Serum Retinol in Preschool Children and Women Residing in 6 Diverse African Countries.

Background: Stable isotope techniques using C to assess vitamin A (VA) dietary sources, absorption, and total body VA stores (TBSs) require determination of baseline C abundance. C-natural abundance is approximately 1.1% total carbon, but varies with foods consumed, supplements taken, and food fortification with synthetic retinyl palmitate.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among sub-Saharan Africans (SSA): a comparative study of residents and diasporan dwellers.

Background: The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diasporan dwellers.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using a web and paper-based questionnaire to obtain relevant information on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remains a major threat to global public health. This study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Public awareness and perception towards COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan African countries during the lockdown.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a universal health crisis resulting in significant morbidities and mortalities particularly among high-risk groups. This study sought to determine regional factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 mitigation practices and risk perception of contracting the disease in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. A cross-sectional anonymous online study was conducted among 1970 participants between April and May 2020, during the lockdown in many SSA countries.

Total Liver Vitamin A Reserves, Determined With 13C2-Retinol Isotope Dilution, are Similar Among Tanzanian Preschool Children in Areas With Low and High Vitamin A Exposure.

Background: In Tanzania, some districts have single vitamin A (VA) interventions and others have multiple interventions. There is limited information on total liver VA reserves (TLRs) among preschool children (PSC) in Tanzania.

Objectives: We assessed total body VA stores (TBSs) and TLRs among PSC living in 2 districts with low and high exposures to VA interventions using 13C-retinol isotope dilution.

Targeted and Population-Wide Interventions Are Needed to Address the Persistent Burden of Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania.

Recent evidence suggests that 44.8% of women of reproductive age (WRA) in Tanzania suffer from anemia. Addressing this public health challenge calls for local evidence of its burden and determinants thereof for policy and tailored interventions.

Analysis of Perception, Reasons, and Motivations for COVID-19 Vaccination in People with Diabetes across Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mixed-Method Approach.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe COVID-19 infection and complications. This study assesses COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in people with DM, and explores the reasons for not being vaccinated. This was a web-based cross-sectional survey using a mixed-method approach conducted in March-May 2021, corresponding to most Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries' early vaccine rollout period.

Determinants of underweight among children aged 0-23 months in Tanzania.

Underweight is the most dependable growth indicator for overall child growth. Tanzania has the highest rate of underweight children in East Africa, with 1.27 million children under the age of five suffering from the condition.

Gender and Age Differences in Meal Structures, Food Away from Home, Chrono-Nutrition, and Nutrition Intakes among Adults and Children in Tanzania Using a Newly Developed Tablet-Based 24-Hour Recall Tool.

Background: In many regions of the world, little is known about meal structures, meal patterns, and nutrient intake because the collection of quantitative dietary intake is expensive and labor-intensive.

Objectives: We describe the development and field feasibility of a tablet-based Tanzania 24-h recall tool (TZ-24hr-DR) and dietary intakes collected from adults and children in rural and urban settings.

Methods: Using the Tanzanian food-composition table, the TZ-24hr-DR tool was developed on an Android platform using the Open Data Kit.

Factors affecting willingness to comply with public health measures during the pandemic among sub-Sahara Africans.

Background: The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide, resulting in extraordinary measures put in place in various countries including Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries.

Objective: To assess the factors associated with compliance with the public health measures imposed by various SSA countries.

Method: Cross sectional study using self-administered surveys distributed on social media platforms between April 18th and May 16th, 2020, corresponding with the mandatory lockdown period in most SSA countries.

Economic, Health and Physical Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub-Saharan African Regions: A Cross Sectional Survey.

Purpose: The key preventive measures adopted to minimise the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had significant health, economic and physical impacts mostly in developing countries. This study evaluated the health, economic and physical impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures among sub-Saharan African (SSA) population and associated demographic variations.

Methods: A total of 1970 respondents took part in this web-based cross-sectional survey during the mandatory lockdown period in most SSA.

Differences in Perceived Risk of Contracting SARS-CoV-2 during and after the Lockdown in Sub-Saharan African Countries.

This study investigated risk perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Sahara Africa during and after the lockdown periods. Two online surveys were conducted one year apart, with participants 18 years and above living in sub-Sahara Africa or the diaspora. Each survey took four weeks.

Risk perception of COVID-19 among sub-Sahara Africans: a web-based comparative survey of local and diaspora residents.

Background: Perceived risk towards the coronavirus pandemic is key to improved compliance with public health measures to reduce the infection rates. This study investigated how Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) living in their respective countries and those in the diaspora perceive their risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus as well as the associated factors.

Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey on 1969 participants aged 18 years and above (55.

High burden of anemia among pregnant women in Tanzania: a call to address its determinants.

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is behind a significant burden of maternal mortality and poor birth outcomes globally. Efforts to address it need evidence on trends and its pertinent factors as they vary from one area to another.

Methods: We pooled data of 23,203 women of reproductive age whose hemoglobin levels were measured from two Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS).

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of COVID-19 Among Healthcare and Non-Healthcare Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Web-Based Survey.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated high mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, there is panic among healthcare workers because of the higher risk of being infected. This study compared knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) and examined common associated factors. A web-based cross-sectional study of 1,871 respondents (430 HCWs and 1,441 non-HCWs) was conducted while lockdown measures were in place in 4 regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Misinformation About COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey.

Misinformation about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a significant threat to global public health because it can inadvertently exacerbate public health challenges by promoting spread of the disease. This study used a convenience sampling technique to examine factors associated with misinformation about COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa using an online cross-sectional survey. A link to the online self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1,969 participants through social media platforms and the authors' email networks.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental and Emotional Health Outcomes among Africans during the COVID-19 Lockdown Period-A Web-based Cross-Sectional Study.

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated factors among SSAs during the COVID-19 lockdown period. This was a web-based cross-sectional study on mental health and emotional features from 2005 respondents in seven SSA countries.

Regional Disparities in the Decline of Anemia and Remaining Challenges among Children in Tanzania: Analyses of the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey 2004-2015.

The burden of child anemia is on the decline globally but remains prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, including Tanzania. Evidence suggests regional variation and a slow pace of decline even in areas with high food production. The factors behind such decline and remaining challenges behind child anemia remain understudied in Tanzania.

Adequacy of macro and micronutrients in infants and young children's diets in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Background: A study was conducted in Zanzibar using ProPAN software to assess nutrient adequacy of foods given to infants and children aged 6-23 months old in Zanzibar.

Methodology: The 24-hr dietary recall method embedded in ProPAN software was used to determine the adequacy of energy, protein, iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin A in foods consumed by children. Sample of 200 mothers/caretakers with children aged 6-23 months were interviewed.

Barriers and Opportunities for Improved Exclusive Breast-Feeding Practices in Tanzania: Household Trials With Mothers and Fathers.

Background: Effective promotion of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) is needed to improve child nutrition and survival.

Objective: We explored barriers and facilitators to EBF in rural Tanzania and assessed parents' willingness and ability to try specific recommended EBF practices plus strategies for men to support breast-feeding.

Methods: We conducted Trials of Improved Practices in 36 households with infants <6 months.

Experiences and lessons learned for programme improvement of micronutrient powders interventions.

Continual course correction during implementation of nutrition programmes is critical to address factors that might limit coverage and potential for impact. Programme improvement requires rigorous scientific inquiry to identify and address implementation pathways and the factors that affect them. Under the auspices of "The Micronutrient Powders Consultation: Lessons Learned for Operational Guidance," 3 working groups were formed to summarize experiences and lessons across countries regarding micronutrient powder (MNP) interventions for young children.