Impact of climate change on immune responses and barrier defense.

Climate change is not just jeopardizing the health of our planet but is also increasingly affecting our immune health. There is an expanding body of evidence that climate-related exposures such as air pollution, heat, wildfires, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss significantly disrupt the functioning of the human immune system. These exposures manifest in a broad range of stimuli, including antigens, allergens, heat stress, pollutants, microbiota changes, and other toxic substances. Such exposures pose a direct and indirect threat to our body's primary line of defense, the epithelial barrier, affecting its physical integrity and functional efficacy. Furthermore, these climate-related environmental stressors can hyperstimulate the innate immune system and influence adaptive immunity-notably, in terms of developing and preserving immune tolerance. The loss or failure of immune tolerance can instigate a wide spectrum of noncommunicable diseases such as autoimmune conditions, allergy, respiratory illnesses, metabolic diseases, obesity, and others. As new evidence unfolds, there is a need for additional research in climate change and immunology that covers diverse environments in different global settings and uses modern biologic and epidemiologic tools.

Management of stress urinary incontinence using vaginal incontinence pessaries in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The effect of incontinence pessaries for urine incontinence (UI) has previously been described in studies from high-income countries, where they have been documented to reduce urinary leakage significantly. However, there is a profound literature gap in these data in low- and middle-income countries. This study, therefore, aims to describe the acceptance, impact and complications of pessary treatment among Tanzanian women diagnosed with stress UI. METHODS: Women who reported stress UI underwent a stress test, and if positive they were offered an incontinence pessary. Swahili versions of the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) and the Urinary Impact Questionnaire (UIQ) were administered at 3- and 12-18-month follow-ups in addition to questions regarding pessary acceptance and pelvic examination for complications. RESULTS: A total of 48 women were fitted with an incontinence pessary. The frequency and amount of leakage were reduced significantly at 3- and 12-18-month follow-up. Additionally, a significant reduction in the overall UDI-6 score from 29.2 to 25.0 and overall UIQ score from 52.1 to 25.0 was observed from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Thirty-seven per cent of the women reported vaginal discharge at 12-18 months while signs of infection were found in 11.5%. In all, 32/48 (67%) wanted to continue the pessary treatment at 12-18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting studied, pessaries for stress UI can be successfully fitted in most women with considerable acceptance and satisfaction rates and minimal complications.

Vaginal pessaries in the management of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a pre-post interventional study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of vaginal pessaries in managing symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a low-income setting. METHODS: A pre-post interventional study was conducted in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Seventy-one women with symptoms and a POP stage II or more on the POP quantification test were fitted with a vaginal pessary. Pelvic examination, POP Distress Inventory (POPDI-6) and POP Impact Questionnaire (POPIQ-7) were completed at baseline, after 3 months and after 12-18 months. Changes in the POPDI-6 and POPIQ-7 scores, complications and satisfaction associated with pessary use before and after the intervention were obtained. RESULTS: Pessary treatment was associated with a reduction in the overall POPDI score from 55.0 (50.0, 60.0) at baseline to 25.0 (25.0, 30.0) after 12-18 months' use. The overall POPIQ score was reduced from 54.2 (41.7, 66.7) at baseline to 25.0 (25.0, 29.2) after 12-18 months' use of the pessary. Vaginal discharge was reported in 72.4 and 32.4% of the women after 3 and 12-18 months' use respectively, whereas 72.4 and 25% of the women had some degree of granuloma, erosion or infection at 3 and 12-18 months respectively. Despite the reported complications, 78% of the women were satisfied with the pessary when interviewed after 12-18 months and 81% wanted to continue using it. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal pessary improves symptoms and quality of life associated with symptomatic POP. Therefore, it may be a treatment option in managing POP in low-income countries such as Tanzania.

Delays contributing to the development and repair of obstetric fistula in northern Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Delays in receiving obstetric care during labor contribute to high rates of maternal morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. This exploratory study was conducted to identify important delays experienced during the development and subsequent repair of obstetric fistula in northern Tanzania. METHODS: Sixty women presenting to a tertiary hospital with obstetric fistula completed structured surveys about the birth experience that led to fistula development and their experiences seeking surgical repair. A subset of 30 provided qualitative accounts. Clinical data were collected postsurgery. Data were analyzed according to a four-delay model, with iterative analysis allowing for triangulation of all sources. RESULTS: During the index pregnancy, women labored for a median of 48 h. Most women (53/60; 88.3%) delivered in a facility but labored for a median of 12.4 h before deciding to seek care (Delay 1). Women spent a median of 1.25 h traveling to a facility (Delay 2). After presenting to care, 15/51 (29.4%) waited at least an hour to see a medical provider, and 35/53 (66.0%) required transfer to another facility (Delay 3). Women lived with fistula for a median of 10 years (Delay 4). Qualitative data provided context and a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to each delay. CONCLUSIONS: Critical delays exist both outside and within the healthcare system that contribute to the development and timely repair of obstetric fistula. Healthcare system strengthening, particularly with regard to emergency obstetric care, is critical to reduce the burden of obstetric fistula in women in Tanzania.

Psychological Symptoms and Social Functioning Following Repair of Obstetric Fistula in a Low-Income Setting.

Objectives Obstetric fistula is a maternal injury that causes uncontrollable leaking of urine or stool, and most women who develop it live in poverty in low-income countries. Obstetric fistula is associated with high rates of stigma and psychological morbidity, but there is uncertainty about the impact of surgical treatment on psychological outcomes. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine changes in psychological symptoms following surgical fistula repair, discharge and reintegration home. Methods Women admitted for surgical repair of obstetric fistula were recruited from a Tanzanian hospital serving a rural catchment area. Psychological symptoms and social functioning were assessed prior to surgery. Approximately 3 months after discharge, a data collector visited the patients' homes to repeat psychosocial measures and assess self-reported incontinence. Baseline to follow-up differences were measured with paired t tests controlling for multiple comparisons. Associations between psychological outcomes and leaking were assessed with t tests and Pearson correlations. Results Participants (N = 28) had been living with fistula for an average of 11 years. Baseline psychological distress was high, and decreased significantly at follow-up. Participants who self-reported continued incontinence at follow-up endorsed significantly higher PTSD and depression symptoms than those who reported being cured, and severity of leaking was associated with psychological distress. Conclusions Fistula patients experience improvements in mental health at 3 months after discharge, but these improvements are curtailed when women experience residual leaking. Given the rate of stress incontinence following surgery, it is important to prepare fistula patients for the possibility of incomplete cure and help them develop appropriate coping strategies.

Psychological Symptoms Among Obstetric Fistula Patients Compared to Gynecology Outpatients in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa that causes uncontrollable leaking of urine and/or feces. Research has documented the social and psychological sequelae of obstetric fistula, including mental health dysfunction and social isolation. PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study sought to quantify the psychological symptoms and social support in obstetric fistula patients, compared with a patient population of women without obstetric fistula. METHOD: Participants were gynecology patients (N = 144) at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania, recruited from the Fistula Ward (n = 54) as well as gynecology outpatient clinics (n = 90). Measures included previously validated psychometric questionnaires, administered orally by Tanzanian nurses. Outcome variables were compared between obstetric fistula patients and gynecology outpatients, controlling for background demographic variables and multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Compared to gynecology outpatients, obstetric fistula patients reported significantly higher symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, somatic complaints, and maladaptive coping. They also reported significantly lower social support. CONCLUSION: Obstetric fistula patients present for repair surgery with more severe psychological distress than gynecology outpatients. In order to address these mental health concerns, clinicians should engage obstetric fistula patients with targeted mental health interventions.

"I just wear it and I become normal": a qualitative study of Tanzanian women's experiences with long-term vaginal pessary use for stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has shown that vaginal pessaries are a cost-effective treatment for women worldwide suffering from stress urinary incontinence. However, little is known about African women's experiences with vaginal pessary use. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of vaginal pessary use among Tanzanian women who had received long-term pessary treatment for stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: 15 semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted over a 2-month period in 2019 with Tanzanian women living in the Kilimanjaro Region who suffered from stress urinary incontinence and who had been using a pessary for at least 18 months. The interview transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The primary motivation for seeking treatment were discomfort from symptoms, social consequences and low quality of life. Perceived benefits from pessary use included improved quality of life with reacquired abilities to perform daily activities, participate in social gatherings, feeling symptom relief and improved sexual relations. Further, some women saw pessary treatment as superior to other locally available treatment options. Perceived barriers for pessary use included shame, husband's disapproval, limited access to treatment and lack of knowledge among the women as well as healthcare personnel. CONCLUSION: Vaginal pessaries are well-perceived as a long-term treatment method among Tanzanian women suffering from stress urinary incontinence. This method may have potential to be implemented large scale in Tanzania if combined with basic health education.

Urinary incontinence and its relation to delivery circumstances: A population-based study from rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI), the different UI subtypes and the association between UI and delivery circumstances. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: 1048 women aged 18-90 women living in rural Kilimanjaro. Simple random sampling was done to select villages, households and participants. Community health workers helped in identifying eligible women and trained nurses/midwives conducted face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of UI was 42%. When focusing on the different types of UI, 17% of the women had stress UI, 9% had urge UI and 16% had mixed UI. Only one woman (0.1%) with vesico-vaginal fistula was identified. UI was found to be significantly associated with increasing parity (OR = 2.41 (1.55-3.74). In addition, women who in relation to their first delivery had delivered at home or had been in labour for more than 24 hours, had increased adjusted ORs of 1.70(1.08-2.68) and 2.10(1.08-4.10), respectively, for having UI. CONCLUSION: UI is common in rural Tanzania and of the subtypes of UI, Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the commonest followed by Mixed Urinary Incontinence (MUI). Home delivery, prolonged labour and increasing parity especially having 5 or more deliveries are associated with increased risk for developing UI.

Prevalence and risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A population based study in Tanzanian rural community.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and risk-factors of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in Tanzania are unknown. To help elucidate the problem, we assessed POP and associated risk-factors among Tanzanian women by deploying the POP-Q classification system. METHOD: A cross sectional community based study conducted in Hai, Rombo and Same Districts, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Women aged 18-90 were recruited through multi-stage random sampling from January to May 2015. Home-based questionnaire interviews were performed and the women were subsequently invited to the nearest health clinic for pelvic examination. Trained physicians used the POP-Q classification system to assess the POP stage. RESULTS: A total of 1195 women were interviewed and invited for pelvic examination; 1063(89%) women presented at the clinic of whom 1047(88%) accepted a clinical examination. Of 1047 examined women, 64.6% had an anatomical POP stage II-IV and 6.7% had a severe POP that descended 1 cm or more below the hymen. POP stage II-IV was associated with being aged 35+ years, being a farmer, doing petty trading and having delivered 3 times or more. Severe POP was associated with carrying heavy objects for ≥ 5 hours (OR 4.70;1.67-13.2), having delivered 5 times or more (OR 10.2;2.22-48.6) and having delivered at home (OR 2.40;1.36-4.22). CONCLUSION: POP is a common condition among rural Tanzanian women where 64.6% are having POP grade II-IV and 6.7% are having a severe POP descending 1 cm or more below the hymen. Risk-factors are increasing age, heavy lifting, high parity and home-delivery.

A nurse-delivered mental health intervention for obstetric fistula patients in Tanzania: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric fistula has severe psychological consequences, but no evidence-based interventions exist to improve mental health in this population. This pilot trial evaluated a psychological intervention for women receiving surgical care for obstetric fistula. METHODS: A parallel two-armed pilot RCT was conducted between 2014 and 2016. The intervention was six individual sessions, based on psychological theory and delivered by a nurse facilitator. The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Moshi, Tanzania. Women were eligible if they were over age 18 and admitted to the hospital for surgical repair of an obstetric fistula. Sixty participants were randomized to the intervention or standard of care. Surveys were completed at baseline, post-treatment (before discharge), and 3 months following discharge. Standardized scales measured depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, and self-esteem. Feasibility of an RCT was assessed by participation and retention. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were assessed by fidelity, attendance, and participant ratings. Potential efficacy was assessed by exploratory linear regression and clinical significance analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent met criteria for mental health dysfunction at enrollment. All eligible patients enrolled, with retention 100% post and 73% at 3 months. Participants rated the intervention acceptable and beneficial. There were sharp and meaningful improvements in mental health outcomes over time, with no evidence of differences by condition. CONCLUSIONS: A nurse-delivered mental health intervention was feasible to implement as part of in-patient clinical care and regarded positively. Mental health treatment in this population is warranted given high level of distress at presentation to care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT01934075.

Experiences of social support among women presenting for obstetric fistula repair surgery in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: An obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury resulting in uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or feces and can lead to physical and psychological challenges, including social isolation. Prior to and after fistula repair surgery, social support can help a woman to reintegrate into her community. The aim of this study was to preliminarily examine the experiences of social support among Tanzanian women presenting with obstetric fistula in the periods immediately preceding obstetric fistula repair surgery and following reintegration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study used a mixed-methods design to analyze cross-sectional surveys (n=59) and in-depth interviews (n=20). RESULTS: Women reported widely varying levels of social support from family members and partners, with half of the sample reporting overall high levels of social support. For women experiencing lower levels of support, fistula often exacerbated existing problems in relationships, sometimes directly causing separation or divorce. Many women were assertive and resilient with regard to advocating for their fistula care and relationship needs. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that while some women endure negative social experiences following an obstetric fistula and require additional resources and services, many women report high levels of social support from family members and partners, which may be harnessed to improve the holistic care for patients.

Development of an intervention to improve mental health for obstetric fistula patients in Tanzania.

Obstetric fistula is a debilitating childbirth injury that has been associated with high rates of psychological distress. Global efforts have helped to link women to surgical repair, but thus far no evidence-based interventions exist to address the psychological needs of these women during the hospital stay. In this paper, we describe the development of a psychological intervention for women in Tanzania who are receiving surgical care for an obstetric fistula. The intervention was developed based on theories of cognitive behavioral therapy and coping models. Content and delivery were informed by qualitative data collection with a range of stakeholders including women with fistula, and input from a study advisory board. The resulting intervention was six individual sessions, delivered by a trained community health nurse. The session topics were (1) recounting the fistula story; (2) creating a new story about the fistula; (3) loss, grief and shame; (4) specific strategies for coping; (5) social relationships; and (6) planning for the future. A trial run of the intervention revealed that the intervention could be delivered with fidelity and was acceptable to patients. A future randomized control trial will evaluate the efficacy of this intervention to address the mental health symptoms of this population.