Provision of prostate cancer services in Tanzania: perspectives from five tertiary hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Access to quality prostate cancer services remains a global challenge, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income countries. This is often due to weak health systems that struggle to meet the population's needs. The provision of quality health services to patients with prostate cancer requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple stakeholders and structural inputs. However, few studies have comprehensively assessed the relationship between these structural inputs and prostate cancer treatment outcomes. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the availability of selected structural inputs and descriptions of how they influence the provision of quality services to patients with prostate cancer in Tanzania. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach to collect data from five tertiary hospitals providing cancer services in Tanzania. A validated checklist was used to collect information on available structural inputs for prostate services at tertiary hospitals. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct 42 in-depth interviews with 20 healthcare providers, five hospital managers, and 17 patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Descriptive analysis was performed for the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was conducted with the aid of NVivo 14 qualitative software for the interview transcripts. RESULTS: All five assessed tertiary hospitals had inadequate human resources for health to provide prostate cancer services. Only one had 70% of the required HRH, while none had above 40% of the required HRH. Within the hospitals, the skill mix imbalance was severe across cadres. Five themes emerged: inadequate infrastructure, delays in diagnosis, delays in treatment, shortage of human resources for health (HRH), and inefficient organization of prostate cancer services. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study, underscore the major health system deficiencies for the provision of prostate cancer services in tertiary hospitals. With the increased aging population, strong health systems are vital in addressing conditions of old aging, including prostate cancers. Studies on optimization of the available HRH and infrastructure are needed to improve the provision of prostate cancer in tertiary hospitals as an interim solution while long-term measures are needed for improving the HRH availability and conducive infrastructure.

Acceptability of an integrated school-based HPV vaccination program within two districts of Tanzania: A qualitative descriptive study.

Tanzania has one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. The Tanzanian Ministry of Health developed an integrated adolescent health program, HPV-Plus, that combines HPV vaccination with additional health services: nutritional assessments, vision screening, and vaccination for adolescent girls, and education for all genders. This qualitative descriptive study evaluated the acceptability of the HPV-Plus program in two districts in Tanzania. Key informants comprising of adolescent girls, parents, program planners, and program implementers in Njombe and Dar es Salaam Tanzania were interviewed to assess the program acceptability. Transcripts were analyzed using a team-based iterative thematic analysis approach, consisting of both inductive and deductive coding. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability was used to guide analysis, with themes categorized according to theoretical constructs of intervention coherence, affective attitudes and perceptions, and perceived effectiveness. Overall acceptability of the HPV-Plus program was high among stakeholders. The most salient finding regarding factors that influenced HPV vaccine acceptability was largely related to education and knowledge levels surrounding the HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccines. The educational component of the HPV-Plus program was key in increasing acceptability. Parents reported the lowest acceptability towards the program. This was found to be primarily due to perceptions of not being sufficiently engaged throughout program implementation. Increasing acceptability of HPV vaccination programs among key stakeholders is critical to facilitating vaccine uptake and meeting vaccination coverage targets. Our results demonstrate that the inclusion of a comprehensive education component within the HPV-Plus program was key in facilitating HPV vaccine acceptability amongst stakeholders.

Feasibility and sustainability of a school-based platform for integrated delivery of HPV vaccination with adolescent health services in Tanzania: qualitative insights from stakeholders.

To meet lofty human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization goals in Tanzania, the Ministry of Health integrated HPV vaccination with adolescent health services using a school-based approach. A qualitative study was conducted in June-July 2021, examining the feasibility and sustainability of an integrated service package, HPV Plus. In-depth interviews with 46 programme implementers (i.e. health-care workers and teachers) and planning stakeholders (i.e. government officials and school administrators) in Dar es Salaam and Njombe Regions explored enablers and constraints to HPV Plus programme implementation, including resource and staffing requirements. Two facilitators and three barriers to HPV Plus feasibility and sustainability were identified from thematic analysis of interviews. Interviewed stakeholders emphasized the programme's feasibility, especially if the efficiencies offered by a school-based platform were optimized. Implementation facilitators included (1) optimized service delivery efficiency through a school-based platform and (2) resources saved by combining adolescent health services and HPV immunization into a single programme package. Key barriers to HPV Plus feasibility and sustainability were (1) time, space and resource constraints (e.g. commodity stockouts and challenges delivering the complete service package to large cohorts of students within allotted times); (2) human resource gaps and increased workloads within the health workforce and (3) insufficient referral mechanisms linking schools to health facilities. Scaling up HPV Plus will require proactive commodity procurement and security; resource mobilization to reach ambitious service delivery targets and close co-ordination of programme implementation with school administrators.

Low Uptake of the Second Dose of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Cervical cancer represents the most common neoplastic pathology among women, with a high burden of morbidity and mortality globally. Tanzania is no exception. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remains the most effective intervention to address such a burden. However, the uptake of the second dose to confer full immunity remains a challenge. This study aimed to assess the uptake and factors associated with the second dose of the HPV (HPV-2) vaccine uptake among adolescents in the Ilala municipality of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Using a quantitative cross-sectional study, data of 389 adolescent girls was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software through descriptive and multivariate logistic regression methods to determine uptake, characteristics, and factors associated with the uptake of the second dose of the HPV vaccine. Among the 389 adolescents, the uptake of the HPV-2 vaccine dose was only 21.3%, a lower level compared with the first dose of HPV vaccine (35.2%). Factors associated with the uptake of the HPV-2 vaccine were age (AOR 0.14, p = 0.008), positive attitude towards the HPV-2 vaccine (AOR 2.04, p = 0.023), and awareness of the HPV-2 vaccine (AOR: 9.16, p = 0.003). In conclusion, only one in five adolescents in the Ilala municipality received a second dose of HPV vaccine. Such low uptake was associated with attitude towards the HPV vaccine and low awareness of HPV-2 vaccines. Regular community sensitization and awareness campaigns by relevant authorities and implementers may help to increase the HPV vaccine uptake.

Barriers to Quality Perioperative Care Delivery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Rapid Appraisal Study.

BACKGROUND: Provision of timely, safe, and affordable surgical care is an essential component of any high-quality health system. Increasingly, it is recognized that poor quality of care in the perioperative period (before, during, and after surgery) may contribute to significant excess mortality and morbidity. Therefore, improving access to surgical procedures alone will not address the disparities in surgical outcomes globally until the quality of perioperative care is addressed. We aimed to identify key barriers to quality perioperative care delivery for 3 "Bellwether" procedures (cesarean delivery, emergency laparotomy, and long-bone fracture fixation) in 5 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Ten hospitals representing secondary and tertiary facilities from 5 LMICs were purposefully selected: 2 upper-middle income (Colombia and South Africa); 2 lower-middle income (Sri Lanka and Tanzania); and 1 lower income (Uganda). We used a rapid appraisal design (pathway mapping, ethnography, and interviews) to map out and explore the complexities of the perioperative pathway and care delivery for the Bellwether procedures. The framework approach was used for data analysis, with triangulation across different data sources to identify barriers in the country and pattern matching to identify common barriers across the 5 LMICs. RESULTS: We developed 25 pathway maps, undertook >30 periods of observation, and held >40 interviews with patients and clinical staff. Although the extent and impact of the barriers varied across the LMIC settings, 4 key common barriers to safe and effective perioperative care were identified: (1) the fragmented nature of the care pathways, (2) the limited human and structural resources available for the provision of care, (3) the direct and indirect costs of care for patients (even in health systems for which care is ostensibly free of charge), and (4) patients' low expectations of care. CONCLUSIONS: We identified key barriers to effective perioperative care in LMICs. Addressing these barriers is important if LMIC health systems are to provide safe, timely, and affordable provision of the Bellwether procedures.

Association of International Editorial Staff With Published Articles From Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Importance: The association between geographic diversity of medical journal editorial staff and publications reporting research conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unclear. Objective: To examine the association between having editorial staff members affiliated with LMICs and publishing research articles from LMICs in leading biomedical journals. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study included biomedical journals in fields representing the largest disease burden globally from January 1 to December 31, 2020. Websites of the 5 leading journals in general medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, psychiatry, and nutrition were reviewed to obtain the country affiliations of editorial staff members. To determine article study countries, original research articles in each journal were reviewed through MEDLINE. Editorial staff country affiliations and study country locations were classified according to World Bank income brackets and regions. Exposure: Editorial staff country affiliation. Main Outcomes and Measures: Descriptive statistics of the proportion of editorial staff affiliated with each income bracket and region and Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between the proportion of editorial staff affiliated with LMICs and the proportion of published articles reporting work conducted in these countries. Results: There were 3819 editorial staff members in the 45 included journals: 3637 (95.2%) were affiliated with high-income countries, 140 (3.7%) with upper-middle-income countries, 37 (1.0%) with lower-middle-income countries, and 5 (0.1%) with low-income countries. All 48 editors-in-chief were affiliated with a high-income country. Editorial staff members were mostly affiliated with North American countries (n = 2120 [55.5%]) and European or Central Asian countries (n = 1256 [32.9%]). Of the 10 096 original research articles included in our analysis, 7857 (77.8%) reported research conducted in high-income countries, 1562 (15.5%) reported research conducted in upper-middle-income countries, 507 (5.0%) reported research conducted in lower-middle-income countries, and 170 (1.7%) reported research conducted in low-income countries. Greater editorial staff representation correlated moderately with more published articles reporting research conducted in LMICs (Spearman ρ = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.25-0.70; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, editorial staff in leading biomedical journals were largely composed of individuals affiliated with high-income countries in North America and Europe. A correlation was found between greater editorial staff representation and publication of research focused on LMICs, suggesting that the inclusion of editorial staff affiliated with LMICs may promote the publication of research conducted in those countries.

Advances in training of the specialized human resources for health in Tanzania: the case of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.

BACKGROUND: Increasing the number of specialized human resources for health is paramount to attainment of the United Nations sustainable development goals. Higher learning institutions in low-and middle-income countries must address this necessity. Here, we describe the 5-years trends in accreditation of the clinical and non-clinical postgraduate (PG) programmes, student admission and graduation at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania, highlighting successes, challenges and opportunities for improvement. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal study describing trends in PG training at MUHAS between 2015 and 2016 and 2019-2020. Major interventions in the reporting period included university-wide short course training programme to faculty on curricula development and initiation of online application system. Data were collected through a review of secondary data from various university records and was analyzed descriptively. Primary outcomes were the number of accredited PG programmes, number of PG applicants as well as proportions of applicants selected, applicants registered (enrolled) and students graduated, with a focus on gender and internationalization (students who are not from Tanzania). RESULTS: The number of PG programmes increased from 60 in 2015-2016 to 77 in 2019-2020, including programmes in rare fields such as cardiothoracic surgery, cardiothoracic anesthesia and critical care. The number of PG applications, selected applicants, registered applicants and PG students graduating at the university over the past five academic years had steadily increased by 79, 81, 50 and 79%, respectively. The average proportions of PG students who applied, were selected and registered as well as graduated at the university over the past five years by gender and internationalization has remained stably at 60% vs. 40% (male vs. female) and 90% vs. 10% (Tanzanian vs. international), respectively. In total, the university graduated 1348 specialized healthcare workers in the five years period, including 45 super-specialists in critical fields, through a steady increase from 200 graduates in 2015-2016 to 357 graduates in 2019-2020. Major challenges encountered include inadequate sponsorship, limited number of academic staff and limited physical infrastructure for teaching. CONCLUSION: Despite challenges encountered, MUHAS has made significant advances over the past five years in training of specialized and super-specialized healthcare workforce by increasing the number of programmes, enrollment and graduates whilst maintaining a narrow gender gap and international relevance. MUHAS will continue to be the pillar in training of the specialized human resources for health and is thus poised to contribute to timely attainment of the health-related United Nations sustainable development goals in Tanzania and beyond, particularly within the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

Cervical cancer in Northern Tanzania-What do women living with HIV know.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is more prevalent in women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compared to the general population. The magnitude is high among all countries burdened with HIV-Tanzania is no exception. Despite the unprecedented risk, women living with HIV (WLHIV) may not be aware of the risk and might have unfounded beliefs thereof. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, awareness, and beliefs on CC screening among WLHIV attending a clinic at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Northern Tanzania. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 WLHIV attending care and treatment clinic (CTC) at KCMC. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Both descriptive and regression methods were used to determine CC knowledge, awareness, and beliefs as well as factors associated with knowledge of CC among WLHIV using SPSS version 23. Results: Participants' mean age was 46 ± 10.4 years. Although just half (54.7%) of WLHIV had insufficient knowledge of CC, the majority of the participants (83.5%) were able to recognize at least three risk factors, but with limited understanding of symptoms and prevention. The majority held positive beliefs on CC and screening practices. Factors associated with good knowledge of CC included being married (AOR: 3.66, 95% CI: 1.84-7.28), having used ART for at least 2 years (AOR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.36-12.21), and having previously screened for CC (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.01-2.59). Conclusion: WLHIV attending care and treatment center had insufficient knowledge about CC screening. To further improve screening and treatment for CC, at both facility and community levels, targeted awareness and education campaigns are warranted.

Advanced baseline immunosuppression is associated with elevated levels of plasma markers of fungal translocation and inflammation in long-term treated HIV-infected Tanzanians.

BACKGROUND: For over a decade, antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited countries was only recommended for patients with advanced HIV disease. We investigated this group of patients in order to determine any relationship between degree of immunosuppression during treatment initiation and the subsequent levels of inflammatory biomarkers, reservoir size and plasma marker of fungal translocation after achieving long-term virological control. METHODS: We analyzed 115 virally suppressed (female 83.5%) and 40 untreated (female 70%) subjects from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The size of HIV latent reservoir (proviral DNA copy) was determined using quantitative PCR. Inflammatory biomarkers; IL-6, IL-10, and soluble CD14 (sCD14), were measured using multiplex cytometric beads array. Antibody titers for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV), plasma level of 1-3-beta-D-Glucan (BDG) was measured using ELISA. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured using nephelometric method. RESULTS: The median age was 36 (IQR 32-44) and 47 (IQR 43-54) years in untreated and virally suppressed patients respectively. Median duration of treatment for virally suppressed patients was 9 years (IQR 7-12) and median baseline CD4 count was 147 cells/mm3 (IQR 65-217). Virally suppressed patients were associated with significantly lower plasma levels of IL-10, sCD14 and BDG (P < 0.05) when compared to untreated patients. However, plasma level of IL-6 was similar between the groups. Baseline advanced level of immunosuppression (CD4 < 100cells/cm3) was associated with significantly higher plasma level of IL-6 (P = 0.02), hsCRP (P = 0.036) and BDG (P = 0.0107). This relationship was not seen in plasma levels of other tested markers. Degree of baseline immunosuppression was not associated with the subsequent proviral DNA copy. In addition, plasma levels of inflammatory marker were not associated with sex, CMV or EBV antibody titers, treatment duration or regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that advanced immunosuppression at ART initiation is associated with severity of inflammation and elevated fungal translocation marker despite long term virological control. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential increased burden of non-AIDS comorbidities that are linked to elevated inflammatory and fungal translocation markers as a result of the policy of HIV treatment at CD4 count < 200 cells/cm3 implemented for over a decade in Tanzania.

Evaluation of breastfeeding care and education given to mothers with low-birthweight babies by healthcare workers at a hospital in urban Tanzania: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The total neonatal mortality in Tanzania remains high reaching as much as 44,900 deaths per year, particularly among low birthweight (LBW) babies. This makes Tanzania the fourth African country with the highest number of annual neonatal deaths. Studies have shown the advantages of breast milk for LBW babies and the effectiveness of interventions from healthcare workers (HCWs) to encourage mothers to achieve exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Although these interventions can substantially reduce mortality in this vulnerable group, they remain insufficient in practice particularly in resource-limited countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish the most appropriate interventions for mothers with LBW babies, particularly in these countries. To help address this need, we evaluated the breastfeeding care and education given to mothers with LBW babies by HCWs during hospitalization in Tanzania. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with mothers of LBW babies at an urban hospital in Tanzania was conducted. We assessed their understanding of breastfeeding at discharge. All the interviews were conducted in local Swahili and then translated to English. Data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Among the 19 mothers interviewed, only four breastfed their baby within an hour after birth. Nine mothers received no support from HCWs when they breastfeed their baby for the first time. Ten mothers received no education on EBF, and there were mothers who misunderstood the EBF definition. Eight answered that they had difficulty breastfeeding their baby at discharge. Four mothers were dissatisfied with the care and education given by HCWs, and six mothers provided suggestions for improvements. Although six mothers had a high reliance on HCWs, they had difficulty asking HCWs questions because of their authoritative attitude and behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers with LBW babies need special support to increase their ability to breastfeed and ensure EBF continuance. To address the gaps between the currently provided breastfeeding interventions and the ideal breastfeeding interventions, improvements in the quality and quantity of breastfeeding care and education are required. Training HCWs to systematize standard interventions, confirming mothers' understanding, and ensuring a comfortable environment for mothers are absolutely needed.

Gender differences in nutritional status, diet and physical activity among adolescents in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate gender differences in nutritional status, dietary intake, physical activity and hand hygiene among adolescents from diverse geographical settings in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: This study utilised cross-sectional data from six countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda) within the ARISE Adolescent Health Survey (n = 7625). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using measured heights and weights, and z-scores were calculated based on the 2007 WHO growth standards for age and sex. Information on demographics, diet and health behaviours was collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardised questionnaire. Site-specific and pooled prevalence ratios were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and stunting pooled across sites was 14.3%, 6.8% and 18.1%, respectively. Female sex was associated with a lower risk of being underweight (pooled prevalence ratio 0.66, 95% 0.57, 0.77) and stunted (pooled PR 0.63, 95% CI 0.55, 0.71), but a higher risk of being overweight (pooled PR 1.60, 95% CI 1.26, 2.06). Females were also less likely to exercise for 1 h or more per day (pooled PR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67, 0.88), and more likely to wash hands after using toilets or latrines and to wash hands with soap (pooled PRs 1.13, 95% CI 1.05, 1.21 and 1.35, 95% CI 1.23, 1.45, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results emphasise that sex is a key predictor of nutritional status among sub-Saharan African adolescents and suggest that gender-specific interventions may be required to reduce the double burden of under- and overnutrition.

OBJECTIF: L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer les différences entre les sexes en matière d'état nutritionnel, d'apport alimentaire, d'activité physique et d'hygiène des mains chez les adolescents de divers contextes géographiques en Afrique subsaharienne. MÉTHODES: Cette étude a utilisé des données transversales provenant de six pays (Burkina Faso, Ethiopie, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzanie et Ouganda) dans le cadre de l'enquête sur la santé des adolescents ARISE (n = 7.625). L'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) a été calculé à l'aide des mesures de la taille et du poids et les scores z ont été calculés sur la base des normes de croissance de 2007 de l'OMS pour l'âge et le sexe. Les informations sur la démographie, les comportements diététiques et de santé ont été recueillies lors d'entretiens se face à face à l'aide d'un questionnaire standardisé. Les rapports de prévalences poolés et spécifiques au site ont été déterminés. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence de l'insuffisance pondérale, du surpoids et du retard de croissance, répartie entre les sites, était de 14,3%, 6,8% et 18,1%, respectivement. Le sexe féminin était associé à un risque plus faible d'avoir une insuffisance pondérale (rapport de prévalence poolée, RP: 0,66 ; 95%: 0,57 - 0,77) et d'avoir un retard de croissance (RP poolé: 0,63 ; IC95%: 0.55-0.71), mais un risque plus élevé de surpoids (PR poolé: 1.60; IC95%: 1.26-2.06). Les filles étaient également moins susceptibles de faire de l'exercice physique pendant au moins une heure par jour (RP poolé: 0,77 ; IC95%: 0.67-0.88) et plus susceptibles de se laver les mains après avoir utilisé des toilettes ou des latrines et de se laver les mains au savon (RP poolé: 13.1; IC95%: 1.05-1.21 et 1.35; IC95%: 1.23-1.45 respectivement). CONCLUSION: Nos résultats soulignent que le sexe est un facteur prédictif de l'état nutritionnel chez les adolescents africains subsahariens et suggèrent que des interventions spécifiques au genre pourraient être nécessaires pour réduire la double charge de la sous-nutrition et de la suralimentation.