National Non-Communicable Diseases Conferences- A Platform to Inform Policies and Practices in Tanzania.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) arise from diverse risk factors with differences in the contexts and variabilities in regions and countries. Addressing such a complex challenge requires local evidence. Tanzania has been convening stakeholders every year to disseminate and discuss scientific evidence, policies, and implementation gaps, to inform policy makers in NCDs responses. This paper documents these dissemination efforts and how they have influenced NCDs response and landscape in Tanzania and the region. Methods: Desk review was conducted through available MOH and conference organizers' documents. It had both quantitative and qualitative data. The review included reports of the four NCDs conferences, conference organization, and conduct processes. In addition, themes of the conferences, submitted abstracts, and presentations were reviewed. Narrative synthesis was conducted to address the objectives. Recommendations emanated from the conference and policy uptake were reviewed and discussed to determine the impact of the dissemination. Findings: Since 2019, four theme-specific conferences were organized. This report includes evidence from four conferences. The conferences convened researchers and scientists from research and training institutions, implementers, government agencies, and legislators in Tanzania and other countries within and outside Africa. Four hundred and thirty-five abstracts were presented covering 14 sub-themes on health system improvements, financing, governance, prevention intervention, and the role of innovation and technology. The conferences have had a positive effect on governments' response to NCDs, including health care financing, NCDs research agenda, and universal health coverage. Conclusion: The National NCDs conferences have provided suitable platforms where stakeholders can share, discuss, and recommend vital strategies for addressing the burden of NCDs through informing policies and practices. Ensuring the engagement of the right stakeholders, as well as the uptake and utilization of the recommendations from these platforms, remains crucial for addressing the observed epidemiological transition in Tanzania and other countries with similar contexts.

Lessons learnt and best practices in scaling up an emergency transportation system to tackle maternal and neonatal mortality: a qualitative study of key stakeholders in Shinyanga, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to document lessons learnt and best practices for scaling up an innovative emergency transportation system, drawing insights from the m-mama programme implemented in Shinyanga, Tanzania. The m-mama pilot programme was implemented in phases from 2014 to 2016 in two districts and later scaled up to include all districts in Shinyanga region in 2017. The programme employed an emergency transportation system and technical and operational support of the health system to address the three delays leading to maternal and neonatal mortality. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, qualitative research with key healthcare system stakeholders from the national, regional and district levels. SETTING: The study was conducted in Kahama and Kishapu districts in Shinyanga, Tanzania. The two districts were selected purposefully to represent the programme implementation districts' rural and urban or semiurban settings. PARTICIPANTS: District, regional and national stakeholders involved in implementing the m-mama pilot programme in Shinyanga were interviewed between February and March 2022. RESULTS: Lessons learnt from implementing the m-mama programme were grouped into four key themes: community engagement, emergency transportation system, government engagement, and challenges and constraints in technical implementation. Stakeholder engagement and collaboration at all levels, community involvement in implementation, adherence to local contexts and effective government partnerships were identified as key drivers for programme success. Coordination, supervision and infrastructure enhancement were crucial in implementing the emergency transportation system. CONCLUSIONS: Facilitating community involvement, understanding the local context and adapting to existing structures can enhance programme ownership and utilisation. The government serves as the central coordinator, overseeing resource mobilisation and distribution. A well-executed and coordinated emergency transportation system holds promise in addressing delays and curbing maternal and neonatal mortality. Collaborative knowledge-sharing among implementers is essential for identifying best practices and gaining insights into practical strategies for addressing anticipated challenges.

Non-communicable Diseases Week: Best Practices in Addressing the NCDs Burden from Tanzania.

Background: Five million people die every year from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. In Tanzania, more than two-thirds of deaths are NCD-related. The country is investing in preventive and advocacy activities as well as interventions to reduce the burden. Of particular interest, the Ministry of Health (MoH) commemorates NCDs' week using a multisectoral and multi-stakeholders' approach. This paper highlights activities conducted during NCDs week with the aim of sharing lessons for other countries with similar context and burdens. Methods: A thorough review of official reports and the national strategic plans for NCDs was done including the 2020 and 2021 National NCDs' week reports, the National Strategic Plan for NCDs 2015-2020, and the National NCDs agenda. Findings: NCDs week is commemorated annually throughout the country involving the five key activities. First, community awareness and participation are encouraged through media engagement and community-based preventive and advocacy activities. Second, physical activities and sports festivals are implemented with a focus on developing and renovating infrastructures for sports and recreation. Third, health education is provided in schools to promote healthy behaviors for secondary school adolescents in transition to adulthood. Fourth, health service provision and exhibitions are conducted involving screening for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, alcohol use, and physical activities. The targeted screening of NCDs identified 10% of individuals with at least one NCD in 2020. In 2021, a third of all screened individuals were newly diagnosed with hypertension, and 3% were found to have raised blood glucose levels. Fifth, the national NCDs scientific conferences conducted within the NCDs week provide an avenue for stakeholders to discuss scientific evidence related to NCDs and recommend strategies to mitigate NCDs burden. Conclusion: The initiation of NCDs week has been a cornerstone in advocating for NCDs control and prevention in the country. It has created awareness on NCDs, encourage healthy lifestyles and regular screening for NCDs. The multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approaches have made the implementation of the mentioned activities feasible and impactful. This has set an example for the united efforts toward NCD control and prevention at national, regional, and global platforms while considering contextual factors during adoption and implementation.

Mitigating the Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases through Locally Generated Evidence-Lessons from Tanzania.

Background: The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing globally, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the brunt of it. Tanzania is no exception. Addressing the rising burden of NCDs in this context calls for renewed efforts and commitment by various stakeholders. This paper highlights local initiatives and strategies to combat NCDs in Tanzania and provides lessons for countries with similar contexts. Methods: We reviewed published and grey literature and conducted policy analysis on NCDs in Tanzania to examine the burden of NCDs and the national response addressing it. The documents included National NCD strategic plans, NCD research agenda, and reports from the World Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization. Moreover, a scoping review of ongoing NCD activities and programs in other countries was also conducted to supplement the evidence gathered. Results: The rising burden of NCDs as a result of the epidemiological transition in Tanzania called for the launching of a dedicated National NCD Control and Prevention Program. The Ministry of Health collaborates with local, national, and international partners on NCD prevention and curative strategies. This led to the development of important guidelines and policies on NCDs, including strengthening the capacity of health facilities and healthcare workers, increased community engagement and awareness of NCDs, and increased advocacy for more resources in NCD initiatives. Strong governmental commitment has been vital; this is demonstrated by a renewed commitment to the fight through national NCD week and related advocacy activities conducted annually. To ensure multi-stakeholders' engagement and political commitment, all these activities are coordinated at the Prime Minister's office and provide strong lessons for countries with contexts similar to Tanzania. Conclusion: Multi-stakeholders' engagement, innovative approaches, and coordinated governmental efforts to address NCDs have shone a light on addressing the burden of NCDs and may be sustainable if aligned with locally available resources. Such initiatives are recommended for adoption by other nations to address the burdens of NCDs.

Uptake of Oral HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Associated Factors among Female Sex Workers in Tanga, Tanzania.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV infection among female sex workers (FSW). WHO recommends the use of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for use in oral PrEP regimens (TDF). Emtricitabine (FTC) 200 mg/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) 300 mg (Truvada) daily is the approved PrEP regimen in Tanzania. Evidence is limited on oral PrEP uptake and its associated factors in countries with a high burden of HIV, such as Tanzania. This study aimed to examine the uptake of oral PrEP and its associated factors among FSW in the Tanga region of Tanzania. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 FSW. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using STATA version 17 and RDSAT. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations of independent factors and PrEP uptake among study participants. About 55% of the recruited FSW used oral PrEP. FSW with three or more children were 2.41 times more likely to take oral PrEP (AOR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.08-4.25, p < 0.05). Moreover, those with a positive attitude were more likely to use oral PrEP (AOR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.88-4.17, p < 0.05). Poor belief was a barrier to PrEP use, and side effects of the drugs were a reason for the discontinuation of PrEP services. Most of the participants preferred PrEP services to be provided in the community. Oral PrEP uptake was 55%. Efforts to scale up PrEP for FSW should address misconceptions regarding PrEP, PrEP sensitization, and improving access through community-based intervention.

Community-based transport system in Shinyanga, Tanzania: A local innovation averting delays to access health care for maternal emergencies.

In achieving the sustainable development goal 3.1, Tanzania needs substantial investment to address the three delays which responsible for most of maternal deaths. To this end, the government of Tanzania piloted a community-based emergency transport intervention to address the second delay through m-mama program. This study examined secondary data to determine the cost-effectiveness of this intervention in comparison to the standard ambulance system alone. The m-mama program was implemented in six councils of Shinyanga region. The m-mama program data analyzed included costs of referral services using the Emergency Transportation System (EmTS) compared with the standard ambulance system. Analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel, whose data was fed into a TreeAge Pro Healthcare 2022 model. The cost and effectiveness data were discounted at 5% to make a fair comparison between the two systems. During m-mama program implementation a total of 989 referrals were completed. Of them, 30.1% used the standard referral system using ambulance, while 69.9% used the EmTS. The Emergency transport system costed USD 170.4 per a completed referral compared to USD 472 per one complete referral using ambulance system alone. The introduction of m-mama emergency transportation system is more cost effective compared to standard ambulance system alone in the context of Shinyanga region. Scaling up of similar intervention to other regions with similar context and burden of maternal mortality may save cost of otherwise normal emergency ambulance system. Through lessons learned while scaling up, the intervention may be improved and tailored to local challenges and further improve its effectiveness.

Critical illness at the emergency department of a Tanzanian national hospital in a three-year period 2019-2021.

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients have life-threatening conditions requiring immediate vital organ function intervention. But, critical illness in the emergency department (ED) has not been comprehensively described in resource-limited settings. Understanding the characteristics and dynamics of critical illness can help hospitals prepare for and ensure the continuum of care for critically ill patients. This study aimed to describe the pattern and outcomes of critically ill patients at the ED of the National Hospital in Tanzania from 2019 to 2021. METHODOLOGY: This hospital-records-based retrospective cohort study analyzed records of all patients who attended the ED of Muhimbili National Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. Data extracted from the ED electronic database included clinical and demographic information, diagnoses, and outcome status at the ED. Critical illness in this study was defined as either a severe derangement of one or more vital signs measured at triage or the provision of critical care intervention. Data were analyzed using Stata 17 to examine critical illnesses' burden, characteristics, first-listed diagnosis, and outcomes at the ED. RESULTS: Among the 158,445 patients who visited the ED in the study period, 16,893 (10.7%) were critically ill. The burden of critical illness was 6,346 (10.3%) in 2019, 5,148 (10.9%) in 2020, and 5,400 (11.0%) in 2021. Respiratory (18.8%), cardiovascular (12.6%), infectious diseases (10.2%), and trauma (10.2%) were the leading causes of critical illness. Most (81.6%) of the critically ill patients presenting at the ED were admitted or transferred, of which 11% were admitted to the ICUs and 89% to general wards. Of the critically ill, 4.8% died at the ED. CONCLUSION: More than one in ten patients attending the Tanzanian National Hospital emergency department was critically ill. The number of critically ill patients did not increase during the pandemic. The majority were admitted to general hospital wards, and about one in twenty died at the ED. This study highlights the burden of critical illness faced by hospitals and the need to ensure the availability and quality of emergency and critical care throughout hospitals.

Towards sustainable emergence transportation system for maternal and new born: Lessons from the m-mama innovative pilot program in Shinyanga, Tanzania.

Maternal mortality comprises about 10% of all deaths among women of reproductive age (15-49 years). More than 90% of such deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In this study, we aimed to document lessons learnt and best practices toward sustainability of the m-mama program for reducing maternal and newborn mortality in Tanzania. We conducted a qualitative study from February to March 2022 in Kahama and Kishapu district councils of Shinyanga region. A total of 20 Key Informant Interviews (KII) and four Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among key stakeholders. The participants included implementing partners and beneficiaries, Community Care groups (CCGs) facilitators, health facility staff, drivers and dispatchers. We gathered data on their experience with the program, services offered, and recommendations to improve program sustainability. We based the discussion of our findings on the integrated sustainability framework (ISF). Thematic analysis was conducted to summarize the results. To ensure the sustainability of the program, these were recommended. First, active involvement of the government to complement community efforts, through the provision and maintenance of resources including a timely and inclusive budget, dedicated staff, infrastructure development and maintenance. Secondly, support from different stakeholders through a well-coordinated partnership with the government and local facilities. Third, continued capacity building for implementers, health care workers (HCWs) and community health workers (CHWs) and community awareness to increase program trust and services utilization. Dissemination and sharing of evidence and lesson learnt from successful program activities and close monitoring of implemented activities is necessary to ensure smooth, well-coordinated delivery of proposed strategies. Considering the temporality of the external funding, for successful implementation of the program, we propose a package of three key actions; first, strengthening government ownership and engagement at an earlier stage, secondly, promoting community awareness and commitment and lastly, maintaining a well-coordinated multi-stakeholder' involvement during program implementation.

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.

Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Context of HIV: An Exploration of Barriers in Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: Ensuring optimal nutrition through early breastfeeding is vital for infant mental development and overall health. HIV infections complicate decisions regarding exclusive breastfeeding, jeopardizing effective infant and young child feeding, which affects nutrition and health outcomes. Recognizing the lack of evidence on barriers to infant feeding in the context of HIV in Tanzania, this study was conducted to explore individual, household, and community obstacles in the Ilala district, Dar es Salaam. Methods: The study used a hospital-based qualitative approach, focusing on HIV-positive mothers with infants aged 3-6 months in Dar es Salaam city. This involved reviewing mothers' files, conducting interviews with them, and interviewing Reproductive and Child Health clinics (RCH) and community healthcare providers. In total, 27 In-depth interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached, and thematic analysis was used to analyze collected data. Findings: The study identified various barriers to exclusive breastfeeding, encompassing individual factors like work schedules, postpartum depression, and breast conditions. On the household level, barriers included limited access to resources, family influence, and HIV status disclosure reluctance due to stigma. In the community, low retention in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programs plays a pivotal role in hindering exclusive breastfeeding support for HIV-positive mothers. Conclusion and Recommendations: HIV-positive mothers face diverse barriers ranging from individual, household, and community-based barriers. Policies supporting breastfeeding, early detection of postnatal depression and breast problems, and peer support for young mothers are of paramount importance. Food insecurity and HIV stigma should be tackled through income-generating activities, family involvement in PMTCT programs, and awareness campaigns. Community-based counselors play a crucial role in supporting HIV-positive mothers in their exclusive breastfeeding journey to improve PMTCT care retention.

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. This secondary data analysis used Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS) 2004−2005 and 2015−2016 with a total of 23,203 WRA. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the burden of anemia, regression analyses to examine the adjusted change in the prevalence of anemia and remaining determinants thereof, and the Global Information System (GIS) to map the differences in the burden of anemia in Tanzania over the period of one decade. Considering the risk factors of anemia observed in our study, WRA in Tanzania should have been 15% less likely to suffer from anemia in 2015 compared to 2005. However, a small decline (3.6%) was not evenly distributed across the regions in Tanzania. Factors that remained significantly associated with anemia among WRA in the latest survey include age above 35 years (AOR = 1.564, p = 0.007), education level (AOR = 0.720, p = 0.001), pregnancy status (AOR = 1.973, p < 0.001), and use of contraception (AOR of 0.489, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that WRA in Tanzania aged above 35 should be the target population to accept the more tailored interventions.

The Burden of Undernutrition and Its Associated Factors Among Children Below 5 Years of Age in Bambao Region, Comoros.

Background: Undernutrition remains a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries and Comoros is no exception. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and identify the risk factors of undernutrition among children under-five years in Bambao region, Comoros. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Bambao region among 837 under-five years and their caregivers. Analyses were conducted using both descriptive and logistic regression to examine the magnitude and factors associated with stunting, wasting and underweight. Results: Prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 21.6, 13.7, and 13.6% respectively. Factors associated with stunting were caregiver's secondary education level compared to no education (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.04-3.43, P < 0.04), age of child between 13-24 months compared to 0-12 months (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.44-5.01, P < 0.001), and food insecurity (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.20-5.41, P < 0.02). Children aged 25-59 months were 78% less likely to have wasting compared to those with 0-12 months (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.10-0.51, P < 0.001). Wasting was also associated with food insecurity (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.12-6.49, P < 0.03), and low birthweight (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.73-5.94, P < 0.001). Children aged between 25-59 months were 86% less likely to have underweight compared to those aged 0-12 months (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.06-0.36, P < 0.001). Food insecurity (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.08-6.54, P < 0.03), low birthweight (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.67-5.93, P < 0.001), and non-exclusively breastfeeding (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.15-4.90, P < 0.02) were also associated with underweight. Conclusion: More than one in five children under-five is stunted in Bambao region, Comoros. Moreover, more than 13% are underweight or wasted calling for streamlined efforts to address poor feeding practices, food insecurity, low birthweight, and socio-demographic disadvantages in this and other areas with similar context.

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.

Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy by Medication Possession Ratio and Virological Suppression among Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a strong determinant of virological suppression. We aimed to determine the magnitude of adherence as measured by medication possession ratio (MPR) and virological suppression with its predictors among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV on ART in Tanzania. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using archived data from HIV care and treatment centers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between 2015 and 2019. The logistic regression model assessed predictors for adherence and virological suppression. Results: Data of 5750 AYA living with HIV were analysed. The majority were females: 4748 (82.6%). About 63% had good adherence with MPR ≥ 85% at one year post ART initiation. Independent predictors of ART adherence were male sex (aOR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1−1.5), CD4 > 500 cells/mm3 (aOR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6−0.9), WHO stage III (aOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.3−1.9), enrollment in 2019 (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2−1.9), and virological suppression (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.6−2.9). Using an Efavirenz- and a Nevirapine-based combination was associated with reduced odds of ART adherence (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1−0.8) and (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1−0.6), respectively. Predictors of virological suppression were MPR ≥ 85% (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.6−2.4); CD4 > 500 cells/mm3 (aOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.7−3.4), and once-daily dosing (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.3−2.5). Conclusion: Adherence to ART among AYA living with HIV is suboptimal. Sex, year of enrollment, ART drug combination used, and immunological status at ART initiation are important predictors of adherence to ART and virological suppression.

A Mixed-Method Study Exploring Experiences and Perceptions of Nutritionists Regarding Use of an Image-Based Dietary Assessment System in Tanzania.

Due to global advances in technology, image-based food record methods have emerged as an alternative to traditional assessment methods. The use of image-based food records in low and lower-middle income countries such as Tanzania is limited, with countries still using traditional methods. The current study aimed to determine the feasibility of using a new voice and image-based dietary assessment system (VISIDA) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This mixed-method study recruited 18 nutritionists as participants who collected image-based records of food and drinks they consumed using the VISIDA smartphone app. Participants viewed an online demonstration of the VISIDA web platform and the analysis process for intake data collected using the VISIDA app. Then, participants completed an online survey and were interviewed about the VISIDA app and web platform for food and nutrient intake analysis. The method was reported as being acceptable and was found to be easy to use, although technical challenges were experienced by some participants. Most participants indicated a willingness to use the VISIDA app again for one week or longer and were interested in using the VISIDA system in their current role. Participants acknowledged that the VISIDA web platform would simplify some aspects of their current job. Image-based food records could potentially be used in Tanzania to improve the assessment of dietary intake by nutritionists in urban areas. Participants recommended adding sound-on notifications, using the VISIDA app in both Apple and Android phones, enabling installation from the app store, and improving the quality of the fiducial markers.

Predictors of mortality among adolescents and young adults living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Global AIDS-related deaths have declined by only 10% among adolescents since its peak in 2003. This is disproportionately low compared to a decline of 74% among children aged 0-9 years old. We determined the magnitude of, and predictors of mortality among adolescents and young adults living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adolescents (aged 10-19) and young adults (aged 20-24) living with HIV and enrolled in care and treatment centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between January 2015 and December 2019. Data were analysed using STATA version 16. Cumulative hazard curves were used to estimate and illustrate 1-year mortality. Predictors for mortality were assessed by the Fine and Gray competing risk regression model. Sub-hazard ratios (SHR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were then reported. RESULTS: A total of 15,874 young people living with HIV were included: 4916 (31.3%) were adolescents and 10,913 (68.7%) were young adults. A total of 3843 (77.5%) adolescents and 9517 (87.2%) young adults were female. Deaths occurred in 2.3% (114/4961) of adolescents and 1.2% (135/10,913) of young adults (p < 0.001). Over a follow-up of 9292 person-years, the mortality rate was 3.8 per 100 person years [95% CI 3.2-4.6/100 person-years] among adolescents and 2.1 per 100 person-years among young adults [95% CI 1.8-2.5/100 person-years]. Independent predictors of mortality among adolescents were male sex (adjusted (SHR) aSHR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.3-2.8), CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (aSHR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4-5.0) and attending a private health facility (aSHR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5). Predictors of mortality among young adults were CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (aSHR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.7-4.5), being underweight (aSHR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.3) and using nevirapine-based therapy (aHR = 8.3, 95% CI: 3.5-19.5). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate for persons living with HIV and on ART in Tanzania was significantly higher in adolescents than young adults. Age- and sex-specific risk factors identify targets for intervention to reduce mortality among affected adolescents and young adults.

The role of community advisory boards in community-based HIV clinical trials: a qualitative study from Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Community Advisory Boards (CAB) have become essential organs of involving communities in HIV clinical trials especially in developing countries. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the role of CABs in low and middle-income countries including Tanzania. This study aims at exploring the role of CABs in community-based HIV clinical trials conducted in Tanzania. METHODOLOGY: We adopted a phenomenological approach to purposefully select HIV clinical trial stakeholders. These included CAB members, researchers and Institutional Review Board (IRB) members in Tanzania. We conducted In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with ten participants and three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with eighteen participants. The data were thematically analyzed with the aid of MAXQDA software version 20.2.1. RESULTS: The findings indicate that at every stage of implementation of a community-based HIV clinical trial, a functioning CAB is important for its success. This importance is based on contextualization of the informed consent process and protocol, managing rumours in the community, weighing trial risks and benefits, sensitizing the community, assisting participant recruitment, tracing and retention. However, being perceived as financial beneficiaries than community representatives emerged as a challenge to CAB members. CONCLUSION: The study empirically indicates the need for functioning CABs in every stage of implementation of community-based HIV clinical trials. The roles of which are interwoven in serving research goals and protecting the interests of the community and that of trial participants.

Contents of nutrition care services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic: An Exit interview.

BACKGROUND: Focused antenatal care currently implemented in Tanzania recommends that women receive nutrition care during routine clinic visits. However, little detail is documented in regard to the nutrition information provided to pregnant women during these visits. The present study aimed to investigate whether pregnant women recalled nutrition information or support provided and, if so, who provided this during routine antenatal clinic visits. The secondary aim was to determine how pregnant women intended to implement the information and what mode of delivery was preferred for receiving nutrition information. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study comprising exit interviews was conducted with 50 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in three regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. RESULTS: All participants (n = 50) reported receiving nutrition care from healthcare workers in regard to; haemoglobin checks (79% of participants), iron and folic acid supplementation (70%), weight measurement (70%), eating advice (60%), and dietary intake assessment (38%). However, the information recalled on each category was inconsistent. For 60% of participants, nurses were reported as the source of nutrition care during pregnancy, followed by medical doctors (22%). The most preferable mode for receiving nutrition information was reported as individual face-to-face sessions with health practitioners, followed by mobile phone. All of the participants who received nutrition information indicated that they intended to implement. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses were the main source of nutrition information for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, followed by medical doctors. However, the content of nutrition information recalled by participants was inconsistent. Healthcare facilities need to implement strategies to ensure pregnant women understand and can implement nutrition information provided by healthcare workers during routine antenatal care.