Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a global public health problem. As of 2019, there were 296 million people chronically infected with HBV, resulting in nearly 1 million deaths from decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The seroprevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women in Tanzania was reported to range between 3.8 and 8.03%. However, data on HBV infection in HIV-infected pregnant women is limited. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for HBV infection among HIV-infected pregnant women in selected health facilities in the Mtwara region. This was a health facility-based quantitative cross-sectional study conducted for three months (from February to April 2022). A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the study participants. A total of 4 ml of blood was collected for HBV screening and confirmatory tests using rapid diagnostic tests and automated Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests, respectively. The logistic regression model was used to identify significant variables for HBV infection. Results: Two hundred and twenty (n = 220) pregnant women living with HIV were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 32.7 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 27.6–37.6). The seroprevalence of HBV, chronic, and acute HBV infections were 10.5%, 10.0%, and 0.5%, respectively. We found that the multiparous women [aOR 11.99: 95% CI 1.11–129.01, p = 0.040], being infected with syphilis [aOR 27.65: 95% CI 9.07–84.30, p < 0.001], and having HIV viral load of 1000 copies/ml and above [aOR 16.00: 95% CI 1.70–150.63, p = 0.015], are factors independently associated with HBV infection. Conclusions: The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women was 10.5%, which is high endemicity. Furthermore, the study revealed that having more than four children, a high HIV-1 viral load of ≥ 1000cp/ml, and being infected with syphilis are significant risk factors associated with HBV infection among pregnant women living with HIV in the Mtwara region.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends periodic evaluations of influenza surveillance systems to identify areas for improvement and provide evidence of data reliability for policymaking. However, data on the performance of established influenza surveillance systems are limited in Africa, including Tanzania. We aimed to assess the usefulness of the Influenza surveillance system in Tanzania and to ascertain if the system meets its objectives, including; estimating the burden of disease caused by the Influenza virus in Tanzania and identifying any circulating viral strains with pandemic potential. Methodology: From March to April 2021, we collected retrospective data through a review of the Tanzania National Influenza Surveillance System electronic forms for 2019. Furthermore, we interviewed the surveillance personnel about the system’s description and operating procedures. Case definition (ILI-Influenza Like Illness and SARI-Severe Acute Respiratory Illness), results, and demographic characteristics of each patient were obtained from the Laboratory Information System (Disa*Lab) at Tanzania National Influenza Center. The United States Centers for disease control and prevention updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems were used to evaluate the system’s attributes. Additionally, the system’s performance indicators (including turnaround time) were obtained by evaluating Surveillance system attributes, each being scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (very poor to excellent performance). Results: A total of 1731 nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples were collected from each suspected influenza case in 2019 from fourteen (14/14) sentinel sites of the influenza surveillance system in Tanzania. Laboratory-confirmed cases were 21.5% (373/1731) with a predictive value positive of 21.7%. The majority of patients (76.1%) tested positive for Influenza A. Thirty-seven percent of patients’ results met the required turnaround time, and 40% of case-based forms were incompletely filled. Although the accuracy of the data was good (100%), the consistency of the data was below (77%) the established target of ≥ 95%. Conclusion: The overall system performance was satisfactory in conforming with its objectives and generating accurate data, with an average performance of 100%. The system’s complexity contributed to the reduced consistency of data from sentinel sites to the National Public Health Laboratory of Tanzania. Improvement in the use of the available data could be made to inform and promote preventive measures, especially among the most vulnerable population. Increasing sentinel sites would increase population coverage and the level of system representativeness.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance affects the treatment of several bacterial infections, including pneumonia. This subsequently increased the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with bacterial pneumonia, especially in resource-limited settings. In this study, we aimed to determine the patterns of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria isolated from the sputum samples of patients with bacterial pneumonia attending a tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. It involved reviewing the laboratory sputum data in the laboratory information system at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. The sputum samples were previously processed using standard methods (culture, Gram staining, and biochemical tests) to isolate and identify the bacteria. At the same time, antibiogram profiles were determined using antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Bacterial isolates that expressed MDR patterns were identified. Demographic information was collected from patients' medical records. We used the chi-square test to determine factors associated with MDR. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We retrieved and analysed 169 laboratory records of patients with a provisional clinical diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia confirmed in the microbiology laboratory. Nearly 98% of the records were from adult patients. The patients’ mean age was 48.3 years and 17.3 standard deviations. About 84% of the isolated bacteria were Gram-negative; the most predominant was Klebsiella pneumoniae (59/142; 41.5%). The predominant Gram-positive bacteria was Staphylococcus aureus (25/27; 92.6%). Furthermore, 80 out of 169 (47.3%) bacteria were MDR; Klebsiella pneumoniae (32.5%) was predominant. In addition, 50% of Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin resistance. MDR bacterial pneumonia was highly observed in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although our study was limited by variations in the number of bacterial isolates subjected to the same antibiotic drugs and a lack of information on risk factors such as occupation, smoking history, and marital status, we observed that a high proportion of bacterial pneumonia is caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria in our local setting. These results inform the need to improve infection prevention control measures in hospitals to reduce the burden of MDR bacteria in our settings and other similar resource-limited settings.

Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) is a structured framework that integrates policies, processes, and procedures to manage and improve the quality and reliability of laboratory services. The LQMS primarily concentrates on overseeing and ensuring quality within the laboratory’s operations. It encompasses the full testing lifecycle, including sample collection, handling, analysis, result reporting, and corrective actions to ensure valid testing results. It also manages documentation, audits, equipment calibration, personnel competence, and issues to minimize errors and increase reliability. In Tanzania, the implementation of LQMS has been a progressive effort, guided by structured programs such as the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA), the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) program, and laboratory accreditation initiatives under ISO 15189. These efforts have contributed to a steady increase in the number of accredited laboratories and the scope of accredited tests, enhancing diagnostic services across different levels of healthcare. Despite these advancements, LQMS implementation faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, staff shortages, and limited training for laboratory personnel. The absence of a national accreditation body compels laboratories to seek costly accreditation services from external agencies, further straining available resources. Additionally, challenges related to the sustainability of External Quality Assessment (EQA) programs, including logistical constraints and reliance on donor-funded vertical programs for Proficiency Testing (PT), hinder consistent quality assurance. To address these gaps, Tanzania must prioritize the establishment of an in-country accreditation body, expand EQA management centers, and secure sustainable financing for all PT programs. Laboratories play a critical role in ensuring the quality of patient care and safety by providing accurate, timely, and reliable diagnostic information that guides clinical decision-making. Implementation of LQMS strengthens this mandate by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, reducing turnaround times, and promoting evidence-based treatment. Sustaining these gains requires continuous mentorship, investment in laboratory infrastructure, integration of Laboratory Information Management Systems, and government-led financing to ensure long-term healthcare quality and patient safety.

Introduction: Voluntary counselling is a confidential dialogue between person and care provider aimed at enabling the person to cope with stress and make personal decision related to HIV/AIDS. The provision of HIV/AIDS-related counselling services in Tanzania started in 1988, three years after the first three AIDS cases were identified in Tanzania. Despite youth including secondary school students being an important reproductive group in government’s economic development in all sectors but they do not have enough knowledge on utilization of Voluntary counselling and Testing (VCT) services and its importance towards prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Additionally, school students for instance seminary students, do not get easy access of knowledge on various diseases’ preventive measures including utilization of VCT for HIV/AIDS. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, perception, and practices of secondary school students towards VCT services for HIV/AIDS. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study that used a modified Knowledge, Attitude, perception and Practice (KAP) questionnaire about VCT for HIV/AIDS between May and June 2015. The study population included students from Chanjale junior seminary school in which a simple random sampling was used for select the study participants. Data entry and analysis were done by using Microsoft excel. Results: The study involved 231 (100%) students in which among those; 63.2% (146/231) were males. The study found that, most of students have little knowledge and awareness on VCT services as 68.0% haven’t heard of VCT services; students had both positive and negative attitudes toward VCT services; but again, fear for lack of confidentiality after HIV testing was seen as the principal setback towards utilization of VCT services for HIV/AIDS among students. Conclusion: HIV is still on the increase, despite several measures undertaken through different approaches including VCT program. Since the study has found that there is insufficient knowledge and practices of VCT services for HIV/AIDS among youths for instance secondary school students, there is the need to focus on various interventional methods that will reform the youth’s knowledge, attitude, perception and practices towards VCT for HIV/AIDS.

Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of acquiring bloodstream infections (BSI), particularly during dialysis. Using catheters and other invasive devices can serve as potential sources of infection. Resistant bacteria isolated from CKD patients with BSI significantly contribute to higher morbidity and mortality rates among these patients compared to the general population. Methodology A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted to analyse blood samples collected from patients with CKD at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Two pairs of blood culture bottles were collected from each patient and incubated in the BACTEC™ FX 04 system. Positive blood cultures were then sub-cultured on solid media for isolation. Gram staining and conventional biochemical tests were performed for bacterial identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The patient’s clinical data were obtained from their files. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was used for data analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Two hundred participants with CKD receiving care at the nephrology and dialysis wards were enrolled. Most, 90/200 (45.0%), were adults aged 40-60, and males contributed 118/200 (59%). The prevalence of BSI among CKD patients was 75/200(37.5%). BSI was in 43/103 (41.7%) of participants receiving dialysis. Among the isolated bacteria, the Gram-negative bacteria were the predominant contributors, accounting for 43/75 (57.3%). The most frequent Gram-negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13/43 (30.2%) and Escherichia coli 12/43 (27.9%). On the other hand, among the isolated Gram-positive bacteria, Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS) was frequent, 23/32 (71.9%). Among the Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated the highest resistance to ciprofloxacin, with rates of 75% and 90%, respectively. Meanwhile, Escherichia coli showed the highest resistance to ampicillin at 77%. Among Gram-positive bacteria, CoNS and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the highest resistance to penicillin, with rates of 90% and 85.7%, respectively. Conclusion The present study has revealed that a significant proportion of CKD patients have BSI, and the isolated bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics in our settings. These findings underscore the need to address antibiotic resistance through enhanced antimicrobial stewardship in our setting