Global malaria epidemiology has changed in the last decade with a substantial increase in cases and deaths being recorded. Tanzania accounts for about 4% of all cases and deaths reported in recent years. Several factors contribute to the resurgence of malaria, parasite resistance to antimalarials and mosquito resistance to insecticides being at the top of the list. The presence of sub-microscopic infections poses a significant challenge to malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT). Our cross-sectional surveys in Handeni and Moshi, Tanzania assessed the effect of low parasite density on mRDT. Handeni had higher malaria prevalence by mRDT (39.6%), light microscopy (LM) (16.9%) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (18.5%), compared to Moshi with prevalence of 0.2%, 1.3% and 2.3%, respectively. A significant difference (p ˂ 0.001) in malaria prevalence by mRDT, LM and nested PCR was found among age groups. In comparison to all other groups, school-age children (5–15 years) had the highest prevalence of malaria. Our results show that mRDT may miss up to 6% of cases of malaria mainly due to low-density parasitemia when compared to LM and PCR. Routinely used mRDT will likely miss the sub-microscopic parasitemia which will ultimately contribute to the spread of malaria and hinder efforts of elimination.

Introduction Antibiotics are commonly accessed and used for the management of illness in children without a prescription. We investigated the caretaker’s knowledge and practices on antibiotics and antibiotics use to their children. Method This was the hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted from April to July 2017 in three facilities located in Moshi Municipality. A convenience sampling was employed to select for caretakers with their sick children at KCMC, Mawenzi hospital, and Longuo dispensary. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 224 caretakers who had visited health facilities with their children seeking health care. Results The majority (87.9%, 197/224) of all interviewed caretakers had good knowledge of the use of antibiotics. Irrespective of knowing that it is not safe to self-medicate a child with any antibiotics (95.1%, 213/224), most (61.6%, 138/224) caretakers practiced self-medication with the medicines. Having two children (aOR = 7.75, 95% CI: 1.89-31.67) and having three children (aOR=7.23, 95%CI: 1.08-48.51) were significantly associated with good knowledge of antibiotics. Conclusion This study has revealed that caretakers in Moshi had a good knowledge of antibiotic use. However, despite such good knowledge, malpractices were observed. We call upon the use of media campaigns to advocate for the importance of the rational use of antibiotics and its effect on human health and the risk of antimicrobial resistance development. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):347-356

Introduction Diabetes and hypertension are prevalent non-communicable diseases that significantly affect people living with HIV, particularly those on antiretroviral therapy. Despite the increasing recognition of these conditions, their prevalence and associated risk factors among people living with HIV in Tanzania remain underexplored. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes and hypertension among HIV patients attending Child-Centred Family Care Clinic at KCMC Hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2024, involving 341 people living with HIV attending the Child-Centred Family Care Clinic at KCMC Hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, file reviews, and physical measurements. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg/ or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Diabetes was defined as blood glucose level of ≥140 mg/dL. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with diabetes and hypertension. Results Prevalence of hypertension was 23.5% (80) while the prevalence of 14.1% (48) was diabetes. Hypertension was most prevalent in individuals aged 36-62 years (71.3%), whereas 70.9% of diabetic patients reported a family history of diabetes. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age was significantly associated with hypertension, with participants aged 18-35 years showing a lower likelihood of hypertension (AOR=0.10; 95% CI: 0.03-0.41; p=0.004) compared to those over 63 years. Participants earning TZs 500,000 or more per month were more likely to develop diabetes as compared to others (AOR=4.112; 95% CI: 1.199-14.108; p=0.025). Conclusion The findings indicate that socioeconomic determinants are critical in influencing the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among people living with HIV, suggesting that interventions should focus on improving screening and early treatment to at risk groups.

Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) represent a significant global health concern, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Globally, bacterial contamination of hospital surfaces and equipment has been identified as a critical pathway for the transmission of nosocomial infections. Despite its significance, the extent of surface and equipment contamination in pediatric wards at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) remains underexplored. This study aims to determine the proportion of bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment, distribution and susceptibility patterns in pediatric wards at Northern Tanzania Zonal Referral Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in pediatric wards from May to August 2021. The study was conducted at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, a Northern Tanzania Zonal referral Hospital. Swabs were collected from inanimate surfaces and equipment and cultured on general-purpose media, differential media, and enriched media which were MacConkey agar, Blood agar and Chocolate agar to identify the bacteria isolated. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: 206 (86.6%) were positive for bacterial growth. Gram-negative bacteria were the most predominant bacteria identified 304 (82.4%) in which E. coli was the leading isolate 114 (30.9%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 93 (25.2%), Klebsiella oxytoca 44 (11.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia 41 (11.1%), Acinetobacter species 10 (2.7%), Proteus vulgaris 1 (0.3%) and Citrobacter species 1 (0.3%). Gram-positive isolates were 65 (17.6%) in which CoNS were 58 (15.7%) and S. aureus 7 (1.9%). Conclusion: In pediatric wards, surfaces and equipment can harbor diverse pathogenic bacteria with the potential to cause hospital-acquired infections to patients especially immuno-compromised or critically ill patients. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to assess infection prevention practices, implement regular disinfection programs and raise awareness among healthcare professionals about the potential for pathogen transmission from hospital surfaces and equipment.