Solid waste has been a major problem particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa countries as it has been increasing in several years. One of the methods employed in solid waste management is street sweeping which is done by street sweepers. Street sweepers are being predisposed to respiratory and non-respiratory infection like eye infection, skin infection and musculoskeletal disorders. This analytical cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 233 street sweepers to assess perceived occupational health risks, particulate matters (i.e., PM_2.5, PM₅ and PM₁₀ measured in (mg/m³)) dust and noise exposure levels in decibel units–dB(A), and utilization of protective personnel equipment among street sweepers in Mwanza city, Northern Tanzania. Modified poison regression was used to determine the association between exposures variables (i.e., sociodemographic, and socioeconomic factors) and outcomes ((i.e., noise dose level and particulate matters))). More than half (50.2%) of the participants were aged between 46–80 years. Their Median age was 46(IQR: 28–59) years. Large percent (63.1%) of the participants reported that their working environment have high health risks. The Median concentrations of the noise dose and particulates matters were 85.4 (IQR = 76.4–92.3) for noise dose, 13426 (IQR = 9637–17632) for PM_2.5, 5522 (IQR = 2453–7679) for PM₅, and 2310(IQR = 1263–3201). The Median concentrations of the noise dose and particulates matters were 85.4 (IQR = 76.4–92.3) for noise dose in decibel units dB(A); 13426 (IQR = 9637–17632) for PM_2.5; 5522 (IQR = 2453–7679) for PM₅; and 2310(IQR = 1263–3201) for PM₁₀. Individual Street sweepers in Mwanza city are highly exposed to noise dose and fine particulate matters at levels above the reference values for human of 85dB(A) and 5mg/m³ respectively, making it a public health issue that requires holistic public health measures.

Background: Bacterial pneumonia is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The extensive misuse and overuse of antibiotics observed during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have changed the patterns of pathogens causing bacterial pneumonia and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. This study was designed to establish the prevalence of culture-confirmed bacterial pneumonia and describe their antimicrobial susceptibility profile in adult patients who presented with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to July 2022 at a zonal referral hospital and two district hospitals in Mwanza, Tanzania. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Sputum samples were processed by conventional culture followed by the identification of isolates and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Descriptive data analysis was performed using STATA version 15.0. Results: A total of 286 patients with a median age of 40 (IQR 29–60) years were enrolled in the study. More than half of the patients enrolled were females (52.4%, n = 150). The overall prevalence of bacterial pneumonia was 34.3% (n = 98). The majority of the bacterial pathogens isolated were Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (61.2%, 60/98), with a predominance of Klebsiella spp., 38.8% (38/98), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (21.4%, 21/98). Multi drug resistant (MDR) bacteria were detected in 72/98 (73.5%) of the isolates. The proportions of GNB-resistant strains were 60.0% (36/60) for ciprofloxacin, 60% (36/60) for amoxicillin, 60% (36/60) for amoxicillin, 68.3% (41/60) for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 58.3% (35/60) for ceftriaxone. Conclusion: One-third of the patients with signs and symptoms of LRTIs had laboratory-confirmed bacterial pneumonia with a predominance of Gram negative MDR bacteria. This calls for continuous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship programs in the study setting and other settings in developing countries as important strategies for tackling AMR.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health threat, and effective treatment of microbiological waste is essential in preventing the spread of resistance genes into the environment. Autoclaving is commonly used in healthcare and laboratory settings to sterilize microbiological waste, ensuring the destruction of viable bacteria. However, the fate of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), such as bla _CTX-M and bla _TEM , following autoclaving is not well understood. To fill this critical gap, this study determined the PCR stability of AMR encoding genes from autoclaved microbiological waste in Mwanza, Tanzania. A laboratory-based experimental study was conducted between May and August 2024 at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS). Standard and resistant E. coli strains carrying bla _CTX-M and bla _TEM genes were subjected to autoclaving at 121°C and 0.1 MPa with varying duration. Bacterial viability was assessed through sub-culturing on MacConkey agar, while the presence of ARGs was evaluated using multiplex PCR. Although autoclaving eliminated culturable bacteria, PCR amplification still detected fragments of blaCTX-M and blaTEM after 30 minutes. PCR detection demonstrates amplifiable DNA fragments only, not plasmid integrity or transfer potential. These findings highlight the persistence of ARGs in treated waste and call for a re-evaluation of current bio-safety protocols.

Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) remains a significant public health issue in Tanzania, co-infection with urinary tract infections (UTIs) can complicate diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms. Additionally, gastrointestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) increases risks of self-infection and transmission to others. Primary school-aged children in rural settings are particularly at risk for both diseases due to poor water sanitation and risky behaviors. This study reports the prevalence and patterns of UGS and UTI co-infection, and MDRB gut carriage among primary school-aged children. Methodology: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Meatu district, Tanzania (Oct–Dec 2024). UGS was diagnosed using urine filtration, UTIs through urine culture while stool samples were screened for Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. Descriptive analysis was done using STATA 15.0. Results: Among 405 children enrolled, the prevalence of UGS, UTIs, and UGS–UTI co-infection was 44.1%, 12.8%, and 5.2%, respectively. Heavy UGS infection was associated with a greater likelihood of UTI than light infection. Haematuria was associated with UGS, whereas frequent and painful urination were common among children with UTIs and co-infection. Escherichia coli was the predominant UTI pathogen, with substantial resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. ESBL-producing bacteria and multidrug-resistant bacteria were also identified among UTI isolates. Conclusions: Co-infection of UGS & UTI among primary school children is a noticeable problem in the study settings; fever, frequent urination and painful urination are good predictors for co-infection. Similarities in clinical symptoms among co-infected individuals may complicate diagnosis and management on the initial assessment. High proportion of MDRB carriage in rural settings indicates the extensive burden of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health threat, and effective treatment of microbiological waste is essential in preventing the spread of resistance genes into the environment. Autoclaving is commonly used in healthcare and laboratory settings to sterilize microbiological waste, ensuring the destruction of viable bacteria. However, the fate of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), such as blaCTX-M and blaTEM, following autoclaving is not well understood. To fill this critical gap, this study determined the PCR stability of AMR encoding genes from autoclaved microbiological waste in Mwanza, Tanzania. Methods: A laboratory-based experimental study was conducted between May and August 2024 at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS). Standard and resistant E. coli strains carrying blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes were subjected to autoclaving at 121°C and 0.1 MPa for varying duration. Bacterial viability was assessed through sub-culturing on MacConkey agar, while the presence of ARGs was evaluated using multiplex PCR.