High birth prevalence of sickle cell disease in Northwestern Tanzania

1 Background

Worldwide, hemoglobinopathies affect millions of children. Identification of hemoglobin disorders in most sub‐Saharan African countries is delayed until clinical signs of the disease are present. Limited studies have been conducted to understand their prevalence and clinical presentation among newborns in resource‐limited settings.

2 Methodology

This was a prospective cohort study. Newborns (aged 0–7 days) at two hospitals in Northwestern Tanzania were enrolled and followed prospectively for 6 months. Clinical and laboratory information were collected at baseline. Participants were screened for hemoglobinopathies using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Clinical and laboratory follow‐up was performed at 3 and 6 months for those with hemoglobinopathies as well as a comparison group of participants without hemoglobinopathies.

3 Results

A total of 919 newborns were enrolled. Among these, 1.4% (13/919) had sickle cell anemia or Hb S/β⁰‐thalassemia (Hb FS), and 19.7% (181/919) had sickle cell trait or Hb S/β⁺ thalassemia (Hb FAS). Furthermore, 0.2% (two of 919) had β⁺‐thalassemia. Red cell indices compared between Hb FS, Hb FAS, and Hb FA were similar at baseline, but hemoglobin was lower and red cell distribution width was higher in children with Hb FS at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Febrile episodes were more common for children with Hb FS at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up.

4 Conclusion

The prevalence of sickle cell disease among neonates born in Northwestern Tanzania is one of the highest in the world. Newborn screening is needed early in life to identify neonates with hemoglobinopathies so that clinical management may commence and morbidity and mortality related to hemoglobinopathies be reduced.     

Using qualitative methods to understand the determinants of patients' willingness to pay for cataract surgery: a study in Tanzania

Cataract is the leading cause of avoidable blindness in Africa. There are various documented barriers to the uptake of cataract surgery, cost being one of them. There is, however, little evidence regarding patients' willingness to pay (WTP) for cataract surgery in Africa and the best way to measure it. We conducted a grounded theory study in order to understand better cataract patients' WTP for surgery in Tanzania. A total of 47 cataract patients from three regions of Tanzania were interviewed. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The coding process involved identifying emerging themes and categories and their interconnection. Our study reveals that the main factors behind patients' WTP for cataract surgery are (1) the level of perceived need for sight and cataract surgery; (2) the decision-making processes at the family level and (3) the characteristics of local eye care programs. Our study shows that WTP concerns not only the patients but also their relatives. For most patients and families, the amount of $20-$30 is deemed reasonable for a sight-restoring procedure. It does not appear realistic for eye care program managers to charge the real cost of cataract surgery at present (about US $70-in Kilimanjaro). However, eye care programs can influence WTP for cataract surgery by providing quality services and by offering adequate counseling about the procedure. The qualitative findings enriched the interpretation of a previously reported quantitative survey and yield implications for both researchers and decision-makers using or relying on WTP methodologies in developing countries.     

Optimizing in-kind drug donations for Tanzania-a case study

A questionnaire survey (QS) among stakeholders in Tanzania had shown that in-kind drug donations (DDs) are important to boost the drug supply system. Major problems were their insufficient quantity for sustainable treatment and the discrepancy between the needs of the recipients and the donors' supply. Objectives in this study were to discuss these findings and to learn from key informants (KIs) how to improve the DD process. Data were collected through KI interviews in 2001/2002.A 30% gap in drug supply has to be bridged by DDs. KIs confirmed the importance of the World Health Organisation and Tanzanian DD guidelines as a tool for good donation practice and emphasized the role of the government in their implementation. They requested that donors meet the recipient country's regulatory requirements. In contrast to QS respondents, KIs did not view DD quality as a minor problem, and proposed that DD quality should be adapted to the national quality assurance procedures. DD processes could be improved through (a) effective implementation of DD guidelines as an aid for decision-making and for quality assurance, (b) availability of data to improve communication between donors and recipients, (c) transparency between recipients and donors and (d) clearly defined accountability.     

Parenting practices and styles associated with adolescent sexual health in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Parenting styles and practices are suggested to be important predictors of adolescent sexual health, mostly in Europe and North America. Limited research has been conducted on these processes in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has different patterns of adolescent sexual behavior and family traditions. This study qualitatively explored parenting practices and styles associated with adolescent sexual health in Tanzania, with 12 adolescents and 12 parents of adolescents. The themes we identified from the data included parental monitoring, preventive, and punitive behaviors. Parents were reported to use mostly punitive behaviors to correct or prohibit sexual behavior; parents also set clear rules about appropriate sexual behavior (e.g., modesty and abstinence). Parents were also reported to closely monitor their adolescent children’s friendships and sexual behavior to minimize sexual behavior. However, some parents also engaged in positive preventive practices aimed at protecting their adolescent children.     

Correlates of women's knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its prevention in Tanzania: a population-based study

Studies that explored women's knowledge on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and its prevention (PMTCT) in the general population are currently lacking. This paper examined factors associated with having adequate knowledge of MTCT of HIV and PMTCT among a nationally representative sample of women in Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis including 10,299 women from the 2011–2012 Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey. The outcome of interest was the presence of adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with having adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV. Results revealed that the overall prevalence of having adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV was low (46%). We found a statistically significant difference in the proportions of having adequate knowledge between HIV-negative and HIV-positive women (45% vs. 56%; p?Tanzania.     

A survey of risk behaviors for unintended pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus among youth attending voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services in nine centers in urban Haiti and Tanzania

Little is known about the behavioral risks for both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and unintended pregnancy among sexually active youth attending voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in developing countries, and whether youth engaging in risky sexual behaviors perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV. Data are from two cross-sectional studies with youth VCT clients in four facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and five facilities in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We measured risky behavior for HIV and unintended pregnancy and perceptions of risk among VCT clients who reported ever having had sex. The majority of sexually active clients, 69% of men and 62% of women in Haiti and 65% of men and 60% of women in Tanzania, reported recent risky behaviors for HIV. Clients also reported risk behaviors for unintended pregnancy: 15% of men and 53% of women in Haiti and 21% of men and 29% of women in Tanzania. The majority of clients with risk behaviors in Tanzania, but not in Haiti, perceived themselves at risk. Strategies to meet youth VCT clients' broader reproductive health needs and avoid any missed opportunities should be tested.     

Attitudes,beliefs and norms relating to contraceptive use among young migrant and non-migrant adults in urban Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

The young urban population of Tanzania is growing rapidly, primarily due to rural-urban migration. More information is needed on the challenges facing young adult urban women and men in using family planning (FP). The purpose of this study is to identify perceptions, interpersonal and familial attitudes, and sociocultural norms regarding FP among young adults (18–25 years) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, comparing responses by sex, marital status and migration status. We conducted 12 focus groups with young adult men and women (n = 74) in Dar es Salaam in December 2009. Participants knew of modern contraceptive methods, but had serious concerns about side effects. Single men and women preferred condoms. Female migrants stated that traditional methods were ineffective, yet commonly used in rural areas. Men's desires for more children frequently led female migrants not to use FP, while many married long-term residents used FP discreetly. Single women sometimes received the support of their parents/boyfriends to access and use contraception. Findings highlight differences in experiences among young adult men and women based on their migrant and marital status at the individual, interpersonal and normative levels. Future efforts to promote FP should engage existing social support systems and cultivate new ones in response to barriers.