ABSTACT Background: Pneumonia is responsible for killing at least 1 million children under age of 5, every year: Over 70% of these deaths occur in developing countries. This study intended to determine the impact of pneumococcal conjugated vaccine, on the prevention of pneumonia among children from 6 months to 5 years in Zanzibar. Methods: Study design was a cross-sectional, which employed a quantitative research approach. The study utilized multiple sampling techniques with purposive samplin...
Abstract Background: Structural quality of maternal health services remains a key indicator of highly performing health care system. Evidence attest to the fact that introduction of the new interventions in the health care system does not necessarily lead into improvement of the target outcome, such as quality of health services delivered. This study aimed at assessing the structural quality of maternal health services prior to introduction of Direct Health Facility Financing (DHFF) program. ...
ABSTRACT Over the years, health care financing in Ghana has evolved from free health care to cash and carry (out of pocket) at point of use. Due to the economic burden of cash and carry on citizens, the National Health Insurance Scheme was formed in 2003 through Act 650. This was to provide an alternative form of health care financing to ease the burden of rising cost of health care on citizens. The scheme commenced with itemized fee for service and subsequently Ghana Diagnostic Related Grou...
ABSTRACT Background/ Objectives Globally, HIV is fuelling the tuberculosis epidemic, creating a public health crisis of a major concern. In response to the dual epidemic the WHO-recommended TB/HIV collaborative activities to be implemented by countries with HIV prevalence of more than 1%. In keeping with WHO recommendations, Ghana started the collaborative activities in a few districts of which Manya Krobo District was one. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the TB/...
ABSTRACT Teenage pregnancy has become an enormous global reproductive health problem as the rates continue to increase. Early pregnancy both within and outside marriage is a common experience throughout the world. Teenage pregnancy and the subsequent teen motherhood is a major societal problem confronting sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. This study determined the prevalence and determinants of teenage pregnancy at Kpone-on-Sea in the Tema Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana....
ABSTRACT Background: Incidence of premature rupture of membranes ranges from 3% to 10% worldwide but higher in Sub-Saharan Africa up to 18%. It is reported to be highly associated with bacterial infections as a consequence causing ascending infections or as a cause of premature rupture of membranes. Different bacterial isolates have been known to colonize the vagina and are associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes as well as the increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance. Objectiv...
ABSTRACT Background: Current increase in HIV prevalence among MSM in Greater Accra region of Ghana is a public health concern. This increase translates to a higher number of MSM being put on antiretroviral treatment. However, ART adherence amongst HIV positive MSM in Ghana is unknown. Lack of knowledge in ART adherence among MSM could affect the implementation of the 90-90-90 fast track targets. This study, therefore, sought to determine the level of ART adherence and factors influencing adh...
ABSTRACT Background: Postoperative pain is the most common complaint by patients after recovery from anesthesia. Several factors cause postoperative pain; it could be preoperative factors, demographic factors, anesthesiologic factors, intraoperative and postoperative factors. The prevalence of postoperative pain is very high in most of the developing countries and the strategies put forward for management have not been very promising. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, p...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Life styles during a pregnancy have long term effects on maternal and fetal outcomes. This study intended to assess life style behaviors and birth outcomes among post-delivery women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in Zanzibar. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study design was employed; purposeful and convenience sampling was used to select 301post-delivery women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data o...
ABSTRACT Coastal zones are considered as one of the productive zones of the world. With diverse ecosystems, they provide humankind with immense ecological services. However, coastal aquatic ecosystems have been increasingly threatened as a result of population growth and increased rate of economic development. To address this issue, there is the need to reshape attitude and practices in the current rate of development, for the mutual benefit of aquatic ecosystems and human societies. This st...
ABSTRACT: Human activities modify ecosystem structure and function and can also alter the vital rates of vectors and thus the risk of infection with vector-borne diseases. In the Maasai Steppe ecosystem of northern Tanzania, local communities depend on livestock and suitable pasture that is shared with wildlife, which can increase tsetse abundance and the risk of trypanosomiasis. We monitored the monthly tsetse fly abundance adjacent to Tarangire National Park in 2014-2015 using geo-reference...
ABSTRACT Background: Fluid resuscitation is an extremely important part of patients’ management in clinical settings. Different common surgical conditions e.g. excessive vomiting and acute severe hemorrhage can lead to an increased fluid loss and disturb the patients’ ph ysiological status leading to worse outc omes. Proper fluid administration to a surgica l patient, can lead to patients’ improvement from their illness, and hence reducing morbidity and mortality which are the main prob...
ABSTRACT Background: In Tanzania the available data shows that diabetic patients are in risk of developing different life-threatening health complications, this lead to increased medical expenses, reduced quality of life and increased mortality rate. Different innovative teaching methods are needed in order to prevent and to control the burden of diabetes. Thus, the current study was aimed to assess the efficacy of peer support learning strategy on improving competence and health outcomes amo...
ABSTRACT Background: The rate of Cesarean section has been increasing worldwide. In Tanzania the rate has doubled from 3% in 2004/2005 to 6% in 2015/2016. Previous Cesarean section as an indication for repeat Cesarean Section has increased from 7.2% in 2000 to 17% in 2011, repeat cesarean section is associated with long term complications like placenta accrete, hemorrhage, uterine rupture and a high fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Vaginal birth after Caesarean Section (VBAC) is an...
ABSTRACT Background: Incompetence of nurses in the prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia and neonatal resuscitation may lead to severe complications and deaths for both mothers and babies. Simulation-based training on obstetric and neonatal emergencies management has demonstrated promising results. However, its impact has not been well documented particularly in low and middle income countries. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness o...