Hardship, Public Health, Heshima, Lube and Problem Trees: Forces Shaping Grassroots Organizing Against HIV Among Same-Sex Attracted Men in Dar es Salaam

This study investigated the levels of pesticides and metabolites in vegetables from major markets in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Samples of fresh cabbage, spinach, and onions from the markets were analysed for pesticide residues. Extraction was performed using acetone followed by dichloromethane : cyclohexane mixture and the extracts were cleaned up using Florisil. The compounds were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Pesticides and metabolites were detected in 72.2% of the samples. The detected pesticide residues and their highest mean concentrations were p,p′-DDT 4.00 × 10−3 mg/kg, p,p′-DDD 6.40 × 10−1 mg/kg, o,p′-DDD 1.00 × 10−2 mg/kg, α-endosulfan 6.00 × 10−1 mg/kg, β-endosulfan 2.10 × 10−1 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos 3.00 mg/kg, and cypermethrin 4.00 × 10−2 mg/kg. The most frequently detected compounds were p,p′-DDD and chlorpyrifos. The order of contamination was spinach > cabbage > onions. Generally, there were no significant variations in concentrations of pesticide residues among samples and sampling sites, which indicated similarities in contamination patterns. The concentrations of contaminants were above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) in 33.3–50% of the samples. The findings indicated risks and concerns for public health.

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Existence and Implications of Women Who Have Sex with Women in Tanzania: A Public Health Perspective

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.2.750 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 87-92

Author(s):

Switbert R. Kamazima ◽

Happiness P. Saronga ◽

Jackline V. Mbishi ◽

Saidah M. Bakar ◽

Saumu K. Shabani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Population Group ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Same Sex ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Public Health Perspective ◽

Sexual Activities ◽

Sex Behaviors

Women who engage in sexual activities with other women are known existing in all societies around the globe. However, the understanding of the size, trends and implications of female same sex behaviors and practices is generally lacking and vary within and among many countries including Tanzania. As a result, there is limited understanding of the public health importance of this group, which is often cited as the reason for not investing in work targeted at women who have sex with women and other minority groups in the country. It is from this perspective, that we conducted a formative qualitative study that aimed at, among other objectives, to establish the existence of women who have sex with women and the magnitude of female same sex behaviors and practices in Tanzania using a case study of the Dar-es-Salaam administrative region. Our findings prove that women who have sex with women exist mainly in urban areas in the country and for several reasons, their number is perceived rapidly increasing. We recommend further multidisciplinary (public health) research among women who have sex with women in the country to facilitate the availability of comprehensive and informative data on this population group.

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Exodus of Clinicians from Public Sector to Non-Clinical Practice in Private Sector in Dar es Salaam Tanzania; Exploring the Drivers

Tanzania Medical Journal ◽

10.4314/tmj.v31i2.378 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 45-58

Author(s):

Elice Temu ◽

Gasto Frumence ◽

Nathanael Sirili

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Public Sector ◽

Private Sector ◽

Work Environment ◽

Health Workforce ◽

Health Sector ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Medical Doctors ◽

The Public

Background: Globally, shortage of clinicians health workforce is among the major challenges facing the health systems of many countries including Tanzania. Migration of medical doctors from clinical practice to non-clinical practice partly contributes to this challenge. This study aimed to explore factors influencing Medical Doctors’ decision to migrate from clinical practice in the public sector to non-clinical practice in the private sector in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using 12 in-depth interviews with medical doctors working in the private sector but formerly worked in the public health sector. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.Results: Three main themes emerged; health system-level drivers that has three sub-themes, namely poor work environment, heavy workload due to shortage of clinicians and underfunded public health sector; individual-level drivers, which include four sub-themes: Age, area of specialization, marital status and empathy to patients; and external environment drivers consisting of two sub-themes: peer pressure and community culture.Conclusion: Improving the work environment through increased funding will partly address the main health system drivers underlying migration from the clinical practice. Furthermore, nurturing junior doctors to be enthusiastic and adapting to cultural shocks can partly help to address the individual and external drivers. Keywords: Shortage, Medical Doctors, Clinicians, Physicians, migration, health workforce, Tanzania Clinical Practice, Non-Clinical Practice.

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Susceptibility Status of Bedbugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Against Pyrethroid and Organophosphate Insecticides in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjz173 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Germana T Baraka ◽

Bruno A Nyundo ◽

Adelina Thomas ◽

Beda J Mwang’onde ◽

Eliningaya J Kweka

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Health Concern ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

High Coverage ◽

Organophosphate Insecticides ◽

Cimex Hemipterus ◽

Dar Es Salaam City ◽

Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets ◽

Susceptibility Status

Abstract Cimex hemipterus resistance to residual insecticides is a growing public health concern worldwide. Herein, we report the susceptibility status of C. hemipterus against pyrethroid (permethrin) and organophosphate (dichlorvos) insecticides in Dar es Salaam. The knockdown efficacy of dichlorvos (99%) was greater than that of permethrin (43%), and mortality at the end of 24 h was also greater for dichlorvos than for permethrin. Mortality in recommended concentration of permethrin was lower than manufacturer’s expectations. In contrast, similar concentrations in dichlorvos resulted into mortality of 100% at the end of 24 h. LC50 and LC95 values for permethrin were 3.36 (2.356–4.364) and 2,887.39 (2,886.37–2,888.39), respectively, whereas those of dichlorvos were 7.91 (3.85–11.97) and 44.39 (40.33–48.45). Dar es Salaam city has high coverage and usage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for prevent malaria. The resistance in bedbugs to permethrin may be related to the widespread use of the insecticide in LLINs. We recommend of the change from pyrethroids dichlorvos for the control of bedbugs.

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Health services we can trust: how same-sex attracted men in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania would like their HIV healthcare to be organised

Culture Health & Sexuality ◽

10.1080/13691058.2020.1780316 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Alexander Mwijage Ishungisa ◽

Mucho Mizinduko ◽

Samuel Likindikoki ◽

Elia John Mmbaga ◽

Melkizedeck Thomas Leshabari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Same Sex

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Emerging climate change-related public health challenges in Africa: A case study of the heat-health vulnerability of informal settlement residents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141355 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 747 ◽

pp. 141355

Author(s):

Lorena Pasquini ◽

Lisa van Aardenne ◽

Christie Nicole Godsmark ◽

Jessica Lee ◽

Christopher Jack

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Informal Settlement ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Health Vulnerability ◽

Public Health Challenges

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Obesity epidemic in urban Tanzania: a public health calamity in an already overwhelmed and fragmented health system

BMC Endocrine Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12902-020-00631-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pedro Pallangyo ◽

Zabella S. Mkojera ◽

Naairah R. Hemed ◽

Happiness J. Swai ◽

Nsajigwa Misidai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Fast Food ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

High Energy ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Smoking History ◽

Healthy Weight

Abstract Background Worldwide, the epidemiological and demographic transitions have resulted in nutrition shift characterized by an increased consumption of high energy fast food products. In just over 3 decades, overweight and obesity rates have nearly tripled to currently affecting over a third of the global population. Notwithstanding the ever present under-nutrition burden, sub Saharan Africa (SSA) is witnessing a drastic escalation of overweight and obesity. We aimed to explore the prevalence and associated factors for obesity among residents of Dar es Salaam city in Tanzania. Methods Participants from this study were recruited in a community screening conducted during the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered using a structured questionnaire during enrollment. Dietary habits and anthropometric measurements were assessed using standard methods. All statistical analyses utilized STATA v11.0 software. Pearson Chi square and Student’s T-test were used to compare categorical and continuous variables respectively. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess for factors associated with BMI ≥ 25. All tests were 2-sided and p < 0.05 was used to denote a statistical significance. Results A total of 6691 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 43.1 years and males constituted 54.2% of all participants. Over two-thirds of participants were alcohol consumers and 6.9% had a positive smoking history. 88.3% of participants were physically inactive, 4.7% had a history of diabetes mellitus and 18.1% were known to have elevated blood pressure. Overweight and obesity were observed in 34.8 and 32.4% of participants respectively. Among overweight and obese participants, 32.8% had a misperception of having a healthy weight. Age ≥ 40, female gender, a current working status, habitual breakfast skipping, poor water intake, high soft drink consumption, regular fast food intake, low vegetable and fruit consumption, alcohol consumption and hypertension were found to be independent associated factors for obesity. Conclusion Amidst the ever present undernutrition in SSA, a significant proportion of participants had excess body weight. Concomitantly, the rates of physical inactivity and unhealthy eating are disproportionately high in Dar es Salaam. In view of this, community-based and multilevel public health strategies to promote and maintain healthy eating and physical activity require an urgent step-up in urban Tanzania.

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