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Irene Kida Minja,1,2,* Evarist Mulyahela Wilson,1,2,* Ferdinand M Machibya,3 Agnes Jonathan,2 Fortunata Cornel,1 Paschal Ruggajo,2,4 Julie Makani,2,5 Emmanuel Balandya2,6 1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2The Sickle Pan African Research Consortium (SPARCO) – Tanzania Site Project, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 3Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Community Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 5Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Irene Kida Minja, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 65014, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255 763 00 0333, Fax +255 22 215 0465, Email ikminja@blood.ac.tzPurpose: This comparative study sets out to report dental caries status among individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (HbSS) against those with sickle cell trait (HbSA) and those without the disease (HbAA) as controls. The study further assessed the impact of penicillin chemoprophylaxis and hydroxyurea use on dental caries among Sickle Cell Disease participants.Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study in which 93 children aged 30 to 60 months were recruited. There were 60 participating children who had SCD (HbSS), 17 with SCD trait (HbAS) and 16 were without SCD or SC trait (HbAA). A questionnaire was used to record sociodemographic details including mean age in months and sex and on haemoglobin genotype for all the participants. Specifically, for th

Doreen Anna Mloka,1 Francis Sakita,2 Irene Kida Minja,3 Haruna Dika,4 Edith AM Tarimo,5 Nathanael Sirili,6 Lillian Teddy Mselle,7 Rodrick Richard Kisenge,8 Philip Sasi,9 Livuka Nsemwa,10 Delfina R Msanga,11 Einoti Yohana Matayan,12 Nicholaus Bartholomeo Ngowi,13 Mainen Julius Moshi,14 John Bartlett,15 Sarah B Macfarlane,16 Ephata Kaaya,17 Patricia S O’Sullivan18 1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; 3Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 4Department of Anatomy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 5Department of Nursing Management, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Development Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 7Department of Clinical Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 8Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 9Department of Pharmacology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 10Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 11Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 12Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; 13Department of Surgery, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; 14Department of Biological and Preclinical Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 15Department of Global Health and Medicine, Duke University, Du

Emmanuela E Ambrose,1 Benson R Kidenya,2 Mwesige Charles,3 Joyce Ndunguru,4 Agnes Jonathan,4 Julie Makani,4 Irene K Minja,4,5 Paschal Ruggajo,4,6 Emmanuel Balandya4,7 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 3Department of Laboratory Services, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania; 4Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 5Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 7Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Emmanuela E Ambrose, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania, Tel +255789733833, Fax +255282500799, Email emmanuelaambrose@gmail.comPurpose: To assess clinical and haematological outcomes of Hydroxyurea accessed via various access means and uncover the barriers to its utilization in children with Sickle cell anaemia (SCA), North-western Tanzania.Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between October 2020 and April 2021 at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) through review of medical files to compare the clinical and haematological outcomes among children with SCA at baseline and followed up retrospectively for at least one year of hydroxyurea utilization, accessed via cash, insurance and projects. Subsequently, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents and caregivers to ascertain the barriers to access of hydroxyurea via the various means. The p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: We identified

Evarist Mulyahela Wilson,1 Irene Kida Minja,1,2 Ferdinand Mabula Machibya,3 Agnes Jonathan,4 Julie Makani,2,4 Paschal Ruggajo,5 Emmanuel Balandya2,6 1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 3Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Community Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 4Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Evarist Mulyahela Wilson, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 65014, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255757352296, Email evarist1818@gmail.comPurpose: To determine oxygen saturation in the pulp of primary teeth in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) for establishing the usefulness of pulse oximetry in screening and monitoring of SCD or therapy.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 30– 60 months children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) compared with healthy children (HbAA). A pulse oximeter (BCI 3301) recorded oxygen saturation on six anterior primary maxillary teeth and on index fingers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Mean oxygen saturation for teeth and fingers was calculated. Comparison of Mean across groups was done using post hoc analysis in one-way ANOVA (Bonferroni test). Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for mean oxygen saturation on fingers and teeth. Level of significance was set at 0.05.Results: Altogether 360, 102, and 96 teeth were examined from children with SCD, SCT, and

Ritah F Mutagonda,1,2 George Bwire,3 Raphael Zozimus Sangeda,2,3 Manase Kilonzi,1 Hamu Mlyuka,1 Joyce Ndunguru,2,4 Agnes Jonathan,2,4 Julie Makani,2,4 Irene Kida Minja,2,5 Paschal Ruggajo,2,6 Emmanuel Balandya,2,7 Appolinary AR Kamuhabwa1 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania; 2Sickle Cell Programme, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania; 4Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania; 5Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania; 7Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Ritah F Mutagonda, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65013, Dar es salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255 713 816481, Email mutagonda@muhas.ac.tz; rittdavisrida@yahoo.comBackground: Bacterial infections contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, particularly children under five years of age. In Tanzania, prophylaxis against pneumococcal infection among children with SCD advocates the use of both oral penicillin V (PV) and pneumococcal vaccines (PNV). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate nasopharyngeal carriage and antibiogram of Streptococcal pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in children with SCD in Tanzania.Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken at the two Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO) study sites in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study was conducted fo

Emmanuel Balandya,1 Bruno Sunguya,2 Benson Kidenya,3 Tumaini Nyamhanga,4 Irene K Minja,5 Michael Mahande,6 Blandina T Mmbaga,7 Stephen E Mshana,8 Kien Mteta,9 John Bartlett,10 Eligius Lyamuya11 1Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; 2Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; 3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 4Department of Development Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; 5Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; 7Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; 8Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 9Department of Urology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; 10Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; 11Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Emmanuel Balandya, Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box. 65001, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255-768-431600, Fax +255-22-2150465, Email ebalandya@muhas.ac.tzBackground: Mentorship is pivotal for sustainability of a successful research culture at higher learning institutions. Various models have been proposed for provision of research mentorship in health sciences but are challenged by utilizing predominantly hierarchical mentoring, as well as being centred on one discipline or one institution. This paper describes the approach and successes of an inclusive

Dental anxiety has been reported to be a common problem affecting widespread societies, hence a global public health concern. This chapter provides an updated information to dental practitioners, about dental anxiety and its implication to oral health-care attendance and service delivery. It is introduced by defining dental anxiety, providing a summary of prevalence of the problem among children and adults; and its relationship with sociodemography, oral health status, and cultural issues. Causes of dental anxiety and simple ways to diagnose it and management options of dental anxiety for different age groups of populations are summarized to assist dental practitioners during patient management. How dental anxiety influences dental attendance and ultimately impact oral health status of populations; and its relationship with oral health-care delivery are also discussed. Finally, preventive measures both in community and clinical settings are provided and recommendation for dental professionals and other stake holders is outlined.

Background: Having knowledge about health issues is necessary for making informed decisions related to practicing lifestyles conducive to good health. The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical covariates of knowledge related to the cause and prevention of oral diseases among older adults in Tanzania. Method: A cross sectional household survey was conducted in two regions of Tanzania; Pwani and Dar es Salaam city. A total 1031 older adults aged 55 and above were personally interviewed, before undergoing a full mouth examination. Results: the proportion of older adults with knowledge (total knowledge score≥ 1) on dental caries and gum disease was 14.9% and 2.3%, respectively. Having low education level, belonging to a lower wealth quartile and lack of perceived need to see a dentist, were strongly associated with having no knowledge on dental caries. None of the covariates were significantly associated with knowledge on gum disease. Conclusions: Knowledge on the two oral diseases is low among older adults interviewed. Factors associated with knowledge demonstrate substantial socio economic disparities. Development of policies and health education programs that target behavioural and socio economic determinants is recommended.

Background: Dental anxiety has been associated with several negative effects on patients and communities’ oral health. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with dental anxiety among primary school teachers in Ngara district, Tanzania. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study utilized self-administered questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and behavioural details. A Kiswahili version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was usedto assess dental anxiety. Results: The Kiswahili version of MDAS showed good face validity and reliability with standardized Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.86. The prevalence of high dental anxiety (MDAS≥ 19) was 1.2%. A significant higher percentage of schoolteachers with dental anxiety was observe among those with low education; who visited a dentist at least once in the past two years; and those who visited the dentist when having a dental problem. Sex, age, marital status and perceived oral health status did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: The Kiswahili version of MDAS showed acceptable psychometrics. The prevalence of dental anxiety among school teachers in a rural district of Ngara in Tanzania was low. To maintain the low prevalence of dental anxiety and subsequently reducing it, oral health education and promotion on preventive dental heath seeking behaviours is advocated.

Background: Dental anxiety has been associated with several negative effects on patients and communities’ oral health. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with dental anxiety among primary school teachers in Ngara district, Tanzania. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study utilized self-administered questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and behavioural details. A Kiswahili version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was usedto assess dental anxiety. Results: The Kiswahili version of MDAS showed good face validity and reliability with standardized Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.86. The prevalence of high dental anxiety (MDAS≥ 19) was 1.2%. A significant higher percentage of schoolteachers with dental anxiety was observe among those with low education; who visited a dentist at least once in the past two years; and those who visited the dentist when having a dental problem. Sex, age, marital status and perceived oral health status did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: The Kiswahili version of MDAS showed acceptable psychometrics. The prevalence of dental anxiety among school teachers in a rural district of Ngara in Tanzania was low. To maintain the low prevalence of dental anxiety and subsequently reducing it, oral health education and promotion on preventive dental heath seeking behaviours is advocated.

Background: Having knowledge about health issues is necessary for making informed decisions related to practicing lifestyles conducive to good health. The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical covariates of knowledge related to the cause and prevention of oral diseases among older adults in Tanzania. Method: A cross sectional household survey was conducted in two regions of Tanzania; Pwani and Dar es Salaam city. A total 1031 older adults aged 55 and above were personally interviewed, before undergoing a full mouth examination. Results: the proportion of older adults with knowledge (total knowledge score≥ 1) on dental caries and gum disease was 14.9% and 2.3%, respectively. Having low education level, belonging to a lower wealth quartile and lack of perceived need to see a dentist, were strongly associated with having no knowledge on dental caries. None of the covariates were significantly associated with knowledge on gum disease. Conclusions: Knowledge on the two oral diseases is low among older adults interviewed. Factors associated with knowledge demonstrate substantial socio economic disparities. Development of policies and health education programs that target behavioural and socio economic determinants is recommended.