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Amani DE, Ndumwa HP, Ngowi JE, Njiro BJ, Munishi C, Mboya EA, Mloka D, Kikula AI, Balandya E, Ruggajo P, Kessy AT, Kitambala E, Kapologwe N, Kengia JT, Kiologwe J, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF. National Non-Communicable Diseases Conferences- A Platform to Inform Policies and Practices in Tanzania. Ann Glob Health 2024; 90:18. [PMID: 38463453 PMCID: PMC10921961 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) arise from diverse risk factors with differences in the contexts and variabilities in regions and countries. Addressing such a complex challenge requires local evidence. Tanzania has been convening stakeholders every year to disseminate and discuss scientific evidence, policies, and implementation gaps, to inform policy makers in NCDs responses. This paper documents these dissemination efforts and how they have influenced NCDs response and landscape in Tanzania and the region. Methods Desk review was conducted through available MOH and conference organizers' documents. It had both quantitative and qualitative data. The review included reports of the four NCDs conferences, conference organization, and conduct processes. In addition, themes of the conferences, submitted abstracts, and presentations were reviewed. Narrative synthesis was conducted to address the objectives. Recommendations emanated from the conference and policy uptake were reviewed and discussed to determine the impact of the dissemination. Findings Since 2019, four theme-specific conferences were organized. This report includes evidence from four conferences. The conferences convened researchers and scientists from research and training institutions, implementers, government agencies, and legislators in Tanzania and other countries within and outside Africa. Four hundred and thirty-five abstracts were presented covering 14 sub-themes on health system improvements, financing, governance, prevention intervention, and the role of innovation and technology. The conferences have had a positive effect on governments' response to NCDs, including health care financing, NCDs research agenda, and universal health coverage. Conclusion The National NCDs conferences have provided suitable platforms where stakeholders can share, discuss, and recommend vital strategies for addressing the burden of NCDs through informing policies and practices. Ensuring the engagement of the right stakeholders, as well as the uptake and utilization of the recommendations from these platforms, remains crucial for addressing the observed epidemiological transition in Tanzania and other countries with similar contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis E. Amani
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jackline E. Ngowi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J. Njiro
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erick A. Mboya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Doreen Mloka
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amani I. Kikula
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Paschal Ruggajo
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, P O Box 743 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Anna T. Kessy
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emilia Kitambala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ntuli Kapologwe
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - James T. Kengia
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Bakari Salum
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Appolinary Kamuhabwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kaushik Ramaiya
- Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, P O Box 65201 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Tanzania Diabetes Association, P O Box 65201 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, P O Box 581 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno F. Sunguya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
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Njiro BJ, Ngowi JE, Ndumwa HP, Amani D, Munishi C, Mloka D, Balandya E, Rugajo P, Kessy AT, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF, Mboya EA, Kikula AI, Kitambala E, Kiologwe J, Kengia JT, Kapologwe N. Non-communicable Diseases Week: Best Practices in Addressing the NCDs Burden from Tanzania. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:89. [PMID: 38107601 PMCID: PMC10723012 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Five million people die every year from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. In Tanzania, more than two-thirds of deaths are NCD-related. The country is investing in preventive and advocacy activities as well as interventions to reduce the burden. Of particular interest, the Ministry of Health (MoH) commemorates NCDs' week using a multisectoral and multi-stakeholders' approach. This paper highlights activities conducted during NCDs week with the aim of sharing lessons for other countries with similar context and burdens. Methods A thorough review of official reports and the national strategic plans for NCDs was done including the 2020 and 2021 National NCDs' week reports, the National Strategic Plan for NCDs 2015-2020, and the National NCDs agenda. Findings NCDs week is commemorated annually throughout the country involving the five key activities. First, community awareness and participation are encouraged through media engagement and community-based preventive and advocacy activities. Second, physical activities and sports festivals are implemented with a focus on developing and renovating infrastructures for sports and recreation. Third, health education is provided in schools to promote healthy behaviors for secondary school adolescents in transition to adulthood. Fourth, health service provision and exhibitions are conducted involving screening for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, alcohol use, and physical activities. The targeted screening of NCDs identified 10% of individuals with at least one NCD in 2020. In 2021, a third of all screened individuals were newly diagnosed with hypertension, and 3% were found to have raised blood glucose levels. Fifth, the national NCDs scientific conferences conducted within the NCDs week provide an avenue for stakeholders to discuss scientific evidence related to NCDs and recommend strategies to mitigate NCDs burden. Conclusion The initiation of NCDs week has been a cornerstone in advocating for NCDs control and prevention in the country. It has created awareness on NCDs, encourage healthy lifestyles and regular screening for NCDs. The multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approaches have made the implementation of the mentioned activities feasible and impactful. This has set an example for the united efforts toward NCD control and prevention at national, regional, and global platforms while considering contextual factors during adoption and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J. Njiro
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jackline E. Ngowi
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Davis Amani
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Doreen Mloka
- School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Paschal Rugajo
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Anna T. Kessy
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Bakari Salum
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, Tanzania
| | - Appolinary Kamuhabwa
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kaushik Ramaiya
- Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, Tanzania
- Tanzania Diabetes Association, Tanzania
| | - Bruno F. Sunguya
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | | | - James T. Kengia
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, Tanzania
| | - Ntuli Kapologwe
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, Tanzania
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Ndumwa HP, Amani DE, Ngowi JE, Njiro BJ, Munishi C, Mboya EA, Mloka D, Kikula AI, Balandya E, Ruggajo P, Kessy AT, Kitambala E, Kapologwe N, Kengia JT, Kiologwe J, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF. Mitigating the Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases through Locally Generated Evidence-Lessons from Tanzania. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:77. [PMID: 38025921 PMCID: PMC10655751 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing globally, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the brunt of it. Tanzania is no exception. Addressing the rising burden of NCDs in this context calls for renewed efforts and commitment by various stakeholders. This paper highlights local initiatives and strategies to combat NCDs in Tanzania and provides lessons for countries with similar contexts. Methods We reviewed published and grey literature and conducted policy analysis on NCDs in Tanzania to examine the burden of NCDs and the national response addressing it. The documents included National NCD strategic plans, NCD research agenda, and reports from the World Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization. Moreover, a scoping review of ongoing NCD activities and programs in other countries was also conducted to supplement the evidence gathered. Results The rising burden of NCDs as a result of the epidemiological transition in Tanzania called for the launching of a dedicated National NCD Control and Prevention Program. The Ministry of Health collaborates with local, national, and international partners on NCD prevention and curative strategies. This led to the development of important guidelines and policies on NCDs, including strengthening the capacity of health facilities and healthcare workers, increased community engagement and awareness of NCDs, and increased advocacy for more resources in NCD initiatives. Strong governmental commitment has been vital; this is demonstrated by a renewed commitment to the fight through national NCD week and related advocacy activities conducted annually. To ensure multi-stakeholders' engagement and political commitment, all these activities are coordinated at the Prime Minister's office and provide strong lessons for countries with contexts similar to Tanzania. Conclusion Multi-stakeholders' engagement, innovative approaches, and coordinated governmental efforts to address NCDs have shone a light on addressing the burden of NCDs and may be sustainable if aligned with locally available resources. Such initiatives are recommended for adoption by other nations to address the burdens of NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Davis E. Amani
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jackline E. Ngowi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J. Njiro
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erick A. Mboya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Doreen Mloka
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amani I. Kikula
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Paschal Ruggajo
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, P O Box 743, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Anna T. Kessy
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emilia Kitambala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ntuli Kapologwe
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box, 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - James T. Kengia
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box, 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Bakari Salum
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box, 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Appolinary Kamuhabwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kaushik Ramaiya
- Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, P O Box 65201, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Tanzania Diabetes Association, P O Box 65201, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, P O Box 581, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno F. Sunguya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
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Ngowi JE, Munishi C, Ndumwa HP, Njiro BJ, Amani DE, Mboya EA, Mloka D, Kikula AI, Balandya E, Ruggajo P, Kessy AT, Kitambala E, Kapologwe N, Kengia JT, Kiologwe J, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF. Efforts to Address the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases Need Local Evidence and Shared Lessons from High-Burden Countries. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:78. [PMID: 38025922 PMCID: PMC10655753 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jackline E. Ngowi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J. Njiro
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Davis E. Amani
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erick A. Mboya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Doreen Mloka
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amani I. Kikula
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Paschal Ruggajo
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, P O Box 743 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Anna T. Kessy
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emilia Kitambala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ntuli Kapologwe
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - James T. Kengia
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Bakari Salum
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Appolinary Kamuhabwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kaushik Ramaiya
- Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, P O Box 65201 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Tanzania Diabetes Association, P O Box 65201 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, P O Box 581 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno F. Sunguya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
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Munishi C, Ndumwa HP, Massawe JE, Njiro BJ, Ngowi J, Suhartono S, Busse A, Campello G, Garofalo G, Cipolla P, Nyandindi C, Ubuguyu O, Sunguya B. Acceptability of using mobile Health (mHealth) as an intervention tool for people with drug use disorders in Tanga, Tanzania. PLOS Digit Health 2023; 2:e0000257. [PMID: 37756266 PMCID: PMC10530012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Evidence on the additional benefit in treatment and recovery process among PWDUD using digital health interventions is lacking. This study aimed to describe the acceptability of using a digital intervention to increase information access for PWDUD in Tanga region, Tanzania. This study was conducted among 465 participants in Tanga, a coastal region on the Northeast of Tanzania has the second highest number of PWDUD in Tanzania. This cross-sectional descriptive study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The majority of the PWDUD 67.6% do not own mobile phones. Out of the 156 participants with mobile phones, only 6.4% owned a smartphone. Most of the participants, 83.6%, reported living with someone who owns a mobile phone. Importantly, a significant number of participants, 98.5% from both areas showed readiness to use mobile phones to access information about the harmful use of substance and substance use disorder treatment options. Participants described how mobile phones can be useful to them in accessing information related to treatment and access to treatment options. The findings of this study helped to inform the target audience for the developed Huru App that should not be only PWDUD but the community at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Castory Munishi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Josephine E. Massawe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J. Njiro
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jackline Ngowi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sanita Suhartono
- Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Busse
- Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giovanna Campello
- Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | - Bruno Sunguya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Ndumwa HP, Njiro BJ, Francis JM, Kawala T, Msenga CJ, Matola E, Mhonda J, Corbin H, Ubuguyu O, Likindikoki S. Prevalence and factors associated with potential substance use disorders among police officers in urban Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:175. [PMID: 36927411 PMCID: PMC10022246 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) among Police Officers has been a concern to many professionals in the field of health, research and criminal justice since their work is subjected to higher levels of stress and hence more likely to use alcohol or tobacco as a coping mechanism. However, little is known about SUDs among Police Officers in Tanzania. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence and factors associated with SUDs among Police Officers in urban Tanzania. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and October 2019 among Police Officers in Dar es Salaam. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. The WHO-Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) version 3.0 was used to measure potential SUDs. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to establish associations between potential SUDs and predictors of interest, and an alpha of 5% was used in sample size calculation. RESULTS A total of 497 participants were enrolled, of these, 76.6% (376/491) were males, the median age (years) and IQR was 37.0 (30.0, 47.0). The prevalence of past three months use of alcohol and tobacco were 31.3% and 6.3%, respectively. About 13.3% (62/468) and 6.2% (29/468) of Police Officers met criteria for potential Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and potential Tobacco Use Disorder (TUD) respectively. In adjusted analysis, participants with depression had about two times increased odds for potential AUD (aOR: 2.27, 95% CI; 1.12 - 4.58, p = 0.023) than those with no depression. Potential AUD and depression were associated with about eight times (aOR: 8.03, 95% CI; 3.52 - 18.28, p < 0.01) and more than twice (aOR: 2.63, 95% CI; 1.12 - 6.15, p = 0.026) higher odds for potential TUD respectively. CONCLUSION Substance use and potential substance use disorders particularly AUD and TUD are common among Police Officers in urban Tanzania. Depression was found to be an important factor for potential AUD and TUD among Police Officers and, a significant co-occurrence of potential AUD with potential TUD was observed. Findings from this study call for interventions, for example, the need to routinize the brief motivational interview services for alcohol and tobacco use among Police Officers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- grid.25867.3e0000 0001 1481 7466School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J. Njiro
- grid.25867.3e0000 0001 1481 7466School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Joel M. Francis
- grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- grid.25867.3e0000 0001 1481 7466Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Thomas Kawala
- Medical Service Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Charles J. Msenga
- Medical Service Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ezekiel Matola
- Medical Service Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Juhudi Mhonda
- Medical Service Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Hillary Corbin
- Medical Service Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Omary Ubuguyu
- grid.415734.00000 0001 2185 2147Directorate of Curative Services, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Samuel Likindikoki
- grid.25867.3e0000 0001 1481 7466School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- grid.25867.3e0000 0001 1481 7466Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
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Ndumwa HP, Munishi C, Ngowi JE, Njiro BJ, Mabusi M, Suhartono S, Busse A, Campello G, Garofalo G, Cipolla P, Nyandindi C, Ubuguyu O, Sunguya B. Drug use and associated factors in a North Eastern region of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. Pan Afr Med J 2022; 43:70. [PMID: 36523290 PMCID: PMC9733460 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.70.35059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tanzania has experienced an increase in the number of people who use drugs (PWUDs) and people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Understanding the characteristics of PWUDs is crucial to addressing the increasing burden of drug use in Tanzania. This study was set to examine drug use and its related factors among PWUDs in a North Eastern region of Tanzania. METHODS a cross-sectional study conducted among 481 PWUDs in Tanga region, Tanzania. R statistical language was used for analysis and plotting. Logistic regression was performed to establish associations between knowledge and practice scores with drug use. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS people who inject drugs comprised mostly of male (97.5%) and those with primary level education (71.1%). About three in four PWUDs had poor knowledge and practices towards drug use. Factors associated with adequate knowledge and practices towards drug use included residing in urban setting (aOR: 0.47, 95% CI; 0.29 - 0.74, p=0.001) while low level of education and use of drugs for less than 10 years were independent predictors for poor practices. CONCLUSION drug use poses a significant threat among male and individuals with low education in Tanga region. Poor knowledge and practices towards drug use was more pronounced among rural and lowly educated PWUDs. Owing to variabilities of predictors, tailored and innovative interventions are needed to curb this growing drug use and associated effects in Tanga and other settings with similar contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrieth Peter Ndumwa
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jackline Eugene Ngowi
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda Jackson Njiro
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mangaro Mabusi
- Aga Khan Hospital, P.O. Box 2289, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sanita Suhartono
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, A 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Busse
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, A 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Pietro Cipolla
- Association Casa Famiglia Rosetta, Caltanissetta, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Cassian Nyandindi
- Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), P.O. Box 80327, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Omary Ubuguyu
- Directorate of Curative Services, Ministry of Health, P.O Box 743, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Bruno Sunguya
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Ndumwa HP, Munishi C, Ngowi JE, Njiro BJ, Mabusi M, Suhartono S, Busse A, Campello G, Garofalo G, Cipolla P, Nyandindi C, Ubuguyu O, Sunguya B. Drug use and associated factors in a North Eastern region of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. Pan Afr Med J 2022. [DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.70.36039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Njiro BJ, Ndumwa HP, Msenga CJ, Kawala T, Matola E, Mhonda J, Corbin H, Ubuguyu O, Likindikoki S. Depression, suicidality and associated risk factors among police officers in urban Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. Gen Psychiatr 2021; 34:e100448. [PMID: 34222794 PMCID: PMC8204155 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2020-100448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The WHO has classified depression as a disease of public concern. Police officers are a particular subpopulation group that is at an increased risk for mental health problems. This study examined the prevalence of depression, suicidality and associated risk factors among police officers in urban Tanzania. AIMS The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression, suicidality and associated risk factors among police officers in Tanzania. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2019 and October 2020 among 550 participants in Dar es Salaam recruited using a multistage cluster sampling technique. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to screen for depression and suicidality. The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 tool was used to measure perceived social support. Descriptive statistics were summarised using frequencies and percentages. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to establish associations between predictors of interest, depression and suicidality. RESULTS There were 497 participants in the study. Of these, 76.6% (376 of 491) were men, and the median (IQR) age was 37.0 (17) years. Around 19.8% (96 of 486) of the police officers screened positive for depression and 15.4% (75 of 413) for suicidality. A significant proportion was either moderately (29 of 96, 30.2%) or severely depressed (8 of 75, 10.7 %). Of those who experienced suicidal thoughts, 10.7% (8 of 75) reported having daily suicidal thoughts. Perceiving low social support was associated with an increased risk of reporting depression (adjusted OR (aOR): 28.04, 95% CI: 8.42 to 93.37, p<0.001) and suicidality (aOR: 10.85, 95% CI: 3.56 to 33.08, p<0.001) as compared with those with high perceived social support. CONCLUSION The magnitude of depression and suicidality among police officers in urban Tanzania is alarmingly high. The study findings indicate the need for routine screening for depression and suicidality among police officers and design appropriate mental health responsive services in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Jackson Njiro
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Harrieth Peter Ndumwa
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | | | - Thomas Kawala
- Medical Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Ezekiel Matola
- Medical Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Juhudi Mhonda
- Medical Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Hillary Corbin
- Medical Unit, Tanzania Police Force, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Omary Ubuguyu
- National NCD Prevention and Control Program, Ministry of Health, Community, Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Samuel Likindikoki
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
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Kutcher S, Perkins K, Gilberds H, Udedi M, Ubuguyu O, Njau T, Chapota R, Hashish M. Creating Evidence-Based Youth Mental Health Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Description of the Integrated Approach to Addressing the Issue of Youth Depression in Malawi and Tanzania. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:542. [PMID: 31555156 PMCID: PMC6724683 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Addressing depression in young people is a health-care policy need in sub-Saharan Africa. There exists poor mental health literacy, high levels of stigma, and weak capacity at the community level to address this health-care need. These challenges are significant barriers to accessing mental health care for depression, soon to be the largest single contributor to the global burden of disease. We here describe an innovative approach that addresses these issues simultaneously while concurrently strengthening key mental health components in existing education and health-care systems as successfully applied in Malawi and replicated in Tanzania. Improving the pathway to care for young people with depression requires the following: improving mental health literacy (MHL) of communities, youth, and teachers; enhancing case identification and linking schools to community health clinics; improving the capacity of community health-care providers to identify, diagnose, and effectively treat depression in youth. Funded by Grand Challenges Canada, we developed and applied a program called "An Integrated Approach to Addressing the Challenge of Depression Among the Youth in Malawi and Tanzania" (IACD). This was an example of, a horizontally integrated pathway to care model designed to be applied in low-resource settings. The model is designed to 1) improve awareness/knowledge of mental health and mental disorders (especially depression) in communities; 2) enhance mental health literacy among youth and teachers within schools; 3) enhance capacity for teachers to identify students with possible depression; 4) create linkages between schools and community health clinics for improved access to mental health care for youth identified with possible depression; and 5) enhance the capacity of community-based health-care providers to identify, diagnose, and effectively treat youth with depression. With the use of interactive, youth-informed weekly radio programs, mental health curriculum training for teachers and peer educators in secondary schools, and a clinical competency training program for community-based health workers, the innovation created a "hub and spoke" model for improving mental health care for young people. Positive results obtained in Malawi and replicated in Tanzania suggest that this approach may provide an effective and potentially sustainable framework for enhancing youth mental health care, thus providing a policy ready framework that can be considered for application in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Kutcher
- Department of Psychiatry, IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Omary Ubuguyu
- Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Tasiana Njau
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Mina Hashish
- Department of Psychiatry, IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Kutcher S, Wei Y, Gilberds H, Ubuguyu O, Njau T, Brown A, Sabuni N, Magimba A, Perkins K. A school mental health literacy curriculum resource training approach: effects on Tanzanian teachers' mental health knowledge, stigma and help-seeking efficacy. Int J Ment Health Syst 2016; 10:50. [PMID: 27493684 PMCID: PMC4973111 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-016-0082-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health literacy (MHL) is foundational for mental health promotion, prevention, stigma reduction, and care; School supported information pertaining to MHL in sub-Saharan Africa is extremely limited, including in Tanzania. Successful application of a school MHL curriculum resource may be an effective way to increase teacher MHL and therefore help to improve mental health outcomes for students. METHODS Secondary school teachers in Tanzania were trained on the African Guide (AG) a school MHL curriculum resource culturally adapted from a Canadian MHL resource (The Guide) for use in Africa. Teacher training workshops on the classroom application of the AG were used to evaluate its impact on mental health literacy in a sample of Tanzanian Secondary school teachers. Pre-post training assessment of participant knowledge and attitudes was conducted. Help-seeking efficacy for teachers themselves and their interventions for students, friends, family members and peers were determined. RESULTS Paired t test (n = 37) results demonstrate highly significant improvements in teacher's overall knowledge (p < 0.001; d = 1.14), including mental health knowledge, (p < 0.001; d = 1.14) and curriculum specific knowledge (p < 0.01; d = 0.63). Teachers' stigma against mental illness decreased significantly following the training (p < 0.001; d = 0.61). Independent t tests comparing the paired sample against unpaired sample also demonstrated significant differences between the groups for teacher's overall knowledge (p < 0.001). Teachers also reported high rates (greater than ¾ of the sample) of positive help-seeking efficacy for themselves as well as for their students, friends, family members and peers. As a result of the training, the number of students teachers identified for potential mental health care totaled over 200. CONCLUSIONS These positive results, when taken together with other research, suggest that the use of a classroom-based resource (the AG) that integrates MHL into existing school curriculum through training teachers may be an effective and sustainable way to increase the MHL (improved knowledge, decreased stigma and positive help-seeking efficacy) of teachers in Tanzania. As this study replicated the results of a previous intervention in Malawi, consideration could be given to scaling up this intervention in both countries and applying this resource and approach in other countries in East Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stan Kutcher
- Dalhousie University and the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre, 5850 University Avenue, PO Box 9700, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8 Canada
| | - Yifeng Wei
- Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health team, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Omary Ubuguyu
- Muhimbili National Hospital, Kalenga Street, PO Box 65000, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Tasiana Njau
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Adena Brown
- Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health team, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | - Norman Sabuni
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Ministry of Health, PO Box 9083, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ayoub Magimba
- Non Communicable Disease, Ministry of Health, PO Box 9083, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Mlunde LB, Poudel KC, Sunguya BF, Mbwambo JKK, Yasuoka J, Otsuka K, Ubuguyu O, Jimba M. A call for parental monitoring to improve condom use among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. BMC Public Health 2012; 12:1061. [PMID: 23216949 PMCID: PMC3533521 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of people newly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been decreasing in sub-Saharan Africa, but prevalence of the infection remains unacceptably high among young people. Despite the alarming pervasiveness of the virus, young people in this region continue to engage in risky sexual behaviors including unprotected sexual intercourse. In developed countries, parents can play important roles in protecting young people from such behaviors, but evidence regarding the impact of parental involvement is still limited in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine the magnitude of risky sexual behaviors and the association of parental monitoring and parental communication with condom use at last sexual intercourse among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS We conducted this cross-sectional study among 2,217 male and female students aged 15 to 24 years from 12 secondary schools in Dar es Salaam. From October to November 2011, we collected data using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of parental monitoring and parental communication with condom use at last sexual intercourse, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS A total of 665 (30.3%) secondary school students reported being sexually active within the year prior to data collection. Among them, 41.7% had multiple sexual partners, 10.5% had concurrent sexual partners, and 41.1% did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse. A higher level of parental monitoring was associated with increased likelihood of condom use at last sexual intercourse among male students (AOR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.05-2.32; p = 0.03) but not among female students (AOR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.71-3.37; p = 0.28). The association between parental communication and condom use at last sexual intercourse among both male and female students was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS A high level of parental monitoring is associated with more consistent condom use among male students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- many of whom have engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors such as multiple sexual partnerships, concurrent sexual partnerships, and unprotected sexual intercourse in the past one year. Interventions should thus be strengthened to reduce multiple sexual partnerships, concurrent sexual partnerships, and to improve parental monitoring among such students toward increasing condom use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda B Mlunde
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 316 Arnold House, 715 North Pleasant St, Amherst, MA, USA.
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