Comparing in-person, blended and virtual training interventions; a real-world evaluation of HIV capacity building programs in 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa

We sought to evaluate the impact of transitioning a multi-country HIV training program from in-person to online by comparing digital training approaches implemented during the pandemic with in-person approaches employed before COVID-19. We evaluated mean changes in pre-and post-course knowledge scores and self-reported confidence scores for learners who participated in (1) in-person workshops (between October 2019 and March 2020), (2) entirely asynchronous, Virtual Workshops [VW] (between May 2021 and January 2022), and (3) a blended Online Course [OC] (between May 2021 and January 2022) across 16 SSA countries. Learning objectives and evaluation tools were the same for all three groups. Across 16 SSA countries, 3023 participants enrolled in the in-person course, 2193 learners participated in the virtual workshop, and 527 in the online course. The proportions of women who participated in the VW and OC were greater than the proportion who participated in the in-person course (60.1% and 63.6%, p<0.001). Nursing and midwives constituted the largest learner group overall (1145 [37.9%] vs. 949 [43.3%] vs. 107 [20.5%]). Across all domains of HIV knowledge and self-perceived confidence, there was a mean increase between pre- and post-course assessments, regardless of how training was delivered. The greatest percent increase in knowledge scores was among those participating in the in-person course compared to VW or OC formats (13.6% increase vs. 6.0% and 7.6%, p<0.001). Gains in self-reported confidence were greater among learners who participated in the in-person course compared to VW or OC formats, regardless of training level (p<0.001) or professional cadre (p<0.001). In this multi-country capacity HIV training program, in-person, online synchronous, and blended synchronous/asynchronous strategies were effective means of training learners from diverse clinical settings. Online learning approaches facilitated participation from more women and more diverse cadres. However, gains in knowledge and clinical confidence were greater among those participating in in-person learning programs.

The surgical pathology laboratory in Mwanza, Tanzania: a survey on the reproducibility of diagnoses after the first years of autonomous activity

BACKGROUND

In 2000, an Italian non-governmental organisation (NGO) began a 9-year project to establish a surgical pathology laboratory at the Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania, a country with a low Human Development Index (HDI), and as of 2009, the laboratory was operating autonomously. The present survey aims to evaluate the reproducibility of histological and cytological diagnoses assigned in the laboratory's early years of autonomous activity. We selected a random sample of 196 histological and cytological diagnoses issued in 2010-2011 at the BMC surgical pathology laboratory. The corresponding samples were sent to Italy for review by Italian senior pathologists, who were blinded to the local results. Samples were classified into four diagnostic categories: malignant, benign, inflammatory, and suspicious. The two-observer kappa-statistic for categorised (qualitative) data was then calculated to measure diagnostic concordance between the local Tanzanian pathologists and Italian senior pathologists. The k-Cohen was calculated for concordance in the overall study sample. Concordance and discordance rates were also stratified by subset: general adult, paediatric/adolescent, and lymphoproliferative histopathological diagnoses; fluid and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological diagnoses; and PAP tests. Discordance was also categorised by the corresponding hypothetical clinical implications: high, intermediate, and not significant.

RESULTS

Overall concordance was 85.2% (167 of 196 diagnoses), with a k-Cohen of 0.7691 (P = 0.0000). Very high concordance was observed in the subsets of adult general pathological diagnoses (90%) and paediatric/adolescent pathological diagnoses (91.18%). Concordance in the subset of PAP tests was 75%, and for fluid/FNA cytological diagnoses it was 56.52%. Concordance among 12 histological subtypes of lymphoma was 75.86%, with substantial discordance observed in the diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma (five cases diagnosed by Italian pathologists versus 2 by local pathologists). The overall proportion of discordance with high hypothetical clinical implications was 6.1% (12 diagnoses).

CONCLUSION

This blind review of diagnoses assigned in Tanzania, a country with low HDI, and in Italy, a country with a very high HDI, seemed to be a sensitive and effective method to identify areas of potential error and may represent a reference point for future, more detailed quality control processes or audits of surgical pathology services located in limited-resource regions.

Modified ureterosigmoidostomy for management of malignant and non-malignant conditions

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcome of Mainz Pouch II urinary diversion for both malignant and non-malignant diseases.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Institute of Urology, Moshi, Tanzania from April 1995 to May 2007.

PATIENTS

Mainz Pouch II was created in 83 patients of which, 38 were females and 45 were males (M:F 1.2:1).

RESULTS

Early complications were seen in 11 (13.2%) patients, as follows: one (1.2%) prolonged ileus, 1(1.2%) wound dehiscence, two (2.4%) perioperative deaths among the malignant group, seven (8.4%) superficial wound sepsis. Long term complications were seen in 14 (16.9%) patients, as follows: one (1.2%) patient developed an incision hernia, one (1.2%) patient developed unilateral pyelonephritis, one (1.2%) patient developed unilateral ureteral stenosis, two (2.4%) patients had deterioration of renal function, three (3.6%) patients developed mild to moderate unilateral hydronephrosis, three (3.6%) patients developed mucoceles. Among the 83 patients in this series, three (3.6%) patients developed metabolic acidosis, two (2.4%) of which, required oral bicarbonate supplementation. All (100%) patients had daytime continence while three (3.6%) patients had occasional night time incontinence. Overall total continence was achieved in 80 (96.4%) of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The Mainz Pouch II is a safe and reproducible method of urinary diversion and serves as a satisfying method of continent urinary diversion in all age groups. This reconstructive surgery enabled the afflicted to achieve personal goals, hopes and aspirations, positively influencing their quality of life. The follow up show low complication rate with good results in terms of continence and quality of life, however, long term results remain to be evaluated.

Iatrogenic ureteric and bladder injuries in obstetric and gynaecologic surgeries

OBJECTIVE

To review iatrogenic ureteric and urinary bladder injuries from obstetric and gynaecological surgeries treated in the urology department analysing; ureteric anatomy, aetiologic factors, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Institute of Urology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC), Moshi, Tanzania.

SUBJECTS

Twenty three women were treated for iatrogenic ureteric and bladder injuries secondary to obstetric and gynaecological procedures in the department of urology between June 1994 and July 2004.

RESULTS

Hysterectomy was the leading cause of ureteric injuries contributing to nine (47.4%) of the 19 ureteric injuries. Caesarian sections were the second leading cause and contributed 6(31.6%) of 19 ureteric injuries. Vesical vaginal fistula (VVF) repairs lead to two (10.5%) ureteric injuries one of which was bilateral. There was a case each (5.3%) from ovarian cystectomy and forceps delivery. There were only three cases of intra-operative diagnosis of ureteric injuries. There were four bladder injuries half of which came from hysterectomy. The leading definitive urological treatment for ureteric injury was ureteric re implantation and all kidneys were saved.

CONCLUSION

Iatrogenic ureteric and bladder injuries from gynaecologic surgeries are globally rare but are liable to occur due to the inherent ureteric anatomic factors in the pelvis. Intra-operative diagnosis of injury is a rare feature. The practical principles to prevent and repair ureteric injuries have been presented and discussed. The true risk to the patient lies in delayed, missed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. Endourologic techniques offer an alternative diagnostic and treatment method for women previously injured in open pelvic surgeries.

Complex therapy for hepatic trauma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the optimal surgical management of patients with hepatic trauma.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of 197 patients treated for hepatic trauma in the two hospitals from January 1980 to January 2001.

SETTING

Qilu and Dodoma Hospital in China and Tanzania respectively. PATIENT INTERVENTIONS: Two patients died before surgery, seven patients were treated conservatively, while 188 patients underwent various surgical interventions under the principles of damage control surgery including initial laparotomy, resuscitation phase and definitive surgery.

RESULTS

The overall mortality was 15.3% (30/197). The leading cause of death was the triad of coagulopathy, hypothermia and metabolic acidosis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with major exanguinating injuries will not survive complex procedures such as formal hepatic resection or complex procedures such as formal hepatic resection or pancreaticoduodenectomy. The operating team must undergo a radical shift in their "surgical ideology" if the patient is to survive such devastating injuries. The central principle of damage control surgery is that patients died of the triad of coagulopathy, hypothermia and metabolic acidosis. Damage control surgery can be thought of in three distinct phases: initial truncated laparotomy, resuscitation phase and definitive operation.

Urinary diversion in children with mainly exstrophy and epispadias: alternative to primary bladder closure

OBJECTIVE

To review the long term outcome of children who underwent urinary diversion for various non-malignant conditions and to assess the suitability of urinary diversion as an alternative treatment to primary bladder closure in cases of bladder exstrophy epispadias complex.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Institute of Urology, Moshi, Tanzania.

SUBJECTS

Fifteen children who underwent urinary diversion for various non-malignant conditions between 1985 and 1997.

RESULTS

Fifteen children underwent urinary diversion for: exstrophy epispadias complex (n = 12) neurogenic bladder (n = 2) and trauma (n = 1). Seven children underwent Mainz pouch II diversion, six had classical ureterosigmoidostomy and two had appendicovesicostomy. One patient with a solitary kidney developed ureteral stenosis at the implantation site and was undiverted. Metabolic acidosis was well compensated with none of the patients requiring sodium bicarbonate supplements. All the patients except one were continent.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that continent urinary diversion in children offers a viable alternative method for children with bladder exstrophy epispadias complex.

Thoracic empyema in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

A review of 114 thoracic empyema cases attended in the thoracic unit of the Muhimbili Medical Centre from July 1986 to July 1990 is presented. 87.7% of the cases were males. Their ages ranged from 9 to 79 years with a mean of 32 years. Tuberculosis was the major cause accounting for 63.2% of all the cases. 53.4% of the patients underwent either open chest drainage decortication or thoracoplasty. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 2-8 months with a mode around 3.5 months. A 7% mortality was noted.

Urinary stone disease in Dar es Salaam

Forty four adult patients, 34 males and 10 females, with urinary stones were seen over a six-month-period at Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam. Most patients were peasants and semiskilled workers. 8 of the patients were Arabs, which suggests a high predisposition for this race. 12 of the patients had a history of having suffered from bilharzia. There was a high proportion of bladder (and urethral) stones (30%) but upper urinary tract stones were still predominant (70%). Of 20 patients whose stones were available for analysis, 8 were composed of calcium oxalate, 7 of calcium phosphate and 5 of mixed composition. The ratio of stone patients to all hospital admissions of 243 per 100,000 suggests the prevalence of urinary stone disease is comparable to that found in Western countries.