Prevalence and factors associated with Hepatitis B infection in the general population: a cross-sectional study in Moshi municipality, North-Eastern Tanzania.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health problem, even with the presence of affordable and effective vaccination. Toward hepatitis B elimination by 2030, it is essential to know the prevalence of HBV in the general population and associated risk factors so as to set priorities for specific prevention and control strategies in this population.

Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study among 1399 general population aged 18 years and above who came for HBV screening during the world viral hepatitis day on 28th and 29th July 2019.

Inequalities and Determinants of Quality Antenatal Care Coverage Among Women of Reproductive Age (15-49) in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of National Data.

Background And Aims: Maternal and neonatal mortality remain high in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which can be reduced by the expanded antenatal care (ANC) services intervention. Challenges exist in the quality coverage of ANC in Tanzania. We aimed to assess inequalities and determinants of quality ANC coverage among women of reproductive age (WRA, 15-49 years) in Tanzania.

Determinants of substance use among adolescents aged 10-19 years in Tanga Region, Eastern Tanzania: A cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Despite adolescents making up a significant part of the global population, they have high rates of substance use, linked to various health problems and risky behaviours and increased risk of negative social, cognitive, and physical consequences. Studies on substance use and related risk behaviours among adolescents in Tanzania are crucial for informing targeted interventions and policies to safeguard the health and development of this vulnerable population. We aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of substance use among adolescents in the Tanga region, eastern in Tanzania.

Association of height, BMI, and smoking status with prostate cancer risk before and after the introduction of PSA testing in Sweden.

Prostate cancer (PCa) incidence has steadily increased in Sweden, more steeply in the mid-1990s caused by increased opportunistic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Tallness, normal weight, and non-smoking are associated with more PSA testing, which increases detection of low-risk and localised PCa. We investigated time trends of height, body mass index (BMI), and smoking with PCa risk in 171,889 men in Sweden aged 50-64 years at baseline, who were linked to nationwide cancer registers during follow-up.

Perceptions and awareness on dust and radon exposures and it's effect among tanzanite mine workers in northern Tanzania.

BackgroundOccupational diseases are somehow attributed to unsafe behaviors by the workers. Low awareness on the effects of exposure to mining dust and negative perceptions on preventive behaviors among workers are among factors linked to unsafe work condition.ObjectiveThe study objective was to explore awareness and perceptions of miners on exposure to occupational dust in relation to lung health.

Comparing waist circumference with body mass index on obesity-related cancer risk: a pooled Swedish study.

Background: General adiposity, assessed by body mass index (BMI), is a well-established cancer risk factor. This study compared waist circumference (WC), a measure of abdominal adiposity, with BMI as a risk factor for obesity-related cancers, and assessed whether WC provides additional information beyond BMI.

Methods: We analyzed data from 339 190 individuals in a pooled Swedish cohort with baseline BMI and WC assessments from 1981-2019 (61% objectively measured, mean age 51.

Influence of peer discussions on trust in recommendations for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

Background: Mothers attending prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV clinics seem to lack knowledge on many aspects of PMTCT, among which is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding recommendations in PMTCT have changed several times over the years leaving some confused and doubtful of what is currently recommended. One method shown to help improve their knowledge and acceptance of PMTCT recommendations is the use of peer educators.

Prevalence and determinants of evidence of silicosis and impaired lung function among small scale tanzanite miners and the peri-mining community in northern Tanzania.

Limited data among miners in Tanzania suggests prevalence of silicosis, obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung disease to be around 1.6%, 1.9% and 8.

Body mass index and risk of over 100 cancer forms and subtypes in 4.1 million individuals in Sweden: the Obesity and Disease Development Sweden (ODDS) pooled cohort study.

Background: Obesity, assessed by body mass index (BMI), is an established risk factor for 13 cancers. We aimed to identify further potential obesity-related cancers and to quantify their association with BMI relative to that of established obesity-related cancers.

Methods: Using Cox regression models on 4,142,349 individuals in Sweden (mean age 27.

COVID-19 vaccine confidence and its effect on vaccine uptake among people with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

COVID-19 vaccination effectively reduces disease severity, hospitalization, and mortality, particularly among individuals with chronic conditions who bear a disproportionate burden of disease complications. Vaccine confidence - belief in its safety, effectiveness, and importance - boosts uptake. However, limited data on vaccine confidence in this population hinders the development of targeted interventions.

Time trends of the association of body mass index with mortality in 3.5 million young Swedish adults.

Purpose: We investigated time trends of the obesity-mortality association, accounting for age, sex, and cause-specific deaths.

Methods: We analysed pooled nationwide data in Sweden for 3,472,310 individuals aged 17-39 years at baseline in 1963-2016. Cox regression and flexible parametric survival models investigated BMI-mortality associations in sub-groups of sex and baseline calendar years (men: <1975, 1975-1985, ≥1985 and women: <1985, 1985-1994, ≥1995).

Cohort profile: The Obesity and Disease Development Sweden (ODDS) study, a pooled cohort.

Purpose: The Obesity and Disease Development Sweden (ODDS) study was designed to create a large cohort to study body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and changes in weight and WC, in relation to morbidity and mortality.

Participants: ODDS includes 4 295 859 individuals, 2 165 048 men and 2 130 811 women, in Swedish cohorts and national registers with information on weight assessed once (2 555 098 individuals) or more (1 740 761 individuals), in total constituting 7 733 901 weight assessments at the age of 17-103 years in 1963-2020 (recalled weight as of 1911). Information on WC is available in 152 089 men and 212 658 women, out of whom 108 795 have repeated information on WC (in total 512 273 assessments).

Forgetting to Take Medication, Treatment Adherence and Their Relationship with Viral Load Suppression Among People Living with HIV in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is crucial for virological suppression and positive treatment outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV), but remains a challenge in ensuring patients achieve and sustain viral load suppression. Despite the recommended use of digital tools medications uptake reminders, the contribution of forgetting to take medication is unknown. This study investigated the contribution of forgetting to take medication on the total missed medication and its effects on detectable viral load (VL).

Early Infant Feeding Practices among Women Engaged in Paid Work in Africa: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Around the world, paid work without appropriate structural support is a key barrier to optimal breastfeeding practices. To better protect, promote, and support optimal breastfeeding practices among working women in Africa, this scoping review sought to understand how paid work influences infant feeding practices in the first 6 mo of life and what support women need to manage work and optimal infant feeding practices. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Global Health, and CINAHL Plus, screened 2436 abstracts, and reviewed 322 full-text articles using Covidence for review and charting.

Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Associated Factors Among Women of Reproductive age in Simiyu Region, Tanzania.

Background: Breast milk provides infants with complete nutrition for immune development and protection against childhood diseases and associated mortality. Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) aids in providing colostrum to newborns, providing protection against infection, and improving newborn and infant survival. Although Simiyu reported the lowest prevalence of EIBF in Tanzania, no study has investigated the factors associated with EIBF in this region.

Concentrations of respirable crystalline silica and radon among tanzanite mining communities in Mererani, Tanzania.

Background: Globally, the number of small-scale miners (SSM) is estimated to be more than 25 million, but it supports the livelihoods of around 100 million individuals. In Tanzania, the number of SSM has increased from an estimated 150,000 in 1987 to ~1.5 million in 2017.

The role of trust in the implementation and uptake of COVID-19 response measures: a qualitative study of health professionals' experiences in Tanzania.

Background: Even though trust is placed at the central point in ensuring proper functioning of the health systems, studies remain scant on how it affects both the implementation and uptake of COVID-19 response measures in low- and middle-income countries such as Tanzania. This study, therefore, explored the role of trust in the implementation and uptake of recommended COVID-19 response measures including vaccines from the perspective of health professionals in Tanzania.

Methods: This cross-sectional qualitative study was implemented in four of Tanzania's thirty-one regions.

A Qualitative Study on Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Community Members in Tanzania.

The use of vaccines is one of the key tools in reversing the COVID-19 pandemic; however, various reports reported the low uptake of the vaccines. This study explored the barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among community members in Tanzania. A qualitative explorative study was conducted in December 2021 and April 2022 in eight regions of Tanzania.

Trends and factors associated with adolescent pregnancies in Tanzania from 2004-2016: Evidence from Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys.

Background: Adolescent pregnancy increases the risk of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine trends and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in Tanzania from 2004 to 2016 using the Tanzania Demographic and Health surveys (TDHS).

Methods: We carried out an analytical cross-sectional study using the TDHS data for the years 2004 to 2005, 2010 and 2015 to 2016 among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years.

Confidence in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and safety and its effect on vaccine uptake in Tanzania: A community-based cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 is a major public health threat associated with increased disease burden, mortality, and economic loss to countries and communities. Safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines are key in halting and reversing the pandemic. Low confidence in vaccines has been one of the factors leading to hesitancy.

Recurrence of post-term pregnancy and associated factors among women who delivered at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in northern Tanzania: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Post-term pregnancy is a health problem of clinical importance and; tends to recur in subsequent pregnancies. Maternal age, height, and male fetal sex are risk factors associated with Post-term pregnancy. The study aimed to determine the recurrence risk of post-term pregnancy and associated factors among women delivered at KCMC referral hospital.

Prevalence and factors associated with tuberculosis among the mining communities in Mererani, Tanzania.

Tuberculosis (TB) is among diseases of global health importance with Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) accounting for 25% of the global TB burden. TB prevalence among miners in SSA is estimated at 3,000-7,000/100,000, which is about 3 to 10-times higher than in the general population. The study's objective was to determine the prevalence of TB and associated risk factors among mining communities in Mererani, northern Tanzania.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Associated Factors in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a Community-Based Survey in Tanzania.

COVID-19 is a major public health threat associated with the increased global burden of infectious diseases, mortality, and enormous economic loss to countries and communities. Safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines are crucial in halting the pandemic. We assessed the COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among community members from eight regions in Tanzania.