A5002645138- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia research
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- Physical Activity and Health
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Family Support in Illness
National Institute for Medical Research
2008-2024
TB Alliance
2023
University of the Western Cape
2017-2021
Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII
2021
Mbeya University of Science and Technology
2007-2012
The characteristics of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) make it a promising platform for the molecular detection tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries. Here, we report on first clinical evaluation LAMP pulmonary TB microscopy centers Peru, Bangladesh, and Tanzania to determine its operational applicability such settings. A prototype assay with simplified manual DNA extraction was evaluated accuracy ease use. sensitivity smear- culture-positive sputum specimens 97.7% (173/177...
HIV-1 infection results in the progressive loss of CD4 T cells. In this study, we address how different pathogen-specific cells are affected by HIV and cellular parameters involved. We found striking differences depletion rates between to two common opportunistic pathogens, cytomegalovirus (CMV) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). CMV-specific persisted after infection, whereas MTB-specific were depleted rapidly. expressed a mature phenotype produced very little IL-2, but large amounts MIP-1β....
The acid-fast bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis is often the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in patients infected with human virus (HIV). This study was conducted to better understand mechanism underlying M. tuberculosis-specific pathogenicity early after onset HIV infection.M. T helper 1 (Th1) cells were studied negative (n=114) and chronically (n=68) Tanzanian subjects by using secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT6) protein or tuberculin (purified derivative)...
In remote rural Tanzania, the rate of linkage into HIV care was estimated at 28% in 2014. This study explored facilitators and barriers to individual/patient, health provider, system, contextual levels inform eventual design interventions improve care.We conducted a descriptive qualitative nested cohort 1012 newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals Mbeya region between August 2014 July 2015. We 8 focus group discussions 10 in-depth interviews with recently 20 individual healthcare providers....
Objective: To describe challenges posed by COVID-19 on TB commodity supply, care cascade, active case finding, and responses taken healthcare workers (HCWs) community health (CHWs) during the first year of pandemic (March 2020 to February 2021). Design: A qualitative descriptive study involving 25 in-depth interviews 10 focus group discussions conducted in July 2022. Setting: 37 treatment facilities were purposively selected from seven regions due high notifications 2019 their provision...
Linkage to care is the bridge between HIV testing and treatment, support. In Tanzania, mobile aims address historically low rates. was reported at 14% in 2009 28% 2014. The study compares linkage of HIV-positive individuals tested mobile/outreach versus public health facility-based services within first 6 months diagnosis.Rural communities four districts Mbeya Region, Tanzania.A total 1012 newly diagnosed adults from 16 facilities were enrolled into a two-armed cohort followed for August...
Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are at high risk of impaired development. Contributing causes include the inadequate intake specific nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a lack adequate stimulation. We conducted pilot study assessing developmental nutritional changes in children SAM provided modified ready-to-use therapeutic food context-specific psychosocial intervention Mwanza, Tanzania. recruited 82 (6–36 months) 88 sex- age-matched non-malnourished...
Abstract Background Secondary school students are vulnerable to risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) which may lead adverse health consequences, such as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. In Tanzania, the burden of pregnancy was reported be 27% in 2016. The integration reproductive (SRH) education into curriculum is one proven crucial interventions. However, there limited information on extent curriculum-based SRH relevant for fostering good practices...
More young people are living in the world than ever before, 90% of whom reside low and middle income countries (LMICs). To address their needs, it is critical to have sustainable youth engagement when determining policy advance effective implementation youth-focused interventions. Youth Community Advisory Boards (CABs) a mechanism achieve this goal. This paper describes with CAB members across four locations Tanzania. set meeting agendas priorities, we asked write (using free text) top five...
Objectives Early diagnosis and timely treatment are key elements of a successful healthcare system. We assessed the role socioeconomic cultural norms in accelerating or decelerating uptake utilisation health technologies into policy practice. Setting Secondary tertiary level facilities (HCFs) three East African countries. Level HCF was selected based on WHO recommendation for implantation tuberculosis (TB) molecular diagnostics. Participants Using implementation TB diagnostics as model, we...
Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLWH) have low levels of physical activity. Using the social ecological model to understand perceptions, facilitators and barriers activity in this population is importance for developing contextualised interventions improve PLWH. Method This was a qualitative sub-study conducted between august November 2019 as part cohort study on diabetes associated complications infected Mwanza, Tanzania. Sixteen in-depth interviews three focus groups nine...
Abstract Background Timely diagnosis of childhood cancer, early hospital presentation and completion treatment significantly improve outcomes. Unfortunately, in Tanzania, thousands children die cancer each year without ever being diagnosed or treated. To reduce death from it is important to understand the social‐cultural context, values beliefs that influence healthcare‐seeking behaviours among Tanzanian community. Methods This was a cross‐sectional qualitative study conducted Mwanza,...
Background Early access to diagnosis is crucial for effective management of any disease including tuberculosis (TB). We investigated the barriers and opportunities maximise uptake utilisation molecular diagnostics in routine healthcare settings. Methods Using implementation WHO approved TB diagnostics, Xpert Mycobacterium /rifampicin (MTB/RIF) Line Probe Assay (LPA) as a benchmark, we evaluated how they could be unlocked diagnostics. Results Health officers representing 190...
HIV status disclosure rates to sexual partners are low in Tanzania, despite the benefits it confers both partners. This qualitative study drew on Disclosure Decision Model explore decision by people living with (PLHIV) disclose, or not, their partner. Six focus group discussions and thirty in-depth interviews were conducted Mwanza, Tanzania 2019 PLHIV. Topics covered decision-making around experiences. Thematic content analysis was conducted. Most respondents reported having disclosed...
Like other countries, Tanzania instituted mobile and outreach testing approaches to address low HIV rates at health facilities enhance linkage care. Available evidence from hard-to-reach rural settings of Mbeya region, suggests that clients HIV+ facility-based sites are more likely link care, sooner, than those sites. This paper (1) describes the populations accessing mobile/outreach sites, (2) compares processes dynamics care between these two models same study context. An explanatory...
More than 250 million children will not meet their developmental potential due to poverty and malnutrition. Psychosocial stimulation (PS) has shown promising effects for improving development in exposed severe acute malnutrition (SAM) but programs are rarely implemented. In this study, we used qualitative methods inform the of a PS programme be integrated with SAM treatment Mwanza, Tanzania. We conducted in-depth interviews seven caregivers recently treated nine professionals early child...
Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are at high risk of impaired development. Contributing causes include inadequate intake specific nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lack adequate stimulation. We conducted a pilot study assessing developmental nutritional changes in children SAM provided modified ready-to-use therapeutic food context-specific psychosocial intervention Mwanza, Tanzania. recruited 82 (6-36 months) 88 sex- age-matched non-malnourished children....
Purpose Evaluate the potential risk for long-term complications related to cancer therapy among childhood survivors who completed treatment in Tanzania at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), and compare relative assessment of BMC survivor cohort British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (BCCSS) cohort. Methods Files all patients age <18 yo with an oncologic diagnosis received their from 2016 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Extracted data included patient demographics, primary disease site,...
Abstract Introduction Tanzania rolled-out a 12-dose, weekly regimen of isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP) TB preventive treatment in January, 2024. Although 3HP completion rate is generally ≥ 80%, variations exist depending on type delivery strategy and programmatic setting. Prior to the roll-out, mixed methods study was conducted assess whether family approach involving member support, SMS reminders three health education sessions, acceptable optimized uptake completion. This paper describes...
More than 250 million children will not meet their developmental potential due to poverty and malnutrition. Psychosocial stimulation has shown promising effects for improving development in exposed severe acute malnutrition (SAM) but programs are rarely implemented. In this study, we used qualitative methods inform the of a psychosocial programme be integrated with SAM treatment Mwanza, Tanzania. We conducted in-depth interviews seven caregivers recently treated nine professionals early...
ABSTRACT Background and Aims: Hypertension is the first contributor to deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. A change of lifestyle recommended as an equal-first-line approach for controlling hypertension. However, burden uncontrolled hypertension remains high. This article describes level adherence modifications among hypertensive patients in Tanzania. Methods: The research was carried out from June September 2020 using a cross-sectional study that involved...
Tanzania rolled-out a 12-dose, weekly regimen of isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP) TB preventive treatment in January 2024. The 3HP completion rate is generally ≥80%, varying by delivery strategy and programmatic setting. Before the roll-out, mixed methods study was conducted to assess whether family approach involving member support, SMS reminders, three health education sessions acceptable optimized uptake completion. This paper describes acceptability among people living with HIV (PLHIV),...
To assess the effect of antigen-exposure on T-cell repertoire in chronic phase HIV-infection.This is a prospective cross-sectional study.HIV-seropositive patients and immunocompetent controls from tuberculosis low high-endemic countries were recruited. Mycobacterium (purified protein derivative; PPD)-specific CD4 responses quantified directly whole blood using flow-cytometric analysis intracellular cytokines after specific stimulation. reactivity toward cytomegalovirus (CMV) or...
Background We characterized plasma cytokine and chemokine profiles at baseline during acute infection in a prospective high-risk cohort (RV217). PBMC collected parallel allow for the longitudinal analysis of changes immune cell populations infection. These data can provide insight into earliest events host-HIV interaction inform HIV vaccine development. Methods Semiweekly viral load (VL) testing individuals highrisk acquisition was performed to prospectively identify very early infections...
PURPOSE Early hospital presentation and completion of treatment is crucial for better outcomes in children with cancer. There are thousands who die cancer each year without ever being diagnosed Tanzania. To address this gap inform childhood awareness campaigns, it important to understand the inherent cultural values beliefs that influence health care seeking behavior among Tanzanian community. METHODS This was a descriptive qualitative study conducted Mwanza, Kilimanjaro Dar- es Salaam...