Disposal practices of expired and unused medications among households in Mwanza, Tanzania

Background The community practice towards disposal of expired and unused medications in spite of its adverse impact have been widely neglected in many developing countries. The available guidelines in Tanzania focus on the disposal of expired medications and cosmetics in hospitals and community pharmacies only. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the disposal practice of expired and unused medications at household level in Mwanza city, north-western Tanzania. Methodology The household based cross-sectional study was conducted among 359 randomly selected household members. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for interview during data collection and while STATA® version 13 was used for analysis. Results Out 359 households visited, 252 (70.19%) had medications kept in their houses at the time of data collection. Among them, 10 (4.0%) households had kept medications at their houses because they were still continuing with treatment while 242 (96.0%) kept unused medications which were supposed to be discarded. The main reason for keeping unused or expired medications at home was uncompleted course of treatment (199 (82.20%) after feeling that they had recovered from illness. The main reason for discarding medications were recovering from illness (141(48.7%) and expiry (136 (46.9%). The major discarding practices for medications were disposing into domestic trashes (219 (75.5%) and pit latrines (45 (15.5%). Majority of respondents (273 (76%) were aware that improper disposal of expired medications are detrimental to human health and environment in general. Conclusion Improper disposal of unused and expired medications at household level was a common practice in the study area. Tailor-made interventions by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other national as well as local stake holders are urgently needed to address the situation.

Accessibility to Electronic Resources by Students in Higher Learning Institutions in Mwanza City, Tanzania

This study sought to investigate the accessibility to electronic resources by students in higher learning institutions in Mwanza city. The study was guided by the Utilization Theory. The study employed mixed research approach and convergent parallel research design. The study sampled a total of 390 respondents comprising of 377 students, 8 lecturers, 4 librarians and 1 ICT expert. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select students and lecturers respectively while purposive sampling was used to select librarians and ICT experts. Questionnaire and interview guides were used to collect data. Statistical descriptions and themes were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The study found that the infrastructures for electronic learning resources and facilities like computer laboratories and internet infrastructures were not well established to allow students in higher learning institutions access electronic resources. It was further found that students faced challenges such as shortage of computers, electricity and network challenges in accessing electronic resources. It was also found that majority of the students were unable to use computers in accessing electronic stored resources due to lack of computer knowledge base as well as lack of financial capacity to secure electronic devices. Hence, it was concluded that most students in higher learning institutions are unable to access electronic resources due to lack of adequate infrastructure, shortage of computers, electricity and network challenges, lack of computer literacy and financial constraints. The study recommended that collective initiatives should be put in place to make sure that ICT subject is taught from primary schools to higher learning institutions, proper infrastructure are established and students are financially facilitated to enable them secure electronic devices in order to enhance accessibility to electronic resources in higher learning institutions.

Performance investigation of the slaughterhouse wastewater treatment facility: a case of Mwanza City Slaughterhouse, Tanzania

The present study engaged onsite operations and laboratory analysis for Mwanza City Slaughterhouse (MCS) wastewater to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment of a newly installed facility. The MCS wastewater treatment facility is integrated with various units-biodigester, aeration unit, retention, clarifier, and a constructed wetland. During the initial runs, the MCS facility removed 87.5%, 92.2%, 43%, and 65.4% of effluent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium, and nitrate, respectively. After conducting effective plant operations for five months, the removal efficiencies of BOD5, COD, ammonium, and nitrate improved to 97.4%, 98.3%, 97.4%, and 97.6%, respectively. In the present study, the unit-by-unit performance values achieved as a result of alterations to the facility's running conditions are presented. The MCS wastewater treatment facility was found to be energy-positive, as it produced an average of 158.2 m3 biogas per day. This amount of biogas, if converted to electricity, would be sufficient to run the facility operations. Generally, the MCS wastewater treatment facility attained the best performance as per design, achieving the effluent levels recommended by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).

Association between male involvement during antenatal care and use of maternal health services in Mwanza City, Northwestern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMale involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is among interventions to improve maternal health. Globally male involvement in ANC is low and varies in low-income and middle-income countries including Tanzania where most maternal deaths occur. In Sub-Sahara, men are chief decision makers and highly influence maternal health. In Tanzania information is limited regarding influence of male involvement during ANC on utilisation of maternal health services.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of male involvement during ANC on use of maternal health services in Mwanza, Tanzania.DesignA cross-sectional study conducted from June to July 2019.SettingThis study was conducted at seven randomly selected health facilities providing reproductive, maternal and child health (RCH) services in Mwanza City.ParticipantsIncluded 430 postpartum women who delivered 1 year prior to the study and attending for RCH services (growth monitoring, vaccination, postpartum care).Outcome measures4 or more ANC visits, skilled birth attendant (SBA) use during childbirth and postnatal care (PNC) utilisation 48 hours after delivery.MethodsInterviews and observation of the women’s ANC card were used to collect data. Data was entered, cleaned and analysed by SPSS.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 25.7 years. Of 430 women, 54.4% reported their partners attended ANC at least once, 69.7% reported they attended for four or more ANC visits during last pregnancy, 95% used SBAs during childbirth and 9.2% attended PNC within 48 hours after delivery. Male involvement during ANC was significantly associated with four or more ANC visits (Crude Odds Ratio (COR): 1.90; 95% CI: 1.08–3.35) but not with SBA use or PNC utilisation.ConclusionMale involvement in ANC is still low in Mwanza, as 46% of the partners had not attended with partners at ANC. Alternative strategies are needed to improve participation. Studies among men are required to explore the barriers of participation in overall RCH services.

Prevalence of cerumen impaction and associated factors among primary school children in Mwanza city, Tanzania

Background: Cerumen impaction is a worldwide problem constituting a significant proportion of health problems in many settings and its prevalence varies. There is a paucity of published data regarding this condition in Tanzania with none from Mwanza region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cerumen impaction and associated factors among primary school children in Mwanza City and to assess the effect of cerumen impaction and its removal on hearing ability Methods and Patients: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study of primary school children with cerumen impaction that was carried out in randomly selected primary schools in Mwanza City between December 2016 and May 2017. Multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to obtain a required number of the study population. Results: Out of the 406 participants, ninety-five (23.4%) had cerumen impacted in their ears. Of these, 56 (58.9%) were males and 39(41.1%) were females. The mean age at presentation was 11.24±8.86 years. Ear bud abuse (83.7%) was the most common predisposing factor for cerumen impaction. Cerumen impaction was found in the right ear of 9 (9.5%) patients and in the left ear in 31 (32.6%) patients and bilateral in 55 (57.9%) of patients. The major presenting symptoms were ear itching, otalgia, hearing loss and tinnitus. Ear syringing was used to remove cerumen impaction and caused significant improvement in hearing thresholds. There were no recorded complications. Conclusion: Cerumen impaction is a common otologic presentation in our sub-region. Ignorance with the profound abuse of cotton buds is the major predisposing factor. Health education is of the essence as treatment is simple and effective.

Couples’ Economic Equilibrium, Gender Norms and Intimate Partner Violence in Kirumba, Tanzania

This study examines the link between the loss of men’s status as breadwinners and their use of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Kirumba (Mwanza city, Tanzania), mediated by the entry of women into the cash work force. Using qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews and eight focus groups with men ( n = 58) and women ( n = 58), this article explores how the existing gender-related social norm linked to male breadwinning was threatened when women were forced to enter into paid work (linked to the family’s impoverishment), and how these changes eventually increased partner violence. The study draws implications for IPV reduction strategies in patriarchal contexts experiencing declining economic opportunities for men.