Browsing by Author "Ismail, Abbas"
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Item Age of teachers Vs ICT use in Tanzanian secondary schools: A case of Dodoma municipality(Foundation of Computer Science, 2015) Mazoya, Adam; Ismail, Abbas; Manyilizu, MajutoThe use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning has been the main target for public and private schools in Tanzania since the beginning of the 21st century. Since then, however, the achievement of using ICT on teaching and learning has been relatively unsatisfactory due to several reasons including incompetence and poor understanding of teachers on ICT. This study intends to understand ICT literacy level, use of ICT tools in delivering contents, and readiness to adopt new methods of teaching and learning using ICT among secondary schools teachers with respect to their ages and level of education. The study was carried out in Dodoma municipality in central Tanzania for both government and private secondary schools. Questionnaires facilitated the survey methodology by involving sixteen (16) government and private secondary schools with study sample of 231 teachers. The results show that there is a positive relationship on age of teachers towards their ICT literacy. Furthermore, the study reveals that there is a significant difference between age of teachers and their highest level of education. Contrary, the findings reveal that; age is not a factor on teachers’ use of ICT tools in delivering contents, and the readiness of teachers in adopting new methods of teaching and learning using ICT. Such results provide school administration and Tanzania government a clear way on how to use and build capacity of teachers in different ways of using ICT by considering teachers' age.Item The Continued Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education and Mental Health Among Sub-Saharan African Adolescents(Elsevier, 2022) Wang, Dongqing; Adedokun, Olufemi A; Millogo, Ourohiré; Madzorera, Isabel; Hemler, Elena C; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Lankoandev, Bruno; Ismail, Abbas; Chukwu, Angela; Assefa, Nega; Watara, Sulemana; Lyatuu, Isaac; Okpara, Daniel; Abdullahi, Yasir Y; Zabre, Pascal; Vuai, Said; Soura, Abdramane BassiahiThis multicountry survey assessed the levels and the determinants of the impacts of the pandemic on education and mental health among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential factors that may exacerbate these adverse impacts. A phone survey was conducted among adolescents in nine diverse areas in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania between July and December 2021. Approximately 300 adolescents per area and 2,803 adolescents in total were included. The survey collected information on adolescents’ sociodemographic characteristics, current COVID-19 preventive measures, and the impacts of the pandemic on daily activities, education, and mental health. Log-binomial models were used to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for determinants of education and mental health outcomes. Overall, 17% of the adolescents were not receiving any education. Compared to boys, girls were 15% more likely than boys to lack fully in-person education (aPR: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.30). Rural residence was associated with 2.7 times the prevalence of not currently receiving any education (aPR: 2.68; 95% CI: 2.23, 3.22). Self-reported experience of the current impacts of the pandemic on daily activities was associated with a higher prevalence of possible psychological distress (aPR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.55, 2.24), high anxiety level (aPR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.25, 5.06), and high depression level (aPR: 3.01; 95% CI: 2.05, 4.41). The COVID-19 pandemic presents continued challenges to adolescents’ education and mental health. Multisectoral efforts are needed to ensure that adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa do not fall further behind due to the pandemicItem Covid-19 preventive practices, psychological distress, and reported barriers to healthcare access during the pandemic among adult community members in sub-Saharan Africa: a phone survey(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2022) Assefa, Nega; Abdullahi, Yasir Y.; Hemler, Elena C.; Lankoande, Bruno; Madzorera, Isabel; Wang, Dongqing; Ismail, Abbas; Chukwu, Angela; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Millogo, Ourohire; Abubakari, Sulemana Watara; Febir, Lawrence Gyabaa; Lyatuu, Isaac; Dianou, Kassoum; Baernighausen, Till; Soura, Abdramane; Asante, Kwaku Poku; Smith, Emily; Vuai, Said; Worku, Alemayehu; Killewo, Japhet; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Berhane, Yemane; Sie, Ali; Tajudeen, Raji; Oduola, Ayo; Fawzi, Wafaie W.The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious negative health and economic impacts in sub-Saharan Africa. Continuous monitoring of these impacts is crucial to formulate interventions to minimize the consequences of COVID-19. This study surveyed 2,829 adults in urban and rural sites among five sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana. Participants completed a mobile phone survey that assessed self-reported sociodemographic, COVID-19 preventive practices, psychological distress, and barriers to healthcare access. A modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% CIs to investigate potential factors related to psychological distress and barriers to reduced healthcare access. At least 15.6% of adults reported experiencing any psychological distress in the previous 2 weeks, and 10.5% reported that at least one essential healthcare service was difficult to access 2 years into the pandemic. The majority of participants reported using several COVID-19 preventive methods, with varying proportions across the sites. Participants in the urban site of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (aPR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.74–3.03) and in the rural site of Kintampo, Ghana (aPR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.21–2.34) had a higher likelihood of experiencing any psychological distress compared with those in the rural area of Nouna, Burkina Faso. Loss of employment due to COVID-19 (aPR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.47–2.11) was also associated with an increased prevalence of psychological distress. The number of children under 5 years in the household (aPR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.14–1.33) and participant self-reported psychological distress (aPR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.48–2.27) were associated with an increased prevalence of reporting barriers to accessing health services, whereas wage employment (aPR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49–0.90) was associated with decreased prevalence of reporting barriers to accessing health services. Overall, we found a high prevalence of psychological distress and interruptions in access to healthcare services 2 years into the pandemic across five sub-Saharan African countries. Increased effort and attention should be given to addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19 on psychological distress. An equitable and collaborative approach to new and existing preventive measures for COVID-19 is crucial to limit the consequences of COVID-19 on the health of adults in sub-Saharan Africa.Item Depressive symptoms among adolescents in six sub-Saharan African countries: A pooled analysis of associated factors(Elsevier BV, 2023) Partap, Uttara; Nyundo, Azan; Manu, Adom; Regan, Mathilda; Ismail, Abbas; Chukwu, Angela; Dessie, Yadeta; Njau, Tasiana; Kaaya, Sylvia F.; Fawzi, Wafaie W.There is a need to identify risk factors, including nutrition-related factors, for depressive disorders among sub- Saharan African (SSA) adolescents. We examined the association of multiple measures with depressive symptoms among adolescents living across six SSA countries. Building on previous analyses, we used data from a cross-sectional study conducted from 2015 to 2017 among adolescents aged 10–19 years in six SSA countries (N = 7512). Depressive symptoms were defined as highest tertile of the 6-item Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale score. Using mixed-effects Poisson regression models, we pooled data across sites and examined the association of sociodemographic, nutrition, and other indices with depressive symptoms. We additionally assessed effect modification by sex, age, and school-going status. We observed higher risk of depressive symptoms among girls (adjusted risk ratio [RR]: 1.29, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: 1.05–1.58, P = 0.016), older adolescents (RR for 18–19 years: 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.44–1.76, P < 0.001), and adolescents experiencing bullying (RR: 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.26–1.62, P < 0.001) or violence (RR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.24–1.45, P < 0.001). Adolescents experiencing food insecurity also had a higher risk of depressive symptoms (RR: 1.90, 95 % CI: 1.64–2.19, P < 0.001) along with those consuming ≥ 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day (RR: 1.18, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.34, P = 0.015); conversely, those who consumed grains, roots and tubers in the past day were at decreased risk (RR: 0.73, 95 % CI: 0.69–0.77, P < 0.001). There was no strong evidence of effect modification of associations. This study reinforces the potential role of multiple sociodemographic and nutrition-related measures on risk of depressive symptoms in these populations.Item Factors associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation and behaviours amongst sub-Saharan African adolescents aged 10-19 years: Cross-sectional study(Wiley, 2020) Nyundo, Azan; Manu, Adom; Regan, Mathilda; Ismail, Abbas; Chukwu, Angela; Dessie, Yadeta; Njau, Tasiana; Kaaya, Sylvia F; Fawzi, Mary C SmithObjective: This study aimed to determine the burden of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour amongst adolescents at sites in six sub-Saharan African countries and examine associated risk and protective factors. Methods: Household-based cross-sectional study involving male and female adolescents ages 10-19 years. A total of 7,662 adolescents from eight sites in six countries participated in the survey. Three sites were urban: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Harar (Ethiopia) and Ibadan (Nigeria); five were rural: Dodoma (Tanzania), Iganga/Mayuge (Uganda), Kersa (Ethiopia), Ningo Prampram (Ghana) and Nouna (Burkina Faso). Log-binomials models were used to estimate relative risks and confidence intervals for factors associated with depression and suicidal behaviour. This was supplemented using log-Poisson models as needed. Results: The prevalence of suicidal behaviour over the last 12 months ranged between 1.2% and 12.4% in the eight sites. Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation/behaviours were associated with older age, female sex, food insecurity, poor access to health care and substance use. Depression was strongly associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviour at two sites where the multivariate model converged: Harar, Ethiopia (RR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.8, 7.0, P < 0.05) and Ibadan, Nigeria (RR = 3.7, 95% CI 2.2, 6.3, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour are common amongst sub-Saharan African adolescents at these 8 sites. Most factors associated with depressive symptoms are modifiable and preventable. Routine screening for depressive symptoms in services frequented by adolescents in these and similar communities would be crucial in early detection and prompt intervention.Item Gender differences in nutritional status, diet and physical activity among adolescents in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa(John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2020) Darling, Anne Marie; Sunguya, Bruno; Ismail, Abbas; Manu, Abubakar; Canavan, Chelsey; Assefa, Nega; Sie, Ali; Fawzi, Wafaie; Sudfeld, Chris; Guwattude, DavidThe objective of this study was to evaluate gender differences in nutritional status, dietary intake, physical activity and hand hygiene among adolescents from diverse geographical settings in sub‐Saharan Africa.This study utilised cross‐sectional data from six countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda) within the ARISE Adolescent Health Survey (n = 7625). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using measured heights and weights, and z‐scores were calculated based on the 2007 WHO growth standards for age and sex. Information on demographics, diet and health behaviours was collected through face‐to‐face interviews using a standardised questionnaire. Site‐specific and pooled prevalence ratios were determined. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and stunting pooled across sites was 14.3%, 6.8% and 18.1%, respectively. Female sex was associated with a lower risk of being underweight (pooled prevalence ratio 0.66, 95% 0.57, 0.77) and stunted (pooled PR 0.63, 95% CI 0.55, 0.71), but a higher risk of being overweight (pooled PR 1.60, 95% CI 1.26, 2.06). Females were also less likely to exercise for 1 h or more per day (pooled PR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67, 0.88), and more likely to wash hands after using toilets or latrines and to wash hands with soap (pooled PRs 1.13, 95% CI 1.05, 1.21 and 1.35, 95% CI 1.23, 1.45, respectively).Our results emphasise that sex is a key predictor of nutritional status among sub‐Saharan African adolescents and suggest that gender‐specific interventions may be required to reduce the double burden of under‐ and overnutrition.Item ICT usage readiness for private and public secondary schools in Tanzania: A case of Dodoma municipality(Foundation of Computer Science, 2015) Malero, Augustine; Ismail, Abbas; Manyilizu, MajutoThe use of ICT in education has been proved to be a key milestone in improving the learning process in different levels of education. To tap this opportunity, the government of Tanzania has implemented a number of projects aimed at introducing and using ICT in different levels of education. There have been similar initiatives in the private institutions as well. However, such initiatives have been facing different challenges particularly on the readiness of using ICT for education for private and public secondary schools. Thus, this study seeks to understand ICT usage readiness between public and private schools. Results from the Pearson’s Chi Square distribution reveal that there is a relationship between the types of school with the readiness to adopt the use of ICT in teaching with private school being favored. The study has revealed that private secondary schools in Dodoma municipality are better off than public secondary schools in ICT usage readiness. Challenges for ICT usage readiness affecting the two types of schools are identified, and mitigation mechanisms to close the gap between the two types of schools are proposed. This study is significant in that it informs schools' readiness to use ICT for teaching and administrative use. It also shades light on the comparison of ICT usage between private and public schools.Item Impact of COVID-19 on nutrition, food security and dietary diversity and quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Nigeria(Oxford University Press, 2021) Madzorera, Isabel; Ismail, Abbas; Hemler, Elena; Korte, Michelle; Olufemi, Adedokun; Wang, Dongqing; Assefa, Nega; Workneh, Firehiwot; Lankoande, Bruno; Chukwu, Angela; Ourohire, Millogo; Mattei, Josiemer; Soura, Abdramane; Berhane, Yemane; Sie, Ali; Oduola, Ayoade; Fawzi, WafaieCOVID-19 has far-reaching consequences for developing countries through the combined effects of infection and mortality and unintended consequences from mitigation measures. COVID-19 can adversely impact food systems and dietary diversity for populations. This cross-sectional study evaluated, using a mobile platform, the effect of COVID-19 on food prices and dietary diversity and quality, among 1797 households in Nouna and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Addis Ababa and Kersa (Ethiopia), and Lagos and Ibadan. Methods: Dietary intake was assessed as the frequency of consumption of 20 food groups over the previous 7 days. Dietary diversity scores (DDS; range: 0–10) and Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS; range: 0–40) assessed dietary diversity and quality. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between changes in the prices of staples, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and animal source foods (ASF) with DDS and PDQS during COVID-19. Most households reported increases in prices of staples, pulses, fruits, vegetables and ASF, and ≥40% reported decreased consumption of staples, legumes, ASF, other vitamin A rich vegetables, other vegetables and other fruits, and lower DDS and PDQS compared to the period before the COVID-19 emergency. Increases in pulse prices were associated with lower DDS (estimate − 0.35, 95% CI: −0.61, −0.09). Lower crop production (estimate − 0.70, 95% CI: −1.02, −0.37), and skipping meals (estimate − 0.39, 95% CI: −0.56, −0.21) or not eating for a whole day (estimate − 0.23, 95% CI: −0.43, −0.03) were also associated with lower DDS. The price increases and worsening dietary diversity and quality call for social protection and other strategies to increase the availability and affordability of nutrient-rich foods during the COVID19 pandemic and other public health emergencies.Item Impact of COVID-19 on nutrition, food security and dietary diversity and quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Nigeria(OXFORD ACADEMIC, 2021) Madzorera, Isabel; Ismail, Abbas; Hemler, Elena; Korte, Michelle; Olufemi, Adedokun; Wang, Dongqing; Assefa, Nega; Workneh, Firehiwot; Lankoande, Bruno; Chukwu, Angela; Ourohire, Millogo; Mattei, Josiemer; Soura, Abdramane; Berhane, Yemane; Sie, Ali; Oduola, Ayoade; Fawzi, WafaieCOVID-19 has far-reaching consequences for developing countries through the combined effects of infection and mortality and unintended consequences from mitigation measures. COVID-19 can adversely impact food systems and dietary diversity for populations. This cross-sectional study evaluated, using a mobile platform, the effect of COVID-19 on food prices and dietary diversity and quality, among 1797 households in Nouna and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Addis Ababa and Kersa (Ethiopia), and Lagos and Ibadan (Nigeria). Dietary intake was assessed as the frequency of consumption of 20 food groups over the previous 7 days. Dietary diversity scores (DDS; range: 0–10) and Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS; range: 0–40) assessed dietary diversity and quality. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between changes in the prices of staples, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and animal source foods (ASF) with DDS and PDQS during COVID-19. Most households reported increases in prices of staples, pulses, fruits, vegetables and ASF, and ≥40% reported decreased consumption of staples, legumes, ASF, other vitamin A rich vegetables, other vegetables and other fruits, and lower DDS and PDQS compared to the period before the COVID-19 emergency. Increases in pulse prices were associated with lower DDS (estimate − 0.35, 95% CI: −0.61, −0.09). Lower crop production (estimate − 0.70, 95% CI: −1.02, −0.37), and skipping meals (estimate − 0.39, 95% CI: −0.56, −0.21) or not eating for a whole day (estimate − 0.23, 95% CI: −0.43, −0.03) were also associated with lower DDS. The price increases and worsening dietary diversity and quality call for social protection and other strategies to increase the availability and affordability of nutrient-rich foods during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant as well as institutional support from the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, supported this work.Item Meals, Education, and Gardens for In-School Adolescents (MEGA): study protocol for a cluster randomised trial of an integrated adolescent nutrition intervention in Dodoma, Tanzania(BMJ Publishing Group, 2022) Wang, Dongqing; Katalambula, Leonard Kamanga; Modest, Andrea R; Young, Tara; Ismail, Abbas; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Tinkasimile, Amani; Mosha, Dominic; Malero, Augustine; Vuai, Said; Fawzi, Wafaie WIntroduction Secondary schools have the transformative potential to advance adolescent nutrition and provide a unique entry point for nutrition interventions to reach adolescents and their families and communities. Integrated school nutrition interventions offer promising pathways towards improving adolescent nutrition status, food security and building sustainable skill sets. Methods and analysis The Meals, Education, and Gardens for In-School Adolescents (MEGA) project aims to implement and evaluate an integrated, school-based nutrition intervention package among secondary schools in the Chamwino District of Dodoma, Tanzania. MEGA is a cluster-randomised controlled trial, including six public secondary schools assigned to three different arms. Two schools will receive the full intervention package, including school meals, school gardens, nutrition education and community workshops. Two schools will receive the partial intervention package, including the school garden, nutrition education and community workshops. Two schools will serve as the controls and will not receive any intervention. The intervention will be implemented for one academic year. Baseline and end-line quantitative data collection will include 750 adolescents and 750 parents. The domains of outcomes for adolescents will include haemoglobin concentrations, anthropometry, educational outcomes and knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding nutrition, agriculture and health. The domains of outcomes for parents will include knowledge, attitudes and practices of nutrition, agriculture and health. End-line focus group discussions will be conducted among selected adolescents, parents and teachers to assess the facilitators and barriers associated with the intervention. Ethics and dissemination. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (approval number: IRB20-1623), the Institutional Research Review Committee at the University of Dodoma (approval number: MA.84/261/02) and the Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research (approval number: NIMR/HO/R.8a/Vol. IX/3801). A manuscript with the research findings will be developed for publication.Item A retrospective evaluation of bites at risk of rabies transmission across 7 years: the need to improve surveillance and reporting systems for rabies elimination(PLOS ONE, 2018) De Nardo, Pasquale; Gentilotti, Elisa; Vairo, Francesco; Nguhuni, Boniface; Chaula, Zainab; Nicastri, Emanuele; Ismail, Abbas; Ippolito, GiuseppeThe vast majority of rabies deaths occur in developing countries and rural areas. Due to the absence of surveillance and the lack of reliable information, many endemic countries are not able to assess their rabies burden and implement appropriate solutions. This study reports the incidence of animal bites considered at risk of rabies transmission, along with rates and determinants of the adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) between 2008 and 2014 in Dodoma Region, Tanzania. A retrospective analysis of rabid animal bites considered at risk of rabies transmission at Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital (DRRH) during 2008± 2014 was conducted. Data were collected from the registers of patients presenting to the hospital because of a potential rabies exposure. The patients were assessed by a trained health worker and each bite was considered as ªat risk of rabiesº based on the victim's description of the event. Overall, 10,771 patients coming from Dodoma Region attended DRRH because of a bite from a suspected rabid animal, giving a mean incidence of 74 bites at risk of rabies transmission per 100,000 persons per year. Overall, only 46.0% of people exposed received a complete course of PEP and 61.6% attended the clinic within 48 hours after the bite. Multivariate analysis shows that people age >15 years, residence in rural areas and occurrence during the rainy season were independently associated to delayed access to care. Male gender, age below 15 years. and bites occurring during the dry season were associated with completion of PEP. In this area with a high rate of at-risk bites, several factorsÐmainly related to health care access and to the affordability and delivery of rabies vaccinesÐstill need to be addressed in order to reduce gender and social inequalities in rabies prevention and control. Further efforts are required to establish an efficient rabies surveillance system in Dodoma Region.Item School-based nutrition programs for adolescents in Dodoma, Tanzania: a situation analysis(SAGE, 2021) Rector, Collete; Afifa, Nadhira Nuraini; Gupta, Varun; Ismail, Abbas; Mosha, Dominic; Katalambula, Leonard K.; Vuai, Said; Young, Tara; Hemler, Elena C.; Wang, Dongqing; Fawzi, Wafaie W.Tanzania has a double burden of malnutrition, including a high prevalence of undernutrition and an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents. Schools present a valuable opportunity to reach a large section of the country’s adolescent population with nutrition-oriented interventions. The objective of this study was to assess the current state of adolescent school nutrition interventions in Dodoma, Tanzania, with emphasis on 3 potential school-based nutrition interventions, school vegetable gardens, school meals, and education (on nutrition, agriculture, and water, sanitation, and hygiene). Focus group discussions were conducted with several regional and district-level governmental stakeholders, including health, education, and agricultural officers. Ten public secondary schools were visited, and interviews with school administrators, teachers, students, and parents were conducted. All stakeholders interviewed supported interventions to improve school-based nutrition, including school gardens, school feeding, and nutrition education. All 10 schools visited had some experience providing school meals, but parents’ contributions were essential for the program’s sustainability. Most schools visited had land available for a school garden program, but water availability could be challenging during certain times of the year. The teachers interviewed expressed that the curriculum on nutrition education was highly theoretical and did not allow students to practice the knowledge and skills they learned in the classroom. The current school-based approach to tackling the double burden of adolescent malnutrition in Dodoma is localized and ad hoc. To leverage the potential of schools as a platform for nutrition interventions, integrated and policy-mandated interventions are needed.Item Statistical models and quality indicators for evaluation of clinical care among pediatric patients living with HIV/AIDS in Dar es salaam, Tanzania(The University of Dodoma, 2021) Ismail, AbbasPediatric HIV patients are not randomly distributed and health services are not randomly allocated, and available methods for measuring Tanzania’s health care have not adequately addressed methodological strength of the indicators on providing valid estimates. This study intended to identify statistical methods and quality indicators for pediatric health care evaluation in Tanzania. The quality indicators were computed using proportions. The cut off values of the quality indicators in classifying levels of HIV pediatric health services were obtained. Inferential analysis was involved in obtaining quality indicators with clinical relevance and to achieve, different forms of survival analysis and Generalized Estimating Equations were fitted. After identifying quality indicators with clinical significance, ranking of health facilities based on risk adjusted models was also done. The indicators ‘eligart’ and ‘eligcotrm’ have shown clinical relevance on performance measures of facilities. Independence and exchangeable count generalized estimating equations, and frailty models for mortality rates were preferred methods in evaluating clinical relevance of the process quality indicators. The study concluded that process indicators of providing early ART initiation and provision of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis were important functions in monitoring and evaluation of facility performance. Hierarchical models for facility clustered level data can be used for performance assessment. Further studies should define more indicators and evaluate whether or not the inclusion of more detailed patient and facility health characteristics in adjusted models significantly alter quality reporting system.Item Support of ICT use in Tanzania secondary schools the case of Dodoma municipality(Foundation of Computer Science, 2016) Crallet, Victor; Ismail, Abbas; Manyilizu, MajutoInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) is a tool that changes the way education operates in terms of teaching and learning. However, the analysis available for ICT facilities in schools provides stakeholders with support at those schools. This study aims at investigating the support of ICT use in Tanzania secondary schools. The findings show that Tanzania secondary schools are lagging behind at the level of application of ICT in the teaching-learning process. The ICT facilities are lacking in schools as well as the capacity for using ICT by both teachers and students is also very low. In order to fit into the new scientific order, it is necessary for Tanzania institutions and individuals alike to develop a society and culture that places a high value on information and communication technology. The government and other education stakeholder should increase funding for the entire educational sector with emphasis on using ICT. This emphasis will help improve the level of ICT facilities in the schools. There should also be continuous and periodic training of teachers on ICT skills acquisition. Such efforts will enhance support on using ICT in education resulting to socio-economic development in the country.Item The COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on diet quality and food prices in sub-Saharan Africa(Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2023) Ismail, Abbas; Madzorera, Isabel; Apraku, Edward A.; Tinkasimile, Amani; Dasmane, Dielbeogo; Zabre, Pascal; Ourohire, Millogo; Assefa, Nega; Chukwu,Angela; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Lankoande, Bruno; Hemler, Elena; Wang, Dongqing; Abubakari, Sulemana W.; Asante, Kwaku P.; Baernighausen, Till; Killewo, Japhet; Oduola, Ayoade; Sie, Ali; Soura, Abdramane; Vua, Said; Smith, Emily; Berhane, Yemane; Fawz, Wafaie W.Background Sub-Saharan Africa faces prolonged COVID-19 related impacts on economic activity, livelihoods and nutrition, with recovery slowed down by lagging vaccination progress. Objective This study investigated the economic impacts of COVID-19 on food prices, consumption and dietary quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Methods We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using a mobile platform to collect data from July-December, 2021 (round 2). We assessed participants’ dietary intake of 20 food groups over the previous seven days and computed the primary outcome, the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), with higher scores indicating better quality diets. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) linear regression models to assess factors associated with diet quality during COVID-19. Results Most of the respondents were male and the mean age was 42.4 (±12.5) years. Mean PDQS (±SD) was low at 19.4(±3.8), out of a maximum score of 40 in this study. Respondents (80%) reported higher than expected prices for all food groups. Secondary education or higher (estimate: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32, 1.15), medium wealth status (estimate: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.81), and older age were associated with higher PDQS. Farmers and casual laborers (estimate: -0.60, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.09), lower crop production (estimate: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.46) and not engaged in farming (estimate: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.74, -1.02) were associated with lower PDQS. Conclusion Higher food prices and lower diet quality persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic and social vulnerability and reliance on markets (and lower agriculture production) were negatively associated with diet quality. Although recovery was evident, consumption of healthy diets remained low. Systematic efforts to address the underlying causes of poor diet quality through transforming food system value chains, and mitigation measures, including social protection programs and national policies are critical.Item The COVID-19 pandemic and its prolonged impacts on food prices, food consumption and diet quality in sub-Saharan Africa(Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2022) Ismail, Abbas; Madzorera, Isabel; Apraku, Edward A.; Tinkasimile, Amani; Dasmane, Dielbeogo; Zabre, Pascal; Ourohire, Millogo; Assefa, Nega; Chukwu, Angela; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Lankoande, Bruno; Hemler, Elena; Wang, Dongqing; Abubakari, Sulemana W.; Asante, Kwaku P.; Baernighausen, Till; Killewo, Japhet; Oduola, Ayoade; Sie, Ali; Soura, Abdramane; Vuai, Said; Smith, Emily; Berhane, Yemane; Fawzi, Wafaie W.Background Sub-Saharan Africa faces prolonged COVID-19 related impacts on economic activity, livelihoods, nutrition, and food security, with recovery slowed down by lagging vaccination progress. Objective This study investigated the economic impacts of COVID-19 on food prices, consumption and dietary quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Methods We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study and used a mobile platform to collect data. Data collected from round 1 (July-November, 2020) and round 2 (July-December, 2021) were considered. We assessed participants’ dietary intake of 20 food groups over the previous seven days. The study’s primary outcome was the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS), with higher scores indicating better dietary quality. We used linear regression and generalized estimating equations to assess factors associated with diet quality during COVID-19. Results Most of the respondents were male and the mean age (±SD) was 42.4 (±12.5) years. Mean PDQS (±SD) was low at 19.1 (±3.8) before COVID-19, 18.6(±3.4) in Round 1, and 19.4(±3.8) in Round 2. A majority of respondents (80%) reported higher than expected prices for all food groups during the pandemic. Secondary education or higher (estimate: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32, 1.15), older age (estimate: 30-39 years: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.19, or 40 years or older: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.13), and medium wealth status (estimate: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.81) were associated with higher PDQS. Farmers and casual laborers (estimate: -0.60, 95% CI: -1.11, - 0.09), lower crop production (estimate: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.46) and not engaged in farming (estimate: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.74, -1.02) associated with lower PDQS. Conclusion Diet quality which had declined early in the pandemic had started to improve. However, consumption of healthy diets remained low, and food prices remained high. Efforts should continue to improve diet quality for sustained nutrition recovery through mitigation measures, including social protection.