Browsing by Author "Meremo, Alfred"

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    Atrial septal defect in a 50 years old male presenting as oblique septal canal that appeared to be regulated by five luminal bands
    (IMED Research Publications, 2014) Gesase, Ainory Peter; Mchonde, Gabriel J.; Meremo, Alfred; Manyama, Mange
    To date seven different types of atrial septal defects (ASD) have been described and they include septum primum, septum secundum, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, coronary sinus and patent foramen ovale types of ASD. One feature in common among these ASD’s is that they all present with a hole that may allow communication between the left and right atria. The current observation reports what appears to be a new type of ASD that is characterized by the presence of an oblique septal canal that opens into the right and left atria. The right atrial opening was D-shaped and measured about 0.9 cm wide and the left atrial opening was crescent-shaped and measuring about 0.5 cm wide. In addition to this the left atrial opening was associated with five luminal bands; the last three bands lies on the roof of the oblique septal canal. The action of pulling the first luminal band resulted into closure of the left atrial opening an indication that the bands prevented blood coming from the lungs from entering into the right atrium. The presence of oblique septal canal and luminal bands has not been reported in relation to the ASD’s. Continued documentation of such anomalies remains clinically important particularly in African settings where unexplained illnesses are easily attributed to endemic diseases.
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    Barriers to accessibility and utilization of HIV testing and counseling services in Tanzania: experience from Angaza Zaidi programme
    (The PAMJ, 2016) Meremo, Alfred; Mboya, Beati; Ngilangwa, David Paul; Dulle, Robert; Tarimo, Edith; Urassa, David; Michael, Emillian; Gibore, Nyasiro; Mpondo, Bonaventura; Mchonde, Gabriel; Ernest, Alex; Noronha, Rita; Ilako, Festus
    Introduction: While HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services remain to be amongst the effective strategies in slowing HIV transmission, its accessibility and uptake in Tanzania is low. In 2011, 50% of adults have been ever tested and received their results. We conducted this study to assess barriers to accessibility and utilization of HTC services in Tanzania. Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected in in 9 regions of Tanzania in 2012. Twelve (12) in-depth interviews, 8 Focus Group Discussions and 422 clients were approached for data collection. Quantitative data were entered and analysed using SPSS, proportions were compared using chi-square test. Qualitative data, content analysis approach was used. Results: Overall 422 exit clients were enrolled into the study, 4.9% clients reported spending >2 hours at the HTC centre before they were attended (p<0.0001). Of the 422 clients in our study 5.7 % received HIV testing before getting HIV counseling (p=0.0001). Of those clients who received counseling, 21.8% of reported counseling to be done in a group (p=0.0001). Majority of study participants reported that the counselling sessions were private, with sufficient information, and interactive (p<0.0001). Mobile services clinics, the Post Test Clubs and couple counselling and testing were effective approaches in stimulating demand for and use of HTC services. Conclusion: Findings show that coverage of HTC was high, however long waiting time and lack of confidentiality impeded its accessibility and utilization. We recommend increase of staff and adherence to counselling ethics to safeguard clients' privacy.
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    Determinants of men’s involvement in maternity care in Dodoma region, Central Tanzania
    (Hindawi, 2019) Gibore, Nyasiro S.; Ezekiel, Mangi J.; Meremo, Alfred; Kibusi, Stephen M.; Munyogwa, Mariam J.
    Background: Men’s involvement in maternity care is recognized as a key strategy in improving maternal health and accelerating reduction of maternal mortality. This study investigated the factors determining men’s involvement in maternity care in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania.Methods. This cross-sectional survey used multistage sampling in four districts of Dodoma Region to select 966 married men participants aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out in SPSS version 21.0 to measure the determinants of men’s involvement in maternity care. Results. The study found that only 1 in 5 men were involved in maternity care of their partners. Factors found to determine men’s involvement in maternity care were having>4 children (AOR=1.658, 95%CI=1.134 to 2.422), urban area of residence (AOR=0.510,95%CI=0.354 to 0.735), waiting time>1 hour at the health care facility (AOR=0.685, 95%CI=0.479 to 0.978), limited access to information (AOR=0.491, 95%CI=0.322 to 0.747), and limited spousal communication (AOR=0.3, 95%CI=0.155 to 0.327). Conclusions: Long waiting time to receive the service and limited access to information regarding men’s involvement are associated with low men's involvement in maternity care. Male friendly maternity care should recognize men's preferences on timely access to services and provide them with relevant information on their roles in maternity care. Spousal communication is important;mothers must be empowered with relevant information to communicate to their male partners regarding fertility preferences and maternity care in general.
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    Prevalence of and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension among patients with early chronic kidney disease attending tertiary hospitals in Dodoma, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
    (BMJ, 2023) Katatwire, Denis D; Meremo, Alfred
    Objective To determine the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and its associated factors among patients with early chronic kidney disease (CKD) attending medical outpatient clinics at tertiary hospitals in Dodoma, Tanzania. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Two tertiary hospitals in Dodoma, Tanzania. Participants The participants in this study were adult patients (≥18 years) with early CKD stages (1, 2 and 3) who were attending nephrology and medical outpatient clinics from November 2020 to March 2021. Patients who had been attending the clinic for at least 3 months, had baseline clinical data on their files, had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and who provided written informed consent were eligible. A total of 352 patients were enrolled, of whom 182 were men and 170 were women. Outcome measure The dependent variable was uncontrolled hypertension among patients with early CKD, based on blood pressure measurements. Results The prevalence of hypertension was 58.5% (206 of 352) and the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 58.3% (120 of 206). Among patients with uncontrolled hypertension, 88.3% (106 of 120) had CKD stage 3, 80.2% (96 of 120) reported non-adherence to antihypertensives, 76.7% (92 of 120) were overweight or obese, 72.5% (87 of 120) reported current alcohol use and 26.7% (32 of 120) had diabetes mellitus. Factors that contributed to higher odds of uncontrolled hypertension were: age ≥50 years (OR=5.17, 95 % CI 2.37 to 13.33, p=0.001), alcohol use (OR=11.21, 95% CI 3.83 to 32.84, p=0.001), non-adherence to antihypertensives (OR=10.19, 95% CI 4.22 to 24.61, p=0.001), overweight/obesity (OR=6.28, 95% CI 2.54 to 15.53, p=0.001) and CKD stage 3 (OR=3.52, 95% CI 1.32 to 9.42, p=0.012). Conclusion Uncontrolled hypertension was highly prevalent among patients with early CKD in this setting and was associated with age, current alcohol use, non-adherence to antihypertensives, overweight/obesity and declining eGFR.
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    Prevalence, clinical correlates and outcomes of cardiorenal anemia syndrome among patients with heart failure attending tertiary referral hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania: A protocol of a prospective observational study
    (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2023) Edwin, Gidion; Alphonce, Baraka; Meremo, Alfred; Meda, John
    Background Cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) is a common complication among patients with heart failure and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, there is a paucity of published data concerning CRAS, despite of significant increase in heart failure patients attending medical services in developing countries. This study aims to assess the prevalence, clinical correlates, and outcomes of CRAS among patients with heart failure attending the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania. Methodology A prospective observational study is ongoing at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania. Currently, 92 patients have been recruited into this study and process is not yet completed. The socio-demographic data, clinical correlates, and prevalence of CRAS will be determined at baseline meanwhile, the outcomes of CRAS will be determined during a follow-up period of six months from the date of enrollment. CRAS is the primary outcome of the study. Data will be categorized into CRAS and non-CRAS during statistical analysis. Mean and standard deviation will be used for normally distributed continuous variables while median and interquartile range will be used for skewed data. Frequencies and percentages will summarize categorical variables. Clinical correlates and outcomes of CRAS will be analyzed and compared by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. A two-tailed p-value of less than 0.05 will indicate statistical significance.
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    Prevalence, clinical correlates and outcomes of cardiorenal anemia syndrome among patients with heart failure attending tertiary referral hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania: A protocol of a prospective observational study
    (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2023-09-29) Edwin, Gidion; Alphonce, Baraka; Meremo, Alfred; Meda, John Robson
    Background Cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) is a common complication among patients with heart failure and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, there is a paucity of published data concerning CRAS, despite of significant increase in heart failure patients attending medical services in developing countries. This study aims to assess the prevalence, clinical correlates, and outcomes of CRAS among patients with heart failure attending the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania. Methodology A prospective observational study is ongoing at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania. Currently, 92 patients have been recruited into this study and process is not yet completed. The socio-demographic data, clinical correlates, and prevalence of CRAS will be determined at baseline meanwhile, the outcomes of CRAS will be determined during a follow-up period of six months from the date of enrollment. CRAS is the primary outcome of the study. Data will be categorized into CRAS and non-CRAS during statistical analysis. Mean and standard deviation will be used for normally distributed continuous variables while median and interquartile range will be used for skewed data. Frequencies and percentages will summarize categorical variables. Clinical correlates and outcomes of CRAS will be analyzed and compared by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. A two-tailed p-value of less than 0.05 will indicate statistical significance.