Browsing by Author "Ngoma, T."

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    Colorectal cancer epidemiology in Tanzania: patterns in relation to dietary and lifestyle factors
    (American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2018) Katalambula, L.; Petrucka, P.; Buza, J.; Ngoma, T.
    Chronic non-communicable diseases are increasingly captured as contributing to morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of colorectal cancer and the potential modifiable local risk factors in Tanzania. A cross sectional retrospective chart audit study was conducted to establish the pattern and distribution of colorectal cancer, The Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Step® survey tool were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and regression analysis were used and augmented by data visualization to display risk variable differences. Tanzania's colorectal cancer incidence has increased six times in the last decade in which major towns and cities of Dar es Salaam (20.2 per 100,000), Pwani (7.2 per 100,000), Kilimanjaro (4.4 per 100,000), Arusha (4.2 per 100,000), and Morogoro (3.6 per 100,000) had the highest percentage. This study reported that, almost 45% of the participants were hypertensive. Two major dietary patterns, namely “healthy” and “western”, existed among the study sample. Obesity was found in 25% of participants, whereas overweight was present in 28%; of note, the prevalence was higher in females (26.9%) than in males (23.6%) respectively. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 21.5%, with a significantly lower rate of smoking (12.2%) noted within the study subjects. Both alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking were more common in men than women (22.7 vs. 20.6% and 24.5 vs. 3.2%, respectively). The prevalence of vigorous, moderate, and low physical activity for both sexes was 18.6%, 54.1% and 42.3%, respectively. Evidence from this study demonstrate that, like other NCDs CRC is increasing in Tanzania. Colon cancer is increasing at higher rate than rectal cancer seeming to align with change in lifestyle. Major towns and cities had the highest share of CRC patients. Diet, obesity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and sedentary behavior have potential role to play in the rising trend of CRC and other NCDs. We recommend a large longitudinal study with robust methodology which can establish cause and effect relationships between specific lifestyle behaviors and the incidence of colorectal cancer.
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    Dietary pattern and other lifestyle factors as potential contributors to hypertension prevalence in Arusha City, Tanzania: a population-based descriptive study
    (BioMed Central, 2017) Katalambula, L. K.; Meyer, D. N.; Ngoma, T.; Buza, J.; Mpolya, E.; Mtumwa, A. H.; Petrucka, P.
    Background High blood pressure is increasing worldwide, disproportionately so in developing countries. Inadequate health care systems and adoption of unhealthy lifestyles have been linked to this emergent pattern. To better understand this trend, it is imperative we measure prevalence of hypertension, and examine specific risk factors, at a local level. This study provides a cross-sectional view of urban residents of Arusha City to determine prevalence and associated risk factors. Methods Blood pressure was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer. Interviews were conducted using the WHO STEP wise survey questionnaire to assess lifestyle factors. Dietary intake information was collected by a standardized Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic characteristics. Means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables and percentages for categorical variables. Pearson’s Chi Square (χ 2) tests were used to determine significant risk factors for hypertension, and multivariate log binomial regression was used to reveal potential predictors of hypertension. Dietary patterns were analyzed by principal component analysis. Results Approximately 45% of the study population was found to be hypertensive. The mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) of the sample was 102.3 mmHg (SD = 18.3). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 136.3 (SD = 30.5) and 85.3 (SD = 16.1) mmHg, respectively. Through multivariate analysis, age and body mass index were found to be independently, positively, associated with hypertension. Adherence to ‘healthy’ dietary pattern was negatively independently associated with hypertension. Conclusions With nearly half of participants being hypertensive, this study suggests that hypertension is a significant health risk in Arusha, Tanzania. Obesity, healthy diet, and age were found to be positively associated with hypertension risk. This study did not establish any significant association between increased blood pressure and Western-dietary pattern, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activities.