Browsing by Author "Nyundo, Azan A."
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Item Knowledge, attitude and practice towards malaria among symptomatic patients attending Tumbi Referral Hospital: A cross-sectional study(Plos One, 2019) Nyundo, Azan A.; Mpondo, Bonaventura C.; Munisi, David ZadockBackground: Despite significant improvement in prevention and control over the past decades malaria remains a significant public health concern in Tanzania with 93% of the population being at risk. To prevent malaria infection and promote malaria free zones, understanding the community’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward malaria control are essential. This study therefore aimed at determining the levels of understanding, and attitudes, as well as socio-cultural aspects of malaria prevention and treatment-seeking behaviors among suspected malaria patients. Methods: This study was a hospital based cross-sectional study, in which patients attending Tumbi Referral Hospital with symptoms and signs that warrant inclusion of suspicion of malaria, were recruited. We used a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire to collect participants’ demographic characteristics, as well as information on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards malaria infection. Data were analyzed using Stata Version 12.1. Results: We enrolled a total of 295 respondents of which 179 (60.68%) were females. Participants’ ages ranged from 1–91 years, with a mean of 31.4 years. Seventy-nine (26.8%) patients reported having malaria in the previous 28 days, with 57 (72.2%) being laboratory confirmed. Only 52 (65.8%) individuals reported taking prescribed medications for malaria. A total of 277 (93.90%) were aware of malaria, and 264 (95.31%) knew that it is transmitted by mosquito. Nearly all participants (263, 94.95%), identified sleeping under bed nets to be protective against malaria. About half of the respondents either agreed 63 (22.74%) or strongly agreed 62 (22.38%) that malaria can be transmitted like the common cold. Self-reported mosquito net use was 88.09% (244). Conclusion: Despite the endemicity of malaria in our study site, patients had adequate knowledge, encouraging attitudes, and good practices related to malaria prevention and control.Item Neurocysticercosis presenting with visual and unilateral auditory hallucinations and behavioral change: a case report(Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 2017) Nyundo, Azan A.; Rusheke, HamimNeurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system (CNS)(1)(2). It is caused by larvae stages of Taenia Solium and is the major cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide(3). Seizure disorders are common neurological manifestation(4); however, neuropsychiatric manifestations have also been reported(5,6). Humans acquire infection through ingestion of eggs of Taenia Solium from contaminated food(7). The brain immunological response towards the cysts may be responsible for the pleomorphic manifestations(8), including psychiatric symptoms that may take years before the onset of seizures(6). As a result, diagnostic confusion is common, and this often affects management and outcome. We report a case of 30-year-old black African male who presented with a history of auditory hallucinations and behavioral changes without focal neurologic signs or symptoms. The onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures prompted him to seek medical attention although prodromal psychiatric symptoms started about a year before the onset of seizures. MRI of the brain revealed multiple cysts involving mainly the cerebral cortex. This case highlights the need to exclude organic cortical pathology should in rare forms of psychiatric manifestations such unilateral auditory hallucinations and acute behavioral disturbances. Correct diagnosis and prompt management will prevent complications and usually have a favorable prognosis.Item Prevalence and correlates of intestinal parasites among patients admitted to Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania(Hindawi, 2017) Nyundo, Azan A.; Munisi, David Z.; Gesase, Ainory P.Neglected tropical diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Psychiatric patients are among groups at risk for parasitic infection although control and monitoring programs largely overlook this population. This study aimed at determining prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection among patients admitted to a psychiatric facility. The study followed cross-sectional design; all the residing patients that met the inclusion criteria were included in the survey. Stool samples were collected and examined by direct wet preparation and formol-ether concentration. Data were analyzed with STATA version 12.1; Chi-square test was computed to determine the level of significance at 𝑝 value < 0.05. Results. Of all 233 patients who returned the stool samples, 29 (12.45%) screened were positive for an intestinal parasite. There was no significant association between parasite carriage and age, sex, or duration of hospital stay. The study shows that intestinal parasitic infection is common among patients in a psychiatric facility and highlights that parasitic infections that enter through skin penetration may be a more common mode of transmission than the oral route. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for surveillance and intervention programs to control and manage these infections.