BackgroundKidney Diseases contribute a significant proportion to the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Haemodialysis services as the main modality of renal replacement therapy in most resource limited countries is only available in few cities and at higher costs. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges and outcomes of patients who were on haemodialysis at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) haemodialysis unit in Tanzania.MethodsIn this retrospective study; we reviewed haemodialysis registers and charts of 116 patients dialyzed from January 2013 to June 2015 at The UDOM haemodialysis unit. Data were descriptively and inferentially analysed using Stata version 11 software.ResultsOf the 116 patients, 52 (44.9%) were male, and 38(32.8%) were married. Their median age was 45 years. Thirty-two (27.6%) had acute kidney injury, of them 26 (81.3%) patients had recovery of renal function after haemodialysis. Indications for hemodialysis were anuria (18), intoxications (14), electrolyte imbalance (9), uraemia (7) infections (6) and fluid overload (4). Eighty-four (72.4%) patients had End Stage Renal Diseases (ESRD), of which 37 (44.1%) absconded/lost to follow up, 15 (17.9%) died, 22 (26.2%) were referred to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), 12 for possible kidney transplant abroad after haemodialysis, and 10 (11.9%) were still attending our unit for haemodialysis. Residing outside Dodoma was predictive for poor outcomes while on haemodialysis (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.2–8.6, p < 0.001). In addition the odds ratio for poor outcomes was 7.3 times for a patient ESRD (OR7.34, 95% CI 3.26–18.17, p < 0.001). Patients who had no National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) coverage (OR 6.6, 95% CI 5.4–12.7, p < 0.001) also had higher odds of poor outcomes after starting haemodialysis.ConclusionUnavailability and high costs related to utilization of haemodialysis services among patients needing dialysis are the challenges for better outcomes. Therefore, haemodialysis and renal transplants services should be made easily available in regional referral hospitals at reasonable costs. In addition, members of the public should be educated on joining health insurance schemes and on making healthy life style choices for preventing chronic kidney disease and its progression.

BackgroundEclampsia and pre-eclampsia are well-recognized causes of maternal and neonatal mortality in low income countries, but are never studied in a district hospital. In order to get reliable data to facilitate the hospital’s obstetric audit a retrospective medical record study was performed in Ndala Hospital, Tanzania.MethodsAll patients diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia between July 2011 and December 2012 were included. Medical records were searched immediately following discharge or death. General patient characteristics, medical history, obstetrical history, possible risk factors, information about the current pregnancy, antenatal clinic attendance and prescribed therapy before admission were recorded. Symptoms and complications were noted. Statistical analysis was done with Epi Info®.ResultsOf the 3398 women who gave birth in the hospital 26 cases of severe pre-eclampsia and 55 cases of eclampsia were diagnosed (0.8 and 1.6 %). Six women with eclampsia died (case fatality rate 11 %). Convulsions in patients with eclampsia were classified as antepartum (44 %), intrapartum (42 %) and postpartum (15 %). Magnesium was given in 100 % of patients with eclampsia and was effective in controlling convulsions. Intravenous antihypertensive treatment was only started in 5 % of patients. Induction of labour was done in 29 patients (78 % of women who were not yet in labour). Delivery was spontaneous in 67 %, assisted vaginal (ventouse) in 14 % and by Caesarean section in 19 % of women. Perinatal deaths occurred in 30 % of women with eclampsia and 27 % of women with severe pre-eclampsia and were associated with low birth weight and prolonged time between admission and birth.Conclusions2.4 % of women were diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. The case fatality rate and overall perinatal mortality were comparable to other reports. Better outcomes could be achieved by better treatment of hypertension and starting induction of labour as soon as possible.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide, due to its epidemic proportions and the associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, data on the burden of CKD among patients attending hospitals in Tanzania are still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with CKD among patients presenting at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) haemodialysis unit in Tanzania. , a total of 1,395 patients presented at the UDOM haemodialysis unit with history of kidney disease. Of these patients, 1244 (89.2%) enrolled into this study, 651 (52.3%) of them were female. Almost two-thirds (n=792, 63.7%) of the patients were found to have CKD, 59.1% with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Among those who had CKD, 347 (43.8%) had hypertension, 241 (30.4%) had diabetic mellitus, 79 (10.0%) had chronic glomerulonephritis, 70 (8.8%) had hypertension and diabetes mellitus, 38 (4.8%) had HIV/AIDS, and 17 (2.1%) had hepatitis B. The median serum creatinine level was 222 lmol/L (interquartile range [IQR] 126 to 317), urea level was 14.5 mmol/L (IQR 5 to 24), hemoglobin was 11.0 g/dL (IQR 6.2 to 15.7), and body mass index was 27.1 kg/m 2 (IQR 17.3 to 36.8). Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and systolic hypertension were associated with developing CKD (P<.001). A total of 116 patients received haemodialysis during the study period.

Background: Post-operative pain is an essential component of good surgical patient care plan. In developing countries however, the prevalence of post-operative pain is relatively very high and pain control strategies are not very promising. The objective of this study was to assess post-operative pain prevalence, predictors, management practices and satisfaction among operated cases at a regional referral hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: Prospective hospital based descriptive observational study of operated cases at a Temeke Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data was collected using a pre-constructed questionnaire and a visual pain intensity scale.Results: A total of 136 patients were recruited with mean age of 37.1±15 years (range= 14–80 years). The prevalence of pain was 100%, 83.9%, and 36% at 12, 24 and 48 hours, respectively. At 12 hours moderate to worst pain was reported in 95.6% of cases. The main prediction factor for severe to worst pain at 12 hours was orthopaedic procedures (p=0.05, AOR=3.456), while widow/divorced marital status and female sex were negatively correlated to severity of pain (p=0.005, AOR=0.0230 and p=0.000, AOR=0.034, respectively). The commonest drugs prescribed post-operatively were injection pethidine (50.5%) and tramadol (48.9%) and oral tramadol (47.6%). Pain management satisfaction rate was paradoxically high (74.3%), with male sex being the main predictor.Conclusion: The prevalence of early post-operative pain is very high. Male sex and orthopaedic procedures are associated with severe pain. Surgeons therefore need to prioritize analgesic prescription at early hours following operation to minimize pain and suffering to patients focusing on orthopaedic procedures.

Circumcision, a surgical removal of male prepuce has existed throughout human history, and it appears it shall exist until humanity ends. During its entire existence, there have been changing reasons or indications from cultural, traditional, religious and currently medical, and it has vehemently been criticized by some individuals for different reasons and in different countries. Emergency of new diseases particularly Human Immunodeficient virus (HIV) has brought the ancient procedure back on spot light, this has come as a result of recent studies which have demonstrated that it does not only reduces significantly the rate of HIV infection, as well as penile cancer and cervical cancer. This has lead to massive male circumcision campaigns in areas with low prevalence of circumcision. On the other hand the socio-cultural and sexual aspects of male circumcision have been studied but often ignored. This article will therefore increase awareness of male circumcision and the increasing roles with time, recommend up scaling of medical male circumcision and possible safe circumcision training to tradition circumcisers. _________________________________________________________________________________________