Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. We aimed to estimate the cardiovascular risk factors and their correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Zanzibar (Mnazi MMoja Hospital) hypothesizing that early detection and treatment of lipid abnormalities can minimize the risk for atherogenic cardiovascular disorders and cerebrovascular accident in patients with T2DM. Methods: The study populations were those patients who presented themselves at Mnazi Mmoja hospital with T2DM, and who are within the age bracket of 18 to 45 years. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels were evaluated. Pearson’s correlation studies were performed between the variables of blood glucose and serum lipid profiles and also within the lipid profile parameters. Results: TC, TG, LDL-C mean levels were significantly higher in diabetics compared with the control subjects p< 0.05. The HDL-C was however lower in diabetics compared with the controls. Also, the mean FBG, TC, TG, and LDL-C were significantly higher in female diabetic subjects compared to the male counterparts p< 0.05. A positive correlation was observed between FBG and TC, TG and LDL-C (r=0.643 p=0.0021; r=0.679, p=0.0001; r=0.534, p=0.0091 respectively) while HDL-C showed a negative correlation (r= -0.799, p= 0.0021). TC also showed a positive correlation with TG and LDL-C (r=0.590, p=0.0021; r= 0.628, p=0.0001) and negative correlation with HDL-C ( r=-0.670, p=0.0041). Conclusion: There is an influence of gender on cardiovascular disease risk factors with more of the females seriously at risk. Measurement of serum lipid profile should be introduced to the management plan of diabetes mellitus. There is an urgent need for the establishment of regional and national training courses for diabetic educators and also the creation of new evidence-based management plan for diabetics in Zanzibar for a better healthcare.

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Diabetes and its complication continue to remain a concern in the world population despite the introduction of various hypoglycemic agents. Biochemical changes remain the major observable, clinical, and pathological factors as a derangement in the levels of these parameters increase the risk of developing complications. Although herbal extracts for the treatment of diabetes have been scientifically validated, the scientific interaction and alteration of the biochemical parameters due to the administration of this herbal product are not thoroughly investigated in this region. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of the extract of Kigeliaafricana and Sorghum bicolor stalk on the biochemical parameters of diabetic-induced rats. A total of eleven groups containing five rats per group of randomly selected Alloxan-induced Diabetes Healthy Wistar rats of both sexes were used in the study, with one serving as the control group, another serving as glibenclamide treated group, and the remaining nine, extract treated groups. After the overnight fast, the control group received a dose of 0.5 ml of 2% w/v acacia solution. Glibenclamide treated group received 600 μg/kg body weight (bwt) glibenclamide. In contrast, the other nine groups received specified doses (125, 250, and 500mg/kg bwt) of Kigeliaafricana and Sorghum bicolor extracts singly and in a mixture of ratio 1:1, respectively. After receiving the specified doses once a day orally for 30 days, the rats fasted overnight, and 5 ml of blood collected via cardiac puncture into heparinized and fluoride bottles. The samples were spun and separated for biochemical profiles (plasma glucose, lipid profile, liver function test, and electrolytes urea and creatinine) using a commercially prepared kit with outlined procedures. The result showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of plasma glucose level in the extract-treated rats, with a remarkable increase in untreated diabetic rats compared to the control. A significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the plasma levels of triglyceride and LDL-Chol was also observed in all treated groups at various doses of extracts compared to control with HDL-Chol values marginally increased in all extract-treated groups. Urea and creatinine showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in all treated doses except the lowest when compared to the control, while all the electrolytes parameters (Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3-) show no significant difference (p > 0.05) across the groups when compared to the control. Liver function showed no significant differences in all parametersexcept for the noticeable decreasing effects on AST and ALT values compared to the control. The extracts and their mixture exhibited antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic activities and cardiovascular benefits due to their considerable lowering effects on total cholesterol, LDL-Chol, triglycerides, and increase in the HDL-Chol levels. The observed biological actions may be due to the presence of different phytocomponents present in the plant extracts. There is, therefore, a need to determine which of the active constituents has the main antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effect for their optimal usage.

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Introduction: Worldwide, traumatic head injuries account for a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Road accidents appear to be the commonest cause of these injuries. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and predictive factors of Traumatic head injury at a tertiary institution health facility in Zanzibar. Method: A retrospective observational study of  head injury patients that are attended  at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar from May 2019 to May 2020 Results: A total number of 81 patients were included in the study and distributed as follows; 63 males (77.8%) and 18 females (22.2%) participants. The majority of patients were between the age group of 16-30 years and 40 (49.4%) in total. Road Traffic Accident was the leading cause of injuries (67.9%). Others include assault (13.6%), falling (13.6%), and being struck by an object (4.9%). The study also recorded a higher prevalence of traumatic brain injury TBI (57.9%), including, concussion (9.8%), contusion (18.5%), epidural hematoma (8.6%), skull fracture (14.8%), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (6.2%). This was compared with other causes of head injuries (42.1%) such as cut wounds (9.8%) and soft tissue injuries (32.1%). 64.2% of the patients were treated as outpatients, with 33.3% as inpatients. About 2.5% of the patients died. The west district recorded the highest prevalence of patients with injury rates compared to other districts. Conclusion: Public awareness campaigns and health promotions concerning road safety rules are needed to help reduce the high burden of road traffic accidents.  Government should also pay attention to the improvement of roads as a way to curb this menace.