Background Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is a condition with nonspecific symptoms and most of times patients present late with advanced disease which may predispose to malignancy. The magnitude and clinical characteristics of this condition are not well known among patients attending Otorhinolaryngology services in Tanzania. Materials and methods This was a hospital based descriptive cross sectional study, conducted in the wards and clinics of Otorhinolaryngology department of Muhimbili National Hospital. Patients with symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease were included in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and clinical examination forms, were processed and analysed by using SPSS. Results presented in frequency tables, cross tabulations and figures. Results This study recruited 256 participants among them males were 131(51.2%).The mean age was (41.38 ± 13.94) years. Prevalence of Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease was 18.4% without gender predilection. The commonest symptoms were globus sensation, hoarseness of voice and excessive urge to clear the throat with 95.7%, 88.1% and 83.0% respectively while the most observed signs were thick endolaryngeal mucus, Vocal cord oedema and partial ventricular obliteration with 90.9%, 88.6% and 72.7% respectively. Lying down less than two hours after meal and spices foods consumption were the leading risk factors. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus type 2 were the most prevalent co morbid conditions associated with Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. Conclusion The prevalence of Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease is high among patients attending Otorhinolaryngology services at Muhimbili national hospital. All patients with Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease related symptoms should get thorough evaluation for early diagnosis and treatment.

Background Paediatric head and neck cancers represent an important group of childhood cancers that require maximum attention at large. They are often diagnosed at advanced clinical stages at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). Objective To describe the clinical profile of paediatric head and neck cancers at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania Method A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 180 paediatric patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS program version 21. Results A total of 180 paediatric patients were recruited where 61.1% were males and 38.9% were females. Majority belonged to the age group 0-5 years (53.9%). A total of 10 primary anatomical sites were found with the neck (cervical lymph node) predominating (36.1%), followed by the orbit/eye (34.4%) and the least anatomical sites were oral cavity (1.1%) and parapharyngeal space (0.5%). Leukocoria (93.9%), red eye (93.9%) and orbital cellulitis (77.6%) predominated in retinoblastoma but in patients with lymphomas, predominant features were night sweats (100%), weight loss (100%) and fevers (95.8%). Conclusion The clinical profile depicted in this study appears to correlate with advanced clinical stages. Keywords: Paediatric; Head; Neck Cancers; Muhimbili; Tanzania

ObjectivesTo determine the aetiological pathogens causing ear infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients with ear complaints at a tertiary hospital in Dar es Salaam.DesignHospital-based cross-sectional study.SettingsOtorhinolaryngology clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.ParticipantsPatients presenting with signs and symptoms of ear infection.Main outcome measureBacteria and fungi isolated from ear swab specimens of patients presenting with signs and symptoms of ear infection; and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-five participants were enrolled, with a median age of 31 years and an IQR of 15–49. Otitis externa was the predominant type of ear infection, accounting for 45.1%. We observed positive bacteria culture in 53.3% of study participants, in which 41% of isolates were obtained from patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Moreover,Staphylococcus aureus(27.3%) andPseudomonas aeruginosa(24.2%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria, whileCandidaspp, 12 (63.8%) andAspergillusspp, 9 (36.2%) were the only isolated fungi. Furthermore, we report that 93% of isolatedEnterobacteraleswere resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and 73% were resistant to ceftazidime. In addition, we detected 34.4% extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producingEnterobacterales(ESBL-PE) and 44.4% methicillin-resistanceS. aureus(MRSA). We also found that 22% of the bacteria isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, a primary topical antibiotic used in managing ear infections.ConclusionsThe findings from this study reveal that the leading aetiological agent of ear infection is bacteria. Furthermore, our findings show a significant proportion of ESBL-PE and MRSA-causing ear infections. Hence, detecting multidrug-resistant bacteria is crucial to improving ear infection management.

Background: The prevalence and burden of Allergic rhinitis have been rising worldwide in recent years, but little is known about its pattern and magnitude especially Tanzania. The overall prevalence was 10.3% with no sex or racial predilection. Adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillitis, hypertrophy of inferior turbinate, nasal polyps, otitis media, middle ear effusion and sinusitis were the most common complications affecting more than 90% of cases and were the major reason for attending hospital services. The aim of this study was to reveal the baseline information concerning the pattern of AR and its magnitude at MNH which is the largest hospital in Tanzania. Materials and method: A cross-sectional, hospital based study was done, a total of 1984 patients received ORL services at Muhimbili national hospital during study period were interviewed all patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were captured; Data was collected using a pre-tested coded questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS statistical computer software version 21. Results: The overall prevalence of allergic rhinitis in our study was found to be 10.3%, commonly affecting children and adolescent. With equal male to female ratio and the mean age of patients was 22.1 years (SD=1.6). About 80% of patients were coming from Dar es Salaam. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis is prevalently common in our setting most victims seek medical services due to complications of which combination of surgical and medical treatment was needed. High index of suspicion in diagnosing allergic rhinitis and early treatment is the key to success.