http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/47 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:31:50 GMT 2026-06-10T18:31:50Z http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/141 Prevalence and determinants of breast self-examination practice among medical students in higher learning institutions at Ifakara Town, Tanzania. Morro, Rahabu.; Nyamhanga, Neema T.; Karuhanga, Theresia A. Background: Breast self-examination (BSE) is a medical examination technique that involves female checking her breasts for any unusual lumps, changes in shape, or swelling. This can help detect breast cancer early. Breast cancer is a serious health issue globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, breast cancer is the top five most common cancer, accounting for 14.4% of all new cancer cases. Early diagnosis and treatment are the answers to enhancing outcomes for breast cancer. Research shows that many women detect their own breast cancer, suggesting a positive link between BSE and early detection. This study aimed to determine the awareness and practice of Breast SelfExamination (BSE) Practice Among Medical Students in middle and higher Learning Institutions. Methodology: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Ifakara Town Council (ITC), involving middle and higher learning institutions. Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit female students at different years of study. Closed ended questionnaire was adapted for data collection. Results: A total of 386 medical students participated. The prevalence of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) practice was 49.0%. While 59.6% reported awareness of Breast Self-Examination, knowledge sources varied: mass media (46.9%), health professionals (37.7%), and relatives/friends (18.4%). Determinants significantly associated with Breast Self Examination practice included marital status (p=0.008), family history of breast cancer (p=0.005), and Breast Self Examination awareness (p=0.001). Age group, religious beliefs, program of study, and residency showed no statistically significant association. The moderate level of awareness yet sub-optimal practice rate (49.0%) suggests potential gaps in translating knowledge into consistent preventive action or underlying attitudinal barriers among this age group. Conclusion: The early detection of breast cancer diseases can be significantly possible by the self-assessment through BSE. An emphasize on Self -assessment of breast health should be emphasized to all ages who are at risk. Education to create awareness through mass media may be one of the priorities through broadcasting and short text in the mobile phones. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/141 2025-06-14T00:00:00Z http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/140 The Assessment of Five Years Results for Congenital Talipes Equinovarus Treatment at Saint Francis Rural Referral Hospital in Kilombero, Mororgoro Tanzania Karuhanga, Theresia A.; Swai, Joseph.; Tekie, Fassill.; Gingo, Wilfred.; Sitta, Prosper.; Morro, Rahabu; Ramadhani, Ashura.; Sakuran, Bartazari.; Magori, Casian. Background: Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) may be defined as a fixation of the foot in adduction. It is one of the common developmental malformations of the musculoskeletal system. To date, there is no global appropriate medical care. On addition to poverty, ignorance and inadequate health system are the major risk factors to the CTEV burden to developing countries. The Pirani scoring system is an instrumental tool for assessing both the severity of the deformity, and the progress of treatment. Objectives: To assess the CTEV treatment outcome within five years based on Ponsent method in rural referral private hospital in Kilombero, Morogoro Tanzania. Methodology: The prospective study, hospital based was carried out in a tertiary hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital Ethics Committee. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were purposively recruited. The Pirani score of all feet were determine attending the child at the first time before initial manipulation was commenced, and was also done at each follow up visit until correction was achieved. Results: A total of 167 children were recruited of which 5 were excluded hence, 162 were included. The male to female ration was M: F 1.8:1. The Pirani score at presentation was ranging between 6 to 0.5. All candidates with clubfoot were treated primarily with padded cast as treatment phase. The stabilization phase involving tenotomy followed by foot abduction boot (FAB). The clubfoot correction achievement rate was 90.76%.The recurrent rate was 5.6%, failure rate was 3.7% noncompliance to clinic follow up and presence of other congenital malformations were two variables related to statistical management poor outcome (P-value 0.000 and 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: The Ponseti method remains the gold standard in club foot treatment, it simple, accessible and inexpensive. Since the approach requires a long-term follow-up of the child’s foot, therefore, there is a need of improving local clinic such that people in most remote area can be reached towards SDG #3 achievements. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/140 2025-04-14T00:00:00Z http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/139 Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Foot Care in Patient Living with Diabetic Mellitus at Saint Francis Referral Hospital: a CrosSectional Study 2024 Karuhanga, Theresia A.; James, Bukwimba. S.; Madoshi, Philbert.; Masanya, Titus; Senga, Pemba. K Introduction: Globally, about 425 million individuals are suffering from diabetes mellitus. In African countries about 24 million adults have diabetes mellitus which is equal to 4.5%. In Tanzania, the prevalence increases with age. This study was done at Saint Francis Referral aiming to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of diabetic foot care in outpatient. Methodology: The prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 3moths at Saint Francis Referral Hospital aiming to assess Diabetic foot care (DFC) in patients living with DM in limited resourced areas in Tanzania. Results: total 111 diabetic patients were recruited to participate in this study. There was 54.95% female ad 45.05% male making F:M 1.2:1. The 40-49 age range was the most predominancy 33.3%. Very few of the participants had positive attitude 8.11% and only 7.21% strongly positive attitude on the effectiveness of DFC. Only 36.94% of the participants had moderate DFC practice. Conclusion: The study shows that there is poor attitude and practice of DFC among the people living with DM, hence, the need for social intervention towards negative attitude on the specific matter among the community. There is also a need of specialized Diabetic foot physician for DFC practice follow up in every clinic in order to reduce DFU prevalence in people living with DM particularly in limited resources including Tanzania. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/139 2025-08-14T00:00:00Z http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/138 Histopathological Prevalence of Genito-urinary Cancer in Rural Areas: Five Years Retrospective Study Magoda, Antony.; Karuhanga, Theresia A.; Singo, Joseph; Karim, Zam A.; Jotham, Seth; Mlaga, Salvatory; Morro, Rahabu; Balichene, Madoshi; Balthazary, Sakurani Background: Cancer is a public health problem in both developed and developing countries. It is among of the delayed diagnosis cancer due to asymptomatic characteristics and lack of screening behavior in low- and middle-income societies. The aim of this study was to determine the histopathologic epidemiological profile of urologic cancers in rural referral Hospital in Mororgoro Tanzania. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving histopathological hospital data from January 2020 to December 2024. Results: Total of urologic 88 histology samples were collected during the period. Out of these 62.5% were malignant. The majority of the patients were male 79. 5% and female were 20.5% resulting into M: F; 3.8:1. Patients over 60 years old comprised 62.5% of all cases. The most affected organs were prostate 44.32% and urinary bladder 36.36%. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were the most frequently diagnosed malignancies accounting for 28.4% % and 13.6% cases respectively. Among those with urinary bladder SCC, 4.5% had coexisting Schistosomiasis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant associations with malignancy for the following: Age above 60 years (AOR = 4.363; 95% CI: 2.544–6.181; p = 0.000), Male sex (AOR = 1.186; 95% CI: 1.761–2.610; p = 0.001), Female sex (AOR = 1.259; 95% CI: 0.682–1.836; p = 0.000), Bladder cancer (AOR = 5.966; 95% CI: 4.178–7.753; p = 0.012) Malignancies from other urologic structures (AOR = 3.063; 95% CI: 0.506–5.620; p = 0.020). Conversely, some variables were not statistically significant in multivariate analysis, including: Age below 60 years (AOR = 0.463; 95% CI: 0.872–1.797; p = 0.490) Prostate cancer (AOR = 4.503; 95% CI: 2.430–6.575; p = 0.461). Conclusion: Since Urologic cancer is one of the non-communicable diseases in Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); screening should be prioritized along with strengthening early detection and capacity building among clinicians, especially those working in primary health settings, to improve the rate of early diagnosis. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.93.38.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/138 2025-06-14T00:00:00Z