Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

The ASCEND Project (2020-2023): Strengthening clinical trial ethics review and pharmacovigilance capacity in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar

Background Clinical trials and related health research in sub-Saharan Africa continue to expand in volume and complexity, increasing the need for strong and responsive research ethics oversight, regulatory reviews, and pharmacovigilance systems. The ASCEND project was implemented...

Theory–simulation–application framework to enhance biostatistical capacity for HIV and cancer data analysis in sub-Saharan Africa: lessons learnt from Tanzania

Enhancing biostatistical capacity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is imperative for the efficient analysis of routinely collected health data and for clinical and public health decision-making. We describe the experiences and lessons learnt from implementing advanced statistical capa...

Visual and anatomical outcomes of full-thickness macular hole surgery and associated factors in selected hospitals in Tanzania

Purpose To determine the anatomical and visual outcomes of macular hole surgery and identify factors associated with surgical success among patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) and Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation Hospital (CCBRT), Tanzania. Methods...

Pharmacological pain relief and postpartum bleeding in women with moderate or severe anemia: A cohort analysis of the WOMAN ‐2 trial

OBJECTIVE: Pain relief could minimize blood loss by limiting the adrenaline stress response to fear and trauma during birth. We examined the association between pharmacological pain relief and postpartum bleeding in a large cohort of women giving birth with anemia in sub-Saharan...

Facilitators and barriers to voluntary medical male circumcision uptake among adult males in Bariadi District Council Northwest Tanzania

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is endorsed as an effective HIV prevention strategy. Despite scale-up efforts in Tanzania, uptake remains low in traditional non-circumcising communities, highlighting the need to understand context-specific drivers influencing VMMC upta...

Clinical samples with delayed processing time are associated with lower HIV viral load results in a high-volume regional laboratory, Njombe Region, Tanzania (Oct 2024–Mar 2025)

Abstract Background Accurate HIV viral load (VL) testing is essential for monitoring antiretroviral therapy (ART) and detecting treatment failure. In resource-limited settings such as Njombe Region, Tanzania, laboratories often face prolonged turnaround times (TAT) and suboptimal...

Continued high mortality following diagnosis of HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma in East Africa in the “Treat All” antiretroviral therapy era ― 2021-2024

Abstract Background Stage at time of diagnosis and survival after diagnosis are critical parameters regarding control of any cancer in any geographical setting. In earlier research focusing on the initial years of the “Treat All” era (2016-2019), we found that HIV-associated Kapo...

Biliary Atresia With Situs Inversus Abdominalis Managed by Kasai Portoenterostomy: A Case Report From Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Biliary atresia associated with situs inversus abdominalis is a rare congenital combination that complicates diagnosis and surgical orientation. Early recognition, meticulous preoperative planning, and timely Kasai portoenterostomy can achieve favorable short‐term outcom...

Proportion, Five‐Year Survival Rate of Laryngeal Cancer and Its Associated Factors Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients in Tanzania

ABSTRACT Background Laryngeal cancer carries a significant global burden, with substantial morbidity and mortality, and is increasing globally, with 95%–98% being squamous cell carcinoma. Males are more affected than females, with peak cases occurring between 60 and 80 years of a...

One in seven has severe pain: a point-prevalence study of hospitalised patients across Africa

ABSTRACT: Acute pain in hospitalised patients is common, yet African data are scarce. We conducted a prospective point-prevalence study of hospitalised adult patients across Africa to determine acute pain prevalence and severity and investigate associations of pain with critical...

Comparison of lung ultrasonography and chest radiography in detecting neonatal respiratory distress as a composite clinical condition: a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study at Muhimbili National Hospital

Neonatal respiratory distress (RD) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. While chest radiography (CXR) is the traditional modality of diagnosis, lung ultrasound (LUS) has emerged as a bedside, radiation-free alternative for evaluating neonatal respiratory condit...

Is a tracheoesophageal fistula management still a challenge in low resource setting? Case report of rare type D tracheoesophageal fistula and literature review

Management of the common TEF cases have been with low promising outcomes in low resourced countries as compared to developed countries. Type D Tracheoesophageal fistula is a most rare condition whose management experience, challenges and outcomes are not adequately documented esp...

Metagenomic Profiling of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Pathotypes Reveals Predominance of Diffusely Adherent and Enteroaggregative Subtypes and Mixed Signatures Among Under-Fives in Tanzania

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a leading enteric pathogen in children under five in sub-Saharan Africa, yet conventional targeted assays fail to capture mixed virulence signatures or provide quantitative context relative to E. coli carriage. We applied a virulence-aware...

Effects of outdoor air pollution on the cardiovascular health of school-aged children residing near polluted areas and the efficacy of mitigation measures in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Outdoor air pollution is a major global health threat, particularly for children in rapidly urbanizing low- and middle-income countries. While its respiratory effects are well-documented, evidence on cardiovascular impacts in children remains limited, especially in sub-Saharan Af...

Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Relation to Occupational Injuries Among Iron and Steel Workers

Occupational health and safety (OHS) malpractices may increase the risk of occupational injuries and are a significant public health problem in the iron and steel industries, often leading to disability and death. Information on OHS practices related to occupational injuries in t...