|
Prevalence
and constraints of typhoid fever and its control in an
endemic area of Singida region in Tanzania: Lessons for
effective control of the disease
Allen Malisa* and Honest Nyaki
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science,
Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3038, Morogoro,
Tanzania.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
malisa56@yahoo.com,
amalisa@suanet.ac.tz. Tel: 255 232603404.
Accepted 2 June, 2010 |
|
Typhoid fever (TF) is an important communicable disease that
is endemic to Tanzania, quite often complicated with malaria
co-infection leading to diagnostic complications and
significant mortality. Despite considerable control efforts,
the disease continues to persist in Singida urban leading to
significant morbidity and mortality. This paper
retrospectively examines morbidity and mortality trend of
typhoid infection for the past five years in Singida urban.
By using questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and
direct observational methods, the authors report interview
results of 120 respondents from the study community,
regarding their awareness of TF and its control methods.
Results showed that, the TF prevalence records revealed a
fluctuating trend with annual incidence rate of 580 –
1,400/100,000 persons, and an overall increase from 771 –
942 cases/100,000 persons (p ≤ 0.0001) between 2003 and
2007. While 88% of the respondents were aware of TF disease,
53% were unaware of its control methods. The study also
revealed an acute shortage of diagnostic laboratory services
which indicated that, 75% of health facilities had no such
services. In adequate knowledge about personal hygiene,
scarcity or lack of access to safe water, improper drainage
systems and problems of unsanitary toilets in Singida urban
were some of the obstacles to effective TF control.
Effective TF control measures in the study district, as in
other areas in the tropics, requires integration of
intensive health education as a public health tool,
provision and access to safe water supply and adequate
strengthening of health systems.
Key words:
Typhoid fever, prevalence, Singida urban, control measures. |
