Abstract Background The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains unclear in many regions of the world. Objectives The GBD (Global Burden of Disease) 2015 study integrated data on disease ...incidence, prevalence, and mortality to produce consistent, up-to-date estimates for cardiovascular burden. Methods CVD mortality was estimated from vital registration and verbal autopsy data. CVD prevalence was estimated using modeling software and data from health surveys, prospective cohorts, health system administrative data, and registries. Years lived with disability (YLD) were estimated by multiplying prevalence by disability weights. Years of life lost (YLL) were estimated by multiplying age-specific CVD deaths by a reference life expectancy. A sociodemographic index (SDI) was created for each location based on income per capita, educational attainment, and fertility. Results In 2015, there were an estimated 422.7 million cases of CVD (95% uncertainty interval: 415.53 to 427.87 million cases) and 17.92 million CVD deaths (95% uncertainty interval: 17.59 to 18.28 million CVD deaths). Declines in the age-standardized CVD death rate occurred between 1990 and 2015 in all high-income and some middle-income countries. Ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of CVD health lost globally, as well as in each world region, followed by stroke. As SDI increased beyond 0.25, the highest CVD mortality shifted from women to men. CVD mortality decreased sharply for both sexes in countries with an SDI >0.75. Conclusions CVDs remain a major cause of health loss for all regions of the world. Sociodemographic change over the past 25 years has been associated with dramatic declines in CVD in regions with very high SDI, but only a gradual decrease or no change in most regions. Future updates of the GBD study can be used to guide policymakers who are focused on reducing the overall burden of noncommunicable disease and achieving specific global health targets for CVD.
Antenatal care (ANC) is a critical period for promoting the health of both mothers and babies. ANC visit is a key entry point for a pregnant woman to the health care system to receive health ...intervention. The new World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommends eight ANC contacts. However, the coverage of at least four ANC visits is still low in the Simiyu region.
Objective
To assess determinants of focused ANC visits utilization among women in the Simiyu Region Tanzania.
Methodology
The study employed a cross-sectional study among women of reproductive age. Data was collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Stata version 15. Data were summarized using mean and standard deviation for continuous variables while frequency and percentage were used for categorical variables. A generalized linear model, Poisson family, with a log link was used to identify determinants of focused ANC utilization.
Results
All 785 women analyzed reported having at least one ANC visit, with 259 (34%) having four or more visits and only 40 (5.1%) having eight or more visits. Women who made a self-decision were 30% less likely to complete four and more ANC visits than their counterparts (APR = 0.70; 95%CI = 0.501–0.978). Women who visited the dispensary were 27% less likely to complete four ANC visits than those who visited health centers (APR = 0.73; 95%CI = 0.540–0.982). However, education level and planned pregnancy were both marginally significantly associated with focused ANC utilisation.
Conclusion
Generally, the majority of pregnant women in the Simiyu region do not adequately utilize four and more ANC visits. There is a need to enhance health education to women and their spouses on the importance of attending four or more visits and improving the quality of maternal health services to facilitate the utilization of ANC among women in the study area.
Background
Breast milk provides infants with complete nutrition for immune development and protection against childhood diseases and associated mortality. Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) ...aids in providing colostrum to newborns, providing protection against infection, and improving newborn and infant survival. Although Simiyu reported the lowest prevalence of EIBF in Tanzania, no study has investigated the factors associated with EIBF in this region.
Objective
The study aimed to determine early breastfeeding initiation prevalence and associated factors among women of reproductive age in the Simiyu region.
Methodology
We used data from a cross-sectional study conducted by AMREF Health Africa among 669 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in the Simiyu region, Tanzania. An interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data on breastfeeding practices (including breastfeeding initiation) among others. A multilevel logistic regression analysis estimated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors associated with EIBF.
Results
The mean age of 669 women analyzed was 28.3 years (SD ± 6.8). The prevalence of EIBF was 62.2%, ranging from 52.7% in Bariadi district to 73.3% in Maswa district. Lower odds of EIBF were among women who had a caesarian section (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.17–0.98) and those who gave birth to male children (OR = 0.57; 95%CI = 0.39–0.82) while higher odds of EIBF were among mothers who reported skin-to-skin contact (OR = 2.40; 95%CI = 1.53–3.83) and from Maswa district (OR = 2.73; 95%CI = 1.09–6.89).
Conclusion
The prevalence of EIBF in the Simiyu region remains low (62%) relative to the global target of 70% by 2030 and varies by district. To promote EIBF in the region, good engagement and communication practices between mothers and healthcare providers should be emphasised in educating women about the importance of EIBF. Moreover, the practice of skin-to-skin contact between mother and child should be encouraged immediately after delivery.
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