Cannabis and its health-damaging effects

Cannabis is derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. Bhang or marijuana might be the cheapest and most readily available form of cannabis abused mainly by adolescents and young adults in Tanzania; but concrete data is lacking. Some of the drug abusers are mentally unstable individuals who lack self criticism and adequate self restraint. When bhang is smoked; cannabinoids are readily absorbed from the lung and bound by the grey matter of the brain. Cannabinoids are psychoactive ingredients which cause complex behavioural changes with stimulant and depressed properties. This article therefore; aims at raising more awareness concerning the health-damaging consequences of bhang abuse

Psychiatric patients presenting with HIV-infection in Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a serious threat of depopulation in several developing African countries. This study analyses 20 HIV infected patients who were admitted at Muhimbili psychiatric unit from 1st January 1988 till 30th June 1989. Psychiatric symptoms with their respective diagnoses included various physical manifestations of HIV infections are tabulated. Relevant neurological changes are discussed in light of other views