Epidemiological analysis of tongue lesions in a tertiary health facility in Tanzania

Background: The tongue is susceptible to a multitude of conditions that can be of developmental, neoplastic, or inflammatory nature, whose occurrence varies globally by age, sex, and ethnicity. The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of tongue lesions among cases managed in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methods: This study analyzed histological results of patients with tongue lesions diagnosed between 2016 and 2021. Data on the age and sex of the patients and histological diagnosis were collected. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27. Results: A total of 190 samples of tongue lesions were studied and 18 different histological diagnoses were observed. Generally, a majority (84.2%) of the biopsied tongue lesions were malignant. The most common (74.7%) lesions diagnosed were squamous cell carcinoma followed by hemangioma (5.3%). A significant association was noted between the nature of the lesions and the age group and sex of the patients. Conclusion: This analysis depicts that tongue lesions are frequently encountered in patients managed in tertiary health facilities in Tanzania. A majority of these lesions are malignant tumors. The sex and age of the patients are determining factors for the occurrence of tongue lesions

Dental fear and its related factors among patients managed in a paediatric dental clinic of a university hospital in Tanzania

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental fear and its related factors among patients managed in a pediatric dental clinic of a university hospital in Tanzania. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the paediatric dental clinic of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) between November 2018 and April 2019. It included all paediatric dental patients aged between 6 and 12 years. A questionnaire used in this study captured information regarding patient's socio-demographic characteristics and the number of previous visits to the dental clinic. A fifteen-item Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) was used to assess the dental fear status in these pediatric patients. Results: A total of 223 paediatric dental patients aged between 6 years and 12 years were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 9.52 ± 1.74 years with a male to female ratio ofl: 1.04. The means CFSS-DS score was 31.1 ± 8.57. Fear scores were high for Injections (3.37 ± 1.13), a stranger's touch (2.81 ± 1.08) and choking (2.69 ± 0.99). The presence of dental fear was found to be significantly associated with the parents' education level (p=0.001) and previous dental visits (p < 0.001 ). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of paediatric dental fear was low among the participants of this study. The education level of parents and previous dental visits were determinants of dental fear in children. Injections, being touched by strangers, and choking were the common fear-provoking factors.

Beliefs about Traditional Uvulectomy and Teething: Awareness and Perception among Adults in Tanzanian Rural Setting

Background: Teething has been associated with varieties of childhood illnesses. Traditional uvulectomy has been an ongoing practice in some societies. Both teething and traditional uvulectomy have strong linkage to beliefs, values and practices. This study aimed at documenting the awareness and perception of society regarding traditional uvulectomy and beliefs about teething in Tanzania. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in central region of Tanzania, encompassing adult population, who were obtained by stratified two stage sampling technique. The oldest person per household was interviewed. A questionnaire consisting of questions regarding traditional uvulectomy and beliefs about teething was used to collect data. Analysis of data was done using computer program SPSS version 19 whereby the level of significance for Chi-square was set at p-value of ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 371 participants were included and of these, 90.3% believed that long uvula may cause ill health. The notion of prolonged cough indicates unhealthy uvula was found in 86.8% of participants. With regard to teething, 60.6% considered a child born with teeth means a curse in family. Symptoms that are perceived to be caused by teething include diarrhoea (84.6%) and fever (54.4%). Other reported symptoms include drooling of saliva, crying vomiting and irritability. Conclusion: Majority of society members still link illnesses in children with either elongated uvula and/or teething. Awareness on traditional ways of treating diseased uvula may be detrimental as people’s awareness tends to influence their practice. Deliberate efforts should be put forward to educate pregnant women during their visits to antenatal and natal clinics especially in the rural areas regarding oral health of children.

Misconceptions on Causes and Management of Dental Caries: Experience from Central Tanzanian Society

Background: Misconceptions about causation and management of diseases are common in societies, thereby affecting health seeking behavior, including for oral diseases. Thus, this study aimed at determining the misconceptions on causes and management of dental caries in central Tanzanian society. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in central zone of Tanzania, comprising of people aged 18 years and above, who were obtained by stratified two stage sampling technique. The oldest person per household was interviewed. A questionnaire consisting of questions regarding misconception on causes and management of dental caries, use of local remedies and treatment seeking behaviour was used to collect data. Analysis of data was done using computer program SPSS version 19 whereby the level of significance for Chi-square was set at p-value of ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 371 participants were included. There were more female participants with male to female ratio of 0.8:1. The age range of respondents was 18 to 81 years with mean age of 38.04 ±13.2 years. The overall incidence of misconception was 87%. With regards to age, sex, and marital status; the misconceptions were more prevalent in females, older adults and those who ever married. The most common misconception was “extraction of upper jaw teeth can lead to head swelling and death”. Conclusion: Misconceptions concerning dental caries and its management are very widespread in Tanzanian society. They are more common amongst those who have ever married and older adults. Use of local remedies is very common amongst individuals of all walks of life.