A pilot study of implementing an adapted model for integration of interventions for people with alcohol use disorders in Tanzanian primary healthcare facilities.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring that evidence-based interventions for people with alcohol use disorders (AUD) are acceptable, effective, and feasible in different socio-cultural and health system contexts is essential. We previously adapted a model of integration of AUD interventions for the Tanzanian primary healthcare system. This pilot study aimed to assess the impact on AUD detection and the acceptability and feasibility of the facility-based components of this model from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs). METHODS: This mixed-methods study comprised a pre-post quasi-experimental study and a qualitative study. The integrated model included training HCPs in managing AUD, introducing systematic screening for AUD, documentation of AUD service utilization, and supportive supervision. We collected information on the number of people identified for AUD three months before and after piloting the service model. A non-parametric trend test, a distribution-free cumulative sum test, was used to identify a change in the identification rate of AUD beyond that observed due to secular trends or, by chance, three months before and after implementing the integrated AUD facility-based interventions. The Mann-Kendal test was used to assess the statistical significance of the trend. We conducted three focus group discussions exploring the experience of HCPs and their perspectives on facilitators, barriers, and strategies to overcome them. The focus group discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: During the pre-implementation phase of the facility-based interventions of the adapted AUD model, HCPs assessed 322 people for AUD over three months, ranging from a minimum of 99 to a maximum of 122 per month. Of these, 77 were identified as having AUD. Moreover, HCPs screened 2058 people for AUD during implementation; a minimum of 528 to a maximum of 843 people were screened for AUD per month for the three months. Of these, 514 screened positive for AUD (AUDIT ≥ 8). However, this change in screening for AUD was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.06). HCPs reported that knowledge and skills from the training helped them identify and support people they would not usually consider having problematic alcohol use. Perceived barriers to implementation included insufficient health personnel compared to needs and inconvenient health management information systems. HCPs proposed strategies to overcome these factors and recommended multisectoral engagement beyond the health system. CONCLUSIONS: Although the change in the trend in the number of people screened for AUD by HCPs post-implementation was not statistically significant, it is still feasible to implement the facility-based components of the adapted integrated AUD model while addressing the identified bottlenecks and strategies for implementation. Therefore, a large-scale, adequately powered implementation feasibility study is needed. Findings from this study will be used to finalize the adapted model for integrating AUD interventions for future implementation and larger-scale evaluation.

Evaluation of the Residual Efficacy of Actellic300 CS in Simple Huts in Central Ethiopia.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is one of the key vector control tools with a long history of use in the world. Ethiopia has set a goal to eliminate malaria from selected districts mainly by applying IRS and the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets. IRS is applied in low malaria transmission districts which are epidemic prone and in districts with high malaria transmission. Ethiopia uses insecticides that are recommended by World Health Organization; these insecticides must also be registered in Ethiopia. The registration of new and potential products requires confirmatory, local efficacy trials to be performed. Actellic 300CS, now registered, is one of such potential product. Actellic 300CS showed average mortalities of 99.6%, 99.6%, and 99.0% on the sprayed surfaces in the experimental huts, the top, middle, and bottom sections, respectively during the first 6 mo of the study period. Beyond 6 mo, (7, 8, and 9 mo) follow-up, mortalities for the top, middle, and bottom sections were 85.2%, 86.3%, and 85.2%, respectively. The results showed that the residual efficacy of Actellic 300CS was up to 9 mo with the first 6 mo exhibiting mortalities of greater than 99% while the next 3 mo showed mortalities exceeding 85%. Actellic 300CS was effective against fully susceptible laboratory-reared Anopheles arabiensis on all four surface types (rough, smooth, dung, and painted surfaces) tested in this study and could be used as one of the chemical insecticides of choice for the ongoing IRS programs in Ethiopia.

Defining weaning age of camel calves in Eastern Ethiopia.

This experiment was conducted with the aim to define the weaning age of camel calves managed with pastoral farmers in eastern Ethiopia. Twenty camel calves (11 males and 9 females) were randomly assigned into five blocks based on their birth date. Calves within a block were further assigned to one of the four Treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4). Calves in T1, T2, and T3 were weaned at 6, 8, and 10 months of age and supplemented with concentrate from weaning up to 12 months of age, respectively. They were supplemented with a mixture of noug seed (Guizotia abyssinica) cake and wheat bran at a ratio of 40% and 60%, respectively. Calves in T4 (control) were weaned at 12 months of age, hence were not supplemented with concentrate. Calves in all treatment groups browsed natural vegetation for 8 hours a day. Post weaning performance was evaluated for all calves at 14 months of age. The mean daily concentrate intake was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the dry season compared to the wet season. Daily weight gain was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by treatment, sex of calves, and season of birth. Calves supplemented with concentrate gained relatively more weight (P < 0.001) than calves not supplemented. Calves born during the short rainy season gained more weight than those born during the short and long dry season. Three calves died, two from T3 and one from T4. From the study it was concluded that weaning calves at 8 months of age and supplementing with concentrate to the age of 12 months of age resulted in good post weaning growth rate and survivability of calves.

Serological survey of caprine toxoplasmosis in Ethiopia: prevalence and risk factors.

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats in Southern and central Ethiopia between October 2005 and May 2006. A total of 641 goats sera were tested using Modified Direct Agglutination Test (MAT), of which 480 (74.8% CI: 71.3, 78.2) were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was recorded in South Omo zone (82%) while the lowest was observed in East Shewa zone (62.2%). The study revealed that goats raised in southern Ethiopia are at a greater risk of acquiring T. gondii infection (OR = 2.55, CI: 1.726, 3.776; p = 0.000) than those which are raised in central Ethiopia. The prevalence of anti T. gondii antibody was significantly higher in older goats than in kids (OR = 2.33, CI: 1.490, 3.655; p < 0.0002) and in females than in males (p < 0.0007; OR = 0.68, CI: 0.542, 0.849). No significant difference was observed among goats kept under various husbandry practices. The high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Ethiopian goats suggests a high risk of human infections. Further epidemiological investigation, isolation and genotyping of T. gondii are planned.