Dietary supplements are products consumed to provide nutrients or other substances that the user may not consume in sufficient amounts through normal diets. Despite their increased global popularity, there is still scant information regarding the use of dietary supplements and associated factors among adult populations in Tanzania. This study aimed to assess the extent of dietary supplement use and factors associated with use among adults working in urban settings. This was a cross-sectional study involving 419 adults working in public and private institutions within the Ilala District of Dar es Salaam who were selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study’s data was collected using quantitative methods through a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics for frequencies, means, standard deviations, and proportions; cross-tabulations with chi-square tests for comparing observed differences in supplement use; and multivariable logistic regression for identifying factors associated with supplement use. A P-value of <.05 was considered statistically significant in the analysis. The prevalence of dietary supplement use among working adults was 46.5%, where 36.9% reported regular and 63.1% occasional supplement use, respectively. Seven types of dietary supplements were identified to be consumed, of which 45.1% of the respondents consumed more than one type of dietary supplement. Multivitamins (64.1%) were the most frequently reported type of supplement consumed, followed by Mineral (34.9%) and Herbal/Botanical (26.7%) supplements. The most commonly reported reason for dietary supplement use among working adults was to improve overall health (67.1%). A third of the users (35.9%) admitted to self-prescribing dietary supplements without seeking professional medical advice. The use of dietary supplements was significantly associated with being female (AOR = 2.243, 95% CI 1.415-3.555, P = .001) and knowledgeable of supplements (AOR = 6.756, 95% CI 4.092-11.154, P < .001). Overall, the use of dietary supplements is popular among adults working within urban settings, but its use is exacerbated by perceived knowledge and self-prescription instead of health professional advice. Therefore, there is a need for further studies to explain better the underlying drivers for perceived knowledge on decision-making. There is also a strong need for extensive health education to prevent inappropriate or excessive use of supplements which might lead to potential adverse events.
Nutrition is a very important component for the growth and development of any society, specifically for the prevention and control of a range of diseases. In Tanzania, despite a great variability of nutrition status by different characteristics, generally the majority of the populations have poor nutrition. Kagera is among the 26 regions of mainland Tanzania with a total projected population of about 2.5 million. The nutrition status among residents is poor with multifactorial determinants. In this paper, we present qualitative data collected using in-depth interviews with key adult men and women informants in the four Tanzania-Uganda border districts. The main objective was to establish possible causes of the reported low nutrition in Kagera Region. Majority of study participants were affirmative of the availability and plenty of food; the main problem being poor dietary diversification knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices. They recommend various measures that could improve the current nutrition status. These measures include nutrition education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels; health education at health facility level that will include nutrition topics and peer education at community level; introduction of nutrition bylaws in the community and vitalizing peer education social groups among males and females about the importance of dietary diversification. Therefore, future nutrition research should include culture, religion, and traditional indicators to inform food and nutrition interventions and policy in similar populations to the Tanzania-Uganda borderlanders.
Background: Workers in grain milling industries are exposed to grain dust released during milling processes. Exposure to grain dust is associated to various respiratory symptoms such as phlegm, breathlessness, and cough and wheezing and it also leads reduced lung function. This study aimed at determining grain dust exposure levels and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and Lung function among grain mill workers Dar es Salaam. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was used to collect information on Respiratory symptoms among 264 grain mill workers and 100 controls by using a Questionnaire. Lung function tests were carried out on 180 grain mill workers and 68 controls by using an easy one spirometer while Personal dust exposure was measured on 30 grain mill workers and 5 controls by using PVC filters of 8µm pore size on two piece filter cassette mounted on Sidekick Casella (SKC) pump. P value of less than 0.05 was used as criteria for significant association. Ethical clearance was approved by the ethical clearance board of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences research and publication Committee. Results: Grain workers were exposed to higher levels of total dust with GM 12.15mg/m3 (GSD 1.53) than the control GM mg/m3 (GSD). Most of the workers in grain milling industries 66.7% were exposed to dust concentrations above the OEL (10mg/m3). The Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among grain mill workers, (51.1%, 41.3%, 33.7%, 17%and 9.8% for cough, phlegm, breathlessness, tightness and wheezing respectively than in controls (28%, 19%, 21%, 8% and 5% for cough, phlegm, breathlessness, tightness and wheezing respectively. 26% and 21% of Grain workers were exposed to higher levels of total dust with GM 12.15 mg/m3(GSD 1.53) than control GM 0.17 mg/m3 (GSD 0.35). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust in a working environment causes the increase in work related respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function. This study recommends the use of control measures to decrease dust exposure level among mill workers, also periodic medical examination should be conducted to assess workers health. A cohort study nationwide might give yield a more generalized outcome.
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