Factors Affecting Cotrimoxazole Prophylactic Therapy Compliance in HIV Patients Attending a Care and Treatment Clinic at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania

Introduction: Cotrimoxazole Prophylactic Therapy (CPT) compliance lowers the risk of opportunistic infections and other Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related diseases. The aim of this study was to examine factors that influence compliance with CPT among HIV patients in the Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the BMC between April 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured questionnaire. Data are presented in frequency, percentages, and cross-tabulation tables. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of compliance with CPT by self-reported measurement was 158 (63.7%). Most CPT-compliant participants were more likely to have a spouse who is familiar with CPT, have a family member who is aware of their HIV status, and be aware of the benefits of CPT. The majority of participants who complied with CPT were more likely to have experienced counseling during refill, felt that the length of time spent seeing doctors for treatment was reasonable, and received accurate information from them. Conclusion: Most adult HIV patients attending CTC at BMC were reported to be in compliance with CPT. These findings suggest that improving social support and patient-provider communication may be effective strategies for improving compliance with CPT among HIV patients.

<i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>in Birds’ Feces: A Public Health Threat to Vegetables and Irrigation Farmers

The rising trend of resistance in Acintobacter baumannii had in recent days become a public health care concern with most literature reported from samples collected from hospital environment. This research therefore, wishes to determine the occurrence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii in birds’ droppings, associated with irrigated farms vegetables, for epidemiological update and future clinical forecast. Forty eight birds fecal samples were collected and processed for isolation and identification of A. baumannii on MacConkey agar and Microbact 24E (Oxoid), and tested against 10 commonly used antibiotics (quinolones, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides). A. baumannii was isolated from 31.25% of samples and had shown more resistant to ceporex (100.00%) and to streptomycin with 80.00% and 90.00% for Jakara and Sharada farms’ fecal samples respectively;isolates were however sensitive to co-trimoxazole. Forty eight (46.67%) of the isolates were resistant to at least 6 drugs, with strong correlation between some drugs. By this result, wild birds’ fecal materials demonstrate high potential of A. baumannii carrying capacity and dissemination, and thus pose risk of contaminating vegetables, infecting human and transmitting resistance phenotype to other non-multidrug-resistant bacteria—a situation quite challenging to health care management and public health. And thus it further suggests for screening of additional probable contributing factors, so as to develop possible detailed transmission pathway and control strategies.