Authors :
Vulstan James Shedura; Ally Kassim Hussein; Salum Kassim Nyanga; Doreen Donald Kamori; Geofrey Joseph Mchau
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3C5mKIJ
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6997178
Abstract :
To describe epidemiology, seasonality,
burden and identify new viral strains of influenza in
Tanzania, in 2008 the country initiated the National
Influenza Surveillance System.This study aimed at
assessingthe distribution, trend and associated
demographic factors for influenza cases in Tanzania
from 2016 to 2019.
Methodology: Was a cross-sectional study using
secondary data obtained from national laboratory
information systemat National Influenza Center (NIC)
dataset from 2016 to 2019.
Results: A total of 7260 swab samples were collected
between 2016 to 2019 from clients with a median age of 4
years [Interquartile range (IQR) =25; (26,1)], most
samples (53.4%) were from patients aged under five
years. From the samples collected,58% (4137/7171) were
from Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) clients while 42%
(3034/7171) were from those who hadSevere Acute
Respiratory Illness (SARI).Laboratory confirmation was
done by PCR technique whereby cases were 17% with a
higher prevalence of influenza A [12% (881/7260)] as
compared to influenza B [5% (373/7260)].Sixty seven
percent(844/1254) of positive samples were from patients
enrolled with ILI. We observed the seasonality of
influenza withincreased cases in rainy and cold
seasons.Individuals with SARI had 25% less likelihood
of testing positive for Influenza as compared to those
presenting with ILI"(aOR 0.75, 95% CI [0.64-0.89],
p=0.001).
Conclusion: Children aged under five years, being the
most affected group, requires nonstop support and
care.ILI cases need attention in care and
management,having known the seasonality of the disease
apprises for the proper allocation of resources for the
surveillance activities.
Keywords :
Influenza, Sentinel surveillance, Severe acute respiratory infections, Influenza like illness, National public health laboratory, National influenza center.
To describe epidemiology, seasonality,
burden and identify new viral strains of influenza in
Tanzania, in 2008 the country initiated the National
Influenza Surveillance System.This study aimed at
assessingthe distribution, trend and associated
demographic factors for influenza cases in Tanzania
from 2016 to 2019.
Methodology: Was a cross-sectional study using
secondary data obtained from national laboratory
information systemat National Influenza Center (NIC)
dataset from 2016 to 2019.
Results: A total of 7260 swab samples were collected
between 2016 to 2019 from clients with a median age of 4
years [Interquartile range (IQR) =25; (26,1)], most
samples (53.4%) were from patients aged under five
years. From the samples collected,58% (4137/7171) were
from Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) clients while 42%
(3034/7171) were from those who hadSevere Acute
Respiratory Illness (SARI).Laboratory confirmation was
done by PCR technique whereby cases were 17% with a
higher prevalence of influenza A [12% (881/7260)] as
compared to influenza B [5% (373/7260)].Sixty seven
percent(844/1254) of positive samples were from patients
enrolled with ILI. We observed the seasonality of
influenza withincreased cases in rainy and cold
seasons.Individuals with SARI had 25% less likelihood
of testing positive for Influenza as compared to those
presenting with ILI"(aOR 0.75, 95% CI [0.64-0.89],
p=0.001).
Conclusion: Children aged under five years, being the
most affected group, requires nonstop support and
care.ILI cases need attention in care and
management,having known the seasonality of the disease
apprises for the proper allocation of resources for the
surveillance activities.
Keywords :
Influenza, Sentinel surveillance, Severe acute respiratory infections, Influenza like illness, National public health laboratory, National influenza center.
