Francis Walugembe

Background: This systematic review examined the impact of road safety education (RSE) on lowering teenage traffic accidents and injuries in Southeast Asia based on existing literature. We evaluated the effectiveness of road safety education programs, contextual and cultural adaptations, the integration of practical training, implementation challenges, and the long-term impacts on changing teenage behaviour. Material and Methods: The study followed the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This involved counting the number of studies showing a positive, negative, or no effect. A search of the articles in the electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted. The effectiveness of RSE was assessed by vote counting, tallying the number of studies showing positive, neutral, or negative impacts on teenage driving behaviour aged 13-19 years. A total of seventeen studies were selected for inclusion using predefined criteria. Results: Upon conducting a systematic review, 17 key studies were identified for inclusion, reflecting diverse methodologies and focus areas. Across the research, it is evident that teenagers benefit significantly from receiving both theoretical knowledge and practical training. This comprehensive approach enhances their confidence and skills in adhering to traffic safety laws. Moreover, the involvement of parents and communities emerges as a vital factor for the success of educational initiatives. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the paramount importance of prioritizing long-term behavioural change and sustainability in road safety initiatives, particularly focusing on teenagers. It advocates for a comprehensive approach involving community and parental engagement alongside educational programs. The findings emphasize the necessity for policymakers in Southeast Asia to allocate funding towards culturally sensitive and standardized RSE programs, integrating practical training and long-term reinforcement strategies.

Undernutrition in children is predominantly linked to lack of a balanced diet resulting from inadequate nutrition intake. This form of malnutrition remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality under-five children, especially prevalent in low-income countries. Understanding the specific factors contributing to undernutrition among this group, particularly those associated with caregivers, is vital yet insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and evaluate caregivers’ perceptions regarding the factors influencing under-nutrition among children under-five in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A qualitative study was conducted at Sinza Palestina Hospital in Ubungo Municipal Council, Dar es Salaam, from January 2019 to December 2019. In-depth interviews were carried out with caregivers of undernourished children to explore their thoughts, perceptions, and views on the factors contributing to under-nutrition among this demographic. A semi-structured interview guide facilitated data collection, allowing for comprehensive exploration. Recorded data underwent transcription. And thematic content analysis was utilized to identify caregivers’ perceptions and views, highlighting codes and subcategories that represented factors influencing under-nutrition. A total of 26 participants were purposefully selected among caregivers who provided consent during the study period was included. The study revealed several primary factors contributing to under-nutrition among under-five children. Among these, poor adherences to WHO recommended feeding practices by caregivers, exacerbated by poverty resulting from low monthly income. This economic limitation impeded families’ ability to provide essential nutritious foods for their children. Additionally, limited time available for childcare emerged as main factors contributed to under-nutrition. Notably, while caregivers exhibited a good understanding of malnutrition and its causes, their perceptions did not align with WHO definition of under-nutrition. Addressing nutrition among under five children necessitates comprehensive support for caregivers, including economic empowerment and education on WHO-recommended feeding practices. Encouraging adherence to these practices is vital. Additionally, care givers should allocate sufficient time for breastfeeding and preparing complementary food for their children.

INTRODUCTION: Over 90% of injuries and deaths still occur in low and middle-income countries like Tanzania due to Road traffic accidents. Available literature indicates that Tanzania suffers massive human and economic losses every year from RTAs despite several interventions that have been made to curb this scourge. To gain an insight into the current state of RTAs we examined the pre- historical case fatality rates from RTAs in Ilala and two other municipalities (Kinondoni and Temeke) in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study using the secondary data on road accidents from Road Accident Information System (RAIS) for the period 2014 to 2018.