Back to fellows
Profile Background
profile

Dr
Debora Kajeguka

Related fellows

Dr Moses Egesa

Associate Professor Maowia Mukhtar

Associate Professor

View
Dr Moses Egesa

Associate Professor Richard Phillips

Scientific Director (KCCR), Associate Professor of Medicine

View
Dr Moses Egesa

Mrs Sètondji Diane Edwige Zanvo

Epidémiologist

View
Show more

Current Organisation

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo)

Current Job Title

Senior Lecturer

Biography

Publications

Authors:
Robert D. Kaaya, Debora C. Kajeguka, Johnson J. Matowo, Arnold J. Ndaro, Franklin W. Mosha, Jaffu O. Chilongola Reginald A. Kavishe

Journal:
BMC Research Notes

Content:

Objective

A community-based cross-sectional study was done to assess Plasmodium falciparum exposure in areas with different malaria endemicity in north-eastern Tanzania using serological markers; PfAMA-1 and PfMSP-119.

Results

Bondo had a higher seroprevalence 36.6% (188) for PfAMA-1 as compared to Hai 13.8% (33), χ2 = 34.66, p < 0.01. Likewise, Bondo had a higher seroprevalence 201(36.6%) for PfMSP-1 as compared to Hai 41 (17.2%), χ2 = 29.62, p < 0.01. Anti-PfAMA-1 titters were higher in malaria positive individuals (n = 47) than in malaria negative individuals (n = 741) (p = 0.07). Anti-PfMSP-1 antibody concentrations were significantly higher in malaria-positive individuals (n = 47) than in malaria-negative individuals (n = 741) (p = 0.003). Antibody response against PfAMA-1 was significantly different between the three age groups; < 5 years, 5 to 15 years and > 15 years in both sites of Bondo and Hai. Likewise, antibody response against PfMSP-119 was significantly different between the three age groups in the two sites (p < 0.001). We also found significant differences in the anti-PfAMA-1and anti-PfMSP-119 antibody concentrations among the three age groups in the two sites (p = 0.004 and 0.005) respectively. Immunological indicators of P. falciparum exposure have proven to be useful in explaining long-term changes in the transmission dynamics, especially in low transmission settings.

 

Date:
2021-11-01

Authors:
DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA Manisha A. Kulkarni Rachelle E. Desrochers Debora C. Kajeguka Robert Diotrephes Kaaya Andrew Tomayer Eliningaya J. Kweka Natacha Protopopoff Franklin W. Mosha

Journal:
Frontiers in Public Health

Content:

Date:
2016-12-21

Authors:
DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA Jaffu Chilongola Elizabeth Msoka Adinan Juma Elimsaada Kituma Edith Kwigizile Balthazar Nyombi

Journal:
Tanzania Journal of Health Research

Content:
Background: Irrational antibiotic use is an important factor for development and spread of resistance to currently used antibiotics. This study was carried out to assess antibiotic prescribing practices among cases diagnosed as malaria at three hospitals in Moshi Municipality in northern Tanzania.Methods: This was a cross sectional, retrospective study that included patients files from Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Mawenzi Regional Hospital and St Joseph Hospital. Patient files whose primary provisional diagnosis was malaria were analysed using a convenient sampling method. Variables of interest were the types of medications prescribed, whether or not a laboratory test was requested and treatment was initiated before laboratory reports.Results: A total of 250 patients’ files were included in the analysis (KCMC=62.8%; Mawenzi=23.2%; St. Joseph=14.0%). In 232 (92.8%) prescriptions made in the three hospitals, laboratory tests were requested to confirm diagnoses. Among laboratory tests requested, 89.2% were blood slides for microscopic detection of malaria parasites, 3.01% malaria rapid diagnostic tests and 3.01% other tests. The majority of prescriptions across all three hospitals (KCMC=86.4%; Mawenzi=91.4%; St. Joseph= 72.4%; X2=7.787). Clinicians at Mawenzi were more likely to start treatment before laboratory findings than their counterparts at KCMC and St Joseph hospitals (X2=7.787, p≤0.05). A significantly higher number of prescriptions made before laboratory findings were observed at KCMC than Mawenzi and St. Joseph hospitals (X2=7.787, p<0.05). Prescriptions from KCMC were more likely to include at least one type of antibiotic than in the other two facilities. Over one third (KCMC=34.0%; St. Joseph=42.1%; Mawenzi=38.1%) of the prescriptions made contained at least one type of an antibiotic. There was a strong association between health facilities and antibiotics prescription in which KCMC prescribed antibiotics at the highest rate while Mawenzi Regional Hospital prescribed antibiotics at the lowest rates (X2=29.234, p<0.001).Conclusion: Antibiotics are prescribed at a high rate among provisionally diagnosed malaria cases before availability of laboratory results. Efforts should be made to improve laboratory services in terms of trained personnel and equipment to reduce irrational use of antibiotics in provisionally diagnosed malaria cases.

Date:
2015-06-24

Authors:
Adela Budimu Basiliana Emidi, BSc, MSc, PhD, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Sixbert Mkumbaye DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA

Journal:
Journal of Tropical Medicine

Content:
Background. Effective case management is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies. However, the level of adherence to the malaria diagnostic test and treatment guideline is not known, particularly at Meatu district. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the adherence, awareness, access, and use of standard diagnosis and treatment guidelines among healthcare workers in Meatu district. Method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which enrolled a total of 196 healthcare workers in Meatu district. Healthcare workers were sampled purposively to reach the required sample size. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results. Generally, 189 (96.4%) were aware of malaria treatment guidelines, while 148 (75.5%) had access and 98 (50.0%) used malaria treatment guidelines. One hundred and seven (54.6%) of all the healthcare workers adhered strictly to the diagnosis and national treatment guidelines. Ten (5.1%) partially adhered to the guideline when choosing antimalarials without confirmed malaria cases. Nonadherence to the prescription of recommended antimalarial drugs and laboratory confirmation was 79 (40.3%). Conclusion. Half of healthcare worker’s adhere to malaria diagnostic test and treatment guidelines. Most the healthcare workers are aware of the malaria diagnostic test and treatment guidelines. Continued education and assessment of the personal attitudes towards malaria diagnostic test and treatment guidelines are recommended.

Date:
2020-02-18

Authors:
DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA

Journal:
Infect. Dis. Rep

Content:

Date:
2022-10-25

Authors:
DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA Jaffu Chilongola Arnold Ndaro Hipolite Tarimo Tamara Shedrack Sakurani Barthazary Robert Kaaya Alutu Masokoto Debora Kajeguka Reginald A. Kavishe John Lusingu

Journal:
Malaria Research and Treatment

Content:
We aimed to determine the current prevalence of fourP. falciparumcandidate artemisinin resistance biomarkers L263E, E431K, A623E, and S769N in thepfatpase6gene in a high transmission area in Tanzania in a retrospective cross sectional study using 154 archived samples collected from three previous malaria studies in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Mutations inpfatpase6gene were detected in parasite DNA isolated from Dried Blood Spots by using PCR-RFLP. We observed overall allelic frequencies for L263E, E431K, A623E, and S769N to be 5.8% (9/154), 16.2% (25/154), 0.0% (0/154), and 3.9% (6/154). The L263E mutation was not detected in 2010 but occurred at 3.9% and 2.6% in 2011 and 2013 respectively. The L263E mutation showed a significant change of frequency between 2010 and 2011, but not between 2011 and 2013P<0.05. Frequency of E431K was highest of all without any clear trend whereas S769N increased from 2.2% in 2010 to 3.6% in 2011 and 5.1% in 2013. A623E mutation was not detected. The worrisome detection and the increase in the frequency of S769N and other mutations calls for urgent assessment of temporal changes of known artemisinin biomarkers in association within vivoACT efficacy.

Date:
2015-01-05

Authors:

Journal:
Tropical Medicine and International Health

Content:

Date:
2017-03-01

Authors:

Journal:
BMC Infectious Diseases

Content:

Date:
2016-04-01

Authors:

Journal:
Tanzania Journal of Health Research

Content:

Date:
2017-01-01

Authors:
Debora C. Kajeguka a * Maulid Msonga a Karin L. Schiøler c Dan W. Meyrowitsch c Polyxeni Syrianou e Filemoni Tenu a f Michael Alifrangis b Franklin W. Mosha a Reginald A. Kavishe a d

Journal:

Content:

Date:
2017-01-01

Authors:
Nancy A. Kassam Daniel Laswai Neema Kulaya Robert D. Kaaya Debora C. Kajeguka Christentze Schmiegelow Christian W. Wang Michael Alifrangis Reginald A. Kavishe

Journal:
PLoS ONE

Content:

Background The level of human exposure to arbovirus vectors, the Aedes mosquitoes, is mainly assessed by entomological methods which are labour intensive, difficult to sustain at a large scale and are affected if transmission and exposure levels are low. Alternatively, serological biomarkers which detect levels of human exposure to mosquito bites may complement the existing epidemiologic tools as they seem cost-effective, simple, rapid, and sensitive. This study explored human IgG responses to an Aedes mosquito salivary gland peptide Nterm34kDa in Lower Moshi, a highland area with evidence of circulating arboviruses and compared the Aedes IgG responses to Anopheles mosquitoes’ salivary antigen (GSG6-P1) IgG responses. Methods Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2019: during the first dry season in March, at the end of the rainy season in June and during the second dry season in September in five villages located in Lower Moshi. Blood samples were collected from enrolled participants above six months of age (age span: 7 months to 94 years) and analysed for the presence of anti-Nterm-34kDa IgG antibodies. Possible associations between Nterm-34kDa seroprevalence and participants’ characteristics were determined. Levels of IgG responses and seroprevalence were correlated and compared to the already measured IgG responses and seroprevalence of Anopheles mosquitoes’ salivary antigen, GSG6-P1. Results During the first dry season, Nterm-34kDa seroprevalence was 34.1% and significantly increased at the end of the rainy season to 45.3% (Chi square (χ2 ) = 6.42 p = 0.011). During the second dry season, the seroprevalence significantly declined to 26.5% (χ2 = 15.12 p<0.001). During the rainy season, seroprevalence was significantly higher among residents of Oria village (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.0–7.8; p = 0.041) compared to Newland. Moreover, during the rainy season, the risk of exposure was significantly lower among individuals aged between 16 and 30 years (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.1 = 0.9; p = 0.036) compared to individuals aged between 0 and 5 years. There was weak to moderate negative correlation between N-term 34kDa IgG and gSG6-P1 antigens. N-term 34kDa seroprevalence were higher compared to gSG6-P1 seroprevalence. Conclusion The findings of this study support that IgG antibody responses towards the Aedes mosquito salivary peptide Nterm-34kDa are detectable among individuals living in lower Moshi and vary with season and geographical area. More individuals are exposed to Aedes mosquito bites than Anopheles mosquito and those exposed to Aedes bites are not necessarily exposed to Anopheles mosquitoes

Date:
2022-02-07

Authors:
Samwel Saringe Debora C. Kajeguka Dickson D. Kagirwa Maseke R. Mgabo and Basiliana Emidi

Journal:

Content:

Date:
2019-01-01

Authors:
Fat-hiya Abdi Hussein Akili Mawazo Jacqueline J. Mwakibinga Rosemary Malya Rukia Rajab Bakar Adonira T. Saro Debora Charles Kajeguka

Journal:
East African Science

Content:

Background

Antibiotic self-medication has been on the rise in different parts of the world.

Antibiotic self-medication causes excessive antibiotic exposure to humans which is associated with many health risks including antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to assess practice and determine the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among undergraduate students.

Methodology

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the practice and knowledge of antibiotic self-medication among undergraduate students. A total of 300 undergraduate students were purposively sampled. The association between categorical predictors and antibiotic self-medication was presented as Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CIs) using logistic regression.

Result

The prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among undergraduate students is 191(63.7%) with amoxicillin 103(53.9%) being the most used antibiotic for treatment of respiratory disorders 109(57.1%) and gastrointestinal disorders 50(26.2%). Pharmacy is the major source of antibiotics used for self-medication 165(86.4%). Delayed/queue in seeking hospitals services was the main reason for practicing antibiotic self-medication 74(38.7%).

Conclusion

The study observed a high prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among undergraduate students. This calls for immediate implementation of public health programs aimed at increasing awareness of consequences that may results from antibiotic self-medication. At the policy-making level, there is an urgent need to legislate and enforce laws restricting access to antibiotics in Tanzania.

 

Date:
2022-03-31

Authors:
DEBORA C. KAJEGUKA1* ROBERT D. KAAYA1 RACHELLE DESROCHERS 2 MAHMOOD IRANPOUR3 REGINALD A. KAVISHE1 STEVEN MWAKALINGA1 KARIN L. SCHIØLER5 MICHAEL ALIFRANGIS4 L. ROBBIN LINDSAY3 ANTONIA DIBERNARDO3 FRANKLIN W. MOSHA1 and MANISHA A. KULKARNI6

Journal:

Content:

Date:
2017-01-01

Authors:
Debora C. Kajeguka Robert D. Kaaya Steven Mwakalinga Rogathe Ndossi Arnold Ndaro 1 3 1 4 1 3 2 Jaffu O. Chilongola Franklin W. Mosha Karin L. Schiøler Reginald A. Kavishe and Michael Alifrangis

Journal:

Content:

Date:
2016-01-01

Authors:

Journal:
Canadian Conference on Global Health

Content:

Date:
2014-01-01

Authors:

Journal:
6th East Africa Health and Scientific Conference

Content:

Date:
2017-03-01

Authors:
DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA Lutengano W. Mwanginde Mtebe Majigo Debora C. Kajeguka Agricola Joachim

Journal:
International Journal of Microbiology

Content:
Background. Bacteria possessing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially E. coli and Klebsiella species, are problematic, particularly in hospitalized patients. Poultry meat vendors are at risk of carrying ESBL-producing bacteria when processing and handling meat products in an unhygienic environment. There is limited information on the carriage rate of ESBL-producing pathogens among poultry meat vendors that necessitated the conduction of the study. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among poultry meat vendors in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants provided rectal swabs in transport media upon instruction. The primary isolation of ESBL-producing bacteria was carried out using MacConkey agar supplemented with ceftazidime. Identification of isolates relied on conventional methods. Double-disk synergy was the method used to confirm ESBL-producing isolates. We performed descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 300 participants were recruited from five districts, with a mean age of 27.2 ± 6.7 years. The majority was male (67.3%), and 74.7% worked as poultry meat vendors for more than one year. Out of 300 participants, 107 (35.7%) had confirmed ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. The majority of confirmed ESBL-producing isolates was E. coli (78.5%). Participants from Ubungo District had significantly higher carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. (48.0%, 95% CI: 34.8–47.7) than Temeke District (21.4%, 95% CI: 13.4–32.4). Only 28.0% of participants had access to latrines at the workplace, and all working areas lacked access to running water. Conclusion. The study revealed a relatively high fecal carriage rate of ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. among poultry meat vendors. Poor working environments and hygienic practices are risks for spread of these multidrug-resitant pathogens.

Date:
2021-03-03

Authors:
Esha Homenauth Debora Kajeguka Manisha A Kulkarni1

Journal:

Content:

Date:
2017-01-01

Authors:

Journal:
Infection, Disease & Health

Content:

Date:
2017-06-01

Authors:
DEBORA CHARLES KAJEGUKA D. Kajeguka C. Mwanziva M. Daou A. Ndaro S. Matondo E. Mbugi W. Dolmans J. Chilongola

Journal:
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology

Content:

Date:
2012-03-01

Authors:
Debora C. Kajeguka1 Rachelle E. Desrochers2 Rose Mwangi1 Maseke R. Mgabo1 3 Michael Alifrangis4 Reginald A. Kavishe1 Franklin W. Mosha1 and Manisha A. Kulkarni5

Journal:

Content:

Date:
2017-01-01

Authors:
Robert Diotrephes Kaaya Johnson Matowo Debora Kajeguka Filemoni Tenu Boniface Shirima Franklin Mosha Reginald Kavishe

Journal:
Infectious Disease Report

Content:

Global malaria epidemiology has changed in the last decade with a substantial increase in cases and deaths being recorded. Tanzania accounts for about 4% of all cases and deaths reported in recent years. Several factors contribute to the resurgence of malaria, parasite resistance to antimalarials and mosquito resistance to insecticides being at the top of the list. The presence of sub-microscopic infections poses a significant challenge to malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT). Our cross-sectional surveys in Handeni and Moshi, Tanzania assessed the effect of low parasite density on mRDT. Handeni had higher malaria prevalence by mRDT (39.6%), light microscopy (LM) (16.9%) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (18.5%), compared to Moshi with prevalence of 0.2%, 1.3% and 2.3%, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.001) in malaria prevalence by mRDT, LM and nested PCR was found among age groups. In comparison to all other groups, school-age children (5–15 years) had the highest prevalence of malaria. Our results show that mRDT may miss up to 6% of cases of malaria mainly due to low-density parasitemia when compared to LM and PCR. Routinely used mRDT will likely miss the sub-microscopic parasitemia which will ultimately contribute to the spread of malaria and hinder efforts of elimination

Date:
2022-10-25

Authors:

Journal:
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

Content:

Date:
2017-11-01