Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders with arthritis screening in Tanzania: new insights into the growing clinical, economic and societal burden of non-communicable disease

Mmbaga, B. T. et al. (2023) Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders with arthritis screening in Tanzania: new insights into the growing clinical, economic and societal burden of non-communicable disease. Tanzania Public Health Bulletin, 10(1), pp. 8-14.

Abstract

» Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders represent a significant global disability burden which the World Health Organisation expect will increase in coming years » Tanzania’s Strategic Plan for tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) does not currently include MSK disorders, yet they pose a significant health and economic burden to Tanzanian society » Arthritis is common, but very few people receive a formal diagnosis and even fewer are treated; this lack of prevention and treatment in Tanzania can lead to avoidable lifelong deformity, disability and detrimental economic impacts for those affected. » The Tanzanian Government should consider MSK disorders as part of the growing NCD burden in Tanzania. We recommend the following: - l Increasing awareness of MSK health within communities l Improving awareness of MSK disorders and skills training at primary healthcare facilities l Investing in a clinical capacity for diagnosing and managing MSK disorders l Developing guidelines for referral pathways and treatment for many forms of arthritis in Tanzania

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Laurie, Dr Emma and MMBAGA, Professor Blandina Theoph and McIntosh, Professor Emma and Yongolo, Dr Nateiya and Kilonzo, Dr Kajiru and Krauth, Dr Stefanie and Bunn, Dr Christopher and Kelly, Dr Clive and Walker, Professor Richard
• Authors: Mmbaga, B. T., Laurie, E., Yongolo, N. M., Biswaro, S. M., Msoka-Bright, E. F., Bunn, C., Krauth, S., Walker, R., Kelly, C., Kilonzo, K., and McIntosh, E.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General); R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Research Centre: Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) > Global Sustainable Development
• Journal Name: Tanzania Public Health Bulletin
• Publisher: The United Republic of Tanzania Ministry of Health
• ISSN: 2665-0576

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
302121		NIHR Global Health Research Group on estimating the prevalence, quality and life, economic and societal impact of arthritis in Tanzania: a mixed methods study at University of Glasgow	Emma McIntosh	National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)	17/63/35	HW - Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment