Fecal Coliforms Contamination of Traditional Liquid Herbal Medicinal Products Marketed in Mwanza City
Walther, Clementine CUHAS/BP/3000071/T/11
Fecal Coliforms Contamination of Traditional Liquid Herbal Medicinal Products Marketed in Mwanza City - Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS - Bugando] : Phone: +255 28 298 3384 : Fax: +255 28 298 3386 : Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz : Website: www.bugando.ac.tz ©05.08.2015 - xi; 32 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
Background: The use of the traditional herbal medicinal products (THMPs) has been increasing worldwide due to the readily availability of raw materials and low cost compared to the systematic industrial preparations. With this, the safety and quality of THMPs need to be addressed so as to protect the community. The present study evaluated the magnitude and factors associated with fecal coliforms contamination of liquid THMPs marketed in Mwanza.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done in Mwanza city involving 59 participants from which 109 liquid THMPs were collected then brought to the CUHAS MPL for analysis. Socio-demographic information from voluntary consented participants were also obtained. The data were analyzed using STATA version 11.
Results: The median age (interquartile range) of participants was 35 (27-43) years, with males accounting for 36 (61%). Of 109 liquid THMPs collected, 89 (81.7%) were found to be contaminated from 72.9% (43/59) participants; with predominant fecal coliforms being Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter spp. There was a significant association of liquid THMPs contamination with low education level (p< 0.0001), lack of formal training (p=0.023), lack of registration with the Ministry of Health (p=0.0001), lack of packaging of products (p<0.0001) and use of unboiled solvents during preparation of THMPs (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: There is high contamination rate of liquid THMPs (81.7%) in Mwanza city; with both individual and system-centered factors being associated with this contamination. There is an urgent need to provide education to individuals involved with THMPs as well as setting up policies and regulations to reinforce THMPs safety.
-- Pharmacy --Microbiology and Immunology
Fecal Coliforms Contamination of Traditional Liquid Herbal Medicinal Products Marketed in Mwanza City - Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS - Bugando] : Phone: +255 28 298 3384 : Fax: +255 28 298 3386 : Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz : Website: www.bugando.ac.tz ©05.08.2015 - xi; 32 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
Background: The use of the traditional herbal medicinal products (THMPs) has been increasing worldwide due to the readily availability of raw materials and low cost compared to the systematic industrial preparations. With this, the safety and quality of THMPs need to be addressed so as to protect the community. The present study evaluated the magnitude and factors associated with fecal coliforms contamination of liquid THMPs marketed in Mwanza.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done in Mwanza city involving 59 participants from which 109 liquid THMPs were collected then brought to the CUHAS MPL for analysis. Socio-demographic information from voluntary consented participants were also obtained. The data were analyzed using STATA version 11.
Results: The median age (interquartile range) of participants was 35 (27-43) years, with males accounting for 36 (61%). Of 109 liquid THMPs collected, 89 (81.7%) were found to be contaminated from 72.9% (43/59) participants; with predominant fecal coliforms being Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter spp. There was a significant association of liquid THMPs contamination with low education level (p< 0.0001), lack of formal training (p=0.023), lack of registration with the Ministry of Health (p=0.0001), lack of packaging of products (p<0.0001) and use of unboiled solvents during preparation of THMPs (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: There is high contamination rate of liquid THMPs (81.7%) in Mwanza city; with both individual and system-centered factors being associated with this contamination. There is an urgent need to provide education to individuals involved with THMPs as well as setting up policies and regulations to reinforce THMPs safety.
-- Pharmacy --Microbiology and Immunology