Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40892897›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

From injury to outcome: A mixed-methods study of animal-related injuries in a rural district of Tanzania.

Gimbo Hyuha, Notikela Nyamle, Manase Kilonzi, Paul Malaba Makoye, Castory Sananga Chuwa, Beatrice Aiko, Nathanael Sirili

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Gimbo HyuhaEmergency Medicine Department, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.ORCID 0000-0002-2419-4386
Notikela NyamleSchool of Public Health and Social Services, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Manase KilonziSchool of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Paul Malaba MakoyeSchool of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Castory Sananga ChuwaDepartment of Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition services, Mkinga District Council, Tanga, Tanzania.
Beatrice AikoSchool of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Nathanael SiriliSchool of Public Health and Social Services, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Funding

East Africa Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, ImmunizationGerman Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)Health Supply Chain ManagementKfW German Development BankUniversity of Rwanda
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnimal-related injuries remain a neglected public health issue in rural Tanzania, exacerbated by limited access to care and varied occupational exposures. While some studies have examined bite management in tertiary hospitals, little is known about the situation at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. This study explored clinical presentations, management and outcomes of animal-related injuries in a rural Tanzanian setting, using Mkinga District as a case study.

methodsA mixed-methods study was conducted in February 2024 across 29 PHC facilities in Mkinga, Tanzania. The quantitative component involved a retrospective audit of animal-related injury records from 2019 to 2023. The qualitative component comprised 10 interviews with facility in-charges to explore clinical decision-making, treatment approaches, and outcomes. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS; thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative transcript.

resultsA total of 351 cases were documented. Symptom data were missing in over 70% of records, limiting clinical profiling. Among recorded cases, corticosteroids (55%) and antihistamines (53%) were commonly used, especially for insect and dog bites. Antibiotics were administered in insect stings (26%) and dog bites (23%), and analgesics were frequently used for insect bites. Antidotes were most common in dog (58%) and snake bites (26%). Of two cat bite cases, only one received antibiotics; neither received tetanus toxoid, despite the known infection risk. Qualitative findings highlighted three themes: clinical presentations, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Respondents described primary (e.g., bleeding, pain) and systemic (e.g., respiratory distress, neurological signs) symptoms. Treatment involved a mix of pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and traditional methods. While most patients recovered, some experienced complications or death.

conclusionPHC facilities manage most animal-related injuries effectively, but gaps in documentation, guideline adherence, and referral systems remain. Strengthening provider training, improving resources, and engaging traditional healers may enhance timely care. Broader surveillance and community education are critical to reducing preventable harm.

Indexed as

Bites and StingsAdolescentAdultAgedAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolDogsFemaleHumansInfantInsect Bites and StingsMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesRural Population

Identifiers

PMID40892897
PMCPMC12416828

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.