Recent Reports from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Highlight Findings in Stroke (Perspectives of stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare providers on improving access to stroke care services in Tanzania: A qualitative …): Cerebrovascular Diseases and Conditions – Stroke

2026 AUG 17 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Genomics & Genetics Daily -- Data detailed on Cerebrovascular Diseases and Conditions - Stroke have been presented. According to news originating from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with the greatest burden occurring in in low- and middle-income countries. In Tanzania, delayed hospital presentation, weak referral systems, high out-of-pocket costs, shortages of stroke-ready facilities, and limited rehabilitation services contribute to preventable deaths and long-term disability.”

Funders for this research include Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, MUHAS-Higher Education for Economic Transformation in Tanzania, World Bank funded project.

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, “Although previous qualitative studies have described barriers to accessing stroke care services, there remains limited evidence on strategies for improving access across the continuum of stroke care. Therefore, this study explored strategies to ensure equitable access to stroke care services in Tanzania, focusing on the perspectives of healthcare providers, stroke survivors, and family caregivers. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital- Mloganzila, a national tertiary referral hospital and designated stroke center in Tanzania. A purposive sample of 45 participants was recruited, including 15 healthcare providers, 15 stroke survivors, and 15 caregivers. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and September 2024. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis guided by the WHO health system building blocks framework. Thematic analysis identified six themes aligned with the WHO health system building blocks. These include: (1) raise public awareness on stroke risks, prevention and treatment; (2) strengthen stroke care resources and infrastructures at primary care facilities; (3) increase healthcare financing and stroke services insurance coverage; (4) integrate health information systems in stroke care; (5) train multidisciplinary teams in stroke care and effective communication; and (6) improve stroke care services delivery across care continuum. Improving access to stroke care requires both patient-centered and health system-level interventions across the continuum of care.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Strengthening public awareness, healthcare infrastructures, referral pathways, service delivery, rehabilitation access, workforce capacity, and health insurance coverage may reduce inequities in accessing stroke care services in Tanzania.”

For more information on this research see: Perspectives of stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare providers on improving access to stroke care services in Tanzania: A qualitative study. PLOS One, 2026;21(8). PLOS One can be contacted at: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. (Public Library of Science - www.plos.org; PLOS One - www.plosone.org)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Lilian Teddy Mselle, School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Additional authors for this research include Nyagwaswa Athanas Michael, Costansia Anselim Bureta and Yingjuan Cao.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328334. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

The publisher’s contact information for the journal PLOS One is: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA.

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