Background: In most Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), enrolment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) is still low. In Sub-Saharan Africa enrolment rate is less than 10%. There have been efforts and strategies being put in place in many countries to overcome this problem. In 1996, Tanzania introduced Community Health Fund (CHF) which was modified in 2011 whereby the government came up with the improved community health fund (iCHF). The introduction of iCHF was intended to improve service delivery to the population where an electronic integrated management information system was introduced. Objective: This study was set to explore the drivers for implementing the e-claim process of improved Community Health Funds from two districts in Central Tanzania. Methods: An exploratory case study design using a qualitative approach was adopted to explore information on the drivers of the implementation of the iCHF electronic claim process in Mkalama and Iramba districts in Singida region. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from the Eighteen (18) participants including regional health managers, district health managers, Information Technology (IT) officers, facility in charge and iCHF focal persons from dispensaries, health centres and hospitals. Data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis. Results: The drivers for implementing the iCHF e-claim process were adherence to supervision directives and government policy, resource management and client satisfaction but the e-claim system does not attract Health Community Workers (HCWs) to comply with the iCHF e-claim process Conclusion: The iCHF e-claim process is inadequately implemented and does not attract Health care workers (HCWs) due to the challenges that have been observed. These findings inform decision makers to joint efforts to improve the implementation of iCHF claim process from all levels of stakeholders.

Background: Allergic rhinitis is the specific inflammation against allergen by immune defense cells on nasal mucosa, which can lead to chronic nasal symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion. it is associated with high morbidities including sinusitis, asthma, otitis media, hypertrophied inferior turbinate and nasal polyp. Despite its complications, it remains poorly recognized and tracked. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was done, a total of 221 patients received ORL services at Kilimanjaro Christian medical Centre during study period were interviewed all patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were captured; Data was collected using a pre-tested coded questionnaire (SFAR) The data was then analyzed by SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 221 patients with clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were approached in Six (6) months study period, 111 (50.2%) were females, 140 (63.4%) were residing in urban areas. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 23.9%. Factors such as age OR 0.12, 95% C.I (0.03; 0.40), education OR 0.13, 95% C.I (0.04; 0.44), occupation OR 3.75, 95% C.I (1.36; 10.32), Adenotonsillar hypertrophy OR 4.66, 95% C.I (2.21; 9.80) and OME OR 4.11, 95% C.I (1.32; 12.83) (p=0.009) was found to be significantly associated with allergic rhinitis. 60.4%, Inferior turbinate hypertrophy was the leading co-morbidity of allergic rhinitis which accounts 64.7%. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis is among the common health problems affecting Tanzanians. It is a commonly seen disorder in younger age (<15 yrs) which is in correlation with other studies done in Africa and worldwide.

Congenital hyporhinia or partial arrhinia is a very rare congenital abnormality of nasal embryogenesis with unknown etiology. It is commonly associated with other craniofacial anomalies which are thought to be caused by an absent or rudimentary nose. A case of congenital hyporhinia with associated other anomalies is presented and discussed.