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Item Determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania(Springer, 2025-08-06) Ndaigeze, Indo; Kabalimu, Titus K.; Ntabaye, Moshi K.Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a significant genetic disorder that imposes a considerable global health burden. The notable prevalence of SCD in Tanzania, coupled with extensive economic, psychological, and social ramifications, underscores the importance of premarital genetic screening to carriers of the sickle cell trait. This study aimed to assess the determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital genotype screening test for sickle cell disease carriers (PMGS) among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. An analytical cross-sectional design was used among 470 undergraduate students selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data using Google Forms. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. A total of 448 questionnaires were completed and submitted, with a response rate of 95.3%. More than half of the students (57.24%) had a good perception of PMGS, and the majority (92.2%) expressed their intention to participate in PMGS. Respondents who received information from healthcare professionals had a significant association (pā=ā0.031) with good perception. Most students were willing to participate in the PMGS program. As healthcare students, they are an important group in the development of national screening programs; similar studies in other universities in Tanzania are needed to obtain representative samples of undergraduates nationwide.Item Healthcare Literacy and the Access to Healthcare Services by the Elderly in Bagamoyo District, Pwani Region, Tanzania(Journal of Sociology, Psychology & Religious Studies, 2025-04-05) Ndossi, Godwin D.Limited healthcare literacy among elderly populations in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania, impairs their ability to navigate healthcare systems, understand medical instructions, and make informed health decisions. Despite various initiatives, a significant knowledge gap exists in understanding how healthcare literacy levels influence elderly individuals' access to healthcare services. Anchored in the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) theory, this study aimed to determine the effect of healthcare literacy on access to healthcare services among the elderly in Bagamoyo district. The mixed-method research design employed a pragmatic approach, targeting elderly individuals aged 60 years and above attending health facilities. Using Krejcie and Morgan's formula and a proportional formula, a sample size of 239 respondents was determined, with 237 participants ultimately included. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), focusing on education levels, healthcare awareness, and health information comprehension. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for quantitative analysis, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Linear regression results revealed a significant positive relationship between healthcare literacy and access to healthcare services (coefficient=2.501, p-value=0.000), with the model explaining 5.6% of the variance. Qualitative findings highlighted challenges in healthcare delivery and education, emphasizing the need to adapt communication styles to ensure comprehension and adherence to medical advice. The study concludes that healthcare literacy plays a critical role in shaping health outcomes among elderly populations in rural settings like Bagamoyo district. It recommends prioritizing healthcare literacy in healthcare provision strategies through tailored education campaigns, multi-channel health communication platforms, and enhanced provider-patient communication