Tanzanian Population Research Articles

Orofacial squamous cell carcinoma: Analysis of histopathological reports of 465 patients in Tanzania

Orofacial squamous cell carcinoma (OfSCC) accounts for up to 90% of all malignant lesions in the head and neck region. This study aimed to document the histopathological characteristics of OfSCC in a Tanzanian population concerning the age of presentation, gender, and site of occurrence. This was retrospective study was carried out at the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Muhimbili National Hospital. It included histological results of the OfSCC diagnosed between 2016 and 2021. The i

Arab contribution to the culture of Tanzania: Results of field studies

The article highlights the results of 5 field studies conducted in Tanzania in 2018-2021 by the scholars of the Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, and dedicated to the memories of the XIX century Arab slave trade and their influence on nowadays interethnic and interreligious relations in this country. More than 180 interviews were taken: formal, in accordance with pre-compiled question list, and informal ones, in a free form, closer to simple conversation. Interviews were conducted in English and Swahili in the following locations: Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kaole, Zanzibar, Tanga, Pangani, Mikindani, Kilwa Masoko and some others. The article outlines Tanzanians' views on the contribution of Arabs to Tanzanian culture. Most often, respondents mentioned Islam, culture (broadly speaking), Swahili language, and Muslim dressing style. Despite of the presence of some negative comments from Christians about the Arabs and Islam in general, there are no significant differences in the answers of representatives of the two confessions about the influence of Arabs on Tanzanian culture. We believe that such balance in the answers is due to the fact that almost all interlocutors said that the main source of information about the history of the slave trade and, in general, Arabs in Tanzania, is school textbooks, and they are created according to general government programs independent of religions. Therefore the influence of Arab culture on the current culture of Tanzania is significant and consciously recognized by many Tanzanians. Despite the low percentage of Arabs among the Tanzanian population in general, their contribution to the countries' culture is very clear and notable not only on Zanzibar, which was and still remains a part of Arab world, but on the mainland as well.

Measuring Rice Price Volatility and Its Determinants in Tanzania: An Implication for Price Stabilization Policies

High price volatility in agricultural food markets has a greater impact not only on smallholder farmers but also can affect the incomes and purchasing power of a substantial proportion of the Tanzanian population and decrease food security, especially to the lower middle class. This study applies the ARCH-GARCH and the VAR/VECM models to examine the dynamics and factors influencing price volatility in the domestic rice market. The results of the price volatility analysis show that the volatility of rice prices tends to be low and persistent over the long run. This is supported by the estimation results of factors affecting price volatility, which showed that supply variables play an important role in the short and long run in influencing rice price volatility. The prices in the producing regions (large surplus areas) turned out to be more volatile than the prices in the main consuming regions (large deficit areas). This means that producers are exposed to a much higher price risk than consumers. Thus, a favorable marketing environment for traders and farmers, transparent trade policies, reliable market information, and organized market infrastructure are essential to reduce food price volatility which has a wider impact on economic growth.

The Charcot Foot: An Emerging Public Health Problem for African Diabetes Patients.

Background: Although the awareness, diagnosis, management of the complications associated with diabetes have improved in African countries over the past decade, surveillance activities in Tanzania and anecdotal reports from other African countries have suggested an increased prevalence of Charcot Neuroarthropathy (CN) over the past few years. Aim: To characterize the epidemiology and the clinical burden of CN in a large diabetes population in Tanzania, and to evaluate outcomes of persons with the condition. Methods: This was a prospective analytic cohort study conducted between January 2013 through December 2015. Following informed consent, patients were followed at the outpatient clinic. Detailed clinical assessments and documented presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), macrovascular disease and microvascular disease were recorded. Education and counseling were part of the follow-up program. Results: 3271 ulcerations were presented at the clinic during the 3-year study period. 571 (18%) met the case definition for CN; all patients had Type 2 diabetes. The prevalence for each of the years 2013, 2014, and 2015 was 19/1192 (1.6%), 209/1044 (20%), and 343/1035 (34%), respectively; the increases in the slope of the trendline was statistically significant (P < .001). Conclusion: The prevalence of CN is increasing in the Tanzanian diabetes patient population, and is strongly associated with neuropathy. CN can lead to severe deformity, disability, and amputation. Due to the risk of limb amputation, patients with diabetes must seek immediate care if signs or symptoms appear and avoid delay in seeking medical attention. Early diagnosis of CN by caregivers is extremely important for successful outcomes.

Effects of Hydroxyurea Treatment on Haemolysis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania.

Tanzania is one of the countries with a high burden of sickle cell disease (SCD). Haemolytic anaemia is a clinical feature of SCD, and has been linked to major complications leading to morbidity and mortality. Treatment with hydroxyurea (HU) has shown to induce foetal haemoglobin (HbF) which in turn decreases haemolysis in patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HU on haemolysis in SCD patients attending Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania by comparing their haemolytic parameters before and after therapy. Patients meeting the criteria were initiated on HU therapy for 3 months. Two haemolytic biomarkers: unconjugated plasma bilirubin levels and absolute reticulocyte counts were measured from patients' blood samples at baseline and after 3 months of HU therapy and compared. Both absolute reticulocyte counts and indirect plasma bilirubin levels significantly declined after HU therapy. Median (IQR) plasma unconjugated bilirubin levels dropped significantly from 20.3 (12.7-34.4) μmol/L to 14.5 (9.6-24.1) μmol/L (p < 0.001) and mean (SD) absolute reticulocyte counts dropped significantly from 0.29 (0.1) × 109/L to 0.17 (0.1) × 109/L (p < 0.001) after therapy, thus, a decline in both haemolytic biomarkers after treatment was observed. This study found a potential for use of HU therapy in managing SCD patients in our settings evidenced by improvements in their haemolytic parameters. Clinical trials with a lager sample size conducted for a longer time period would be beneficial in guiding towards the inclusion of HU in treatment protocols for the Tanzanian population.

ACCEPTABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF USING DIETARY NITRATE AND FOLATE SUPPLEMENTATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN A RURAL TANZANIAN POPULATION

Objective: There is a substantial and growing burden of hypertension and hypertensive related disease in Tanzania. Low-cost and effective interventions are urgently needed. Little evidence is available on the use of inorganic nitrate and folate for treating hypertension in Africans. This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of using nitrate supplementation in the form of beetroot juice and folate as a combined dietary intervention in a hypertensive Tanzanian population. Design and method: A three-arm, parallel, placebo controlled randomised clinical trial was conducted. Acceptability was assessed by one-to-one interviews, compliance and study retention rate. Trial assessments included clinic and ambulatory blood pressure measurements, electrocardiography, salivary samples, and blood samples. Results: Forty-eight participants were randomised for intervention. Forty-six participants completed the feasibility questionnaire. Twenty-six (57%) did not know what hypertension was and 37 (80%) had never heard of beetroot. Forty-two (91%) participants were happy to have the ambulatory blood pressure measurements repeated. All participants reported to have a &gt;90% compliance to the dietary supplements. Conclusions: Awareness and knowledge of hypertension and the dietary interventions were low. Despite this, the interventions and protocol were well tolerated. This pilot shows that a dietary intervention of this nature is acceptable to this population, and that our study protocol can be feasibly used for a future trial in this setting.

Prevalence estimates of dementia in older adults in rural Kilimanjaro 2009-2010 and 2018-2019: is there evidence of changing prevalence?

Although limited, existing epidemiological data on dementia in sub-Saharan Africa indicate that prevalence may be increasing; contrasting with recent decreases observed in high-income countries. We have previously reported the age-adjusted prevalence of dementia in rural Tanzania in 2009-2010 as 6.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9-7.9) in individuals aged ≥70 years. We aimed to repeat a community-based dementia prevalence study in the same setting to assess whether prevalence has changed. This was a two-phase door-to-door community-based cross-sectional survey in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. In Phase I, trained primary health workers screened all consenting individuals aged ≥60 years from 12 villages using previously validated, locally developed, tools (IDEA cognitive screen and IDEA-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire). Screening was conducted using a mobile digital application (app) on a hand-held tablet. In Phase II, a stratified sample of those identified in Phase I were clinically assessed using the DSM-5 criteria and diagnoses subsequently confirmed by consensus panel. Of 3011 people who consented, 424 screened positive for probable dementia and 227 for possible dementia. During clinical assessment in Phase II, 105 individuals met DSM-5 dementia criteria. The age-adjusted prevalence of dementia was 4.6% (95% CI 2.9-6.4) in those aged ≥60 years and 8.9% (95% CI 6.1-11.8) in those aged ≥70 years. Prevalence rates increased significantly with age. The prevalence of dementia in this rural Tanzanian population appears to have increased since 2010, although not significantly. Dementia is likely to become a significant health burden in this population as demographic transition continues.

Holes in the wall: Examining gaps in knowledge in child and adolescent mental health in Tanzania - Scoping review.

To perform scoping review of the existing literature available specific to child and adolescent mental health in Tanzania. An extensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken to identify studies that focussed specifically on mental illness in children and young people in Tanzania. This included neurological and functional disorders, affective disorders, psychosis, epidemiological, intervention and treatment-based studies. Qualitative analysis of the studies was then undertaken to assess what is currently known about the subject and how reliable this information is and to identify areas for further research. Of 23 studies were included in the final synthesis, which could be broadly split into studies focussing on the prevalence and incidence of child and adolescent mental illness, hypothesised causes and correlations, identified treatments and interventions and qualitative studies of human experience. There is a dearth of published research regarding child and adolescent mental health in Tanzania. Although some high-quality studies allow us good insight into the epidemiology of mental illness, interventional studies are often small and low-power, and significant correlational relationships are yet to be drawn. There is significant scope for further child and adolescent mental health research in Tanzania.

HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment in stable people living with HIV on ART in rural Tanzania.

Few studies have assessed cognitive impairment among healthy people living with HIV (PLWH) who are stable on antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional study among a random sample of stable adult PLWH from rural Tanzania on ART for more than 1year and without immunological failure or pre-existing neurological disease. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for neurocognitive impairment (NCI), assessed through neuropsychological tests, functional and depression questionnaires and defined as a mean Z-score≤-1 in two or more cognitive domains. Among 243 participants [median age = 44.3 years (interquartile range: 36-52] and 71% female] we found a rate of NCI of 19.3% (95% confidence interval: 14.8-24.8%). Memory and psychomotor domains demonstrated the highest impairment. Independent predictors of NCI were age and self-reported alcohol use. Other classical risk factors were not associated with HIV-associated NCI. Despite effective ART roll-out, NCI remained a prevalent condition in this healthy rural Tanzanian population of PLWH on ART. Age and alcohol use were key risk factors.

Morphometry of the Human Placenta in Mining and Non-Mining Areas in Northwestern Tanzania; A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Placenta morphometry varies with increased heavy metal concentrations among other factors. There is limited knowledge on the effect of perceived heavy metal exposure due to mining activities on placenta morphometry specific to the Tanzanian population. The study thus aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the human placenta and the association between placental weight with maternal factors in mining and non-mining areas in Northwestern Tanzania. Subjects and Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in Mwanza and Geita regions of Northwestern Tanzania representing the mining and non-mining areas, respectively. Included in the study were placentas from 490 mothers, residing in the respective areas throughout pregnancy. Comparison of the placenta morphometric variables between the two groups was made using the independent sample t-test, and association between the maternal factors and placenta weight was done using multi-level linear analysis. Results: The mean placenta weight in the non-mining and mining areas was 465.9±101.2 g and 443.6±82.7g, and the mean thickness was 1.52±0.32cm and 1.61±0.38cm respectively. The mean diameter in the non-mining and mining areas was 19.0±1.9cm, the mean cotyledon number was 20±5 and 19±4, and the mean cord length was 49.0±12.7cm and 50.1 ±10.4cm respectively. With the exception of cord length, the differences in the morphometric parameters in the non-mining and mining areas were significant p&lt;0.5. Increase in maternal weight on booking and maternal age were associated with corresponding increase in placenta weight. Conclusion: The findings of this study seem to suggest that heavy metal exposure due to mining activities does affect placenta growth.

Monte Carlo simulation of non-target organ doses and radiation-induced secondary cancer risk in Tanzania from radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal by using Co-60 source

A few studies have reported the risks of secondary cancer in patients after radiation therapy in Tanzanian hospitals. This study was designed to assess non-target organ doses from Co-60 teletherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal cancer and to estimate the risk of radiation-induced secondary cancer. Specific organ-absorbed doses were evaluated in anatomically realistic 15-year-old and adult male phantoms based on Monte Carlo simulation. The assessed organ doses were used to calculate the lifetime secondary cancer risks in non-target organs according to the BEIR VII risk models. Survival information and the baseline cancer risks were associated with statistical data for the Tanzanian population. The average absorbed doses in non-target organs depended heavily on the distance from the target isocentre and patient's age. Organs near the tumour target, such as the salivary glands, brain, thyroid glands, eye bulb and oesophagus, received very high absorbed doses. The absorbed doses decreased exponentially towards the testis and prostate which are far from the tumour target. The highest received absorbed doses in non-target organs were due to the leakage in the gantry head and scattered radiation from collimator and inside the patient body. The absorbed doses were higher for young patients than in adults because of the larger body area exposed to high-dose radiation. The lifetime attributed risks for all organs considered were relatively lower than the baseline cancer risks. Results can help provide future database about radiation-induced second primary cancer incidence after Co-60 external beam radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer in Tanzania and in many other developing countries.

Youths’ participation in agricultural intensification in Tanzania

Agricultural intensification is necessary in Tanzania to meet the demands of a rapid growing population, and to avoid dependence on agricultural imports. An overwhelming share of the Tanzanian population is young, and the issue of employment among youth is increasingly debated. Agriculture is perceived to play a key role in creating employment opportunities in Sub-Sahara African as urban employment possibilities are limited, and domestic demand for food is growing. Based on a mixed methods approach this article aims to explore youths' participation in agricultural intensification in Tanzania. Theoretically, we depart from the concept of 'opportunity space' and take a contextual approach to near and distant opportunity spaces for the young rural Tanzanians. Our findings suggest that youth are excluded in agricultural intensification in maize production, but play a central role in the more labour intensive rice production. Contrasting to previous research, a majority of the interviewed youth said they prefer to stay in the rural areas, and a combination of farming and business was aspired to by many respondents. Tools and machinery, capital for agricultural investment, and infrastructure and access to markets were identified by the youth as some of the main obstacles to intensify farming, limiting their opportunity space.

Measuring hope amongst Tanzanian women who participate in microfinance: An evaluation of the Snyder hope scale

ABSTRACTMeasuring hope reliably and accurately remains an important research objective, not least in less prosperous settings where ‘holding on to hope’ may be critically important in the struggle against adverse life conditions. The State Hope Scale was designed for use in the US. Despite reported application in diverse cultures and using translations the scale has not been extensively validated outside US populations. This study contributes to a larger project exploring the measurement of hope and provides a critique of Snyder’s scale as used in a Tanzanian female population of 1021 urban microfinance participants. We evaluate the scale’s validity through assessment of the empirical distribution of scores, item response profiles, internal consistency and discriminatory ability. Participants mostly scored very high and many reached very near the maximum attainable score. Hardly any endorsed the negative half of the response scale. Several problems are discussed including poor discrimination and strong evidence of acquiescence response bias. We also found little association of the scale scores with hypothesised correlates of hope. Future improvements on the measurement of hope are recommended, especially in studies outside the narrow Western context in which the scale was devised.

Distribution of corneal spherical aberration in a Tanzanian population

PurposeTo investigate the distribution of corneal spherical aberration (SA) in Tanzanian people of African descent, and to examine the correlation between corneal SA and ocular parameters.DesignCross-sectional population-based study.MethodsResidents aged 40 years and older in three villages in the Mkuranga district in Tanzania were enlisted as study participants. Corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) for the right eye were measured with a wavefront analyzer (KR-1W, Topcon) and calculated for the central 6.0-mm zone. Corneal curvature radius (CR), corneal astigmatism, and axial length (AL) were also measured and their correlation with corneal SA was assessed.ResultsThe right eyes of 657 participants (336 male, 321 female) were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 57.2 ± 10.3 years (mean ± SD). The mean corneal SA (Zernike spherical aberration coefficient C40) was 0.188 ± 0.095 μm (-0.242 to 0.613). The SAs in about three-quarters of all subjects were between 0.10 and 0.30 μm. The root mean squares of total corneal HOAs and the third- and fourth-order aberrations were 0.629 ± 0.250 μm, 0.539 ± 0.236 μm, and 0.269 ± 0.110 μm, respectively. Corneal SA showed weak significant correlations with CR (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, r = -0.177, p < 0.001), corneal astigmatism (r = -0.142, p < 0.001), AL (r = -0.168, p < 0.001), and age (r = -0.085, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis finding may be beneficial for selecting aspheric intraocular lens in this population.

Towards a better understanding of echiniscid intraspecific variability: A redescription of Nebularmis reticulatus (Murray, 1905) (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscoidea)

The interplay between tardigrade genetic and ontogenetic diversity, resulting in morphological variation within a species, remains a poorly studied field. In this work, by combining qualitative (light and scanning electron microscopy), quantitative (morphometrics) and genetic analyses (DNA sequencing of five molecular markers) on five Palearctic populations of Nebularmis reticulatus (Murray, 1905) and a Tanzanian population of Nebularmis cirinoi (Binda and Pilato, 1993), all rare members of the Echiniscidae, we discuss intra- and interspecific variability in limno-terrestrial Heterotardigrada. We show that in these parthenogenetic (thelytokous) echiniscid species: (a) morphology strongly varies among life stages and between populations; (b) between populations of a single species there are statistically significant differences in the lengths of sclerotised structures commonly used in species delineation; (c) populations are dominated by one or two haplotypes of quickly evolving DNA fragments (ITS-1, ITS-2, COI), which suggests that such populations are characterised by low genetic diversity. Additionally, here we establish Loch Ness (Scotland) as the neotype locality for N. reticulatus. Finally, challenges of the taxonomy of the genus Nebularmis Gąsiorek & Michalczyk, 2019 are highlighted.

Cardiovascular diseases in Tanzania: The burden of modifiable and intermediate risk factors

Tanzania, like other developing countries, is facing a higher burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The country is experiencing rapid growth of modifiable and intermediate risk factors that accelerate CVD mortality and morbidity rates. In rural and urban settings, cardiovascular risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, overweight, and obesity, are documented to be higher in this review. Increased urbanization, lifestyle changes, lack of awareness and rural to urban movement have been found to increase CVD risk factors in Tanzania. Despite the identification of modifiable risk factors for CVDs, there is still limited information on physical inactivity and eating habits among Tanzanian population that needs to be addressed. Conclusively, primary prevention, improved healthcare system, which include affordable health services, availability of trained health care providers, improved screening and diagnostic equipment, adequate guidelines, and essential drugs for CVDs are the key actions that need to be implemented for cost effective control and management of CVDs. Effective policy for control and management of CVDs should also properly be employed to ensure fruitful implementation of different interventions.

Common SNP-based haplotype analysis of the 9p21.3 gene locus as predictor coronary artery disease in Tanzanian population

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently confirmed a strong association of the 9p21.3 locus with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in different populations but no data has been reported for the Tanzanian population. This study aimed to investigate the 9p21.3 locus harboring the disease-causing hotspot variations in Tanzanian CAD patients and their associations with the risk factors. 135 patients with CAD and 140 non-CAD patients were enrolled into the study. Further the biochemical analysis, the genotyping assays were performed by the use of qRT-PCR. The genotype and allele frequencies of rs1333049, rs2383207, rs2383206, rs10757274, rs10757278, and rs10811656 were significantly different between the groups (p&lt;0.005). The genotype distribution of rs1333049, rs10757278 and rs10811656 polymorphisms were significantly different among patients with one, two, three stenotic vessels (p&lt;0.05). For rs10757274 and rs10757278, the GG genotype indicated a significant 3-fold and 4-fold increased risk of CAD (p&lt;0.0001,respectively). Additionally, haplotype analysis revealed that AAGCAG, AAACAG, GGGTGC haplotypes of 9p21.3 locus polymorphisms are associated with CAD risk. The GGGTGC haplotype was over-represented while the other two underrepresented in patients as compared to controls (p&lt;0.00001,respectively) suggesting the first one a high-risk and the other two low-risk haplotypes for Tanzanian population. The AUC of a risk model based on non-genetic risk factors was 0.954 (95% CI: 0.930-0.977) and the combination with genetic risk factors improved the AUC to 0.982 (95% CI: 0.954-0.985) (p&lt;0.012), indicating good diagnostic accuracy. Our results are the first data reporting statistically significant associations between 9p21.3 polymorphisms and CAD, and the very first haplotype block harboring the disease-causing variations in Tanzanian population.

The prevalence and characteristics of frailty by frailty phenotype in rural Tanzania

BackgroundThe frailty phenotype is defined by the presence of three from the following five clinical features: weakness, slow walking speed, unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, and low physical activity. It has been widely applied in different research and clinical contexts, including across many low and middle-income countries. However, there is evidence that the operationalisation of each component of the frailty phenotype significantly alters its characteristics and predictive validity, and care is needed when applying the phenotype across settings. The study’s objective was to operationalise the frailty phenotype in a rural Tanzanian population of older community-dwelling adults.MethodsConsenting adults aged ≥60 years, and resident in five randomly selected villages of Hai district Demographic Surveillance Site, were eligible to participate in this cross-sectional study. From a screened sample of 1207 older adults, 235 were randomised and consented to an assessment of their frailty status by the frailty phenotype. Trained research fieldworkers (Tanzanian medical doctors and nurses) carried out measurements and questionnaires at local village centres or at participants’ homes.ResultsThe prevalence of the frailty phenotype, calculated from complete data for 196 participants, was 9.25% (95% CI 4.39–14.12) When missing data were counted as meeting frailty criterion (i.e. missing due to inability to perform an assessment), the prevalence increased to 11.22% (95% CI 7.11–15.32). Frailty by phenotype criteria was more common in older age groups, and was associated with self-assessed poor health and depression symptoms.ConclusionsFrailty can be successfully estimated using the frailty phenotype, however there are challenges in its operationalisation cross-culturally. Further work is needed to explore the potential clinical application of the frailty phenotype in such settings.

The Human Microbiome and Child Growth - First 1000 Days and Beyond.

The assembly of microbial communities within the gastrointestinal tract during early life plays a critical role in immune, endocrine, metabolic, and other host developmental pathways. Environmental insults during this period, such as food insecurity and infections, can disrupt this optimal microbial succession, which may contribute to lifelong and intergenerational deficits in growth and development. Here, we review the human microbiome in the first 1000 days - referring to the period from conception to 2 years of age - and using a developmental model, we examine the role of early microbial succession in growth and development. We propose that an 'undernourished' microbiome is intergenerational, thereby perpetuating growth impairments into successive generations. We also identify and discuss the intertwining host-microbe-environment interactions occurring prenatally and during early infancy, which may impair the trajectories of healthy growth and development, and explore their potential as novel microbial targets for intervention.

Analysis of Mutation Rate of 17 Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats Loci Using Tanzanian Father-Son Paired Samples.

Hundred unrelated father-son buccal swab sample pairs collected from consented Tanzanian population were examined to establish mutation rates using 17 Y-STRs loci DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a, DYS385b, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, and Y-GATA-H4 of the AmpFlSTRYfiler kit used in forensics and paternity testing. Prior to 17 Y-STRs analysis, father-son pair biological relationships were confirmed using 15 autosomal STRs markers and found to be paternally related. A total of four single repeat mutational events were observed between father and sons. Two mutations resulted in the gain of a repeat and the other two resulted in a loss of a repeat in the son. All observed mutations occurred at tetranucleotide loci DYS389II, DYS385a, and DYS385b. The locus specific mutation rate varied between 0 and 1.176 x10−3 and the average mutation rate of 17Y-STRs loci in the present study was 2.353x10−3 (6.41x10−4 - 6.013x10−3) at 95% CI. Furthermore the mean fathers' age with at least one mutation at son's birth was 32 years with standard error of 2.387 while the average age of all fathers without mutation in a sampled population at son's birth was 26.781 years with standard error of 0.609. The results shows that fathers' age at son's birth may have an effect on Y-STRs mutation rate analysis, though this age difference was statistically not significant using unpaired samples t-test (p = 0.05). As a consequence of observed mutation rates in this study, the precise and reliable understanding of mutation rate at Y-chromosome STR loci is necessary for a correct evaluation and interpretation of DNA typing results in forensics and paternity testing involving males. The criterion for exclusion in paternity testing should be defined, so that an exclusion from paternity has to be based on exclusion constellations at a minimum of two 17 Y-STRs loci.