Profile of haematological indices among pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending Kisii teaching and referral hospital, Kenya

Background: Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affects approximately 10 million people worldwide, with an annual global mortality rate of 1.4 million (WHO, 2021). This study aimed to profile hematological indices among pulmonary tuberculosis patients at Kisii teaching and referral hospital, Kenya from February 2022 to July 2022 where Kisii County reports around 1800 TB cases annually. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with 210 participants was used, 105 patients and 105 controls. Venous blood was collected in ethylene diamine tetra acetic and analyzed using flow cytometry technique. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was set by use of Westergren technique while a thin blood film was prepared for microscopic examination of cells. Data obtained was analyzed using Stata version 23. Results: Female patients accounted for 55 (52.5%) of positive cases while males accounted for 50 (47.5%). PTB patients showed significantly lower RBC count, HGB, HCT, MCH, and MCHC compared to controls (p=0.001). ESR was significantly higher in PTB patients (p=0.001). PTB patients had higher platelet count and total WBC count (p=0.009 and p=0.018, respectively) with increased neutrophil and monocyte counts (p=0.044 and p=0.041, respectively). No significant differences were observed in lymphocyte counts (p=0.086). Conclusions: The study identified significant hematological abnormalities in pulmonary tuberculosis patients, including normocytic normochromic anemia, toxic granulation in white blood cells, and thrombocytosis, highlighting these as potential diagnostics and clinically significant hematological parameters in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Maternal outcome following uterine rupture and its associated factors among mothers who delivered at Felege-Hiwot referral hospital, Amhara-Ethiopia

Background:Ruptured uterus is one of the major causes of maternal and prenatal morbidities and mortalities in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Ethiopia is one of developing countries where maternal and prenatal mortalities are still high. The major objective of this study was to determine maternal outcomes of uterine rupture and its associated factors. Methods:The study design was facility based retrospective cross-sectional study from all mothers who visit from 01 September2011 to31 August2015 at Felege-Hiwot referral hospital delivery room for delivery service with ruptured uterus was conducted in the study. A total of 312 cases were enrolled in the study. The table, graph and binary logistic regression wasfound to be more appropriate for analyzing the data.Results:More than39% mothers had severe complication. The common complication was severe anemia 24.4% followed by severe shock 14.7%. There were also 2.7% maternal deaths. The binary logistic regression model showed that incidence and its complication of uterine rupture in this study were remarkably high. Antenatal care visit, duration of labor and admission to laparotomy time and hospital stay had strong association with maternal outcome.Conclusions:Improving access to antenatal care, proper monitoring of labor and early referral of high risk patients will contribute to the reduction of unfavorable maternal outcome.

Análisis de los factores de riesgo de muerte neonatal en Chile, 2010-2014 / Analysis of risk factors for neonatal death in Chile, 2010-2014

Introducción: Los indicadores de salud materno-infantil son un reflejo del nivel de salud alcanzado, nivel de vida y el estado de desarrollo de un país. El período de mayor riesgo de muerte durante el primer año de vida es la etapa neonatal. Objetivo: Analizar los factores sociodemográficos y fisiopatológicos maternos y del recién nacido asociados a la mortalidad neonatal en un hospital terciario de Chile. Pacientes y Método: Estudio retrospectivo de los casos (muerte neonatal) y controles (nacidos vivos) nacidos en el periodo 2010-2014. Se realizó un pareamiento en una proporción 1:2 por año, mes de nacimiento y sexo. Mediante la revisión de fichas clínicas y bases de datos existentes se analizaron las variables sociodemográficas y fisiopatológicas de la madre y del recién nacido. Resultados: Durante el período de estudio ocurrieron 81 muertes neonatales, con una tasa estimada de 5,8 por mil nacidos vivos. Se accedió a 65 casos que se compararon con 130 controles. Las principales causas de muerte correspondieron a la prematurez y malformaciones congénitas. Se encontró que la presencia de parto prematuro (OR: 3; IC95% 1,1-8,7), recién nacido pequeño para la edad gestacional (OR: 4; IC95% 1,7-12,1), puntaje Apgar al minuto entre 4-7 (OR: 4; IC95% 1,8-10,5), actividad materna fuera del hogar (OR: 4; IC95% 2,3-8,7), y parto por cesárea (OR: 3; IC95% 1,5-5,6) fueron los factores de riesgo más prevalentes. Conclusión: La mortalidad neonatal se asocia a prematurez. Es necesario seguir dirigiendo los esfuerzos a la prevención del parto prematuro.

Aim: To analyze socio-demographic as maternal and newborn factors associated with neonatal mortality in a tertiary hospital in Chile. Patients and Method: A retrospective analysis of case (neonatal death) and control (live births) was performed. A match 1:2 proportion considering year, month of birth and gender was made. By reviewing medical records and existing databases, we analyzed sociodemographic and pathophysiological variables of the mother and their newborn in a period between 2010 and 2014. Results: During the period of study 81 neonatal deaths occurred in the hospital, with an estimated rate of 5.8 per thousand live births. Sixty-five cases were recruted, who were compared with 130 controls. The main causes of death were prematurity and congenital malformations. It was found that the presence of preterm birth (OR: 3; 95% CI 1.1-8.7), newborn small for gestational age (OR: 4; 95% CI 1.7-12.1) Apgar score at minute 4-7 (OR: 4; 95% CI 1.8-10.5), maternal activity outside the household (OR: 4; 95% CI 2.3-8.7), and cesarean delivery (OR: 3; 95% CI 1.5-5.6) were the most prevalent risk factors. Conclusion: Neonatal mortality is associated with prematurity. Therefore it is of relevance to continue promoting efforts to prevent preterm birth.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Low Back Pain among Clinicians of A Major Referral Hospital

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems faced by health care professionals due to their occupational lifestyle. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of LBP among clinicians, and to identify its associated factors. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) among 460 clinicians from different specialties. A validated questionnaire of 21 items was used to collect data. Chi-square test and odds ratios were used to observe and measure the association between categorical variables. Binary logistic regression by Wald method was used to identify independent factors associated with LBP (yes/no). Results: The prevalence of LBP was found to be 59.4% (244) with 38% of them reported as severe. The distribution of prevalence among consultants, registrars and residents was 110 (45.1%), 91 (37.3%) and 43 (17.6%) respectively. Out of 114 (46.7%) surgeons who suffer from LBP we found, orthopaedic surgeons had 10.2% prevalence of LBP. Male clinician (odds ratio: 1.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1- 2.8), consultant (4.1; 95% CI: 2.1-8.3), registrar (2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.2), more than 10 hours/week near bedside (1.8; 95% CI: 1.1-3.0), bending backwards at work (8.3; 95% CI: 5.1-13.4) and pulling objects during work (3.1; 95% CI: 1.7-5.6) were found to be independent statistically significant associated factors of LBP. Conclusion: The high prevalence of LBP among clinicians and its associated factors indicates that clinicians should maintain good posture and avoid sudden movements during working hours in hospital to reduce this occupational health problem.