Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health concern and has a high degree of associated morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, Hepatitis B virus infection has a variable seroprevalence among different regions with an estimated overall prevalence of around 6%. However, there is a scarcity of data specific to cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 cancer patients who came for follow-up at the oncology unit of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1/2020 to October 11/2021. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data was collected using structured and interviewer-administered questionnaires and blood samples were drawn from the patients to test hepatitis B virus sero-status. Data was entered to Epi- Data version 4.6 then exported and analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants. Finally, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify significantly associated factors. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was 7.6% [95% CI: (4.54 - 9.79)]. Having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI (3.35-16.80)), a history of dental procedures (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI (1.007­7.66)), and being a hepatocellular carcinoma patient (AOR = 6.13; 95% CI (3.66-18.77)) were factors associated with seropositive status for Hepatitis B virus. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was high. It is better to consider HBV screening in cancer patients and doing cancer surveillance in HBV-infected patients.

Status of selected biochemical and coagulation profiles and platelet count in malaria and malaria-Schistosoma mansoni co-infection among patients attending at Dembiya selected Health Institutions, Northwest Ethiopia.

Malaria and schistosomiasis are infectious diseases that cause coagulation disorders, biochemical abnormalities, and thrombocytopenia. Malaria and Schistosoma mansoni co-infection cause exacerbations of health consequences and co-morbidities.This study aimed to compare the effect of malaria and Schistosoma mansoni co-infection and malaria infection on selected biochemical and coagulation profiles, and platelet count. An institutional-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 30 to August 10, 2022. A total of 70 individuals were enrolled in the study using a convenient sampling technique. Wet mount and Kato Katz techniques were conducted to detect Schistosoma mansoni in a stool sample. Blood films were prepared for the detection of plasmodium. The data was coded and entered into EpiData version 3.1 before being analyzed with SPSS version 25. An independent t test was used during data analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean [SD] of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin in the co-infected was higher than in malaria infected participants. However, the mean of total protein and glucose in co-infected was lower than in the malaria infected participants. The mean of prothrombin time, international normalization ratio, and activated partial thromboplastin time in co-infected was significantly higher, while the platelet count was lower compared to malaria infected participants. Biochemical and coagulation profiles, and platelet count status in co-infection were changed compared to malaria infected participants. Therefore, biochemical and coagulation profiles and platelet count tests should be used to monitor and manage co-infection related complications and to reduce co-infection associated morbidity and mortality.