Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and effectiveness of first-line triple eradication therapy among dyspeptic patients at hospitals in Hawassa City, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal illness sometimes associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Screening and eradicating the bacterium reduces the risk of infection-related complications. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of H. pylori infection among dyspeptic patients and the effectiveness of triple eradication therapy at hospitals in Hawassa city, Ethiopia. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 48.5%. The H. pylori eradication rate using first-line triple therapy was 83.8%. Eradication therapy failure is associated with previous exposure compared to no exposure (AOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.37-10.97), a regimen for 10-days compared to 14-days (AOR: 4.05, 95% CI: 1.42-11.55), and self-reported side effects compared to no report (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.12-5.97). Based on Morisky-eight scale 230 (79.0%) patients were adherent to their triple therapy. Participants with no reports of adverse effects showed increased odds of adherence to triple therapy compared to those who had reports (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.29-4.62). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that about half of adult dyspeptic patients were infected with H. pylori, and moderate eradication was observed. Factors such as previous history of eradication therapy, duration of the eradication regimen, and perception of potential adverse effects are associated with eradication rate and should be considered during the initiation of eradication therapy.

The magnitude of hypertension and its risk factors in southern Ethiopia: A community based study.

BACKGROUND: Prevention and control of hypertension has not been given due attention though previous studies indicated that hypertension is growing public health problem. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in Bona district, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1952 participants aged ≥25 years in Bona District, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from consented participants recruited using multistage sampling technique. Data were entered, checked for quality and analyzed by SPSS for Windows version 20.0. Since the outcome variables were ordered categorical, we used multinomial logistic regression model to identify associated factors. Among the independent variables included in the model no multicolinearity was observed. The level of significance was set at P value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The observed prevalence of hypertension (21.8%) was remarkable in rural setting. Out of hypertensive participants, 195 (45.9%) were newly diagnosed. About one third of the participants (31.4%) had central obesity measured by waist-to-height ratio ≥0.50. Being male, age advancement, high BMI (≥25.0 kg/m2) and central obesity (waist-to-height ratio ≥0.50) were positively associated with both systolic and diastolic hypertension. Systolic hypertension was negatively associated with high family income. The likely hood of developing diastolic hypertension increased in participants with family history of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of hypertension, 21.8%, is alarmingly high that it can be said that hypertension is becoming a silent epidemic in Ethiopia. Nationwide survey is needed to get the clear magnitude of hypertension so that early detection and management strategies can be enforced.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Factors in Southern Ethiopia: A Community Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Like in all populations of the world, recently, diabetes became serious health problem in Ethiopian population, as indicated by few community- and institution-based studies. As high as 6.5% diabetes prevalence was reported in Addis Ababa while 5.1% in urban setting and 2.1% in rural setting of Northwest Ethiopia have been reported. This study aimed to provide additional data on the magnitude of diabetes and associated risk factors. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes in Bona District and identify contributing risk factors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional community based survey for diabetes and associated factors was done from February-June, 2016 on a total of 2670 participants in the age range of 15-110 years. Participants were recruited to the study by using a two-stage simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire from consented participants. Data were entered, checked for quality and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 20.0. Since the outcome variable was ordered categorical, we used ordinal regression model to identify associated factors. There was no multicollinearity among the independent variables included in the model. All the independent variables with p<0.25 during bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate model. The level of significance was set at P value < 0.05. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diabetes (1.9%) from our survey was so high in rural setting that prevention and control mechanisms should be designed. The risk factors include advanced age (ß=1.04(0.57-1.50)), systolic hypertension (ß=0.59(0.01-1.18)), high waist circumference (ß=0.86(0.34-1.39)) and postsecondary education (ß=0.87(0.03-1.71)).

Risk factors of metabolic syndrome among hypertensive patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia is very scarce, and the nature and the burden of MetS among these patients has not been well investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the pattern and risk factors of MetS in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital from September 2015 to June 2016. Data on socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric characteristics were collected from 238 hypertensive participants using WHO stepwise technique. Blood glucose and lipid profiles were determined after overnight fasting. Finally, MetS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MetS was 48.7% and urban dwellers had significantly higher prevalence of MetS (82.8%) compared to rural inhabitants (17.2%), p = 0.003. About 37.8%, 62.2%, 60.9% and 35.7% of the participants had abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL-c, and increased fasting blood glucose, respectively. In addition the mean HDL-c was significantly lower in MetS group compared to non-MetS group (39.4 vs.47.6), P < 0.0001. Age over 60 years, overweight, and obesity were associated risk factors of MetS. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 8.2 (1.1-62.4) for age over 60 years, 2.8 (1.4-5.9) for overweight and 10.7 (3.8-29.8) for obesity. Moreover monthly income of 1001-2000 Ethiopian birr, income ≥2001birr, a retirement pension, being married, divorced/widowed were also significantly associated risk factors of MetS, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 3.6 (1.1-12.5), 5.8 (1.5-22.3),5.3 (1.1-25.9),7.2 (1.4-35.9) and 16.4 (1.1-244.2), respectively. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among hypertensive patients and this may potentiate the risk of cardiovascular problems. Therefore, regular screening of patients for individual components of MetS is vital in order to avert/limit the risks before developing cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality.

Spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six main referral hospitals of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The spectrum of cardiovascular diseases varies between and within countries, depending on the stage of epidemiological transition and risk factor profiles. Understanding this spectrum requires regional and national data for each region or country. This study was designed to determine the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six university hospitals in Ethiopia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six main referral/teaching hospitals located in different parts of the country. Consecutive patients visiting the follow-up cardiac clinics of these hospitals from 1 January to 30 June 2015 were included in the study. Data were collected on a pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 6275 patients (58.5% females) were included in the study. Nearly 61% of the patients were from urban areas. The median age was 33 years (IQR 14-55 years). Valvular heart disease was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 40.5% of the cases. Of 2541 patents with valvular heart disease, 2184 (86%) were cases of chronic rheumatic heart disease. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease is the most common cardiovascular diagnosis among patients seen at cardiology clinics of six referral/teaching hospitals in the country, followed by congenital heart diseases. Hypertensive and ischaemic heart diseases also accounted for a significant proportion of the cases. Therefore, strategies directed towards primary and secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever as well as prevention of risk factors for hypertension and ischaemic heart disease may need to be strengthened.