Magnitude and risk factors for hypertension among public servants in Tigray, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a globally recognized threat to social and economic development with premature morbidity and mortality. In middle and low-income countries hypertension appears to be increasing. However, sufficient data on this silent-killer is not available in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study examined the magnitude and risk factors for hypertension among public servants in Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional survey from May-June 2016 among 1525 public servants in Tigray region. Field workers collected data using a pre-tested, standardized questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression analysis conducted to identify risk factors for hypertension. Statistical significance was declared using a p-value<0.05 and 95% of confidence interval (CI) for an adjusted odds ratio (AOR). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 16% (95% CI: 13.10-21.9) and the proportion of awareness (96.7%), treatment (31.3%) and control of hypertension (40.1%) among employees. Being male [AOR = 2.06, 95%CI:1.49, 2.84], ages groups of 30-49 years [AOR = 2.21, 95%CI:1.25, 3.89] and >50years [AOR = 3.61, 95% CI:1.93, 6.69], Body Mass Index(BMI); underweight [AOR = 0.40, 95% CI; 0.20, 0.78], overweight [AOR = 1.70, 95%CI; 1.22, 2.33] and obesity [AOR = 3.20, 95% CI; 1.78, 5.78] were determinants for hypertension. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension is relatively high in Mekelle city compared with previous reports. This study revealed that male sex, age-group, and BMI were evidenced as risk factors for hypertension. Policy makers need to consider sector wise integrating prevention and control of hypertension. Skilled based information, education and communication strategies should be designed and implemented to avoid unhealthy lifestyles, investing in workforces to eliminate the modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases and promote healthy practices.

Magnitude and Determinant Factors of Surgical Site Infection in Suhul Hospital Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common hospital-acquired infection among surgical patients and remains a major clinical issue. In Ethiopia, despite many studies, the magnitude and associated factors of SSIs are not well documented and differ among regions. The aim of this study was to identify the magnitude and associated factors of SSIs in Suhul Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2-March 31, 2016, in Shire Suhul Hospital. A total of 280 post-operative patients were included and were selected using simple random sampling. A pre-tested interviewer administrated the questionnaire used to collect relevant information. Data were cleaned, entered, and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify the predictors at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 281 potential study subjects, 280 participated. The mean age of the study subjects was 34.5 years (standard deviation [SD} ±15.6). The prevalence of SSI was 11.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.34-14.67), and in the multivariable logistic regression analysis, four independent determinants emerged as associated with SSI: post-operative hospital stay from 8-14 days (odds ratio [OR] 7.97; 95% CI 1.70-37.38); history of alcohol use (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.004-0.43); use of local anesthesia (OR 8; CI 1.010-63.398); and dirty incision classification (OR 17; CI 1.249-232.362). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of SSI was high. A hospital stay for more than a week, a history of alcohol consumption, use of local anesthesia, and dirty incision classification were associated independently with a higher risk of SSI. Due attention should be given to infection prevention control methods; and more has to be done to manage dirty and contaminated sites, maintain a strict sterile environment and aseptic surgical techniques, and implement the World Health Organization surgical safety protocol. Efforts should be made to improve appropriate and timely discharge among surgical clients. Prospective longitudinal studies ought to be conducted considering SSI after hospital discharge.