The urban-rural differential in the association between household wealth index and anemia among women in reproductive age in Ethiopia, 2016.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is more prevalent among women, and it is a moderate public health problem in Ethiopia. The wealth status and place of residence of a woman have implications on the intervention of anemia. Studies that examined the relationship between women's wealth index status and residency in Ethiopia are scarce. We aimed to identify the urban-rural differential in the association between household wealth index and anemia among women of childbearing age in Ethiopia. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was employed with a nationally representative sample of 14,100 women aged 15-49-year-old from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey conducted in 2016. We used the two-stage sampling method to select the sample size. The primary outcome was anemia in women of childbearing age. A hemoglobin level of below 11 g/dl for pregnant women and 12 g/dl for non-pregnant women was the indicator of anemia. Using a three-level random intercept model to explore associated factors at the individual and household levels quantified the observed and unobserved variations between household wealth index and residence on anemia. RESULTS: Women belonging to a lower household wealth index category were more anemic (29.6%) than those middle and above wealth index categories. Women who lived in rural areas (25.5%) were prone to anemia than those who lived in urban areas (17.5%). The odds of anemia were significantly higher in women of the low household wealth category who living in rural compared to women of the middle and above household wealth category who living in urban (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.14-1.65, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, anemia is more common among women who live in rural with the low house wealth category. Therefore, novel public health interventions should target women who live in rural areas with the lowest household wealth status.

Determinants of blood transfusion for elective surgical procedures at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017.

BACKGROUND: Till date 80% of the world's population has access to only 20% of the world's safe blood that is properly collected and tested. Paradoxically, despite a severely inadequate supply, blood is often transfused unnecessarily and it will expose patients to complications. Despite lots of publication and investigation on the efficiency of blood usage, there is no clear demarcation which patients really need blood transfusion. OBJECTIVES: To determine factors associated with blood transfusion in elective surgical procedures in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017 G.C. METHODS: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted from February 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 G.C at Tikur Anbessa specialized Hospital. Data was collected by using convenient sampling technique and structured checklist. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors of transfusion based on p-value less than 0.05 with 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Among all 387 elective surgical patients 88 (22.7%) of patients were transfused with prepared blood. The independent predictors of perioperative blood transfusion were neurosurgery (craniotomy) (p = 0.017), hemoglobin level < 11.0 g/dl (p < 0.001) and intraoperative blood loss ≥ 15% (P < 0 0.001). CONCLUSION: neurosurgery, hemoglobin <11.0 g/dl and intraoperative blood loss ≥15% were the major determinants of blood transfusion.

Pulmonary Function Tests in Hypertensive Patients Attending Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension imposes stresses on many organs like heart and kidney. However, studies that show the effect of hypertension on the lungs are limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess pulmonary function status of hypertensive patients aged 30-64 years at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, 2017. METHODS: Hospital based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 hypertensive patients (cases) and 61 nonhypertensive clients (controls) aged 30-64 years. Computerized spirometry was done in all cases and controls which were selected by systematic sampling technique. The study was conducted from January 20, 2017, to May 25, 2017. Result. The values of FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75% were 3.52±1.02 liters, 2.97±0.89 liters, and 3.34±1.3 liters/second in hypertensive patients and 4.31±0.82 liters, 3.54±0.7 liters, and 3.94±1.09 liters/second in controls, respectively. These values were significantly lower (p<0.05) in hypertensive patients compared to controls. Restrictive pulmonary defect was dominant in hypertensive patients. FEV1% which was 85%±7% in hypertensive patients and 82%±5% in controls was significantly higher (p<0.05) in hypertensive patients compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients exhibit lower pulmonary function values. Routine check-up of the pulmonary function status of such patients should be done to prevent undesired outcomes.