The Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors among Secondary School Teachers in Bahir Dar City Administration, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the noncommunicable cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and its prevalence is rising in middle- and low-income countries. It is not given enough attention in the developing countries like Ethiopia. Not enough data and studies about hypertension are available in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among secondary school teachers in Bahir Dar city administration. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among secondary school teachers in Bahir Dar. Two hundred twenty-two randomly selected teachers were interviewed, and data related to the demographic, behavioral, health, and dietary characteristics of the individuals were recorded. Blood pressure data were taken. Logistic regression analysis had been used to assess independent risk factors for hypertension. p-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension in the study was 29.28%. Age 41 to 50 (AOR: 2.506; 95% CI: 1.103-5.694; and p=0.028), having self-reported diabetes mellitus (AOR: 8.595; 95% CI: 2.795-26.424; and p < 0.0001), having a family history of hypertension (AOR: 3.387; 95% CI: 1.579-7.285; and p=0.002), khat chewing (AOR: 5.426; 95% CI: 1.811-16.256; and p=0.003), physical inactivity (AOR: 5.212; 95% CI: 1.974-13.763; and p=0.001), and presence of self-reported repeated stress (AOR: 3.027; 95% CI: 1.404-6.527; and p=0.005) were the risk factors associated with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Different intervention measures with a particular emphasis on prevention by introducing lifestyle modifications are highly recommended to mitigate and control hypertension.

Human Intestinal Parasitic Infections: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Elementary School Children in Merawi Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infection is still common in Ethiopia. Periodic evaluation of the current status of human intestinal parasitic infections (HIPIs) is a prerequisite to controlling these health threats. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and determinant factors of HIPIs among elementary school-age children in Merawi town. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study design was used among 403 children. The direct wet mount method was used to diagnose the stool samples. The sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the respondents were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of the 403 students, the overall prevalence of HIPIs was 173 (42.9%). The magnitudes of single and double infections were 39.7% and 3.2%, respectively. Seventy-two (17.9%) were positive for Entamoeba histolytica, 63 (15.4%) for Giardia lamblia, 28 (9.6%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 22 (6.9%) for hookworm, and 1 (0.2%) for Schistosoma mansoni. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was high in the age group of 6-11 years compared to other age groups. The following were the risk factors associated with HIPIs: groups aging 6 to 11 (AOR = 9.581; 95% CI: 0.531-17.498; P = 0.008), aging 12 to 18 (AOR = 3.047; 95% CI: 0.055-1.828; P = 0.008), not washing of hands after defecation (AOR = 3.683; 95% CI; 1.577-8.598; P = 0.003), not regularly washing of hands after defecation (AOR = 2.417; 95% CI; 1.224-4.774; P = 0.003), dirty fingernails (AOR = 2.639; 95% CI: 1.388-5.020; P = 0.003), not wearing shoes (AOR = 2.779; 95% CI: 1.267-6.096; P = 0.011), rural residence (AOR = 6.6; 95% CI; 0.06-0.351; P < 0.0001), and a family size greater than or equal to five (AOR = 2.160; 95% CI: 1.179-3.956; P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HIPIs among elementary school children in Merawi town was very high. Thus, there is a need for intensive health education for behavioral changes related to personal hygiene and mass treatment for effective control of HIPIs in the study area.

Combining Multi-Element Analysis with Statistical Modeling for Tracing the Origin of Green Coffee Beans from Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Characterization of coffee terroirs is important to determine authenticity and provide confidence for consumers to select the right product. In this regard, Amhara Region, which is located at the northwestern part of Ethiopia, produces various local coffee types with distinct cup qualities. The coffees are, however, not yet registered with certification marks or trademarks for indications of their geographical origins. This study was aimed at developing analytical methodology useful to determine the geographical origin of green coffee beans produced in Amhara Region based on multi-element analysis combined with multivariate statistical techniques. For this, a total of 120 samples of green coffee beans, collected from four major cultivating zones (West Gojjam, East Gojjam, Awi, and Bahir Dar Especial Zones) were analyzed for K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Si, Cr, Cd, and Pb using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The elemental analysis data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). PCA was used to explore the natural groupings of samples and the discriminatory ability of elements. Accordingly, the elements K, Mg, Ca, and Na were found to be the main discriminators among samples. LDA provided a model to classify the coffee samples based on their production zones with an accuracy of 94.2% and prediction ability of 93.4%. Thus, the elemental composition of green coffee beans can be used as a chemical descriptor in the authentication of coffee produced in Amhara Region.

Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among individuals living with HIV/AIDS at Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection continues to pose a serious challenge to global health by predisposing patients to opportunistic infections. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 to assess the enteric protozoan infection status among individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Stool specimens from 399 HIV-positive individuals were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, and oocysts using direct wet mount, formol-ether sedimentation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. In addition, CD4+ T-cell counts were measured to evaluate the immune status of the study subjects. RESULTS: An overall prevalence of 30.6% enteric protozoan infections was recorded. Pre-ART (antiretroviral treatment) individuals were more infected than patients on ART, although this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The highest prevalence of enteric protozoan infection was due to Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (19.3%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp (5.8%), Giardia lamblia (4.3%), and Isospora belli (1.3%). A CD4+ T-cell count of <200 cells/µl and status of being diarrhoeic were significantly associated with the overall prevalence of enteric protozoan infection. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively high prevalence of enteric protozoan infection was observed among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Routine stool and CD4+ T-cell examinations should be conducted to monitor the status of HIV/AIDS patients.