RESUMO
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of anemia and its association with Helicobacter pylori infection among adult dyspeptic patients. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 283 dyspeptic patients at Kiryandongo General Hospital, in Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered to capture demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants. Four milliliters of blood were then collected into an EDTA vacutainer for Complete Blood Count (CBC) and analyzed using HUMA COUNT 30TS, and peripheral blood smears were made and stained using Giemsa stain. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels <12g/dl in females and <13g/dl in men according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stool antigen test was performed using Whole power H. pylori Ag rapid test device, and saline stool preparation was examined for intestinal parasites. Chi-squared test and Logistic regression were performed to determine association, and a p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 42.4% (120/283). The prevalence of anemia among H. pylori-infected patients was 25.8% (31/120) and 15.3% (25/163) among H. pylori-negative counterparts. H. pylori infection was significantly associated with anemia (p-value 0.042), age (p-value 0.02, 0.009), water sources (p-value 0.0049,) and intestinal parasitic infestation (p-value 0.02), respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that the prevalence of H. pylori infection and anemia is high among dyspeptic patients at Kiryandongo General Hospital. H. pylori infection was found associated with anemia, age, water sources, and intestinal parasitic infestation. Routine screening of anemia in H. pylori-infected individuals and further studies to explore the relationship between anemia and H. pylori disease is highly recommended.
RESUMO
Introduction: South-Western region has the second highest HIV prevalence in Uganda. Youth aged 15-24 have shown poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy compared to the older cohorts. Previous studies from other regions have shown various barriers and facilitators. Our study was designed to describe specific barriers and facilitators to treatment adherence among youths in a large regional HIV clinic in southwestern Uganda. Methods: We used a phenomenological qualitative study design conducted amongst 30 purposively selected HIV positive youth aged 15-24 years enrolled at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital HIV clinic on ART for a period of at least one year and 6 key informants using in-depth interviews. The data was collected in an inductive manner during the period between 21st July and 17th August 2020. The recordings were backed up, transcribed verbatim and then analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results: The barriers to ART adherence were described in three descending categories as perceived treatment burden, perceived resultant stigma and discrimination, whereas the main facilitators were; perceived usefulness of HIV medications, availability of free services and Social support. Conclusion: Youths aged 15-24 have challenges with ART associated treatment burden and fear to disclose their HIV status because of the resultant stigma from their communities. Many have however accepted the fact that HIV medications are lifesaving and are strongly motivated to adhere to their medications despite the circumstances.
