Medical Laboratory Science

Malaria prevalence and associated factors among symptomatic children aged under five years attending Sheko District Health Center, Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Malaria prevalence and associated factors among symptomatic children aged under five years attending Sheko District Health Center, Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study Duguma, Tadesse; Wudineh, Dessalew; Assefa, Aberash; Fisseha, Nebeyi; Muleta, Dassalegn Background Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five worldwide. Although various malaria elimination measures have been implemented over the past decades, malaria remains a serious threat to public health, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Ethiopia has set targets for eliminating malaria by 2030. No research has been conducted in the study area concerning malaria among children, who are the most malaria-prone segment of a community. The purpose of this study was to assess malaria prevalence and the factors associated with it among children under five years of age who attended the Sheko Health Center, Southwest Ethiopia, from June 1 to October 30, 2022. Materials and methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from June 1 to October 30, 2022, at the Sheko Health Center. Capillary blood samples were collected from 286 randomly selected symptomatic children. Data on socio-demographics and associated factors were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and data on parents’ and guardians’ knowledge about malaria was recorded on Excel 2016 Spreadsheets after interviewing them, and their responses were presented by a frequency table. Data were entered into Epi Data Manager (v4.0.2.101) and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Associated factors of malaria were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Result Overall, 23.4% (95% CI = 18.6–28.8%) malaria infection was recorded among the children whose blood samples were examined, with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and mixed infections (both species) representing 52.2%, 34.3%, and 13.4% of the cases, respectively. The majority of the parents or guardians believed that malaria is transmissible but could be prevented, and 80% of them considered mosquito bites to be the main mode of malaria transmission. Insecticide-treated net (ITN) was mentioned as a malaria prevention strategy by more than half of the respondents, while indoor residual spraying (IRS) was considered only by 19.6%. Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, a significant association was found in children between the ages of 12 and 36 months (adjusted odds ratio = 5.050; 95% CI: 1.964–12.982), children who lived in rural areas (adjusted odds ratio = 2.901; 95% CI: 1.439–5.845), and children who did not use ITN the past two weeks before sample collection (adjusted odds ratio = 3.341; 95% CI: 1.646–6.781). Conclusion This study revealed a high malaria prevalence among children aged under five years. Attention must be paid to improving the coverage of the ITN and its use in the study area, which could help reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Health education for the guardians of the children could also help to raise awareness about the prevention and control strategies for malaria transmission and further reduce the impact of the disease.

The Magnitude of Hereditary Spherocytosis Among Human Immunodeficiency VirusInfected Adults Attending University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest Ethiopia 2021 GC, Cross-Sectional Study Design

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT

The Magnitude of Hereditary Spherocytosis Among Human Immunodeficiency VirusInfected Adults Attending University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest Ethiopia 2021 GC, Cross-Sectional Study Design Kebede, Samuel Sahile; Yalew, Aregawi; Yesuf, Tesfaye; Bambo, Getachew Mesfin; Duguma, Tadesse; Woldu, Berhanu Background: Hereditary spherocytosis is a type of hemolytic anemia characterized by a clinically heterogeneous, genetically defined red blood cell membrane abnormality that results in hemolytic crisis. The inheritance of HS is autosomal dominant in 80% of affected individuals and recessive genes or sporadic type in the remaining 20%. Objective: The main aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of immune hereditary spherocytosis among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital in northwest Ethiopia from March to April 2021. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 358 human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults selected by systematic random sampling at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital from March to April 2021. Data for socio-demographic data were collected by structured pretested questionnaire. Five ml of venous blood was drawn from each participant and analyzed by Unicel DHX 800 hematology analyzer, and blood film examination and antihuman globulin test were performed to exclude immune hemolytic anemia. Data was entered into Epidata version 4.6 and analyzed by STATA version 14. Descriptive statistics were computed and drawn in charts and graphs. Results: The prevalence of hereditary spherocytosis was 2 of 358 participants. Both individuals who developed hereditary spherocytosis were females and in the age group of 22 to 35. The overall prevalence of anemia was 91 (25.42%). Of those anemic study population 3 (3.29%), 28 (30.77%), and 60 (65.93%), respectively, had severe, moderate, and mild anemia. Conclusion and Recommendation: Hereditary spherocytosis is a less frequent condition in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults. In these patients, early detection and treatment are necessary at the familial level by using a test algorithm.

Risk Perception Towards COVID-19 and Its Associated Factors Among Waiters in Selected Towns of Southwest Ethiopia

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Risk Perception Towards COVID-19 and Its Associated Factors Among Waiters in Selected Towns of Southwest Ethiopia Asefa, Adane; Qanche, Qaro; Hailemariam, Shewangizaw; Duguma, Tadesse; Nigussie, Tadesse Background: Waiters working in hotels, pensions, restaurants, and cafeteria are more susceptible to COVID-19 and easily transmit the virus to others because they interact with almost all individuals who enter those establishments. However, information regarding their risk perception is scarce; hence, this study aimed to assess risk perception regarding COVID-19 and its associated factors among waiters working in the selected towns of southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to 15, 2020. The interview-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered into Epi data manager version 4.0.2 and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with risk perception. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance. Results: A total of 416 waiters were interviewed, with a 98.6% response rate. The mean age of respondents was 27.26 (SD=8.35) years. More than half (53.4%) agreed that COVID-19 causes more deaths than other respiratory diseases. Regarding overall risk perception, two hundred twenty-two (53.4%) participants had high-risk perceptions concerning COVID-19. Risk perception was associated with age (β= 0.10; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.18), knowledge of COVID-19 (β=0.50, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.76) and preventive behaviors (β=0.62; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.90). Conclusion: A higher level of risk perception was found regarding the COVID-19. Proper risk communication to promote protective behaviors is very essential since waiters are more at risk to be infected with COVID-19 and their infection with the virus has important public health implications.

Global prevalence of iron deﬁciency anemia and its variation with different gestational age systematic review and meta-analysis

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Global prevalence of iron deﬁciency anemia and its variation with different gestational age systematic review and meta-analysis Kebede, Samuel Sahile; Asmelash, Daniel; Duguma, Tadesse; Wudineh, Desalewu; Alemayehu, Ermiyas; Gedeﬁe, Alemu; Mesﬁn, Getachew Introduction Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of microcytic hypochromic anemia, which predominantly affects pregnant women globally. Even though it is a public health problem, there is limited information on the pooled burden. Objective To determine the global prevalence of iron deficiency among pregnant women and its variation with different gestational ages. Methods To conduct this study, we followed the criteria on guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analysis. We registered the study protocol on PROSPERO with the reference number CRD42024499368 and Relevant information was found by searching scientific databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Web of Science, Wiley online library, Google Scholar, scientific information database, biomedical journal database, and the global medical article library. All population-based studies and national surveys with data on the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women globally that were published up to June 28, 2023, were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were applied to all relevant articles. STATA software (Ver. 11.1) was used to analyze the data using a random effect model. I2 test statistics were employed to ascertain the degree of heterogeneity. The Egger-weighted regression test and funnel plot analysis were employed to identify publication bias. Results The thirty-nine articles with a sample size of 33869 were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women was 18.98% (CI: 95%; 18.15–19.81%) with highest magnitude in North Africa region (36.68% (95% CI 35.76, 37.60). The burden was highest during the second trimester (27.8%) followed by the third (5.44%) and the first trimesters (2.34%). Conclusions and recommendation Iron deficiency anemia is a public health problem among pregnant women especially North African region, even though its magnitude is decreased years after 2015. As a result, every stakeholder should implement preventative measures, and intervention strategies like iron supplementation and nutritional support, particularly during the second trimester.