Background: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of infectious and non-infectious agents, leading to a range of health problems. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause both acute and chronic liver disease, and the most common virus that can be transmitted from mother to child and other modes of transmission are contact with blood or other body fluids during sexual intercourse, unsafe injections, or exposure to sharp instruments. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of HBV infection among pregnant women attending the Antenatal Clinic at Bosaso General Hospital, Puntland, Somalia, in 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 pregnant women who underwent routine ANC at Bosaso General hospital from March 15 to May 15. Study participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A systematic random sampling technique was used to identify participants. Data entry, editing, and cleanup of the collected data were performed by the principal investigator using EPI data, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20 to examine the association between each independent variable and the outcome variable. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations. Result: A total of 302 respondents participated in the study, with a response rate of 96.8%. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women was 6.6% (95% CI = 4.0–9.8). Having a history of dental procedures (AOR = 5.52, 95% CI = 1.190–25.68), a history of blood transfusion (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI = 1.088–23.19), a history surgical procedure (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.014–21.76), or having a family history of HBV infection (AOR = 10.07, 95% CI = (1.27–79.63) were significant predictors of HBV infection among pregnant women. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HBV was intermediate (2–8%) in the study area according to WHO classification. A history of dental procedures, blood transfusion, surgical procedures, and a family history of hepatitis B virus infection were significantly associated with HBV infection. Keywords: Sero-prevalence; Bosaso; hepatitis B virus; pregnant women.
Background One of the tropical illnesses that is often overlooked is soil-transmitted helminths, or STHs. In tropical and subtropical nations, where poor sanitation and contaminated water sources are common, they mostly impact the most vulnerable populations. Objective The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of STHs and related risk factors among the people living in Jigjiga town, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was revealed from June 1 to July 21, 2023. Study participants were selected through a multistage sampling method, where households were randomly chosen from the kebeles. A semi-structured questionnaire and observational checklist were used to collect some of the data. A stool sample was collected from each participant, and a single Kato-Katz was performed to detect STHs. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and statistical significance was declared at a level of p -value < 0.05 between the outcome and independent variables. Results There were 507 participants in this study, and 90.9% of them responded. STH prevalence was 11.4% overall (95% CI = 9.0, 14.0). With a prevalent parasite species, A. lumbricoides was 9.3%, T. trichiura was 2.8%, and hookworms were 0.2%. Of the overall positive cases, 93.1% are due to single parasite infections. Independent predictors of STHs included low wealth status (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.25, 7.75; p = 0.015), infrequent hand washing before meals (AOR = 3.19; 95% CI = 1.55, 6.57; p = 0.002), earthen floors (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI = 1.12, 4.79; p = 0.023), and no drinking water treatment habit (AOR = 5.07; 95% CI = 1.89, 13.57; p = 0.001). Conclusion Jigjiga town had a low prevalence of STHs infections. Infrequent hand washing habits before meals, earthen floors, low wealth status, and no habit of treating drinking water were significant associated factors. Health education on handwashing, regular deworming, improved access to clean water and sanitation facilities to reduce the burden of STH effectively.
Background: Hypertension is a common, non-communicable disorder of public health significance. Abnormalities in haemostasis and blood rheology have been linked to target organ damage (TOD) in hypertension. Microalbuminuria (MA) is an independent predictor of TOD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 107 consecutively recruited hypertensives attending the Cardiology Clinic at ABUTH, Zaria, Nigeria. Complete blood counts, haemostatic screening tests and microalbuminuria assay were performed on blood and urine specimens. Results: The mean age of participants was 50.2±11.3 years and 59.3±18.2 years for females and males respectively with a female predominance (91/107; 85%). The frequencies of abnormal platelet counts, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer and MA were 15%, 57%, 54.2%, 64.5%, 100%, 25.2%, and 41% respectively. Participants with poor BP control had an increased risk of derangements in aPTT and platelet counts (OR = 1.4, 1.4) but there was no significant difference in means with BP for aPTT, fibrinogen, and platelets (p = 0.517, 0.257 and 0.525 respectively). The impact of the duration of hypertension was shown in D-dimer levels up to 10 years. Participants on ARB/ACEI- containing regimens showed a higher risk of derangement in TT, aPTT, PT and D-dimer in contrast to platelet counts (OR = 0.96, p = 0.836). Haemostatic parameters showed weakly positive, statistically significant correlation on regression analysis. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of, and positive correlation between haemostatic abnormalities and MA among hypertensives in Northern Nigeria. Abnormal haemostatic screening tests may indicate MA and increased risk of TOD.
Background: A stroke is a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain, leading to permanent tissue damage caused by embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhagic events. Almost 85% of strokes are ischemic strokes. Objective: To assess the incidence of mortality and risk factors among adult stroke patients in public hospitals of Jigjiga town, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted from 25 May to 15 June 2022 at Sheikh Hassen Yabare Referral Hospital and Karamara Hospital. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 4.3 and exported to be analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate mean survival time, and a predictor with a p-value < 0.05 was considered to have a significant in multivariate Cox regression. Results: About 480 stroke patients’ charts were included in this study; among those, 229 (53.3%) were male stroke patients, and 259 (60.2%) had an ischemic stroke. The overall incidence rate was 7.15 deaths per 1000 person-day observations. The overall median survival time for adult stroke patients was 120 days. GCS level b/n 3–8 has a lower survival time with a mean survival time of 57 days (95% CI: 48.8–66.7) as compared to those who had GCS level 9–12 with a mean survival time of 103 days (95% CI: 93.4–112.9). Age ⩾ 71 (AHR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.02–3.45), presence of pneumonia (AHR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.52–4.63), and history of hypertension (AHR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.08–3.89) were the predictors of mortality among stroke patients. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the incidence of mortality was high, at 7.15 per 1000 person-years. The presence of pneumonia, decreased GCS, age ⩾ 7, and history of hypertension were predictors of mortality in adult stroke patients.
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can cause illness, morbidity, and occasional mortality in children. Agro-pastoralist and pastoralist children in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia (ESRS) are especially at risk for IPIs, as access to safe water, sanitation, and health services is lacking. Minimal data on the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors exists in this region.We assessed the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors during the wet season from May-June 2021 in 366 children aged 2 to 5 years in four agro-pastoralist and four pastoralist kebeles (wards) in Adadle woreda (district) of the Shebelle zone, ESRS. Household information, anthropometric measurements, and stool samples were obtained from included children. Parasites were identified microscopically using Kato-Katz and direct smear methods. Risk factors were assessed using general estimating equation models accounting for clustering.Overall prevalence of IPIs was 35%: 30.6% for single infections and 4.4% for poly-parasitic infections. Intestinal protozoan prevalence was 24.9%: 21.9% Giardia intestinalis, and 3.0% Entamoeba spp.. Intestinal helminth prevalence was 14.5%: 12.8% Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.4% hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale /Necator americanus.), and 0.3% Hymenolepis nana. G. intestinalis infection was associated with drinking water sourced from the river (aOR 15.6, 95%CI 6.84, 35.4) and from collected rainwater (aOR 9.48, 95%CI 3.39, 26.5), with toilet sharing (aOR 2.93, 95%CI 1.36, 6.31) and with household ownership of cattle (1-5 cattle: aOR 1.65, 95%CI 1.13, 2.41; 6+ cattle: aOR 2.07, 95%CI 1.33, 3.21) and chickens (aOR 3.80, 95%CI 1.77, 8.17). A. lumbricoides infection was associated with children 36 to 47 months old (aOR 1.92, 95%CI 1.03, 3.58).Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services in Adadle and employing a One Health approach would likely improve the health of children living in (agro-) pastoralist communities in Adadle and the ESRS; however, further studies are required.
Abstract Background and Aim Under normal circumstances, a urine albumin excretion of 5-10 mg/L is considered to be normal. Micro-albuminuria is, however, defined as a level of albumin in the urine that is between 20 mcg/min, and 200 mcg/min (30-300mg/24h) with normal urine flow of 1 ml/min.The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of micro-albuminuria and associated factors among adult type two diabetes mellitus clients in public hospitals of Jigjiga town, Somali region, Ethiopia, from April 1 to July15, 2020 Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was used from April 1 to July 15, 2020. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect a data from 204 Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting at Karamara general and Jigjiga University referral hospitals for follow up. Descriptive statistics was computed. Logistic regression model was used to identify covariates using SPSS version 20. The direction and strength of statistical association was measured by odds ratio with 95 % CI and a P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of micro-albuminuria was 48.0% with [95% CI (41.2, 54.9)] Duration of DM between 11-20 years [AOR=3.71; 95% CI (1.45, 9.49)] Family history of hypertension [AOR=2.24; 95% CI : (1.02, 4.70)] Systolic blood pressure [AOR=3.36; 95% CI:(1.39, 8.13)], Low density lipoprotein [AOR=5.60; 95%CI: (2.22,14.11)] High density lipoprotein [AOR=5.210;95%CI:(2.067,13.131)] and Glycated hemoglobin [AOR = 3.246; 95% CI (1.356, 7.78)] were significantly associated with micro-albuminuria Conclusion: There is a significant level of micro-albuminuria among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Effective secondary prevention program directed on blood glucose and lipid with steps to improve blood pressure are critical in undertaking in the setting and regular screening of micro-albuminuria is needed so that an early preventive and treatment measures against its burden are put in place.
Data for uptake of the recommended influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with diabetes from developing countries are scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with diabetes. One thousand and five hundred patients with diabetes were approached; 1100 (685 female, age 5-90 years, median 50 years) consented for participation. Information regarding knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding vaccination was recorded by administering a predefined questionnaire. Only 99 (9%) and 97 (8.8%) of the 1100 patients had received influenza and pneumococcal vaccination respectively in the past 1-5 years. Vaccination rates were higher in males (15.9% versus 4.8% for influenza, p = 0.000 and 16.1% versus 4.5% ; p = 0.000 for Pneumococcus); and in those aged > 65 years (13.1% versus 7.96% , p = 0.017 for influenza; and 13.6% versus 7.6% , p = 0.012 for Pneumococcus). Reasons cited for non-participation included misperceptions about personal risk, vaccine efficacy and safety. Only 4 of the 28 physicians caring for the patients prescribed the vaccines regularly and the vaccination rates in their patients were significantly higher (p = 0.000). Poor vaccination rates in Northern Indian patients with diabetes call for intensive efforts to improve uptake.
Data for uptake of the recommended influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with diabetes from developing countries are scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with diabetes. One thousand and five hundred patients with diabetes were approached; 1100 (685 female, age 5-90 years, median 50 years) consented for participation. Information regarding knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding vaccination was recorded by administering a predefined questionnaire. Only 99 (9%) and 97 (8.8%) of the 1100 patients had received influenza and pneumococcal vaccination respectively in the past 1-5 years. Vaccination rates were higher in males (15.9% versus 4.8% for influenza, p = 0.000 and 16.1% versus 4.5% ; p = 0.000 for Pneumococcus); and in those aged > 65 years (13.1% versus 7.96% , p = 0.017 for influenza; and 13.6% versus 7.6% , p = 0.012 for Pneumococcus). Reasons cited for non-participation included misperceptions about personal risk, vaccine efficacy and safety. Only 4 of the 28 physicians caring for the patients prescribed the vaccines regularly and the vaccination rates in their patients were significantly higher (p = 0.000). Poor vaccination rates in Northern Indian patients with diabetes call for intensive efforts to improve uptake.
Background: Meningococcal disease is endemic in many parts of the world, with relatively large-scale outbreaks occurring in many countries. High density populations like dormitory students and military recruits are considered to be high risk groups to contract meningococcal disease. Indian data on meningococcal disease are sparse and limited to the studies undertaken during or immediately after suspected outbreaks. Methods & Materials: In a cross sectional design, 274 consenting healthy college freshmen (age 17-19 years, median 17; 48 female) were approached within 7 days of joining the hostel, where they would share their rooms with 2/3 more students. Demographic data and any high risk beahvior was recorded on a predefined proforma. Charcoal impregnated nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained, transported to the laboratory within 2-3hrs, plated directly onto Thayer Martin medium and incubated at 37 °C with 5-10% CO2 for 24 hours. In case of no growth the plates were incubated for another 24 hours and examined subsequently for oxidase positive Gram negative diplococcic suggestive of Neisseria spp. The isolates were sub cultured, DNA isolated and Sanger sequencing performed on the amplified PCR product. Blast n was performed at different score ad E-value parameters for all positive sequences against the whole NCBI nr/nt data base. Molecular phylogentic analysis with various serogroups of N.meningitides was performed by using MEGA 6 software package. Results: Of the 274 nasopharyngeal swabs, 10 (3.6%) grew Neisseria. DNA isolation and Sanger sequencing was performed on the amplified PCR product and sequence analysis was carried out. Blast analysis of all sequenced samples was performed against the whole NCBI-nr/nt database and within the Dataset. On molecular testing and sequence analysis, 4 of the samples were found to be N. meningitidis whereas one had close similarity to N. meningitidis. Only 2 students reported history of intimate kissing in the past 2 weeks and one had a history of using antibiotics. The isolates on Blast and molecular phlogeny analysis bore homology to serogroup 'B (Fig 1). Evolutionary relationship of N.meningitidis with different published serogroups Conclusion: Neisseria meningitides is seen in college freshmen and the potential implications for spread in close shared settings call for appropriate infection control measures. NCBI Blast hits of Sequence ID (Skimsmen0010) against whole NCBI (nr/nt) Data base.
'%3e%3ccircle r='120' fill='%230f47af'/%3e%3cg id='a'%3e%3cpath fill='%23fcdd09' d='m0-96-4.206 12.944 17.348 53.39h-23.13l-2.599 8h74.163l11.011-8H21.553z'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fcdd09' stroke-width='4' d='m25.863-35.597 30.564-42.069'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(72)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(144)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(216)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(288)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
'%3e%3ccircle r='20' fill='%23008'/%3e%3ccircle r='17.5' fill='%23fff'/%3e%3ccircle r='3.5' fill='%23008'/%3e%3cg id='d'%3e%3cg id='c'%3e%3cg id='b'%3e%3cg id='a' fill='%23008'%3e%3ccircle r='.875' transform='rotate(7.5 -8.75 133.5)'/%3e%3cpath d='M0 17.5.6 7 0 2l-.6 5L0 17.5z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(15)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23b' transform='rotate(30)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23c' transform='rotate(60)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23d' transform='rotate(120)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23d' transform='rotate(-120)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
