Hematological Profiles and Clinical Outcome of COVID-19 Among Patients Admitted at Debre Markos Isolation and Treatment Center, 2020: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is coronavirus isolated from SARS patients. As far as the researchers' knowledge, there was paucity of studies conducted in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. As immune protection is arisen from our blood cells, assessing their level will provide a clue for controlling the disease and monitoring the prognosis. This study will also provide additional information for clinical intervention and patient management. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the hematological profile and clinical outcome of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among patients admitted to the Debre Markos Isolation and Treatment Center (DMITC). Material and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 136 COVID-19 adult patients at DMITC from January 1, 2020 to March 30, 2021. Data related to clinical, hematological profiles and socio-demographic factors were collected, entered into Epi data, and analyzed using STATA 14.2 software. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to determine the predictor variable and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of 136 COVID-19 patients, 28.68% had died. The mean age of patients was 47.21±1.29 years. The hematological profile of the patients revealed that 28% had abnormal leukocyte, 23% abnormal lymphocyte, 44.85% abnormal granulocyte, 22.06% abnormal monocyte, 30.15% abnormal RBC and 87% abnormal platelet counts. The prevalence of anemia was 13.24%. Conclusion: Leukocytosis (mainly granulocytosis and monocytosis) and lymphopenia, were the predominant abnormal findings of complete blood cell count (CBC) analysis of the patient's blood. Most of the patients had abnormally low platelet counts. RBC count and hematocrit determination were the only significant predictors of death. The clinician could manage cases according to the hematological findings of the patients. Further experimental studies should be conducted to determine hematological parameter changes and the clinical outcome of the disease.

Magnitude of anemia and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months at Debre Markos referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anemia, the most common micro-nutrient deficiency disorder, is the world's second leading cause of morbidity and morbidity, affecting 24.8% of the population, of which 47.4% are under-five children. The prevalence of anemia ranges from 44 to 56% in Ethiopia. Although its magnitude has shown decreases across regions; it continues to be a significant public health problem, particularly in developing countries including Ethiopia. Despite this evidence, the magnitude and associated factors of anemia was not systematically explored and there is a limited information or limited evidences in the study area. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of anemia among children aged 6-59 months attending at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Markos referral hospital Northwest Ethiopia from September 30 to December 30, 2019. Data on socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, health and nutritional features of children and their mothers were obtained using pre-tested structured questionnaires in a face-to-face interview with child care providers. Blood samples and stool examination for intestinal parasites were performed. Hemoglobin level was analyzed using the HemoCue device (HemoCueHb 301). The collected data were coded, cleared and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1, and analyzed using Stata version 14 software. To identify candidates and predictor variables, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied respectively. The significance level was determined at a confidence interval of 95% at p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the total of 341 participants planned to be participated, about 310 mother-child pairs participated in the study, giving a response rate of 91%; and data were collected from children as well as their parents or guardians. In this study, the magnitude of anemia was 11.9% (95% CI, 8.5, 16.2%). Poor dietary diversity (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.14), food-insecure households (AOR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.85, 4.52), complementary feeding initiation time (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI:1.23, 6.61), intestinal parasites infection (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI:1.23, 6.61) and family income (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI:1.57, 5.0) were found to be factors significantly associated with anemia. CONCLUSION: Overall, anemia is considered a public health problem among children aged 6-59 months attending at Debre Markos referral hospital, based on the cut-off point of the World Health Organization. Poor dietary diversity, complementary feeding initiation time, household food insecurity, intestinal parasite infection and family income were significantly associated with childhood anemia. Thus, it needs for proven interventions in public health such as food diversification, anti-helmintic drug provision and household food security. In addition, educating women about nutrition and diet diversification, as well as involving them in alternative sources of income-generating activity, can be vital in the study area.

Sero-Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Among Pregnant Women at North West Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus is a public health problem in the world. It is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatic cellular carcinoma. The presence of a confirmed HBsAg result is indicative of ongoing HBV infection. This study aims to assess the sero-prevalence and associated factors of the hepatitis B virus among pregnant women in North West Ethiopia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Markos Referral Hospital from January to July 2017. A consecutive 338 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic were included. A structured questionnaire was used to assess hepatitis B virus infection associated factors and some socio-demographic characteristics. A 5 mL of venous blood was collected from each study participant and plasma was separated and analyzed using a rapid HBsAg kit and further confirmed by double sandwich ELISA. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 27 (SD ± 4.75) years. The sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus in pregnant women was 28 (8.3%). Body tattooing practice (AOR = 4.94 95% CI, 1.87-13.0), multi-partner sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.48 95% CI, 1.89-10.5) and family hepatitis B history (AOR = 7.40 95% CI, 2.23-24.5) were statistically significantly associated with HBV infection (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is very high among pregnant women in the study area. Awareness creation on modes of transmission and early screening of all pregnant women attending antenatal care must be strengthened to minimize and control infection.