Malaria surveillance, outbreak investigation, response and its determinant factors in Waghemra Zone, Northeast Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study.

Malaria is a major global public health concern, with around half of the world's population at risk of infection. It is one of the most common epidemic-prone diseases, resulting in on-going epidemics and significant public health problems. On September 12, 2022, Waghemra Zone malaria monitoring data revealed that the district was suffering an unusually high number of malaria cases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of malaria outbreaks and investigate contracting factors in Waghemra Zone, Northeast Ethiopia. A community-based case-control study with a 1:1 ratio was employed at Waghemra Zone from September 14 to November 27, 2022. A total of 260 individuals (130 cases and 130 controls) were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Malaria cases were confirmed by either microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic tests. The magnitude of the outbreak was described by place, person, and time. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify malaria risk factors. A total of 13,136 confirmed cases of malaria were detected in the Waghemra zone, with an overall attack rate of 26.5 per 1000 and slide positivity rate was 43.0%. The predominant species was Plasmodium falciparum accounting for 66.1%. Children under five years old (AOR = 5.1; 95% CI 2.6-23.0), the presence of artificial water-holding bodies (AOR: 2.7; 95% CI 1.340-5.420), intermittent rivers closer to the living house (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI 2.51-9.62), sleeping outside a home (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI 2.51-9.62), and a lack of knowledge about malaria transmission and prevention (AOR: 9.7; 95% CI 4.459-20.930) were factors associated with malaria contraction. The overall attack rate for malaria during this outbreak was high. Children less than five years, the presence of mosquito breeding sites, staying outdoors overnight, and a lack of knowledge on malaria transmission and prevention were predictors of malaria. Early management of local vector breeding places, as well as adequate health education on malaria transmission and prevention methods, should be provided to the community to prevent such outbreaks in the future.

Serum lipid profile of stroke patients attending at Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, Dessie, Northeast Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and death worldwide. Serum lipid levels have established effects on short-term stroke mortality. To reduce the incidence of stroke and stroke-related mortality, it is important to assess lipid levels in subtypes of strokes. Hence, the main aim of this study was to assess lipid profile and associated factors among stroke patients. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting 278 (139 stroke patients and 139 controls) study participants selected by convenient sampling technique from March to July 2021. Socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from University of Gondar. After obtaining informed consent, about 5 ml of venous blood was collected to perform lipid profile using DIRUI CS-T240 automated clinical chemistry analyzer. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, correlation tests, and logistic regression were used during data analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The current study found that total cholesterol (170.24 ± 44.66) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (114.07 ± 35.82) were significantly higher in stroke patients than in the control group (155.22 ± 18.09) and (103.14 ± 15.65), respectively (P < 0.05). On the other hand, triglycerides (127 (104-141)) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (52 (48-57)) were significantly lower in stroke patients than in the control group (127 (104-141)) and (52 (48-57)), respectively (P < 0.05). Additionally, patients with ischemic stroke had significantly higher serum low-density lipoprotein than hemorrhagic stroke patients and controls (P < 0.05). Likewise, patients with hemorrhagic stroke had significantly lowered serum triglyceride levels than ischemic stroke patients and controls (P < 0.05). Dyslipidemia was found in 51.1% of stroke patients. Active smokers (AOR = 6.54, 95% CI = 1.56-27.33), being female (AOR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.49-8.88), current alcohol drinkers (AOR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.01-12.25), being diabetes patients (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI = 1.14-11.60) and high body max index (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI = 1.50-11.05) were significantly associated with dyslipidemia. Conclusions: The overall dyslipidemia and lipid fraction abnormalities were higher in stroke patients. Efforts should be focused towards addressing these lipid abnormalities through lifestyle modification, health education and lipid reduction therapies in order to reduce their adverse effects.

Epidemiological, clinical and hematological profiles of visceral leishmaniasis among patients visiting Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia: a 4 year retrospective study.

Visceral leishmaniasis is a major, life-threatening parasitic disease that still remains a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. Understanding the epidemiological, clinical, and hematological profiles of visceral leishmaniasis patients is important for implementing evidence-based control strategies. It is also important for early treatment and to decrease the mortality rate from the disease. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the epidemiological, clinical, and hematological profiles of visceral leishmaniasis among patients visiting Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. A retrospective study was conducted at Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital from September 2017 to August 2021. Data were collected from the medical records of suspected patients who were tested by the rK39 rapid diagnostic by strictly following standard operating procedures. The data was summarized using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 26 version software. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and hematological profiles of visceral leishmaniasis patients. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall positivity rate for visceral leishmaniasis was 23.4% (132/564). The result of this study indicated a fluctuating yet declining trend in VL over the past 4 years. From a total of 132 VL confirmed cases, the numbers of cases were highest among males (78.0%), those 15-29 years of age (37.1%), and urban residents (89.4%). Furthermore, Abergele (11.0%), Sehala (6.0%), and Ziquala (5.0%) districts had the highest number of VL cases. The major clinical presentations of patients were fever (96.2%), splenomegaly (94.7%), and general weakness (80.3%). With regard to hematological profiles, the most common findings were anemia (86.4%), thrombocytopenia (81.8%), leucopenia (78.8%), neutropenia (74.2%), and pancytopenia (71.2%). In the study area, the VL positivity rate was high. Our findings also concluded that VL causes significant alterations in clinical and hematological parameters. Therefore, the zone health office and other concerned stakeholders should strengthen evidence-based control programs for VL.

Dyslipidemia and Its Associated Factors Among Helicobacter pylori-Infected Patients Attending at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, North-West Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Dyslipidemia refers to a lipid profile disturbance due to decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to some appetite-related disorders that may cause deregulated absorption of nutrients in the digestive system, contributing to changes in serum lipids. The purpose of this study is to assess dyslipidemia and its associated factors among H. pylori-infected patients attending at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 231 H. pylori-positive and control groups, which were included by the convenience sampling technique from March to May 2021 at University of Gondar Specialized Hospital. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristic data were collected using a pretested questionnaire, and 5mL of venous blood were used to determine the lipid profiles using DxC 700 AU chemistry analyzer. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Mann-Whitney U-test and multivariable logistic regression were applied, and P-value <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: The magnitude of dyslipidemia among H. pylori-infected patients was 71.8% (95% CI: 62.7-79.7). There was a statistically significant difference in lipid profiles between H. pylori-infected patients and control groups. The median (IQR) of lipid profiles in H. pylori-infected patients and control groups were for low-density lipoprotein: 108 (89.8, 145.5) vs 95 (79.45, 115.8, P<0.001), for triglycerides: 93 (65,117) vs 83 (58.5, 102, P=0.031), and cholesterol: 143 (119.5, 169,) vs 125 (110,143, P<0.001) mg/dl, respectively. Helicobacter pylori infection, alcohol drinking, unable to read and write, primary school, and secondary school were a significant associated variables with dyslipidemia (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a median lipid profile statistically significant difference between H. pylori-positive and control groups. Helicobacter pylori infection, educational status, and alcohol drinking habit had statistically significant association with dyslipidemia.