Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among adult population in central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia 2020: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Undiagnosed hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and complications such as heart attack and stroke. Limited information is available on the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors in Ethiopia, particularly in the study setting. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors in the central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 31, 2020. A pretested structured questionnaire was used and both face-to-face interview and physical measurement were used to collect the data. Blood pressure was measured on two different days for each study participant, and an average of the measurements were taken. In addition, 736 participants were included in this study, through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to show the strength of the association and declare statistical significance at p < 0.05. Results: In the study, the mean age of the participants was 51.9 (standard deviation: 17.9) years old. Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was found 15.4% (N = 113). The factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension were being divorced (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 15.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.2-28.3), alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.22-3.51), not eating fruits (AOR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.37-7.08), not eating vegetables (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 2.02-5.96) and poor knowledge (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 2.75-7.83). Conclusion: Around one in six study participants had undiagnosed hypertension. Being divorced, drinking alcohol, not eating fruits, not consuming vegetables, and having poor knowledge of hypertension were significant factors. Public health interventions, like providing adequate hypertension health information, frequent screening, and implementation of an appropriate intervention for particular factors, are critical for reducing the burden of undiagnosed hypertension.

Predictors of Opportunistic Infections among HIV-infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are diseases that cause infections in people whose immune systems are compromised. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of OIs and associated factors among HIV-infected patients. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was done in Eastern Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 394 study participants through an interview method. The required sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to find factors at p < .05. The prevalence of OIs was found to be 52% (95% CI [47.5, 57.1]). Occupation, CD4+ count, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and functional status were independently associated with OIs. Intervention measures such as improving adherence to ART should be strengthened to further reduce the burden of OIs.

The outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in African countries: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared as a pandemic and public health emergency that infected more than 5 million people worldwide at the time of writing this protocol. Strong evidence for the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group has not been published in Africa. Therefore, this protocol will be served as a guideline to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in Africa. METHODS: Published and unpublished studies on the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in Africa and written in any language will be included. Databases (PubMed / MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Google, EMBASE, Web of Science, Microsoft Academic, WHO COVID-19 database, Cochran Library, Africa Wide Knowledge, and Africa Index Medicus) from March to August 2020 will be searched. Two independent reviewers will select, screen, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. The proportion will be measured using a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis will be conducted to manage heterogeneity. The presence of publication bias will be assessed using Egger's test and visual inspection of the funnel plots. This systematic and meta-analysis review protocol will be reported per the PRISMA-P guidelines. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol will be expected to quantify the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in Africa. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This protocol was submitted for registration with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) in April 2020 and accepted with the registration number: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO). CRD42020180600.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Mother-To-Child Transmission, and Associated Risk Factors Among Delivering Mothers in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia: a Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: High prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among pregnant women is the primary source of infection for their children and the general population. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the primary mode of transmission in endemic areas like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infection, rate of MTCT, and associated risk factors among delivering mothers. METHODS: This health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four public hospitals of the Eastern zone of Tigray among 473 delivering mothers. Structured questionnaires and laboratory results were used to collect the data. The data were checked for completeness and entered into EpiData manager version 4.6.0.0. Then the data were exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval, was estimated to identify predictors of HBV infection using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Significant association was considered at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 473 mothers were enrolled, and the response rate was 100%. The prevalence of HBV infection among the mothers and the rate of MTCT of the infection were 11.6% and 30.9%, respectively. History of home delivery [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) (2, 10.6)], history of hospital admission [AOR = 5, 95% CI (2.2, 11.5)], working at health facility [AOR = 5.4, 95% CI (1.4, 20.7)], body tattoos [AOR = 5.8, 95% CI (2.4, 13.6)], sharing personal care materials [AOR = 3.8, 95% CI (1.4, 9.9)], insufficient knowledge [AOR = 5.6, 95% CI (1.6, 19)], and having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [AOR = 5.1, 95% CI (1, 26.2)] were significantly associated with HBV infection. CONCLUSION: HBV infection among delivering women is becoming highly endemic, and the rate of MTCT was high. Therefore, administering hepatitis B vaccine to all neonates within 24 h of birth is mandatory to prevent MTCT of HBV infection and related complications. Furthermore, health education and dissemination of information about HBV for the pregnant mothers are needed to reduce HBV infection and vertical transmission in Ethiopia.

Assessment of wasting and associated factors among under five children of Wukro town, Tigray regional, North Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, 50 million children under 5 were wasted; of which 16 million were severely wasted. A severely wasted child is at a nine times higher risk of dying. To prevent this problem, it is necessary to determine the magnitude and factors associated with childhood wasting. In Ethiopia specifically Wukro town, Tigray regional state there is no clear information regarding under five wasting. Therefore, the study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of wasting among under five children in Wukro town, North Ethiopia. Objective: to assess the prevalence of wasting and associated factors among under five children of Wukro town, Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2017/2018. METHODS: Community based cross-sectional study design with a single population proportion formula was used with a total sample size of 400 children. Wukro town has three kebele, two kebelle were included in the study through simple random sampling method. There was proportional allocation of subjects to each kebelle and final study subject was selected using systematic method. In case there were more than one child in the household one child was selected randomly. The data were collected by face to face interview and measuring of weight and height after the instrument was pre-tested. The anthropometric results were entered in to Emergency nutritional assessment (ENA) to calculate Z-Score. The collected data and result of Z-score were entered in to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20. Finally, results were presented in texts, graphs and tables. RESULTS: A total of 394 under five children were participated in this study, which gave a response rate of 98.5%. The respondents were females 222 (56.3%) and 106(26.95%) were in the age group of 12-23 month. The overall prevalence of wasting was 28 (7.2%). Out of this 14 (3.6%) were wasted and 14 (3.6%) were severely wasted. Under five children those, whose family does not live together were 3.086 times more likely to be wasted compared to under five children those, whose family live together (P=.038, OR=3.086, & 95% CI= (1.061, 8.970). Under five children those, whose mother did not taken family planning were 2.530 times more likely to be wasted compared to under five children those, whose mother take family planning (P=.038, OR=2.530, & 95% CI= (1.054, 6.074)). CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of mothers were not taken extra food during pregnancy and lactation. There was significant prevalence of wasting of under five children in the study area. Living condition of family and usage of family planning were associated with increased risk of wasting.

Stunting and associated factors among under-five children in Wukro town, Tigray region, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under-five children of Wukro town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017-2018. RESULT: Totally 394 under-five children were participated in this study with a response rate of 98.5%. A total of 222 (56.3%) of respondents were females and 106 (26.95%) were in the age group of 12-23 month. One hundred ninety-eight (50.3%) of the participants were between 2 and 3 in birth order and 194 (49.2%) had 4 to 5 house hold size. The overall prevalence of stunting was 194 (49.2%). Being female and presence of washing facilities nearby latrine were significantly associated with stunting. Under-five female children were 35.4% lower odds of stunting compared to male children (p = .041, OR = .644, and 95% CI (.422, .983)).

Assessment of wasting and associated factors among under five children of Wukro town, Tigray regional, North Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Introduction: globally, 50 million children under 5 were wasted; of which 16 million were severely wasted. A severely wasted child is at a nine times higher risk of dying. To prevent this problem, it is necessary to determine the magnitude and factors associated with childhood wasting. In Ethiopia specifically Wukro town, Tigray regional state there is no clear information regarding under five wasting. Therefore, the study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of wasting among under five children in wukro town,North Ethiopia. Objective: to assess the prevalence of wasting and associated factors among under five children of Wukro town, Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2017/2018.Methods: community based cross-sectional study design with a single population proportion formula was used with a total sample size of 400 children. Wukro town has three kebele, two kebelle were included in the study through simple random sampling method. There was proportional allocation of subjects to each kebelle and final study subject was selected using systematic method. In case there were more than one child in the household one child was selected randomly. The data were collected by face to face interview and measuring of weight and height after the instrument was pre-tested. The anthropometric results were entered in to Emergency nutritional assessment (ENA) to calculate Z-Score. The collected data and result of Z-score were entered in to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20. Finally, results were presented in texts, graphs and tables. Results: a total of 394 under five children were participated in this study, which gave a response rate of 98.5%. The respondents were females 222(56.3%) and 106(26.95%) were in the age group of 12-23 month. The overall prevalence of wasting was 28(7.2%). Out of this 14(3.6%) were wasted and 14(3.6%) were severely wasted. Under five children those, whose family does not live together were 3.086 times more likely to be wasted compared to under five children those, whose family live together (P=.038, OR=3.086, & 95% CI= (1.061, 8.970)). Under five children those, whose mother did not taken family planning were 2.530 times more likely to be wasted compared to under five children those, whose mother take family planning (P=.038, OR=2.530, & 95% CI= (1.054, 6.074)).Conclusion: significant numbers of mothers were not taken extra food during pregnancy and lactation. There was significant prevalence of wasting of under five children in the study area. Living condition of family and usage of family planning were associated with increased risk of wasting