Prevalence and associated risk factors for Hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is an increased flow of refugees into Ethiopia from neighboring countries. However, there are no post-arrival screening mechanisms for hepatitis B and C viruses which could be an additional burden for the local population. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia. It also aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning hepatitis B and C viruses among participants.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 453 refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia from January until May 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect data on refugees' socio-demographic, risk factors, and KAP of hepatitis B and C infections. Five milliliters of blood sample were collected from each participant and the serum was used for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody screening rapid tests. Positive samples were further tested by ELISA method. Data were performed using SPSS version 20, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among refugees was 7.3% (33/453) and 2.0% (9/453) respectively. Of these, 6.8% (25/370) and 1.4% (5/370) of females were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV, whereas 9.6% (8/83) and 4.8% (4/83) of males were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. The age group of 18-29 and 30-41 years old were related to HCV infection (P = 0.003 and P = 0.020). However, proposed risk factors were not related to HBV and HCV infections. Knowledge assessment showed that 86.5% (392/453) did not know how HBV and HCV infections are transmitted, and 86.8% (393/453) had no information about the availability of HBV vaccine.

CONCLUSION

This study showed intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus in a large refugee camp in Ethiopia. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus was found to increase with age, but no other risk factor for either virus identified as significant. Refugees' understanding of hepatitis B and C was very limited. This indicates the need for screening policy to be implemented and integrated with other health services and awareness creation about the infection in all refugee camps of Gambella.

Anemia among School-Age Children: Magnitude, Severity and Associated Factors in Pawe Town, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a global public health problem associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The cause of anemia in school-age children is multifactorial and has been associated with delayed psychomotor development, poor cognitive performance, impaired immunity and decrease working capacity. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude, severity and determinant factors of anemia among school-age children (5-15 years) in Pawe Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 20 to June 19, 2015 in Pawe Town. A total of 422 school-age children were included in this study. Sociodemographic and related data were collected using structured questionnaire. Anthropometric data were collected from each study participant. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using HemoCue® Hb 201+ System (HemoCue, Angelholm, Sweden). Blood film for malaria diagnoses and stool examination for intestinal parasites were also performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of anemia among school-age children was 33.9%. Mothers' illiteracy (AOR=7.5, 95% CI: 2.6-16.3), being from a family with low income (AOR=4.8, 95% CI: 1.3-10.9), being stunted (AOR=7.1, 95% CI: 2.9-11.9), being underweight (AOR=5.3, 95% CI: 2.1-13.3), infection with intestinal parasites (AOR=5.2, 95% CI: 2.1-12.6), and malaria infection (AOR=8.2, 95% CI: 1.8-14.5) were identified as associated factors of anemia.

CONCLUSION

In this study, anemia is a moderate public health problem among school-age children. School health strategies and interventions targeting nutritional deficiencies and parasitic infections might be very important.

Survival Analysis of Calves and Reproductive Performance of Cows in Commercial Dairy Farms in and Around Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

A study was conducted at five locations to determine the survival rate of calves and to estimate the performance level of improved dairy cows under commercialized farming systems in Ethiopia. Seven hundred and one calves born from 1997 to 1999, and 797 cows were included in the study. Cumulative calf/heifer survival at 360, 540 and 720 days was 80%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Number of services per conception averaged 2 while mean age at first service and days open were 850+/-18 and 192+/-11 days, respectively. Calf survival, days open and age at first service were significantly affected by breed and management factors (p <0.05), whereas parity significantly affected the number of services per conception and days open. There was a tendency towards improved performance over the years. This was especially so for calf survival and days open. Clearly, all the traits measured varied among study farms, indicating that substantial improvement can be achieved through better management. This paper describes these individual traits of improved dairy breeds under commercialized farming systems in Ethiopia.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance patterns and associated risk factors in women of childbearing potential in northwestern Ethiopia

BACKGROUNDS

Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea and poses public health problems, including antimicrobial resistance. Current data on gonorrhea in prenatal participants in the study area are required. Thus, we aimed to identify gonorrhea prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and risk factors among antenatal care clinic visitors in northwestern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2022 at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. We recruited 278 study participants using convenient sampling techniques. Sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral risk factors were recorded using pre-tested questionnaires. Endocervical swabs were collected by a physician, transported to the microbiology laboratory, immediately inoculated into modified Thayer-Martin medium, and it was incubated at 37 °C for 24-48 hours. Gram staining and biochemical tests were used to identify the organism. AMR testing was performed using disc diffusion and E-test methods. Data were entered in EPI-info version 7 and exported and analyzed in SPSS version 26. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results were presented in words, tables and figure.

RESULTS

Of 278 subjects enrolled, majority (44.6%) were 26-35 years, with a mean age of 29.9 (SD = ±7.2) years, 69.4% were urban residents, and 70.5% were married. Twenty-one (7.6%) participants had gonorrhea. Overall antimicrobial resistance ranged from 19 to 100%. High resistant to tetracycline (100%) and penicillin (85.7%) were observed by both tests. Ciprofloxacin resistance was 52.4% by disc diffusion and 85.7% by E-test. By E-test, all isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin and spectinomycin; however, 7 (33.3%), 9 (42.9%), 9 (42.9%) and 5 (23.8%) isolates showed resistant to these antibiotics with disk method. Prevalence of beta-lactamase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 85.7%. Alcohol consumption (p = 0.032), condom-free sexual practice (p = 0.010), multiple sexual partners (p < 0.001), pelvic pain (p = 0.018), and dysuria (p = 0.021) revealed increased risk of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with many previous studies in Ethiopia, we found high prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and beta-lactamase-positive isolates. Multiple sexual partners, alcohol consumption, not using condom, pelvic pain and dysuria were predictors of this infection. Continuous large-scale monitoring of pathogen is essential for its prevention and control.

Antimicrobial susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and epidemiological data of gonorrhoea patients in five cities across Ethiopia, 2021-22

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global public health concern and enhanced global gonococcal AMR surveillance is imperative. As in many African countries, regular, representative and quality-assured gonococcal AMR is lacking in Ethiopia. We describe the AMR in gonococcal isolates from five cities across Ethiopia, 2021-22, and patient epidemiological data.

Methods

Urethral discharge from males and cervical discharge from females were collected from October 2021 to September 2022. Epidemiological data were collected using a questionnaire. MIC determination (ETEST; eight antimicrobials) was performed on gonococcal isolates and EUCAST breakpoints (v13.1) were used.

Results

From 1142 urogenital swab samples, 299 species-identified gonococcal isolates were identified; 78.3% were from males and 21.7% from females. The median age for males and females was 25 and 23 years, respectively. Most isolates (61.2%) were identified in Addis Ababa, followed by Gondar (11.4%), Adama (10.4%), Bahir Dar (10.0%) and Jimma (7.0%). The resistance level to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and benzylpenicillin was 97.0%, 97.0% and 87.6%, respectively, and 87.6% of isolates were producing β-lactamase. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin and spectinomycin. Recommended therapy [ceftriaxone (250 mg) plus azithromycin (1 g)] was used for 84.2% of patients.

Conclusions

We present the first national quality-assured gonococcal AMR data from Ethiopia. Resistance levels to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and benzylpenicillin were exceedingly high. However, all isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin and spectinomycin. In Ethiopia, it is essential to strengthen the gonococcal AMR surveillance by including further epidemiological data, more isolates from different cities, and WGS.

Peripheral neuropathy and associated factors among children living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common neurological complication of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that can significantly affect patients' quality of life. In Ethiopia, children living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing peripheral neuropathy due to comorbidities such as anemia, tuberculosis, malnutrition, and poor socio-economic status. Our study aims to evaluate the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among children living with HIV in Ethiopia using a simple clinical screening tool.

METHODS

A health institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 148 children aged 5 to 18 years living with HIV who are receiving treatment at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic of the randomly selected public health institutions in the Gamo zone. An interview and neurologic examination were conducted. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Variables with p-value < 0.25 in the bi-variable logistic regression analysis were entered and checked for association in a multivariable logistic regression model. The level of statistical significance was declared at the p-value < 0.05.

RESULT

In this study, 148 children participated, making a response rate of 97.5%. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the respondents was 15.03 ± 2.99 years, and 81(54.7%) were male. The magnitude of PN was 20.9% (31/148). Children in the age category of 15-18 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.88, 95%CI; 1.24-4.60), low BMI for age (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI; 1.12-4.15), last exposure to isoniazid within 1 year (AOR = 2.31, 95%CI; 1.12-8.53). Longer duration of HIV illness (AOR = 2.17, 95%CI; 1.54-4.64), and past tuberculosis (TB) treatment (AOR = 2.11, 95%CI; 1.08-7.48) were significantly associated factors with peripheral neuropathy.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis revealed that being in the age category of 15-18 years, low BMI for age, Isoniazid exposure, longer Duration of HIV illness, and past TB treatment were significantly associated with peripheral neuropathy in children living with HIV. These disease-related factors may contribute to the development and progression of peripheral neuropathy in this population.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Status of expanded program on immunization in a rural town--south Ethiopia

A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a randomly selected kebele of Zway town, eastern Shoa, Kilil 4, to assess the status of expanded program of immunization. A total of 309 children aged 12-23 months were entered into the study. Fifty-three per cent of the children were fully immunized, 19% were defaulters and the rest were totally not immunized. The main reason for defaulting were inconvenience of vaccination time, child sickness and lack of information about the need for repeated vaccination. The main reasons for not being immunized were lack of faith in vaccination, not knowing its availability and lack of time. Inconsistent outreach programs and weak health education were the major rectifiable causes of the low coverage and high defaulter rate. Strengthening of the health education and outreach programs and development of mechanism for follow-up and defaulter tracing are recommended.