Gemechu Kumera

Intestinal parasitic infections and its association with undernutrition and CD4 T cell levels among HIV/AIDS patients on HAART in Butajira, Ethiopia

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections and HIV/AIDS have been the major public health problems and remain a vital cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Both problems are linked in a vicious cycle. The magnitude of intestinal parasites was prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS even in the HAART era. However, the pertinent risk factors associated with intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients were not well investigated in Ethiopia particularly at Butajira town. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among HIV/AIDS patients on HAART in Butajira, Ethiopia.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted, and a total of 323 study subjects was involved in the study. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select each participant during data collection. Stool specimen was collected and processed using direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration technique, and modified Ziehl-Neelson staining techniques to identify both common and opportunistic intestinal parasites. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, environmental, clinical, and nutritional data. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of various explanatory factors on intestinal parasites. P value ≤0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 35.9% (95% CI 31.0–40.9%). Protozoa’s (Entanmoeba histolytica/dispar trophozoite, E. histolytica/dispar cyst, Giardia lamblia trophozoite, and G. lamblia cyst), helminths (Tanea species, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloid stercoralis, Hookworm species and H. nana), and opportunistic intestinal parasites (Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli) were observed in 57 (17.1%), 46 (14.4%), and 28 (8.7%) study participants respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of animals (AOR 6. 14; 95% CI 3.13, 12.0); using river water (AOR 4.87; 95% CI 1.14, 20.7); undernutrition (AOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.36–4.95); and level of immunosuppression (AOR 4.02; 95% CI 1.78–9.05 and AOR 2.84; 95% CI 1.37–5.89) were significantly associated with intestinal parasites.ConclusionsThe prevalence of intestinal parasites found to be higher among HIV/AIDS patients receiving HAART at Butajira Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Presence of animals, using river water, lower CD4 T cell count, and undernutrition were significant factors affecting intestinal parasites. Therefore, consistent detection of intestinal parasites and deworming of patients should be performed as well as improving health education on personal hygiene, avoiding contact with pit or domestic animals, and using safe or treated water. Furthermore, improving nutritional support and household food access are recommended.

Food Insecurity and its Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS Receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Butajira Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Food insecurity and HIV/AIDS are common problems in resource limited setting particularly Sub- Saharan countries. Both are intertwined and worsening one another in a vicious cycle through a mixture of various factors. However, the magnitude of food insecurity and its associated factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS are not well studied in Ethiopia. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and its associated factors among adult people living with HIV/AIDS receiving HAART. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 338 study subjects were enrolled in the study and systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, clinical and nutrition related data. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effect of the various factors on food insecurity. P-value ≤ 0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of food insecurity among PLWHA receiving HAART at Butajira hospital was 78.1% (95% CI: 73.7%-82.8%). Mild, moderate and severe food insecurity was observed on 4.4%, 32.0% and 41.7% participants respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that living in rural area (AOR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.38), low monthly income (AOR=7.80; 95% CI: 7.80 (3.55-17.1) and inadequate household dietary diversity (AOR=14.4; 95% CI: 4.90, 42.6) were significantly associated with food insecurity. Conclusion: Food insecurity is high among PLWHA receiving HAART at Butajira Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Living in rural area, low monthly income, under-nutrition and inadequate household dietary diversity were the significant factors for food insecurity.

Undernutrition and its association with socio-demographic, anemia and intestinal parasitic infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundUnder nutrition is a worldwide public health problem affecting the well-being of millions of pregnant women in the developing world. Only limited research has been conducted on the prevalence and determinants of maternal nutritional status in Ethiopia. Particularly, data on the nutritional status of pregnant women are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in January and February 2016. Randomly selected 409 pregnant women were included in the study. Nutritional status was estimated using mid-upper-arm circumference. Data on potential determinants of undernutrition were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The blood sample was collected to analyze hemoglobin. The stool sample was collected to identify intestinal parasitic infections. Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression. P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women was 16.2% (95% CI: 12.4–20.1%). Using a logistic regression model, factors significantly associated with the undernutrition were living in rural areas (AOR = 2.26), low educational status [no formal education (AOR = 2.91), primary education (AOR = 2.69)], history of too many births (AOR = 2.55), anemia (AOR = 2.01), and intestinal parasitic infection (AOR = 2.73).ConclusionThe study findings provide evidence for the public health significance of under nutrition among pregnant women in the study area. The problem must be combated through rural livelihood promotion, socioeconomic empowerment of women, sustained nutrition education and expansion of family-planning services in the area.

Pension beneficiaries’ household food insecurity and associated factors in Debre Markos town, Northwest Ethiopia

ObjectivesA community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2016 in Debre Markos town, Northwest Ethiopia to assess the level of household food insecurity and associated factors among pension beneficiaries.ResultsThe overall prevalence of household food insecurity among pension beneficiaries’ households was 82.5%. Among food insecure households, 4.9% were labelled as mildly, 48.5% moderately and 46.6% severely food insecure. Living in rental house (P = 0.05), being younger beneficiaries (P = 0.001), low monthly household income (P = 0.001) and poor self-reported health status (P = 0.03) were found significantly associated with household food insecurity. In conclusion, food insecurity was a public health problem among pension beneficiaries in the study area. The effort of the government to increase the pension benefit and making especial subsidy on food and health costs yield a long-term solution.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus: Current Status and Future Implications

In September 2012, a novel coronavirus was recognized, later renamed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. This novel coronavirus belong lineage C of the genus Beta coronavirus included virus isolates from bats and camels. Fever, cough and shortness of breath were the common initial symptoms. On the other hand, majority of Patients were rapidly progressed to severe pneumonia and renal failure. Dromedary camels are suspected the primary reservoir for MERS CoV infection; suggesting camels to human transmission via contact with their excretion and consuming their product. However, human to human transmission occurred via the respiratory droplet or close contact. There is no specific drug or vaccine available for illnesses caused by MERS-CoV infection. Currently this novel virus is the major emerging respiratory pathogen threats of the world and capable of lethal human infections. Still new cases have been reported around the world particularly Arabian Peninsula. It has been also emerged outside Middle East countries which have not occurred before in South Korea and China since 20 May, 2015.