Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors in Bedele Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Hypertension is the leading cause of death in the world and is the commonest cause for outpatient visits to physicians. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among adults in Bedele Town, South-west Ethiopia.Method: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted by interviewing participants regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, history of hypertension, its risk factors and knowledge of its complications and treatment. Measurements of their blood pressure, body weight, height, and waist circumferences were also done on the same day. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16 statistical software. Chi-square test and odds ratio with 95% CI were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Logistic regression model was used to determine the independent risk factors for hypertension. P-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 396 adults of whom 67.4% were males participated in the study. Prevalence of hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or reported use of anti-hypertensive medication, was 16.9%. However, only 44.8% of those with hypertension were aware of their status, and the overall control rate of hypertension was only 22.4%. Only age and waist circumference were found to be independent predictors of hypertension in the community.Conclusion: Hypertension was found to be prevalent in the community. However, the respondents’ awareness about the problem and the overall control rates were very low. Activities targeted at increasing awareness of hypertension in the community and its risk reduction are very important for intervention. There should also be a national strategy for early detection and treatment of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases.Keywords: Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, Ethiopi

The Role of Empowerment in the Association between a Woman’s Educational Status and Infant Mortality in Ethiopia: Secondary Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status at national, sub-national, household, and individual levels  explains a significant portion of variation in infant mortality. Women’s education is among the major  determinants of infant mortality. The mechanism through which a woman’s own educational status, over  her husband’s as well as household characteristics, influences infant mortality has not been well studied  in developing countries. The objective of this study was to explore the role of woman’s empowerment and household wealth in the association between a woman’s educational status and infant mortality.METHODS: The association between a woman’s educational status and infant death, and the role of woman’s empowerment and household wealth in this relationship,were examined among married women in Ethiopia through a secondary, serial cross-sectional analysis utilizing data on birth history of married women from three rounds of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the association between woman’s education and infant death, and the possible mediation or moderation roles of woman empowerment and household wealth.RESULTS: Female education and empowerment were inversely associated with infant death. The results indicated mediation by empowerment in the education-infant death association, and effect modification by household wealth. Both empowerment and education had strongest inverse association with infant death among women from the richest households.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest an important role of female empowerment in the education-infant death relation, and the complexity of these factors according to household wealth. Woman empowerment programs may prove effective as a shorter term intervention in reducing infant mortality.KEYWORDS: Woman, Education, Empowerment, Infant Mortality, Demographic and Health Survey, Social Determinants, Mediation, Moderation, Ethiopi

Renal Function Impairment and Associated Factors Among Adult HIV-Positive Patients Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital: Cross-Sectional Study

Bilisumamulifna Tefera Kefeni,1 Kifle Woldemichael Hajito,2 Masrie Getnet2 1Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia; 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Bilisumamulifna Tefera Kefeni Tel +251-911-537-978Email [email protected]: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects every organ system in the body through impairment or by rendering the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections. The kidney is the vital organ in the excretion of waste products and toxins (urea, creatinine and uric acid), and regulation of extracellular fluid volume, serum osmolality and electrolyte concentrations. The risk of kidney disease is greater in HIV-infected individuals than in the general population. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of renal function impairment and its associated factors among adult HIV-positive patients attending an ART clinic in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, Mettu town, south-west Ethiopia.Methods: The institution-based, cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from March 8 to May 30, 2020. A total of 352 clients participated and a systematic sampling technique was used to allocate study participants. Data were entered into Epi data and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify candidate variables for multivariate analysis at P < 0.25. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of renal function impairment with ART. P value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.Results: A total of 352 HIV-infected patients participated in this study with a response rate of 98.1%. Out of 352 HIV patients on ART, 73 (20.7%) were found to have renal function impairment. Cigarette smoking [AOR = 9.60, 95% CI: 4.73– 19.48], diabetes mellitus [AOR = 6.16, 95% CI: 2.79– 13.59], hypertension [AOR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.98– 11.17] and low CD4 count [AOR = 6.47, 95% CI: 3.31– 12.64] were found to be independent predictors of renal function impairment among adult HIV positive patients.Conclusion: The prevalence of renal function impairment among HIV patients on ART is high. Hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking and low CD4 count were associated factors of renal function impairment. HIV patients on ART should be regularly screened for early diagnosis and management of renal function impairment.Keywords: renal impairment, HIV positive, ART, Mett