Prevalence and associated factors of cancer pain among adult cancer patients evaluated at an oncology unit in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northwest Ethiopia

Introduction

Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of death and was responsible for 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Worldwide, 2 million people experience pain every day, and cancer pain is one of the major neglected public health problems, especially in Ethiopia. Despite reporting the burden and risk factors of cancer pain as a principal importance, there are limited studies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of cancer pain and its associated factors among adult patients evaluated at the oncology ward in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January to 31 March 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the total sample size of 384 patients. Data were collected using pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify the factors associated with cancer pain among patients with cancer. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI was computed to determine the level of significance.

Results

A total of 384 study participants were involved, with a response rate of 97.5%. The proportion of cancer pain was found to be 59.9% (95% CI 54.8-64.8). The odds of cancer pain were escalated by anxiety (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.02-6.19), patients with hematological cancer (AOR = 4.68, 95% CI 1.30-16.74), gastrointestinal cancer (AOR = 5.15, 95% CI 1.45-18.2), and stages III and IV (AOR = 14.3, 95% CI 3.20-63.7).

Conclusion

The prevalence of cancer pain among adult patients with cancer in northwest Ethiopia is relatively high. Variables such as anxiety, types of cancer, and stage of cancer had a statistically significant association with cancer pain. Hence, to advance the management of pain, it is better to create more awareness regarding cancer-related pain and provide palliative care early on in the diagnosis of the disease.

Prevalence and associated factors of hemorrhoids among adult patients visiting the surgical outpatient department in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction

Hemorrhoidal disease is a very common benign anorectal disease. It affects millions of people around the world, and represent a major medical and socioeconomic problem. However, studies that determine the magnitude and risk factors are limited. Therefore, the aim this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hemorrhoid among adult patients visiting the surgical outpatient department at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UoGCSH) Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 403 participants. The data were collected then entered using EPI DATA version 3.1 and exported to the STATA 14 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used as a measure of association. Variables having P-value < 0.05 from the multivariable analysis were considered to have a significant association with the outcome.

Result

Out of the 403 study participants, 13.1% (95%CI; 10.1, 16.8) had hemorrhoids. Constipation (AOR = 4.32, 95% CI; 2.20, 8.48) and BMI ≥25kg/m² (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI; 1.08, 6.23) had a statistically significant association with hemorrhoid.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of hemorrhoid was high and its prevalence was higher in male subjects. Constipation and being overweight were found to increase the odds of having hemorrhoids. Screening for early identification and intervention of hemorrhoids, especially for risk groups is better to be practiced by health professionals.

Sonographic measurement of normal common bile duct diameter and associated factors at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital and selected private imaging center in Gondar town, North West Ethiopia

Background

The biliary tree is a three-dimensional system of channels that bile flows from the hepatocytes to the gallbladder and to the intestine. Size of the common bile duct (CBD) is a predictor of biliary obstruction and, therefore, its measurement is an important component of biliary system evaluation. Factors like age, height, weight, BMI, previous cholecystectomy, drugs, and type of imaging modality affect CBD diameter, but the duct significantly dilated due to obstructive biliary pathology.

Objective

To measure the normal CBD diameter and its association with age, sex, and anthropometric measurement at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and selected private imaging center, Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019.

Methods and materials

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 subjects without any history of hepatobiliary abnormality. The CBD measured at the proximal part just caudal to the porta hepatis. Descriptive analysis, student t-test, one way ANOVA, correlation and both bivariable and multivariable linear regression analysis were implemented. In bivariable linear regression variables with p-value, less than 0.2 were selected for multivariable analysis and in multivariable linear regression analysis variables with P-Value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of the study participants was 39.4 (range 18–87). The mean diameter of the CBD was 3.64mm 95%CI (3.52, 3.77), which ranges from 1.8 to 5.9 mm, with 65% of the participant having CBD diameter less than 4mm. The diameter of CBD significantly associated with age with a linear trend. The mean diameter in a rural area was greater than subjects living in an urban area. Independent t-test showed no statistically significant difference in CBD diameter between male and female subjects.

Conclusion

The lower limit of the CBD diameter for this study was similar to most of the studies, but the upper limit was found to be slightly lower. The diameter was significantly associated with age along the linear trend and it was progressively increased from the lower age group onwards. The diameter of CBD did not show statistically significant association with any of the anthropometric measurement.