Magnitude and associated factors of VIA positive test results for cervical cancer screening among refugee women aged 25-49 years in North Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Worldwide cervical cancer is the third most common malignancy in women. It usually arises from the cervical area which is susceptible to Human Papilloma virus induced malignancy changes. In low-resource setting visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is an alternative sensitive cervical screening method. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of VIA positive test results for Cervical Cancer screening among Eritrean refugee women aged 25-49 years in northern Ethiopia refugee camps.

METHODS

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 Eritrean refugee women aged 25-49 years from august 10 to September 25, 2018. Study subjects were selected by simple random sampling method. Data were collected using pretested structured questioner through Face-to-face interview and cervical examination. Data were coded and entered to Epi info software version 7 and then exported to Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was made to test the association between the independent variables and the outcome variable. P-value of less than 0.05 with 95% CI was considered to declare statistical significance.

RESULT

In this study the magnitude of VIA positive precancerous cervical lesions was 9% (95% CI: 6.3-11.8%). Previous history of sexually transmitted infections (STI) [AOR (95%CI) = 2.84(1.07-7.53)] and presence of STI during cervical examination [AOR (95%CI) =3.97(1.75-9.00)] were found significantly associated with VIA positive precancerous cervical lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study the magnitude of VIA positive precancerous cervical lesions was high. Previous history of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and presence of STI during cervical examination were found associated with VIA positive precancerous cervical lesions. Efforts such as early screening for sexually transmitted disease shall be done to prevent precancerous cervical lesions.

Premarital sexual practice and associated factors among adolescents in the refugee camps in Tigray, northern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

Premarital sexual practice during adolescence time may lead to different sexual and reproductive health problems including HIV/AIDS. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of premarital sexual practice and associated factors among adolescents living in the refugee camps in Tigray, northern Ethiopia.

RESULT

The prevalence of premarital sexual practice was 47.6% [95% CI (43.3%, 51.9%)]. The age (mean ± SD) of the study participants was 17.4 ± 2.71 (15-24 years) and 68.8% of them were males. Being in the age group 14-19 years [AOR = 4.50, 95% CI (2.29-8.84)] or 20-24 years [AOR = 9.76, CI (4.58-20.82)], living with friends [AOR = 5.24, 95% CI (2.28-12.05)] or alone [AOR = 5.72, 95% CI (2.69-12.19)], being in primary school [AOR = 6.93, 95% CI (3.08-15.57)] or college [AOR = 4.33, CI (1.44-13.02)], getting pocket money [AOR = 4.14, 95% CI (2.31-7.41)], parents being either divorced [AOR = 5.11, 95% CI (2.42-10.80)] or widowed [AOR = 3.52, 95% CI (1.69-7.33)], alcohol consumption [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI (1.20-3.38)] were independent predictors of premarital sexual practice among the adolescents.

Alterations in serum levels of trace elements in tuberculosis and HIV infections

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate serum concentrations of trace elements in tuberculosis (TB) patients with or with out human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection before and after anti-TB chemotherapy.

SUBJECTS

A total of 155 TB patients, 74 of which were coinfected with HIV, and 31 healthy controls from Gondar, Ethiopia.

METHODS

Serum levels of copper, zinc, selenium and iron were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer from all subjects at baseline and from 44 TB patients (22 with HIV coinfection) at the end of an intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the concentrations of iron, zinc and selenium were significantly lower (P<0.05) while that of copper and copper/zinc ratio was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the serum of TB patients. TB patients with HIV coinfection had significantly lower serum zinc and selenium concentrations and significantly higher copper/zinc ratio compared to that in TB patients without HIV coinfection (P<0.05). The serum concentration of zinc had significantly increased at the end of intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy in patients without HIV coinfection (P<0.05). An increase in serum selenium level was observed in TB patients with or without HIV coinfection after therapy. On the contrary, serum copper concentration and copper/zinc ratio declined significantly after anti-TB chemotherapy irrespective of HIV serostatus (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that TB patients have altered profile of trace elements in their sera. This warrants the need for further investigations so that strategies for trace elements supplementation can be planned in addition to their potential as diagnostic parameters in monitoring responses to anti-TB chemotherapy.