Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Abstract TP220: Per-segment Evaluation of Atherosclerostic Stenosis of Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract TP220: Per-segment Evaluation of Atherosclerostic Stenosis of Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Serum magnesium, not calcium, is inversely associated with abnormal HbA1c concentrations in adults with coronary artery disease.

Mechanism studies have indicated that magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) have important biological functions in glucose regulation, but epidemiological data on their associations with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are sparse. We aimed to explore the associations of Mg and Ca with abnormal HbA1c, and examine the mediating effects of inflammation in coronary artery disease (CAD) Chinese adults. A hospital-based cross-sectional study of 11934 patients with CAD was conducted. Serum Mg and Ca concentrations were measured. In multivariable analyses, Mg and Mg/Ca ratio were inversely associated with abnormal HbA1c (Q4 vs Q1: ORMg: 0.61, 95% CIMg: 0.53, 0.71; ORMg/Ca ratio: 0.67, 95% CIMg/Ca ratio: 0.54, 0.84). However, null association of Ca with abnormal HbA1c was shown (Q4 vs Q1: OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.44). Serum Mg and Mg/Ca ratio were inversely associated with abnormal fasting blood glucose (FBG). In contrast, serum Ca was positively associated with abnormal FBG. Path analysis indicated that there were no mediating effects of hypersensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) on Mg and Mg/Ca-abnormal HbA1c associations. Our study suggested that serum Mg and Mg/Ca ratio were inversely associated with abnormal HbA1c in Chinese adults with CAD. The Mg-abnormal HbA1c relationship might not be mediated by hsCRP.

Clinico-epidemiological profile of children with atopic dermatitis

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess clinico-epidemiological features of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children and evaluate disease severity using the SCORing atopic dermatitis index (SCORAD Index). Material and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out at the department of Dermatology at a tertiary care centre in North India over a period of 1 year. This study enrolled children aged between 3 months and 16 years of age clinically diagnosed with AD using Hanifin and Rajka criteria (HRC). Results: The prevalence of AD was found to be 8.12%. Age of presentation ranged from 4 months to 16 years of age, with a mean age of 4.18 ± 3.88 years. 42% of patients had personal and 52.50% of patients had a family history of atopy. We report pruritus as a major presenting symptom seen in 100% of children with AD. Typical morphology and distribution were observed in 97.50% of cases, with the face being the most commonly affected site in infants (95.08%) and flexural involvement more common in children (77.70%). Infants had acute eczema (63.93%) and children with AD mostly presented with chronic eczematous lesions (58.27%). The most common minor feature of HRC observed was xerosis, seen in 94% of patients. Amongst atypical features, scalp scaling was the most common feature seen in 17%. SCORAD Index grading was mild in 49.50% of children with AD, moderate in 40.50% and severe grading was seen only in 10% of children. Conclusion: Clinical features, prevalence and severity of AD are affected by various geographical, environmental and local factors such as lifestyle, clothing and eating/dietary factors.

Clinical profile of neonates with polycythemia at a tertiary care hospital in North East, India

Background: Neonatal polycythemia (NPC) is associated with hyper viscosity of blood causing impairment of tissue oxygenation, perfusion and formation of microthrombi. Polycythemia is defined as a venous hematocrit (Hct) of≥65% or a haemoglobin (Hb)>22g/dl. It presents with a nonspecific clinical features like plethora, poor feeding, lethargy, hypoglycaemia, jaundice. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical profile in neonates with polycythemia admitted in the paediatrics ward of a tertiary care centre in North East, India. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out from January 2021 to October 2022 and 149 participants were recruited after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria with approval from ethical board. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS statistics version 21.0 WINDOWS (IBM Corp. Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Among the 149 cases, 89 (59.7%) neonates were symptomatic and 60 (40%) neonates were asymptomatic. The most common presentation were poor feeding and plethora in 89 neonates each (59.7% each), followed by lethargy (39.6%), hypogycemia (30.2%), jaundice (29.5%), necrotizing enterocolitis (21.5%), cyanosis (10%) and oliguria (10%). Partial exchange therapy was done in 30 neonates (20%), 59 neonates (39.6%) required intravenous fluid and 60 neonates (40.3%) were treated conservatively. All neonates were successfully discharged and no deaths were noted in our study. Conclusions: Anticipation, early recognition and intervention can prevent acute short-term complications and long-term sequelae of this easy to treat disorder.

Carotid intima medial thickness and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in children with overweight and obesity: A hospital based cross-sectional study.

A hospital based cross sectional study involving children aged 2-15 years attending the obesity clinic of a tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to March 2018 was carried out to study carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in children with overweight and obesity. Secondary objective was to compare children with elevated (EcIMT) and normal cIMT (NcIMT). Out of 223 patients enrolled for the study, 102 (45.7%) had elevated cIMT. Mean cIMT of the study participants was 0.41 ± 0.13 mm. Median alanine transaminase levels (27 vs. 24, p=0.006) and proportion of patients with fatty liver (63.7% vs 48.8%, p=0.025) and ≥ 3 risk factors (80.4% vs. 66.1%, p=0.003) were higher in the EcIMT group compared to NcIMT group. Proportion of patients with hypercholesterolemia (36.4% vs. 16%, p=0.024), elevated LDL-C (38.6% vs. 16%, p=0.013), low HDL-C (40.9% vs. 20%, p= 0.027) and dyslipidemia (84.1% vs. 58%, p=0.006) were higher in the pubertal EcIMT group and those with fatty liver (63.8% vs. 45.1%, p=0.034) was higher in the prepubertal EcIMT group compared to pubertal and prepubertal NcIMT groups respectively. No significant correlations were observed between cIMT and various cardiometabolic parameters. Our finding of elevated cIMT in nearly half of the study participants including young children is very concerning as these children are at increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Interventions starting at a young age are important when trajectories are likely to be more malleable and adverse cardiometabolic phenotypes and subclinical atherosclerosis are reversible.

Evaluating shock index as a prognostic tool in septic shock patients

Background: Septic shock is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. The shock index (SI), defined as a quotient obtained by dividing the heart rate (HR) with systolic blood pressure (SBP), is a potential tool that may aid in early prognostication of outcomes in paediatric septic shock, though data on its utility remains limited. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, over one year. A total of 100 children aged 1 month to 12 years with septic shock were included. SI values were calculated and analysed for their association with inotrope requirement, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), length of PICU stay, and outcomes. Children with cardiogenic, hypovolemic, or obstructive shock and those previously treated at other centres were excluded. Results: Out of 100 children with septic shock, 76 survived and 24 died, with a mortality rate of 24%. Elevated SI values (>1.2) were seen in 78%, correlating with disease severity. Survivors had a mean SI of 0.9±0.1, while non-survivors had 1.3±0.2 (p<0.05). Among elevated SI cases, 64% required inotropes, and 42% developed MODS compared to 8% with normal SI (p<0.01). The average PICU stay was longer for elevated SI cases (7±3 days versus 4±1 days). Persistently high SI values predicted poor outcomes and mortality. Conclusions: Elevated SI can be a valuable non-invasive parameter that aids health care professionals in triaging sick children in a limited resource setting, allowing for timely referral to higher centres. Continuous monitoring of SI trends alongside HR and SBP can aid in early identification of high-risk patients, enabling timely and targeted interventions.

Evaluation of the AMP rapid test ROTA/ADENOVIRUS for simultaneous detection of rotavirus and adenovirus in stool samples.

Rotavirus (RV) and Adenovirus (AdV) gastroenteritis affect children worldwide. The sensitivity and specificity of the AMP Rapid Test ROTA/ADENOVIRUS [AMP-RA] for the detection of RV and AdV were compared against qPCR Allplex™ GI-Virus Assay [Allplex-GI]. A cross-sectional hospital-based surveillance study was conducted using stool samples from 1,148 patients under the age of five years between July 2023 and May 2024 with gastroenteritis. All samples were tested using the AMP-RA and challenged with the Allplex-GI that detects rotavirus A, enteric adenovirus F, norovirus genogroups GI & GII, sapovirus, and astrovirus. RV samples testing positive by AMP-RA and/or Allplex-GI were subjected to genotyping. Of the 1,148 stool samples, 123 samples tested positive for RV on AMP-RA while 133 tested positive on the Allplex™ GI. The clinical sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the AMP-RA for the detection of RV were 92.4% and 100%, respectively, while, the clinical specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) of the AMP-RA kit were 100% and 99%, respectively. The AMP-RA was able to detect all RV genotypes that circulated (G1[P8], G2[P4], G9[P8], G9[P4], G9[P9]). The AMP-RA assay detected 48 positive AdV samples and failed to detect 28 samples. Thus, the clinical sensitivity and PPV were 63.1% and 24.6%, respectively. 147 samples were positive for AdV on AMP-RA and negative by Allplex-GI, indicating a clinical specificity and NPV of 86.2% and 97.1%, respectively. AMP-RA showed high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for RV detection. The reliability of detecting AdV was insufficient, emphasizing the need for further adenovirus test improvement.

Migraine diagnosis in patients with sinus headache symptoms: a cross-sectional study at Khartoum ENT Hospital

BackgroundSinus headache is the most common diagnosis reported by patients with migraine who received a non-migraine diagnosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of migraine among patients present with sinus headache to Khartoum ENT Hospital.ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of migraine (using IHS criteria) among patients present with sinus headache at Khartoum ENT Hospital.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at Khartoum ENT Hospital in the period between July 2022 to February 2023 including all patients with self-reported or physician diagnosed “sinus headache”, without a suspected secondary cause of headache. Diagnosis of migraine was made using the IHS criteria.Data was collected by the researcher, entered and analyzed using SPSS.ResultsThis study included 197 patients with a mean age of 33 ± 10 years, and female predominance 129 (65. 5%). The most common presentation was nasal blockage 178 (90.4%), flowed by facial pain 87 (44.7%), and nasal discharge 42 (21.3%). Autonomic symptoms included lacrimation 71 (36%), conjunctival injection 20 (10%), and eyelid edema 6 (3%), and 26 (13%) had positive family history of migraine. The prevalence of migraine was 67 (34%); 40 (20%) without aura and 27 (14%) with aura. Migraine was significantly associated with autonomic symptoms, and family history of migraine, and poor response to NSAIDs and nasal sprays compared to non-migraine headache (P-value < 0.05).ConclusionMigraine is not uncommon as 34% of patients with self-reported or physician diagnosed sinus headache meet the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria of Migraine. Migraine was associated with autonomic symptoms and a positive family history of migraine. The presence of good response among those who used antimigraine medications may aid the diagnosis of migraine.

Effects of HIV exposure on anemia and vitamin D nutritional status in children aged 6–24 months: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

There is little research on anemia and vitamin D deficiency in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children. This study was aimed to describe and compare the prevalence of anemia and vitamin D inadequacy in HEU children and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children, and to examine the associations of HIV exposure with anemia and vitamin D inadequacy. This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study nested within the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV program in Hunan Province during July and September 2022. The HEU children aged 6 to 24 months were recruited from the PMTCT outpatient clinics located in five Municipal Maternal and Child Health Care Hospitals. The HUU children were recruited from routine child health examination clinics in the same five Hospitals. Questionnaires about children’s characteristics and maternal gestational conditions were collected from children’s caregivers, and blood samples were collected from all children. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, non-parametric rank sum test, and logistic regression were used for analysis. The study population included 336 HEU children and 334 HUU children. The overall prevalence of anemia in the HEU and HUU children was 10.4% and 8.1%, respectively. The median hemoglobin concentrations were 120 (115–126) g/L in the HEU children and 122 (116–129) g/L in the HUU children. Neither prevalence of anemia nor hemoglobin concentration was significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in the HEU children (19.6% for deficiency and 25.0% for insufficiency) was significantly higher than that of the HUU children (11.4% for deficiency and 16.2% for insufficiency) (P < 0.001). The median 25(OH)D concentration in the HEU children was significantly lower than that of the HUU children (23.80 (13.50–34.08) vs. 32.08 (18.60–39.32) ng/ml) (P < 0.001). HIV exposure in HEU children was significantly associated with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.72, 95% CI: 1.13–2.61) and vitamin D insufficiency (AOR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.01–2.34), but not with anemia (AOR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.32–2.01). The PMTCT program shall strengthen vitamin D supplementation in HEU children and caregivers shall appropriately extend the outdoor activity time of HEU children to reduce the occurrence of vitamin D inadequacy.

Magnitude of opportunistic infections and associated factors among HIV-infected individuals attending care and treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the magnitude of opportunistic infection (OI) and to identify factors associated with OIs among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART), attending HIV...

Awareness and Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections and its Associated Factors among Clinically Suspected Cases Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include a range of clinical syndromes that may be acquired/transmitted from one individual to another through sexual activity. This study aimed to determine the awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and its associated factors among clinically suspected cases. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was used among 194 STIs patients between aged 15 to 60 years from a tertiary care hospital during August 2022 to March 2023. Data were collected through self-administered structured schedule. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with awareness and knowledge of STIs. Results: The proportion of respondents with good awareness and knowledge about STIs was 62% and 50% respectively. Respondents with poor awareness and poor knowledge of STIs were found to be more likely to engage in informal treatment care (AOR = 7.39, 95% CI [2.14-25.52] P = 0.002),) and (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.34-4.30], P = 0.021). Place of residence, educational status, occupation, type of treatment care was found to be significantly associated with awareness of STIs and type of treatment care, referral status, delay in seeking treatment were found to be significantly associated with knowledge of STIs. Conclusion: The current findings show that the knowledge level on STIs has slightly increased compared to previous studies, but it was still unsatisfactory. The existing education programs in the country should be enhanced, by conveying more information on STIs.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern and species distribution profile of aerobic bacteria causing sterile body fluid infection from a tertiary care hospital

Objectives: Body fluids such as pleural fluid, ascitic fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid are sterile but they can get infected by different microorganisms leading to life-threatening infections. We conducted this study to evaluate the distribution profile of various aerobic bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance pattern isolated from sterile body fluids from the patients attending a tertiary care hospital in North India. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 495 sterile body fluid samples were processed for species-level identification of aerobic bacteria by conventional methods following standard laboratory procedures. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method according to clinical and laboratory standards institute guidelines 2020. Results: Out of a total of 495 sterile body fluid samples, 48 were found positive on culture for bacterial pathogens. The predominant organisms isolated from sterile body fluids were Acinetobacter species (35%), followed by Klebsiella species (23%), Escherichia coli (13%), Pseudomonas species (12%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%), and Streptococcus species (4%). All of the Gram-negative isolates were 100% sensitive to Colistin followed by amikacin (67.50%) and gentamicin (60%). The Gram-positive isolates were 100% sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid followed by gentamicin (50%). Conclusion: Infections of sterile body fluids can lead to high morbidity and mortality. The knowledge of the bacteriological and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacteria causing sterile body fluid infections is vital in determining appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

An Assessment of Erectile Dysfunction and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Men Attending the General Outpatient Clinic in a Tertiary Hospital in North Central, Nigeria

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a distressing condition that impacts negatively a man’s well-being. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a useful indicator of overall health that has gained wide acceptance as the patient-centred approach to assessing overall health. Objectives: This survey assessed the prevalence and pattern of erectile dysfunctions and their association with health-related quality of life. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study and interviewed 392 sexually active adult male patients with the aid of interviewer-administered structured and semi-structured questionnaires at the general outpatient clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The HRQOL was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life abridged version (WHOQOL-BREF), while ED was assessed with the International Index for Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5). Result: A total of 235 (59.9%) had ED: of those, 67 (28.5%) had mild ED, 77 (32.8%) had mild to moderate ED, 57 (24.3%) had moderate ED, and 34 (14.4%) had severe ED. Respondents with ED had lower mean HRQOL scores across all domains, (psychological f=94.700 p=0.001, Physical f=68.582 p=0.001, environmental f=30.314 p=0.0001, social f=8.346 p=0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of ED was high among the study population. Although ED negatively impacted all HRQOL domains, the psychological domain had the most profound impairment.

Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Newborns with Gastroschisis Operated on in a Referral Hospital in Angola

Gastroschisis is a congenital malformation characterized by non-closure of the anterior abdominal wall, a paraumbilical defect usually to the right of the umbilical cord with externalization of the intestinal viscera. This study aims to analyze the clinical and epidemiological profiles of gastroschisis cases and examine associations between maternal and neonatal factors in a public referral hospital in Angola. This is an observational, descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted with the collection of information in 361 newborns medical records with gastroschisis treated at the David Bernardino Pediatric Hospital from January 1st, 2010 to July 15th, 2021. The variables that characterize the clinical, socioeconomic and demographic profile of 361 newborns (NB) with gastroschisis presented the following characteristics: 28% of mothers aged &lt; 20 years; maternal mean age was 22,34+ 4.5 years, the occurrence of death was higher among NB of mothers aged 20 years corresponding to 96.5%, primiparous 127 (35.2%); without schooling 10 (2.8%), primary education 59 (16.3%), secondary education 43 (11.9%); out-of-hospital births 201 (55.7%); simple gastroschisis 326 (90.3%); primary closure 115 (31.9%); neonatal sepsis 145 (40.2%); mucosal skin pallor 70 (19.4%); gastroschisis-related mortality was 347 (96.1%). The clinical, socioeconomic and demographic profile of mothers and newborns with gastroschisis are widely studied and associated with well-known risk factors, including maternal age under 20 years, out-of-hospital delivery, low level of education, and reduction of the number of prenatal consultations as well as absence of prenatal diagnosis and multiparity.

Quality of Life (QoL) Among Patients with Esophageal Cancer Using Validated European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)—A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Quality of Life (QoL) Among Patients with Esophageal Cancer Using Validated European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)—A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

The relationship between anxiety, depression, and COVID-19 diagnosis in term pregnancy: a hospital-based Romanian study

Background and aim. There are few published data on the mental health problems of women with pregnancy complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study aimed to evaluate anxiety and depression related to a COVID-19 diagnosis in women who gave birth in a Romanian tertiary maternity. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2020 and October 2021 on 105 women admitted for term delivery; 51 women were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection just before delivery, and 54 without infection. Participants were assessed during the first 72 hours postpartum (T1) and the following two weeks postpartum (T2). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for anxiety and depression assessment at T1. The COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ) was applied at T2 only in the COVID-positive cases identified at T1. Results. Postnatal anxiety levels were higher in COVID-positive women compared to COVID-negative women (p = .004), but there were no differences in the postnatal depression level between the groups. Psychological manifestations related to the pandemic, such as contamination anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, were positively related to HADS anxiety scores, while maintaining social relationships were negatively associated with the scale. The COVID-19 diagnosis was found to be a significant predictor for adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), with COVID-positive women having a 4.72-fold higher risk of developing them than those who tested COVID-negative (OR=4.72, 95% CI [2.05; 10.86]). The multivariate analysis using anxiety and depression as dependent variables indicated a significant effect for COVID-19 diagnosis, Wilks’ Lambda = 0.940, p = 0.048. Conclusion. Increased levels of anxiety, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were associated with the postpartum period in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection during delivery. Maintaining social interaction proved to be a protective factor against the increased anxiety reported by COVID-19-infected women.

Extended spectrum betalactamase and Carbapenemase producing gram negative bacteria from healthcare workers gowns at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing (CP) gram-negative bacteria are the major public health concerns. Gowns used by healthcare workers (HCWs) in daily practice are a source of hospital-acquired infections in hospital settings. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria from gowns of healthcare workers at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2022. A total of 226 swab samples were collected from gowns of HCWs and cultured on MacConkey agar. Bacterial identifications were done by standard biochemical tests. Screening for ESBL and carbapenemase production was done using CHROME agar. Confirmation of ESBL and carbapenemase production was done by the combination disk method and modified carbapenem inactivation method, respectively. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25. The overall contamination rate of gowns was 46.9% (106/226). Among 226 swab samples, a total of 117 (51.7%) gram-negative bacteria were isolated. Among these, the most frequent isolates were E. coli, accounted 36 (30.8%) followed by K. pneumoniae, 26(22.2%). The overall multi-drug resistance (MDR) rate was 65 (55.6%). Of the 117 isolates, 17(14.5%) and 12(10.3%) were ESBL and carbapenemase producers respectively. Gown type (p = 0.041), laundering practice (p = 0.045), number of gowns (p = 0.002), and gown washing frequency per week (p = 0.017).were significantly associated with bacterial contamination of gowns. In this study, the prevalence of ESBL and CP Gram-negative bacteria from gowns of healthcare workers was found to be alarming. Therefore, strict infection prevention and control practices, as well as good hygienic practices, should be implemented to reduce and prevent cross-contamination and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains in hospital settings.

Triglyceride-glucose index as a biomarker to differentiate stroke etiologic subtypes: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Accurate distinction between stroke etiologic subtypes is critical for physicians to provide tailored treatment. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a marker of insulin resistance, has been associated with stroke risk but its role in distinguishing stroke etiologic subtypes remains unclear. We aimed to assess the TyG index's ability to differentiate cardioembolic (CE) from non-cardioembolic (NCE) strokes. We studied 320 consecutive stroke patients in a cross-sectional analysis. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between the TyG index and the studied stroke subtypes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified the optimal TyG index cutoff for CE vs. NCE differentiation. TyG index correlated independently with NCE subtype (OR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.52-3.73; p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed increasing NCE stroke risk with higher TyG index quartiles. The ROC curve yielded an AUC of 0.636 (95% CI = 0.565-0.707; p < 0.001), with a cutoff of 8.8 (sensitivity = 68.8%, specificity = 57%). The TyG index can be a useful biomarker in the differentiation between CE and NCE strokes.

Prevalence and associated factors of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery in public hospitals of Awi zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023; a cross-sectional study.

Anemia is a serious global public health problem, especially in developing nations. Anemia during pregnancy is appropriately recognized, whereas postpartum anemia especially after cesarean delivery in Ethiopia has received very little attention. Due to this it leads to poor quality of life, palpitations, an increase in maternal infections, exhaustion, diminished cognitive function and postpartum depression. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery in public hospitals of Awi zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 mothers who gave birth by cesarean delivery from May 1-30, 2023. Data were collected using a pretested checklist. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Then the data were entered into EPI-data version 4.6 and exported to the SPSS version 25 for analysis. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association between outcome and explanatory variables. Variables with a p-value of 0.25 or less in bivariable analysis were candidates for multivariable analysis and P-value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis was considered to declare a result as statistically significant in this study. The prevalence of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery was 18.9% (95% CI (15.1, 23.1)) with a response rate of 97.97%. Being primipara (AOR = 0.47,95%CI = 0.24,0.92), indication for current C/S (malpresentation) (AOR = 0.29,95%CI = 0.09,0.90), having pre-operation hemoglobin level <11g/dl (AOR = 14.5;95% CI = 4.11,51.16) and having medical complication during current pregnancy (AOR = 5.95,95%CI = 1.88,18.83) were significantly associated with postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery. The findings of the study show that the prevalence of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery is a mild public health problem. Therefore, promoting the benefits of early detection and management of pregnancy complications such as predelivery anemia and medical complications is crucial.

PREDICTORS OF HIV STATUS DISCLOSURE AND CONDOM USE AMONG MOTHERS LIVING WITH HIV IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL SOUTHEAST, NIGERIA.

Non-disclosure of HIV status and poor condom use, among mothers living with HIV may pose risks of HIV transmission to their serodiscordant partners and may influence the outcome of their infants. The study was aimed at assessing predictors of HIV status disclosure, and condom use, among mothers of infants exposed to HIV attending the ART clinic in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional study that involved 246 mothers living with HIV. Information was obtained using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26 and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 190 (77.2%) of the 246 study participants disclosed their HIV status to their partners, but only 95 (38.6%) of them used condoms consistently and correctly during sexual intercourse. While 112 (45.5%) had HIV serodiscordant partners, 29 (11.8%) did not know the HIV status of their partners. Marital status of the mother (p=0.041), and HIV serostatus of the partner (p<0.001) having a child living with HIV (p=0.035) were predictors of HIV status disclosure to partners while HIV serostatus of the partner (p=0.041), the total number of children (p=0.031) and history of STDs (p=0.008) were predictors of condom use. Mothers with serodiscordant partners (AOR=2.21, 95%CI=0.94-11.32) and mothers with less than 4 children (AOR= 1.89, 95%CI= 0.52-8.33) were about twice more likely to use condoms compared to their colleagues. HIV serostatus of partners predicted status disclosure and condom use. Effective counseling is recommended to improve status disclosure and condom use especially among serodiscordant couples.