Haematological Abnormalities in Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients Attending Gondar University Hospital; Retrospective Study
Eyasu Tesfaye,
Kinfe Fissehatsion,
Bethelihem Terefe,
Bamlaku Enawgaw
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, October 2017
Pages:
48-53
Received:
16 October 2017
Accepted:
3 November 2017
Published:
25 November 2017
Abstract: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) or kalazar is a fatal neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae. Leishmania donovani complex are the causative agents of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia and its burden is a public health problem where every year health facilities report thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths. Hematological abnormalities are the common presentation for human with Visceral Leishmaniasis, which comprises anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Therefore; this study aimed to assess hematological abnormalities among Visceral Leishmaniasis patients attending Gondar University Hospital using a cross sectional study design. Socio-demographic data on 414 Visceral Leishmaniasis patients having complete records on hematological parameters collected from the laboratory log book and hospital chart by using a structured data collection sheet. Data was entered and analyze by using SPSS version 20. From the total 414 Visceral Leishmaniasis patients, 405(97.8%) were males and 9(2.2%) were females. The overall magnitude of anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and Lymphopenia was 94.4%, 95.4%, 90.1%, 90.1% and 37.9% respectively. There was a significant association between age and prevalence of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. The finding of the study shows with predominant existence of anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Thus, specific diagnosis and monitoring of hematological abnormalities is required for early treatment of the disease and decreases mortality rate due to these abnormalities.
Abstract: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) or kalazar is a fatal neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae. Leishmania donovani complex are the causative agents of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia and its burden is a public health problem where every year health facilities report t...
Show More
Risk Factors Associated with HIV Infection Among Infants Below 24 Months Born to HIV Positive Mothers
Gloria Kirungi Kasozi,
Afayoa Robert
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 5, October 2017
Pages:
54-62
Received:
13 October 2017
Accepted:
31 October 2017
Published:
30 November 2017
Abstract: In order to eliminate infant HIV infection from mother to child, evidence based implementation strategies are needed to address the risk factors that are associated with this infection using limited resources and applicable to all stakeholders especially the parents of the infants. This study assessed the infant, maternal and paternal risk factors associated with HIV infection among infants below 24 months born to HIV positive mothers in care. An unmatched nested case control study was conducted at the HIV/ART clinic, Mildmay Uganda in 2012. 370 HIV positive mothers with their biological infants below 24 months who had had a DNA-PCR test done in the last 6 months were enrolled in the study (cases: DNA-PCR positive infants, controls: DNA-PCR negative infants). Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done. The risk factors that showed a significant relationship with HIV infection of infants below 24 months born to HIV positive mothers were: Infant factors: Infant and young child feeding option used in the first 8 weeks of life (p <0.001) ART status (p<0.001), Immunization status (p=0.031) and duration of receiving Nevirapine syrup of the infant (p=0.002) significantly increased the risk of infection. Maternal factors: High baseline viral load during pregnancy (p=0.046), Body Mass Index > 30kg/m2 (p=0.008), receipt of ART during pregnancy (p<0.001), receipt of nutrition counseling (p=0.002) and non-disclosure of HIV status to spouse of the mother during pregnancy (p<0.001). Paternal factors: Acceptance to test for HIV (p<0.001), non-disclosure of HIV status to spouse (p<0.001) and receipt of ART (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant relationship with HIV infection of infants who were mixed fed the infant (OR: 4.971, 95%CI: 1.71 - 14.48, p=0.003), receipt of ART (NVP) of the infant (OR: 0.0062, 95%CI:0.002 - 0.019, p<0.001), mother not disclosing of HIV status to spouse (OR:2.736, 95%CI:1.074 - 6.971, p=0.035) and Father not disclosing of HIV status to spouse (OR:4.38, 95%CI:1.764 - 11.235, p=0.002). The results show that mixed feeding of infants and parental non-disclosure of HIV status are key drivers that significantly increase the risk of infant infection while infant prophylactic Niverapine reduces the risk of infection. It is recommended that exclusively breastfeed of infants born to HIV positive women, HIV testing and spousal disclosure of HIV status be promoted among PLHIV.
Abstract: In order to eliminate infant HIV infection from mother to child, evidence based implementation strategies are needed to address the risk factors that are associated with this infection using limited resources and applicable to all stakeholders especially the parents of the infants. This study assessed the infant, maternal and paternal risk factors ...
Show More
