International Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Number 1, 2022

1-10
Predictors of mortality among children co-infected with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus in Tigray Region, North Ethiopia, retrospective follow-up study

Authors: Jemberu Nigussie, Mekuria Kassa, Goitom Halefom, Haven Hadush and Bekahegn Grima

Abstract

View in PDF

Number of views: 24

Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection in the human body potentiate each other by weakening the immune system and causing death, if untreated. Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Evidence on survival and predictors of mortality among TB and HIV co-infection in children is limited and not well documented in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of mortality among children with TB and HIV co-infected in general hospitals in two zones of the Tigray region, North Ethiopia, from 2008-2018. An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted. Data were collected from medical records using a data extraction checklist and then entered using epi-data manager 4.4.2.1 and then exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The Cox regression model was used for both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Of a total of 253 children included in the analysis, 38(15%) children have died. The overall mortality rate was 0.17 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.23) per 1000 child-month observation. Underweight at baseline (AHR=7.9 (95% CI: 1.3, 49.3)), IPT non user (AHR=3.7; 95%CI: 1.3-10.8), Poor adherence to ART (AHR = 3.8 (95% CI:1.4, 10.5)), Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (AHR = 2.9 (95% CI: 1.1, 7.6)), advanced WHO-staging(III&IV) (AHR=6.8 (95% CI: 1.9, 24.9)) and hemoglobin level <10 mg/dl during follow-up (AHR 3.75 (95% CI: 1.06, 13.28)) were predictors of increased mortality. In conclusion, the mortality rate of children co-infected with TB and HIV was high. Early diagnosis and treatment of TB among HIV-infected children is needed. The treatment of malnutrition and anemia should be given emphasis. Strengthening the administration of preventive therapy (IPT, CPT) and counseling on adherence to ART drugs were crucial interventions to reduce mortality among children co-infected with TB and HIV. Children who have extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and advanced clinical staging (III and IV) need special consideration during treatment.

11-18
Body mass index and its association with oral disorders: A review

Authors: Hanan Ghazi Shanab, Lavanya Thota, Ghufran Al-Ayfan, Faisal Alnassar, Gunaranjan Thota, Premalatha Jandrajupalli, Suresh Babu Jandrajupalli, Swarnalatha Chandolu and Abhishek Singh Nayyar

Abstract

View in PDF

Number of views: 22

Obesity is a chronic disease with global epidemic spread. The world wide prevalence of obesity is a considerable source of concern given its potential impact on morbidity, mortality and cost of health care. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized obesity as a predisposing factor to measure chronic diseases ranging from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. Once considered a problem only in wealthy countries, WHO estimates overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low and middle income countries. The disturbing squeals of this increased trajectory of overweight populations are the parallel increases in chronic diseases that are co-morbidities of obesity. Primary health care providers, including dental professionals, are well-positioned to address this public health problem at the patient level. Dental professionals must be aware of the increasing numbers of the obese patients and of the significance of obesity as a multiple risk factor syndrome for oral and overall health. Dental professionals have a crucial role in the prevention and detection of many oral and systemic diseases because of their diagnostic and screening abilities as well as the frequency of patient visits. These invaluable skills and practice paradigms should be considered as part of the equation to solve one of the largest public health concerns of our time: the obesity epidemic. Ultimately, a health condition as prevalent and serious as obesity must be approached by a concerted and collaborative effort of many disciplines and organizations. The dental profession should include itself in this collaboration using the tools and education opportunities available. Although the connection between oral health and obesity is critical to understand, it should not be the sole motivating factor for taking action.