BACKGROUND: Acquisition of transfusion transmissible infections in the process of therapeutic blood transfusion is a major global health challenge in transfusion medicine. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and trends of major transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors.METHOD: A retrospective analysis of consecutive blood donors’ records covering the period between July 2010 and June 2013 was conducted at Dire Dawa Blood Bank, Eastern Ethiopia.RESULT: A total of 6376 blood donors were tested, out of which 5647(88.57%) were replacement donors and 729(11.43%) were voluntary donors. The majority of them were male, 5430(85.16%), and aged between 18–32 years, 4492(70.45%). A total of 450(7.06%) donors had serological evidence of infection with at least one pathogen. The overall positivity rates of HBV, HIV, HCV and syphilis were 4.67%, 1.24%, 0.96%, and 0.44% respectively. Trends for transfusion-transmissible infections showed a significant decrease from 9.51% in 2010 to 6.95% in 2013 with the least prevalence in 2012 (5.90% (P = 0.004). The prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections was significantly higher among male blood donors compared to female donors, among the age group of 25-32 years and 33-40 years compared to the age group of 18-24 years old, and among unemployed and private workers compared to students.CONCLUSION: A significant percentage of the blood donors harbor transfusion-transmissible infections. Stringent donor selection using standard methods is highly recommended to ensure the safety of blood for the recipient. Furthermore, efforts on motivating and creating awareness in the community are required to increase voluntary blood donors.

BackgroundOccupational exposure to chemicals in garages causes a wide range of biological effects, depending upon the level and duration of exposure. In Ethiopia, there have been few studies conducted to assess the exposure of garage workers to chemicals. Preceding studies have not explored the effect of working in garage on blood pressure and hematological parameters. Therefore, this study aimed to assess differences in blood pressure and hematological parameters among garage workers compared to the Haramaya University community, Harar, eastern Ethiopia.Materials and methodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. Thirty garage workers were selected and compared with 30 age- and sex-matched controls comprising of teachers and students. Demographic and occupational data were collected by using a structured questionnaire by a trained data collector. Blood pressure was measured using sphygmomanometry. Hematological parameters were measured with an automated hematology analyzer. Data were analyzed using Stata version 13.ResultsThe majority of the garage workers did not implement effective preventive or control measures for workplace chemical exposure. Statistically significant increases were found in systolic (128.67±18.14 vs 106.33 ±9.27 mmHg, P<0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (90.33±11.29 vs 75.67 ±5.68 mmHg, P<0.0001), total white blood cells (7.9±1.51 vs 6.72±2.04×109 cells/L, P=0.0138), and platelets (323.20±48.82 vs 244.1±47.3×109 cells/L, P<0.0001) in garage workers compared to the control group. On the other hand, statistically significant decreases were found in red blood cells (5.13±0.38 vs 5.46±0.36×1012 cells/L, P=0.0006), hemoglobin (14.89±0.71 vs 15.45±0.87 g/dL, P=0.0062), hematocrit (43.98%±1.99% vs 46.4%3±2.32%, P<0.0001), and mean corpuscular volume (83.19±2.93 vs 85.11±3.87 fL, P=0.0353) among garage workers compared to the control group.ConclusionThere were significant differences in blood pressure and hematological parameters between garage workers and the control group. Therefore, appropriate and effective safety measures need to be taken by the workers to prevent possible chemical exposure during routine tasks.

Background Hypertension is the major public health concern; leading to cardiovascular disease. It is associated with alteration in hematological parameters which may lead to end-organ damage. Thus, this study aimed to compare hematological parameters between hypertensive and normotensive adult groups in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2020 at Jugel and Hiwotfana Specialized University hospital, Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Convenient sampling technique was used to recruit 102 hypertensive patients from the two hospitals and 102 apparently healthy blood donors. Participant’s socio-demographic and clinical information were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Blood sample were collected and analyzed by Beckman Coulter DxH 500 analyzer for complete blood count. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Independent t-test and Mann Whitney u-test was used for comparison between groups. Spearman’s correlation was used for correlation test. P values less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result 102 hypertensive and 102 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The median ± IQR value of white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (HCT), red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were significantly higher in hypertensive group compared to apparently healthy control group. Additionally, RBC (red blood cell) count, HCT and RDW showed statistically significant positive correlations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. WBC count and RDW were significantly and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI). Platelet (PLT) count had a significant but negative correlation (r = -0.219, P = 0.027) with duration of hypertension illness while MPV showed positive and significant correlation (r = 0.255, P = 0.010). Conclusion The median values of WBC, Hgb, HCT, RDW and MPV were significantly higher in hypertensive patient compared to apparently healthy individuals. Hence, it is important to assess hematological parameters for hypertensive individuals which may help to prevent complications associated with hematological aberrations. However, further studies are required to understand hypertensive associated changes in hematological parameters.

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) among RhD negative pregnant mothers using two techniques, Kleihauer-Betke (KBT) and Flow cytometry (FCM). To determine if patient-specific doses of prophylactic anti-D warrant further investigation in Ethiopia and wider Africa.MethodsHospital- based cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 RhD negative pregnant mothers using convenient sampling technique.ResultFMH has been detected in 52% and 60% by KBT and FCM techniques, respectively. The volume of FMH quantified in the majority of the cases (92.5% and 87%) was <10 mL fetal blood while >30 mL in 1.3% (1/75) and 2.7% (2/75) as calculated by KBT and FCM, respectively. The FMH calculated by the two methods have good correlation; r = 0.828 (p = 0.000) for categorized and r = 0.897 (p = 0.000) for continuous values and the agreement between the FCM and KBT was moderate with kappa (κ) value of 0.53 (p = 0.000).ConclusionMost of FMH calculated (<10 mL) could have been neutralized by lower doses which might have lower costs than administering 300 μg dose which is currently in practice in our country for affording mothers. Besides, it also showed that the volume of FMH was >30 mL in 1.3% and 2.7% of the cases as calculated by KBT and FCM, respectively, which need more than 300 μg dose RhIG for neutralization. Further investigation into the cost- effectiveness and scalability of patient- specific dosing of prophylactic anti-D appears warranted.

Objectives: Occupational exposure to chemicals causes a wide range of biological effects depending on the level and duration of exposure. The current study is intended to determine the differences in biochemical levels among garage workers compared with occupationally nonexposed participants in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. Thirty (30) garage workers were selected and compared with 30 age- and sex-matched control group of teachers and students. Demographic and occupational data were collected using a structured questionnaire by trained data collector. Biochemical levels were measured by automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Autolab 18, Boehringer-Mannheim Diagnostics, the United States). Data were analyzed using STATA Version 13. Results: All of the included garage workers were male. A statistically significant increase were found in alanine aminotransferase (35.60 ± 7.93 vs 19.17 ± 0.91 U/L; P value = 0.0440), aspartate aminotransferase (47.23 ± 4.89 vs 27.03 ± 1.13 U/L; P value = 0.0002), total protein (85.83 ± 1.16 vs 76.40 ± 0.86 g/l; P value < 0.0001), uric acid (7.34 ± 0.29 vs 5.19 ± 0.21 mg/dl; P value < 0.0001), glucose (85.13 ± 3.92 vs 75.60 ± 2.40 mg/dl; P value = 0.0425); total cholesterol (199.40 ± 13.11 vs 140.37 ± 3.81 mg/dl; P value = 0.0001) and triglyceride (143.40 ± 5.79 vs 110.60 ± 8.98 mg/dl; P value = 0.0033) in garage workers compared with control group. On the contrary, a statistically significant decrease were found in albumin (39.37 ± 1.78 vs 46.37 ± 0.56 g/l; P value = 0.0004) and urea (21.63 ± 1.04 vs 27.60 ± 1.69 mg/dl; P value = 0.0039) among garage workers compared with the control group. Conclusion: Our finding indicates that working in the garage changes most of the biochemical levels. Therefore, appropriate and effective safety measures need to be implemented to prevent possible chemical exposure during routine work.

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Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue with an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. In CKD, hematological parameters are influenced, and the effect increases with CKD stage. It is becoming more common in Ethiopia, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, but there have been very few studies on the hematological profile of children with chronic kidney disease, on follow-up in general, and particularly among chronic kidney disease patients.Methods: At Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, a cross-sectional study was carried out from March to June 2021. EDTA tubes were used to collect a total of 238 blood samples, which were then examined on a Beckman Coulter automated hematology analyzer. SPSS Version 20 was used for statistical analysis, and a logistic regression model was applied.Results: The total number of patients in the study was 238, with 42 (59.7%) of them being men. With a p-value of 0.05, there was a significant correlation and association with having co-morbidities such as hypertension and anemia, as well as a low range of Hgb in bivariate correlational analysis. In a multivariate regression analysis, eGFR-based CKD stages were strongly associated with a low range of hemoglobin concentration, with a p-value of 0.001. (0.000). Overall, 39 (or 16.4%) of CKD patients were anemic. In terms of age, 176 (73.9 %) of the children were over the age of five. The majority of the patients (81%) had CKD stage 1(34%). The study also found that having CKD for a longer period of time (> 5 years) and being hypertensive have an effect on the growth indicator MUAC, with a p-value of 0.0001 and 0.0001.Conclusion: The study found that the majority of study participants were in stages 1 to 3 based on their eGFR, which is significantly related to RBC, HGB, and HCT count. There is a need to improve multiple aspects of CKD management, including routine hematological tests for children with chronic kidney disease, specifically RBCs, Hgb, PLT, WBCs, and differential count.

Background: Anemia is the most common blood disorder and common complications of Diabetes mellitus. It is also a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health, social and economic development. In Ethiopia, chronic illnesses are tremendously rising with their complications, but very little research has been conducted, particularly on anemia among type two diabetic mellitus patients. Objective: To assess the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among type 2 diabetic patients attending Ambo town government Hospitals in West Shewa, Ethiopia from September – October 2020 G.C. Method: A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on T2DM patients from September - October 2020. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 356 patients. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews, Administered Questionnaires, and Other Biological Samples such as, blood and urine from 356 patients. Data was entered to EPI-info and exported to SPSS software package for further analysis, Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted; Crude Odds Ratio and Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95 Percentage Confidence Interval (CI) were computed. In all cases, P-value less than 0.05 is taken as statistically significant. Results: The study showed that 27.5 Percentage of participants were anemic. Out of anemic T2DM patients, 92 (92.9 Percentage) and 7 (7.1 Percentage) had mild and moderate anemia, respectively. Having nephropathy (AOR = 6.2, CI: 1.82, 21.16), being male (AOR = 4.32, CI: 1.09, 517.03), duration of diabetes for 5 years and greater (AOR = 4.42, CI: 1.27, 15.45) and having high serum creatinine (AOR=10.07, CI: 2.89, 35.2) were all significantly associated with anemia. Conclusion: The magnitude of anemia was 27.5 Percentage among T2DM patients in the study area. Therefore, routine screening of anemia for all T2DM patients assisting in early identification and improved management of diabetes will lead to improved quality of life in this patient population.