BackgroundIntestinal parasite infections are major public health problems in resource-limited countries that adversely affect the well-being of millions. Among these, intestinal schistosomiasis is a serious public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries.MethodsA Community based cross sectional study was conducted from February to April 2017 in Addiremets town, Ethiopia. Socio-demographic associated risk factors and knowledge, attitude and practices of individuals regarding intestinal parasite infection including schistosomiasis were collected from 411 study participants using pretested structured questionnaires. From each study participant, a fresh stool sample was collected and direct microscopy, formol-ether concentration and Kato- Katz techniques were performed. Snails were checked and collected from the nearby study area river. The collected data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bi-variant and multiple logistic regressions were used for correlation analysis. A P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultThe overall intestinal parasite prevalence was 51.3% (211/411). The most prevalent parasites were S. mansoni 26.3%(108/411) and Hookworm 23.1%(95/411). The prevalence of intestinal parasites among males and females were 54.1%(131/242) and 47.3%(80/169) respectively. The highest proportion of parasite infection was reported among the age group of 5–9 year old participants, at 70.6%(36/51). The prevalence of S. mansoni was 26.3% (108/411) with mean infection intensity of 218 eggs per gram (range: 24 to 1728). Among study participants, 94.4% had good knowledge while 35.9% of them had poor practices towards intestinal parasite and Schistosomes infection prevention.ConclusionHigh prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was observed in Addiremets town and the most common parasites identified were S. mansoni and Hookworm. Most study participants had light infection intensity of Schistosomiasis, Ascariasis and Hookworm infection. Majority of the participants in the study area had good knowledge and positive attitude about intestinal parasitic infection and schistosomiasis control. Shells of Biomphalaria species, Bulinus species and Physa species were collected from the Mytsaeda river shore.

Background: Recent animal and retrospective human studies have demonstrated that Schistosoma mansoni infection may have potential to protect against development of metabolic syndromes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess metabolic panel among S. mansoni egg positives and egg negatives in stool examinations. This study was a cross-sectional study, conducted involving 120 participants from S. mansoni endemic town (Kemise) and 61 from non-endemic town (Kombolcha), Northeast Ethiopia. Stool samples were collected and examined for S. mansoni and other helminths using Kato-Katz method. Furthermore, blood samples were collected and used for determination of blood sugar, lipid profile tests, insulin, and C-reactive protein. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Chi-square test, independent mean t-test, and logistic regression models were employed on data. P values less than .05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: S. mansoni infected participants (n = 41; all from Kemise) had significantly lower levels of fasting blood sugar, low prevalence of dyslipidemia (at least one or more abnormal lipid profile tests; total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides) as compared with controls (n = 79 in Kemise and 61 in Kombolcha). Moreover, logistic regression model indicated that with the adjusted odds ratios, there was significant inverse association between S. mansoni infection and impaired fasting glucose (adjusted odds ratio −0.181, 95% confidence interval: 0.042-0.774). Conclusions: Low fasting blood sugar and reduced prevalence of dyslipidemia in S. mansoni egg positive participants might suggest inverse association of S. mansoni infection and development of metabolic syndromes. Furthermore, large-scale studies are recommended to assess the role of S. mansoni egg and/or worm antigens in modulating the host metabolic profile and reducing the risk of metabolic syndromes, including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetes mellitus coexists at a greater frequency with hypertension, obesity, central obesity, dyslipedemia and proteinuria and that markedly increases the risk of atherosclerotic disease. A study was done for a period of four months in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia to compare the prevalence of atherosclerotic risk factors between diabetic and non diabetic general population. One hundred ninety nine diabetic cases were selected from two hospitals diabetic clinics and 195 non diabetics subjects were selected from urban and rural areas. The general prevalence of hypertension in the entire study population was 18.8%, with 26.1% in diabetics and 10.2% in non diabetics. Multivariate logistic regression showed that hypertension, central obesity, overweight and obesity, and ethnicity had strong association with possibility of diabetes mellitus. The reason for possible racial difference to cardiovascular risk factors and population awareness to these factors should be studied. [Ethiop.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the serious non communicable diseases worldwide. Presence of DM patient in a family may be considered as risk factor for other family members to acquire the disease, due to DM inheritance nature and/or similar life style pattern among family members. This paper assessed awareness of DM patients’ family members (DMPFMs) about DM occurrence and prevention. A cross sectional study was conducted in 2014 in two suburban cities of Ethiopia, namely Kemisse, and Kombolcha using an interviewer administered questionnaire among primary or secondary degree DMPFMs and controls. Based on eligibility criteria study participants were selected by health extension workers on house to house visit. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and P value less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant.ResultsOf the total 347 study participants, 45.5% (n = 158) had DMPFMs. Majority, 60.8% of DMPFMs and 73.0% of controls were males. Mean age of DMPFMs (30.06 years) was less than that of the controls (37.38 years). On living style, 51.9% DMPFMs, and 42.8% of controls were single. In both study groups, the majority of study participants attended grade 7–12. The likelihood of having good level of knowledge among DMPFMs were 2.94 times (AOR = 2.94 95% CI 1.87–4.86) higher compared to those who did not. Those attaining higher educational levels were 3.41 times (AOR = 3.41, 95% CI 1.31–8.91) more likely to have good level of knowledge, as compared to those who were unable to read and write. The likelihood of having good level of positive practice among DMPFMs were 3.38 times (AOR = 3.38% CI 2.05–5.58) higher as compared to controls. Participants who were living in Kombolcha were 2.33 times (AOR = 2.33 95% CI 1.31–4.12) more likely to have good level of practice, as compared to individuals from Kemisse.ConclusionsDiabetes mellitus family members in the Ethiopian suburban cities Kemisse, and Kombolcha had better knowledge and practice about DM compared to controls. But, the overall awareness about DM occurrence and prevention was relatively low. Thus, DM awareness campaigns should be strongly pursued regardless of family history and educational background to prevent further increase of DM in Ethiopia.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-2871-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Understanding whether the preceding low lipid profile leads to active tuberculosis (TB) or active TB leads to low lipid profile is crucial. Methods Lipid profile concentrations were determined from 159 study participants composed of 93 active TB patients [44 HIV coinfected (HIV+TB+) and 49 HIV negative (HIV−TB+)], 41 tuberculin skin test (TST) positive cases [17 HIV coinfected (HIV+TST+) and 24 HIV negative (HIV−TST+)], and 25 healthy controls (HIV−TST−). Cobas Integra 400 Plus was used to determine lipid profiles concentration level. Results The concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in HIV−TB+ patients were significantly lower compared to HIV−TST+ and to HIV−TST− individuals. Similarly, the concentrations of the TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C in HIV+TB+ were significantly lower compared to HIV−TB+ patients. After the 6 months of anti-TB treatment (ATT), the concentration levels of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C in HIV−TB+ patients were higher compared to the baseline concentration levels, while they were not significantly different compared to that of HIV−TST+ concentration. Conclusion The low concentration of lipid profiles in TB patients may be a consequence of the disease and significantly increased in TB patients after treatment.