BackgroundViral hepatitis exists throughout the world and is a major global public health problem affecting millions of people. Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus are the commonest causes of inflammation of the liver leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and even fulminant hepatitis. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of infections with HBV and HCV among patients with chronic hepatitis who visited Bereka Medical Center, southeast Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based retrospective study design was employed. HBV and HCV test records of all patients with chronic hepatitis who visited Bereka Medical Center from Nov. 2012 to Nov. 2013. A total of 578 (358 for HBV and 220 for HCV) patients with chronic hepatitis screened and the results of all patients were included. All sera were screened using commercially available rapid test kits. Test results were shown in percent and prevalence rates.ResultsThe overall prevalence of HBV and HCV among chronic hepatitis patients were 22.3% and 3.6% respectively. Prevalence of HBV and HCV among males from the total HBV and HCV screened was 52/358 (14.5%) and 6/220 (2.7%) respectively. 64/80 (80%) of HBV sero-positives were found in between 16 to 45 years of age. Of those 64 HBV sero-positive patients, 42/64 (65.6%) were found 16–30 age interval. Furthermore, of those HCV infected, 6/8 (75%) of them fall under 16–30 years of age. 6/8 (75%) of HCV infected patients were males.ConclusionThe present study has shown that HBV was highly prevalent among patients who visited the clinic. Males were more susceptible than female patients. 3.6% HCV prevalence was also high. Mass immunization of HBV is recommended to halt HBV infection.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide. High prevalence is found in people with low socio-economic status, poor living condition, overcrowded areas, poor environmental sanitation, improper garbage disposal, unsafe water supply and unhygienic personal habits. Thus, the objective of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence intestinal parasitosis among patients with diarrhoea who visited Bereka Medical Center, south east Ethiopia.Methodology: Institution based retrospective study design was employed. Stool examination records of all patients with diarrhea who visited Bereka Medical Center from November 2012 to November 2013 were included. A total of 5347 stool examination results of those diarrheic patients were analyzed for this study. Samples were examined using direct saline wet mount technique. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16 and results were shown in percent and prevalence rates. Results:The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite for at least one parasite in this retrospective study was 888/5347(16.6%). Furthermore, 5.7% of those positive patients were infected by two species of parasites and 2.3% of patients had triple infections. The most prevalent parasites were E. histolytica/dispar 478/888(53.8%) followed by G. lamblia 210/888(23.7%) and Taenia species 70/888(7.9%) respectively. Conclusion:Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent in varying magnitude among diarrheic patients who visited Bereka Medical Center, southeast Ethiopia. E. histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite infecting patients followed by, G. lamblia, Taenia species and H. nana. Because of absence of molecular diagnosis for E. histolytica, over diagnosis might be possible for the high prevalence of amoebiasis.

Introduction: Irrational use of topical corticosteroid (TC) is quite common in Ethiopia due to the unrestricted availability and use of topical steroids (TS) not only by general public but also by physicians and chemists. This practice is highly prevalent and sought after, owing to the quick relief of symptoms in different dermatological conditions and its nature of enhancing beauty for a certain period. Objective: This study aims to evaluate and analyze the prevalence of misuse of topical steroids, causes behind the misuse and consequences after the use of topical steroids among females in a dermatology outpatient department (OPD) at Ayder Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational questionnaire based study was conducted from April to August 2015. Patients were questioned and assessed for misuse of topical steroids in terms of indication, dose, frequency, duration, effects after use and source of recommendation of topical steroids among female clients. Results: During the study period, 104 (27.1%) patients presented with inappropriate use of topical steroids among patients (n=384) who were attended the OPD of dermatology unit at Ayder Referral Hospital, the only hospital providing treatment, care and preventive measures for dermatological cases, with a response rate of 97%. A total of 72 patients were presented with adverse effects of topical steroids resulting from the misuse of these drugs for various purposes. Misuse of topical steroids was found to be most prevalent in the age group of 21-30 years (51.15%) followed by age group between 11-20 years (21.15%), who were severely affected due to its inappropriate use. Whereas, melasma (40.38%) and rosacea (35.6%) were the most common reasons of steroid abuse, followed by facial acne (26%), use as sunscreen 44 (42.3%), non-specific dermatosis 35 (33.7%) and skin lightening (10.58%). Patients using topical corticosteroids as over-the-counter (OTC) after recommendation made by friends and family (44.8%) was found to be a factor of influence on the misuse of topical steroids followed by pharmacist and drug store vendors as over the counter patterns of use (31.7%). The least were recommended by clinicians (10.57%) for the treatment of acne, melasma/hyper-pigmentation and to improve the appearance during weddings and other ceremonies. Dermovate and dermalar (70.18%) were the most commonly used topical steroid preparations, causing the patients to often develop fungal infections such as tinea incognito (26.4%), followed by facial acne (25.6%), telangiectasia and rosacea (41%) being the most common side effects experienced. Conclusion: Misuse of topical steroids was found to be very common owing to prescriptions by dermatologists, the major reason being recommendations by healthcare professionals, pharmacists, family and friends. Abuse of these steroids causes fungal, bacterial infections and rosacea which leads to many other secondary complications.