scholarly journals Alcohol consumption among tertiary students in the Hohoe municipality, Ghana: analysis of prevalence, effects, and associated factors from a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽  
Nuworza Kugbey ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Abdul Cadri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Alcohol consumption constitutes a major public health problem as it has negative consequences on the health, social, psychological, and economic outcomes of individuals. Tertiary education presents students with unique challenges and some students resort to the use of alcohol in dealing with their problems. This study, therefore, sought to determine alcohol use, its effects, and associated factors among tertiary students in the Hohoe Municipaility of Ghana. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 tertiary students in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana using a two-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. A binary logistic regression modelling was used to determine the strength of the association between alcohol consumption and the explanatory variables. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Stata version 16.0 was used to perform the analysis. Results The lifetime prevalence of alcohol consumption was 39.5%. Out of them, 49.1% were still using alcohol, translating to an overall prevalence of 19.4% among the tertiary students. Self-reported perceived effects attributed to alcohol consumption were loss of valuable items (60.6%), excessive vomiting (53.9%), stomach pains/upset (46.1%), accident (40.0%), unprotected sex (35.1%), risk of liver infection (16.4%), depressive feelings (27.3%), diarrhoea (24.2%), debt (15.2%), and petty theft (22.4%). In terms of factors associated with alcohol consumption, students aged 26 years and above were more likely to have consumed alcohol [AOR = 4.4, 95%CI = 1.74, 11.14] than those in 16–20 years group. Muslim students had lower odds of alcohol consumption compared to Christians [AOR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.31]. It was also found that students who had peer influence [AOR = 3.7, 95%CI = 2.31, 5.82] and those who had academic adjustment problems [AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 2.01, 6.46] were more likely to consume alcohol. Conclusion Lifetime prevalence of alcohol consumption is high among tertiary students in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana, with several physical, psychosocial and economic consequences. Alcohol-related education should be intensified in tertiary institutions and counseling units should be equipped with relevant assessment tools to assess and help students who are at risk and those who are already consuming alcohol.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demelash Wachamo ◽  
Fisseha Bonja

Abstract Background Opportunistic infections are late complications of HIV infection is the depletion of the immune system. It is a major public health problem and high morbidity AIDS patients die of AIDS-related infections in developing countries like Ethiopia. Identification of opportunistic infections (OIs) is important to develop a specific intervention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the burden and associated factors of opportunistic infections.Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 420 randomly selected HIV/AIDS patients taking anti-retroviral therapy. Data was collected from selected hospitals in Sidama Zone based on population proportion to size. Data was collected by a pre-tested questionnaire and a pre-tested checklist from the medical records of patients. Data entry and analyzed for descriptive and logistic regression models by SPSS v.23. The result declared as statistically significant at p < 0.05.Result The magnitude of opportunistic infections was 39.6%. Major identified OIs was oral candidacies 23.2%, recurrent bacterial pneumonia 21.5%, Herpes zoster 6.3%, and Pulmonary Tuberculosis 6.0%.The magnitude of opportunistic associated with; older age [AOR=2.69, 95% CI: 1.33-5.43], No formal education [AOR=3.12, 95% CI: 1.06-9.25], Low monthly income [AOR=2.27, 95%CI:1.35-3.83], initial CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 [AOR=1.91, 95% CI:1.05-3.46), WHO clinical stage II [AOR=2.43, 95% CI:1.34-4.42] and stage III and IV [AOR=4.27, 95% CI: 2.12-8.59], had no extra medicine additional to ART (prophylaxis) had [AOR= 5.91, 95% CI: 3.31-10.56], who interrupt ART medicines [AOR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.09- 3.80] and Khat chewing [AOR=5.48, 95% CI: 2.32-12.96] when compared to their counterparts.Conclusions The overall magnitude of opportunistic infections was high when compared with other studies. Health officials and clinicians need to give attention on the strengthening of the provision if ART with prophylaxis on early-stage and adhrerence, implementation of the TB/HIV collaboration activity, and early initiation of ART to reduce opportunistic infections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raja Ram Dhungana ◽  
Achyut Raj Pandey ◽  
Bihungum Bista ◽  
Suira Joshi ◽  
Surya Devkota

Objective. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in newly declared municipalities of Kathmandu, Nepal.Design, Settings, and Participants. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in the municipalities of Kathmandu District, Nepal, between January and July 2015. Study participants were aged 18 to 70 years, residing permanently in the study sites. Municipalities, Wards, households, and respondents were selected randomly.Results. Of the 587 participants, 58.8% were females, mean (SD) age was 42.3 (13.5) years, 29.3% had no formal education, 35.1% were Brahmins, and 41.2% were homemakers. Prevalence of hypertension was 32.5% (95% CI: 28.7–36.3). Age, gender, education, ethnicity, occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diabetes, menopausal history, and family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension were significantly associated with hypertension. In multivariable analysis, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, and diabetes were identified as significant explanatory variables for hypertension.Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the people living in newly established municipalities of Kathmandu, Nepal, have a high burden of hypertension as well as its associated factors. Therefore, community-based preventive approaches like lifestyle modification and early detection and treatment of hypertension might bring a substantial change in tackling the burden effectively.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sisay Shine ◽  
Sindew Muhamud ◽  
Solomon Adnew ◽  
Alebachew Demelash

Abstract Introduction Diarrhea is responsible for 525,000 under five children deaths and 1.7 billion cases in the world and the second leading cause of death among under-five children. It is the major public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia. The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of diarrhea among under-five children in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia.Methods Community based cross-sectional study design was done among 420 children in Debre Behan Town. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess level of significance.Results The two week prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children was 16.4%. Age of children with 7-11 month years old (AOR: 4.2, 95%CI: 1.2 – 15.3), being the second children (AOR: 3.9, 95%CI: 1.8 – 8.5), not vaccinated against Rota virus (AOR: 10.3, 95%CI: 3.2 – 91.3) and feeding children by using hand (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.1 - 6.1) were significant predictors of under five children diarrhea.Conclusions This study revealed that the two weeks’ period prevalence of under-five diarrhea was relatively high. Age of children, vaccination against Rota virus and feeding children by using hand were associated with under-five children diarrhea. Education program on the important of vaccination against Rota virus and critical point of hand washing is recommended.


Author(s):  
Mariavinifa X. ◽  
Govindarajan P. K. ◽  
John William A. Felix

Background: There has been rapid growth on the internet not only in India, but also in worldwide. It is a major public health problem affecting an enormous number of individuals. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Internet addiction and its associated factors among college students using smartphone in Tamil Nadu.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Annamalai University from October 2019 to October 2020.A total of five hundred students from various streams (medicine, dental, bachelor of physiotherapy, engineering, arts and science) were selected conveniently and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, questions on internet usage and Young's internet addiction test were used to gather data. Descriptive Statistics was defined in terms of percentage and frequency. Inferential statistics was analysed with Chi-Square test.Results: Out of the five hundred students, 45.4% were males, 54.6 % were females .The users were divided into groups, 38.8 % as normal users, 37% as mild addicts, 21% as moderate addicts, 3.2% as severe addicts. Thus overall prevalence of internet addiction was 61.2%. Degree of internet addiction was significantly associated with age, time spent daily on the internet and using internet for social media, online communications and playing online games.Conclusions: The present study showed a prevalence of internet addiction is high among college students. Therefore, it’s essential to make awareness among the students to enhance their quality of life through the prevention of addictive usage of the internet.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdana Adriana Nasui ◽  
Monica Popa ◽  
Codruta Alina Popescu

Abstract Background Alcohol/binge drinking among university students has become a major public health problem. Many of young students will be exposed to substantial changes in living arrangements, socialization groups and social activities during the transitional period. Aim The aim of this study was to analyse the alcohol consumption in Romanian university students, and to describe the behaviours occurring after drinking. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 468 undergraduate students, from a university for medicine and law. Of these students, 35.5% were males and 64.5% were females. The mean age of students was 21.9 ± 3.22 years. Validated anonymous paper questionnaires were completed voluntary by the students. Questionnaires contained demographic items, six questions for determining the level of alcohol consumed in terms of quantity and frequency, and 19 statements or problems resulting from drinking. Results The findings of the study showed that males drunk more units of alcohol /week than females (p < 0.001). The prevalence of abstainers was 10.8% in males and 17.6% in women. Heavy drinkers (drinking 5 or more drinks more than once a week) were more common among male (19.3%) than among female students (16.2%). Most frequently, drinking behaviours are related to academic performance, and the possible link between poor academic performance and alcohol consumption appears tenuous and merits further investigation. Conclusion Effective intervention strategies should be implemented to prevent students’ alcohol consumption and adverse health and social consequences resulting from this behaviour.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 119-129
Author(s):  
James Ssekitooleko

Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem, with a global prevalence of 41.8%. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Information on the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women in the study area is limited. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) in Kyenjojo and Kole Districts, Uganda. Cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected pregnant women. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire that captured demographic and obstetric characteristics. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was determined using HemoCue 201+. The study outcome was the prevalence of anaemia (Hb <11 g/dl). Chi-square, odds ratio, and logistic regression were used to test for associations. Of the total 760 pregnant women who participated in this study, 20.1% were anaemic. The prevalence varied from 13.4% in Kyenjojo to 26.9% in Kole District. Of 153 anaemic women, 121 (97%) were mildly anaemic, 27 (18%) moderately anemic, and 5(3%) severely anemic. Malaria infection [AOR: 0.46, 95% CI (0.26 – 0.83)], primigravida [AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29-0.93], and residing in Kole [AOR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.32-0.76] were significant predictors of low haemoglobin concentration. This study highlighted the high prevalence of anaemia in our settings and the significant association between anaemia and malaria among pregnant women. Therefore, routine screening of pregnant women for anemia, malaria, and other risk factors during their first ANC visit is recommended to identify those at risk and prompt management provided to curb their negative consequences.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getu Abeje Negatu ◽  
Getaneh Alemu Abebe ◽  
Woyneshet Gelaye Yalew

Abstract BackgroundMalaria is a major public health problem which still results in illness and death. Despite efforts to reduce the mortality and morbidity of malaria, the disease is still a prominent health problem in Ethiopia. This study, therefore, was undertaken to assess the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among symptomatic patients in northwest Ethiopia.MethodA facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2020 among 210 febrile patients attending at Hamusite health center, northwest Ethiopia. Thin and thick blood films were prepared from blood collected by finger puncture and from capillary blood buffy coat. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultsOut of 210 malaria suspected participants, 61 (29.0%) were confirmed to be infected by Plasmodium species. Plasmodium falciparum mono-infection was detected in 41 (19.5%) participants while P.vivax mono-infection and mixed infections were detected in 10 (4.3%) participants each. Female participant and those having family members with history of malaria were at higher risk of acquiring Plasmodium infectionConclusionThe present study revealed that malaria continued to be the major public health problem in the study area. Therefore, community mobilization should be strengthening in order to improve implementation of malaria control activities.


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