Background The spectrum of cardiovascular diseases varies between and within countries, depending on the stage of epidemiological transition and risk factor profiles. Understanding this spectrum requires regional and national data for each region or country. This study was designed to determine the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six university hospitals in Ethiopia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in six main referral/teaching hospitals located in different parts of the country. Consecutive patients visiting the follow-up cardiac clinics of these hospitals from 1 January to 30 June 2015 were included in the study. Data were collected on a pretested questionnaire. Results A total of 6275 patients (58.5% females) were included in the study. Nearly 61% of the patients were from urban areas. The median age was 33 years (IQR 14–55 years). Valvular heart disease was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 40.5% of the cases. Of 2541 patents with valvular heart disease, 2184 (86%) were cases of chronic rheumatic heart disease. Conclusion Our study shows that chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease is the most common cardiovascular diagnosis among patients seen at cardiology clinics of six referral/teaching hospitals in the country, followed by congenital heart diseases. Hypertensive and ischaemic heart diseases also accounted for a significant proportion of the cases. Therefore, strategies directed towards primary and secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever as well as prevention of risk factors for hypertension and ischaemic heart disease may need to be strengthened.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the level of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and associated factors among hypertensive patients having follow-up at selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2022. Setting A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public and tertiary hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 15 January 2022 to 30 July 2022. Participants A total of 326 adult hypertensive patients who visited the chronic diseases clinic for follow-up were included in the study. Primary and secondary outcome measures A high predicted 10-year CVD risk level was assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and physical measurement (primary data) and reviews of medical data records (secondary data) by using a non-laboratory WHO risk prediction chart. Logistic regression with an adjusted OR (AOR) using a 95% CI was calculated for independent variables associated with 10-year CVD risk. Results The prevalence of a high predicted 10-year CVD risk level was 28.2% (95% CI 10.34% to 33.2%) among the study participants. A higher CVD risk level was found to be associated with age (AOR 4.2 for age 64–74, 95% CI 1.67 to 10.66), being male (AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.18, 3.67), unemployment (AOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.25) and stage 2 systolic blood pressure (AOR 11.32; 95% CI 3.43 to 37.46). Conclusion The study showed that the respondent’s age, gender, occupation and high systolic blood pressure were determinant factors for CVD risks. Therefore, routine screening for the presence of CVD risk factors and assessment of CVD risk are recommended for hypertensive patients for CVD risk reduction.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) encompasses morphofunctional anomalies in the heart and circulatory system present at birth, which may not become apparent until later in life. In Ethiopia, there needs to be more understanding of the prevalence, patterns, and associated complications of CHD malformations. This study aimed to investigate the patterns and complications of CHDs among patients receiving follow-up care at a specialized university referral hospital in Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 199 patients with CHDs to assess the patterns and complications of defects. Retrospective data were collected from 16,972 patients who had follow-ups at a cardiac clinic in 2021 using medical records, and a statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 24. Results: The most prevalent types of CHDs in our study population were atrial septal defects (ASDs) at 41.2% (82 cases), ventricular septal defects (VSDs) at 26.6% (53 cases), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDAs) at 9.5% (19 cases). Complications related to CHDs were observed in 69.3% (138) of patients, with 30.7% (61) experiencing a single complication and 39.2% (87) experiencing multiple complications. Conclusion: This study found a higher prevalence of CHDs in females (77.8%) compared to males, a trend consistent across various atrial and ventricular defect types. Individuals aged 15 to 25 years exhibited the highest incidence of ASD and VSD. Moreover, CHD-related anomalies were present in 69.3% of the patients studied.

Background: Progress in public health requires focused policy attention informed by reliable evidence; hence survey is essential to guide improvements in health systems and develop new initiatives. However, there is little published evidence that guides health surveyors who have difficulties while conducting surveys in geographically and culturally diversified populations. This paper aims to describe the implementation of Ethiopia's 2015 Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) steps survey and highlight the overall operation of the survey to elucidate best practices and guide surveyors who conduct related studies in other settings. Methods: Field experiences and notes from debriefing sessions with senior surveyers leading the survey were systematically reviewed and interpreted. The discussion was approached by asking about the survey ‘How operated?’, ‘What went well?’, ‘What did not go well?’, ‘What alternative strategies were devised to solve the challenges?’ and ‘How might this be done differently in the future?’ Considering these questions, we have explored the best field experiences from experienced surveyers, recognizing that it is never too late to learn to replicate best field practices. Results: The study was the first nationally representative community-based survey for non-communicable diseases. As planned, assessment results were published in national reports and summarized factsheets informing the magnitude of specific risk factors to establish baseline evidence for the planning and monitoring of policies and programs on NCD. The implementation of the survey faced methodological matters, geographic and logistical constraints, field operation challenges, and other technical concerns. No matter the extent of the challenges that arise during fieldwork, creating adaptive strategies on a timely basis will enable us to overcome them. Conclusions: Though executing the NCD steps survey was hampered by several factors, the assessment was successful in achieving the intended objectives by addressing more than 96% of the expected households in general. Though field challenges are common in surveys, responding timely to fieldwork challenges with locally relevant solutions is essential.

Background: Hypertensives’ target blood pressure control remains suboptimal in many countries worldwide. Hence, determining patients’ factors affecting target blood pressure control is critical. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine hypertensives’ target blood pressure control and its associations with their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design. For the face-to-face data collection with standardized questionnaires, 384 hypertensives attending a tertiary-level hospital were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the target blood pressure control status and bivariate chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors significantly associated with the target blood pressure control. Results: The study consisted of nearly equal proportions of male (51.2%) and female (48.8%) participants with a mean age (±SD) of 53.61 ±12.34 years. Only 45.1% had achieved target blood pressure control. Absence of comorbidity (AOR = 1.911, 95% CI: 1.256, 2.908, p = .002), good medication adherence (AOR = 2.535, 95% CI: 1.078, 5.960, p = .033), and normal body mass index (AOR = 1.675, 95% CI: 1.094, 2.564, p = .018) were factors significantly associated with the achievement of the target BP control. Conclusion: Intervention targeting hypertensives’ body weight control, early comorbidity screening and management, and strict adherence to antihypertension medication may improve patients’ blood pressure control status and should be among the priority of the hypertension care clinic specialists’ team.