Epistaxis and Its Associated Factors Among Precollege Students in Southern Ethiopia

Gemechu Ameya; Gelila Biresaw; Hayat Mohammed; Abebayehu Chebud; Melese Meskele; Mohammed Hussein; Muktar Endris

doi:10.2147/JBM.S285403

Epistaxis and Its Associated Factors Among Precollege Students in Southern Ethiopia

J Blood Med. 2021 Jan 6:12:1-8. doi: 10.2147/JBM.S285403. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Gemechu Ameya¹, Gelila Biresaw², Hayat Mohammed³, Abebayehu Chebud⁴, Melese Meskele⁵, Mohammed Hussein⁶, Muktar Endris⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kotebe Metropolitan University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
² Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
⁴ Melka Oda Primary Hospital, West Guji, Melka Sodo, Ethiopia.
⁵ Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Worabe, Ethiopia.
⁶ Dessie Selam General Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia.
⁷ Galikoma Health Center, Afar Region, Galikoma, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngological emergencies affecting the majority of the population in their lifetime, with some of them requiring serious medical attention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of epistaxis among pre-college students in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. The study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. A logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the presence and strength of association factors with epistaxis. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the presence and strength of the association at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: Of 387 participants, 57.1% of them were male, and the mean age of all participant was 18.05±1.401 SD years. The overall epistaxis prevalence was 108 (27.9%). Blood group O, which accounted for about 43.4% was more prevalent. Blood group O (AOR=3.96, 95% CI=1.5-10.4), participants who drink coffee daily (AOR=2.75, 95% CI=1.0-7.4), and participants who took a bath frequently with both hot and cold-water (AOR=4.55, 95% CI=1.1-18.6) were significantly associated with epistaxis.

Conclusion: The type of blood group, interval of coffee drinking, and type of bathing were significantly associated with epistaxis. Working on the identified associated factor and increased awareness about epistaxis for the students with effective first aid training is mandatory.

Keywords: blood group; epistaxis; pre-college students; southern Ethiopia.