Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 97-105
Prevalence Trends and Associated Modifiable Risk Factors of Peptic Ulcer Disease among Students in a University Community South-South Nigeria
Soupriye Bidokumo Zibima1, Juliet Imawaigha Oniso2, Kenneth Belibodei Wasini1, Justina Chidinma Ogu3
1(Registered Nurse RN, Registered Midwife RM, Bachelor of Nursing Science BNSc, Master of Nursing Science [Medical-Surgical Nursing], MSc), 3(Bachelor of Nursing Science BNSc)
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State Nigeria.
2(Registered Nurse RN, Registered Midwife RM, Bachelor of Nursing Science BNSc; Master of Nursing Science [Maternal and Child Health Nursing], MSc)
Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State.
Corresponding Author: Soupriye Bidokumo Zibima
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the commonest ailments of the alimentary system. It affects about 4 million of the world’s population annually, with incidence of complications in approximately 10–20%. PUD impacts negatively on the health-related quality of life of affected individuals while employers and healthcare systems are burdened with high economic cost of dealing with the disease. Established risk factors of PUD such as stress, smoking, and use of alcohol, coffee, and NSAIDs are commonly associated with university students and could impact on the disease prevalence. Therefore, determining the prevalence trends of established PUD and associated risk factors in risk populations is essential for clinical and epidemiological decision making.
Objective:To investigate the prevalence trend and associated modifiable risk factors of PUD among students in Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Methods:A hospital based retrospective survey design was employed. The medical records of students who accessed the NDU Medical Centre from January, 2014 to December, 2019 were assessed. Relevant data extracted from students’ case files were analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 23 and described statistically in terms of frequencies and percentages.
Results:A total of 988 students were diagnosed of PUD from January, 2014 to December, 2019. More Christians (74.7%) and first year students (30.4%) had PUD. More females (55.6%) than males (44.4%) were diagnosed of PUD. Females had PUD than males in 2014 (64.1%), 2015 (61.5%), 2016 (56.2%) and 2018 (54.0%); while males had PUD than females in 2017 (52.0%) and 2019 (51.4%). Prevalence was highest among students within 17-21 years in 2014 (33.5%), 2015 (43.2%), and 2017 (32.4%) while in 2016, 2018 and 2019, prevalence was highest among 22-26 (33.3%), 27-31 (30.3% and 34.3%) respectively. Starvation, stress, NSAID use, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were the major modifiable risk factors of PUD documented. Starvation and stress were most common (100%) among students.
Conclusion:PUD prevalence is low but risk factor association is enormous. Education aimed at reducing risk factor association may help change future prevalence trend in the positive direction.
Key words: Prevalence trends, Peptic Ulcer Disease, Risk Factors, Niger Delta University