Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
An estimate of hernia prevalence in Sierra Leone from a nationwide community survey
Hernia, Volume 18, No. 2, Year 2014
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
Abstract: Purpose: A large number of unrepaired inguinal hernias is expected in sub-Saharan Africa where late presentation often results in incarceration, strangulation, or giant scrotal hernias. However, no representative population-based data are available to quantify the prevalence of hernias. We present data on groin masses in Sierra Leone to estimate prevalence, barriers to care, and associated disability. Methods: A cluster randomized, cross-sectional household survey of 75 clusters of 25 households with 2 respondents each was designed to calculate the prevalence of and disability caused by groin hernias in Sierra Leone using a verbal head-to-toe examination. Barriers to hernia repairs were assessed by asking participants the main reason for delay in surgical care. Results: Information was obtained from 3,645 respondents in 1,843 households, of which 1,669 (46 %) were male and included in the study. In total, 117 males or 7.01 % (95 % CI 5.64-8.38) reported a soft or reducible swelling likely representing a hernia with four men having two masses. Of the 93.2 % who indicated the need for health care, only 22.2 % underwent a procedure, citing limited funds (59.0 %) as the major barrier to care. On disability assessment, 20.2 % were not able to work secondary to the groin swelling. Conclusions: The results indicate groin masses represent a major burden for the male population in Sierra Leone. Improving access to surgical care for adult patients with hernias and early intervention for children will be vital to address the burden of disease and prevent complications or limitations of daily activity. © 2013 Springer-Verlag France (outside the USA).
Authors & Co-Authors
Patel, Hiten D.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Groen, Reinou Sybrecht
United States, New York
Surgeons Overseas Sos
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Royal Tropical Institute - Kit
United States, Baltimore
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Kamara, Thaim Buya
United States
University of Sierra Leone
Samai, Mohamed M.
Unknown Affiliation
Farahzad, Mina M.
United States, Milwaukee
Medical College of Wisconsin
Cassidy, Laura Dawn
United States, Milwaukee
Medical College of Wisconsin
Kushner, Adam L.
United States, New York
Surgeons Overseas Sos
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
United States, New York
Columbia University
Wren, Sherry M.
United States, Palo Alto
Stanford University
United States, Palo Alto
Va Palo Alto Health Care System
Statistics
Citations: 13
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 10
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s10029-013-1179-3
ISSN:
12654906
Research Areas
Disability
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Sierra Leone
Participants Gender
Male