The Role Of Non-Modifiable Risk Factors For Peptic Ulcer Disease In Patients Attending A Tertiary Hospital In Enugu, South East Nigeria

The Role Of Non-Modifiable Risk Factors For Peptic Ulcer Disease In Patients

Abstract

Background: To determine the role of non-modifiable risk factors associated with peptic ulcer disease in patients attending a tertiary hospital in Enugu, South East Nigeria. Material And Methods: A total of 240 patients comprising 120 cases and 120 controls attending the outpatient clinic of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, GRA, Enugu were seen within the period February and August 2017. Their age, sex, educational and income levels were taken. Their medical history which centered on knowledge of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), family history of PUD, history of chronic illness and diagnosis of PUD were assessed. The prevalence of these non-modifiable risk factors in the cases and controls were compared. Result: There was no significant difference between the age distribution and sex distribution of cases and controls (P-value= 0.103 and 0.07 respectively). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the educational levels (P-value= 0.683) and the monthly income levels (P-value= 0.490) of cases and controls. Conclusion: Factors such as age and sex were found to be of little or no influence. However the cases with higher educational level had a higher prevalence of PUD while those with lower monthly income had the same higher prevalence, thus showing that the higher the educational attainment, the lower the monthly income. From the above findings, emphasis should be laid on a policy aimed at massive employment/ empowerment of the youths and young adults so as to improve their monthly income and reduce the observed inequality. [L.U.M, Onoh Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(3):7-10]