DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FINDINGS OF PATIENTS REFERRED FOR UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY IN NAMIBIA youseffy@hotmail.com

PE081

DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FINDINGS OF PATIENTS REFERRED FOR UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY IN NAMIBIA

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Namibia

Poster Exhibition only

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a key diagnostic tool for investigating upper digestive symptoms, which are frequently reported in Namibia. This study aimed to compare the most common biopsy findings from upper GI endoscopies across Namibia’s private and public healthcare sectors and to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using complete records of patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy with biopsy between 2021 and 2022. Data were collected from both private and public hospitals. Demographics recorded included age and birth-assigned gender. All identifiable patient data were excluded. Pathological findings and H. pylori presence were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

A total of 2,664 patients were included: 1,677 from the private sector and 987 from the public. Females predominated in both sectors (58.9% private; 55.1% public; p<0.001). The mean age was 45.2±16.3 years in private and 51.0±19.3 in public, with a modal age group of >55 years. Chronic gastritis was the most common finding (90.6% private; 61.6% public), followed by gastric hyperplasia (private) and gastric ulcers (public). H. pylori infection was present in 34.5% of private and 36.6% of public cases.

Significant differences in GI pathology were noted across healthcare sectors and genders. Chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection remain highly prevalent, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies in Namibia.