Diagnostic Challenges of Infection in Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: In resource-constrained countries, accurate diagnosis of infection remains a challenge. This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of locally available serological and stool antigen test kits in the management of people with suspected infection in Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with apparently healthy adults and children living in southwest Ethiopia. Participants were interviewed for dyspepsia symptoms and related clinical conditions. infection was examined using commercially available serological and stool antigen tests. The association between tests and dyspepsia symptoms was analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results: Out of 1392 participants included in the final analysis, 49.1% and 6.5% tested positive for infection with serology and stool antigen test kits, respectively. Participants reporting epigastric symptoms in the past three months (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.28-2.91) and those with recent dyspepsia treatment (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.05-2.18) were likely to have positive serology test. However, no association between dyspepsia symptoms and stool antigen positivity was observed in our study.

Conclusion: ccurate detection of infections using commercially accessible diagnostics remains difficult in Ethiopia. With these methods, it will be hard to ensure adequate diagnosis and early treatment of infection, as well as rational antibiotic use.