Prevalence of gallstones in the black population of District 28 in relation to age, gender, diet and body mass index

Abstract

This study aimed at determining and evaluating the prevalence of gallstones in the Black population of District 28 (D28) in relation to age, gender, diet and body mass index (BMI) in order to identify people at high risk and advise them so that they can avoid the complications and decrease the morbidity rate. Blacks are thought to have increased prevalence of gallstones but there has been no systematic evaluation of its prevalence in D28. METHODS AND MATERIALS 389 Black people from D28 were selected from referrals (for many different radiological examinations) coming to the X-ray and ultrasound departments. Some of the respondents were staff members who also met the selection criteria for the study. An interview was conducted at Ngwelezane hospital using a structured questionnaire on health, social and diet history of the respondents. All information was entered into the data sheet. All respondents were then scanned using Mid-range ultrasound machines to establish the presence of gallstones and this information was thereafter documented on the data sheet. SPSS version 11.5 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, III) was used for data analysis. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Epitable module of Epi Info version 6.04 (CDC, 2001). Pearson's Chi square tests were used to assess associations between categorical variables and gall stones. Logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the independent effects of multiple risk factors on the development of gallstones. Backwards elimination method based on likelihood ratios was used with entry and exit probabilities set at 0.05 and 0.1 respectively