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Background. Detecting a group of esophageal cancer (EC) cases in endemic regions is essential in identifying high‐risk populations and executing appropriate interventions. The main aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of EC in Eritrea. Methods. A retrospective (period: 2011 – 2021) study was carried out by abstracting data on EC patients from the logbook kept at the National Health Laboratory (ENHL). Information on socio‐demographic, clinical history, and biopsy analysis findings was collected. For the statistical assessment of data, the End Results (SEER) Joinpoint Regression Program (V.4.5.0.1) was used to calculate crude incidence rate (CIR), age‐adjusted incidence rate (ASR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) by sex, age, and histotype. Results. A total of 189 patient's samples (134 (70.9%) females vs. 55 (29.1%) males, ratio 2.43 : 1) were evaluated. Of the 155 patients with EC, 44 (28.4%) and 111 (71.6%) were diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), respectively (AC/ESCC ratio, 0.4). The median age (IQR) of patients with EC was 60 years (46.0 – 70 years) – (males 62 (IQR: 49.0 – 77 years) vs. females 60 (IQR: 46 ‐67 years), p‐value =0.43. Within age bands, the F: M ratios in patients with ESCC were as follows: >20 ‐29 years =2: 1; 30‐39 years =8 : 1; 40 – 49 years =10.5 : 1; 50‐59 years =6.67 : 1; 60‐69 years =3.25.1; 70‐79 years =1.5 : 1 and>80 years =2 : 1. The all‐age CIR and ASR for EC were 0.468 per 100 000 and 2.281 per 100 000 persons, respectively. Similarly, the all‐age ASR for both males and females was 2.88 per 100 000 and 1.61 per 100 000. Over the study period, the EAPC for all cases was ‐3.0% (95% CI, −11.3 to 6.1, p‐value =0.455). Conclusion. In large part, EC is a women's disease in Eritrea. The unusually high incidence of ESCC and the high female‐to‐male ratio point at sex‐dependent exposures as a major driver of the EAC epidemic in the country. Therefore, research on the risk factors of EC in Eritrea is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent research suggests that poor adherence to antihypertensive medication (AHM) is a major problem in the management of hypertension. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the frequency of AHM and associated risk factors in patients attending a national referral hospital in Asmara, Eritrea. Methods: A total of 335 respondents (females: 222 (66.3%) participated in this cross-sectional study. Adherence to Medication was evaluated using a modified version of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS). Additional data were abstracted from patients' medical records and a WHO STEPwise questionnaire. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the study participants was 59.65 (± 12.20) years (females: 56.82 (± 9.95) vs males: 57.17 (± 9.60) years, p-value=0.001). Similarly, the median (IQR) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were 85.00 mmHg (IQR: 80.00– 90.00 mmHg) and 145.00 mmHg (IQR: 130.00– 160.00 mmHg), respectively. Overall, 246 (73.4%) and 244 (72.8%) participants had poor knowledge and poor adherence to AHM, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased odds of poor adherence to AHM included sex (females: adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.95; 95% CI: 1.52– 16.11, p value=0.008); employment status (Ref: employed/NGO) (self-employed: aOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 0.45– 8.48, p-value=0.373) (housewife: aOR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04– 0.413, p-value=0.001) (unemployed: aOR: 1.38; 95% CI:0.32– 5.98; p-value=0.670); lack of attendance of health talk at the clinic (aOR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.17– 4.63; p-value=0.016); high cost of transportation (yes: aOR: 6.87; 95% CI: 3.25– 14.52; p-value< 0.001); knowledge (poor: aOR: 6.23; 95% CI: 2.36– 18.05, p-value< 0.001) and hypertension stage (Stage 3: aOR: 5.55; 95% CI, 1.44– 21.37, p-value=0.013). Low level of knowledge regarding hypertension-related complications or associated risk factors was also noted. Conclusion: The high level of poor adherence to anti-hypertension medications and low level of knowledge on hypertension should raise concern. Overall, decentralization of health care services and educational support are vital intervention pathways in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]