Prevalence and Factors Associated with Oesophageal Tumour among Patients Attending Tanga Regional Referral Hospital, Tanga Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Despite the high incidence and mortality of oesophageal tumours in Tanzania, particularly in the Tanga
region, there is a lack of localised data on their prevalence and associated factors. This study aimed to determine the
prevalence and risk factors of oesophageal tumours at Tanga Regional Referral Hospital (TRRH), Tanzania.
Methods: This retrospective hospital-based record review study utilised data from patients aged 18 and above who
underwent endoscopy diagnostic services at TRRH’s surgical department. Data were extracted from the patient register
for those who underwent endoscopy diagnostic services from July 2022 to July 2024 and analysed using descriptive
statistics, chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariate analyses to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95%
confidence intervals (CI) for associations between oesophageal tumours and various associated factors.
Results: Among the 246 study participants, the majority were aged >50 years (58.1%). The most common clinical
finding was “other endoscopic diagnoses” (51.2%), with mass lesions and bleeding each accounting for 13.8%.
Tumours were most frequently located in the middle oesophagus (23.2%). The overall prevalence of oesophageal
tumours was higher in smokers (55.1%) and those who underwent a biopsy (75.5%). Significant risk factors included
smoking (AOR=2.92, P=.001), and a low-fat diet (AOR=3.00, P=.010), while age, sex, alcohol, and physical activity
were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: This study highlighted a notable prevalence of oesophageal tumours at TRRH. Individuals who smoke and
those with a low-fat diet were significantly associated with oesophageal tumour, emphasising the need for targeted
prevention and early diagnostic interventions.