Magnitude, Types, and Associated Factors of External Abdominal Hernias Among Adult Patients Visiting the Surgical Outpatient Department at Hiwotfana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Jugol Regional Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 20 to December 5, 2022, on adult patients who visited the surgical outpatient department at the Hiwotfana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Jugol Regional Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia. All adult patients who visited the surgical outpatient department of each hospital were enrolled in the study using a systematic random sampling technique with skipping intervals of two until the calculated sample size was obtained, which is 403. Data collection was accomplished through medical record reviews of patients and face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science version 26 software. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted, and the results were presented in text, graphs, and tables. A Chi-square test was calculated, and an Odds ratio for the strength and directions of association was used with a 95% confidence interval and a P-value of <0.05 to be considered statistical. This investigation determined the overall magnitude of external abdominal wall hernias in the study area as well as the types of external abdominal hernias. At the conclusion of the investigation, each significant associated factor for an external abdominal hernia was identified.