Abstract:
Background: Intracranial calcification is specifically calcium or calcium compounds deposition within
cranial cavity in a brain tissue and or associated structures. Calcification is mineral deposition of any of
body tissues notably soft tissue rendering it hard and solid. Unless physiological calcifications which
not known to bring health related problem, pathological intracranial calcifications are tremendously
notorious cause cognitive, motor, memory, autonomic as well as sensory system diseases and
disabilities in affected patients.
Objective : The objective of this study was to assess association between intracranial calcifications and
their prevalence in two tertiary level health care institutions in SNNPR, Ethiopia. Adult patients who
attend these facilities to get CT scan of head.
Methods and Materials: The study conducted in two tertiary level healthcare institutions in Wolaita
zone, SNNPR of Ethiopia, namely Wolayta Sodo Christian General Hospital and Wolayta Sodo
University Teaching and Referral Comprehensive Hospital, which are currently making active use of
CT scan for diagnosis of various causes. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit the
predetermined sample size of n = 403. Before the selection of study participants, proportion to size
allocations of the sample size for the number of adults undergone CT scan of head in each health
institution was performed. Structured questionnaire was prescribed by trained data collectors to get data,
and Subsequent measurements of height and weight of patients obtained. Data was entered into Epi
data software version 4.4.2.1 and then exported to SPSS version 25 statistical package for analysis. The
results are summarized in the form of proportions and frequency tables for categorical variables.
Correlation coefficient and odds ratio calculated statistically. Continuous variables Summarized using
means, median, and standard deviation. P-values computed for categorical variables using Chi-square
(χ2) test and p value of P<0.05 was taken as a statically significant.
Results: The overall magnitude of intracranial calcification was 28.3%. Older age (AOR=3.260, 95%
CI; 1.671-6.361), Hypertension (AOR=2.353, 95%CI; 1.130-4.901), Kidney disease (CKD)
(AOR=2.611, 95%CI; 1.260-5.410), Diabetes Mellitus (AOR=2.523, 95%CI; 1.170-5.442), Stroke
(AOR=3.247, 95%CI; 1.053-10.015), and BMI of patient [≥25.0kg/m2] (AOR=3.247, 95%CI; 1.004
11.202) were significantly associated factors with the ICC formation in brain.
Conclusion and recommendation: This study, found that a magnitude of intracranial calcifications
was 28.3% among adults whom underwent CT scan imaging diagnosis of head in WSCGH and
WSUTRH for various reasons. Factors that contribute to intracranial calcifications were older age,
hypertension, Kidney disease (CKD), Diabetes mellitus, Stroke, hemiplegia or paraplegia and higher
Body mass index level (BMI).
