Document Type
Capstone Experience
Graduation Date
5-2025
Degree Name
Master of Public Health
Department
Biostatistics
First Committee Member
Gleb R. Haynatzki
Second Committee Member
Abraham Mengist
Third Committee Member
Peter Julius
Abstract
Objective
To identify and evaluate potential risk factors for OSSN at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia.
Methods
Data from 475 patients were analyzed retrospectively, and it included 390 with OSSN and 85 with benign biopsies. Variables with significance values
Results
Several key predictors of OSSN were identified after controlling for confounders in the household cooks sub-population, these were, a lower household income (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46–0.90, p = .009), a Lab confirmed HIV-positive status (aOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.72–7.21, p = .001) and exposure to biomass smoke (aOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.05–5.84, p = .039).
Conclusion
Lower household income and HIV-positive status were identified as significant risk factors, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions. Logistic regression models outperformed regularized methods in predicting OSSN risk. We recommend improved healthcare access, HIV screening, and environmental protection measures could significantly reduce OSSN incidence in at-risk populations.
Recommended Citation
Siyumbwa, Stepfanie N.; Julius, Peter; Nkhata, Tabitha; Chilyabanyama, Obvious N.; Mengist, Abraham; Haynatzki, Gleb; and Wood, Charles, "Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN) Risk Factors in Lusaka, Zambia: The Role of HIV and Socioeconomic Status" (2025). Capstone Experience. 360.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_slce/360