Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and associated factors among adult cardiac patients at Ambo University Referral Hospital, West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2024/2025

Background Atrial fibrillation is most the common arrhythmia in the world. Its incidence and prevalence have increased over the last 20 years and will continue to increase over next 30 years, becoming one of the largest epidemics challenges. Its presence leads to morbidity and mortality, posing a considerable burden on patients, public health, and healthcare economy. Methods Institution based cross sectional study was conducted between September 2, 2024 and January 30, 2025 on 376 cardiac patients. Data were entered to Epidata 3.1v then exported to SPSS 27v for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Statistical significance was declared at p value < .05 then interpreted using adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Result In this study, overall prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 29.8% (95% CI: 25.2%–34.7%). Factors including age > 60 years (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: (1.07–8.66)); p value .037, Heart failure (AOR = 6.72, 95% CI: (3.12–14.44)); p value < .001, ischemic heart disease (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI: (1.40–10.44)); p value .009, valvular heart disease (AOR = 3.53, 95% CI: (1.58–7.92)); p value .002, hypertensive heart disease (AOR = 6.92, 95% CI: (2.02–23.73)); p value .002, pulmonary hypertension (AOR = 8.86, 95% CI: (3.37–23.27)); p value < .001, physical inactivity (AOR = 4.21, 95% CI: (1.99–8.92)); p value < .001, and statin use (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI: (0.06–0.43)); p value < .001 were found to be statistically significant factors associated with atrial fibrillation. Conclusion In this study, prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 29.8%. Factors associated with AF were age > 60 years, Heart failure, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, Pulmonary hypertension, physical inactivity, and Statin use. Therefore, optimizing physical activity, screening and treating at-risk patients is important.