Household Readiness to Care for Mild and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases at Home, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-based CrossSectional Stud

BACKGROUND: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) continued with its notorious effects overwhelming health institutions. Thus, home-based identification and care for asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 has been recommended. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the level of household readiness for caring asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 at home. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March-June 2021 on randomly selected 778 households. Data entry and analysis were carried out using EpiData and SPSS version 25, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was modeled to identify independent predictors of community readiness. RESULTS: Overall readiness of the community was very low (43.8%). Factors positively affecting household readiness were male household heads (AOR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.45), primary (AOR=2.0; CI:.62, 1.59) and higher (AOR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.04, 3.45) educational level of the respondents, number of rooms within household (AOR = 1.22; CI: 1.03, 1.46), having additionally house (AOR = 2.61; CI: 1.35, 5.03), availability of single use eating utensils (AOR = 2.76; 95%CI: 1.66, 4.56), availability of community water supply (AOR = 8.21; 95% CI: 5.02, 13.43), and community participation and engagement (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.93, 4.08) in accessing transport, water and sanitation. CONCLUSIONS: The community was less prepared in terms of housing, infection prevention, water and sanitation. Considering alternative options including universal coverage of vaccine is important; designed behavioral change communications can enhance community participation and engagement in improving access to transport, water and sanitation to reduce risk of infections

Assessing the Role of Routine Chest Radiography in Asymptomatic Students during Registration at a University in an Endemic area of Tuberculosis

Context: Routine chest radiographs are usually obtained from asymptomatic individuals during routine medical visits probably to detect the presence of occult disease. In sub-Saharan countries tuberculosis is endemic among young individuals; primary tuberculosis might be the most probable occult disease sought for. Aims: The aim was to determine the diagnostic yield and cost effective- ness of routine chest radiography in an asymptomatic student population in Yaounde during registration at a university. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in a University-affiliated hospital in Yaounde; Cameroon. Materials and Methods: Postero-anterior (PA) chest radiographs were obtained from students during a routine medical visit before university admission. Radiographic results were coded as normal; minor; or major findings. The estimated cost per radiograph was that of the study setting at the time of the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Epi Info software version 3.3.2 of February 9 2005 (CDC Atlanta) was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 758 students enrolled; there were 280 males and 478 females (sex ratio 1:2). The mean age of the study population was 21 years (age range 15-33 years). All enrolled cases were asymptomatic. There were 739 normal radiographs (97.5); while 19 radiographs (2.5 ) showed minor abnormalities. No major abnormality was seen. The estimated direct cost of all the radiographs obtained was 3;941;600 F CFA ($ 8;760). Conclusions: Routine chest radiography has a low diagnostic yield in asymptomatic students even in a setting where tuberculosis is endemic; and is therefore not cost-effective

Hypertension and Sexual Dysfunction

Hypertension is a major independent cardiovascular risk factor; and also a marker of survival risk. Quality of life during the treatment of hypertension is an important health issue; as one in every five treated patients with hypertension will discontinue their therapy due to sideeffects.1 Discontinuation of therapy; and poor compliance with therapy; will eventually lead to a poorer outcome. The appearance of treatment-related side- effects may actually make patients feel worse than they did prior to treatment; when most hypertensive patients are asymptomatic. Sexual dysfunction is a potential side-effect of therapy; and may lead to poor therapy compliance