Impact of COVID -19 on population health and economic wellbeing in Ethiopia: A national pilot survey

Introduction: The COVD-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented global health and economic crisis, particu-larly in countries struggling with poverty. We conducted a national survey to understand the economic and health impacts of COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Methods: A pilot, population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults randomly selected from the Ethio Telecom list of mobile phone numbers. Participants underwent a comprehensive phone interview about the impact of COVID-19 on their economic well-being and the health-related risks associated with COVID-19. Results: Of 4,180 calls attempted, 1194 were answered, of which a successful interview was made with 614 par-ticipants. COVID-19 affected the family income of 343 [55.9%] participants, 56 [9.1%] lost their job, 105 [17.1%] perceived high stress in their household, and 7 [1.14%] reported death in their family in the past month. The odds of having a decreased income due to COVID-19 were 2.4 times higher among self-employed [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.4, 95% CI (1.58-3.77)] and 2.8 times higher among unemployed [AOR 2.8, 95% CI (1.35-5.85)] participants. Two-hundred twenty-one [36%] participants had comorbidity in their household with hypertension, 72 [11.7%], diabetes,50 [8.1%], asthma, 48 [7.8%], and other chronic diseases, 51 [8.4%]. Forty-six [7.5%] participants had COVID-like symptoms in the previous month, where cough, headache, and fatigue were the most com-mon.

Complications of pneumonia and its associated factors in a pediatric population in Osogbo, Nigeria

Introduction: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in underfive children. Nigeria still has a high burden of child death due to pneumonia. Many of these deaths result from the development of complications. This study was done to determine the pattern of pneumonia complications and its associated factors amongst underfive children with pneumonia.Methods: It was a hospital-based cross-sectional observational study involving 129 children aged 1 - 60 months with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The participants were recruited over a nine-month period. Clinical signs were recorded, and a confirmatory chest radiograph was obtained within 24 hours of admission.Result: Of the129 subjects studied, 70 (54.3%) had complications. Children less than 24 months had a higher frequency of complications at presentation. Heart failure and anemia occurred more commonly. Other complications were pleural effusion, empyema, pneumatocele and pneumothorax. More than half (57.1%) of those with complication were hypoxaemic at presentation. Complicated pneumonia was significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay and risk of mortality.Conclusion: Complication is common among children hospitalized for pneumonia in Osogbo. Heart failure was the most common complication. Presence of pneumonia complications and hypoxaemia are important contributors to mortality in this environment