ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the knowledge of healthcare workers on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to March 30, 2022 in Gondar City Administration public health institutions among 165 healthcare workers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. In addition, an on-spot observation checklist was used to assess the availability, status and management of the cold chain. A logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between the outcome and predictor variables. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Overall, 87 (52.7%; 95% Cl 44.8%-60.5%) of the healthcare workers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding the measles vaccine and its cold chain management. One hundred thirty-six (82.4%) healthcare workers correctly mentioned the recommended range of temperature (2-8 °C) for measles vaccine storage. Healthcare workers aged 18-29 years (P=0.001) and 30-44 years (P=0.014) were observed as determinants of unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management. One hundred and five (63.6%) of the healthcare workers did not correctly mention the type of measles vaccine used in routine immunization. More than one-third (36.4%) of the healthcare workers perceived that the measles vaccine is not safe and could cause measles. Conclusions: More than half of the healthcare workers in the study area had unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management. It is necessary to provide technical support and in-service training for healthcare workers to ensure optimal immunization effectiveness.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Standard treatment of severe acute malnutrition with medical complication and/or failed appetite test is admission in therapeutic feeding centers for stabilization. Once stabilized, patients will be linked to Outpatient treatment program for rehabilitation. Information regarding time to discharge from inpatient therapeutic feeding centers is limited in Ethiopia. The main objective of this study was to assess the time to discharge and its predictors among children1-60 months with Severe Acute Malnutrition admitted to University of Gondar Hospital. METHODS: Hospital Based retrospective follow up study was conducted in Gondar University Hospital among 282 children aged 1-60 months admitted to inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Center from June 2018 to December 2020. Participants were selected by Simple random sampling technique. Time to discharge from inpatient treatment was estimated using Kaplan-Meir procedure and Log Rank test was used to test observed difference between covariates. Identification of predictors for time to discharge was done by Stratified cox regression model. RESULTS: Overall 282 children were studied; 242 (85.8%) were discharged improved and 40 (14.2%) were censored. The median time to Discharge was 13 days (IQR: 9-18) and the Incidence of discharge was found to be 6.4 (95% CI: 5.6-7.2) per 100 person- day observations. Kwash-dermatosis (AHR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.17-4.8), Anemia (AHR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.6), pneumonia at admission (AHR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.01-2.63) and Hospital acquired infection (AHR=4.4, 95% CI: 2.4-8.2) were predictors of time to discharge. CONCLUSION: Hospital stay at the stabilization center was prolonged.Pneumonia, anemia, kwash dermatosis and Nosocomial infections were significant predictors of time to discharge