Mathematical Model and Analysis on the Impacts of Vaccination and Treatment in the Control of the COVID-19 Pandemic with Optimal Control

In this study, a nonlinear deterministic mathematical model that evaluates two important therapeutic measures of the COVID-19 pandemic: vaccination of susceptible and treatment for infected people who are in quarantine, is formulated and rigorously analyzed. Some of the fundamental properties of the model system including existence and uniqueness, positivity, and invariant region of solutions are proved under a certain meaningful set. The model exhibits two equilibrium points: disease-free and endemic equilibrium points under certain conditions. The basic reproduction number, R0, is derived via the next-generation matrix approach, and the dynamical behavior of the model is explored in detail. The analytical analysis reveals that the disease-free equilibrium solution is locally as well as globally asymptotically stable when the associated basic reproduction number is less than unity which indicates that COVID-19 dies out in the population. Also, the endemic equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable whenever the associated basic reproduction number exceeds a unity which implies that COVID-19 establishes itself in the population. The sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number is computed to identify the most dominant parameters for the spreading out as well as control of infection and should be targeted by intervention strategies. Furthermore, we extended the considered model to optimal control problem system by introducing two time-dependent variables that represent the educational campaign to susceptibles and continuous treatment for quarantined individuals. Finally, some numerical results are illustrated to supplement the analytical results of the model using MATLAB ode45. © 2023 Alemzewde Ayalew et al.

Determinants associated with an effective online learning system of a teachers' training college in Awi Zone, Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Higher educational institutions were forced to stop face-to-face classes and shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government of Ethiopia closed schools in all educational institutions on 16 March 2020, and then directed educational institutions to teach students online. This study was conducted to discover the determinants of online teaching practices at teachers training colleges. A cross-sectional study design was conducted using randomly selected 343 students from Injibara College of Teacher's Education, Ethiopia. Results of the statistical analyses revealed that socio-demographic characteristics of students do not affect the effectiveness of the online learning system;but determinates that are directly related to the online learning system, such as infrastructure, access to the internet, parent support, and technological resources have a significant effect. Online learning at the study area was only 77% effective, which indicates that there is a need for intervention to make it more effective. Therefore, we recommend to governmental and non-governmental institutions to establish ICT centers and provide online learning trainings. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

ANTENATAL CARE SERVICE UTILIZATION AMONG WOMEN WHO GAVE BIRTH AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN WOLLEGA ZONE, WEST ETHIOPIA: COMMUNITY BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

BACKGROUND: The counter effect of COVID-19 preventive measures is believed to affect the health care utilization of many vulnerable populations including pregnant mothers. Because of the newness of the disease, there is a dearth of information regarding maternal health service utilization amid the pandemic. Hence, this study was aimed to assess antenatal care service utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth amid the pandemic in West Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in selected districts of West Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Epi data version 3.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences window (SPSS) version 25.0 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was done. RESULTS: A total of 827 participants were involved in the study with a response rate of 97.87 %. The prevalence of antenatal cares service utilization among mothers who gave birth during the pandemic was 450 (54.4 %) with 95% confidence interval (51.0, 57.6). Age of mother, residence, occupation of mother, educational level of the mother, fear related to spreading of COVID-19 in the community, fear of being infected, following government guidelines, using a facemask, covering face and mouth when coughing, and level of practice towards covid-19 prevention measures had a statistically significant association with antenatal cares service utilization. CONCLUSION: The finding of this particular study revealed that there is a low antenatal care service utilization during the pandemic. Hence, health care providers should strengthen the integration of messages on COVID-19 prevention measures and health education with pregnancy risk, family planning and postnatal care. It is also advisable to start technology-based services to avert the transportation and related problems. © 2022 The authors.