Determinants of WHO recommended COVID-19 prevention measures among pregnant women attending antenatal care during the third wave of COVID-19 in eastern Ethiopia, 2021.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease has emerged as the most pressing global health issue. In women with COVID-19 disease, pregnancy confers a substantial additional risk of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess WHO-recommended COVID-19 prevention practices and determinant factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care during the third wave of COVID-19 in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Harar, from October 10 to November 10, 2021. The sample size was proportionally allocated to all healthcare facilities, then the study participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Descriptive summary statistics were done. Logistic regression analyses were computed to identify associations between dependent and independent variables. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared statistically significant. RESULT: Out of 422 pregnant women, 61.6% of them had good WHO Recommended COVID-19 Prevention Practices. Those with age 25-34 years (AOR: 9.7, 95%CI: 4.8, 19.3), age 35-44 years (AOR:4.8, 95%CI: 2.6, 9.03), monthly income > 10,000 ETB (AOR: 9.4, 95%CI: 2.1, 42.1), being a student (AOR: 10, 95%CI: 2.3, 47.1), having a good level of knowledge (AOR: 2.3, 95%CI:1.4, 3.8), and having ≥10 family members (AOR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.06, 0.9) were found to have a significant association with WHO recommended prevention practice among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Overall, the WHO-recommended COVID-19 prevention practice among pregnant women attending antenatal care was good, but it needs improvement. In order to improve prevention practices among pregnant women, Harari Regional Health Bureau and other stakeholders should provide repeated, targeted, and tailored information to pregnant women and the community at large through different media.

COVID-19 vaccine side effect: age and gender disparity in adverse effects following the first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among the vaccinated population in Eastern Ethiopia: a community-based study.

Objective: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major threat to community health, and vaccinations are a safe and effective way to reduce disease loads around the world. This study aimed to assess the age and gender disparity in adverse effects following the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among the vaccinated population in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 832 randomly selected individuals from December 1st to 20th, 2021, in eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS V26. Descriptive summary statistics were done. A chi-square test statistic was computed to assess the difference in adverse effects between age groups and both genders. Result: Out of 832 study participants who had taken the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, 96.3% of them felt at least one adverse effect. The magnitude of adverse reactions was higher among male participants. The reported adverse reactions were significantly higher in the age group of 50-60 years with comorbidity than those of <50 and >60 years of age. Conclusion: Overall, there is a significant age and gender difference in adverse effects following the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, adverse reactions were higher among people with comorbidity in the age group of 50-60 years. The Harari Regional Health Bureau should provide training for frontline healthcare workers on early recognition and response to adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, information and education should be provided to the community as a whole regarding recognition and the appropriate measures to be taken.

Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Determinant Factors among General Public in East Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Vaccines are an effective and ideal solution that can reduce the burden of disease worldwide. Although vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories impair vaccination acceptance intentions. Several studies were conducted in East Africa. However, these studies had reported inconsistent findings. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to pool the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and identify its determinants. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, and GLOBAL HEALTH databases were used to retrieve previously published studies. All papers published in the English language up to February 28, 2022 were included. The result was written and reported according to the PRISMA updated guideline. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and effect sizes. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 test statistics. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and egger's test statistics. Statistical tests result at P-value<0.05 were declared as having significance.Result: A total of 25 Cross-sectional studies with a total sample size of 33,044 were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of Covid-19 vaccine acceptance was 60.2%, (95%CI: 52.8- 67.3). Egger's test statistics (P = 0.003) showed there is a significant publication bias. Attending above secondary school (AOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.37, 2.96), having good knowledge about the vaccine (AOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.6, 2.8), having a positive attitude towards vaccine (AOR: 3.8, 95%CI: 2.3, 6.2), history of COVID-19 infection (AOR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.6, 4.7) and being male (AOR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.2, 2.7) were found to have a significant association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate was good, but it could be improved. The findings could help governments to figure out the best way to carry out COVID-19 mass vaccination campaigns. There is a lack of data in most countries. Therefore, we suggest more studies be conducted in the future.

Measles outbreak response immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from Borno State, Nigeria.

Introduction: the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO on the 30th January 2020. The occurrence of measles outbreaks in the context of COVID-19, both highly infectious respiratory illnesses, impacts additional challenges to the health system in a state with an ongoing humanitarian crisis. This article documents the implementation of an outbreak response immunization (ORI) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of global guidelines for mass vaccination. Methods: a retrospective review of the response to measles outbreak implemented in Borno state across six local government areas (LGAs) in 2019 was conducted. This review assessed the utilization of the World Health Organization (WHO) decision making framework, measles and COVID-19 epidemiological reports and the measle's vaccination response data. Results: an outbreak response immunization was implemented in six LGAs in Borno State, with a validated post campaign coverage of 96.3% (95% CI: 93.0 - 98.1). In total, 181,634 children aged 9 months-9 years were vaccinated with 27,961 (15.4%) receiving the measles vaccine for the first time. Prior to the interventions, 20 COVID-19 cases were reported in the six LGAs while only seven suspected cases were reported with only two cases confirmed in one of the six LGAs four weeks after the ORI. Conclusion: the WHO decision-making framework for implementing mass vaccinations in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic was utilized for the outbreak response immunization in Borno State, Nigeria with 181,634 children aged 9 Months-9 years vaccinated with the measles vaccine. The use of the WHO decision-making framework to assess risk benefits of initiating mass vaccination campaigns remains a very important practical tool. These types of responses in Nigeria and other low and middle income countries (LMICs), with hitherto suboptimal immunization coverage and weak health systems and other settings, affected by humanitarian emergencies is essential in the achievement of the regional measle's elimination targets.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and barriers to being vaccinated among first-round eligibles for COVID-19 vaccination in Eastern Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease is a deadly virus that continues to afflict many countries worldwide. Ethiopia has planned to give vaccines to 20% of the population by March 2022. This study aimed to assess determinants of vaccine uptake and barriers to being vaccinated among first-round eligibles for coronavirus disease vaccination in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 820 randomly selected coronavirus disease first-round eligible groups in Harar from August 20 to September 15, 2021. Descriptive summary statistics were done. Logistic regression analyses were computed to identify associations between dependent and independent variables. Variables with a p value of <0.05 were declared statistically significant. RESULT: Out of 820, only 39.4% of participants took the coronavirus disease vaccine. The main barriers to being vaccinated were, belief vaccine has no use (24%), and belief vaccine causes blood clots (17.9%). Being a merchant (adjusted odds ratio: 7.9, 95% confidence interval: 2.6, 24), people who had no schooling (adjusted odds ratio: 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.3, 4.9), having attitude below the mean score (adjusted odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 2.8), having coronavirus disease prevention practice above the mean score (adjusted odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 2.8), and family size < 5 members (adjusted odds ratio: 0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.4, 0.9) were found to be significantly associated with coronavirus disease vaccination. CONCLUSION: Overall, coronavirus disease-19's first-round vaccination status was low. The number of people vaccinated was higher among 50-60 age groups than those who are >60 years. Being female, being a person with no schooling, being a merchant, being a farmer, and having low coronavirus disease prevention practice was found to be significantly associated with coronavirus disease vaccination. We recommend that the Federal Ministry of Health, Harari Regional Health Bureau, and other concerned stakeholders should work more diligently to provide continued campaigning on coronavirus disease vaccination and better vaccine awareness creation, as this is the only way out of this epidemic.

Assessment of effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of maternal newborn and child health services in Somali region of Ethiopia

The Somali Region of Ethiopia recorded the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on 26th April 2020. The study aimed to assess the effect of the pandemic on the utilization of maternal new-born and child health services. Subjects and Method: This was a retrospective chart review of monthly DHIS database of health facilities in Farfan zone of Somali Region and test of association using t test was used to compare the mean reduction in utilization of maternal and child health services three months before (January-March 2020) and three months during the pandemic (April 2020 to June 2020) at p value set at significant level of 5%. The outcome measure was the utilization of maternal and child health services. Results: The mean reductions in OPD per capita for children under five children who received first dose of pentavalent vaccines and pregnant women who received first ANC before and during the pandemic was 14.26% t=1.07;95% CI= 283.17 to 725.17;p= 0.325);12.51% t=0.74;95% CI= 1439.33 to 2697.31;p= 0.489) and 14.43% t=0.49;95% CI= 2363.33 to 3543.41;p= 0.642) respectively while the mean reduction in skilled birth deliveries conducted at the health facilities was 21.4% t= 0.97;95% CI= 319.26 to 736.16 ;p= 0.371).Conclusion: The study provided early effects of COVID-19 on health and health services and the need for policy development on health system strengthening and resilience to withstand future outbreaks. This study indicated that indirect health service effects are substantial and highlights the importance of maintaining routine essential health and nutrition service delivery and the need to explore innovative ways of delivering both preventive and curative essential service. Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, maternal newborn and child health utilization, essential services

Assessment of effect of COVID 19 pandemic on the utilization of maternal newborn child health and nutrition services in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Background: Somali Region of Ethiopia recorded the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID 19) pandemic on 26th April 2020. The study aimed to assess the effect of the pandemic on the utilization of maternal newborn, child and nutrition health services. Subjects and Method: This was a retrospec-tive chart review of monthly DHIS database of health facilities in Farfan zone of Somali Region and test of association using t test was used to compare the mean reduction in utilization of maternal and child health services three months before (January - March 2020) and three months during the pandemic (April 2020 to June 2020) at p value set at significant level of 5%. The outcome measure was the utilization of maternal newborn child health and services.

2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19): Design and Development of Disinfectant Fogging System Using IoT Based Drone Technology

The current pneumonia spread caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in China is representing an incredible risk and proclaimed a worldwide emergency of public health. As the continuous worldwide spreading of COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing has brought about the new situation, countries begin to search how technology can assist us during this pandemic. Empowering safety concerns and data collection from risky and inaccessible areas for human, drones are presently a large portion of the puzzle and are supporting in different means to mitigate operator lacks and minimize exposure to COVID-19 – part of them being the disinfection of cities. Sanitization of public zones is a challenging yet critical operation in the fight to prevent the outbreak of the COVID-19. On disinfecting operation, keeping near contact to the virus can promote the threat for human to get infected. Reduction of close contacts between individual and virus as well as minimize consumed time need to be carried out during disinfecting task. The aim of the present research is to design and develop of fogging disinfection system to combat coronavirus (covid-19) using IoT based drone technology. In addition, the system is equipped with an optical camera for observing of the fogging activity and additionally alert notify the near individuals from the mounted speaker regard the Covid-19 data update. The Virtual Reality (VR) has also carried out to control the drone camera to enhance tracking of the workplace. These preliminary experiments may act as a model for other investigators searching for response to the present health emergency. For long term, they can deliver lessons for private and public health systems that can involve drone technology into their design to mitigate future pandemics.

2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19): Smart Contactless Hand Sanitizer-Dispensing System Using IoT Based Robotics Technology

There is new broad health crisis bargaining the world with the ascent and flare-up of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or the genuine extraordinary respiratory condition coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has spread to the world and tainted people with Covid-19 infection. Other than the nonappearance of unequivocal treatment and immunization, covid19 are right now known to uncover a gigantic environmental obstruction. The transmission of the disease was viewed as spread through person-to-person that make it easily diffuse. The infection spreading starts from the infectee droplets during sneezing or coughing. These droplets can in any case live on inanimate surface even in air and transmitted the infection to human. In order to reduce the spread of coronavirus, any contacts between people and potential carriers of the virus have to be limited. In current circumstances, social distancing and constant disinfection of public places become a necessity. Though, nowadays it is essential to sanitize hands, touching the same bottle surface already used by someone may increase the risk of contamination. Thus, suitable assessment for efficiency of the antiseptics disinfectants is a crucial matter. The aim of this study is to design and develop a smart contactless hand sanitizer-dispensing system using Iot based robotics technology. On this reason, the robot functionality has been examined. What's more, the presented system has ability to hand disinfect with less time consuming and minimal human interactions