Self-care practice and associated factors among patients with diabetes on follow-up at Yirgalem General Hospital, Sidama, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Self-care practice is an integral and efficient part of comprehensive diabetes management, which could be influenced by various socio-demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the level of diabetes self-care practice and its associated factors among patients with diabetes on follow-up at Yirgalem General Hospital, Yirgalem, Sidama, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY: An Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15 to May 10, 2022, involving 298 patients with diabetes on follow-up at Yirgalem General Hospital. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data from patients. A descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the level of good self-care practice. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistics regression were performed to determine factors associated with good diabetic self-care practice. Associations with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULT: The overall good diabetic self-care practice among patients was 59.4%. Regarding the specific domains of care, 15 (5%) participants had good self-glucose monitoring care, 228 (76.5%) had good exercise self-care, 268 (89.9%) had good dietary self-care, 228 (76.5%) had good foot self-care, and 260 (87.2%) had good diabetic medication adherence. Single marital status (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: (1.418, 22.915), urban residence (AOR = 2.992, 95% CI: (1.251, 7.153)), and having a glucometer (AOR = 2.273, 95% CI: (1.083, 4.772)) were factors that were significantly associated with good diabetic self-care practice. CONCLUSION: Good diabetic self-care practices among participants was low. Marital status, place of residence, and having a glucometer were statistically significant predictors of good diabetic self-care practices. Targeted intervention addressing those patients from rural areas to increase awareness and practice of self-care, as well as the promotion of having a glucometer at home for self-glucose monitoring is recommended.

Adherence and factors influencing adherence to glaucoma medications among adult glaucoma patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular pressure is the only modifiable risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma. Raised intraocular pressure could cause progressive visual field loss and blindness if left uncontrolled. Adherence to ocular hypotensive medications is vital to prevent optic nerve damage and its consequences. This study was conducted to systematically summarize the magnitude of glaucoma medication adherence and factors influencing adherence to glaucoma medications among adult glaucoma patients in Ethiopia. METHODS: Database searches to identify research articles were conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, AJOL, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar without restriction on the date of publication. Data extraction was done using a data extraction Excel sheet. Analysis was performed using STATA version 16. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Pooled prevalence and pooled odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval using a random effect model were computed. RESULT: We included six studies with a total of 2101 participants for meta-analysis. The magnitude of adherence to glaucoma medication was found to be 49.46% (95% CI [41.27-57.66]). Urban residents (OR = 1.89, 95% CI; 1.29-2.49) and those with normal visual acuity (OR = 2.82, 95% CI; 0.85-4.80) had higher odds of adherence to glaucoma medications. Patients who pay for the medications themselves (OR = 0.22, 95% CI; 0.09-0.34) were found to have 78% lower odds of adherence than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of glaucoma medication adherence is lower than expected. Place of residence, visual acuity, and payment means had statistically significant associations with glaucoma medication adherence. Tailored health education on medication adherence and subsidization of glaucoma medication is recommended.

Primary Intra-Orbital Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report of a Rare Cause of Exophthalmos.

Background: Hydatid disease is a tapeworm parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus that commonly affects the liver and lungs during its life cycle in the human body. Orbital involvement is a very rare occurrence and isolated orbital Echinococcosis is extremely rare. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old female Eritrean woman presented with 3-month history of painless protrusion of the left eye. Physical examination showed significantly decreased visual acuity of the left eye, left eye proptosis, and papilledema. Laboratory investigations were normal and orbital CT scan examination was suggestive of orbital hydatid cyst. After giving two weeks course of oral Albendazole, anterior orbitotomy and cyst excision was done. Post-op biopsy was conclusive of orbital hydatid cyst. She had mild lid swelling and adduction deficit on her post-operative follow-up. Subsequent longer duration of follow-up of the patient was not possible since the patient relocated back to Eritrea. Conclusion: Orbital hydatid cyst is an extremely rare presentation of human Echinococcus granulosus infection. However, it should be considered one of the differential diagnoses among patients living in an endemic area and presenting with proptosis of the eye. A preoperative course of anthelmintic followed by surgical excision of the cyst is the definitive management.

Comparison of Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging Patterns and Severity among COVID-19 Patients during the First and Fourth Waves in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Studies done globally had shown that chest imaging patterns of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection varied depending on the strains of the virus and the waves of the pandemic. There is no published literature done in Ethiopia to examine whether there is any difference in chest computed tomography (CT) findings of COVID-19 patients during the first and fourth waves. Thus, this study tries to fill the gap of knowledge in that regard. Objective: To describe and compare chest CT scan imaging pattern and assess the predictors of chest CT severity of the first and fourth wave of COVID-19 infection. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 polymerase chain reaction test confirmed COVID-19 patients who underwent chest CT scan imaging in two diagnostic centers in Addis Ababa city. Pioneer and Wudassie diagnostic centers were selected due to the high case load and availability of well-experienced cardiothoracic radiologists. Data were collected from July 1 to August 3, 2022, using a structured Google form sheet questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was performed, and statistical significance was assessed at a level of significance α = 0.05. Results: Comparatively higher proportion of patients from the first wave had positive chest CT finding than fourth wave (99% vs. 69%). Bilateral lung involvement and lower lobe predilection were seen for both waves of COVID-19. Ground glass opacity and consolidation were the most common CT features for both waves. Delayed chest CT features such as traction bronchiectasis were primarily seen among first-wave patients. Mean global CT severity score was higher for the first-wave patients (13.18 vs. 8.31), and the mean difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001). Duration of symptoms was a statistically significant predictor of CT severity during the first wave of COVID-19, and patients that presented later than 14 days had 4.12 times higher odds of being in the severe CT score category than those that presented less than 7 days (AOR = 4.12, p = 0.011). There was no statistically significant predictor of CT severity for the fourth wave in this study. Conclusion: Chest CT positivity was comparatively higher for first wave patients. Common features included bilateral involvement, lower lobe involvement, ground glass opacity, and consolidation. Mean chest CT severity was comparatively higher for the first wave than the fourth wave, and the duration of symptoms was a statistically significant predictor of the CT severity for first wave.

Intrabiliary Ascariasis: A Case Report of an Uncommon Cause of Acute Abdomen and Obstructive Jaundice in Children.

Background: Intrabiliary ascariasis is an uncommon cause of biliary colic and obstructive jaundice among children due to the small size of the ampullary orifice. A high index of suspicion for patients living in an endemic area and radiologic examination are crucial for diagnosis and treatment. Case Presentation: A 12-year-old male Ethiopian child presented with colicky right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting for 3 days. Physical examination showed slightly icteric sclera and slightly tender hepatomegaly. Laboratory and ultrasound examinations were suggestive of obstructive jaundice secondary to intra-biliary ascariasis. The child was admitted and followed by conservative management including maintenance fluid, nil per mouth, and analgesics. The abdominal pain and icterus resolved on his second and third day of admission, respectively. A follow-up ultrasound showed that the worm had migrated from the common bile duct. The patient was dewormed with a single dose of oral albendazole 400mg and discharged home. Currently, the patient is well and attending school. Conclusion: Although biliary ascariasis is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen and obstructive jaundice, it should be suspected among patients from endemic areas presenting with suggestive clinical and laboratory features. Conservative treatment is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated biliary ascariasis patients.

Health professionals' readiness to implement electronic medical recording system and associated factors in public general hospitals of Sidama region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Electronic medical recording system is one of the information technologies that has a proven benefit to improve the quality of health service. Readiness assessment is one of the recommended steps to be taken prior to implementing electronic medical recording system to reduce the probability of failure. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of health professional readiness to implement Electronic medical recording system and associated factors in public general hospitals of Sidama region, 2022. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study design complemented with qualitative study was employed at three public general hospitals in Sidama region on a sample of 306 participants. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and in-depth interview was used for the qualitative study. Bivariate and multivariate Binary logistics regression was performed to determine predictors of readiness at α = 0.05, using an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Thematic analysis was done for qualitative data collected through in-depth interview. RESULT: The overall readiness for health professionals was 36.5%. Of the study participants, 201 (73.4%) were computer literate, 176(64.23%) had good knowledge, and 204 (74.45%) had favorable attitude towards EMR. Only 31 participants had previous training (11.3%), while 64 (23%) had previous experience. EMR knowledge (AOR = 3.332; 95%CI: (1.662, 6.682)) and attitude towards electronic medical recording (AOR = 2.432; 95%CI: (1.146, 5.159)) were statistically significant predictors of readiness to implement electronic medical recording. Qualitative analysis has revealed lack of training, ease of use concerns, information security concerns, and perceived inadequacy of infrastructures including internet connectivity and electricity as common barriers for health professional readiness to implement EMR. CONCLUSION: Health professionals' readiness in this study was low. Capacity building efforts to increase the awareness and skills of health professionals should be done before implementing the system.