ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women in both developed and developing countries. Early detection of breast cancer using breast self-examination plays a substantial role in reducing its morbidity and mortality. Despite improved availability of health information the morbidity and mortality caused by breast cancer among females were increasing from time to time and there is no information regarding the practice of breast self-examination in our study area. Objective: This study was aimed at assessing breast self-examination practice and associated factors among female health professionals who were working in public hospitals of Harari Regional State in 2022. Methods: Institutional-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was used to assess the practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female health professionals who have been working in a public hospital in Harari regional state from March 25 to April 05, 2022. The study subjects were selected using a simple random sampling technique and data were collected by a self-administered and structured questionnaire. The collected data was edited, cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 software and analyzed using the statistical package for social science software version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to see the association between independent and dependent variables. Variable with P-value less than 0.05 at final model were regarded as statistically significant. Result: Among a total of 362 female health professionals, 171 (47.2%) respondents were ever practiced breast self-examination, 229(63.3%) had good knowledge of breast self-examination and 252(69.6%) had a favorable attitude toward breast self-examination. Work experience of ≥5 year (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.31-4.82), educational status of degree and above (AOR = 7.2; 95% CI: 3.82-10.58), good knowledge about breast self-examination (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.41-5.40) and favorable attitude toward breast self-examination (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.11-4.10) were significantly associated with breast self-examination practice. Conclusion: The finding of this study implies that the practice of breast self-examination among female health professionals is low. Work experience of ≥5 year, educational status of degree and above, having a good knowledge and favorable attitude toward breast self-examination were significantly associated with breast self-examination.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a viral-borne infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Aside from the morbidity and mortality effects, it leaves the majority of hypertensive patients untreated and vulnerable to uncontrolled hypertension. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess follow-up conditions of care and its associated factors among adult hypertensive patients during COVID-19 in public health facilities of West Arsi, Southeastern Ethiopia. Methods: A health facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 adult hypertensive patients in the West Arsi public health facilities from July 5 to August 6, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. A pretested structured face-to-face interviewer and medical records were used to collect sociodemographic variables, basic clinical features, and follow-up data. The follow-up conditions of care were assessed using 12 items with "yes or no" questions. Then, based on the mean value of the items, the follow-up conditions of care were dichotomized into good and poor. As a result, the follow-up condition was good if the score was greater or equal to the mean, and poor unless otherwise. To investigate parameters related with follow-up conditions of care, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05 were used to indicate a significant association. Results: The rate of poor follow-up conditions of care during COVID-19 was 29% (95% confidence interval: 24.9-33.4%), according to this study. Age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 2.09-6.03), transportation problem (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.28-4.61), fear of COVID-19 (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.59-7.01), co-morbidity (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.14-3.26) and physical distancing (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.44-4.12) were significantly associated with poor follow-up conditions of care. Conclusions: In our study, 29% of the participants had poor follow-up care conditions. When compared to WHO recommendations, the findings of this study may explain poor follow-up care conditions. To enhance patients' follow-up treatment, evidence-based target interventions should be designed and executed, taking into account individuals at high risks, such as those over the age of 60 and those with comorbidities, and identifying additional risk factors.
