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One of the ways of minimizing radiation risks to workers and the public is assessing potential sites that are suspected of producing radiation. Among such locations, quarry sites stand out because areas of granite and other rocks, especially those of uranium family potentially have high concentrations of radiation. This study was aimed to assess one such quarry sites (Hakim Gara site), located near Harar town, Harari region-Ethiopia. To assess the radiological impact of natural radioactivity of quarry activities in the study area, activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in the soil samples were investigated by collecting twenty composite soil samples from different sites of the area. Measurements were carried out using high purity germanium (HPGe) Gamma Spectrometry detecting system for acquisition of data and making analysis using Genie 2000 software. From the result, mean Activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K obtained were 51.9 ± 15 Bq/kg, 68.32 ± 9.75 Bq/kg and 220.0 ± 2.0 Bq/kg, respectively. Average Activity concentration of the 226Ra was 32.71 ± 2.02 Bq/kg. These values were used to calculate and estimate the radiological risks due to environmental radiation exposure contributed from the quarrying activities. The average external and internal hazard indices were 0.45 ± 0.09 mSv/y and 0.49 ± 0.23 mSv/y both of which were below the permissible limit of unity. The results obtained for 238U and 232Th were higher and significant from the world average which need further regulatory monitoring. The level of 40K was below the world average. Hence, this research provided a foundation for future studies on subsequent investigations and to aid realistic regulatory and policy decisions.
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INTRODUCTION: Pain management is a very important aspect of nursing care. However, due to a lack of overall understanding, it is not uncommon to see inadequate pain management by health workers. Therefore, the knowledge and attitude of nurses are important factors for the effective management of pain in children. Thus, the objectives were to determine the knowledge and attitude toward pediatric pain management among the nurses in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 March 2020 among 393 participants. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. The data were collected by using a structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.02 and exported into SPSS version 22 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were computed to identify the factors associated with the knowledge and attitude of nurses. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed, and variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were used to declare the significance and strength of association. RESULT: A total of 267 (67.94%) of the respondents had good knowledge and 262 (66.7%) had a favorable attitude toward pediatric pain management. Working in the outpatient department (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.23-0.98) had a significant association with knowledge. Nurses who were trained (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.53-3.99), having good knowledge level (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.34-3.50), having 6-10 years of work experience (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.23-5.63), and >10 years of work experience (AOR = 9.02; 95% CI = 2.50-32.74) were significantly associated with the attitude toward pediatric pain management. CONCLUSION: The majority of nurses had good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward pediatric pain. Working in the outpatient department was associated with poor knowledge. Trained nurses, having good knowledge, and having >6 years of work experience were associated with favorable attitudes.
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BACKGROUND: Globally, in 2016, about 38% and 3% of all neonatal death were recorded in sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia, respectively. In the same year, 47 neonates out of 1000 live births were not surviving in the first 28 days of age in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Despite the highest burden of neonatal death in the region, specific or the proximate determinants of neonatal death in the neonatal intensive care unit were not well identified. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the determinants of neonatal mortality at neonatal intensive care unit in Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Dessie Referral Hospital, from January 1, 2016, to December 30, 2017. A total of 390 charts (130 cases and 260 controls) were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data were abstracted from the facility-based data abstraction form. A binary logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify the determinants of neonatal mortality. RESULTS: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR = 4.57; 95% CI 1.45-14.43), prolonged rupture of membrane (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI 1.13-3.68), very low birth weight (AOR = 7.00; 95% CI 2.10-23.35), and low birth weight (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.10-4.20) were identified factors. Moreover, respiratory distress syndrome (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI 1.10-12.04), perinatal asphyxia (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI 1.18-4.39), meconium aspiration syndrome (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI 1.12-4.97), and infection (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI 1.34-3.82) were also significantly associated with neonatal death. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy-induced hypertension, prolonged rupture of membrane, low birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, perinatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, and infections were the major determinants of neonatal mortality. Therefore, special attention will be given to small and sick babies. Moreover, early anticipation of complications and management of mothers who had pregnancy-induced hypertension and prolonged rupture of the membrane would save neonates.
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OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify the determinants of low birth weight among infants born in Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals of Ethiopia. RESULTS: This study found that mothers who delivered female infants (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.6), occurrence of health problems during current pregnancy (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI 1.7,4.5), absence of antenatal care (AOR: 2.3,95% CI 1.3,4.0), lack of iron supplementation (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI 1.6,4.9), maternal MUAC below 23 cm (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.0,2.7), and gestational age below 37 completed weeks (AOR: 3.3; 95% CI 1.9, 5.7) were found to be determinants of low birth weight.
