Bacteriologic profile, antibiotics resistance pattern, and outcomes of patients admitted to Lancet General Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023: A retrospective cohort study

Background Prior studies indicated increased antimicrobial resistance in Ethiopia, with related health, economic, and environmental costs. Knowing an institutions and population microbiologic profile allows for proper antibi-otic treatment, which substantially impact patients' outcomes such as healthcare related costs, morbidity, and mortality. The current study assessed the bacteriologic profile, resistance pattern, and treatment outcome in Lancet General Hospital. Method A retrospective cohort study on the bacteriologic profile, antibiotics resistance pattern, and outcome of patients was done on 128 eligible patients who were admitted to Lancet General Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023. Data from all hospitalized patients with culture-confirmed infection were analyzed. SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze the data. Association between independent and dependent variables was analyzed using binary logistic regression model. Results Gram-negative bacteria were recovered in 77% of the cases. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae was found in 37.5% (54) isolates and carbapenem resistant bacteria were identified in 27.8% of patients. In-hospital mortality from multidrug resistant bacterial infection was 14.8%. Age ≥ 65 years, presence of septic shock, and presence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria were independently associated with in-creased in-hospital mortality. Conclusion High number of resistant microorganisms was isolated, and increased mortality was documented from infections caused by carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Multi-center studies should be done to determine the extent of resistant organisms in health facilities throughout the country. epidemiology, and the findings should be factored into clinical decision making and program design for disease prevention, screening, and treatment. It also calls for further prospective research to learn more about the conditions in the context of additional relevant personal and clinical characteristics

The mediating effect of information sharing on pharmaceutical supply chain integration and operational performance in Ethiopia: an analytical cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Information is crucial in enhancing partnership, reducing uncertainties and inventory costs, improving order fulfillment, and increasing customer satisfaction. However, there is a scantiness of studies on how information sharing affects pharmaceutical supply chain practices and performance. Hence, this study aimed to examine the mediating effect of information sharing between supply chain integration and operational performance. METHOD: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study complemented with a qualitative assessment between May and July 2021. The study populations (n = 343) were selected employees working at the Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply agency's head office and selected hubs. The quantitative data were collected by self-administered five-point Likert-scale questions and analyzed using SPSS®-version 23. The mediation effect was determined using sequential linear regression based on the Baron and Kenny stepwise approach. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value less than 5% were used to determine statistical significance. We gathered the qualitative data through in-depth face-to-face interviews with nine key informants and analyzed them using a thematic analysis technique. RESULTS: Among 320 completed questionnaires returned (with a response rate of 93%), we used 288 in the analysis. Of the respondents, 97 (33.7%) disagreed that information sharing with the agency is simplified. One hundred seventeen (40.6%) disagreed that customers share information via an online system. Most respondents (76.4%) agreed that internal integration in the agency reduced total order time. Information sharing (ß = 0.270, p < 0.001), customer integration (ß = 0.265, p < 0.001), and internal integration (ß = 0.151, p < 0.001) were predictor variables that had a direct positive effect on operational performance. Information sharing posited a partially mediating role between customer integration and operational performance with ß = 0.136 at p < 0.001. Data quality problems, human-resource-related issues, and natural and human-made calamities were the major challenges affecting information sharing and the overall supply chain practices. CONCLUSION: Customer integration, internal integration, and information sharing influenced operational performance positively. Although coordination among the units in the agency is reasonable, there was a lack of communication and quick response from partners, as well as data quality problems and the absence of an automation system in most health facilities. The key informants suggested end-to-end supply systems connections with partners through Enterprise Resource Planning and other means.

Pseudomembranous Colitis in Four Ethiopian Patients: A Case Series.

We present a series of four patients who had been admitted to two hospitals in Addis Ababa after presenting with persistent and chronic diarrhoea. All patients were subsequently diagnosed to have Clostridioides difficile-associated pseudomembranous colitis, a disease that has long been regarded as a rare diagnosis in sub-Saharan Africa, and which has not yet been reported in Ethiopia. This case series is believed to create a much-needed awareness among physicians on the existence of this treatable but potentially fatal disease.

The association between ABO blood group distribution and peptic ulcer disease: a cross-sectional study from Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that ABO blood group antigens are associated with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). There are limited sources regarding the association of blood groups with PUD patients in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the association between ABO blood group distribution, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), smoking, alcohol, coffee, and PUD at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken, and a total of 63 endoscopically confirmed PUD patients and 63 healthy controls were screened for ABO blood grouping using the standard slide agglutination reaction. Stool antigens were checked to determine Helicobacter pylori status of PUD patients. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The ABO blood group distribution of PUD patients was 19.04% (12/63), 19.04% (12/63), 11.11% (7/63), 50.79% (32/63) for blood group A, B, AB, and O, respectively, while among control groups it was 25.39% (16/63), 23.80% (15/63), 12.69% (8/63), and 38.09% (24/63) for blood group A, B, AB, and O, respectively. 34.1% (22/63) of PUD patients had gastric ulcer and 65.9% (41/63) had duodenal ulcer. There was statistically a significant association between sex (p=0.001), use of NSAIDs (p=0.001), smoking cigarette (p=0.014), alcohol consumption (p=0.028), and PUD. CONCLUSION: Although PUD trended as more prevalent among patients with blood group O than other blood group types their association was not statistically significant.