Retinopathy among Adult Diabetics and Its Predictors in Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-aged adults worldwide, including developing countries such as Ethiopia, and the burden of diabetes-related blindness is undeniably posing a massive challenge to the health care system. Diabetes and its micro- and macrovascular complications are becoming more prevalent among Ethiopian diabetics. For that reason, the purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and its predictors among diabetics in Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using 494 randomly selected diabetics aged above 18 years at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 2011 through 2014 and was followed until December 2019. The preliminary and longitudinal data was abstracted into demographics, clinical, and physiological attributes using a standardized structured questionnaire. The collected data was entered into the system using EpiData version 4.2 and analyzed using STATA version 14.0. The survival experience of the patients was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survivor function. The predictors of diabetic retinopathy were identified by the Cox proportional hazard model. Bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were computed, and variables having a P value of < 0.05 in the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model were declared as significant predictors of diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: During the follow-up, the overall incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy was 48 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 40.0-57.0). Age in years (AHR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04), fasting blood sugar level (AHR 1.02; 1.00-1.04), hypertension (AHR 2.61; 95% CI: 1.47-4.63), DM patients who had LDL > 100 mg/dl (AHR 2.73; 95% CI: 1.32-5.64), total cholesterol > 200 mg/dl (AHR 2.22; 95% CI: 1.08-4.55), and positive proteinuria (AHR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.10 -2.73) were found to be the significant predictors of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy was found to be high in both type 1 and type 2 DM. Age, fasting blood sugar levels, hypertension, proteinuria, dyslipidemia, and high systolic blood pressure were all predictors of the development of diabetic retinopathy. Controlling glycemia, dyslipidemia, proteinuria, and blood pressure is critical for halting the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

A qualitative study on reasons for early removal of Implanon among users in Arba Minch town, Gamo Goffa zone, South Ethiopia: a phenomenological approach.

BACKGROUND: Implanon is one of the cost - effective long acting reversible contraceptive methods used for spacing and limiting births in Ethiopia. Despite the scaling up initiative undertaken by the Ethiopian Government, Implanon uptake is very low compared to short acting contraceptive methods. There is low utilization of Implanon with high level of discontinuation in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the reasons for early removal of Implanon among users in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based qualitative exploratory study using phenomenological approach was conducted. In-depth and key informant interviews were used to collect data from April 20-27, 2018 in Arba Minch town. Convenient sampling was employed to recruit participants from the households of targeted villages. A total of 10 in-depth interviews with women who recently removed Implanon and 5 key informant interviews with health extension workers were conducted. The sample size was determined based on the concept of saturation. The collected data were analyzed using thematic content analysis technique. Data coding and analysis were facilitated by using Open code version 4.0 software. RESULTS: This study revealed that majority of participants were able to mention at least three types of contraceptive methods available in the nearby health facilities. The study underlined that side effect of the method, husband opposition, seeking more children, and method failure were the common reasons for early removal of Implanon, in which side effect of the method was the main reason. Among various forms of side effects of Implanon identified by users, heavy and irregular bleeding was mentioned as the most frequently occurring side effect. CONCLUSION: Our result indicated that heavy and irregular bleeding was the main reason for early removal of Implanon. Therefore it suggests improvement in the service delivery system. Improving client's education and counseling service program could contribute much to avoid unreasonable and untimely removal of Implanon.

The effect of gender on food insecurity among HIV-infected people receiving anti-retroviral therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected adults receiving anti-retroviral therapy have a high prevalence of food insecurity in both high- and low-income settings., Women bear an inequitable burden of food insecurity due to lack of control over resources and over household food allocation decision-making. The few studies conducted on the association between food insecurity and gender among HIV-infected adults have inconclusive findings. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled effect of gender on food insecurity among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy. METHOD: We conducted an electronic, web-based search using PubMed, CINAHL, PopLine, MedNar, Embase, Cochrane library, the JBI Library, the Web of Science and Google Scholar. We included studies which reported the association between food insecurity and gender among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy whose age was greater than 18 years. The analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect a 95% confidence interval(CI). Forest plots were used to visualize the presence of heterogeneity. Funnel plots and Egger's and Begg's tests were used to check for publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 776 studies were identified of which seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 5827 HIV infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy. We found that the gender of HIV-infected adults receiving anti-retroviral therapy had statistically significant effects on food insecurity. The pooled odds of developing food insecurity among female HIV infected adults receiving anti-retroviral therapy was 53% higher than male HIV infected adults (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.83). Our analysis indicate the findings of studies conducted in the high-income countries showed weakest associations between gender and food insecurity than those conducted in low- and middle-income countries. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed statistically significant effect of gender on food insecurity among HIV-infected adults receiving anti-retroviral therapy in which odds of food insecurity was higher among female HIV infected adults compared to male HIV-infected adults. These findings suggest that the need to include within food and nutrition interventions for HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral treatment, culture- and context-specific gender-based policies to address the sex/gender related vulnerability to food insecurity.

Household latrine utilization and its association with educational status of household heads in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has been experiencing a high prevalence of communicable diseases, which resulted in high morbidity, mortality, and hospital admission rates. One of the highest contributing factors for this is lower level of latrine utilization. There had been significantly varying finding reports with regard to the level of latrine utilization and its association with education level from different pocket studies in the country. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of household latrine utilization and its association with education status of household heads, in Ethiopia using available studies. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using available data from the international databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science direct, Cochrane library and unpublished reports. All observational studies reporting the prevalence of latrine utilization in Ethiopia were included. Four authors independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format. STATA 13 statistical software was used to analyze the data. The Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test were used to assess the heterogeneity between the studies. A random effect model was computed to estimate the pooled level of latrine utilization in Ethiopia. In addition, the association between latrine utilization and the educational level of the users was analyzed. RESULTS: After reviewing of 1608 studies, 17 studies were finally included in our meta-analysis. The result of 16 studies revealed that the pooled prevalence of latrine utilization level in Ethiopia was 50.02% (95%CI: 40.23, 59.81%). The highest level (67.4%) of latrine utilization was reported from Southern Nations Nationality and People regional state, followed by Amhara regional state (50.1%). Participants who completed their high school and above education were more likely (OR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.05, 3.05) to utilize latrine compared to those who did not attend formal education. CONCLUSION: In Ethiopia, only half of the households utilize latrine and the level of utilization has significant association with educational status.

The Prevalence of Depression among Diabetic Patients in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Depression is one of the major important public health problems that is often comorbid with diabetes. Despite the huge effect of comorbid depression and diabetes, the overall pooled prevalence of depression among diabetic patients in the country level remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression among patients with diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia. METHOD: Data extraction was designed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were accessed through electronic web-based search from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, and PsycINFO. All statistical analyses were done using STATA version 11 software using random effects model. The pooled prevalence was presented in forest plots. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies with 2944 participants were included in this meta-analysis and the overall pooled estimated prevalence of depression among diabetic patients in Ethiopia was 39.73% (95% CI (28.02%, 51.45%)). According to subgroup analysis the estimated prevalence of depression in Addis Ababa was 52.9% (95% CI: 36.93%, 68.88%) and in Oromia region was 45.49% (95% CI: 41.94, 49.03%). CONCLUSION: The analysis revealed that the overall prevalence of comorbid depression among diabetic patients in Ethiopia was high. Therefore, Ministry of Health should design multisectorial approach and context specific interventions that address this comorbid depression in this specific group as well as general population.

Rate of HIV transmission and associated factors among HIV-exposed infants in selected health facilities of East and West Gojjam Zones, Northwest Ethiopia; retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, there were 170,000 new HIV-infected children globally. The rate of HIV transmission from mother to child in Ethiopia was 18%. Though there are a number of HIV-related studies conducted in Ethiopia, there is a scarcity of evidence on the rate of mother to child transmission. So, the aim of this study was to determine the rate of HIV transmission and associated factors among HIV-exposed infants in selected health facilities in East and West Gojjam Zones, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study design was conducted. A total of 305 exposed infant- and mother pairs were included in this study. Data were collected from seven selected health facilities in East and West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. The study included a four-year duration PMTCT data, registered from July/2011 to July/2015. Data was collected using a prepared checklist. Data was entered using EpiData and analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple variable logistic regression analysis were conducted. A p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significant association. RESULT: Three hundred five infants and their mothers were included in this study. The mean age of mothers was 27.4 with a standard deviation of 4.3 years. The majority, 96.4% of infants were on exclusive breastfeeding before six months. The rate of HIV transmission at the end of 24 months were 5.9% (95% CI: 3.9%-7.9%). The number of positive children was reduced from 14 (10.29%) to 4(2.37%) due to the program shift from option A to option B+. Factors which were associated with transmission of HIV from mother to child were; children who were born from older mothers (AOR = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.15, 25.70), and infants whose mother couldn't get PMTCT intervention (AOR = 15.95, 95% CI = 3.35, 75), and mothers who became pregnant after they knew they were HIV positive (AOR = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.049,096). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant progress on the reduction of the rate of HIV transmission from mother to child in Ethiopia. Age of the mother, status of the mother at an entry to PMTCT program and presence of PMTCT interventions were significant factors associated with HIV transmission. Hence, the above factors should be given due emphasis on controlling HIV transmission from mother to child.