Immuno-Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Patients with Tuberculosis in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious worldwide health issue, particularly in developing nations like Ethiopia. Patients with tuberculosis experience a range of hematological, immunological, and biochemical alterations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immunological, hematological, and biochemical alterations of newly diagnosed TB patients at Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia. Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the immuno-hematological and biochemical changes in patients with tuberculosis at Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital from January to July 2018. One hundred sixty-four (164) newly diagnosed TB patients, and 80 apparently healthy controls were included consecutively. The variables were expressed in frequency, percentage, and mean ± SD. To compare mean ± SD of the groups or within the groups, we used an independent sample t-test. Statistical significance was defined as a P value less than 0.05. Results: Male TB patients had significantly high mean absolute WBC count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte, platelet count, and systemic immune-inflammation compared with male healthy controls (P=0.001, P=0.011 P=0.021, P=0.001, and P=0.018, respectively). The mean platelet count of female TB patients was significantly higher than that of the female control group (P=0.015). However, mean RBC counts, Hgb, HCT, and MPV of TB patients were significantly lower than those of male (p<0.001) and female healthy controls (P=0.022, 0.015, and 0.001, respectively). The TB patients had developed anemia (23.8%), WBC abnormalities (29.3%), thrombocytosis (11.6%), and thrombocytopenia (9.8%). The cases had significantly higher mean alanine amino transferase, total bilirubin, and glucose level, but the mean total protein, alkaline phosphatase, and total cholesterol of cases were significantly lower than healthy control groups. Conclusion: TB patients in this study showed significant alterations in a number of hematological and biochemical profiles. This indicates that hematological and biochemical profiles should be monitored and properly interpreted for the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and evaluation of response to treatment.

Magnitude and associated factors of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, there are primary studies on adolescent anemia with imprecise and inconclusive findings. Besides, there was no meta-analysis pooled the magnitude and associated factors of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia. Estimating the pooled magnitude and associated factors of anemia among adolescent girls is helpful for evidence-based interventions in Ethiopia. METHODS: The authors used a preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). We included articles and survey reports published until May 2021 using searching engines of Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. To assess the quality of studies, we used Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale for non-randomized. Two authors independently assessed the quality of the studies. We computed the pool magnitude and odds ratio of the associated factors with their 95%CI using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Publication bias assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. RESULT: In this review, we included a total of 15 studies with 9,669 adolescent girls. Using the random-effects model, the pooled magnitude of anemia among the Ethiopian adolescent girls was 19.1% (95%CI: 16.1%, 24.6%). The associated factors were attained menarche (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.96), ≥ 5 days of blood flow during menses (AOR = 6.21), food insecurity (AOR = 1.48), inadequate diet diversity score (AOR = 2.81), presence of intestinal parasite (AOR = 3.51), low body mass index (AOR = 2.49), and rural residence (AOR = 1.79). CONCLUSION: The pooled magnitude of anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia was 19.1% depicting a mild public health problem; while attained menarche, ≥ 5 days' blood flow during menses, food insecurity, inadequate diet diversity score, intestinal parasites, low body mass index, and rural residence were the associated factors. Hence, addressing health and nutrition wellness of adolescent girls should be center of concern in health, nutrition, agriculture, research, strategies and policies in Ethiopia.

Effect of under-nutrition during pregnancy on low birth weight in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia; a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Under-nutrition during pregnancy affects birth outcomes and neonatal outcomes. Worldwide, 20.5 million children were low birth weight, mainly in poor countries. However, there is no longitudinal-based evidence on the effect of under-nutrition during pregnancy on birth weight in Tigray regional state. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effect of under-nutrition during pregnancy on low birth weight in Tigray regional state. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study among consecutively selected 540 pregnant women attending antenatal care in hospitals from October 2019 to June 2020. Pregnant women with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) < 23 cm were exposed and those with MUAC≥23 cm were unexposed. Data on socio-demographic, diet, hygiene and anthropometry measurements were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires. SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. A log-binomial model was used to estimate the adjusted risk ratio and its 95%CI of the risk factors for low birth weight. Multi-collinearity was checked using the variance inflation factor (VIF) at a cut-off point of 8 and there was no multi-collinearity. RESULT: The overall incidence of low birth weight was 14% (95%CI: 11.1, 17.4%). The incidence of low birth weight was 18.4 and 9.8% among the exposed and unexposed women, respectively. The difference in low birth weight incidence between the exposed and unexposed groups was statistically significant (p-value = 0.006). The risk factors of low birth weight were maternal illiteracy (ARR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.01, 3.3), low monthly family income < 50 US Dollar (ARR: 1.6, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.2), lack of latrine utilization (ARR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.28, 0.78), and diet diversity score < 5 (ARR: 1.9, 95%CI: 1.05, 2.61). CONCLUSION: Low birth weight was significantly higher among the exposed pregnant women. Maternal illiteracy, low monthly income, lack of latrine utilization, and low DDS were risk factors of low birth weight. It is then important to strengthen nutritional assessment and interventions during pregnancy, with a special attention for illiterate, and low monthly income pregnant women. Again, there has to be a promotion of latrine utilization and consumption of diversified diets.

Evaluation of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (DuraNet®) Under laboratory and Semi-Field Conditions Using Experimental Huts Against Anopheles Mosquitoes in Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) efficacy could be compromised due to a lot of influences together with user compliance and vector population insecticide resistance status. Thus, this study was to assess the biological efficacy of DuraNet® with the help of the World Health Organization cone bioassay and field experimental hut. METHODS: A laboratory and a semi-field conditions experimental huts against Anopheles Mosquitoes were conducted in southwestern Ethiopia from September 2015 to January 2016. The bio efficacy of DuraNet® was evaluated using the WHO cone bioassay test and then its field efficacy was evaluated using experimental huts against the malaria vector population. RESULTS: World Health Organization cone bioassay tests against pyrethroid-resistant An. arabiensis led to mean percent mortality and knockdown of 78% and 93%, respectively. Washing of DuraNet® successively reduced its efficacy from 93% knockdown (0 wash) to 45% knockdown (20 washes). Similarly, mean mortality decreased from 84% (0 wash) to 47% (20 washes). A total of 1575 female mosquitoes were collected over 40 nights out of which 1373(87.8%) were An. gambiae s.l., 116 (7.4%) were Anopheles coustani and 107 (6.8%) were An. pharoensis. The mean blood-feeding rate was significantly lower (P < .001) in hut containing unwashed DuraNet® when compared to hut containing untreated DuraNet®. The mean mortality rate was significantly higher (P < .001) in hut containing DuraNet® when compared to hut containing untreated DuraNet®. Unwashed DuraNet® showed the highest personal protection 88.7% and 100% against An. Arabiensis and An. pharoensis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both DuraNet® and PermaNet 2.0 moderate efficacy against a pyrethroid-resistant population of An. arabiensis from Ethiopia. The bio efficacy of DuraNet® was found below the WHO recommendation. Therefore, the real impact of the observed insecticide resistance against DuraNet® to be further studied under phase-III trials, the need for new alternative vector control tools remains critical.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Respiratory Symptoms Among Bahir Dar Textile Industry Workers, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: The expansions of labor-intensive investments in a developing countries, especially in textile production create a dusty work environment for workers, and those workers are from the low socio-economic group and need special safety concern. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors among textile factories workers in Bahir Dar, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2015. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed among randomly selected 384 textile workers using pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. We stratified workers by their working section in the textile industries. Then the proportional numbers of workers were selected from each working section of the factory by using a random number generator. The identification number of workers from each factory was used for selection. The data were checked, coded, and entered to Epi-info Version 7 and exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science Version 20 for further analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors. Variables having a P ⩽ .2 were fitted to multivariate logistic regression so as to assess the presence and strength of association with the respiratory symptom. Variables having a P < .05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-three (99.74%) of the study participants responded completely filling the questionnaire. In this study, the prevalence of cough, phlegm, bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, and chest pain among the respondents were 31 (8.1%), 45 (11.7%), 26 (6.8%), 2 (0.5%), and 21 (5.5%), respectively. Generally, 141 (36.81%) of the respondents have either of the above respiratory symptoms in the textile industry. Working in the spinning section (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.80, 5.89), being in the grade 11 and 12 level and below (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.50, 3.70) and personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization (AOR = 4.88 95% CI: 1.54-15.45) were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Bahir Dar Textile workers was relatively high. Working department, educational status, and PPE use were variables significantly associated with respiratory symptoms in this study. Experience sharing across departments, employing educated workers and provision of personal protective equipment are important tasks to be followed to reduce respiratory symptoms in the industry.

Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net Utilization and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Asgede Tsimbla District, Northern Ethiopia, 2017.

BACKGROUND: Malaria among pregnant women contributes to maternal anemia, low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, and infant deaths. In response to this serious health problem, regular use of the long-lasting insecticidal net is the most cost-effective method of preventing malaria. However, in most developing countries, including Ethiopia, long-lasting insecticidal net utilization by pregnant women is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to measure the utilization of insecticidal net and to identify the associated factors with its utilization among pregnant women in Asgede Tsimbla district in 2017. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed and data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 550 pregnant women. Data were entered into a computer using Epi Info (version 7) and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 21) for further analysis. Variables with P-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance between the dependent and the independent variables in multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 550 pregnant women surveyed, 347 (63.1%) of the pregnant women slept under a long-lasting insecticidal net the night before the survey. Urban residence (OR [95% CI] = 1.9 [1.22-3.01]), family size of 3-5 and >5 (2.8 [1.53-5.22] and 2.4 [1.20-5.03], respectively), and history of malaria during their current pregnancy (3.0 [1.95-4.86]) were found to be the factors associated with pregnant women's long-lasting insecticidal net utilization. CONCLUSION: Utilization of long-lasting insecticidal net was low, and place of residence, exposure status to malaria during their current pregnancy, and family size were the factors associated with long-lasting insecticidal net utilization.

Effect of community led total sanitation and hygiene (CLTSH) implementation program on latrine utilization among adult villagers of North Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Absence of latrine remains a common public health problem in most of the Sub-Saharan Africa countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the effect of community-led total sanitation and hygiene approach implementation and associated factors among villages of Laelai Maichew District, Tigray, and North Ethiopia. RESULTS: This study revealed that the rate of latrine use in the rural community of Laelai-Maichew district was about 46.8%. The majority, 71.1% of households in CLTSH implemented Villages and 93.5% of households in CLTSH non-implemented Villages did not have hand washing facility around their latrine. Community-led to total sanitation and hygiene non-implemented villages were 49% times less likely to utilize their latrine compared to those community-led total sanitation implemented villages [AOR = 0.51 95% CI (0.35, 0.75)]. Households owned latrines for two and above years were 1.5 more likely to utilize their latrine [AOR = 1.50 95% CI (1.21, 2.59)] than those of owning latrines for less than 2 years. In this study, latrine use rate was low. As a result, the local, national governmental and non-governmental organization should design programs to create behavioral changes on the community's attitude towards latrine utilization.

Determinants of sanitary status among food establishments in urban setup in Adwa town, Tigray, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Food borne diseases are predominant in all parts of the world especially in urban areas and are the main source for food borne illness. The aim of this study is to assess sanitation status and its determinants among food establishments in Adwa town, North Ethiopia from March to June 2017. RESULTS: A total of 391 (95.4%) subjects were included in this study. Around 53.3% of food establishments in the study area were in a poor sanitary status. Presence of trained managers on hygiene and sanitation (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.7-4.1); inspection by regulatory personnel (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.36-22.4) and being licensed (AOR = 1.2 95% CI 1.11-2.51) were associated factors which affect sanitary status sanitary of the establishments. The overall sanitary status of the establishments in the study area was found unhygienic. Managers should gain trainings on food hygiene and sanitation to follow and improve the sanitary status of the establishments.

Unmet need for modern contraception and associated factors among reproductive age group women in Eritrean refugee camps, Tigray, north Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Millions of women want to delay or avoid pregnancy, but they are not using contraception, especially in refugee settings. Due to lack of contraception, one fifth of reproductive age group women suffered from unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion, which accounted for 78% of maternal mortality in refugee camps. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of unmet need for modern contraception and its associated factors among reproductive age group women in Eritrean refugee camps, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2016. RESULTS: 400 women of reproductive age group interviewed. Prevalence of unmet need for modern contraception in this study was found to be 41.8% (95% CI 36.99%, 46.63%).Respondents' unfavorable attitude towards modern contraceptive methods [AOR = 0.372, 95% CI 0.170, 0.818] and the availability of modern contraceptive methods [AOR = 3.501, 95% CI 1.328, 9.231] were factors significantly associated with unmet need for modern contraception. Respondents' attitude towards modern contraceptive methods and availability of modern contraceptives were independent predictors of unmet need. Governmental and non-governmental organizations should design programs to create behavioral change in women's attitude towards contraceptive use and to secure the availability of contraceptive methods in refugee camp settings.

Assessment of community led total sanitation and hygiene approach on improvement of latrine utilization in Laelay Maichew District, North Ethiopia. A comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Lack of latrines remain a widespread health and environmental hazard in many developing countries. Low latrine utilization mostly affects the poor, rural and marginalized communities as the majority of those who do not use improved latrines live in rural areas where 90% of all open defecation takes place. The counterpart to this problem, Community-Led Total Sanitation, and hygiene (CLTSH) is an approach that involves facilitating a process to inspire and empower communities to stop open defecation and to build and use latrines in a participatory manner. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at assessing the Community Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene approach on improvement of latrine utilization in Laelay Maichew District of Central Zone, Northern Ethiopia. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Laelay Maichew District of Central Zone, Northern Ethiopia from November 2016 to January 2017. The study subjects were randomly selected 388 households from CLTSH implemented kebeles and 388 households from CLTSH non-implemented kebeles. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select households among proportionally allocated sample frame of households. Then, Interview of household heads using semi-structured questionnaire was conducted to collect data. Finally, data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate Logistic regressions model was used to identify candidates of multiple logistic regressions. Those P-values < 0.25 were considered as candidates to multiple logistic regressions to determine independent factors of latrine utilization. Variables with Odds Ratio at 95% CI and P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study obtained approval from Aksum University Institutional Review Board before its commencement. RESULT: This study indicated that the level of latrine utilization and latrine availability in CLTSH implemented kebeles were greater than that of CLTSH Non-implemented kebeles. The finding of this study revealed that the rate of latrine utilization in the rural community of Laelay-matches district was about 47.4%, 95% CI (42.9%-51.8%). The majority (71.1%) of household in CLTSH implemented kebeles and (93.5%) of households in CLTSH non-implemented kebeles did not have hand washing facility near the latrine. Households which had no fresh excreta in around latrine were significantly 11.5 times higher than [AOR: 11.5, 95% CI (0.18, 50.2)] utilizing their latrine in CLTSH implemented kebeles. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the level of latrine utilization in CLTSH implemented and that of CLTSH non-implemented kebeles was low. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made by local and national governmental and non-governmental organization to should be used to promote behavioral change in the communities to implement community-led total sanitation and hygiene for improving latrine utilization.