Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment and Associated Factors Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending Follow-up Treatment at Fiche General Hospital, North Ethiopia.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is having trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect the daily life of diabetic patients. The worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was 2.8% in 2000 and is estimated to be 4.4% by 2030. Objective: To assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment and associated factors among DM patients attending follow-up treatment at Fiche General Hospital, North Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 15 to September 15, 2022. The total sample size was 421 and a systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview. Data were entered using EpiData Version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 24 for analysis. Statistically significant was declared at a P-value of less than .05 with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Result: The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the current study was 56.3% with (95% CI: 51.5-60.8). Primary educational status (AOR 6.73, 95% CI: 2.92-15.51), having Type II DM (AOR 4.93, 95% CI: 2.84-8.56), uncontrolled blood sugar (AOR 6.24, 95% CI: 3.84-10.17), and current alcohol use (AOR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.11-3.36) were significantly associated. Conclusion: About three in 5 DM patients attending follow-up treatment at Fiche General Hospital were suffering from cognitive impairment. Educational status, type of DM, status of fasting blood sugar, and current alcohol use were associated with cognitive impairment among DM patients. Therefore, improving educational status, controlling blood sugar, and avoiding alcohol use may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in DM patients.

Work-related stress and associated factors among employees of Hawassa industrial park, southern Ethiopia: an institutional based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Work-related stress (WRS) is becoming an alarmingly growing public health concern worldwide. Due to globalization and changes in working conditions, people in low-income countries face growing work-relates stress. However, despite high prevalence globally, work-related stress among industrial park workers is not well studied in Ethiopia.Thus; the aim of this study was to assess work-related stress and associated factors among employees of Hawassa industrial park, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed among 419 employees of Hawassa industrial park using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by face-to-face interview. A workplace stress scale (WPSS) was used to assess work-related stress. The collected data were coded and entered into EPI data 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors. The statistical significance was considered at P-value < 0.05. RESULT: The Overall prevalence of work-related stress was 47.5, 95% CI (43.2, 52.1). Variables such as temporary employment [AOR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.26-0.64)], poor working condition [AOR = 2.12, 95% CI (1.32-3.43)], work experience less than two and half years [AOR = 3.11, 95% CI (1.95-4.96)], poor learning opportunity [AOR = 1.82, 95% CI (1.10-2.30)], poor organizational support [AOR = 1.70, 95% CI (1.10-2.62)], current use of khat [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI (1.28-4.99)] and current use of alcohol [AOR = 2.27, 95% CI (1.44-3.58)] were significantly associated with work-related stress. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study found high prevalence of work-related stress among employees of Hawassa industrial park. Temporary employment, poor working conditions, work experience < 21/2 years, poor learning opportunities, poor organizational support, current khat use, and current use of alcohol were significantly associated with work-related stress. Our study finding is recommending enhancing stress management skills and primary prevention on identified risk factors to industry employees.

Pathways to psychiatric care and factors associated with delayed help-seeking among patients with mental illness in Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess pathways to psychiatric care and factors associated with delayed help-seeking among patients with mental illness in Northern Ethiopia using the WHO Pathway Study Encounter Form. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING: Data were collected using face-to-face interview from patients with various diagnoses of mental illness attending outpatient treatment at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Mekelle City, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Participants who came to attend outpatient treatment during the study period were included in the study using consecutive sampling technique. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathways to psychiatric care, delayed psychiatric treatment and factors affecting delayed psychiatric treatment. RESULTS: The median duration from problem onset to contact with first care provider was 4 weeks, whereas contact with modern psychiatric services was 52.0 weeks. Study participants who were single (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.91, 95% CI 1.19 to 7.11), divorced (AOR=3.73, 95% CI 1.33 to 10.49) and who perceived mental illness as shameful (AOR=3.29, 95% CI 1.15 to 9.41) had delayed treatment-seeking behaviour, whereas participants with no history of substance use (AOR=0.43, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.92) were less likely to have delayed treatment-seeking behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant delay in seeking modern psychiatric treatment. Religious healers were the first source of help for mental illness. Majority of the respondents described that mental illness was due to supernatural causes. Stigma and lack of awareness about where treatment is available were barriers to seeking appropriate care.

Nearly three in every five prisoners experience common mental disorders (CMDs) in Jimma correctional institution; south-West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Millions of people are currently suffering from some form of mental disorders. The prevalence of common disorders is twofold higher in prison than general population and the condition is found to be worst in African in general and Ethiopia in particular. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and its correlates among prisoners in Jimma town correctional institution; Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross sectional quantitative study was conducted enrolling 300 prisoners. The participants were recruited using systematic random sampling technique. The World health organization Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) scale; was adapted to assess prevalence of mental disorders. Data were collected on interviewer administered basis by trained personnel. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 for widows was used for data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was conducted to identify the independent predictors of common mental disorders. P-value less than 5% was considered to indicate significant associations. RESULTS: The prevalence of common mental disorder was found to be 62.70, 95% CI; [57.30, 68.50]. Prisoners who had monthly income of 1500-3000birr, AOR = 3.30, 95% CI; [1.25, 8.69] and above 3000birr; AOR = 4.75, 95% CI; [1.57, 14.33], family history of mental illness; AOR = 6.14, 95% CI; [1.65, 22.79] and who ever used Khat; AOR = 4.33, 95% CI; [2.02, 9.27] were more likely to experience common mental disorders. Conversely; having some sort of work in prison; AOR = 0.25, 95% CI; [0.12, 0.54], perceived moderate social support; AOR = 0.094, 95% CI; [0.04-0.215] and perceived moderate strong; AOR = 0.025, 95% CI; [0.009, 0.07] were found to be protective factors. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of common mental disorder was considerably high as nearly more than three in every five prisoner experience some form of the disorder. Early screening of prisoners up on their arrival, appropriate treatment and follow up should be done. Furthermore; creating prison based jobs that could bring prisoners together and encouraging positive relationships to build social supports as coping strategy is required.

Factors associated with medical students' choice of psychiatry as future specialty: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that mental illnesses are highly prevalent, shortage of trained human resource, particularly psychiatrists, in the field is disproportionately low. This is especially challenging in developing countries. We report factors affecting medical students' choice of psychiatry specialty as a future career. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study design incorporating demographics, psychiatry specialty choice and a list of factors related to psychiatry was administered to fourth year medical students. Chi-squared test was used to identify factors associated with psychiatry choice. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to identify the association between demographics and history of mental illness against psychiatry choice. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five medical students participated in the study. The majority, 139 (84.2%), of the students were male. From the medical students, 34 (21%) reported that they will choose to specialize in psychiatry for their future career. A chi-squared test result indicated that there were many factors associated with psychiatry choice. Family history of mental illness was found to be significantly associated with the future career choice of the psychiatry discipline (AOR=2.76; CI: 1.05-7.25). CONCLUSION: Family history of mental illness seemed to be a significant factor in medical students' psychiatry choice. Positive attitude to psychiatry, the manner in which psychiatry is taught, satisfaction related to practical and theoretical psychiatry education, having direct involvement in psychiatric patient care and the like were factors that affect psychiatry choice. Therefore, paying due attention to modifiable factors negatively affecting psychiatry choice may increase the selection of the field by medical students as a specialty.

Attitude of Medical Students towards Psychiatry: The case of Jimma University, Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The inability to attract medical graduates to specialize in psychiatry has always been a serious challenge to psychiatry training programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the attitude of medical students towards psychiatry. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 122 fourth year medical students of Jimma University. The attitude of medical students towards psychiatry was measured by Attitude toward Psychiatry - 30 (ATP-30). The collected Data were analyzed by SPSS version-20 using independent samples t-test plus bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. The level of significance was determined at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Medical students who did not take psychiatry clinical rotation had a higher ATP-30 mean score 55.52(±15.2) indicating positive attitude towards psychiatry than those who completed psychiatry clinical rotation (mean= 49.75 ±10.67). Female medical students had significantly more positive attitude towards psychiatry than males (OR=9.23, 95% CI: 2.32; 36.76). Medical students who did not take psychiatry clinical rotation had more positive attitude towards psychiatry than students who completed the psychiatry clinical rotation (OR=7.58, 95% CI: 2.02; 28.37). Subjective experience of mental illness and reported family history of mental illness significantly predicted positive attitude toward psychiatry. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that doing psychiatry rotation might have affected the attitude of medical students towards psychiatry. Future research should assess the experiential factors during psychiatry training of medical students that affect their attitudes. Also, future research needs to evaluate the attitudes of fourth year medical students before and after their psychiatry clinical rotation.

Common mental disorders among medical students in Jimma University, SouthWest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Medical students are at risk of common mental disorders due to difficulties of adjustment to the medical school environment, exposure to death and human suffering. However there is limited data on this aspect. Therefore, the current study assessed the magnitude of common mental disorders and contributing factors among medical students. METHODS: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 12-16, 2015 using stratified sampling technique. Three hundred and five medical students participated in the study. Common mental disorders were assessed using the self-reported questionnaire (SRQ-20). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with common mental disorders among students. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance. RESULT: Prevalence of common mental disorders among medical students was 35.2%. Being female, younger age, married, having less than 250 birr monthly pocket money, attending pre-clinical class, khat chewing, smoking cigarettes, alcohol drinking and ganja/shisha use were significantly associated with common mental disorders. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of common mental disorders among medical students was high. Therefore, it is essential to institute effective intervention strategies giving emphasis to contributing factors to common mental disorders.

Quality of life in Ethiopia's street youth at a rehabilitation center and the association with trauma.

Quality of life (QOL) tends to be lower among the homeless than the general population, and traumatic events experienced on the streets have a negative impact on QOL. Low-income countries face a high number of street youth, yet little research has been performed so far on QOL, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among this group. This study aimed at examining the QOL of a sample of Ethiopian street youth within a rehabilitation program and at exploring whether the street youth have experienced traumatic events and show posttraumatic stress symptoms. We interviewed 84 street youths with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). Mean QOL scores differed significantly between the groups assessed at the beginning and at the end of the program (Cohen's d = 0.48). Eighty-three percent of the Ethiopian street youths had experienced traumatic events, and 25.0% met criteria for PTSD according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. QOL did not differ between those with and without PTSD symptoms. These findings show the high rate of traumatic events among Ethiopian street youth and the importance for rehabilitation programs that focus on improving QOL. The results of the study may have cultural limitations.