Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and drinking water contamination risk levels in households of Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene is a fundamental human right and essential to control infectious diseases. However, many countries, including Ethiopia, do not have adequate data to report on basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Although contaminated drinking water spreads diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, and dysentery, studies on drinking water contamination risk levels in households are limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, closing this gap needs investigation. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 5350 households were included. A systematic, simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants. The information was gathered through in-person interviews using a standardized questionnaire. Furthermore, 1070 drinking water samples were collected from household water storage. Results: This investigation revealed that 9.8%, 83.9%, and 4.9% of households used limited, basic, and safely managed drinking water services, respectively. Besides, 10.2%, 15.7% and 59.3% of households used safely managed, basic and limited sanitation services, respectively. Yet, 10.6% and 4.2% of households used unimproved sanitation facilities and open defecation practices. Also, 40.5% and 19.4% of households used limited and basic hygiene services. On the other hand, 40.1% of households lacked functional handwashing facilities. In this study, 12.1%, 26.3%, and 42% of households' drinking water samples were positive for Escherichia coli, fecal coliforms, and total coliforms, respectively. Also, 5.1% and 4.5% of households' drinking water samples had very high and high contamination risk levels for E. coli, respectively. We found that 2.5% and 11.5% of households and water distributors had unacceptable fluoride concentrations, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of households in Bishoftu town lack access to safely managed sanitation, drinking water, and basic hygiene services. Many households' water samples had very high and high health risk levels. Hence, the government and partner organizations should implement water and sanitation safety plans.

Determinants of vaccine acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices against COVID-19 among governmental healthcare workers in Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: COVID-19 vaccines are vital tools for infection prevention and control of the pandemic. However, coronavirus immunization requires acceptance among healthcare workforces and by the community. In Ethiopia, studies focused on determinants of vaccine acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices (KAP) contrary to the novel coronavirus among healthcare staff are limited. Hence, closing this gap requires research. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 844 governmental healthcare workers. A stratified, simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression statistical models were used to analyze the data. Results: This study indicated that only 57.9% of the participants had good COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, meaning they took at least a dose of the vaccine themselves. We found that 65%, 60.9%, and 51.3% of the participants had good knowledge, prevention practices, and attitude against the pandemic. The novel coronavirus vaccine acceptance rate was 2.19 times more likely among females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.19 with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-3.10) than among male participants. Further, respondents who did not report having any chronic diseases were 9.40 times higher to accept COVID-19 vaccines (AOR = 9.40 with 95% CI: 4.77, 18.53) than those who reported having a chronic condition. However, healthcare workers who had a habit of chewing khat at least once per week were 4% less likely to take the vaccine (AOR = 0.04 with 95% CI: 0.01, 0.32) than those who had no habit of chewing khat. Conclusion: Many core factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were identified. A significant number of participants had poor vaccine acceptance, KAP against COVID-19. Therefore, the government should adopt urgent and effective public health measures, including public campaigns to enhance public trust in COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, continuous, timely, and practical training should be provided to healthcare workers.

Foreign body aspiration in children: experience from Ethiopia.

Seventy-nine children with foreign body aspiration (FBA) were treated at the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a seven year period, from September 1987 to August 1994. There were 55 boys and 24 girls with a mean age of 3.4 years. Only 15 (19%) children presented within 24 hours of aspiration. A definite or suggestive history of FBA was obtained in 68 (86%) children. Abnormal radiologic findings were present in 60 (76%) cases. Correct diagnosis was delayed or missed in 16 (20%) cases. Bronchoscopic extraction of foreign bodies was made in 62 out of 69 bronchoscoped cases. Three children coughed up the foreign bodies spontaneously. Nine (11%) children died, six before, two during and one after bronchoscopy. Late presentation, delay in diagnosis and intervention as well as missed diagnosis were major causes of prolonged morbidity and high mortality. Considering FBA early in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pulmonary problems, early bronchoscopy for such cases and prompt bronchoscopic extraction of aspirated foreign bodies are stressed to reduce and eventually avoid the high morbidity and mortality associated with FBA in children.

Analysis of surgical admissions to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (1984-1988) in Addis Ababa.

Surgical problems in children result in significant morbidity and mortality. A retrospective analysis of all surgical patients admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH) over a five year period from 1984 to 1988 was made. There were a total of 2,281 surgical patients admitted, accounting for 22% of all hospital admissions (total = 10,364). The gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems were the most common systems involved. Acute appendicitis accounted for 13.9% (N = 318), cleft-lip and palate 8% (N = 183), and burns 6.9% (N = 157) of all surgical admissions. Accidents and trauma accounted for 25% of the surgical admissions (N = 564). Of these, the most common conditions were burns, car accidents, accidental falls, and foreign body aspirations. The over all mortality rate was 4% (N = 98). Acute appendicitis, intussusception, acute laryngotracheobronchitis (ALTB), and burns were associated with a high mortality. Of the neonatal admissions, one third died shortly after surgery, probably due to anaesthetic, fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Examination of the general pattern of surgical admissions revealed that many of the conditions were preventable, or amenable to medical therapy if detected early. Health education of the public is therefore necessary in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these conditions.