Prenatal depression among pregnant women attending public health facilities in Babile district, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depression during pregnancy is a significant health concern that can lead to a variety of short and long-term complications for mothers. Unfortunately, there is a lack of information available on the prevalence and predictors of prenatal depression in rural eastern Ethiopia. This study assessed prenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women attending public health facilities in the Babile district, Eastern Ethiopia. METHOD: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 329 pregnant women attending Babile District Public Health Facilities from November 1 to December 30, 2021. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with prenatal depression. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to report the association, and the significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of prenatal depression was 33.1% (95% CI = 28.0%, 38.2%). A lower income (AOR = 3.85, 95% CI = 2.08, 7.13), contraceptive use (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.98), unintended pregnancy (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.27, 3.98), history of depression (AOR = 5.09, 95% CI = 2.77, 9.35), poor social support (AOR = 5.08, 95% CI = 2.15, 11.99), and dissatisfied marriage (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.30, 4.33) were the factors associated with increased prenatal depression among pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: One in every three pregnant women in rural eastern Ethiopia had prenatal depression. Monthly income, contraceptive use, pregnancy intention, history of depression, social support, and marriage satisfaction status were the determinants of prenatal depression. Preventing unintended pregnancies by encouraging women to utilize modern contraceptive methods is essential for mitigating and controlling the risks and burdens of prenatal depression and its negative consequences.

Inadequate Hand Washing, Lack of Clean Drinking Water and Latrines as Major Determinants of Cholera Outbreak in Somali Region, Ethiopia in 2019.

Introduction: Cholera remains a serious public health problem characterized by a large disease burden, frequent outbreaks, persistent endemicity, and high mortality, particularly in tropical and subtropical low-income countries including Ethiopia. The recent cholera outbreak in the Somali region began on 4 September to 1 November 2019. Cholera may spread rapidly through a population so that an early detection and reporting of the cases is mandatory. This study aimed to identify determinants of cholera infection among >5 years of age population in Somali region, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 228 (76 cases and 152 controls, 1:2 ratio) systematically selected population. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer and a record review. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of the risk factors of cholera infection with a 95% confidence interval and statistical significance was declared a tap-value < 0.05. Results: A total of 228 participants (33.3% cases and 66.7% controls) were enrolled in this study. The majority of the cases were in the range of 20-49 years of age (69.7%). The odds of acquiring cholera infection increased significantly by drinking unsafe pipe water (AOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.65-11.2), not having a household level toilet/latrine (AOR 3.25, 95% CI 1.57-6.76), hand washing only sometimes after the toilet (AOR 3.04, 95% CI 1.58-5.86) and not using water purification methods (AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.13-4.54). Conclusion: Major risk factors for cholera infection were related to drinking water and latrine hygiene. Improvement in awareness creation about cholera prevention and control methods, including water treatment, hygiene and sanitation were crucial in combating this cholera outbreak. Primary public health actions are ensuring clean drinking water, delivery of water purification tablets, soap and hand sanitizers and provision of health care and outbreak response. Long term goals in cholera affected areas include comprehensive water and sanitation strategies. Overall, the strategic role of a multi-sectoral approach in the design and implementation of public health interventions aimed at preventing and controlling cholera are essential to avert cholera outbreaks. Preparedness should be highlighted in cholera prone areas like Somali region especially after drought periods.

Evaluation of Dermatoglyphic Features of Type 2 Diabetic Patients as Compared to Non-Diabetics Attending Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Type 2 DM has a strong hereditary background. A study of the dermatoglyphic features can help in the early identification of people with a genetic predisposition to develop type 2 DM. Purpose of the Study: The study was aimed to compare the finger and palmar dermatoglyphics features in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to evaluate the association with other variables. Patients and Materials: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in one referral hospital and three primary hospitals located in Gedeo Zone. Three hundred ninety study participants (130 type 2 diabetics and 260 non-diabetics) from adult OPD and diabetic clinics were included in the study. The association among different dermatoglyphics variables was analyzed using the chi-square test. An independent t-test was conducted to analyze the mean difference and to test the significance of numerical variables. A statistically significant association was declared at P-value <0.05. Results: In the present study, a total of 3900 digits (1300 from type 2 diabetic and 2600 non-diabetic) were analyzed for distribution of digital dermatoglyphic patterns. Loop pattern is found to be the commonest in both study groups with a prevalence of 65.8% and 60.7% among type 2 diabetics and non-diabetics, respectively. Both the right-left axial tri-radius angle was significantly higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients compared to non-diabetic study participants. Total finger ridge counts and absolute finger ridge counts showed no significant difference in both groups. Conclusion: The study revealed Loop pattern was more frequent in type 2 DM compared to non-diabetic study participants. Whorl type was more common than arch type in non-diabetic patients compared to type 2 DM groups. The result also showed tri-radius angle is significantly wider in diabetic groups in both hands.