Consistent condom utilization among sexually active HIV positive individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to ascertain the pooled prevalence and trend of consistent condom use in Sub-Saharan Africa, addressing the fragmented and inconsistent research on its role in preventing HIV transmission. In this meta-analysis, we systematically searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, ScienceDirect, Africa-Wide Information (via EBSCOhost), as well as clinical trial registries, and the search engine Google Scholar. All necessary data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format. The data were analyzed using STATA 17 statistical software. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using the I2 test. A random-effect model was computed to estimate the pooled rate of consistent condom utilization. This meta-analysis, which included thirty-three full-text studies, found a pooled prevalence of 44.66% (95% CI 18.49-70.83; I2 = 0.00%) for consistent condom use in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the prevalence fluctuated between 2007 and 2022, the year-to-year variations were not statistically significant. The current study identified low rates of consistent condom use, with utilization fluctuating annually in the study area. Therefore, uncovering the underlying reasons and addressing barriers to consistent condom use is crucial in the region.

Survival status and predictors of mortality among traumatic brain injury patients in an Ethiopian hospital: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury is a major global public health problem causing substantial mortality among the adult population. Hence, this study aimed to determine the predictors of mortality among adult traumatic brain injury patients in Felegehiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia during 2020. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Felegehiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital using anonymized patient data obtained from chart review. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the patient characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to test for differences in survival status among groups. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used at the 5% level of significance to determine the net effect of each explanatory variable on time to death. RESULTS: In total, 338 patients aged ≥15 years and diagnosed with traumatic brain injury were included in the analysis. Among these patients, 103 (30.45%) died, giving a crude death rate of 25.53 per 1000 (95% CI: 21.05-30.98) person-days of follow-up. The overall median survival time was 44 days. The independent predictors of mortality after diagnosis of traumatic brain injury were admission Glasgow coma scale score ≤ 8 (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 4.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.73-13.62), bilateral non-reactive pupils at admission (AHR: 2.00 (95% CI: 1.10-3.71), elevated systolic blood pressure at admission (AHR: 0.31; 95% CI:0.11-0.86), elevated diastolic blood pressure at admission (AHR: 3.54; 95% CI: 1.33-9.43), and haematoma evacuation (AHR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.16-0.90). DISCUSSION: The Survival status of traumatic brain injury patients was relatively low in this study. Glasgow coma scale score, bilateral non-reactive pupils, and elevated blood pressure were significant predictors of mortality. Further prospective follow-up studies that include residence and occupation are recommended.

Dietary diversity and associated factors among HIV-positive adults attending the anti-retroviral therapy clinic at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of the study was to assess dietary diversity (DD) and associated factors among human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults attending the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinic at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (FHCSH) in Northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at FHCSH in 2019. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select 352 study subjects. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and chart review. Statistical Package for the Social Science version 26 was used for analysis. A simple and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to determine associated factors. Two hundred and nine (59⋅4 %) adults had consumed a diversified diet. The mean individual DD score was 3⋅86 ± 1⋅18. Self-employment status (adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 4⋅60; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1⋅72, 12⋅27), quintiles of wealth index (the second (AOR: 4⋅33; 95 % CI: 1⋅72, 10⋅89), middle (AOR: 4⋅40; 95 % CI: 1⋅71, 11⋅31), fourth (AOR: 6⋅60; 95 % CI: 2⋅36, 18⋅48) and the highest quintiles (AOR: 9⋅45: 95 % CI: 3⋅34, 26⋅77), the last CD4 count 200-349 cells/mm3 (AOR: 8⋅08; 95 % CI: 2⋅93, 22⋅23), those who took first-line ART regimen drugs (AOR: 4⋅49; 95 % CI: 2⋅19, 9⋅21), subjects who did not take co-trimoxazole prophylaxis (AOR: 6⋅36; 95 % CI: 2⋅54, 15⋅88), those who had nutritional counselling at a health institution (AOR: 2⋅36; 95 % CI: 1⋅08, 5⋅16), had no food preference (AOR: 2⋅42; 95 % CI: 1⋅14, 5⋅13) and a food-secure household (AOR: 3⋅51; 95 % CI: 1⋅85, 6⋅67) were associated factors of DD among adults on ART. This study exhibited that the DD status among adults attending the ART clinic was below two-thirds. Health institutions and health professionals working at ART clinics shall strengthen their efforts to sustain the nutritional counselling service and ART adherence at health institutions and encourage the patients to avoid food preference for their meal. It is vital to ensure the household food security of adults on ART.

Knowledge towards standard precautions among healthcare providers of hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2017: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Literatures revealed that healthcare-associated infections are still a great concern in many developing countries including in Ethiopia. Despite the development of detailed guidelines for infection control, they remain as a critical challenge for the public health sectors and the knowledge of standard precautions among healthcare workers in many developing countries is low and not properly applied. Hence, the present study tried to determine the level of knowledge about standard precautions among healthcare workers of Amhara region, Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on a randomly selected public hospitals of Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia from March 01-April 01/2017. A multistage sampling strategy was utilized to select 795 sampled healthcare workers. Data were collected using pretested self-administered questionnaire. The collected data entered using EpiData Version 3.1 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. After using binary logistic regression, multivariable logistic regression analysis used to form the model. Variables which had statistically significant association with the outcome variable (P < 0.05) were identified as significant in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Almost half (49.2%) of the study participants were female healthcare workers. Three-fourth (74.3%) of the healthcare workers involved in the current study had good knowledge towards standard precautions. Good knowledge towards standard precautions refers to scoring correct responses to > 60% of knowledge items from the survey. Year of service (AOR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.44), educational status (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.56) were among the predictor variables. In addition, physicians were 6.97 times more likely to be knowledgeable (AOR: 6.97, 95% CI 2.42 to 20.12) than laboratory technician/technology counterparts. Study participants working in medical, Gyn/obs, pediatrics wards, and OPD were about 2.23, 4.27, 2.81 and 2.52 times more likely to be knowledgeable than study participants working in surgical ward. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the majority of healthcare workers had good knowledge of standard precautions. But variation in knowledge was detected across healthcare workers by hospital type and ward/units. This may help to design a solution by prioritizing the problem.

Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in Amhara regional state city and its' surrounding rural districts: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, among non-communicable diseases hypertension is a growing public health important disease both in developed and developing nations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in Amhara Regional State city and its' surrounding rural districts, Ethiopia. METHOD: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban and rural communities living in Amhara Regional State city and its' surrounding rural districts administrations in 2015. The WHO Stepwise approach was used for data collection. RESULT: A total of 1405 subjects participated and the response rate was 95.5%. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 11.4% either previously diagnosed or undiagnosed and was higher in older ages. Whereas the prevalence of hypertension was 13% for urban and 10% for rural residents. Nearly half of them (46.3%) were newly diagnosed. A family history of hypertension, being underweight, overweight, obese, and raised fasting blood sugar were found to be significantly associated with raised blood pressure. CONCLUSION: One among every three (37.4 %) and one among every nine study participants were found to have pre-hypertension and hypertension respectively.

Vaccination coverage and associated factors among children aged 12 - 23 months in Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Full vaccination coverage has been identified as the foundation for the prevention of morbidity and mortality from the childhood illnesses. However, a significant number of children do not get recommended vaccinations. The problem is much worse in low-income countries with varied figures and evidence gap. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess vaccination coverage and its predicting factors in one of the low-income country Ethiopia, particularly in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwest Ethiopia in 2016 on 846 children aged 12 to 23 completed months. Cluster sampling method was used. Mothers or caretakers were interviewed. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. RESULTS: In Northwest Ethiopia, full-vaccination coverage for the children aged 12-23 months was 58.4%, while 17% and 24.6% were partially vaccinated and not vaccinated at all respectively. Child full vaccination status has a positive association with urban residence, having antenatal care visit, institutional delivery for the study child, vaccination site at health institutions, mothers who knows vaccination schedule of a catchment area, and mothers taking a child for vaccination even if the child is sick. However, mothers who ever-married and their travel time to the nearest vaccination site ≤ 30 minutes were negatively associated with child full-vaccination status. CONCLUSION: Vaccination coverage in Northwest Ethiopia, East Gojam, is better than the national coverage. Yet, it is far below the plan. Encouraging antenatal care utilization, delivery at health institutions, and providing adequate information on child vaccination (including when to start, return and finish) for mothers would increase full-vaccination coverage.

Coping strategies among nurses in South-west Ethiopia: descriptive, institution-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe coping strategies for job stress among nurses working in Jimma Zone public hospitals, South-west Ethiopia. The study conducted from March to April 2014 through census using English version structured self-administered questionnaire. RESULT: This study indicated percentage mean overall score of 65.07% for adaptive coping approach and 56.86% for a maladaptive approach. Nurses mostly used coping strategy were; just concentrating on what they have to do, make a plan of action and following it, developing coworker/peer support, and having a close friend to tell. While, coping strategy that least used among nurses were; do not want to come to work when stressed, directly expressing anger on family or friends, trying to feel better by taking drinks like tea, coffee, soft drinks more than usual and accept the situation because there is nothing to do. In summary, an adaptive approach was dominant style; social support and plan-full problem solving were the most preferred strategies. While escape-avoidance coping strategy least used. Further researches need to be conducted to explore its predictors.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards cervical cancer among women in Finote Selam city administration, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia, 2017.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the cervix is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women, especially in developing countries affecting women at a time of life when they are critical to social and economic stability. METHOD: The study was conducted at Finote Selam City Administration from February 01 to March 01, 2017 using a community-based cross-sectional study design. The representative sample size was selected using multistage sampling technique. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the previous study. Data were entered using EpiData Version 3.1 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. RESULT: One hundred seventy (23.1%) were knowledgeable about cervical cancer whereas 63% of participants had a negative attitude and only 7.3% had ever screened for the disease. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, marital status, religion, experienced sexual intercourse and age at 1st sexual intercourse were found to be significantly associated with the knowledge of cancer of the cervix. CONCLUSION: Ministry of health in collaboration with other concerned bodies should design a strategy to give education about cervical cancer including information on risk factors, signs and symptoms; and availability of screening should be provided for women and as well as for the public.