Interventions to improve the quality of maternal care in Ethiopia: a scoping review.

Introduction: Quality improvement interventions have been part of the national agenda aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortality. Despite different interventions, neonatal mortality and morbidity rates remain steady. This review aimed to map and synthesize the evidence of maternal and newborn quality improvement interventions in Ethiopia. Methods: A scoping review was reported based on the reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis extensions for the scoping review checklist. Data extraction, collation, and organization were based on the Joanna Briggs Institute manual of the evidence synthesis framework for a scoping review. The maternal and neonatal care standards from the World Health Organization and the Donabedian quality of health framework were used to summarize the findings. Results: Nineteen articles were included in this scoping review. The review found that the studies were conducted across various regions of Ethiopia, with the majority published after 2013. The reviewed studies mainly focused on three maternal care quality interventions: mobile and electronic health (eHealth), quality improvement standards, and human resource mobilization. Moreover, the reviewed studies explored various approaches to quality improvement, such as providing training to healthcare workers, health extension workers, traditional birth attendants, the community health development army, and mothers and supplying resources needed for maternal and newborn care. Conclusion: In conclusion, quality improvement strategies encompass community involvement, health education, mHealth, data-driven approaches, and health system strengthening. Future research should focus on the impact of physical environment, culture, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects of interventions. Healthcare providers' knowledge, skills, attitudes, satisfaction, and adherence to guidelines should also be considered.

Advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis and its associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara comprehensive specialized hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia 2022.

INTRODUCTION: Screening of cancer is the maximum effort and critical element for providing health related care in order to decrease cancer related dealt because of the disease burden is in its advanced stages. Unfortunately, advanced-stage presentation and late diagnosis of cancers endure a problem in low-income countries including Ethiopia. However, there is scarcity of published articles about the problem in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of advanced-stage -stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis and associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, oncology treatment units, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwest Amhara public referral hospitals on 422 study participants. A systematic random sampling technique was performed. The data were collected through face to face interview and document review via structured, pretested questionnaires. Epi. Data version 4.6 and Stata version 14.0 software's were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Logistic regression were carried out to recognize factors associated with advanced-stage -stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used to measure the strength of association. Variables having p-value less than 0.2 in bivariable analysis were entered in to multivariable analysis; variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared significantly associated with advanced-stage -stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis was found to be 67.57%. Age ≥ 60 years old patients (AOR = 6.10, 95%: (1.16-32.1)), patients had have a feeling of burden (AOR = 1.82, 95%, CI: (1.04-3.20)), and cancer patients with comorbidity illness (AOR = 2.40, 95%, CI: (1.40-4.12)) were significantly associated with advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis was found to be high. Its better, health care providers in oncology treatment facilities need to give special attention to older patients, having feeling of burden and cancer patient with comorbidity to reduce the risk of developing late stage presentation of cancer.

Advanced stage presentation and its determinant factors among colorectal cancer patients in Amhara regional state Referral Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been increasing in the world, particularly in developing nations. This could be related to the poor prognosis of the disease due to late presentation at diagnosis and poor treatment outcomes. In Ethiopia, studies related to the stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis and its determinants are limited. Therefore, the study was intended to assess advanced stage presentation and its associated factors among colorectal cancer patients in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective study was conducted among 367 CRC patients at two oncologic centers (the University of Gondar and Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospitals) from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Data were entered into EPi-data 4.2.0.0 and transferred to STATA version 14 statistical software for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. All variables with P-value < 0.2 during bi-variable analysis were considered for multivariable logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05. RESULTS: The magnitude of advanced stage presentation of colorectal cancer was 83.1%. Being rural dwellers (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.8,7.2), not medically insured (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.9,7.8), patients delay (AOR = 6.5; 95% CI:3.2, 13.3), recurrence of the disease (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1,4.7), and no comorbidity illness (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI: 2.1, 9.1) were predictors of advanced stage presentation of CRC. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed that the advanced-stage presentation of colorectal cancer patients was high. It is recommended that the community shall be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease using different media, giving more emphasis to the rural community, expanding health insurance, and educating patients about the recurrence chance of the disease. Moreover, expansion of colorectal treatment centers and screening of colorectal cancer should be given emphasis.

Level of Postnatal Checkup in Ethiopia - Implications for Child Health Services.

Background: High neonatal mortality rates continue to be a major public health issue in Ethiopia. Despite different maternal and neonatal care interventions, neonatal mortality in Ethiopia is at a steady state. This could be due to the low utilization of neonatal checkups. Thus, nationally assessing the level and predictors of postnatal checkups could provide important information for further improving neonatal healthcare services. Materials and Methods: A secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) was performed on 7,586 women who had live births in the 2 years before the survey. All variables with a p-value of ≤0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into the final model for multivariable analysis, and the level of statistical significance was declared at a P-value of <0.05. Results: According to the national survey, only 8.3% [95% CI: 8.19, 8.41] of neonates received postnatal checkups. About two-thirds of women, 62.8% had antenatal care visits, 67.9%, gave birth at home, and 95.7% were unaware of neonatal danger signs. Distance from health care institutions [AOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.89], giving birth in a healthcare facility [AOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.15], antenatal care visit [AOR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.99, 4.53], and neonatal danger signs awareness [AOR = 3.06; 95% CI: 2.09, 4.5] were all associated with postnatal care visits. Conclusion: The number of neonates who had a postnatal checkup was low. Increasing antenatal care visit utilization, improving institutional delivery, raising awareness about neonatal danger signs, increasing access to health care facilities, and implementing home-based neonatal care visits by healthcare providers could all help to improve postnatal checkups.

Incidence of Mortality and Associated Factors Among Colorectal Cancer Patients at Oncology Units of Northwest Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest types of malignant neoplasm with an estimated 935,000 deaths in 2020 worldwide. In Ethiopia, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer with an incidence of 8/100,000 person-years. Despite studies related to the burden of colorectal cancer, data of mortality related to colorectal cancer are limited and unknown in the study areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the incidence of mortality and associated factors among colorectal cancer patients who were followed-up at oncology units of Northwest Amhara hospitals, Ethiopia. Methods and Materials: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 367 study participants from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020 at oncology units of Northwest Amhara hospitals. Data were entered into EPi-data 4.2.0.0 and transferred to STATA version 14 statistical software for statistical analysis. The Cox regression model was used to identify factors associated with mortality. All variables with P-value < 0.2 during bi-variable analysis were considered for multivariable Cox regression model and level of statistical significance was declared at P value ≤ 0.05. Results: The overall incidence of colorectal cancer mortality was 22.5 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 18.5, 27.38). Being male [AHR =1.60; 95% CI (1.03, 2.48)], having rural residence [AHR=1.68; 95% CI (1.11, 2.55)], carcinoembryonic antigen level ≥5ng/mL [AHR=1.84; 95% CI: (1.02, 3.30)], delay to first health care visit [AHR=1.97; 95% CI (1.19, 3.25)], delay to confirmed diagnosis [AHR=2.45; 95% CI (1.22, 4.90)], and patients who had recurrence after treatment [AHR=1.61;95% CI (1.05, 2.47)] were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: Incidence of colorectal cancer mortality was high. Sex, residency, carcinoembryonic antigen level, time to health care visit, time to confirmed diagnosis, and recurrence significantly increased incidence of mortality. Therefore, creating awareness of colorectal cancer and expanding cancer treatment centers could have paramount importance in reducing the burden of mortality.