Correlates of ART attrition among adults under antiretroviral therapy in Southern Ethiopia, retrospective cohort study.

High attrition rates from ART are the primary contributors to morbidity, death, hospitalisation, rising transmission rates, treatment failure, rising burden of opportunistic infections (OIs), and the evolution of HIV-virus resistance (HIVDR). In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than two-thirds of ART patients will not receive continuous care. There is little information about the correlates that contribute to attrition from ART services among ART patients in Southern Ethiopia. Hence, this study aims to identify correlates of attrition from antiretroviral therapy services for adults under antiretroviral therapy at Otona Teaching and Referral Hospital, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. From 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017, a retrospective cohort analysis was performed. The pre-determined 328 medical records were chosen using a simple random sampling technique using computer-generated random numbers. Epi Info version 3.5.3 was used to enter and clean the data, which were then exported to STATA version 11 for analysis. The Cox proportional hazards model, both bivariate and multivariable, was used. Variables with p-values less than 0.25 in bivariate analysis were considered candidates for multivariable analysis, and variables with p-values less than 0.05 were deemed statistically important in multivariable analysis. The intensity of the correlation and statistical significance were determined using the CHR, AHR, and 95 per cent confidence intervals. The magnitude of attrition from ART service was 21.60% (95% CI: 17.10, 26.10). The distance between home and hospital is more than five kilometres (AHR:3.84;95% CI: 1.99,7.38), no registered phone number (AHR:2.47;95%CI:1.32,4.09), have not taken isoniazid prophylaxis (AHR:2.23;95%CI:1.30,4.09), alcohol consumption (AHR: 1.77; 95% CI:1.01, 3.12), and had no caregiver (AHR: 2.11; 95% CI:1.23, 3.60) were statistically significant in the Cox proportional hazard model. Distance between home and hospital, phone number registration on follow-up chart, having a history of alcohol consumption, isoniazid prophylaxis provision, and having family support were independent correlates of attrition from antiretroviral treatment services.

Evaluation of total oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity of brain tumour patients attending referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, 2020: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: The exact cause of brain tumours is still unknown, but disruptions of redox balance are thought to play a significant role in all stages of brain tumour development. However, the roles of free radical imbalance at different grades of brain tumour and degree of oxidative stress before and after surgery have not been addressed in prior studies. Aim: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the redox imbalance among confirmed brain tumour patients. Methods and results: An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 100 participants (50 brain tumour patients and 50 controls) at referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) (post-hoc) analysis were used and statistical significance was declared at p ≤ 0.05. The serum oxidised glutathione and total oxidative stress were significantly higher in the serum of brain tumour patients (0.72 ± 0.03 µM/µg and 9.66 ± 1.76 µmol H2O2 Eq/L, respectively) compared to the control group (0.21 ± 0.07 µM/µg and 6.59 ± 0.81 µmol H2O2 Eq/L, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). The serum total oxidant status gradually increased as the tumour grade increased, being higher in grade four (11.96 ± 0.72) and lower in grade one (8.43 ± 1.56), and the mean differences were statistically significant (p ≤ 0 05). A statistically significantly higher total antioxidant capacity (116.78 ± 5.03 Trolox Eq/L) was obtained in the post-surgery than pre-surgery level (79.65 ± 17.914 Trolox Eq/L) (p ≤ 0 05). Conclusion: Higher oxidant and lower antioxidant levels were found in the serum of brain tumour patients than in the control group. The post-surgery oxidant level was lower than the pre-surgery state. The findings of this study could suggest that redox imbalance may have a role in the pathophysiology of brain tumours, but further experimental studies are needed.

Intention to Care for COVID-19 Patients Among Nurses Working at Health Care Institutions of Debre Tabor Town, North Central Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused many challenges for health care providers. Nurses meet patients with coronavirus disease and offer care for newly communicable diseases. Despite global and national efforts to prevent the spread, the outbreak is still on a rise, and studies on the health care behaviors of nurses were scarce in the study setting. Therefore, this study was intended in addressing nurses' intention to care for coronavirus disease 19 patients and its determinants among nurses working at Debre Tabor town Health Care Institutions, 2020. METHODOLOGY: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 nurses working at health care institutions of Debre Tabor Town, from June 01 to 15/2020. The data were collected using tools with a self-administration questionnaire adapted from the theory of planned behavior and different kinds of literatures. All nurses working at Debre Tabor health care institutions were included. Data were entered using Epi-data 4.2.0.0 statistical software, and analysis was done by Stata version 14 statistical software. Binary logistic regression model was used for analysis. Strength of association was measured using the odds ratio with 95% CI, and the level of significance was estimated at P-value ≤0.05. RESULTS: Nurses' intention to care for COVID-19 patient was 59.5% (95% CI; 58.7:60.3). Having better working experience (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =2.3:95% CI; 1.120, 4.910), caring experience for infectious disease (AOR=2.5; 95% CI: 1.10, 5.50), good perceived behavioral control (AOR=2.33; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.8), and subjective norms (AOR= 2.14; 95% CI: 1.05, 4.36) were significantly associated with intention of caring behavior. CONCLUSION: Nurses' intention to care for COVID-19 patients was low. Working experience, the experience of caring for infectious disease, self-efficacy, and subjective norm were independently related with nurses' caring intention. The government should work on improving nurse's confidence in disaster management, design disaster management nursing education, and frequent support of nurses.

Predictors of adverse pregnancy outcome at Hospitals in South Gondar Zone, North-central Ethiopia: A multicenter facility-based unmatched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse pregnancy outcomes are the most significant public health problem which leads to serious short and long-term health consequences to the mother and the newborn baby. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially prematurity and low birth weights are the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine predictors of adverse pregnancy outcome among mothers who gave birth at Hospitals in South Gondar zone, North-central Ethiopia. METHODS: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted. A total of 441 study participants with 147 cases and 294 controls were included. The study participants were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. A combination of chart review and interview were used. Data entry and analysis were done by using Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS version 23 respectively. Descriptive & analytical statistics were computed. In the binary logistic regression, both bivariable and multivariable analysis was computed. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05 and the strength of association were assessed by using the adjusted odds ratio with their 95%confidence interval. RESULT: A total of 147 cases and 294 controls were included. The mean age (±SD) of study participants was 26.8 ± 5.5 years. History of adverse birth outcome (AOR = 6.39, 95%CI = 2.55, 15.99), did not receive dietary counseling during pregnancy (AOR = 5.17, 95%CI = 2.09, 12.84), pregnancy induced hypertension (AOR = 3.74, 95%CI = 1.20, 11.62), history of hyperemesis gravidarum in the recent pregnancy (AOR = 4.01, 95%CI = 1.58, 10.21) and inter-pregnancy interval less than 24 months (AOR = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.04, 3.91) were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION: This study showed that history of adverse pregnancy outcome, pregnancy induced hypertension, did not receive dietary counseling, history of hyperemesis gravidarum, and inter-pregnancy interval less than 24 months were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This study implies the need to improve dietary counseling for pregnant mothers during antenatal care visits. Beside to this, counseling on birth spacing should be given to improve inter-pregnancy intervals.

Medication Administration Errors and Associated Factors Among Nurses.

INTRODUCTION: Medication error has the potential to lead to harm to the patient. It is the leading cause of threatens trust in the healthcare system, induce corrective therapy, and prolong patients' hospitalization, produces extra costs and even death. This study aimed to assess medication administration error (MAE) and associated factors among nurses in referral hospitals of Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional-based, cross-sectional study design was used, and 422 study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a semi-structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and observational checklist. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics and binary logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with medication administration errors. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Four hundred fourteen participants with a response rate of 98.1% were involved and 54.3% were females. The median age was 30 with IQR (28-34) years and the majority of them (83.8%) had BSc qualification in nursing. The prevalence of MAE in this study was 57.7% and 30.4% of them made it more than three times. Wrong time (38.6%), wrong assessment (27.5%), and wrong evaluation (26.1%) were the most frequently perpetuated medication administration errors. Significant association between medication administration errors and lack of training [AOR=2.20; 95% CI (1.09, 4.46)], unavailability of guideline [AOR=1.65; 95% CI (1.03, 2.79)], poor communication when face problem [AOR=3.31; 95% CI (2.04, 5.37)], interruption [AOR = 3.37, 95% CI (2.15, 5.28)] and failure to follow medication administration rights [AOR=1.647; 95% CI (1.00, 2.49)] was noticed. CONCLUSION: MAE was high in the study area as compared to studies from Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Adigrat and Mekelle University Hospital, and the University of Gondar Referral Hospital and hence developing guidelines, providing training, and develop strategies to minimize distracters are better to be undertaken.

Why women with breast cancer presented late to health care facility in North-west Ethiopia? A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although early diagnosis is a key determinant factor for breast cancer survival, delay in presentation and advanced stage diagnosis are common challenges in low and middle income countries including Ethiopia. Long patient delays in presentation to health facility and advanced stage diagnosis are common features in breast cancer care in Ethiopia but the reasons for patient delays are not well explored in the country. Therefore we aimed to explore the reasons for patient delay in seeking early medical care for breast cancer in North-west Ethiopia. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted from November to December 2019 using in-depth interviews from newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in the two comprehensive specialized hospitals in North West Ethiopia. Verbal informed consent was taken from each participant before interviews. A thematic content analysis was performed using Open Code software version 4.02. RESULTS: Lack of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer, cultural and religious beliefs, economic hardships, lack of health care and transportation access, fear of surgical procedures and lack of trusts on medical care were the major reasons for late presentation of breast cancer identified from the patient's narratives. CONCLUSIONS: The reasons for late presentation of patients to seek early medical care for breast cancer had multidimensional nature in Northwest Ethiopia. Health education and promotion programs about breast cancer should be designed to increase public awareness to facilitate early detection of cases before advancement on the existing health care delivery system.

Prevalence, associated factors and consequences of substance use among health and medical science students of Haramaya University, eastern Ethiopia, 2018: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Substance use has a terrible impact on health, behavior and country's economy because the number of people particularly the youngsters being involved in this practice is increasing rapidly. However, the prevalence, determinants and consequence of substance use in the study area has been overlooked. METHODS: A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 254 health science students of Haramaya University. The respondents were selected randomly after double stratification based on their department and batch respectively. A pre-tested self-administrable anonymous questionnaire was used. The collected data were entered into epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistical analysis was done to examine findings. Besides, chi-square (X2) test was considered to examine the nonparametric association of factors with ever substance use. RESULTS: Prevalence of ever substance use for at least one substance was found to be 114(45.4%). Ever khat chewers take the highest percentage [107(93.9%)] followed by ever smokers 45(39.5%) and ever drinkers 44(38.6%). Among these ever substance users, 80(70.2%) were found to be current substance users. Being a preparatory student (26.3%) and freshman at university (57.9%) were critical times to initiate substance use. Sex, monthly income, sexual risk behavior and family history of substance use were found to be significantly associated with being ever substance user as witnessed by their respective X2 values of 19.67, 72.28, 28.99 and 139.72 at P-value = 0.05 and degree of freedom (df = 1). From the overall ever substance users, 31.6% had undesirable health consequences. Among these consequences, anorexia [40 (35.1%)] accounted for the highest percentage followed by insomnia [29 (25.4%)], depression [25 (22%)], gastritis [25 (22%)], dental caries [23 (20.2%)] and increased sexual activity [12 (10.5%)]. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of ever substance use in the study area was relatively high. Therefore attention should be given to the major reasons for substance use mainly orientation of freshman students about better stress coping mechanisms and expansion of adequate recreational activities.

Determinants of neonatal sepsis among neonates in the northwest part of Ethiopia: case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite implementing of different preventive interventions, the burden of neonatal sepsis is reporting in different areas of Ethiopia. For further interventions, identifying its determinants is found to be crucial. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify determinants of neonatal sepsis in the Northwest part of Ethiopia. METHODS: Unmatched case-control study was conducted among 246 neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit, Northwest Ethiopia. Study participants were selected from February 1st to March 30th 2018. Data was collected through face to face interview and review of neonates' medical records using pretested structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Epi Data version 4.2.0.0 and further transferred to SPSS statistical software version 25 for analysis. All independent variables with p-value < 0.25 in Bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. Finally, variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered as determinants of neonatal sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 82 cases and 164 controls were included in this study. Neonates with gestational age < 37 weeks [AOR = 6.90; 95% CI (2.76, 17.28)], premature rupture of membrane [AOR = 2.81; 95% CI (1.01, 7.79)], not crying immediately at birth and have received resuscitation at birth [AOR = 2.85; 95% CI (1.09, 7.47)] were found to be predictors of neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Premature rupture of membrane was found to be obstetric-related determinant of neonatal sepsis. Gestational age < 37 weeks, not crying immediately at birth, and have received resuscitation at birth were found to be neonatal-related risk factors of neonatal sepsis. Infection prevention strategies need to be strengthening and/or implementing by providing especial attention for the specified determinants.