Prevalence and associated factors of needlestick and sharp object injuries among healthcare workers in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Needlestick and sharp object injuries affect healthcare workers. However, there are limitations in the evidence available for informed decision-making by stakeholders, as individual research shows inconsistent results. Therefore, this study aims to assess the pooled prevalence of needlestick and sharp object injuries and their associated factors. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases were searched from 5 September 2023 to 10 October 2023 using the following search terms: "Prevalence" OR "Burden" OR "Magnitude" AND "Associated factors" OR "related factors" OR "Risk factors" OR "determinants" OR "Predictors" AND "Needle stick Injury" OR "Sharp Injury" OR "Health care Workers" OR " Health Care Personnel" OR "Nurses" OR "Professional" AND "Ethiopia". Results: The pooled prevalence of needle sticks and sharp objects injury was 40.5 (95% CI: 35.0, 45.9). Needle-stick (AOR, 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6, 3.3, P < 0.001], absence of routine precaution [AOR, 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 4.5, P < 0.01] and lack of training (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4, 4.1, p < 0.001) had increased odds of needle-sticks and sharp objects injury. Conclusion: Forty percent of healthcare workers in Ethiopia have experienced needlestick and sharp object injuries. The identified factors included recapping, absence of routine precautions, and lack of training. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier (CRD42023462311).

Out of sight: chronic kidney diseases among diabetic patients attending care and follow up. Findings from pastoralist health facilities of Southern Ethiopia.

Background: In Ethiopia, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the adult population ranges to 19.1%. The disease's impact has increased in low-resource settings due to a lack of knowledge about the condition and its risk factors. Diabetes is one of the numerous causes of CKD. Despite this, little was known in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. This study aimed to identify the determinants of CKD among diabetic patients enrolled in care and follow up at pastoralist health facility of Jinka General Hospital (JGH), Southern Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 626 diabetic patients recruited through a systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Epi data version 7.2 and then exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to find eligible variables for the later analysis. Variables with p < 0.25 at bivariate logistic regression were selected for multivariate logistic regression analysis. The variables with p < 0.05 at the multivariate analysis were taken as statically significant in the final model. Results: The prevalence of CKD was 2.7% (95% CI: 1.12-6.01%). Place of residence (AOR: 4.84; 95% CI: 1.51-15.40), presence of hypertension (AOR: 5.69; 95% CI: 1.58-20.51) and family history of CKD (AOR: 6.20; 95% CI: 1.40-15.49) were factors associated with CKD among diabetes patients. Conclusion: The prevalence found in this study was low when compared with the local studies. Provision of health education to diabetic patients on preventative measures such as physical exercise is cost-effective approach. Factors associated with CKD among diabetics can be significantly mitigated by strengthening the existing NCDs prevention packages in the study area particularly and in Ethiopia generally.

Utilization and associated factors of cervical cancer screening service among eligible women attending maternal health services at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia.

This particular study aimed to assess the magnitude of cervical cancer screening service utilization and associated factors among eligible women attending maternal health services at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a systematic random sampling technique among 299 eligible women from March 1- to April 30, 2022. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data was also entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Both bivariable and multi-variable logistic regression model was fitted and the presence of association was declared at a p value of less than 0.05. The strenth of association was determined using adjusted odd ratios together with a 95% confidence interval. Among interviewed women, 19.8% (95% CI 15.5%, 24.0%) of them had screened for cervical cancer at least once within the past five years. Place of residence (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.14-0.96), modern contraception use (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.04-5.96), discussion about cervical cancer with healthcare providers (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI 1.08-5.07), and comprehensive knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.10-0.62) were independently associated with cervical cancer screening service utilization. The study depicted relatively low utilization of cervical cancer screening services. The women were more likely to utilize the service if they are dwellers of urban residences, used modern contraception, had discussion about cervical cancer with healthcare providers, and had good comprehensive knowledge about cervical cancer. Thus, women living in rural areas should get more emphasis on cervical cancer prevention strategies, and improving consistent discussion about cervical cancer with clients visiting for maternal health services by healthcare providers in health facilities also be recommended.

Triple sexually transmitted infections among pregnant woman in the context of Elimination of mother to child transmission in Southern Ethiopia: Reports from a survey of questionnaires and laboratory studies.

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause a wide range of public health problems if left untreated. They can lead to adverse birth outcomes, including stillbirth, fetal loss, neonatal death, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Although great efforts have been made to reduce STIs nationally, their incidence remains high in Ethiopia, and their co-infection calls for urgent action. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of three STIs among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in the context of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission in public health facilities in Sawla Town, Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Sawla Town, Southern Ethiopia, from May to July 2022. Data were collected from pregnant women's serum using an HIV rapid test, an HBsAg rapid test device, and a VDRL for HIV, HBV, and syphilis, respectively. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, were used to describe each relevant variable. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the determinants of STIs. Results: A total of 484 pregnant women attending antenatal care were screened. The mean age of the women was 24.0 ± 4.6 years, and nearly half of the participants had completed secondary school or higher. The overall seroprevalence of three STIs (HIV, HBV, and syphilis) among pregnant women was 6.8%. These three sexually transmitted infections were shown to be more common among pregnant women who were not able to read and write, had tattoos, had previously had an abortion, and had a history of multiple sexual partners. Conclusions: The seroprevalence found in this study was intermediate in comparison with the WHO standard. Efforts should be made to strengthen the existing health education and RH service integration on STI screening, and treatment that further eliminates vertical infection.