High Incidence of Esophageal Cancer in Women in Eritrea and Its Potential Link to Low Age at Menopause: Evidence from a 10-Year Retrospective Data Analysis.

Background: Detecting a group of esophageal cancer (EC) cases in endemic regions is essential in identifying high-risk populations and executing appropriate interventions. The main aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of EC in Eritrea. Methods: A retrospective (period: 2011 - 2021) study was carried out by abstracting data on EC patients from the logbook kept at the National Health Laboratory (ENHL). Information on socio-demographic, clinical history, and biopsy analysis findings was collected. For the statistical assessment of data, the End Results (SEER) Joinpoint Regression Program (V.4.5.0.1) was used to calculate crude incidence rate (CIR), age-adjusted incidence rate (ASR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) by sex, age, and histotype. Results: A total of 189 patient's samples (134 (70.9%) females vs. 55 (29.1%) males, ratio 2.43 : 1) were evaluated. Of the 155 patients with EC, 44 (28.4%) and 111 (71.6%) were diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), respectively (AC/ESCC ratio, 0.4). The median age (IQR) of patients with EC was 60 years (46.0 - 70 years) - (males 62 (IQR: 49.0 - 77 years) vs. females 60 (IQR: 46 -67 years), p-value =0.43. Within age bands, the F: M ratios in patients with ESCC were as follows: >20 -29 years =2: 1; 30-39 years =8 : 1; 40 - 49 years =10.5 : 1; 50-59 years =6.67 : 1; 60-69 years =3.25.1; 70-79 years =1.5 : 1 and>80 years =2 : 1. The all-age CIR and ASR for EC were 0.468 per 100 000 and 2.281 per 100 000 persons, respectively. Similarly, the all-age ASR for both males and females was 2.88 per 100 000 and 1.61 per 100 000. Over the study period, the EAPC for all cases was -3.0% (95% CI, -11.3 to 6.1, p-value =0.455). Conclusion: In large part, EC is a women's disease in Eritrea. The unusually high incidence of ESCC and the high female-to-male ratio point at sex-dependent exposures as a major driver of the EAC epidemic in the country. Therefore, research on the risk factors of EC in Eritrea is urgently needed.

Level of women-friendly care provision among mothers in immediate post-partum period at public hospitals of Southeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The women-friendly care approach focuses on women's rights to have access to quality care for themselves as individuals, as mothers, and for their infants. However, access to quality health services is not guaranteed for many women, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of women-friendly care provision and associated factors among mothers in the immediate post-partum period at public hospitals of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia 2021. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was employed among mothers in the immediate post-partum period in public hospitals of Bale Zone from March 1-30, 2021. A total of 363 mothers were recruited by systematic random sampling technique in this study. Data was collected through pre-tested structured questionnaires. A 21-verified questionnaire was used to measure the outcome variable. The data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6.2.0 and exported to the statistical package of social science version 26.0 for analysis. A variable with a P value of less than 0.25 in the bi-variable binary logistic regression model was transferred to a multivariable binary logistics regression model. Hosmer and Lemeshow's goodness of fit model was checked. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used to estimate the strength of association between the outcome variable and independent variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significantly associated. RESULTS: The level of women-friendly care provision among mothers in immediate post-partum at public hospitals of Bale Zone was found to be 61% [95% confidence interval (55.73-66.04)]. Being prim para mother [Adjusted odds ratio = 1.88(1.07-3.33)], having planned pregnancy [Adjusted odds ratio = 1.94(1.04-3.63)] and staying at a health facility after delivery [Adjusted odds ratio = 4.8(1.71-13.39)] were found to be statistically significant predictors of level of women-friendly care provision. CONCLUSION: The women-friendly care provision among mothers in the immediate post-partum period in this study area was found to be low against most of the pre-existing findings. Strong counseling on planned pregnancy and staying at a health facility after delivery is recommended.

COVID-19-related anxiety and knowledge toward its preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as 2019-nCoV cluster of acute respiratory illness with unknown causes, which occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in China, was first reported to World Health Organization country office as of December 30, 2019. People with medical illness are at a higher risk for coronavirus disease, and the pandemic influences mental health and causes psychological problems, particularly in those with chronic medical illness. Hence, this study aimed to assess coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety and the knowledge on its preventive measures among patients with medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and Arsi zones. OBJECTIVE: To assess coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety and knowledge toward coronavirus disease 2019 preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected hospitals of Bale and West Arsi zones, Southeast Ethiopia. A total of 633 study participants were included in this study, and data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A descriptive summary was computed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the associated factors. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of anxiety among chronic patients in this study was 6.3% (95% confidence interval: 4.6%-8.5%) and 420 (66.35%) had good knowledge on the preventive measures of coronavirus disease 2019. Factors significantly associated with anxiety among chronic patients were being educated (95% confidence interval: adjusted odds ratio = 0.26 (0.09-0.74)), being male (95% confidence interval: 2.69 (1.11-6.53)), and use of mask (95% confidence interval: 0.11 (0.05-0.26)). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety among chronic patients was high and being males, uneducated, and not using face mask was significantly associated with coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety.

Factors associated with maternal near-miss at public hospitals of South-East Ethiopia: An institutional-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal near-miss precedes maternal mortality, and women are still alive indicating that the numbers of near-misses occur more often than maternal mortality. This study aims to assess the prevalence of maternal near-miss and associated factors at public hospitals of Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility-based cross-sectional study design was carried out from 1 October 2018 to 28 February 2019, among 300 women admitted to maternity wards. A structured questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data. Epi-info for data entry and statistical package for social science for analysis were used. The descriptive findings were summarized using tables and text. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 were used to examine the association between the independent and dependent variables. RESULT: The prevalence of maternal near-miss in our study area was 28.7%. Age < 20 years, age at first marriage < 20 years, husbands with primary education, and being from rural areas are factors significantly associated with the prevalence of maternal near-miss. The zonal health department in collaboration with the education department and justice office has to mitigate early marriage by educating the community about the impacts of early marriage on health.

Compliance towards infection prevention measures among health professionals in public hospitals, southeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study with implications of COVID-19 prevention.

INTRODUCTION: The new coronavirus disease 2019 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by the highly contagious novel coronavirus which has currently overwhelmed the world. Realizing a comprehensive set of infection prevention measures is a key to minimize the spread of this virus and its impacts in all healthcare settings. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the compliance towards COVID-19 preventive measures and associated factors among health professionals in selected public hospitals, southeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 660 health professionals in public hospitals of southeast Ethiopia from October 1 to 31, 2020. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by interview using structured and pretested questionnaires. Ordinary logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio. To declare the statistical significance of factors associated with the outcome variable, P-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: A total of 654 health professionals were involved in the study; of whom, 313 participants were nurses. The overall good compliance and knowledge of health professionals regarding COVID-19 preventive measures were 21.6 and 25.5%, respectively. Working in the general hospital (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.38, 0.79), service year (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.35, 3.21), knowledge (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.14, 2.89), and water availability (AOR = 3.26; 95% CI 2.25, 4.72) were some of the factors found to have a statistically significant association to compliance of health professionals regarding COVID-19 preventive measures. CONCLUSION: In this study, nearly one fifth of health professionals had good compliance towards COVID-19 prevention practices. Thus, a consistent supply of COVID-19 prevention materials, facilities, and improving the knowledge of health professionals through on and off-job training are crucial.