Quality of life of breast cancer patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although breast cancer has a markedly higher incidence in developed countries, seven out of ten deaths occur in developing countries, including Ethiopia. However, there is a limited information on the quality of life (QoL) among breast cancer patients in Ethiopia, notably in the Amhara region. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the QoL and its associated factors among patients with breast cancer in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from 25th March 2019 to 7th July 2019. A systematically selected sample of 256 breast cancer patients were participated in the study. A standardized interviewer-administered Amharic version questionnaire was used to collect the data. We used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30 (EORTC QLQ C30) and breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ-BR23) to measure QoL. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 23. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the predictors of QoL. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported to show the strength of the association. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of breast cancer patients had poor QoL (68.4%; 95% CI: 62.5-73.8). The mean score of QoL was 70.6 (standard deviation (SD) ±13.9; 95% CI: 69.0-72.4). All functional component scores were less than 75 on the symptom scale. Diarrhea (11.6), constipation (17.5), and dyspnea (24.7) were less noticeable symptoms. Being out of marriage (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.32-5.07), being poor (AOR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.32-5.03), being non-housewife (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.16-7.22), and being complaints of dyspnea (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.79-6.79), and insomnia (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.05-3.91) were significantly associated with QoL. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of poor QoL among breast cancer patients was high. Health care professionals should give attention to breast cancer patients who are out of marriage, poor and non-housewife while offering the recommended treatment courses.

Delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted at pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Delay in the diagnosis of childhood cancer is one of the major health problem that contribute to decreased survival rates of children particularly in developing nations. Despite advances in the field of pediatric oncology, cancer remains a leading cause of death in children. Diagnosis of childhood cancer as early as possible is crucial to reduce mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted to pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia 2022. METHOD: Institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from January1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. All 200 children were included in the study and Data were extracted through structured check-list. The data were entered using EPI DATA version 4.6 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for data analysis. RESULTS: From the total of two hundred pediatric patients 44% had delayed diagnosis and the median delay diagnosis was 68 days. Rural residence (AOR = 1.96; 95%CI = 1.08-3.58), absence of health insurance (AOR = 2.21; 95%CI = 1.21-4.04), Hodgkin lymphoma (AOR = 9.36; 95%CI = 2.1-41.72), Retinoblastoma (AOR = 4.09; 95%CI = 1.29-13.02), no referral (AOR = 6.3; 95%CI = 2.15-18.55) and absence of comorbid disease (AOR = 2.14; 95%CI = 1.17-3.94) were significant factors associated with delay in diagnosis. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Delayed in diagnosis of childhood cancer was relatively lower than previous studies and most influenced by the child's residency, health insurance, type of cancer and comorbid disease. Thus; every effort should be made to promote public and parental understanding of childhood cancer, promote health insurance and referral.

Iodine status, impact of knowledge, and practice for adequate iodized salt utilization in house hold at North West Ethiopia.

Introduction: Iodine is one of the crucial micronutrients required for the normal growth of humans from the fetal stage to adulthood through the synthesis of thyroxin (t3) and triiodothyronine (t4) hormones in the thyroid gland for regulation of metabolism, protein synthesis, and brain development. This study aimed to assess iodine status, the impact of knowledge and practice for adequate iodized salt utilization in household levels in North West Ethiopia. Method: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out using multistage sampling among 1398 residents from 28 December 2021 to 30 January 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and then exported to STATA/R version 14 for further analysis. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was used to declare statistical significance at p < 0.05. Result: The overall mean (±SD) age of participants was 34.9 (±12.8) years. About 678 (48.5%) had 15-80 ppm, 23 (1.6%) had >80 ppm, 533 (38.13%) had 1.1 ppm to 14.9 ppm, and 147 (10.5) had no iodine in salt (0 ppm) after assessed by Rapid Test Kit. Only 48.5% of the sampled household had used adequate iodized salt with ≥15 ppm. The overall burden of goiter was estimated at 11.4/1000 population. Adequate iodized salt utilization was significantly associated with having formal education (adjusted odds ratio = 1.89: 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 2.6, p = 0.001), monthly income ≥5000 ETB/month (adjusted odds ratio = 1.99: 95% confidence interval: 1.5, 2.9, p = 0.001), and good knowledge score (adjusted odds ratio = 1.6: 95% confidence interval: 1.12, 2.6, p = 0.03) were predictors for proper iodized salt utilization. Conclusion: Coverage of adequately iodized salt was low and respondents' formal education, monthly income ≥5000 Ethiopian Birr/month, and good knowledge score were all significantly associated with proper iodized salt utilization. While the prevalence of goiter was not significantly identified as a public health problem as compared in the regions, however, in light of previous iodine deficiency in this region of Ethiopia, the salt iodization program should be done continually.

Clinical Prediction Model Development and Validation for the Detection of Newborn Sepsis, Diagnostic Research Protocol.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of sickness and death in the entire world. Diagnosis is usually difficult because of the nonspecific clinical symptoms and the paucity of laboratory diagnostics in many low- and middle-income nations (LMICs). Clinical prediction models may increase diagnostic precision and rationalize the use of antibiotics in neonatal facilities, which could lead to a decrease in antimicrobial resistance and better neonatal outcomes. Early detection of newborn sepsis is critical to prevent serious consequences and reduce the need for unneeded drugs. Objective: The aim is to develop and validate a clinical prediction model for the detection of newborn sepsis. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an institution will be carried out. The sample size was determined by assuming 10 events per predictor, based on this assumption, the total sample sizes were 467. Data will be collected using a structured checklist through chart review. Data will be coded, inputted, and analyzed using R statistical programming language version 4.0.4 after being entered into Epidata version 3.02 and further processed and analyzed. Bivariable logistic regression will be done to identify the relationship between each predictor and neonatal sepsis. In a multivariable logistic regression model, significant factors (P< 0.05) will be kept, while variables with (P< 0.25) from the bivariable analysis will be added. By calculating the area under the ROC curve (discrimination) and the calibration plot (calibration), respectively, the model's accuracy and goodness of fit will be evaluated.

Food Safety Knowledge, Handling Practices and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers Working in Food Establishments in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Foodborne illness is a major public health problem worldwide. The supply of safe and healthy food is crucial to prevent foodborne illness. However, evidence regarding food safety knowledge and handling practice is limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess food safety knowledge, handling practice, and its associated factors among food handlers in Debre Markos Town, North West Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 408 randomly selected food handlers at Debre-Markos town. A structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect relevant data. The main outcome of interest was food safety and handling practice. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors significantly associated with food safety knowledge and food handling practice. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: In this study, only 34.1% of food handlers had good food safety knowledge and nearly 54% of food handlers had good food handling practice. Level of education (AOR = 0.23 (0.14-0.57)), training on food safety (AOR = 5.13 (3.57-7.82)), and favorable attitudes towards food safety (AOR=2.54 (1.52-4.25)) were the factors associated with knowledge of food safety. Similarly, training (AOR=2.05, 95% CI=1.31-3.19), a good level of knowledge (AOR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.40, 3.17), and work experience (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.10-2.81) were positively associated with good food handling practice. CONCLUSION: In this study, the level of food safety knowledge and handling practices were relatively low. Therefore, the concerned bodies should work on the identified factors to improve food handlers' knowledge of food safety and practice level. Continuous training for food handlers should be given.