Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems. Globally, COPD is the third leading cause of death and low- and middle-income countries account for the majority of these deaths. There is limited information on COPD's prevalence in East Africa. Thus the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate the pooled prevalence of COPD in East Africa.A computerized systematic search using multiple databases was performed in search of relevant English articles from the inception of the databases to August 2023. All the authors independently extracted the data. R and RStudio software were used for statistical analysis. Forest plots and tables were used to represent the data. The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. There was heterogeneity between the included articles. Therefore, a meta-analysis of random effects models was used to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of COPD in East Africa. A funnel plot test was used to examine possible publication bias.The database search produced 512 papers. After checking for inclusion and exclusion criteria, 43 full-text observational studies with 68 553 total participants were found suitable for the review. The overall pooled prevalence of COPD in East Africa was 13.322%. The subgroup analysis found the COPD pooled prevalence in the different countries was 18.994%, 7%, 15.745%, 9.032%, 15.026% and 11.266% in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Sudan, and Kenya, respectively. Additionally, the subgroup analysis of COPD by study setting among community-based studies was 12.132% and 13.575% for hospital-based studies.According to the study's findings, approximately one of every seven individuals in East Africa has COPD, indicating a notably high prevalence of the disease. Thus governments and other stakeholders working on non-communicable disease control should place an emphasis on preventive measures to minimize the burden of COPD.

Magnitude of kangaroo mother care practice and its associated factors in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia, 2019: cross-sectional study design.

Introduction: kangaroo mother care is an evidence based approach care of preterm and low birth weight infants carried skin-to-skin with the parents that can decrease morbidity and mortality of infant. Country level adoption and practice of kangaroo mother care has been limited and global coverage remains low and few studies have examined the reasons for low practice. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of kangaroo mother care practice and its associated factors in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: an institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in public general hospitals of Tigray, northern Ethiopia, 2019. Two-stage sampling technique was used and an interviewer-administered questionnaire were used to collect the necessary information. The data were cleaned and entered using epi-Data version 3.1 then exported to stoical package for social science (SPSS) version 22.0 for analysis. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariable analysis were carried out at adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI and significance level p-value (<0.05). Results: out of the total 844 selected mothers with their infants, 840 were participated in the study yielding to a response rate of 99.5%, of these respondent's kangaroo mother care practice was found to be 70.2%. Being mothers housewife [(AOR=4.12, 95% CI: (1.5, 0.11)], maternal age [(AOR=9.3, 95% CI: (2.5, 33.9 )], currently mode delivery [(AOR=5.39, 95% CI: (2.3, 12.25)], number of children [(AOR=8.38, 95%: (4.6, 15.3)], mother having ≥5 children [(AOR=18.2, 95%CI: (9.4, 35.4)], antenatal care [(AOR=3.299 95%CI: (1.54, 7.07)] were factors at p-value (<0.05) significantly associated with kangaroo mother care practice. Conclusion: in this study, maternal age, parity, antenatal care, occupation and mode of delivery were factors that influence kangaroo mother care practice in the study area, so healthcare providers, policymakers and other stakeholders should give special focuses on those influencing factors.

Prevalence of hypertension among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension among diabetic patients is a worldwide public health challenge and a leading modifiable risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases and death. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. METHODS: The studies were selected using PubMed, Embase, Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative and Cochrane Library databases and Google searches. Two independent authors carried out the data extraction using a predetermined and structured method of data collection. R version 3.5.3 and RStudio version 1.2.5003 were used for analysing the data. To assess possible publication bias, funnel plot test methods were used. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were used to publish the results. This study was registered in the Prospective Register Systematic Reviews (CRD42020170649). RESULTS: A total of 218 articles were identified but only 6 six full-text abstract papers were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The random effects model analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in Ethiopia was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49 to 61). The subgroup analysis of the pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 DM patients in the Oromia and Southern regions was 51% (95% CI 42 to 59) and 58% (95% CI 54 to 63), respectively. The pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 DM patients was higher among urban residents (60% [95% CI 54 to 67] and 52% [95% CI 41 to 63] among urban and rural residents, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 DM patients in Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures should be implemented to reduce the burden of hypertension among DM patients in Ethiopia.

Determinants of Preeclampsia among Women Attending Delivery Services in Public Hospitals of Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia occurs in up to 5% of all pregnancies, in 10% of first pregnancies, and 20-25% of women with a history of chronic hypertension. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the determinants of preeclampsia among women attending delivery services in public hospitals of central Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia were cases, and women who had no preeclampsia were controls admitted to the same hospitals. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants for both cases and controls. The data were entered in EPI data 3.1 statistical software and, then, exported to SPSS Version 22 for cleaning and analysis. RESULTS: Family history of hypertension (AOR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.92), family history of preeclampsia (AOR: 5.24; 95% CI: 1.85, 14.80), history of diabetes mellitus (AOR: 4.31; 95% CI: 1.66, 11.21), anemia (AOR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.18, 8.86), history of preeclampsia on prior pregnancy (AOR: 5.55; 95% CI: 1.80, 17.10), primigravida (AOR: 5.41; 95% CI: 2.85, 10.29), drinking alcohol during pregnancy (AOR: 4.06; 95% CI: 2.20, 7.52), and vegetable intake during pregnancy (AOR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.74) were significantly associated with preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that a family history of hypertension and preeclampsia; a history of diabetes mellitus and anemia; and a history of preeclampsia on prior pregnancy, primigravida, and drinking alcohol were found to be risk factors for preeclampsia. However, vegetable intake was found to be a protective factor for the development of preeclampsia.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Currently, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the seriousness of this problem, limited evidence is available on the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy among patients with diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, there were no updated studies that estimate the national prevalence of DPN. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis provided a national prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy among patients with diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia. METHODS: This study was submitted for registration with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) in March 2020 and accepted with the registration number CRD42020173831. Different database searching engines were searched online to retrieve related articles, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, World Health Organization (WHO) Afro Library, and Cochrane Review. The reviewers used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline in the reviewing process. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, all published and unpublished articles were analyzed. The reviewers used the random effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy among diabetes mellitus patients. The reviewers conducted the statistical analysis using the R version 3.5.3 and RStudio version 1.2.5033 software for Windows. The reviewers evaluated the heterogeneity across the included studies by the inconsistency index (I 2). The reviewers examined the publication bias by the funnel plot. RESULTS: The search of the databases produced 245 papers. After checking the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 38 articles with 14029 total patients with diabetes mellitus were found suitable for the review. Except for three (retrospective cohort study), all studies were cross-sectional. The overall pooled prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 22% (95% CI 18% to 26%). The subgroup analysis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy among patients with diabetes in the different regions was 23% (95% CI 17% to 29%) in Addis Ababa, 27% (95% CI 16% to 38%) in Oromia, 16% (95% CI 14% to 18%) in South nation and nationalities, and 15% (95% CI 6% to 24%) in Amhara. CONCLUSIONS: More than one-fifth of patients with diabetes have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. According to this study, the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Ethiopia is considerably high. This evidence suggests that attention should be given to patients with diabetes in monitoring patients' blood glucose.

Prevalence of Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in a Public General Hospital, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study Design.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a global health problem, particularly in pregnant women. Despite the limited studies performed in different parts of Ethiopia, the information about the prevalence of undernutrition of pregnant women in the current study area is not documented. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors in pregnant women. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in the Tigray region from August 01 to December 30, 2018. Study subjects were selected by systematic sampling technique from the respective hospitals. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were cleaned and entered using Epi-Data version 3.1 and then exported to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23.0 for analysis. Multivariate analyses were carried out, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% CI and significance level (p value) <0.05 were considered. RESULTS: Out of the total 844 selected pregnant women, 840 participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 99.5%; of this, respondent's undernutrition prevalence was found to be 40.6% with 95% confidence interval (38.93% and 42.27%). Agriculture as occupation (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5, 4.5), women who wanted the pregnancy (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.448), no history malaria during pregnancy (AOR = 0.291, 95%: (0.152, 0.555)), coffee intake during pregnancy (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.69), and hemoglobin < 11 g/dl (AOR = 4.9, 95% CI: 3.09, 7.8) were the factors that were significantly associated with undernutrition, p value (<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, occupation, history of having malaria during pregnancy, wanted type pregnancy, coffee intake during pregnancy, and hemoglobin < 11 g/dl were factors significantly associated with undernutrition in pregnant mothers. So, healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders should give special focus on these factors.

The burden, admission, and outcomes of COVID-19 among asthmatic patients in Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak is the first reported case in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and suddenly became a major global health concern. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, on August 4, 2020 the reported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 were 18,456,952 cases worldwide, 11,691,229 recovered with 697,719 deaths. Evidence on Burden, admission and outcome of Coronavirus Disease in 2019 among Asthmatic patients has not been published in Africa. This research protocol will, therefore, be driven to conduct systematic review and meta-analysis of the Coronavirus Disease in 2019 burden, admission and outcome among Asthmatic patients in Africa. METHODS: All observational studies among Asthmatic patients in Africa and written without language limitation will be included. A search technique was applied using Databases (PubMed / MEDLINE, EMBASE, HINARI, Cochrane Library, World Health Organization COVID-19 database, Africa Wide Knowledge and Web of Science). Two independent authors carried out data extraction and assess the risk of bias using a predetermined and structured method of data collection. We will use random-effects to estimate the overall pooled burden, admission and outcome of COVID-19 Asthmatic patients in Africa. To assess possible publication bias, funnel plot test and Egger's test methods will be used. This systematic and meta-analysis review protocol will be reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol guidelines. DISCUSSION: The description will be used to show the COVID-19 distribution data by interest variables such as residence, setting, and person-level characteristics. The findings of this review will notify health care professionals about the burden, admission and outcome of COVID - 19 in asthmatic patient, while providing evidence to bring about the requisite improvements in clinical practice for asthmatic patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This review is registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic reviews with the registration number of CRD42020202049.

Prevalence and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at Northern Ethiopia, 2019: cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: uncontrolled hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular morbidities and mortalities. This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension among adult hypertensive patients. METHODS: hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 396 hypertensive patients. Respondents were interviewed and their medical charts were reviewed using pretested structured questionnaire. Bivariable logistic regression was employed to examine the crude associations between the outcome variable and determinant variables. This was followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis using those variables with P-value ≤ 0.25 in the bivariable analysis. RESULTS: of the total 396 hypertensive patients the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was found to be 48.6%. One fourth (26.1%), 231(59.1%), 289(73.9%), and 151(38.6%) hypertensive respondents were non adherent to anti-hypertensive medication, physical exercise, low salt diet, and weight management respectively. Age ≥50 years old (AOR = 2.33, 95%CI: 1.25, 4.35), non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medication, (AOR = 1.82 95%CI: 1.08, 3.04), non-adherence to physical exercise (AOR = 1.79 95%CI: 1.13, 2.83), non-adherence to low-salt diet (AOR = 1.98 95%CI: 1.18,3.31), and non-adherence to weight management (AOR = 2.06, 95%CI: 1.31, 3.23) were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension. CONCLUSION: the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was high. Older hypertensive patients, non-adherent to their medications, physical inactivity, non-adherent to low salt diet and non-adherent to weight management were more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension. Therefore, more effort should be dedicated to those identified modifiable risk factors to maximize blood pressure control.

Early sexual debut and associated factors among secondary school students of central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Early sexual debut is common among young people and it has several sexual and reproductive health consequences. But, its burden and the associated factors leading to this behavior haven't received due attention. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of sexual debut in the preparatory and high school students of Aksum town. METHODS: A school-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was used for this research work. A total of 519 preparatory and high school regular students participated in the survey. The sample population was obtained by using a simple random sampling technique from each schooling proportion with their number of students. Data, that were collected using self administered questionnaires, were entered into EpiData 3.02 and analyzed in SPSS 22.0. Results were presented using frequencies, tables and graphs. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value <0.05. RESULTS: Of the total participants, 266 (51.3%) were males. The age of the participants ranged from 13 to 23 years with a mean age of 16.3 ± 1.47 years. Of the total participants, 137(26.2%) had sexual experience, among which 119 (87.5%) had an early sexual debut at an average age of 13.7 + 1.4 years. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with an early sexual debut were gender (AOR=3.41; 95% CI: 1.54, 6.99), residence (AOR=0.44; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.81), alcohol drinking (AOR=5.5; 95% CI: 2.2, 14.8), cigarette smoking (AOR=3.3; 95% CI: 2.3, 7.5), exposure to pornography, such as reading/seeing pornographic materials (AOR=7.4; 95% CI: 4.4, 11.78), living arrangement for educational purpose (AOR= 0.43; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.89), grade (AOR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.68) and monthly living allowance (AOR=0.419; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.9). CONCLUSION: A significant number of students reported early sexual debut. Gender, place of residence, alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, exposure to pornography, grade and living arrangement for educational purpose and monthly living allowance were significant predictors of an early sexual debut.

Adherence to insulin therapy and associated factors among patients with diabetes mellitus in public hospitals of Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to insulin therapy is a critical factor for adequate control of diabetes mellitus. Despite the multiple well-known benefits of adherence to insulin therapy, poor adherence remains to be a common cause of diabetes mellitus-related complications. A better management of diabetes mellitus requires determining the level of patient adherence and identifying why non-adherence to insulin therapy occurs. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the level of adherence to insulin therapy and associated factors among diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: The study was conducted from May 1 to July 1, 2018, using a cross-sectional study design. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed for data collection and systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. The collected data were entered using Epi data version 3.1.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Logistic analysis was carried out to check the level of association between adherence to insulin therapy and the independent variables with significance level of 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: 273 respondents were selected with a 100% response rate. Near to one-fourth (24.2%) of the respondents were adherent to their insulin therapy. The study revealed that good knowledge of diabetes mellitus [AOR=6.51; 95% CI [1.58, 26.71], age [>30 years] [AOR=2.63; 95% CI [1.27, 5.42], knowledge regarding insulin self-injection [AOR=4.21; 95%CI [1.06,16.65], favorable attitude towards insulin injection [AOR=2.14; 95% CI [1.04,4.41], free-of-cost insulin therapy [AOR= 4.62, 95% CI [1.06,16.65], having of glucometer at home [AOR= 2.82, 95% CI [1.12,7.09], and being a member of Ethiopian diabetic association [AOR= 5.41, 95% CI [2.31,12.64] were found to significantly affect adherence to insulin therapy. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-fourth of the study participants were adherent to their insulin therapy. Good knowledge and favorable attitude towards insulin injection, good knowledge regarding diabetes mellitus, being a member of the Ethiopian Diabetes Association, age greater than thirty years old, free-of-cost insulin therapy and having glucometer at home were found to be significant predictors of adherence to insulin therapy.

Risk factors of stillbirth among mothers delivered in public hospitals of Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Stillbirth is a death before the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother. The burden is severe and high in developing countries. Risk factors for stillbirth are not yet studied in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors of stillbirth among mothers delivered in public hospitals of Central Zone Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS: A case-control study design was used. Data collection period was from January to April 2018. Study subjects 63 cases and 252 controls were selected using systematic random sampling technique from respective hospitals. The interviewer-administered questionnaire, observational, and chart analysis were used to collect the data. A binary logistic regression model was employed. Results were presented at significance level P-value <0.05. RESULTS: Maternal hypertension [AOR=12.83; 95% CI 3.38, 48.83], low birth weight [AOR=5.6; 95% CI 2.39, 13.38], pre-term [AOR=2.6;95%CI 1.12,6.16], alcohol intake [AOR=7.56; 95% CI 1.68, 34.04], polyhydramnios [AOR=13.43; 95% CI 3.63, 49.67], and meconium stained amniotic fluid [AOR=7.88; 95% CI 1.73, 8.18] were risk factors of stillbirth. CONCLUSION: The risk of stillbirth is increased with increasing maternal complication like maternal hypertension, alcohol consumption, polyhydramnios, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. The occurrence of preterm and low birth weight of the fetus had an effect on the risk of stillbirth.

Risky sexual behavior practice and associated factors among secondary and preparatory school students of Aksum town, northern Ethiopia, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: As adolescence is a stage in which human beings face once throughout a lifetime and it is the experimental period for this reason risky sexual behavior is common among young people, and it has several sexual and reproductive health consequences. But it doesn't get enough attention the status of risky sexual behavior practice and factors' contributing to it, so this study aimed to identify the prevalence of risky sexual behavior and factors associated with it. RESULTS: From the total respondents 115 (23.7%) had history of sexual intercourse and the mean age for sexual initiation is 15.48 ± 1.99 year. From whom 110 (98.2%) had sexual contact below the age of 18 and only 68 (60.8%) initiate first sex by their own willing. Overall 97 (19.6%) had practiced risky sexual behaviors. Students not facing peer pressure were 0.36 times less likely to develop risk sexual behavior (AOR = 0.357, 95% CI 0.172, 0.744).

Intimate partner physical violence and associated factors in reproductive age married women in Aksum Town, Tigray, Ethiopia 2018, and community based study.

OBJECTIVE: As reports indicated about 1 in 3 of women worldwide have experienced physical violence but there is no enough reports on the current status of the act in Aksum town so this study intended to identify the prevalence and factors associated with physical violence of reproductive age married women in Aksum town Tigray Ethiopia. RESULT: A total of 398 women were enrolled in the study and making a response rate of 100%. 112 (28.1%) women had physical violence in their lifetime. Educational level of women (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.28, 6.7), Occupation of women's (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI 2.32, 12.8), age of husband (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI 2.3, 11.5), husbands having other wife (AOR = 7.8; 95% CI 4.2, 18.9) and husbands having alcohol habits (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.74, 14.7) had significant association with physical violence.

Nursing documentation practice and associated factors among nurses in public hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate documentation practice and factors affecting documentation practice among nurses working in public hospital of Tigray region, Ethiopia. RESULTS: In this study, there were 317 participants with 99.7% response rate. The result of this study shows that practice nursing care documentation was inadequate (47.8%). Inadequacy of documenting sheets AOR = 3.271, 95% CI (1.125, 23.704), inadequacy of time AOR = 2.205, 95% CI (1.101, 3.413) and with operational standard of nursing documentation AOR = 2.015, 95% CI (1.205, 3.70) were significantly associated with practice of nursing care documentation. To conclude, more than half of nurses were not documented their nursing care. Employing institutions should provide training on documentation of nursing care to enhance knowledge and create awareness on nurses' documentation to nursing directors and chief executive officer to access adequate documenting supplies besides employing more nurses.

Determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients in Public Hospitals of the Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia 2018: unmatched case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension, among diabetic patients, is a worldwide public-health challenge and a leading modifiable risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases. The main purpose of this study was to identify determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients. METHODS: Data were collected from January to March 2018 using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data collectors and supervisors were trained before the period of data collection. The questionnaire was pretested on 5% of the sample at Suhul hospital. Bivariable logistic regression was employed to examine the crude associations between the outcome variable and determinant variables. This was followed by multivariable analysis to examine the determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients by selecting variables which had p value ≤0.2 in the bivariable analysis. RESULTS: The age range of the respondents was 18-80 years, with the median age of 51.56±14.92 years. Not attending diabetes mellitus education sessions (AOR=2.61, 95% CI (1.12,6.1), duration since diagnosis with diabetes (AOR=8.52; 95% CI (1.97, 36.84), poor glycemic control (AOR=22.99, 95CI (5.92,89.28), overweight (AOR=4.84, 95%CI (1.42,16.51), and non-adherence to diabetes medication (AOR=4.66, 95% CI (2.22,9.79), diet (AOR=9.70,95% CI (3.34,28.22), exercise (AOR= 5.47, 95% CI (2.35,12.75), and self-monitoring blood glucose (AOR=6.62, 95% CI (3.16, 13.86) were found to be the determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: This research concludes that longer duration with diabetes, nonattendance of diabetes education sessions, poor glycemic control, and not-adherence to antidiabetic medications, diet, exercise and self-monitoring blood glucose were found to be the determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients.

Prevalence and associated factors of chronic kidney disease among adult hypertensive patients in Tigray teaching hospitals: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and to identify associated factors of chronic kidney disease among hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among selected 578 hypertensive patients. Data were collected using face to face interviewing questionnaires and from medical chart review. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULT: Of the total 578 hypertensive patients the prevalence of chronic kidney disease was found to be 128 (22.1%). Of these hypertensive patients, patients with uncontrolled blood pressure, overweight/obesity, dyslipidemia and diabetic mellitus, 43.3%, 33.7%, 27.3% and 28.2 respectively. After adjustment, the independent variables the significant associated factors of chronic kidney disease among hypertensive patients were age [AOR (95% CI 1.43 (1.07-1.81)], uncontrolled hypertension 4.434 [AOR (95% CI 9.45 (1.34, 14.73)], overweight/obese [AOR (95% CI 7.422 (2.72, 20.28)], dyslipidemia [AOR (95% CI) 13.749 (5.69, 33.215)], diabetic mellitus [AOR (95% CI) 2.137 (1.07, 4.26)]. In conclusion, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease was considerably high. The major associated factors of chronic kidney disease were age, uncontrolled hypertension, overweight/obese, diabetic mellitus and dyslipidemia.

Immediate newborn care of knowledge, practice and associated factors among health care providers in Northwestern Zonal health facilities Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the immediate newborn care of knowledge, practice and associated factors among healthcare providers in Northwestern Zonal health facilities Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018. RESULTS: Among the total healthcare providers, who participated in this study, 64.8% had good knowledge and 59.8% of the respondents had a good level of essential newborn care practice. Unavailability of adequate materials (like guidelines, drug, etc.) and training status were significant variables with knowledge and practice of newborn care.

Determinants of hypothermia on neonates admitted to the intensive care unit of public hospitals of Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia 2017: unmatched case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify determinants of hypothermia in neonates in neonatal intensive care unit of public hospitals of Central Zone Tigray, Ethiopia in 2017. RESULTS: A total of 88 cases and 176 controls were included in this study. Ninety-one percent cases and 86.4% controls were in the 1st week of neonate age. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that delayed initiation of breastfeeding [AOR = 7.23; 95% CI (2.75, 18.99)], low birth weight [AOR = 8.51; 95% CI (2.71, 26.73)], preterm [AOR = 3.689; 95% CI (1.359, 10.012)], low APGAR score at 5th min [AOR = 3.71; 95% CI (1.57, 8.79)], skin to skin contact [AOR = 6.23; 95% CI (2.523, 15.358)], night time delivery [AOR = 6.25; 95% CI (2.58, 15.12)] and bathed within 24 h [AOR = 10.06; 95% CI (3.86, 26.22)] were independent risk factors of neonatal hypothermia.

Risk factors of preterm birth among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of central zone, Tigray, Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study 2017/2018.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors for preterm birth in public hospitals of the central zone, Tigray, Ethiopia 2017/2018. RESULT: A total of 88 neonates who born preterm (cases) and 176 neonates who born term (controls) with their index mothers were included making a response rate of 100%. About 84/88 (95.5%) mothers in cases and 173/176 (98.3%) in control had antenatal care follow up. Among them, 33 (39.3%) cases and 102 (58%) controls were had antenatal care follow up four times and above. In multiple logistic regression at P-value < 0.05, mothers with ANC follow up less than four [AOR 95% CI 2.15 (1.19, 3.85)], mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension [AOR 3.245; 95% CI (1.58, 6.67)], multiple pregnancy [AOR 2.47; 95% CI (1.14, 5.33)], fetal distress [AOR 4.0; 95% CI (1.9, 8.2)] and birth defect [AOR 3.19; 95% CI (1.22, 8.34)] were independent risk factors of preterm delivery.

Risk factors of birth asphyxia among newborns in public hospitals of Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia 2018.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to identify risk factors of birth asphyxia among newborns in public hospitals of Central Zone Tigray, Ethiopia 2018. RESULTS: A total of 88 cases and 176 controls were included in the study. Thirty (34.1%) cases and 28 (15.9%) of controls were not able to read and write. Twenty-one (23.9%) cases and 9 (5.1%) controls were had meconium stained on pelvic examination. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that maternal illiteracy [AOR = 6; 95% CI (1.51, 23.80)], low birth weight [AOR = 6.9; 95% CI (3.01, 15.81)], preterm [AOR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.022, 4.76)], prim parous [AOR = 3.1; 95% CI (1.51, 6.38)], antepartum hemorrhage [AOR = 12; 95% CI (2.29, 63.11)] and meconium stained amniotic fluid [AOR = 7.88; 95% CI (2.92, 21.29)] were independent risk factors of birth asphyxia.