Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among long-distance bus drivers in Addis Ababa terminals, Ethiopia, 2022: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a major public health problem that is often unrecognized, and its detection and control should be prioritized. The level of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors among long-distance bus drivers in Ethiopia is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the magnitude of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors among long-distance bus drivers in Addis Ababa bus terminals. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 long-distance bus drivers from December 15, 2021, to January 15 2022 at five cross-country bus terminals in Addis Ababa. A standardized and structured questionnaire was adapted based on the WHO stepwise approach to a non-communicable disease study and translated into Amharic. Data were coded, cleaned, and entered using Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Variables with a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were selected for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Independent variables with a P-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The magnitude of association between independent and dependent variables was measured by odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In this study, 391 study participants were involved with a response rate of 97.1%. The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 22.5% (CI: 18.7%, 26.6%). Poor level of knowledge (AOR: 2.00, CI: 1.08, 3.70), long duration of driving per day (AOR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.37-4.56), habit of chewing of chat (AOR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.44, 4.73), regular alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.70, 7.05), overweight (AOR:3.14, 95%CI: 1.54,6.42) obesity (AOR: 3.21, 95% CI 1.35, 7.61) and regular physical exercise (AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.29) were statistically significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among long-distance bus drivers was 22.5%, which was associated with modifiable behavioral factors, lack of regular physical exercise, lack of adequate awareness and high body mass index. RECOMMENDATION: Stakeholders must implement the necessary preventive measures. These include increasing the level of awareness of hypertension among long-distance drivers and developing prevention of hypertension strategies and policies focusing on lifestyle and behavioral modifications.

Antiretroviral Therapy Service Quality and Associated Factors at Selected Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021.

Background: It is important to offer high-quality HIV/AIDS treatment and antiretroviral medication to people living with the disease to improve health outcomes. The quality of health services has become a public health issue. Objective: To assess ART service quality and associated factors at a selected public hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2021. Methods: A mixed study design was used from April to May 2021. Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model of health care quality was employed as a framework. A total of 420 clients were interviewed to obtain quantitative data, and 08 key informant interviews and 357 program documents were reviewed. Quantitative data were checked, coded, and entered into Epi Info version 7.2 and exported into SPSS windows version 25.0. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with p-values < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify factors associated with client satisfaction. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using the ATLAS.ti version 8 software program and used to complement the quantitative findings. Results: The overall quality of ART services was 73.3% for the availability of resources, 79.5% for healthcare providers' compliance with the national guidelines, and 86.4% for client satisfaction with the quality of ART clinical services. Patients who disclosed their HIV status [AOR 10.7, 95% CI: 5.2-22], months of ART [AOR 10.4, 95% CI: 3.89-27.8], age group 34-44, 45-55, and 56-76 years were found to be 5.1, 8.1, and 5 [AOR 5.1,95% CI:1.2-22, AOR 8.1,95% CI:1.9-35.5, AOR 5,95% CI:2.97-9.44], respectively, and consultation time [AOR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6-7.35] were associated with client satisfaction on the quality of ART clinical services. Conclusion: This study revealed that the overall quality of ART services in selected Addis Ababa public hospitals was good, although with the availability of resources and compliance health care providers need improvement.