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Objective: We aimed to assess performance parameters in a Hawassa Tuberculosis Culture Laboratory, in the Sidama Regional Public Health Institute. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 27 October 2020 and 31 May 2021, on 439 clinical specimens. The specimens were processed using standard procedures, and the final suspension was inoculated into a Microbial Growth Indicator Tube and Lowenstein–Jensen media slant. Ziehl–Neelsen staining and the Bioline test kit were used to identify and confirm Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 26). Results: Out of a total of 439 specimens that were processed, the recovery rates for smear-positive specimens were 61% (25 out of 41) and 58.5% (24 out of 41) for the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube, and the Lowenstein–Jensen methods, respectively. For smear-negative samples, the recovery rates were 4.5% (18 out of 398) for both methods. Only 4 (0.9%) specimens were rejected. The mean turnaround times to detect mycobacteria from smear-positive samples were 14 and 32 days for the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube and Lowenstein–Jensen methods, respectively. The standard deviations were ±6.3 days and ±9.7 days, respectively. For smear-negative samples, the mean turnaround times were 17.7 and 31 days for the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube and Lowenstein–Jensen methods, respectively. The standard deviations were ±9.2 days and ±9.6 days, respectively. The contamination rates for the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube and Lowenstein–Jensen methods were 9.8% (43 out of 439) and 9.6% (42 out of 439), respectively. The detection rate of nontuberculosis mycobacteria was 1.4% (6 out of 439). Conclusion: It demands attention to improve the low recovery rate among smear-negative cultures and culture contamination rates.

Introduction: Tracer medicines are medicines that must be available in sufficient quantities at all times to satisfy the priority health care needs of the population. Inventory mismanagement of these medicines poses significant challenges to public health systems, especially in countries like Ethiopia, where access to healthcare services is already limited. Objective: This study aims to assess inventory management performance for tracer medicines at public health facilities of the southwest Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Method: Concurrent triangulation mixed-method study was conducted from 1 to 30 June 2022. The quantitative data were collected using interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaires and observational checklists. The qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with key informants. The quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS version 26 and Excel spreadsheet version 16. We calculated the stock-out rate, inventory accuracy rate, percentage of facilities that fulfill appropriate storage conditions, percentage of facilities that submitted reports on time, and received the exact quantity of drugs they ordered. Qualitative data were analyzed manually using the thematic content analysis technique. Results: The inventory accuracy rate for tracer medicines was 76% for hospitals and 72.5% for health centers. The overall mean stock-out rate was 24.99%. Bin card updating practice was 93.3%, and only 25% health facilities met the acceptable storage conditions criteria. Among submitted reports, 88.8% were timely reported, 72.2% were accurate, and 75% were complete. Inventory management challenges include a shortage of supplies from the supplier and in the market, price inflation, inadequate training, lack of supportive supervision, insufficient IT and storage infrastructures, lack of communication, and budget constraints. Conclusion: From this finding, we concluded that facilities’ report quality, inventory record accuracy, storage conditions, and logistics management information system needs improvements. Therefore, Ministry of Health, assessed facilities and Ethiopian pharmaceuticals Supply Services should take measures to improve them.

Introduction: Immunization helps reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to severe vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses. However, vaccination coverage and the quality of immunization data remain challenging in Ethiopia. This has led to poor planning, suboptimal vaccination coverage, and the resurgence of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in under-immunized pocket areas. The problem is further compounded by the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of the health information system due to recurrent conflict. This study assessed the current status of the immunization service and its challenges in Ethiopia. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in three regions of Ethiopia from 21 to 31 May, 2023. A survey of administrative reports was done in a total of 69 health facilities in 14 woredas (districts). Nine KIIs were conducted at a district level among immunization coordinators selected from three regions to explore the challenges of the immunization program. Linear regression and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the qualitative data. The findings from the qualitative data were triangulated to supplement the quantitative results. Result: Two-thirds (66.4%) of the children were fully vaccinated, having received all vaccines, including the first dose of the MCV1, by 12 months of age, as reported through administrative reports collected from health facility records. Catchment area population size and region were significantly associated with the number of fully immunized children ( p

Objective: This study aimed to determine the burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its associations with overweight/obesity and impaired blood glucose among diabetic patients in Eastern Ethiopia. Method: A total of 644 diabetic individuals were included in the study through systematic random sampling techniques. The Michigan neuropathy screening instrument was used to evaluate the presence of diabetic neuropathy. Data were presented using narrative, figures, and tables from the results of statistical analysis. The descriptive result was reported using frequency (percentage) for categorical variables and mean ± SD for continuous measures, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Results: The overall prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 47.8% (95% CI: 43.9%–51.7%). Low monthly income (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.73), history of khat chewing (AOR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.907), impaired blood glucose (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.63, 1.94), physical inactivity (AOR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.74, 4.36), and raised body mass index (AOR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.99) were factors significantly associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the value of early diabetic peripheral neuropathy detection and the widespread presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy risk factors in diabetes patients. Any initiative intended to lessen the burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy-related morbidity and high health care costs must be implemented as a strategy.

Background: Postabortion contraception is the initiation and use of postabortion contraceptive methods immediately after an abortion. It is a critical approach for preventing unwanted pregnancy, alleviating its complications, and avoiding repeated abortions by promoting immediate postabortion contraceptives provision. Objective: To assess the level of postabortion contraceptives uptake and its associated factors among clients visiting abortion care services in public hospitals in West Shewa Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Methods and materials: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public hospitals in the West Shewa Zone from 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021, among 227 proportionally allocated clients based on the proportion of the client served in the previous 3 months of the study period. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured and pretested questionnaire from women who received the abortion services. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the association of independent variables with postabortion contraceptive uptake. Findings with p -value of 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall postabortion contraception uptake among abortion service clients in public hospitals was 164 (74%) while about 42% of them used long-term contraceptive methods. Postabortion contraceptive uptake was significantly associated with media exposure to postabortion family planning information (adjusted odds ratio: 3.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.03–11.27)) and counseling on postabortion family planning (adjusted odds ratio: 20.48 (95% confidence interval: 5.02–83.64)). Conclusion: Level of postabortion contraceptive method uptake in West Shewa was low as compared to the national target. Greater attention should be given on providing postabortion contraceptive counseling to increase the postabortion contraceptive uptake.

Objective: The effect of indoor air pollution from different fuel types on the anemia status among non-pregnant women is rarely studied. This study aimed to assess the link between indoor air pollution from different fuel types and anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive ages in Ethiopia. Method: The secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data have been employed for this study. The anemia status of women in reproductive age was the outcome variable with multiple outcomes as (moderate to severe, mild, and no anemia) and households using biomass fuel and clean fuel were selected for this study. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to estimate the association of biomass fuel use with the anemia status controlling for the predictor variables. Relative risk ratio was calculated at 95% confidence interval. An independent-sample t-test was used to assess the mean difference in blood hemoglobin level (g/dL) between the two fuel users. A p value

Objective: Undernutrition in the elderly has adverse effects on physiological functions and various clinical outcomes. In Ethiopia, similar to many developing countries, there is a dearth of epidemiological data on the nutritional status of the elderly. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among the elderly population enrolled in the Public Servants Social Security Agency in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 337 elderly adults from June to August 2020. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Tool Short Form assessed the nutritional status of the elderly. Data were entered in Epi Data software version 3.1 and transferred to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Ordinal logistic regression assessed factors associated with undernutrition, using variables with a p value less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Result: The magnitude of undernutrition was 16.6% and 45.1% were at risk of undernutrition. Being unable to read and write (odds ratio (OR) = 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.98–6.72), elderly with morbidities (OR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.15–3.64), low dietary diversity score (OR = 3.52; 95% CI, 1.63–7.60), and elderly who were food insecure (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37–0.95) were significantly associated with undernutrition. Conclusion: The magnitude of undernutrition among the elderly is a public health issue. Independent predictors include educational status, morbidity, dietary diversity, and food insecurity. Intervention programs need to focus on the elderly’s nutrition, access to healthy foods, and other health issues.

Objectives: Maternal undernutrition is a burning issue in Ethiopia. However, updated evidence is limited in the eastern part of the country; particularly the mental health-related factors of undernutrition. The study, hence, aimed at assessing the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among rural pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional research was carried out at a community level among 1015 randomly selected pregnant women. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data through face-to-face interviews. The characteristics of participants were described and summarized by frequencies, percentages, and summary measures. Logistic regression was performed to find out factors related to undernutrition. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition was 43.8% (95% confidence interval: 40.8, 47.0). Early marriage (adjusted odds ratio = 2.63, confidence interval: 2.00, 3.47), no antenatal care follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = 1.73, 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.29), inadequately diversified diet (adjusted odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.77, 3.48), current substance use (adjusted odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 2.19), history of mental illness (adjusted odds ratio = 2.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 5.82), and common mental disorders (adjusted odds ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.34, 2.43) were the significant predictors of undernutrition among pregnant women. Conclusions: Undernutrition was a significant public health issue among rural pregnant women. Age at first marriage, antenatal care follow-up, dietary diversity, current substance use, history of mental illness, and common mental disorder were the independent predictors of undernutrition. Therefore, the health offices of Kersa and Haramaya districts should invest their efforts to prevent undernutrition among pregnant women through nutrition counselling and education, and mental health and psychosocial support.

Objective: Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a public health threat in resource-limited countries where it is easily disseminated and difficult to control. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis, rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis , and associated factors among presumptive tuberculosis cases attending the tuberculosis clinic of Adare General Hospital located in Hawassa city. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 321 tuberculosis suspected patients from April to July 2018. Socio-demographic, environmental, and behavioral data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Sputum specimens were analyzed using GeneXpert. Data entry was made using Epi info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors. A p -value less than 0.05 was taken as a cut point. Results: In this study, the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 98 (30.5%) with 95% confidence interval (25.5–35.8), and the prevalence of rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among the 98 Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmed cases was 4 (4.1%). The prevalence of rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among the tuberculosis suspected patients was 1.24%. Participants who had a history of treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs were more likely to develop rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusions: This study identified relatively high rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among tuberculosis suspected patients in the study area. Early detection of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be given enough attention to strengthen the management of tuberculosis cases and improve direct observation therapy short-course and eventually minimize the spread of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis strain in the community.

Background: In Ethiopia, diabetes is estimated to affect about half a million people. About 35% of individuals with diabetes are complicated by microvascular diseases like retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular, and anemia. Even though there are some studies conducted on prevalence and associated factors of anemia in diabetic patients, their findings were variable. Therefore, this meta-analysis is aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and factors associated with anemia among diabetic patients. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, POPLINE, ScienceDirect, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify related studies. The heterogeneity of studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I 2 tests. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of anemia among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. Publication bias was evaluated by employing Egger’s tests. Results: After reviewing 503 articles, 6 articles fulfilled inclusion criteria and remained for the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of anemia among diabetic patients was 24.81% (95% confidence interval: 19.38–30.25). Age greater than 60 years old (pooled odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 3.73 (2.23–6.77)), glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (pooled odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 12.65 (8.71–18.37)), and being diabetic for more than 10 years (pooled odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 10.21 (7.00–15.04)) were found to be determinants of anemia among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. Conclusion: Overall, one in four diabetic patients develops anemia in Ethiopia. Age, glomerular filtration rate, and duration of being diabetic are factors significantly associated with the occurrence of anemia in diabetic patients.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a potentially lethal disease having significant public health concerns. As the disease is new, nothing has been intervened yet. Therefore, here we show the health worker’s knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19. Methods: The online cross-sectional study design was conducted from April to May 2020, among Ethiopia health workers. The data were collected online, downloaded by an Excel sheet, and transferred to IBM SPSS version 24. Using questionnaire containing four parts sociodemographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice assessing. Linear logistic regression and binary logistic regression were performed to test the association between the dependent and the independent variables. We reported the 95% confidence intervals of adjusted odds ratios with a statistical significance level at less than 0.05 p -values. Results and conclusion: A total of 441 health workers were included in this study. The majority of participants were from urban (88.7%), nurses (53.1%), male (88.4%), and have a degree educational level (66.7%). The mean knowledge level of respondents was 10.13 ± 0.057 standard deviation. The majority of respondents had a positive attitude toward control of COVID-19, 88%, and 77% of respondents had confidence that Ethiopia will control COVID-19. Similarly, male (2.746, 95% confidence interval (1.23, 6.02)) and good knowledge level (1.98, 95% confidence interval (1.01, 3.09)) were found to be a determinant for attitude regarding control of COVID-19. Good knowledge level 1.6 (1.02, 2.6), male sex 2.2 (1.07, 4.6), masters 2.33 (1.06, 5.08), and medical doctors 5.99 (1.76, 20.4) to practice wearing a mask when going out of the home. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participant health workers are considerable, but may not be enough to control the disease. Sex, age, and profession of the health workers were determinant factors for knowledge about COVID-19. Therefore, training has to be considered for updating health care workers on COVID-19 prevention and controlled at the national level.

Introduction: Diarrhea is one of the public health important diseases in developing countries. Among the causative agents of diarrhea, Salmonella serovars and Shigella species continue to play a major role in resource-limited countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella , risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles among adult patients with complaints of diarrhea. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with complaints of diarrhea at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from March 2019 to November 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental characteristics of participants. Fecal samples were inoculated onto Selenite F broth and Xylose Lysine Dextrose media to isolate Salmonella serovars and Shigella species. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer method. Data were analyzed by SPSS computer software version 20. Bivariate and multivariable analysis was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: The overall prevalence of Salmonella serovars and Shigella species was 8.6% with 95% confidence interval (3.2–13.8). Participant those who do not wash their hands were three times more likely to be infected with Salmonella and Shigella ( p