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Background The World Health Organization and UNAIDS estimated that 36.9 million people were living with HIV in 2017 globally. In the same year, 1.8 million people became newly infected with HIV and 940,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with HIV and AIDS services in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH), Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 01/2018 to January 31/2019 among 348 people living with HIV who were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A systematic random sampling technique was applied to select the study participants. Face to face interview was employed using structured questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic factors, clinical factors, and patient satisfaction indicators for HIV and AIDS services. Level of satisfaction was assessed based on 24 Likert-scale items. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the independent predictors of patient satisfaction with the services given. Results A total of 348 respondents completed the interview, of which 213 (61.20%) were male. The mean age of the respondents was 35.67 (SD=8.40). The overall level of clients' satisfaction with HIV and AIDS services was 55.2%. Educational status of secondary school and above [AOR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.24-4.69], duration of advice above 10 min [AOR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.09-2.79], CD4 count >500 [AOR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.37-3.54], and duration of treatment of 2 years and above [AOR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.07-3.49] were identified as factors significantly associated with client satisfaction. Conclusion Overall, 55.20% of patients were satisfied with HIV and AIDS services given at the ART clinic of MTUTH. Educational status, CD4 count, duration of advice, and duration of treatment were found to be independent predictors of patient satisfaction with ART services. Increasing client satisfaction is important through patient counseling and care.

Background: Adolescence/youth is a continuum of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial development. Due to a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health, adolescents face a number of problems. Clear family communication of reproductive health issues often leads to increased awareness of reproductive health matters and reduces risky behaviors and its consequences in adolescent populations. Objective: To assess parent-adolescent/youth communication and associated factors among students attending secondary and preparatory schools in Fiche town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 27 to 30,2017, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Two schools in the town were included in the study. Data were entered using epidata manager version 4.0.2.101 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The number of students who had ever discussed sexual and reproductive health issues with their parents was 118 (31.2%). Mothers’ educational status of diploma [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.52, 95%CI=1.13-10.95], fathers’ educational status of diploma [AOR=3.84, 95%CI=1.29-11.41], students’ perceived importance of sexual and reproductive health issues discussion [AOR=6.69, 95%CI=2.04-22.00], students’ knowledge about sexual and reproductive health issues [AOR=4.80, 95%CI=2.56-9.01], and students’ attitude towards sexual and reproductive health issues [AOR=3.13, 95%CI=1.76-5.57] were identified as independent predictors of parent-student sexual and reproductive health communication. Conclusion: The level of parent-student sexual and reproductive health communication is low among secondary and preparatory schools in Fiche town. Therefore, school administration, in collaboration with stakeholders, should facilitate adolescent-friendly services to enhance sexual and reproductive health-related awareness.

Fikadu Ejeta, Diriba Feyisa, Temesgen Aferu, Jafer Siraj, Demeke Melkam, Ahmed Ali School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Fikadu Ejeta, Tel +251910136034, Email fikaduejeta@gmail.comIntroduction: Obstacles encountered when maintaining excellent dispensing practices for children include a lack of age-appropriate dosage forms, a shortage of medications in appropriate strengths for children, a lack of appetizing drugs, and a lack of competence in pediatric pharmacy. These difficulties contribute to ineffective dispensing procedures and an urgent need to study whether oral dose forms of medications are dispensed to children in a rational way.Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rational dispensing of oral dosage forms of medicines to children, as well as the factors that influence this practice.Methods: Using validated indicators, a cross-sectional study design was utilized to analyze the rational dispensing practice of oral dosage forms of medicines administered to children under the age of 12 years in seven pharmacies and two drug stores over a one-month period.Results and discussions: Out of 810 medicines, 11.7% and 4% were irrationally manipulated, 5.8% and 1.8% needed manipulation, 3.7% and 0.2% were alternatively dispensed, 8.8% and 7.5% of the medicines had correct advice on their label and also 745 medicines were adequately labeled in the hospital and the selected drug stores. In this study, 92% of medicines were adequately labeled and had sufficient advice on their labels, 15.3% of medicines were irrationally manipulated and around 7.7% of the dosage forms needed manipulation during dispensing. The type of medicine retail outlet had a significant effect on the percentage of instances where alternative solid oral dosage forms were dispensed (p = 0.003), the percentage of dosage forms were adequately labeled (p = 0.008), and the percentage of dosage forms were irrationally manipulated before dispensing (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The rational dispensing practice of oral dosage forms of medicines was relatively poor and there is room for improvement.Keywords: rational dispensing, oral dosage forms, rational drug use, children

BackgroundThe main elements of effective vaccine cold chain management at the immunization service delivery point are well-trained vaccine cold chain handlers, vaccine storage equipment, and appropriate vaccine management procedures. Vaccine cold chain handlers must have enough expertise to provide the correct vaccine at the right time, maintain vaccine potency, and minimize vaccination failures. The study assessed knowledge of vaccine cold chain handlers on vaccine cold chain management, adherence to the WHO vaccine storage codes and vaccine cold chain management practice at primary health facilities in Dalocha district of Silt'e zone.MethodInstitutional-based cross-sectional study was done at twenty-eight primary health facilities. One hundred forty primary health workers were drawn from four health centers and twenty-four health posts operating in Dalocha woreda of Silt'e zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaires and on-spot observation checklists were adapted from the WHO and WHO-UNICEF-effective vaccine management assessment tools to collect data from cold chain unit of the primary healthcare facilities. Data were entered to EPI data version 3.1; exported and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the level of knowledge, adherence to WHO cold chain management guideline and vaccine handling practice. The relationship that the knowledge of primary healthcare workers, primary healthcare workers training status, primary healthcare facilities' adherence to WHO vaccine storage codes, and length of work experience of primary health care workers have with the vaccine management practice were also exploredResultAbove Half (54%) of the respondents have satisfactory knowledge of vaccine cold chain management. One hundred (71.4%) vaccine cold chain handlers did point correctly to the recommended range of temperature (2°C -8°C) for vaccine storage. Around two-thirds (63.6%) of them were aware of the twice-daily temperature recordings. Nearly half, (46.2%) of primary healthcare facilities have experienced poor adherence to the WHO storage practice codes. Around three-fifths of the observed primary healthcare facilities have registered undesirable vaccine management practices. The primary healthcare workers who received training on vaccine cold chain management (χ2 = 0.058,p=0.015), served at primary health care facilities for more five years (χ2 =18.545,p≤0.001), shown good adherence to WHO vaccine storage code (χ2 =18.545,p≤0.001), have sufficient knowledge on vaccine cold chain management (χ2=4.210,p≤0.031) were all significantly associated with desirable vaccine cold chain management practice.ConclusionThere is a gap in vaccine cold chain handlers’ knowledge about vaccine cold chain management and less than desirable adherence to WHO vaccine storage codes at primary healthcare facilities in Dalocha district. The majority of the observed primary health facilities have registered poor vaccine management practices. Everyone who has a stake in the cold chain management of vaccines should do their share, individually and collectively, to guarantee that everyone reaps the benefits of an effective cold chain.

Peri-conception care plays an essential and vital role for the health of the mother, her child and her family. Taking folic acid orally prior to conception and during the early stages of pregnancy plays a significant role in preventing Neural Tube Defects and has been associated with preventing other folic acid sensitive congenital anomalies. There exists problem in different parts of the globe on women's understanding of the importance of folic acid making them not to take this supplement in peri-conception period.This study aimed at assessing the knowledge of peri-conception folic acid supplementation among women visiting Maternal and Child Health clinics of public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 20/2020 among 226 women visiting Maternal and Child Health clinics of health centers in Addis Ababa. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected through interviewer administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24. Tables, charts and graphs were used for data presentation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of women's knowledge of folic acid at p-value ≤ 0.05.More than two-third of the study participants, 156 (69.0%) had good knowledge on peri-conception folic acid supplementation and its health benefits. Participants with age 25-30 years were 2.14 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those aged less than 25 years while women with age greater than 30 years were 5.20 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those with age less than 25 years. Women who had attended high school were 2.93 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those with no formal education. Likewise, women who had attended college and above were 4.18 times at odd of having good knowledge on periconception folic acid supplementation compared to those with no formal education. Women who had information on prenatal care were 1.48 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those who never had no information.Folic acid supplementation knowledge in more than two third of the study participants was good. Participants' age, educational status and information on prenatal care were the independent predictors of knowledge on folic acid supplementation. The Ministry of health, Addis Ababa city health bureau, the study facilities' management as well as Non-Governmental Organizations working on health in the city should focus on means to increase knowledge of peri-conception folic acid health benefits for women with poor knowledge on the same.

The use of Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has become a standard of care for the treatment of HIV infection. The therapy restores immune function and reduces HIV-related adverse outcomes. However, treatment failure erodes this advantage and leads to an increased morbidity and compromised quality of life in HIV patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess anti-retroviral treatment failure and associated factors among HIV patients on the first line ART at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among adult patient who have been on ART and attending ART Clinic of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital from September 2014 to September 2018. Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing patients’ medical charts using a standard structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.0.2 and then exported to SPSS version 21.0 for analysis. To identify the predictors of anti-retroviral treatment failure, multiple stepwise backward logistic regression analysis were done. P value

Nanati Legese,1 Temesgen Aferu,2 Tsehay Kassa3 1School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia; 3Teklehaimanot health center, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Nanati Legese Email nanatilegese@yahoo.comIntroduction: Amoebiasis is one of the world’s most prevalent and fatal infectious diseases. Several surveys revealed that amoebiasis is one of the most widely distributed diseases in Ethiopia. The combination of metronidazole with diloxanide furoate represents a new approach for the treatment of the infection.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of diloxanide plus metronidazole compared with metronidazole alone in the treatment of amoebiasis in Ethiopia.Methods: An analytical decision model was used to analyze costs and effectiveness from a societal perspective by taking adult amoebic patients as the study population with a time horizon of two months. The potential impacts of uncertainty in single parameters were explored in one-way sensitivity analyses.Results: Metronidazole with diloxanide had a higher cost and effect compared to metronidazole alone with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 8 US$ per amoebic case cured. The result was sensitive to the decrease in the effectiveness of metronidazole with diloxanide.Conclusion: This study revealed the addition of diloxanide to standard treatment to be a more effective and more costly treatment strategy. Therefore, a decision for choosing the medication should be based on the ability of patients to pay for the treatment.Keywords: amoebiasis, metronidazole, metronidazole with diloxanide, cost-effectiveness analysis, Ethiopia

Background. Stroke is a public health problem in Ethiopia. Despite the high prevalence of stroke in Ethiopia, there is a paucity of data with regard to drug treatment, treatment outcome, and risk factors of poor treatment outcome of stroke. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing treatment outcome and its determinants among patients admitted to stroke unit of Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). Methods. A two-year hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was employed to analyze the medical records of patients admitted with stroke to stroke unit of Jimma University Medical Centre from February 1st, 2016 to March 30th, 2018. Data was entered by Epidata manager version 4.0.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 24. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with the backward stepwise approach was done to identify independent predictors of poor treatment outcome of stroke. Variables with P value less than 0.05 were considered as statically significant determinants of poor treatment outcome. Results. Of 220 patients with stroke admitted to the Jimma University, 67.30% were male. Nearly two thirds (63.18%) of them had poor treatment outcomes. Dyslipidimics were administered to 60% of the patients, and the most popular antiplatelet used was aspirin, which was prescribed to 67.3% the patients. Age ≥ 65 adjusted odd ratio ((AOR): 2.56; 95% CI: 1.95-9.86, P = 0.001 ), presence of comorbidity (AOR: 5.25; 95% CI: 1.08-17.69, P < 0.001 ), admission with hemorrhagic stroke (AOR: 18.99; 95% CI: 7.05-42.07, P < 0.001 ), and admission to the hospital after 24 hour of stroke onset (AOR: 4.98; 95% CI: 1.09-21.91, P = 0.03 ) were independent predictors of poor treatment outcomes. Conclusion. Substantial numbers of stroke patients had poor treatment outcomes. Elderly patients, patients diagnosed with hemorrhagic stroke, patients with comorbidity, and those with delayed hospital admission were more likely to have poor treatment outcome. Hence, frequent monitoring and care should be given for the aforementioned patients. Awareness creation on the importance of early admission should be delivered particularly for patients who have risk factors of stroke (cardiovascular diseases).

Background: Adolescents who have communication about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with their parents are less likely to participate in risky sexual behaviors and to utilize modern contraceptives. However, communication on SRH issues between adolescents and their parents continues to be below the desired goals in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: To assess SRH communication between adolescent girls and their mothers among students in secondary and preparatory schools in Fiche town, Oromia, Central Ethiopia. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 27 to March 30, 2017, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A total of 181 adolescent female students selected from 2 schools in the town participated in the study. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, student-mother communication, and knowledge about and attitudes toward SRH issues. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and variables with a P value less than .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 103 (56.9%) of the students had discussed SRH issues with their mothers. The mothers’ educational status (ie, primary school and above, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 10.01, 95% CI = 3.55-28.19; the student living with friends, AOR = 5.29, 95% CI = 1.09-25.47; the students’ knowledge about SRH issues, AOR = 8.57, 95% CI = 3.61-20.35; and students’ attitude toward SRH issues, AOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.26-6.15) were identified as independent positive predictors of student-mother communication on selected SRH issues. Conclusion: More than half of the study participants had communication on SRH issues with their mothers. SRH communication was positively associated with maternal educational status, the students’ living with friends, and the student’s knowledge of and attitude toward SRH issues.

Background: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has not only improved longevity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected individuals but in addition has had a significant impact on the rate of mother-to-child transmission of the infection. Objective: To assess antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women on follow-up at antiretroviral therapy clinic of Mizan Tepi University Teaching and Tepi General Hospitals. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in antiretroviral therapy clinics of Mizan Tepi University Teaching and Tepi General Hospitals from April to May 2018. Data were collected through face to face interview using structured and pretested questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Results: Majority of the patients had good adherence to their antiretroviral therapy, 68 (66.00%). Medication side effects, 12 (34.00%) and forgetfulness and distance of the hospital from home, each accounting 11 (31.00%) were the main reasons for nonadherence among nonadherent patients. Frequency of counseling ( P = .000), CD4 count (χ2 = 37.529, P = .000), World Health Organization’s clinical stage (χ2 = 17.515, P = .000), stigma (χ2 = 70.426, P = .000), and family support (χ2 = 46.383, P = .000) were found to be associated with patients’ medication adherence. Conclusion: The overall patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy in the study facilities was good. Collaborative work among patients, health care organizations, and the public are necessary to tackle the adherence obstacles and enhance patient adherence to the prescribed medication.