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Population ageing is a growing social and health issue in low and lower-middle-income countries (LLMIC). It will have an impact on rising healthcare costs, unaffordable pension liabilities, and changing healthcare demands. The health systems of many LLMICs are unprepared to meet these challenges and highlighting the modifiable factors that may help decrease these pressures is important. This review assessed the prevalence of healthy ageing and the modifiable factors that may promote/inhibit healthy ageing among older people in LLMIC. A systematic search of all articles published from 2000 to June 2022 was conducted in Scopus, PubMed (MEDLINE), and Web of Science. All observational studies reporting the prevalence of healthy ageing and its associations with socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychological, and social factors were examined. Random-effect models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence of healthy ageing, and meta-analyses were conducted to assess the risk/benefit of modifiable factors. From 3,376 records, 13 studies (n = 81,144; 53% of females; age ≥ 60 years) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of healthy ageing ranged from 24.7% to 56.5% with lower prevalence for a multi-dimensional model and higher prevalence for single global self-rated measures. Factors positively associated with healthy ageing included education, income, and physical activity. Being underweight was negatively associated with healthy ageing. Almost half of older people in LLMIC were found to meet healthy ageing criteria, but this estimate varied substantially depending on the healthy ageing measures utilized (multi-dimensional = 24.7%; single indicator = 56.5%). The healthy ageing prevalences for both measures are lower compared to that in high-income countries. Developing health policies and educative interventions aimed at increasing physical exercise, social support, and improving socio-economic status and nutrition will be important to promote the healthy ageing of older people in LLMIC in sustainable ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and predictors of healthy aging among community-dwelling older adults living in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study included older adults aged 60 and above (n = 845; Mage = 71 years; 56.4% females). Poisson regression estimated the Relative Risk (RR) of factors associated with healthy aging status. Results: 36.7% of respondents were classified as healthy agers. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of healthy aging included reporting not being lonely, adequate nutrition, no multimorbidity, good self-rated health, financial independence, and engaging in at least 1 hour of moderate physical activity per week. Discussion: The proportion of healthy agers in this study was substantially lower compared to developed countries but comparable to the prevalence reported in similar developing nations. Enhancing physical activity, ensuring proper nutrition, interventions to foster social participation engagement, and networking, and managing chronic diseases were identified as promising strategies to promote healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though neonatal mortality is reduced from time to time, the problem is still prevalent in Ethiopia. Despite a few studies tried to show the extent of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia, the pooled estimation of neonatal mortality remains inconclusive and inconsistent. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis were intended to determine the pooled prevalence of neonatal mortality rate and its association with antenatal care visits in Ethiopia. Studies were retrieved through reputable search engines in; CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Newcastle–Ottawa Quality assessment tool for cross-sectional studies was used for critical appraisal of studies which were included. Risk of Bias in nonrandomized studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool was also used to assess the risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the level of pooled prevalence of neonatal mortality and its association with antenatal care visits at 95% confidence interval and with its respective odds ratio (OR). Meta-regression was also carried out to identify the potential source of heterogeneity. Begs and egger test followed by trim and fill analysis were used to determine publication bias. Subgroup analyses, based on study setting, were also carried out. A total of 5839 articles were identified through searching, of which 11 articles representing participants were included in the final analysis. The average pooled prevalence of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia was 6.78% (CI: 4.45, 9.12). Subgroup analysis was undertaken and the pooled estimate of neonatal mortality among these communities based studies was 2.56% and in hospital-based study it was 11.8%. Neonatal mortality was more significant among mothers who had antenatal visits of less than three times during their pregnancy period with OR of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.42, 3.16). The pooled prevalence of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia was slightly low compared to the national 2016 demographic Health Survey of the country. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia should influence the health sector to give attention for increasing antenatal care visits and further research is needed to investigate further factors of neonatal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Ethiopia, the burden of HIV/AIDS is a public health issue that requires significant control of transmission. Once an infection has been established, determinants influence people living with HIV to disclose or not their HIV-positive status to sexual partners. This study assessed the proportion and associated factors of people living with HIV's disclosure status to sexual partners. Methods: CRD42020149092 is the protocol's registration number in the PROSPERO database. We searched PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar databases. For the subjective and objective assessment of publication bias, we used a funnel plot and Egger's regression test, respectively. The I 2 statistic was used to assess variation across studies. Meta-analysis of weighted inverse variance random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled proportion. We conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses to investigate the cause of heterogeneity and the impact of outliers on the overall estimation, respectively. A trend analysis was also performed to show the presence of time variation. Results: The percentage of people living with HIV who disclosed their HIV-positive status to sexual partners was 76.03% (95% confidence interval: 68.78, 83.27). Being on antiretroviral therapy (adjusted odds ratio = 6.19; 95% confidence interval: 2.92, 9.49), cohabiting with partner (adjusted odds ratio = 4.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 7.72), receiving HIV counseling (adjusted odds ratio = 3.94; 95% confidence interval: 2.08, 5.80), having discussion prior to HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio = 4.40; 95% confidence interval: 2.11, 6.69), being aware of partner's HIV status (adjusted odds ratio = 6.08; 95% confidence interval: 3.05, 9.10), positive relationship with partner (adjusted odds ratio = 4.44; 95% confidence interval:1.28, 7.61), and being member of HIV association (adjusted odds ratio = 3.70; 95% confidence interval: 2.20, 5.20) had positive association with HIV status disclosure. Conclusion: In Ethiopia, more than one-fourth of adults living with HIV did not disclose their HIV-positive status to sexual partners. HIV-positive status disclosure was influenced by psychosocial factors. A multidimensional approach is required to increase seropositive disclosure in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most important global health problems. More than one and half million of children are living with HIV in the world, and majority of them are found in sub- Saharan Africa. There are primary fragmented study findings, and no review was conducted with regard to vertical HIV infection in East Africa. Therefore, this review aimed to assess the prevalence of vertical HIV infection and its risk factors among HIV-exposed infants in East Africa. Main body: Eligible studies were retrieved by relevant search terms in CINHAL, Pub-MED, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Cochrane, African Journals Online databases, and Ethiopian University research repositories. Data were extracted with Microsoft Excel and analyzed with Stata version 11 software. The random effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of vertical HIV infection in East Africa. The variation between studies was quantified with an I2 statistic test. Furthermore, sub-group and meta-regression analyses were done to identify the sources of heterogeneity between the studies. The publication bias was assessed by Egger test. This systematic review and meta-analysis have included a total of 33 research articles. The overall pooled prevalence of vertical HIV infection in East Africa was 7.68% with a 95% confidence interval [CI]: (6.23, 9.12) with a heterogeneity of I2 = 86.8 with ap value < 0.001. In subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of vertical HIV infection in cross-sectional studies was 6.58%, while in cohort studies were 9.37%. Mixed feeding, AOR = 6.22 (1.02, 11.41); home delivery, AOR = 2 (1.01, 3); mothers took ART less than 4 weeks, AOR = 1.92 (1.79, 2.06); and infants who have not received ARV prophylaxis, AOR = 2.02 (1.05, 2.98) were the associated factors for vertical HIV infection for exposed infants. Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of the mother to child transmission of HIV is way more than the desired target of the World Health Organization, which is less than 5% in breastfeeding populations. Thus, strengthening the prevention of vertical HIV transmission, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, timely initiation of ART prophylaxis for HIV exposed infants, encouragement of hospital delivery, and the start of ART at the time of diagnosis of every HIV-positive person may all reduce the transmission of vertical HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anemia is the most common hematologic disorder of children in the globe. There are fragmented and inconclusive study findings on under-five anemia in Ethiopia. Understanding the distribution of anemia is an important step for program planners and policymakers. Therefore, this systematic review was aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of anemia and associated factors with dietary diversity, food security, stunted, and deworming in Ethiopia. Methods: We searched through African journals of online, Google Scholar, CINHAL, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Scopus. Reviewers used standardized format to extract the data. The data was exported to Stata version 11 software for analysis after extracted by Microsoft excel. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effect model was used to assess the pooled prevalence of under-five anemia. Variation between studies (heterogeneity) was assessed by I2 statistic test. Publication bias was assessed by the Egger test. Result: From 561 studies, 16 articles were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of under-five anemia in Ethiopia was 44.83%. In subgroup analysis, the higher pooled prevalence of anemia was observed from children's age less than 2 years old (50.36%) (95% CI 39.53, 61.18). Poor dietary diversity OR = 1.71 (1.10, 2.68), stunting OR = 2.59 (2.04, 3.28), food insecurity OR = 2.87 (1.25, 6.61), and not dewormed OR = 2.34 (1.77, 3.09) were predictors of under-five anemia. Conclusion: The magnitude of under-five anemia in this study was extremely high. Therefore, increased coverage of supplementation and fortification programs, periodic deworming, feeding diversified food, supplement food for those who are stunted, and securing food in the households may all alleviate under-five anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast milk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first 6 months of life. Suboptimal breastfeeding especially lacks exclusive breastfeeding increase risk of severe acute malnutrition by 3.2-fold and major contributory factor for infant child mortality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors among mothers having infants less than 6 months old in Bahir Dar city, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2017. Result: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice 1 day before the survey was 86.4%. Mothers who; have young infant aged 0-1 month old [AOR = 5.702 (1.747, 18.613)], house wife [AOR = 2.995 (1.557, 5.690)] and are not influenced by culture [AOR = 11 (3.449, 35.165)] were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding than their counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. The risk factors and clinical outcomes of sepsis are poorly understood. Most cases of sepsis occurred mostly within the first week of newborns life related to perinatal risk factors. Late onset sepsis is related to hospital acquired infections which is seen after seven days of age. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical outcome and risk factors of neonatal sepsis in Felege Hiwot referral hospital Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia. Results: Among the total 225 neonatal charts reviewed; 164 (72.9%) were age less than or equal to 7 days, and 144 (64%) were males. About 29 (12.9%) neonates were with irregular respiratory signs and 40 (17.8%) had meconium aspiration syndrome. Regarding the clinical outcome of neonatal sepsis: 189 (84%) were improved after treatment, 9 (4%) were died and 13 (5.8%) referred to other organizations for further treatment. Respiratory distress syndrome [AOR = 0.258 (0.072-0.930)] and meconium aspiration syndrome [AOR = 0.1989 (0.059-0.664)] were the determinant factors for poor outcome of neonatal sepsis. Conclusion: The clinical outcome of neonatal sepsis in Felege Hiwot referral hospital was not satisfactory. The significant risk factors for poor outcome of neonatal sepsis were respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome. Recommendations to improve neonatal outcome are: performing essential newborn care for all newborns and arranging appropriate follow up until the end of neonatal period, increasing antenatal care and early detection and management of neonatal infections or problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, about 50 million children younger than age 5 years experience wasting; of these 16 million (2.4%) are severely wasted. In Ethiopia, about 9% of the children are severely underweight, 10% are wasted, and 3% are severely wasted. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors that could lead to underweight, stunting, and wasting among school-aged children in Mecha, northwest Ethiopia, along with their magnitude. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mecha, northwest Ethiopia from April 1, 2018, to June 15, 2018. The study enrolled 422 school-aged children. A pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used for data analysis. The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting were 5.8%, 10.8%, and 11.6%, respectively. Access to school-based feeding was significantly associated with a lower level of underweight (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.137; 95% CI, 0.020–0.921), and claimed decreased frequency of feeding during illness was associated with a higher level of wasting (AOR = 3.307; 95% CI, 1.025–10.670). Furthermore, younger age of the child (AOR = 16.721; 95% CI, 3.314–84.357), mother's age between 18 and 45 years (AOR = 3.474; 95% CI, 1.145–10.544), and increased frequency of feeding (AOR = 0.270; 95% CI, 0.098–0.749) were all associated with a lower level of stunting. In this study, the lack of access to school-based feeding was associated with higher level of underweight, and claimed decreased frequency of feeding during illness was associated with wasting. In addition, older age of the child, increase in mother's age, and decreased frequency of feeding were associated with higher levels of stunting. The associations suggest that increased access to both school-based feeding and frequency of feeding might improve the nutritional status of school-aged Ethiopian children. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2020; 81:XXX–XXX) © 2020 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adult patients in Felege-Hiwot Comprehensive Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia, 2018. Result: The prevalence of hypertension in the current study area was 27.3%. Known history of cardiac problems [AOR = 6.9; 95% CI (1.24, 11.44)], alcohol consumption [AOR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.04, 5.05)], abdominal obesity [AOR = 2.3; 95% CI (1.02, 5.04)], and obesity [AOR = 4.8; 95% CI (1.12, 8.34)] were factors associated independently with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Seven thousand seven hundred fifty-six participants were included for the final analysis. • Reported good medication adherence among adult diabetic patients in Ethiopia was 68.59%. • Reported good medication adherence among adult diabetic patients in regions was 67.81%. • Reported good medication adherence among adult diabetic patients in Addis Ababa was 70.37%. • Presence of glucometer at home has positive association with reported good medication adherence among adult diabetic patients. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem worldwide that was estimated to have affected the lives of 425 million people globally in 2017. The prevalence and mortality rates of DM have increased rapidly in low- and middle-income countries with an estimated 2.6 million cases of DM occurring in Ethiopia alone in 2015. Considering that Ethiopia is undergoing an epidemiological transition, it is increasingly important to understand the significant influence DM has on Ethiopians annually. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing studies were conducted to better understand the factors that are associated with DM medication adherence across Ethiopia and to elucidate areas for further studies. Studies were retrieved through search engines in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional studies was used to assess the critical appraisal of the included studies. Random effects model was used to estimate the association between the level of medication adherence and the geographic location of a patient's residence and presence of a glucometer at 95% CI with its respective odds ratio. Meta-regression was also used to identify the potential source of heterogeneity. Beggs and Egger tests were performed to determine publication bias. Subgroup analyses, based on the study area, were also performed. A total of 1046 articles were identified through searching, of which 19 articles representing 7756 participants were included for the final analysis stage. Reported good medication adherence among patients with diabetes in Ethiopia was 68.59% (95% CI, 62.00%–75.18%). Subgroup analysis was performed, and the pooled estimate of reported good medication adherence among these patients in regions outside Addis Ababa was 67.81% (95% CI, 59.96%–75.65%), whereas in Addis Ababa it was 70.37% (95% CI, 57.51%–83.23%). Patients who used a glucometer at home had an odds ratio of 2.12 (95% CI, 1.42–3.16) and thus reported good adherence. We found no statistically significant association between the geographic location of a patient's residence and a good level of reported medication adherence (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.78–4.21). Most adult patients with diabetes in these studies had a good level of reported DM medication adherence. Having a glucometer was significantly associated with reported increased medication adherence. Our findings suggest the need for interventions to improve diabetes medication adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]