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Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) morbidity and mortality are rising in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. The shift in health-care resources from communicable diseases to chronic conditions has created formidable health-care challenges. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among ACS patients. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to enroll participants admitted to one of 3 emergency units in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ACS was measured using modified ACS response index questionaries. Results Participant’s (N = 330) mean age was 57.9 ± 14.1, majority male (n = 219, 66.36%). Half of the study participants have inadequate Knowledge (n = 147, 44.6%), unfavorable attitudes (n = 152, 46%), and belief (n = 153, 46.4%) about ACS symptoms even after being diagnosed and treated in the emergency unit. The most frequently recognized ACS symptoms were chest discomfort (n = 274, 83%), fatigue (n = 267, 80.9%) and chest pain (n = 266, 80.6%) while Jaw pain (n = 101, 30%) neck pain (n = 146,44.2%), were less often recognized. Nearly two thirds of the participants (n = 214, 65%) would not prefer to use emergency medical services (EMS) to come to the hospital. Factors associated with adequate knowledge were age Conclusion Despite receiving treatment for ACS in an emergency unit, roughly half of participants did not have adequate knowledge, favorable attitude and belief towards ACS. This elucidates there is significant communication gap between the health care providers and patients. The study findings stipulate there is a need to provide health awareness campaigns using different media outlet with special attention to the uneducated and unemployed groups. Furthermore, most participants were less likely to utilize emergency medical service, which should be further investigated and addressed.

In 2015, Ethiopia's first PhD in nursing program was established in collaboration between the Addis Ababa University (AAU) and Emory University Schools of Nursing. Eleven students have entered the program since its inception, six have successfully defended their proposals, one has graduated, and two have received Fogarty Global Health Fellowships. This paper describes the evolution of this international partnership and the innovative processes and mechanisms involved in program implementation; the authors address the description of the program, central implementation challenges, notable outcomes, and student achievements. One key implementation challenge has been that, although nursing is one of the largest healthcare workforces in Ethiopia, nurses remain underutilized and undervalued in the workplace. This treatment is due, in part, to limited professional regulations, leading some of the PhD students to apply their leadership skills to advocate for national practice reform. According to students, the PhD program has been a means not only to improve nursing research capacity and education in Ethiopia, but also to generate the regulations necessary for graduates to practice according to their degree. While the opportunity to generate knowledge is vitally important, students also value the chance to transform the profession of nursing.