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Background Anemia is the most common hematological abnormality among children on antiretroviral therapy. In Ethiopia, as far as our search, there are no studies done on the incidence and predictors of anemia among children on antiretroviral therapy. This study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of anemia among children on antiretroviral therapy, attending antiretroviral therapy care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from 2007 to 2017. Methods A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 391 children on antiretroviral therapy. Mean survival time for children to be anemia free was estimated. A Log rank test was used to compare survival curves among different independent variables. The Cox regression model was used. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. P-value ≤0.05 was considered as statically significant. Results The overall incidence rate of anemia was 10.5 (95% confidence interval (8.6, 12.8)) per 100 child-year. Being severe-immunosuppressed (AHR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.23-6.77), undernutrition (AHR =2.7, 95% CI: 1.5-5), taking zidovudine-based ART regimen (AHR =4, 95% CI: 1.23-12.9), and tuberculosis (AHR =2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.3) were independent predictors of anemia among children. Conclusion In this study, the incidence rate of anemia among children on antiretroviral therapy was found to be high. Tuberculosis, zidovudine-based drugs, severe immunosuppression, and undernutrition have remained statically significant predictors of anemia among children on antiretroviral therapy. Children with HIV were the most vulnerable group for anemia, especially in developing countries. Therefore, improving their nutritional status and considering other predictors of anemia were very important for children to reduce the incidence of anemia among children with HIV.

Background World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that viral load ([VL) is a primary tool that clinicians and researchers have used to monitor patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), an antiviral drug against retroviruses. Whereas, CD4 cell counts can only be used to monitor clinical response to ART in the absence of VL testing service. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess the level of immunological status and virological suppression, and identify associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus ([HIV)-infected adults who were taking antiretroviral drugs of combination regimen know as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized referral hospital from February to April 2018. A total of 323 adult participants on HAART were selected using a systematic random sampling technique and enrolled into the study. Blood samples for viral load determination and CD4 cell count were collected. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with immunologic status and virological suppression in HIV patients on HAART. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to measure the strength of association. Results Virological suppression (VL level 3 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.56; 95% CI 1.14, 5.75) and > 499 cells/mm3 (AOR = 7.71; 95% CI 3.48, 17.09) at VL testing and current age > 45 years old (AOR = 5.99; 95% CI 2.12, 16.91). Similarly, favorable immunological status (≥ 400 cells/mm3 for male and ≥ 466 cells/mm3 for female) was observed in 52.9% (95% CI 47.4, 58.8) of the study participants. Baseline CD4 cell count of > 200 cells/mm3, age at enrollment of 26 through 40 years old, and urban residence were significantly associated with favorable immunological status. Conclusion Though the majority of HIV-infected adults who were on HAART had shown viral suppression, the rate of suppression was sub-optimal according to the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target to help end the AIDS pandemic by 2020. Nonetheless, the rate of immunological recovery in the study cohort was low. Hence, early initiation of HAART should be strengthened to achieve good virological suppression and immunological recovery.

Introduction: Late initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is associated with low immunologic response, increase morbidity, mortality and hospitalization. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with late ART initiation among adult HIV patients in NorthWest Ethiopia.Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 HIV patients who started ART between January/2009 and December/2014. Simple random sampling technique was used to select patient records. Data were collected by using pretested and structured extraction tool. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with late ART initiation.Result: A total of 410 participants were included for analysis after excluding 2 participants with incomplete data. The prevalence of late ART initiation was 67.3%. Age between 35-44 years(AOR=3.85; 95%CI:1.68-8.82), duration between testing and enrollment to care

Background: Mental distress is an important public health problem and is becoming common health problems among university students. Aims: This study aimed to provide a pooled prevalence of mental distress and associated factors among university students in Ethiopia. Method: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases. A further search was performed at Google Scholar search engine for additional studies. All observational studies reporting the prevalence of mental distress and/or associated factors among university students in Ethiopia were included. Pooled prevalence with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using random effects and quality effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Heterogeneity between studies and evidence of publication bias were assessed. Results: The pooled prevalence of mental distress was 35% (95% CI; 28%–43%). Being female, participating in religious programmes, having close friends, experiencing financial distress, alcohol use, khat use, conflict with friends, lack of interest in their field of study and a family history of mental illness were factors associated with mental distress among students. We found significant heterogeneity, but no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: More than one third of university students in Ethiopia have suffered with mental distress. The finding provides evidence that university students are at risk population for mental health problems and suggests the need for early intervention to prevent severe mental illness.

Background In resource limited settings, Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients on antiretroviral treatment. Ethiopia is one of the 30 high TB burden countries. TB causes burden in healthcare system and challenge the effectiveness of HIV care. This study was to assess incidence and predictors of Tuberculosis among adults on antiretroviral therapy at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019. Methods Institution based retrospective follow up study was conducted among adults on ART newly enrolled from 2014 to 2018 at Debre Markos Referral Hospital. Simple random sampling technique was used to select patients chart. Data was entered to EPI- INFO version 7.2.2.6 and analyzed using Stata 14.0. Tuberculosis incidence rate was computed and described using frequency tables. Both bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models was fitted to identify predictors of TB. Results Out of the 536 patients chart reviewed, 494 patient records were included in the analysis. A total of 62 patients developed new TB cases during the follow up period of 1000.22 Person Years (PY); which gives an overall incidence rate of 6.19 cases per 100 PY (95% CI: 4.83–7.95). The highest rate was seen within the first year of follow up. After adjustment base line Hemoglobin Conclusion TB incidence was high among adults on ART especially in the first year of enrollment to ART. Low hemoglobin level, ambulatory or bedridden functional status, non-adherence to ART and IPT usage status were found to be independent predictors. Hence, continuous follow up for ART adherence and provision of IPT has a great importance to reduce the risk of TB.

Background Prelacteal feeding is one of the commonest inappropriate child feeding practice which exposes to malnutrition, infection, and neonatal mortality. However, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis that estimates the pooled prevalence of prelacteal feeding and its association with place of birth in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the magnitude of prelacteal feeding practice and its association with home delivery in the country. Methods Primary studies were accessed through, HINARI and PubMed databases. Additionally, electronics search engines such as Google Scholar, and Google were used. The Joana Briggs Institute quality appraisal checklist was used to appraise the quality of studies. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Heterogeneity between the studies was examined using the I2 heterogeneity test. The DerSimonian and Liard random-effect model was used. The random effects were pooled after conducting subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Publication bias was also checked. Results A total of 780 primary studies were accessed. However, about 24 studies were included in the qualitative description and quantitative analysis of the prevalence of prelacteal feeding. To examine the association between home delivery and prelacteal feeding practice, only six studies were included. The prevalence of prelacteal feeding ranged from 6.1–75.8%. The pooled prevalence of prelacteal feeding among Ethiopian children was 26.95% (95% CI: 17.76%, 36.14%). The highest prevalence was observed in the Afar region. The pooled odds of prelacteal feeding among women who gave birth at home was increased by 5.16 (95% CI: 3.7, 7.2) folds as compared to those who gave birth at Health institutions. Conclusion Prelacteal feeding practice in Ethiopia was found to be high. Home delivery was strongly associated with prelacteal feeding practice. Therefore, promoting institutional delivery and strengthening of the existing child nutrition strategies are recommended.

Background Suicide is a serious public health problem, responsible for 1.48% of all deaths worldwide, with suicidal ideation an important precursor. University and college students are among highly affected groups. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation among university students in Ethiopia. Methods A random selection of 836 students was surveyed. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted, adjusting for potential confounders. Associations were measured using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Analyses were carried out using the SPSS version 20 software. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 19.9% (95% CI 17.1–22.4%). The odds of suicidal ideation was higher among students who had mental distress (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.0, 95% CI 1.38–2.91), a family history of mental illness (AOR = 3.05, 95%, 1.89–4.92) and for those who had low social support (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.35–2.82). Financial distress (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.09–2.33), Khat chewing (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.05–3), and alcohol use (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.05–2.42) were also significantly associated with suicidal ideation. We found no evidence of associations between suicidal ideation and gender, age, relationship status, or year of study. Conclusions One in five students reported suicidal ideation. There was strong evidence of associations between suicidal ideation and mental distress, family history of mental illness, low social support, financial distress, and substance use. It is, therefore, important to develop suicide prevention strategies targeting these risk factors for university students in Ethiopia.

Background: Childhood unintentional injuries cause nearly 875,000 deaths each year. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with unintentional injury of children presenting to the hospitals of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: In a hospital-based, cross-sectional study undertaken in one month, from April 1 to 30th 2016, 893 children less than 18Â years of age were included. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Training was given to all data collectors and supervisors. Data was entered into EPI info version 7 and then exported to SPSS version 20, for further analysis. Results: Unintentional injury caused 62% (554) of all injuries in attending children. Several factors affected the likelihood of injuries, namely the age of the child, age of the parents or guardians, sex of the child, and whether the child lived with the parents. Modifiable factors were the childâs behaviour, awareness of danger, the childâs level of educational, if the childâs parent had received adequate injury counselling, and whether a child was left in the care of another child. The source of light in the house, and house floor material were also significant factors at pÂ

Background Mental distress is an important public health problem and becoming a common health problem among university students. This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide the pooled prevalence of mental distress and identify determinant factors associated with mental distress among university students in Ethiopia. Method A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases will be conducted. In addition, we will search grey literature resources such as a database/website of dissertations and theses, WHO websites, and websites of professional bodies. Reference lists of the selected articles will also be searched for additional articles. All observational studies reporting the prevalence of mental distress and/or associated factors among university students in Ethiopia will be included. Pooled prevalence with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) will be calculated using random-effects and quality-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be performed. Heterogeneity between studies and evidence of publication bias will also be assessed. Discussion The proposed systematic review and meta-analysis will provide a pooled prevalence of mental distress and associated factors to assist policy-makers and programme managers in developing evidence-based mental health promotion and prevention programmes in university/college settings. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42017067223 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13643-019-0966-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Anemia is one of the global public health problems affecting more than one-third of the world population. It has been strongly associated with limited psychomotor development; and poor growth and performance in cognitive, social, and emotional function in children. Despite published data revealed that anemia is a public health problem among children in Ethiopia, there is no a pooled national estimate on the prevalence and associated risk factors of anemia. Methods Published articles until December 31, 2017, were searched using comprehensive search strings through PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, HINARI, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Google. Reference probing of published articles and hand searching were employed for grey literature. Two groups of review authors independently appraised the studies for eligibility and extracted the data. The quality of articles was assessed using Joana Brigg’s institute critical appraisal checklist for prevalence and analytical studies. The pooled estimates were determined using random effect model. Heterogeneity between the included studies was assessed using the I2 statistics. Subgroup analysis was employed in the evidence of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of the funnel plot and Egger’s regression test statistic. Results Of the total 871 articles retrieved, 34 articles which involved 61,748 children were eligible for meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of anemia using random effect model was 31.14% (95% CI: 24.62, 37.66%). In subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of anemia was higher among preschool-aged children (44.17%; 95% CI: 37.19, 51.15%) than school-aged children (22.19%; 95% CI: 17.54, 26.83%). Furthermore, the odds of anemia was higher among children who were male (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.19), stunted (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.52, 2.51), and wasted (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.10). Conclusion The pooled prevalence of anemia among children was high, indicating that it had been continuing to be a public health problem. Therefore, there is a need to design a comprehensive prevention and control strategies to reduce its burden. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13052-018-0513-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background. In Ethiopia, prenatal anemia is a major public health concern affecting both the health of the woman and babies. The World Health Organization recommends to conduct repeated prevalence studies concerning prenatal anemia . However, there is no recent evidence on the magnitude of the prenatal anemia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of prenatal anemia among women attending the Antenatal Care Clinic at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital.Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 362 participants from June 03-July 08, 2017, at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. The systematic random sampling technique was employed. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening was conducted. Nutritional status of the participants was assessed. Blood sample was collected by capillary tube . Intestinal parasite was examined by stool wet mount test. HIV serostatus was detected. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration below 11 g/dl. The multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors and to control the possible effects of confounders.Result. The prevalence of anemia was 22.2% (95% CI: 18.11, 27.1%). The highest odds of anemia were observed among pregnant women with family size of >five [AOR = 3 (95% CI: 1.03, 8.65)], unprotected water source users, [AOR = 4.09 (95% CI: 1.75, 9.55)], HIV infected [AOR = 2.94(95% CI: 1.37, 6.35)], and multigravida women [AOR = 3.5 (95% CI: 1.35, 9.17)].Conclusion and Recommendations. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women attending the University of Gondar Referral Hospital was a moderate public health problem. Unprotected water source, large family size, Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, and repeated pregnancies were factors that predicted anemia. Thus, prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, family planning utilization, and accessing pure water are recommended.

Objective. To assess undernutrition and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in Gondar Town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014. Multistage sampling method was used to select study participants. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used. Binary logistic regression was fitted to identify associated factors. Results. The prevalences of wasting and stunting were 6.8% and 45.7%, respectively. Higher odds of wasting were observed among children whose fathers were daily laborers (AOR = 2.63), children who had eating problem (AOR = 2.96), and those who were not exclusively breast-fed for the first six months (AOR = 5.63). Similarly, higher odds of stunting were found among female children (AOR = 1.65), children who lived in households having four to six families (AOR = 2.14), and children who did not start breast-feeding within one hour of birth (AOR = 0.67). Conclusion. Childhood undernutrition was a significant problem. Child eating problem, paternal occupation, and exclusive breast-feeding were associated with wasting, whereas family size, child sex, and breast-feeding initiation time were associated with stunting. Therefore, strengthening of early initiation and exclusive breast-feeding, promoting healthcare seeking behavior, and designing social support programme for poor family are recommended to reduce undernutrition.

Abere Woretaw Azagew,1 Hiwot Kassa Woreta,1 Ambaye Dejen Tilahun,2 Degefaye Zelalem Anlay3 1Department of Medical Nursing, 2Emergency and Critical Nurse Unit, 3Community Health Unit, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar,Ethiopia Background: HIV/AIDS are pressing global health problems. Pain is a common symptom reported by patients living with HIV/AIDS. The exact cause of pain in HIV patients has not been thoroughly described, but it may, due to a symptom of HIV itself, result from opportunistic infections, as a side effect of antiretroviral drugs, concurrent neoplasia or other causes. In addition, pain perception of HIV-infected patients is highly variable and may vary based on cultural context and patient demographics. In Ethiopia, there is insufficient evidence on the prevalence and factors associated with HIV-related pain.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 adult HIV-infected patients at Gondar University Hospital antiretroviral care clinic from March 1 to May 1, 2016. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and a standardized medical record data abstraction tool were used to collect data. A short form brief pain inventory tool was used to measure the outcome. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with pain among adult HIV patients.Results: The prevalence of pain was found to be 51.2% (95% CI: 46.4%–55.9%). Headache (17.9%), abdominal pain (15.6%), and backache (13.3%) were the most common symptoms of study participants. Being female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.9); regular alcohol intake (aOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.5–7.2); baseline World Health Organization clinical disease stage: II (aOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–4.9), III (aOR=2, 95%, CI: 1.1–3.6), and IV (aOR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–5.3); and the presence of a chronic comorbid condition (aOR=5.9, 95% CI: 2.1–16.7) were significantly associated with pain.Conclusion: Adult HIV patients in this sample reported a high level of chronic pain. Health-care providers should better implement a routine pain assessment among HIV-positive patients to alleviate their suffering. Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sub-saharan Africa, Ethiopia, pain, prevalence&nbsp

Introduction. HIV/AIDS-related stigma occurs in the world towards people living with HIV/AIDS in a different form. Stigma among nurses in health care setting is one of the main challenges towards the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS in developing countries. It is one of the main reasons keeping patients from seeking health care service. Therefore assessing the magnitude of stigma and associated factors towards people living on HIV/AIDS among nurses is of paramount importance for the quality of nursing care as well as service utilization. Methods. An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2013. Pretested and structured questionnaire via self-administration was used in the tool of HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument-Nurse (HASI-N). Data were entered using EPI info version 3.5.3 and transferred to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Descriptive statistics were conducted to summarize the sample characteristics. A backward stepwise logistic regression model was fitted and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to identify associated factors. Results. A total of 386 nurses participated yielding a response rate of 97.2%. Nearly two-thirds (64.5%) of them have shown stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS in the health institution. Qualification level of diploma or certificate, lack of training, experiences of Conclusions. The findings of this research showed high magnitude of stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS among nurses. For stigma to be decreased nurses need to update their knowledge through training and experience sharing with senior staff. And it is crucial that the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Amhara Regional Health Bureau, and the two hospitals work for decreasing stigma by creating educational development, ensuring accessibility of guidelines about HIV/AIDS, and providing access to training.

Background Workplace violence has been acknowledged as a global problem, particularly in the health sector. However, there is scarce data on workplace violence among nurses in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of workplace violence and associated factors among nurses in northwest Ethiopia. Methods Hospital based cross-sectional study design was employed in 386 nurses from April 1 – April 30, 2015. Data were collected through the use of self-administered questionnaire developed by the International Labor Office/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organization and Public Services International. To keep the quality of the data collection training was given to supervisors and data collectors. Piloting was done in Debark hospital two weeks before actual data collection to assess the tool’s clarity and make amendments. The proposal was approved by the Institutional Review Board of University of Gondar prior to study commencement and a written consent was obtained from each study participant. Results The overall prevalence of workplace violence was 26.7 %. Exploratory logistic regression analyses suggested that age, number of staff in the same work shift, working in a male ward, history of workplace violence, and marital status were factors independently associated with workplace violence Conclusion The prevalence of workplace violence among nurses was high. Creating a prevention strategy involving different stakeholders is recommended.

Background Regimen change is a major challenge for the sustainability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment program. In a resource limited setting where treatment options are limited, designing strategies to increase the durability of original regimen are essential. However, information’s on rate of initial regimen change and its predictors is scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the rate of initial highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART) regimen change and its predictors among adult HIV patients at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institutional based retrospective follow up study was conducted among 410 adult HIV patients started HAART from January 2010 to December 2014. Simple random sampling technique was used to select patient records using computer generated random number. Data were collected from patient chart using data extraction tool. The Kaplan–Meier curve was used to estimate the median duration of regimen change. Life table was used to estimate the cumulative survival for initial regimen change and log rank test to compare regimen change survival curves between the different categories of explanatory variables. Bivariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to identify predictors of initial regimen change. Results The overall incidence rate of initial regimen change was 10.11 (95 % CI 8.29, 12.6) per 100 person years (PY). Baseline WHO clinical stage III (AHR = 1.92, 95 % CI 1.12–3.35), occurrence of tuberculosis (TB) on the initial regimen (AHR = 8.33, 95 % CI 4.47–15.53), side effect on the initial regimen (AHR = 25.27, 95 % CI 15.12–42.00) and co-medication with ART (AHR = 2.5, 95 % CI 1.46–4.34) were significant predictors of initial regimen change. Conclusions The rate of initial HAART regimen change was found to be high. Having WHO clinical stage III, co-medication with ART, occurrence of tuberculosis and side effect on initial regimen were independent predictors of regimen change. Hence, close follow-up and screening of patient for side effect and tuberculosis is important.