Search

Natanim Degefu,1 Abera Jambo,2 Shambel Nigusse,2 Mesay Dechasa,2 Tigist Gashaw,3 Melaku Getachew4 1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Melaku Getachew, Department of Emergency and critical care medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box: 138, Harar, Ethiopia, Tel +251953137119, Email melakug02@gmail.comBackground: Despite cardiogenic pulmonary edema is the most common phenotype of acute heart failure (AHF), studies on its burden and associated factors are limited. This study aimed to assess the burden and contributing factors of cardiogenic pulmonary edema in patients with acute heart failure admitted to a tertiary hospital in eastern Ethiopia.Patients and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on the medical records (n = 276) of patients with AHF between February 01, 2018, and January 31, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select participants from the study population. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with the development of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. A P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The prevalence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema was 47.8% in AHF patients. Rural residence (adjusted odds ratio (AOR),9.54), smoking (AOR,3.17), comorbidity (AOR,2.1), and underlying cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease, chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease with AOR: 6.71, 8.47, and 12.07, respectively) were significantly associated with the development of cardiogenic pulmonary edema in patients with AHF.Conclusion: Nearly half of the patients with AHF had cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Being a rural dweller, cigarette smoking, comorbidities, and underlying cardiac illness were significantly associated with the development of cardiogenic pulmonary edema in patients with AHF.Keywords: acute heart failure, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, Ethiopia, tertiary hospital

Aklilu Tekeba,1 Yohanes Ayele,2 Belay Negash,3 Tigist Gashaw4 1Micheta Community Pharmacy, Daro Lebu Health Office, West Harerghe, Ethiopia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tigist GashawDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, PO Box 235, Harar, EthiopiaTel +251-91-202-7244Fax +256668081Email yekalabel@gmail.comBackground: Self-medication is one aspect of self-care that has been shown to benefit primary health care. When done correctly, it provides significant benefits to customers, such as self-reliance and cost savings. Inappropriate methods, on the other hand, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and therapy selection, can be disastrous. The COVID-19 pandemic context may benefit the community in easing the burden on the health system. There have been no studies conducted on this possibility in the context of COVID-19 in a selected area, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of and factors associated with self-medication among clients visiting community pharmacies in west Harerghe, Ethiopia from June 1 to 30, 2020.Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study used a systemic random sample of 416 community-pharmacy clients. To collect data, face-to-face interviews were conducted using pretested semistructured questionnaires modified from established techniques. EpiData 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS 24 for analysis. To determine factors associated with self-medications, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. AORs with 95% CIs are used to report associations, and the level of significance was set at P< 0.05.Results: The proportion of people self-medicating was 73.6% (95% CI 69.2%– 77.9%). Self-medications were significantly associated with age 18– 24 years (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.56– 24.21) and 25– 34 years (AOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.35– 9.27), Amhara ethnicity (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01– 2.94), current single status (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15– 0.51), government employment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12– 0.82), and limited knowledge (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40– 3.79).Conclusion: Three in four participants practiced self-medication in the era of COVID-19. Repetition was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, current marital status, type of occupation, and knowledge about self-medications. An alternative medical care–delivery system by all health-care providers and increasing community awareness should be promoted.Keywords: self-medication, community pharmacy, COVID-19, Ethiopia

Mekonnen Sisay,1 Tigist Gashaw,1 Natanim Degefu,2 Bisrat Hagos,3 Addisu Alemu,4 Zenebu Teshome,5 Mekonnen Admas,6 Haregeweyn Kibret,7 Yadeta Dessie4 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Public Health and Health Policy, School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 5East Harerge Zone Administration Office, Harar, Ethiopia; 6HIV/AIDS Unit, Gender, HIV/AIDS and Special Need Affair Directorate, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 7Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mekonnen SisayDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box, 235, Harar, EthiopiaEmail mekonnensisay27@yahoo.comBackground: The COVID-19 crisis has already resulted in an economic and labor market shock and a rise of informal work sectors. Being an informal job, traditional coffee vending can predispose women to a myriad of mental disorders. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors among street traditional coffee vendors in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed on 180 women engaged in street traditional coffee vending business in Harar town. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a Public Health Questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was executed to identify factors associated with depression at a cut-off point of P < 0.05.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 31.83 (± 10) years. The majority of the participants were currently married (n = 77, 42.8%), attended primary education (n = 68, 37.8%), had a family member of four or more (n = 60, 33.3%), and had two years or less work experience (n = 123, 68.3%). Most of the study participants obtained COVID-19-related information from television (n = 125, 69.4%). The prevalence of depression was found to be 18.9%. Attending primary education (AOR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.98), attending secondary education or higher (AOR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.69), and having four or more family members (AOR: 2.81; 95% CI: 1.14, 6.92) were significantly associated with depression.Conclusion: One in five street traditional coffee vendors suffered from depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower odds of being depressed were observed in those who attended a minimum of primary education. On the contrary, having a greater family size was associated with higher odds of being depressed. This finding will direct the government and other concerned bodies to be involved in the provision of psychological and material support for such informal workers during COVID-19.Keywords: coronavirus, depression, street, traditional coffee vending

Tigist Gashaw,1 Mekonnen Sisay,1 Tewodros Tesfa,2 Yohannes Baye,3 Firehiwot Amare4 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Microbiology Unit, Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tigist GashawDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 235, Harar, EthiopiaEmail yekalabel@gmail.comIntroduction: Penicillin is among the highly used antibiotics in most parts of the world, with amoxicillin being the most frequently utilized drug in the category. However, amoxicillin use has been found to deviate from standard treatment guidelines (STGs).Objective: This study aimed to evaluate amoxicillin utilization patterns based on Ethiopian STGs criteria at four governmental hospitals in Harar town: Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Jugel Hospital, South East Command III Hospital, and Federal Harar Police Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia in 2016.Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was employed using medication records of patients who received amoxicillin in 2016 at four governmental hospitals from May 15 to June 30, 2018. A total of 502 medication records were proportionally allocated based on the ratio of consumption data of each hospital. Simple random sampling was employed to collect the required sample from the sampling frame. The collected data were entered into SPSS version 21 and analyzed using descriptive analysis.Results: Amoxicillin was used in all age groups, including pregnant and lactating women. The majority (96.2%) of patients were from the outpatient departments. Complete blood count was the most laboratory investigation carried out in 24.9% whereas microbiological culture was not recorded at all. Top three indications include nonspecific upper respiratory tract infections (15.1%), pneumonia (13.5%) and dental problems (10.6%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (56.2%) were frequently co-administered agents. An appropriate utilization was made considering indication, dose, frequency and therapy duration in 23.9% as per the Ethiopian STG. The wrong indication (65.4%) was the prime reason for inappropriateness, followed by dose (14.6%) and duration of therapy (12.2%).Conclusion: Amoxicillin utilization was appropriate in less than a quarter of patients. The wrong indication was the main reason for inappropriateness, predisposing to resistance development. Further studies identifying factors related to misuse and sensitivity tests should be the next steps.Keywords: amoxicillin, utilization, antibiotics, resistance, appropriateness

Mekonnen Sisay,1 Tigist Gashaw,1 Firehiwot Amare,2 Tewodros Tesfa,3 Yohannes Baye4 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Microbiology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mekonnen SisayDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box, 235, Harar, EthiopiaTel +251 920 21 21 35Fax +251 256 66 80 81Email mekonnensisay27@yahoo.comBackground: Antibacterial agents are an integral part of chemotherapy and play a critical role in the prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections. However, prescribing errors such as incomplete prescriptions that do not adhere to good prescribing practice have become a contemporary concern in hospitals in resource-limited settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess antibacterial prescribing and its completeness among prescriptions dispensed at four governmental hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed to assess a total of 1308 prescription encounters containing at least one antibacterial agent obtained with simple random sampling from annual antibacterial-containing prescription data of four hospitals. The data were collected retrospectively using a structured checklist.Results: A total of 2,855 drugs were prescribed from 1308 prescribing encounters with 1496 (52.39%) being antibacterial agents. The name, age, sex, and diagnosis of the patients were written in 1158 (88.3%), 815 (62.31%), 796 (60.58%), and 183 (13.99%) prescriptions, respectively. Besides, the route of administration, strength, duration, quantity, dose, and dosage form of the drug were recorded in 2322 (81.33%), 2118 (74.19%), 1516 (53.10%), 1525 (53.42%), 746 (26.13%) and 563 (19.72%) prescriptions, respectively. Nearly 50% of the prescribing encounters were documented without a prescriber name. Dispenser name and signature were also obtained in less than 10% of the prescriptions. Combining the data of all hospitals, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin were identified as the top three prescribed antibacterial drugs, whereas diclofenac, paracetamol, and tramadol were the most frequently co-indicated drugs. Regarding the pharmacologic class of antibiotics, penicillins were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics (n = 596, 39.77%) followed by cephalosporins (n = 318, 21.26%) and fluoroquinolones (n=285, 19.05%).Conclusion: Incomplete information about patient-related factors and major diagnosis, medication regimens, prescribers and dispensers was identified as a potential prescribing error and did not adhere to good prescribing practice. This can be considered as one part of the inappropriate use of antibacterial agents, a driving force for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. This problem requires immediate and sustained action from the management of the hospitals to ensure the accountability of health professionals involved in the medication use process and to establish antimicrobial stewardship programs in such resource-limited settings.Keywords: prescribing practice, completeness, antibacterial drugs, Eastern Ethiopia

The surface urban heat island (SUHI) is caused by a combination of variables, broadly classified as climate change, land use change, and urbanization. They have varying degrees of influence depending on their level of intensity. As a result, recognizing the primary cause is critical to resolving the issue and developing suitable policies to reduce resource waste. This study attempted to identify the underlying cause of SUHI by primarily evaluating the intensity of the surface urban heat island using primary and secondary data. Zonal Statistics, the Mann-Kendall trend test, Oke’s UHI model, multiple linear regression, and Likert Scale were used in the analysis. The average SUHII value, Beta coefficient, and mean value of the Likert scale for urbanization are the highest, followed by Land use and climate change. The average temperature induced by population density is 3.85 °C and its Beta value is 0.449 which is significant at p