Search

While computer animations have the potential to assist learners in understanding difficult concepts and eliminating misconceptions, studies supporting this claim are scarce. This study investigated how the 7E instructional model integrated with computer animations affected students' conceptual understanding and misconceptions about food making and plant growth. Experimental groups were taught the 7E learning cycle model [7E LCM], and 7E LCM with computer animation [CA] while the control group was taught the conventional instruction method. A two-tiered conceptual understanding multiple-choice test and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. ANOVA analysis revealed no significant differences between groups or genders in pre-food making and growth in plant conceptual understanding [pre-FMGPCU] and pre-misconceptions test scores [pre-MC]. There were, however, significant differences in post-FMGPCU and post-MC mean scores, with the 7E LCM with CA showing better results in improving conceptual understanding and minimizing misconceptions. MANOVA revealed no statistically significant difference between male and female students' post-FMGPCU and post-MC results. It was concluded that the 7E LCM with CA enhances students' conceptual understanding and minimizes misconceptions more effectively than other instructional approaches. It is recommended that similar designs be used in biology teaching.

Abstract Milk coagulation, traditionally relied on Calf rennet, is a crucial enzymatic process in cheese production. Ethical and practical constraints in using Calf rennet have led to the exploration of alternative sources. This study aimed to identify plant-based substitutes for calf rennet by investigating the coagulating potential of extracts from three plants: Calotropis procera, lemon, and Solanum incanum. Each plant tested with three extract levels (15, 20, and 25 ml), and replicated three times. Juices were extracted from lemon and Solanum incanum fruits through incision and squeezing. Meanwhile, Calotropis procera aqueous filtrates were separated from its polymeric gum using centrifugation. Then after, all extracts were further purified through muslin cloth and Whatman filter paper. Extracts were added to a beaker containing 500 ml of milk heated at 50 °C, and allowed to coagulate, resulting in the separation of cheese, curds and whey. Then after whey production, fresh and dry weights of cheese, and cheese yield percentage were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis using SAS Studio showed that there is highly significant differences with P

Abstract Dengue is the most rapidly spreading vector-borne disease worldwide, with over half the global population at risk for an infection. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is associated with increased disease severity and may also be attributable to the deterioration of disease in vaccinated people. Two dengue vaccines are approved momentarily, with more in development. The increasing use of vaccines against dengue, combined with the development of more, makes a thorough understanding of the processes behind ADE more important than ever. Above that, due to the lack of treatment options, this method of prevention is of great importance. This review aims to explore the impact of ADE in dengue vaccinations, with the goal of enhancing potential vaccination strategies in the fight against dengue.

Abstract The existence of multiple stresses and poor adaptive capacity make Africa most susceptible to climate change. In Ethiopia the potential adverse effects of climate change on the agricultural sector, the main stay of the country’s economy, are major concerns. To ensure food security, reducing the vulnerability of agricultural systems through different feasible adaptation strategies is one of the policy options in response to climate change impact This study is a first of its kind in examining the relative effectiveness of various adaptation strategies in ensuring farmers’ food security and enhancing level of sesame production in rural area of Western Ethiopia. In addition to data obtained from meteorological stations, cross-sectional data were collected interviewing 400 farm households. Descriptive statistics, two-stage least square (2SLS) and double-hurdle (D-H) models were used to analyze the data. The results of the study indicate that households are adapting using various strategies to the looming climate change in the area. The study also indicated that, though sesame production was negatively impacted by the climate hazards, smallholders have continued its production at minimum level due mainly to its high value crop character. 2SLS estimation results revealed that rainfall and temperature variability have negative impact on household’s food security. Moreover, the result indicates effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies namely agronomic practices, irrigation and soil and water conservation in reducing climatic risks and ensuring household food security. The result also implicitly indicated that farmers continued to adapt sesame production under risk climate and it is contributing to farmers’ food security. Further, the result revealed that climate change adaptation strategies have positively impacted the level of sesame production. Consequently, policy that augments households’ climate awareness and promotes adaptation decision and strategies could help reducing risks pertaining to climate and thereby improves farmers’ food security status and production of high value export potential crop—sesame.

Abstract Background Thyroid hormones have an effect on every organ system, in particular, the heart responds to minimal changes in serum thyroid hormone level. Thyroid hormone causes a lot of changes in the cardiovascular system, such as increased heart rate, contractility, systolic hypertension, changes in peripheral vascular resistance, atrial fibrillation (AF), and hypercoagulability from the direct effect of thyroid hormone on cardiac myocyte and /or due to increased metabolic state. However, the magnitude of such heart abnormalities and its associated factors were not well studied in Ethiopia. Objective To determine the magnitude of cardiac abnormality and its associated factors among hyperthyroidism patients on follow-up at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 318 hyperthyroid patients who were on follow-up at the endocrine clinic of TASH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from June to October 2022. The data were collected using a pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The data were entered into the computer using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to determine the association between the independent and dependent variables. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval and p-value

Abstract Foodborne illnesses affect 30% of people in developed nations and lead to financial difficulties in less wealthy countries. Insufficient understanding of pathogens and inadequate food safety practices in water bottling facilities impede progress. To prevent illnesses, ensuring clean water, proper sanitation, and good hand hygiene are essential in order to decrease the 829,000 annual deaths related to diarrhea. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of food safety systems in water bottling factories in view of their contextual characteristics. A study was conducted in northwestern Ethiopia at water bottling factories from January 2023 to August 2023. This study used a mixed method approach to collect and analyze data through laboratory testing, observations, interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. The Kruskal‒Wallis H test was used to compare mean scores of context riskiness and food safety output across four clusters, while the Mann‒Whitney U test was used to compare means between certified and noncertified factories. In our study, 43% of the samples showed positive total plate count. The result also indicated the presence of potentially dangerous by-products of chlorine, trihalomethanes was found in bottled water. On average, the manufacturers operated in a moderate risk context. Inadequate food safety outcomes resulted from lower food safety management systems scores. Factories with insufficient Food Safety Management Systems often face challenges marked by safety protocol discrepancies, leading to higher risks of contamination and non-compliance with regulations. This assessment underscores the need for tailored interventions focusing on specific contextual barriers to improve food safety outcomes in the bottled water industry.

Abstract Background Nosocomial infections pose a global health threat, with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) emerging as a prominent hospital-acquired infection, particularly in intensive care units (ICU).VAP is the commonest form of pneumonia in ICUs, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality rates, which can reach around 30%. Despite the substantial impact of VAP on healthcare, there is a lack of data on adherence to VAP prevention protocols in our hospital. Consequently, this study aims to assess the adherence to ventilator-associated pneumonia care bundles in critical care units at a comprehensive specialized hospital in northwest Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted from July 3, 2022, to January 7, 2024. All adult patients who were on mechanical ventilators for more than 48 h during the study period were included. Data were collected using the Institute of Healthcare Improvement VAP prevention standards as checklists via direct observation and chart review. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results A total of 300 surgical and medical ICU patients were observed. Among the patients, 66.3% were from the medical ICU. In terms of admission reasons, 22.3%, 15.7% and, 12% were attributed to infections excluding respiratory origin, respiratory disorders, and other causes, respectively. The rate of compliance with all components of the bundle was 70%. A 100% adherence rate was observed for the prophylaxis for peptic ulcer and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The lowest adherence rate was observed in the practice of oral hygiene with 0.5% chlorhexidine solution (0%) followed by humidification with heat and moisture exchangers (23.3%). Endotracheal tube cuff pressure measurement and use of endotracheal tubes with subglottic suction were not applicable. Conclusion The study revealed suboptimal compliance with the VAP care bundle, indicating unsatisfactory overall practice. Specific attention is warranted for subglottic suction, cuff pressure measurement, humidification, oral care with chlorhexidine, and sedation vacation.

Abstract Introduction Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) leads to significant morbidity in newborn infants in the United Kingdom (UK). Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, received approval from the European Medicines Agency and has been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for preventing RSV lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in neonates and infants during their first RSV season. The objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of nirsevimab on RSV-associated LRTDs, related costs, and loss of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in infants experiencing their first RSV season. Methods The impact of administering nirsevimab across all infant populations compared to palivizumab in the high-risk palivizumab-eligible population was assessed via a static decision-analytic model specified for a UK birth cohort experiencing their first RSV season. The RSV-related health events of interest included primary care (PC), accident and emergency (A&E) visits, hospitalizations [including hospitalizations alone and those resulting in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions], recurrent wheezing in infants who were previously hospitalized, and all-cause LRTD hospitalizations. Results Under the current standard of practice (SoP), RSV was estimated to result in 329,425 RSV LRTDs annually, including 24,381 hospitalizations and ICU admissions, representing £117.8 million (2024 GBP) in costs. Comparatively, universal immunization of all infants with nirsevimab could avoid 198,886 RSV LRTDs, including 16,657 hospitalizations and ICU admissions, resulting in savings of £77.2 million in RSV treatment costs. Considering the impact on all-cause LRTD of a universal immunization strategy, nirsevimab could be valued between £243 and £274, assuming willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds of £20,000 and £30,000 per QALY saved, respectively. Conclusions This analysis demonstrated that the health and economic burden of RSV would be substantially reduced in all infants experiencing their first RSV season in the UK (including term, preterm, and palivizumab-eligible infants) as a result of a universal immunization strategy with nirsevimab.

Abstract The textile industry uses a lot of adhesives to join materials together, and many of these adhesives use petroleum-based ingredients that are harmful to the environment. To replace petroleum-based adhesives with a more environmentally friendly option for the textile industry, this study set out to create and evaluate a hot-melt adhesive derived from cassava starch. By adding kaolin clay as a filler and tannin as a tackifier in different ratios of starch, the created adhesive was enhanced. Tannic acid to starch ratios of 2:1, 6:1, and 10:1 w/w and kaolin to starch ratios of 3:1, 5:1, and 7:1 w/w were used to investigate the effects of clay and tackifier, respectively. The adhesives’s viscosity, moisture content, tensile strength, and shear strength were then measured. The presence of kaolin and tannic acid in starch-based adhesives favored a good interaction between the adhesive’s ingredients. The adhesive’s maximum shear strength was measured at 4.93 ± 0.11 Mpa when dry and 0.263 ± 0.21 Mpa when wet. The current data indicate that the optimal tensile strength was determined to be 3.45 ± 0.22 MPa. This result showed that hot melt adhesives based on cassava starch would be a good environmentally friendly substitute for petroleum-based adhesives, and more study in this field is necessary.

Autism and other developmental disabilities are common in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization developed the caregiver skills training programme to address the needs of families having children with developmental disabilities globally. This study explored the acceptability and feasibility of the caregiver skills training programme facilitated by non-specialists in rural Ethiopia, where contextual factors such as poverty, stigma and low literacy may affect training delivery. In-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers (n = 19) and four focus groups with non-specialist facilitators (n = 8) in two rural pilot tests of the caregiver skills training programme. Results suggested that participants experienced the caregiver skills training programme as acceptable and relevant for their context but suggested some modifications to improve the programme. Caregivers' accounts showed that facilitation by non-specialists was acceptable; facilitators emphasised the importance of supervision throughout the programme. Participants indicated that the home visit and group training modalities were acceptable and feasible. Facilitators indicated that some caregiver skills training programme topics were difficult to explain to caregivers; the concept of formalised play between caregiver and child was particularly foreign to caregivers. Lack of available toys made it difficult to practise some of the caregiver skills programme training exercises. These findings may have relevance to non-specialist delivery of the caregiver skills programme training and other parent-mediated interventions in low-resource contexts.

Synchronous pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and renal cell cancer are extremely rare. Von-Hipple-Landau syndrome is a major association. A 43-year-old male patient with left upper quadrant pain and significant weight loss was diagnosed with a synchronous pancreatic tail neuroendocrine tumor with solitary splenic metastasis and a clear-cell renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney. Sonography and a computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a complex exophytic left renal mass and a necrotic lesion limited to the spleen. Although not apparent on preoperative imaging, distal pancreatic mass was also discovered intraoperatively. Subsequently, left radical nephrectomy, splenectomy, and distal pancreatectomy were performed, and the synchronous primaries and splenic metastasis were confirmed histopathologically. This case is unique in that it demonstrates multiple extremely rare events occurring simultaneously, namely pancreatic and kidney primaries, as well as solitary splenic metastasis.

Abstract Background The world health organization’s global health observatory defines maternal mortality as annual number of female deaths, regardless of the period or location of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or caused by pregnancy or its management (aside from accidental or incidental causes) during pregnancy and childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy and an estimated 287 000 women worldwide passed away from maternal causes between 2016 and 2020, that works out to be about 800 deaths per day or about one every two minutes. Method The most recent 2018–2023 DHS data set of 14 SSA countries was used a total of 89,489 weighted mothers who gave at list one live birth 3 years preceding the survey were included, a multilevel analysis was conducted. In the bi-variable analysis variables with p-value ≤ 0.20 were included in the multivariable analysis, and in the multivariable analysis, variables with p-value less than ≤ 0.05 were considered to be significant factors associated with having eight and more ANC visits. Result The magnitude of having eight and more ANC visits in 14 sub-Saharan African countries was 8.9% (95% CI: 8.76–9.13) ranging from 3.66% (95% CI: 3.54–3.79) in Gabon to 18.92% (95% CI: 18.67–19.17) in Nigeria. The multilevel analysis shows that maternal age (40–44, AOR;2.09, 95%CI: 1.75–2.53), maternal occupational status (AOR;1.14, 95%CI; 1.07–1.22), maternal educational level (secondary and above, AOR;1.26, 95%CI; 1.16–1.38), wealth status(AOR;1.65, 95%CI; 1.50–1.82), media exposure (AOR;1.20, 95%CI; 1.11–1.31), pregnancy intention (AOR;1.12, 95%CI; 1.05–1.20), ever had terminated pregnancy (AOR;1.16 95%CI; 1.07–1.25), timely initiation of first ANC visit (AOR;4.79, 95%CI; 4.49–5.10), empowerment on respondents health care (AOR;1.43, 95%CI; 1.30–1.56), urban place of residence (AOR;1.33, 95%CI; 1.22–1.44) were factors highly influencing the utilization of AN. On the other hand higher birth order (AOR;0.54, 95%CI; 0.53–0.66), not using contraceptive (AOR;0.80, 95%CI; 0.75–0.86) and survey year (AOR;0.47, 95%CI; 0.34–0.65) were factors negatively associated with having eight and more ANC visits. Conclusion In the 14 SSA included in this study, there is low adherence to WHO guidelines of eight and more ANC visits. Being educated, having jobs, getting access to media being from rural residence and rich wealth group contribute to having eight and more ANC visits, so we highly recommend policy implementers to advocate this practices.

Abstract Child labor migration is a critical issue that has received limited attention from academic and policy domains in many developing countries. This article analysis the causes of child labor migration and working conditions at the destination of temporary inter-rural child labor migration from Sekela district, Northwest Ethiopia. Mixed research methods is employed. Quantitative data is collected from randomly selected 204 respondents engaged in child labor migration. Focus group discussion, informal conversational interviews, and observation are also undertaken to gather qualitative data. Most child labor migrants participate in child labor migration due to localized economic constraints, which are reflected through a desire to have modern goods and cloth, food scarcity, and resource degradation. Also, the expansion of commercial farms at destination areas directly or indirectly due to the globalized market indicates that migrant children’s local labor cannot be delinked from material realities created by both national and international economic policy. The income from child labor migration supports children and their households’ livelihood, though it is at the expense of children’s education as well as exposure to worse working conditions at their destination in terms of exploitation, underpayment, malnutrition, breaching of an agreement by employers, and harassment. Hence, to exploit the benefits and minimize the risks, balanced measures should be taken at the origin and destination. Education programs should be supportive in increasing food productivity and assisting households to diversify their means of income by allowing them to participate in non-farm activities. It is also essential to the establishment of support groups in migrant destination places and the expansion of labor inspectorates who continuously supervise the safety of child labor migrants.

Background Adherence to option B+antiretroviral therapy medication is crucial for the effective implementation of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme. Ethiopia has adopted the WHO’s target of achieving over 95% adherence. However, research conducted in southern Ethiopia found that only 81.4% of women adhered to option B+medication, which reflects a poor level of adherence and remains a concern.Objective The objective of the study was to assess the level of option B+PMTCT drug adherence and associated factors among women who were breast feeding for up to 18 months in government health facilities of North Gojjam Zone, Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022Design An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted.Setting The study was carried out in hospitals located in the North Gojjam Zone of Northwest Ethiopia.Participants The study was conducted with 223 HIV-positive women who were breast feeding for up to 18 months, from 1 March 2022 to 30 April 2022.Primary and secondary outcomes The primary outcome was to assess the level of option B+PMTCT drug adherence, while the secondary outcome was to identify factors associated with option B+PMTCT drug adherence among HIV-positive women who were breast feeding for up to 18 months. Associations between variables were analysed using both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models, with a p

This study investigated the effects of multimedia and dynamic classroom integrated instruction (DCII) on students' academic achievement in two biology topics, i.e., respiration and photosynthesis. A non-equivalent, quasi-experimental design with a mixed research approach was employed. A total of 94 secondary school students participated in the study. Data were collected using biology achievement tests, classroom observations, and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed using paired and independent sample t-tests, repeated measure analysis of variance, and thematic analysis. Using the Kuder Richardson −20 (KR-20) formula, the calculated reliability coefficient of the BAT was .78. The results revealed that in the pretest and posttests, there was a statistically significant difference in biology achievement within the experimental group (t 47 = −17.461, p = .000) and in the posttest between the comparison and the experimental group (t 92 = 5.39, p = .000). Multimedia and DCII is a crucial factor that significantly enhanced academic performance between pretest and posttest scores (time effect), regardless of learning style. Still, there is no significant score difference between the three learning style groups, irrespective of time, and does not interact with each other. In conclusion, multimedia and DCII address the needs of diversified classroom learners, create a more active learning environment, simplify complex content, make the classroom busy, buffer educational inequality between learners, and replace unpractical lab activities. Mainly for abstract content, implementing systematic multimedia-based pedagogy can enhance students’ achievement.

Objectives We aimed to evaluate hospital mortality rates, readmission rates and length of hospital stay (LOS) among adult medical patients admitted to a teaching hospital in Ethiopia.Design We performed a retrospective study using routinely collected electronic data.Setting Data were collected from Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College between January 2021 and July 2023.Participants The analysis included 3499 (4111 admissions) adult medical patients with complete data.Outcome measures We used mortality rates, readmission rates and LOS to measure the quality of the outcomes for the top 15 admission diagnoses. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the statistically significant predictors of mortality with p values

Abstract Background Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a zoonotic pathogen that contaminates abattoir workers, slaughter environments, slaughter equipment, and carcasses during abattoir processing. Infection with E. coli is associated with the consumption of contaminated food and water, and it is a potential threat to the health and welfare of both humans and animals. Hence, this study aimed to detect diarrheagenic E. coli and assess its antibiogram profile in two abattoir settings, in one health lens. Methods A cross-sectional study in one health approach was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021. A total of 384 samples from abattoir workers’ hands, carcasses, knives, cattle feces, abattoir water and effluents were collected. Bacterial culture and biochemical tests were conducted to isolate E. coli, while conventional polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify virulence genes. The antibiogram of diarrheagenic E. coli was tested against nine antimicrobials using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results A total of 115 (29.95%) E. coli were isolated from the 384 samples, and from these isolates, about 17 (14.8%) were confirmed to be diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). Among the DEC pathotypes, nine (52.94%), five (29.4%), and three (17.65%) were Shiga toxin-producing, enterohemorrhagic, and enterotoxigenic E. coli, respectively. While 14 (82.35%) DEC isolates harbored the stx2 gene, five (29.41%) the eae gene, five (29.41%) the hlyA gene and three (17.65%) harbored the st gene. All the DEC isolates were resistant to erythromycin and vancomycin; whereas, they were susceptible to ampicillin, nalidixic acid and norfloxacin. Furthermore, 64.7% of DEC isolates showed resistance to both ceftazidime and kanamycin and 88.24% of the isolates showed multidrug resistance. Conclusion This study detected DEC isolates having different virulence genes, which showed single and multiple antimicrobial resistance. Given the existing poor hygienic and sanitary practices along the abattoir-to-table food chain, coupled with the habit of raw meat consumption, this result indicates a potential public and animal health risk from the pathogen and antimicrobial resistance.

Abstract A large proportion of HIV-coinfected visceral leishmaniasis (VL-HIV) patients exhibit chronic disease with frequent VL recurrence. However, knowledge on immunological determinants underlying the disease course is scarce. We longitudinally profiled the circulatory cellular immunity of an Ethiopian HIV cohort that included VL developers. We show that chronic VL-HIV patients exhibit high and persistent levels of TIGIT and PD-1 on CD8+/CD8- T cells, in addition to a lower frequency of IFN-γ+ TIGIT- CD8+/CD8- T cells, suggestive of impaired T cell functionality. At single T cell transcriptome and clonal resolution, the patients show CD4+ T cell anergy, characterised by a lack of T cell activation and lymphoproliferative response. These findings suggest that PD-1 and TIGIT play a pivotal role in VL-HIV chronicity, and may be further explored for patient risk stratification. Our findings provide a strong rationale for adjunctive immunotherapy for the treatment of chronic VL-HIV patients to break the recurrent disease cycle.

Temesgen Misganaw Liyew, Abraham Tarekegn Mersha, Belete Muluadam Admassie, Nurhusen Riskey Arefayne Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, North Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Belete Muluadam Admassie, Email uogbelete@gmail.comBackground: Healthcare provided in medical facilities should prioritize the needs of families, as it enhances the quality of care for the patients. Family satisfaction gauges how effectively healthcare professionals address the perceived needs and expectations of family members. Numerous factors, including information dissemination, communication, family dynamics, patient characteristics, hospital facilities, and the caregiving process, serve as predictors of family satisfaction. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the satisfaction of families with the care received by patients admitted to the intensive care unit.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 400 participants was conducted across multiple centers from March to June 2023. Multicollinearity was assessed by examining variance inflation factors (VIF), while the goodness-of-fit was evaluated using the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify factors correlated with family satisfaction. Variables with a p-value below 0.2 in the bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) with 95% Confidence Intervals were computed to indicate the strength of association. In the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were deemed statistically significant.Results: The overall family satisfaction with the care provided in the intensive care unit was 58.6%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 55.882% to 61.241%. Families expressed higher satisfaction levels with patient care (64.8%) and professional care (67.4%). However, they reported lower satisfaction levels regarding care provided for families (52.2%), the ICU environment (56.8%), and involvement of families in decision-making (55.8%). Lack of formal education (AOR: 1.949, 95% CI: 1.005, 4.169), completion of primary education (AOR: 2.581, 95% CI: 1.327, 5.021), and completion of grades 9– 12 (AOR: 2.644, 95% CI: 1.411, 4.952) were found to be significantly associated with overall family satisfaction.Conclusion and recommendation: The overall level of satisfaction is satisfactory. To enhance service quality and family satisfaction, healthcare providers should prioritize effective and regular communication with family members. Keeping them well informed about the patient’s condition and treatment plan is essential.Keywords: critical care, family satisfaction, intensive care unit, quality care, satisfaction

Abstract Introduction Traumatic head injury (THI) poses a significant global public health burden, often contributing to mortality and disability. Intraoperative hypotension (IH) during emergency neurosurgery for THI can adversely affect perioperative outcomes, and understanding associated risk factors is essential for prevention. Method A multi-center observational study was conducted from February 10 to June 30, 2022. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Patient data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify significant factors associated with intraoperative hypotension (IH). Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to show the strength of association, and P value

Abstract Background Stigma related to lower-limb lymphoedema poses a major psychosocial burden to affected persons and acts as a barrier to them accessing morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) services. Community Conversation (CC), which actively engages community members and disseminates health information amongst them, is believed to break the vicious cycle of stigma by enhancing disease-related health literacy at the community level. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Northern Ethiopia to assess the role of the CC intervention in reducing stigma. In two control districts, a comprehensive and holistic MMDP care package was implemented that included physical health, mental health and psychosocial interventions, whilst in the intervention district the CC intervention was added to the MMDP care package. A total of 289 persons affected by lymphoedema and 1659 community members without lymphoedema were included in the study. Results Over the course of the intervention, in all sites, community members’ knowledge about the causes of lymphoedema increased, and perceived social distance and stigmatizing attitudes towards people with lymphoedema decreased in the community, whilst experienced and internalized stigma decreased amongst affected persons. There were no significant changes for perceived social support. However, the changes were greater in the control sites overall, i.e. those districts in which the holistic care package was implemented without CC. Conclusion The findings suggest that the CC intervention provides no additional stigma reduction when used alongside a holistic MMDP care package. Provision of comprehensive and holistic MMDP services may be adequate and appropriate to tackle stigma related to lower-limb lymphoedema in a resource-constrained setting like Ethiopia.