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Background: HIV/AIDS is a major public health, social and economic problem in Ethiopia. However, little has been done on assessment of the quality of the services given to patients in this country. Objective: To assess the quality of HIV/AIDS services in health centers of East Shoa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Method: Cross sectional survey was undertaken in selected health centers of East Shoa Zone between February and May, 2017. Data was collected using researcher administered structured questionnaire, logistics indicators assessment tool and observation check list. SPSS for windows version 20 was utilized in the analysis of the collected data. Results: The study facilities were providing various services to HIV/AIDS patients. All (100%) and 6(75%) facilities respectively had shortage of trained human power required to give ART and TB services. Regarding ARV medicines availability, majority of the study facilities, 5 (62.50%) reported that they had the stockout of AZT300/3TC150/NVP200 in six months prior to study while 4 (66.7%) of the facilities had the stockout of NVP 240ml (50mg/5ml) syrup on day of visit. Among anti-TB medicines, E100 was out of stock in three facilities (37.5%) on day of visit and INH100 had been out of stock in 4 (50%) of the facilities in six months prior to the study. From OIs medicines, Cotrimoxazole 960mg tablet stockedout in 4 (66.70%) on day of visit and in5 (83.30%) health centers in six months prior to the study. Considerable number of study facilities, 4 (66.70%) had the stockout of tramadol 50mg tablet on day of visit and ibuprofen 400mg tablet in six months prior to the study, 5 (71.40%). Conclusion: The studied facilities were challenged by different factors including, scarcity of human power, stockout of various HIV/AIDS related medicines and inability to make patients adhere to the services given by the facilities. The consequences of these factors can be dangerous to the patients as well as to the wider public and hence making available the appropriate human resource and HIV/AIDS related commodities including medicines should be the priority for the health facilities and the region to improve the quality of HIV/AIDS services in the study area. Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Services quality; Health center; East Shoa Zone.

Fikadu Ejeta,1 Diriba Feyisa,1 Oliyad Kebede,1 Temesgen Aferu,1 Jafer Siraj,2 Desalegn Feyissa,3 Emebet Wodajo,3 Alemu Tamiru3 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia; 3Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Fikadu Ejeta Tel +251910136034Email fikaduejeta@gmail.comObjective: The objectives of this research were to investigate pharmacy professionals’ counseling practices as well as to evaluate pharmacy professionals’ counseling skills and the content of counseling services provided to patients visiting medicine retail outlets.Methods: A facility-based observational cross-sectional study was used to assess medication counseling practice by pharmacy professionals. Data were gathered through an observation and a semi-structured questionnaire. Epi data version 4.0.2 was used to enter data, which was subsequently exported to SPSS version 21.0 for analysis. ANOVA and post hoc statistical analyses were used to investigate the association between independent and dependent variables; and a 0.05 p-value was considered.Results: This study has a total of 105 pharmacy professionals that were included in the analysis. The majority of those who responded were between the ages of 25 and 29. The most common drug information offered by pharmacy staff to patients was frequency of administration (90%), length of therapy (90%), and unit dose dispensed, according to the current study (86%). Pharmacy professionals’ age was significant on components of counseling practice as on mentioning the name of drugs during dispensing the medication (p=0.000), the route of administration (p=0.000), a drug dose (p=0.003), frequency of drug administration (p=0.016), proper medicine storage (p=0.024), type of dosage form (p=0.025), and duration of treatment (p=0.012). In comparison with the other age groups, an age greater than 40 years was significant on components of counseling practice (p=0.001) as a factor associated with penurious counseling practice than the other groups.Conclusion: This study shows that counseling practice is still quite low in comparison to what is expected. Some of the issues that affect counseling include a high patient load, the lack of a private counseling room, a lack of updated drug knowledge, and a lack of experience were factors that influence counseling.Keywords: counselling, counselling practice, medication, pharmacy professionals, Mizan-Aman, Southwest Ethiopia

Background The World Health Organization and UNAIDS estimated that 36.9 million people were living with HIV in 2017 globally. In the same year, 1.8 million people became newly infected with HIV and 940,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with HIV and AIDS services in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH), Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 01/2018 to January 31/2019 among 348 people living with HIV who were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A systematic random sampling technique was applied to select the study participants. Face to face interview was employed using structured questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic factors, clinical factors, and patient satisfaction indicators for HIV and AIDS services. Level of satisfaction was assessed based on 24 Likert-scale items. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the independent predictors of patient satisfaction with the services given. Results A total of 348 respondents completed the interview, of which 213 (61.20%) were male. The mean age of the respondents was 35.67 (SD=8.40). The overall level of clients' satisfaction with HIV and AIDS services was 55.2%. Educational status of secondary school and above [AOR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.24-4.69], duration of advice above 10 min [AOR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.09-2.79], CD4 count >500 [AOR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.37-3.54], and duration of treatment of 2 years and above [AOR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.07-3.49] were identified as factors significantly associated with client satisfaction. Conclusion Overall, 55.20% of patients were satisfied with HIV and AIDS services given at the ART clinic of MTUTH. Educational status, CD4 count, duration of advice, and duration of treatment were found to be independent predictors of patient satisfaction with ART services. Increasing client satisfaction is important through patient counseling and care.

Background: Adolescence/youth is a continuum of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial development. Due to a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health, adolescents face a number of problems. Clear family communication of reproductive health issues often leads to increased awareness of reproductive health matters and reduces risky behaviors and its consequences in adolescent populations. Objective: To assess parent-adolescent/youth communication and associated factors among students attending secondary and preparatory schools in Fiche town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 27 to 30,2017, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Two schools in the town were included in the study. Data were entered using epidata manager version 4.0.2.101 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The number of students who had ever discussed sexual and reproductive health issues with their parents was 118 (31.2%). Mothers’ educational status of diploma [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.52, 95%CI=1.13-10.95], fathers’ educational status of diploma [AOR=3.84, 95%CI=1.29-11.41], students’ perceived importance of sexual and reproductive health issues discussion [AOR=6.69, 95%CI=2.04-22.00], students’ knowledge about sexual and reproductive health issues [AOR=4.80, 95%CI=2.56-9.01], and students’ attitude towards sexual and reproductive health issues [AOR=3.13, 95%CI=1.76-5.57] were identified as independent predictors of parent-student sexual and reproductive health communication. Conclusion: The level of parent-student sexual and reproductive health communication is low among secondary and preparatory schools in Fiche town. Therefore, school administration, in collaboration with stakeholders, should facilitate adolescent-friendly services to enhance sexual and reproductive health-related awareness.

Fikadu Ejeta, Diriba Feyisa, Temesgen Aferu, Jafer Siraj, Demeke Melkam, Ahmed Ali School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Fikadu Ejeta, Tel +251910136034, Email fikaduejeta@gmail.comIntroduction: Obstacles encountered when maintaining excellent dispensing practices for children include a lack of age-appropriate dosage forms, a shortage of medications in appropriate strengths for children, a lack of appetizing drugs, and a lack of competence in pediatric pharmacy. These difficulties contribute to ineffective dispensing procedures and an urgent need to study whether oral dose forms of medications are dispensed to children in a rational way.Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rational dispensing of oral dosage forms of medicines to children, as well as the factors that influence this practice.Methods: Using validated indicators, a cross-sectional study design was utilized to analyze the rational dispensing practice of oral dosage forms of medicines administered to children under the age of 12 years in seven pharmacies and two drug stores over a one-month period.Results and discussions: Out of 810 medicines, 11.7% and 4% were irrationally manipulated, 5.8% and 1.8% needed manipulation, 3.7% and 0.2% were alternatively dispensed, 8.8% and 7.5% of the medicines had correct advice on their label and also 745 medicines were adequately labeled in the hospital and the selected drug stores. In this study, 92% of medicines were adequately labeled and had sufficient advice on their labels, 15.3% of medicines were irrationally manipulated and around 7.7% of the dosage forms needed manipulation during dispensing. The type of medicine retail outlet had a significant effect on the percentage of instances where alternative solid oral dosage forms were dispensed (p = 0.003), the percentage of dosage forms were adequately labeled (p = 0.008), and the percentage of dosage forms were irrationally manipulated before dispensing (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The rational dispensing practice of oral dosage forms of medicines was relatively poor and there is room for improvement.Keywords: rational dispensing, oral dosage forms, rational drug use, children

BackgroundThe main elements of effective vaccine cold chain management at the immunization service delivery point are well-trained vaccine cold chain handlers, vaccine storage equipment, and appropriate vaccine management procedures. Vaccine cold chain handlers must have enough expertise to provide the correct vaccine at the right time, maintain vaccine potency, and minimize vaccination failures. The study assessed knowledge of vaccine cold chain handlers on vaccine cold chain management, adherence to the WHO vaccine storage codes and vaccine cold chain management practice at primary health facilities in Dalocha district of Silt'e zone.MethodInstitutional-based cross-sectional study was done at twenty-eight primary health facilities. One hundred forty primary health workers were drawn from four health centers and twenty-four health posts operating in Dalocha woreda of Silt'e zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaires and on-spot observation checklists were adapted from the WHO and WHO-UNICEF-effective vaccine management assessment tools to collect data from cold chain unit of the primary healthcare facilities. Data were entered to EPI data version 3.1; exported and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the level of knowledge, adherence to WHO cold chain management guideline and vaccine handling practice. The relationship that the knowledge of primary healthcare workers, primary healthcare workers training status, primary healthcare facilities' adherence to WHO vaccine storage codes, and length of work experience of primary health care workers have with the vaccine management practice were also exploredResultAbove Half (54%) of the respondents have satisfactory knowledge of vaccine cold chain management. One hundred (71.4%) vaccine cold chain handlers did point correctly to the recommended range of temperature (2°C -8°C) for vaccine storage. Around two-thirds (63.6%) of them were aware of the twice-daily temperature recordings. Nearly half, (46.2%) of primary healthcare facilities have experienced poor adherence to the WHO storage practice codes. Around three-fifths of the observed primary healthcare facilities have registered undesirable vaccine management practices. The primary healthcare workers who received training on vaccine cold chain management (χ2 = 0.058,p=0.015), served at primary health care facilities for more five years (χ2 =18.545,p≤0.001), shown good adherence to WHO vaccine storage code (χ2 =18.545,p≤0.001), have sufficient knowledge on vaccine cold chain management (χ2=4.210,p≤0.031) were all significantly associated with desirable vaccine cold chain management practice.ConclusionThere is a gap in vaccine cold chain handlers’ knowledge about vaccine cold chain management and less than desirable adherence to WHO vaccine storage codes at primary healthcare facilities in Dalocha district. The majority of the observed primary health facilities have registered poor vaccine management practices. Everyone who has a stake in the cold chain management of vaccines should do their share, individually and collectively, to guarantee that everyone reaps the benefits of an effective cold chain.

Peri-conception care plays an essential and vital role for the health of the mother, her child and her family. Taking folic acid orally prior to conception and during the early stages of pregnancy plays a significant role in preventing Neural Tube Defects and has been associated with preventing other folic acid sensitive congenital anomalies. There exists problem in different parts of the globe on women's understanding of the importance of folic acid making them not to take this supplement in peri-conception period.This study aimed at assessing the knowledge of peri-conception folic acid supplementation among women visiting Maternal and Child Health clinics of public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 20/2020 among 226 women visiting Maternal and Child Health clinics of health centers in Addis Ababa. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected through interviewer administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24. Tables, charts and graphs were used for data presentation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of women's knowledge of folic acid at p-value ≤ 0.05.More than two-third of the study participants, 156 (69.0%) had good knowledge on peri-conception folic acid supplementation and its health benefits. Participants with age 25-30 years were 2.14 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those aged less than 25 years while women with age greater than 30 years were 5.20 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those with age less than 25 years. Women who had attended high school were 2.93 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those with no formal education. Likewise, women who had attended college and above were 4.18 times at odd of having good knowledge on periconception folic acid supplementation compared to those with no formal education. Women who had information on prenatal care were 1.48 times more likely to have good knowledge compared to those who never had no information.Folic acid supplementation knowledge in more than two third of the study participants was good. Participants' age, educational status and information on prenatal care were the independent predictors of knowledge on folic acid supplementation. The Ministry of health, Addis Ababa city health bureau, the study facilities' management as well as Non-Governmental Organizations working on health in the city should focus on means to increase knowledge of peri-conception folic acid health benefits for women with poor knowledge on the same.

The use of Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has become a standard of care for the treatment of HIV infection. The therapy restores immune function and reduces HIV-related adverse outcomes. However, treatment failure erodes this advantage and leads to an increased morbidity and compromised quality of life in HIV patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess anti-retroviral treatment failure and associated factors among HIV patients on the first line ART at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among adult patient who have been on ART and attending ART Clinic of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital from September 2014 to September 2018. Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing patients’ medical charts using a standard structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.0.2 and then exported to SPSS version 21.0 for analysis. To identify the predictors of anti-retroviral treatment failure, multiple stepwise backward logistic regression analysis were done. P value

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a major public health, social, and economic problem in Ethiopia. Even though the government is working to scale up Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) services, patient loss to follow-up and ensuring adherence to ART regimens remain major challenges of the ART program in the country; little has also been done on the assessment of patient satisfaction on different HIV/AIDS service dimensions. This study aimed at assessing patient satisfaction with HIV/AIDS services in health centers of East Shoa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study employed a cross-sectional survey between February and May 2017. Data was collected through exit interviews using five-point Likert scale-based questions and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The overall mean patient satisfaction score was 3.16 (SD = 0.87) on a 1 to 5 scale. Availability of anti-Tuberculosis (anti TB) drugs in pharmacy was an item with the highest mean satisfaction score (4.18 ± 0.61) while waiting time to get pharmacy service was ranked least by the patients (mean score of 1.92, SD = 0.81). Merchants and students were more likely to be satisfied compared to other occupational groups. Overall, there was a wider gap in the study facilities concerning patient satisfaction and, therefore, health facility managers, Zonal and Woreda health offices, and Oromia Region Health Bureau should work in collaboration with other stakeholders to improve patient satisfaction with items for which the satisfaction score was low.

Nanati Legese,1 Temesgen Aferu,2 Tsehay Kassa3 1School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia; 3Teklehaimanot health center, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Nanati Legese Email nanatilegese@yahoo.comIntroduction: Amoebiasis is one of the world’s most prevalent and fatal infectious diseases. Several surveys revealed that amoebiasis is one of the most widely distributed diseases in Ethiopia. The combination of metronidazole with diloxanide furoate represents a new approach for the treatment of the infection.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of diloxanide plus metronidazole compared with metronidazole alone in the treatment of amoebiasis in Ethiopia.Methods: An analytical decision model was used to analyze costs and effectiveness from a societal perspective by taking adult amoebic patients as the study population with a time horizon of two months. The potential impacts of uncertainty in single parameters were explored in one-way sensitivity analyses.Results: Metronidazole with diloxanide had a higher cost and effect compared to metronidazole alone with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 8 US$ per amoebic case cured. The result was sensitive to the decrease in the effectiveness of metronidazole with diloxanide.Conclusion: This study revealed the addition of diloxanide to standard treatment to be a more effective and more costly treatment strategy. Therefore, a decision for choosing the medication should be based on the ability of patients to pay for the treatment.Keywords: amoebiasis, metronidazole, metronidazole with diloxanide, cost-effectiveness analysis, Ethiopia

Zufan Asaye,1 Temesgen Aferu,2 Adane Asefa,3 Desalegn Feyissa,2 Tolcha Regasa,2 Oliyad Kebede,2 Diriba Feyisa,2 Mulugeta Feyisa4 1Department of Statistics, College of Natural Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia; 2School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia; 3School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia; 4Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Selale University, Fiche, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Temesgen AferuSchool of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, EthiopiaEmail temesgenaferu@gmail.comBackground: Hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection is a global public health problem, even though its prevalence is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries. Mother-to-child transmission is a major route of HBV transmission in endemic areas. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HBV and its determinants among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital and Mizan Health Center, Southwest Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 13th 2020 and February 5th 2020 among 370 pregnant women. The sample size was proportionally allocated to each health institution according to the total pregnant women on antenatal care at the respective health institution and a consecutive sampling technique was used to select study participants. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested using a rapid diagnostic test. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of HBsAg serostatus at p-value < 0.05.Results: Three hundred seventy of the total 375 pregnant women participated in the study resulting in a response rate of 98.7%. Twenty-two (5.9%) of the pregnant women screened were found positive for HBsAg (prevalence=5.9%; 95% CI: 3.9– 8.80%). History of contact with jaundice patients (AOR=9.87; 95% CI: 2.98– 32.65), sharing sharp materials (AOR=3.96; 95% CI: 1.23– 11.08) and history of multiple sexual partners (AOR=6.77; 95% CI: 2.44– 18.78) were significantly associated with Hepatitis B Virus infection.Conclusion: The endemicity of hepatitis B virus seroprevalence is intermediate in the study settings. Factors associated with hepatitis B virus serostatus were behavioral; hence, modification of these factors may help to prevent the infection.Keywords: hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis B surface antigen, pregnant women