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Kassahun Haile,1 Solomon Kebede,1 Temesgen Abera,1 Abebe Timerga,2 Ayenew Mose3 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia; 2Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia; 3Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Kassahun Haile, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, P.O. Box: 07, Gubre, Wolkite, Ethiopia, Tel +259-26-07-43-74, Fax +251 11 322 0041, Email kassahaile07@gmail.comBackground: Thrombocytopenia is a worldwide public health problem in pregnant women and is associated with significant maternal–fetal complications and mortality. Determination of burden, severity, and predictors of thrombocytopenia in pregnant women is imperative to develop intervention measures to mitigate their risk and public health impact, which is not well known in Ethiopia, particularly in the selected study area. Thus, this study aimed to determine the burden, severity, and predictors of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Wolkite University Specialized Hospital, southwest Ethiopia.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among 422 pregnant women from May to August 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, reproductive, and related characteristics. Venous blood samples were collected and platelet counts were determined by Sysmex XP-300 hematology analyzer. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software to identify independent predictors of thrombocytopenia. The p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The overall burden of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women was 14.5% (95% CI: 11.4– 17.8). Among them, 77%, 16.4%, and 6.6% had mild, moderate, and severe thrombocytopenia, respectively. Rural residence (AOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.5– 5.8), increasing age (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.04– 3.44), alcohol consumption (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.3– 4.5), and HIV infection (AOR: 8.5, 95% CI: 1.9– 18.4) were independent predictors of thrombocytopenia among the pregnant women.Conclusion: A high burden of thrombocytopenia (14.5%) was observed among the pregnant women in this study area. Rural residence, increasing age, consumption of alcohol, and HIV infection were identified as independent predictors of thrombocytopenia. The findings of this study should be taken into consideration to conduct appropriate intervention measures on identified predictors and implement routine screening of platelet count, thrombocytopenia diagnosis, and treatments to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women.Keywords: pregnant women, thrombocytopenia, predictors, Wolkite, Ethiopia

Background: Gender-based violence is an important topic that needs to be taken into account when identifying gender-related gaps and disadvantages that a person might face because of their gender. Violence against women could result in psychological and physical adverse outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and predictors of gender-based violence among female students at Wolkite University, southwest Ethiopia, 2021. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 female students and the students were selected by using a systematic sampling method. Data were checked for completeness and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 23 for further analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to determine the prevalence and predictors of gender-based violence. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of =0.05 was used to check statistical association. Result: In this study, the overall prevalence of gender-based violence among female students was 46.2%. The prevalence of physical violence and sexual violence was 56.1% and 47.0%, respectively. Factors that were significantly associated with gender-based violence among female university students were: being a 2nd-year student or having a lower educational level [AOR = 2.56 (95% CI, 1.06-6.17)], being married or living with a male partner [AOR = 3.35 (95% CI, 1.07-10.5], having a father with no formal education [AOR = 15.46 (95% CI, 5.204-45.39)], having a drinking habit [AOR = 2.53 (95% CI, 1.21-6.30)] and not being able to freely discuss issues with their families [AOR = 2.48 (95% CI, 1.27-4.84)] Conclusions and recommendations: The result of this study showed that more than one-third of the participants were exposed to gender-based violence. Thus, gender-based violence is an important topic deserving of more consideration; further investigations are important to decrease gender-based violence among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundGender-based violence is an important topic that needs to be taken into account when identifying gender-related gaps and disadvantages that a person might face because of their gender. Violence against women could result in psychological and physical adverse outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and predictors of gender-based violence among female students at Wolkite University, southwest Ethiopia, 2021.MethodAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 female students and the students were selected by using a systematic sampling method. Data were checked for completeness and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 23 for further analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to determine the prevalence and predictors of gender-based violence. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of ≤0.05 was used to check statistical association.ResultIn this study, the overall prevalence of gender-based violence among female students was 46.2%. The prevalence of physical violence and sexual violence was 56.1% and 47.0%, respectively. Factors that were significantly associated with gender-based violence among female university students were: being a 2nd-year student or having a lower educational level [AOR = 2.56 (95% CI, 1.06–6.17)], being married or living with a male partner [AOR = 3.35 (95% CI, 1.07–10.5], having a father with no formal education [AOR = 15.46 (95% CI, 5.204–45.39)], having a drinking habit [AOR = 2.53 (95% CI, 1.21–6.30)] and not being able to freely discuss issues with their families [AOR = 2.48 (95% CI, 1.27–4.84)]Conclusions and recommendationsThe result of this study showed that more than one-third of the participants were exposed to gender-based violence. Thus, gender-based violence is an important topic deserving of more consideration; further investigations are important to decrease gender-based violence among university students.

Introduction: Hypertension, often known as increased blood pressure, is a worldwide public health concern. Globally, ~1 billion people have hypertension and 7.1 million die from this disease. It is disproportionately more prevalent in resource-poor nations, with inadequate health systems like Ethiopia. Moreover, information on the burden of disease from hypertension in the specific area, especially in the newly organized Wolkait Tegedie zone, is essential to develop effective prevention and control strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among adult patients evaluated at the outpatient department of the two district hospitals in the Wolkait Tegedie zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 449 participants. The data were collected and then entered using EPI-INFO version 7 and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as a measure of association. Variables having a p-value < 0.05 from the multivariable analysis were considered to have a significant association with the outcome. Results: The prevalence of hypertension among adult patients in this study was 44.91% [95% CI: 40.26%, 49.65%], of which 63.92% were new diagnoses. Being >60 years [AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.20], having poor physical exercise [AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.15], consuming cruddy oil [AOR = 15.22; 95% CI: 3.86, 60.12], having a family history of hypertension [AOR = 13.02; 95% CI: 3.75, 45.16], and having a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) [AOR = 8.05; 95% CI: 1.24, 51.49] had a statistically significant association with having hypertension. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of hypertension among adult patients in the outpatient department of the two primary hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. Factors such as being of older age, having poor physical exercise behavior, cruddy oil consumption, and family history of DM and hypertension had a positive significant statistical association with being hypertensive. Community-based screening programs for hypertension should be designed and implemented to prevent this silent killer disease. Health education and promotion that focus on healthy nutrition and physical exercise should be delivered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionHypertension, often known as increased blood pressure, is a worldwide public health concern. Globally, ~1 billion people have hypertension and 7.1 million die from this disease. It is disproportionately more prevalent in resource-poor nations, with inadequate health systems like Ethiopia. Moreover, information on the burden of disease from hypertension in the specific area, especially in the newly organized Wolkait Tegedie zone, is essential to develop effective prevention and control strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among adult patients evaluated at the outpatient department of the two district hospitals in the Wolkait Tegedie zone, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 449 participants. The data were collected and then entered using EPI-INFO version 7 and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as a measure of association. Variables having a p-value < 0.05 from the multivariable analysis were considered to have a significant association with the outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension among adult patients in this study was 44.91% [95% CI: 40.26%, 49.65%], of which 63.92% were new diagnoses. Being >60 years [AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.20], having poor physical exercise [AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.15], consuming cruddy oil [AOR = 15.22; 95% CI: 3.86, 60.12], having a family history of hypertension [AOR = 13.02; 95% CI: 3.75, 45.16], and having a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) [AOR = 8.05; 95% CI: 1.24, 51.49] had a statistically significant association with having hypertension.ConclusionThere is a relatively high prevalence of hypertension among adult patients in the outpatient department of the two primary hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. Factors such as being of older age, having poor physical exercise behavior, cruddy oil consumption, and family history of DM and hypertension had a positive significant statistical association with being hypertensive. Community-based screening programs for hypertension should be designed and implemented to prevent this silent killer disease. Health education and promotion that focus on healthy nutrition and physical exercise should be delivered.

Wolkite is a town like many developing countries, faces problems associated with poor solid waste management. The town has only one major landfill site, which is found at Gasore kebele, near to the town. However, the waste dumping in this site has been affecting the surrounding community. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current solid waste deposal site and socioeconomic impact of the current solid waste disposal site in the study area. The data were collected through field observation, key informant interview, focus group discussion, and household survey. Geospatial data were also used to evaluate the current solid disposal site. In this study, fifty-two household and two focus group discussion were participated. The quantitative data coded and analyzed using SPSS software. The data described using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were also expressed using narrative description whereas the geospatial data were analyzed by ArcGIS. The study result showed that the landfill site is proximate to stream and river, church, mosque, rural settlement, main road, and vegetation. The disposal site has affecting negatively to the local community; besides, the municipal waste is disposed arbitrarily on open field, roadside, dumped everywhere and solid waste disposed jointly with liquid at the landfill site, therefore, this study recommends to select suitable landfill site in the of the town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Malaria is one of the main public health challenges in Ethiopia that hinder the productivity and development of the country. In 2018, Ethiopia is on track to minimize the incidence of malaria by 40% as per its 2020 malaria reduction strategy. Currently, Ethiopia is working to eliminate malaria in 2030 by extending the 2020 strategy. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the trend of malaria prevalence in Wolkite health center, Gurage zone, Southern Central Ethiopia from 2015 to 2018. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malaria by reviewing the malaria registration laboratory logbook at Wolkite health center from 2015 to 2018. For all patients, blood films were done for the detection of malaria cases. All the socio-demographic data, year, month and malaria data were collected using a predesigned data collection sheet from January to March, 2019. Results From a 121,230 clinically malaria suspected patients, the overall prevalence of microscopically confirmed cases were 8.56% (n = 10,379/121,230). Plasmodium vivax was the most predominant species accounted for 69.7% (n = 7237/10,379) followed by Plasmodium falciparum 29.3% (n = 3044/10,379). Age group > 15 years old were more affected by malaria accounting 54% (n = 5609/10,379) and malaria cases regarding sex were proportional (51.1% of males and 48.3% of female). Among the catchment areas, a higher number of malaria prevalence was recorded in the Wolkite town 66.2% (n = 0.6538/10,379). Higher malaria cases were shown in the season of Spring 29.8% (n = 3096/10,379) while lower cases 20.4% (n = 2123/10,379) were seen in the Winter season. Conclusion The prevalence of malaria in Wolkite health center showed a consistent downward trend from the year of 2015–2018. Importantly, the higher prevalence of P. vivax seems overlooked in the study area. Therefore, malaria prevention and control strategy should be reinforced to reduce the prevalence of malaria in the study area.

Background: Malaria is one of the main public health challenges in Ethiopia that hinder the productivity and development of the country. In 2018, Ethiopia is on track to minimize the incidence of malaria by 40% as per its 2020 malaria reduction strategy. Currently, Ethiopia is working to eliminate malaria in 2030 by extending the 2020 strategy. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the trend of malaria prevalence in Wolkite health center, Gurage zone, Southern Central Ethiopia from 2015 to 2018. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malaria by reviewing the malaria registration laboratory logbook at Wolkite health center from 2015 to 2018. For all patients, blood films were done for the detection of malaria cases. All the socio-demographic data, year, month and malaria data were collected using a predesigned data collection sheet from January to March, 2019. Results: From a 121,230 clinically malaria suspected patients, the overall prevalence of microscopically confirmed cases were 8.56% (n = 10,379/121,230). Plasmodium vivax was the most predominant species accounted for 69.7% (n = 7237/10,379) followed by Plasmodium falciparum 29.3% (n = 3044/10,379). Age group > 15 years old were more affected by malaria accounting 54% (n = 5609/10,379) and malaria cases regarding sex were proportional (51.1% of males and 48.3% of female). Among the catchment areas, a higher number of malaria prevalence was recorded in the Wolkite town 66.2% (n = 0.6538/10,379). Higher malaria cases were shown in the season of Spring 29.8% (n = 3096/10,379) while lower cases 20.4% (n = 2123/10,379) were seen in the Winter season. Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria in Wolkite health center showed a consistent downward trend from the year of 2015–2018. Importantly, the higher prevalence of P. vivax seems overlooked in the study area. Therefore, malaria prevention and control strategy should be reinforced to reduce the prevalence of malaria in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]