Level of and associated factors for non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment among tuberculosis patients in Gamo Gofa zone, southern Ethiopia: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to anti-TB treatment is one of the crucial challenges in improving tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The poor adherence to anti-TB treatment among patients with TB is a major problem in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the level of and associated factors for non-adherence to anti-TB therapy among patients with tuberculosis in the Gamo Gofa Zone. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gamo Gofa Zone from July 20 - August 30, 2017. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. The study included 289 patients who were on anti-TB treatment. Data were collected by trained data collectors using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire through interviews. A multiple logistic regression model was fitted using SPSS 23 to identify factors associated with non-adherence to anti-TB treatment at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: We found that 16.5% of the participants were non-adherent for anti-TB treatment. Failure to disclose one's TB status to his or her family (AOR = 31.7; 95% CI: 9.1-111.1), having no information on the expected adverse events (AOR = 31.1; 95% CI: 7.5-128.3), past anti-TB treatment history (AOR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.5-18.8) and a smoking cigarette (AOR = 11.7; 95% CI: 3.2-43.03) were found to be associated with a higher odds of being non-adherent to anti-TB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The level of non-adherence to anti-TB treatment among TB patients was high. Health care providers should counsel TB patients on the expected adverse events and measures to be taken when patients face the expected adverse events. They should also counsel their patients to disclose their TB status to his or her family and for ceasing cigarette smoking.

The association between HIV diagnosis disclosure and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Nine in ten of the world's 1.74 million adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (ALHIV) live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and poor viral suppression are important problems among adolescents. To guide intervention efforts in this regard, this review presented pooled estimates on the prevalence of adherence and how it is affected by disclosure of HIV status among ALHIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: A comprehensive search in major databases (Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), PubMed, Ovid/MEDLINE, HINARI, and Google Scholar) with additional hand searches for grey literature was conducted to locate observational epidemiologic studies published in English up to November 12, 2022 with the following inclusion criteria: primary studies that reported disclosure of HIV status as an exposure variable, had positive adherence to ART as an outcome, and conducted among adolescents and children. The COVIDENCE software was used for a title/abstract screening, full-text screening, the JBI quality assessment checklist, and data extraction. Random effects model was used to pool estimates. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also conducted by age groups and type of adherence measures used. RESULTS: This meta-analysis combines the effect estimates from 12 primary studies with 4422 participants. The prevalence of good adherence to ART was 73% (95% CI (confidence interval): 56 to 87; I2 = 98.63%, P = <0.001), and it was higher among adolescents who were aware of their HIV status, 77% (95% CI: 56 to 92; I2 = 98.34%, P = <0.001). Overall, knowledge of HIV status was associated with increased odds of adherence (odds ratio (OR) = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.94; I2 = 79.8%, P = <0.001). This was further supported in a subgroup analysis by age (seven studies, pooled OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.06 to 3.37; I2 = 81.3%, P = <0.0001) and whether primary studies controlled for confounding factors (six studies provided adjusted estimates, pooled OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.22 to 5.57; I2 = 88.1%, P = <0.001) confirmed this further. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis and systematic review revealed that knowledge of one's HIV status was associated with adherence to ART, particularly among adolescents. The findings underscored the importance of encouraging disclosure in order to enhance adherence among adolescents.

Factors affecting enrollment status of households for community based health insurance in a resource-limited peripheral area in Southern Ethiopia. Mixed method.

BACKGROUND: Despite the efforts made by the government of Ethiopia, the community-based health insurance (CBHI) enrollment rate failed to reach the potential beneficiaries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the enrollment status of households for community-based health insurance and associated factors in peripheral areas of Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted a community based cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative methods. Systematic random sampling was employed to select 820 households from 27, April to 12 June 2018. A pretested structured questionnaire, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion guiding tool were used to obtain information. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between independent and outcome variables. A P-Value of less than 0.05 was taken as a cutoff to declare association in multivariable analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed manually using the thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Out of 820 households, 273[33.30%; 95% CI: 29.9-36.20] were enrolled in the community based health insurance scheme. Having good knowledge [AOR = 13.97, 95%CI: 8.64, 22.60], having family size of greater than five [AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.06], presence of frequently ill individual [AOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.03, 7.51] and presence of chronic illness [AOR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.67, 7.79] were positively associated with CBHI enrollment. In addition, poor quality of care, lack of managerial commitment, lack of trust and transparency, unavailability of basic logistics and supplies were also barriers for CBHI enrollment. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study found that lower community based health insurance enrollment status. A higher probability of CBHI enrollment among higher health care demanding population groups was observed. Poor perceived quality of health care, poor managerial support and lack of trust were found to be barriers for non-enrollment. Therefore, wide-range awareness creation strategies should be used to address adverse selection and poor knowledge. In addition, trust should be built among communities through transparent management. Furthermore, the quality of care being given in public health facilities should be improved to encourage the community to be enrolled in CBHI.

The association between diagnosis disclosure and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: More than eight in ten of the world's 1.65 million adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (ALHIV) live in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and poor viral suppression are reported among ALHIV which may in turn compromise the gains achieved so far. The evidence on whether knowing one's own human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and self-disclosure to others benefit adherence to ART or not is inconclusive. This review aims to estimate the association between knowing one's HIV status and self-disclosure on adherence to ART among ALHIV in SSA. METHODS: Comprehensive search strings will be used to identify relevant observational studies published in English up to May 2020 in major databases: Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), PubMed, and Ovid/MEDLINE. To access African studies and also to freely access subscription-based articles, the African Index Medicus (AIM) and the WHO HINARI databases will be searched. The AfroLib database will be searched to access the gray literature of African studies. We will use the COVIDENCE software for title/abstract screening, full-text screening, quality assessment, and data extraction. Two authors will independently screen retrieved articles, and a third author authorized to resolve conflicts will handle disagreements. The Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical appraisal tools will be used to assess study quality. Appropriate statistical tests will be conducted to quantify the between studies heterogeneity and for the assessment of publication bias. We will check individual study influence analysis and also do subgroup analysis. The STATA version 14.2 will be used for statistical analysis. DISCUSSION: A high-level adherence to ART is required to achieve adequate viral suppression and improve quality of life. Consequently, the evidence on how adherence to ART differs with knowledge of one's own HIV status and self-disclosure may help guide interventions aimed at improving adherence to ART.

Socio-demographic correlates of availability of adequate iodine in household salt: a community-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the availability of adequately iodized salt at a household level and associated factors in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia using the gold standard technique, the iodometric titration. RESULTS: 41.8% (95% CI (confidence interval) 38.6 to 45.1) of households had inadequately iodized salt, and 9.3% (95% CI 7.5 to 11.4) had an iodine content below 10 ppm (parts per million). Compared to households with a monthly income of greater than 2000 ETB (Ethiopian Birr), households with a monthly income between 1000 ETB to 2000 ETB (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.52, 95% CI 0.390.36 to 00.77) and main food handlers aged 30 years or above compared to those aged less than 20 years of age (aOR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.91) had higher odds of having adequately iodized salt. Food handler's knowledge and practice were not found to be correlated with the availability of adequately iodized salt in household salt.

Level of exclusive breastfeeding practice in remote and pastoralist community, Aysaita woreda, Afar, Ethiopia.

Background: In Afar, a pastoralist and remote area of Ethiopia, one in five children suffers from acute malnutrition. Investigation of the prevalence and associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding may provide insight into the current burden and nature of the problem, and offer help on how to direct prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence and identify associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice in Afar, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted with qualitative inquiry from March to April 2015. Quantitative data were collected from 631 mother-infant pairs residing in Aysaita woreda with a pretested structured questionnaire using the modified expanded program on immunization cluster sampling procedure. Seven clusters were selected using probability proportional to size.The qualitative data were generated through two focus group discussions among purposely selected discussants: one group of eight health professionals and another group of mothers, fathers and traditional birth attendants (n = 10). Bivariate and multivariable analysis was done using binary logistic regression model while thematic framework analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Results: The prevalence of EBF under six months of age was 340/618 (55%). Infants whose mothers resided in an urban area [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 5.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 3.5, 9.2), were knowledgeable about breastfeeding (AOR: 2.3; 95% CI 1.6, 3.5) and delivered at health facilities (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI 1.1, 2.7), were more likely to be exclusively breastfed than the referent group. In addition, mothers had a poor understanding of what constitutes exclusive breastfeeding. Traditional beliefs, myths and misconceptions about EBF and lack of support from husband and family were found to be barriers for proper EBF practice. Conclusions: The prevalence of EBF did not meet the World Health Organization recommendations. Factors related to infrastructure, service delivery, health education packages and traditional beliefs were associated with EBF practice.

Perinatal Depression and Associated Factors among Mothers in Southern Ethiopia: Evidence from Arba Minch Zuria Health and Demographic Surveillance Site.

Background. Perinatal depression is a serious mental health problem that can negatively affect the lives of women and children. The adverse consequences of perinatal depression in high-income countries also occur in low-income countries. Objective. To assess the perinatal depression and associated factors among mothers in Southern Ethiopia. Methods. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected 728 study participants in Arba Minch Zuria HDSS. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using STATA version 12 software. Descriptive statistical methods were used to summarize the characteristics of the mothers. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis. Results. The prevalence of perinatal depression among the study period was 26.7%. In the final multivariable logistic regression, monthly income AOR (95% C.I): 4.2 (1.9, 9.3), parity [AOR (95% C.I): 0.14 (0.03, 0.65)], pregnancy complications AOR (95% C.I): 5 (2.5, 10.4), husband smoking status [AOR (95% C.I): 4.12 (1.6, 10.6)], history of previous depression AOR (95% C.I): 2.7 (1.54, 4.8), and family history of psychiatric disorders were the independent factors associated with perinatal depression. Conclusion. The study showed a high prevalence of perinatal depression among pregnant mothers and mothers who have less than a one-year-old child.