Antipsychotic medication non-adherence and factors associated among patients with schizophrenia in eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Given that antipsychotic medication is a cornerstone for treating and preventing relapse in people with schizophrenia, non-adherence has been indicated as a big challenge. This study aimed to assess antipsychotic medication non-adherence and factors associated among patients with schizophrenia in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study in two public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia from December 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. Antipsychotic medication adherence was assessed using MOrisky medication adherence rating scale questionnaire, and insight was measured using the self-report insight scale for Psychosis (ISP). Multiple stepwise logistic regression models with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to identify the factors. Statistical significance was considered at p-value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: We found that 44.57% of patients with schizophrenia experienced non-adherence to their antipsychotic medication. Being single (AOR = 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.71, 3.58), alcohol users (AOR = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.46, 2.72), Khat chewers (AOR = 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 2.06, 3.90) and having no insight to their illness (AOR = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.52, 2.90) were more likely to be non-adherent to their antipsychotic medications. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that antipsychotic medication non-adherence was high among individuals suffering from schizophrenia and that it was influenced by various factors such as single marital status, alcohol usage, Khat chewing, and having no understanding of their condition. As a result, comprehensive intervention methods should be developed to address the factors associated with psychotropic medication non-adherence among patients. Healthcare professionals should pay attention to these aspects and consider developing specific strategies to promote adherence to medications while treating individuals with schizophrenia.

Utilization of continuous professional development among health professionals in East Ethiopia: a multi-health facility-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers must maintain their knowledge, attitude, and skills regarding the most recent technology and competencies to deliver quality health care. The Ministry of Health, Ethiopia developed guidelines and directives for the utilization of continuous professional development programs. However, there is limited evidence on utilization and barriers to utilization in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utilization and barriers to the utilization of continuous professional development among health professionals working in health facilities in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A health facility-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 731 healthcare professionals from September 01, 2022, and October 30, 2022. A multistage sampling technique was utilized. A simple random sampling technique selected health facilities and study participants. A self-administered questionnaire developed from national continuous professional development guidelines was disseminated to healthcare professionals working in the selected forty health centers and four hospitals. STATA statistical package version 14 was used for data analysis. A descriptive summary was used to summarize the variables. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between independent variables and the outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios along with 95% CIs were estimated to assess the strength of the association, and a p-value < 0.05 was used to declare the level of statistical significance in the analysis. RESULTS: Continuous professional development utilization was determined for 731 healthcare professionals, of whom 241 (32.97%) [(95% CI: (29.55, 36.38)] had utilized continuous professional development. Lack of continuous professional development knowledge AOR 0.23 [(95% CI: 0.14, 0.37)], being female AOR 0.58 [(95% CI: 0.39, 0.86)], lack of internet access AOR 0.62 [(95% CI: 0.43, 0.89)], greater than 20 km distance from main road AOR 0.58 [(95% CI: 0.37, 0.91)], not heard importance of continuous educational units AOR 0.45 [(95% CI: 0.31, 0.65)], and poor perceived need of continuous professional development AOR 0.61 [(95% CI: 0.38, 0.97)], had a negative statistically significant association with the utilization of continuous professional development. CONCLUSION: The utilization of continuous professional development in the study area was low. Health sectors and stakeholders working on continuous professional development programs are required to focus on developing strategies for knowledge creation, female health workers, and access to the internet, remote areas, information on the importance of continuous educational units, and the variety of needs of professionals for continuous professional development implementation.

Knowledge, perceived needs of continuous professional's development, and associated factors among healthcare workers in East Ethiopia: a multi-health facility-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Ethiopian Ministry of Health (EMOH) has recently introduced a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program for healthcare workers to ensure they maintain the necessary competencies to meet the community's health needs. However, there is limited information on healthcare workers' knowledge and perceived need for CPD. This study aims to assess healthcare workers' CPD knowledge, perceived needs, and factors associated with these in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A health facility-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from September 1, 2022, to October 30, 2022. Health facilities and study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A total of 731 healthcare professionals were randomly selected. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire developed from national CPD guidelines. Data analysis was performed using the STATA statistical package version 14. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between predictors and the outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of the association. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, 731 healthcare workers participated. Among them, 65.80% (95% CI: 62.35%, 69.24%) had knowledge of CPD, and 79.48% (CI95% 76.54, 82.41) expressed a strong perceived need for CPD. Female healthcare workers [AOR: 0.54 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.78)] and lack of internet access [AOR: 0.68 (95% CI: 0.47-0.97)] were predictors of knowledge of CPD. Age above 35 [AOR: 0.39 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.91)] and being female [AOR: 0.59 (95% CI: 0.40-0.87)] were predictors of a strong perceived need for CPD. CONCLUSION: The study found that there was a low level of knowledge about Continuing Professional Development among healthcare workers. The perceived needs of healthcare workers varied. It is important for health sectors and stakeholders to prioritize developing strategies that address knowledge gaps, particularly among female healthcare workers, improve access to the Internet for CPD resources, and address the diverse needs of professionals for effective CPD implementation.

Determinants of pneumonia among under-five children at Hiwot Fana specialized hospital, Eastern Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, pneumonia is a serious public health issue. Clear evidence is necessary for the early detection and treatment of pneumonia's causes. Yet, there is limited data on this issue in the current study area. Thus, this study aimed to pinpoint the determinants of pneumonia among under-five children at Hiwot Fana Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among a sample of 348 (116 cases and 232 controls) children at Hiwot Fana Specialized Hospital from October 1 to November 30, 2022. A consecutive sampling technique was employed, and data were collected with a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data was entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were fitted. Variables with a 95% confidence interval having a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: An overall total of 347 (115 cases and 232 controls) among under-five children was included in this study. Factors such as hand washing before child feeding [AOR: 3.11 (1.74-5.57)], birth to 6 months breastfeeding [AOR: 2.76 (1.35-5.25)], zinc supplementation [AOR: 2.5 (1.33-4.40)], diarrhea in the last 2 weeks [AOR: 4.7 (2.64-8.33)], and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in the last 2 weeks [AOR: 5.46 (3.21-10.92)] were found to be determinants of pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: This study pointed out that the under-five pneumonia was relatively large. Factors such as hand washing before child feeding, birth to 6 months of breastfeeding, zinc supplementation of the child, diarrhea in the last 2 weeks, and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in the last 2 weeks were determinants of under-five pneumonia. In this study, the primary risk factors for pneumonia may be preventable with no or minimal cost. Therefore, we advise suitable and sufficient health education addressing the prevention and management of pneumonia.

Common mental health problems among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aim: This review examined the prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: The review included studies indexed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases, supplemented by a search on Google Scholar and tracking of references from articles identified. A total of 725 articles were found, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. Finally, 22 eligible studies were reviewed.Findings: The pooled current prevalence of mental health problems was 23% (95% CI: 18; 28, I2 = 99.41%). Any depression, 19% (95% CI: 9; 30, I2 = 99.64%), and anxiety, 20% (95% CI: 01; 31, I2 = 99.64%), were the most common mental health problems reported. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 5% (95% CI: 3; 7, I2 = 97.60%), and conduct disorders, 15% (95% CI: 8; 22, I2 = 99.58%), were also significant mental health problems among adolescents in the region.Conclusion: About one in five adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from one or more mental health problems. The findings have important implications for policy and practice as they indicate that mental health problems are a major public health issue among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and that there is a need for effective and context-specific interventions that address mental health.

Maternal group B Streptococcus recto vaginal colonization increases the odds of stillbirth: evidence from Eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes a significant number of stillbirths. Despite this, there is little documented information on the association between stillbirth and pregnant women's GBS recto vaginal colonization in Sub Saharan Africa. As such, this study was aimed at identifying the association between stillbirth and pregnant women's GBS recto vaginal colonization in Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1688 pregnant women who came for delivery service in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia between June to October in 2016. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and checklist (which utilize clinical record). Group B streptococcus positivity of the pregnant women was confirmed by culture of recto vaginal swab using selective media. The association between GBS colonization and stillbirth was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. A statistical significance was declared at p-value ≤0.05. RESULTS: Of the 1688 pregnant women who participated in the study, 144 had stillbirths, representing a prevalence of 8.53% [(95% CI: (7.19, 9.86)]. Group B Streptococcus colonization at birth was detected in 231 women (13.68%; 95% CI 12.04, 15.32). Of these 144 stillbirths 59 (40.97%) were from colonized mothers and 72(59.03%) were from non-colonized mothers. Of these 59 stillbirth from colonized mothers, 32(54.23%) were intrapartum stillbirth, 27(45.77%) were antepartum stillbirth occur before exposed to intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). After controlling for potential confounders, the odds of having a stillbirth were 8.93 times higher among recto vaginal GBS colonized pregnant women [AOR = 8.93; 95% CI; (5.47, 14.56)]. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a significant association between maternal recto vaginal GBS colonization and stillbirth. Efforts to reduce stillbirth need to consider prevention of GBS colonization among pregnant women. Maternal vaccination may provide a feasible strategy to reduce stillbirth due to GBS.

Prevalence and correlates of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems among in-school adolescents in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Adolescent's mental health issues are a major social burden and a significant public health issue, but they have not received enough attention in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems among in-school adolescents in the Harari region, eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3227 in-school adolescents. Multistage sampling was used to select schools and eligible students to participate in the study. A guided, self-administered strength and difficulty questionnaire measured mental health problems. Data were double-entered, validated, and cleaned using EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version 17. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio between mental health problems and their correlates. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. The magnitudes of mental health problems among in-school adolescents by subscale was 24.17% (95% CI 22.72; 25.67) for internalizing and 11.93% (95% CI 10.85; 13.09) for externalizing problems. A high internalizing problem score was associated with females, rural residents, alcohol users, attending public schools, those bullied at school, and those in the lowest wealth index. Likewise, the likelihood of a high externalizing problem score was high among alcohol users, adolescents whose fathers are uneducated, rural, and bullied at school. The study suggests that mental health problems are prevalent among in-school adolescents in Ethiopia, especially internalizing problems. The study also identifies several risk factors associated with internalizing and externalizing problems, such as wealth index, school types, alcohol use, bullying, and rural residence. These factors may indicate the need for more mental health awareness and support programs for adolescents in Ethiopia. This highlights that schools and communities should prioritize mental health awareness and support programs for adolescents. These programs should be tailored to address the specific needs of the population, such as rural residents, those in the lowest wealth index, and those who have experienced bullying.

Intrahousehold food allocation social norms and food taboos in rural Ethiopia: The case of adolescent girls.

Background: In low-income countries, social norms play a significant role in intrahousehold food allocation practices. These norms can sometimes lead to discrimination against specific groups, posing a public health concern. This study focuses on the social norm surrounding food allocation within households and food taboos affecting adolescent girls in rural Ethiopia. Method: A qualitative study was conducted using vignettes as prompts for 20 focus group discussions and 32 in-depth interviews. The vignettes were tailored to the local context. Participants were chosen purposefully, and data were collected in a comfortable setting. All sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was done using Open Code qualitative analysis software with a thematic framework approach. Findings: In the community, adolescent girls were expected to eat after serving the male family members. Those who did not follow this expectation faced sanctions such as being labeled as disrespectful and could even be insulted or beaten by their spouses and siblings. However, there were some exceptions to this rule, such as when girls were giving birth, breastfeeding, sick, or when male family members were traveling. Certain foods were also prohibited for adolescent girls, including spicy foods like chili, animal products such as meat and milk, and nuts. These foods were believed to increase girls' sexual desire, potentially leading them to engage in premarital or extramarital sex. Additionally, eating outside of the house was not considered appropriate behavior for adolescent girls in this community. Conclusion: In many households, social norms dictate that adolescent girls are not given enough food or are denied essential nutrients for their health. It is important to challenge these norms to ensure fair food distribution within households and support the healthy development of adolescent girls.

Fertility desires of antiretroviral therapy-attending HIV-positive women and its associated factors in Harari region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The desire to have children among mothers living with HIV remains a serious public health issue in nations with low coverage for antiretroviral therapy and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, even if it is feasible to have an HIV-negative child. Therefore, this study aimed to assess fertility desire and associated factors among antiretroviral therapy-attending HIV-positive women at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, in Harari, Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 639 anti retro-viral therapy attending HIV - positive women by systematic random sampling method selected from June 15 to November 30, 2020. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated factors with fertility desire. Descriptive results were presented in percentages, whereas analytical results were reported in adjusted ORs (AORs) with a 95% CI. At p=0.05, statistical significance was declared. RESULTS: A total of 639 participants were included in the study; 69.5%(95% CI 65.7 to 72.9%) of the participants had fertility desire. Younger age (<35 years) (AOR=2.35, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.35), married women (AOR=3.02, 95% CI 1.32 to 12.25), childless women (AOR=2.86, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.82) and women whose duration of HIV diagnosis was ≤5 years (AOR=0.41, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.71) were significantly associated with fertility desire. CONCLUSION: The majority of the study participants have a desire to have children. In light of the high prevalence of fertility desire among antiretroviral therapy-attending HIV-positive women, it is recommended to counsel younger women on reproductive planning and encourage partner testing.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and associated factors among inpatients at Eastern Command Referral Hospital in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by heightened stress and anxiety after experiencing a traumatic event. While numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the magnitude and factors associated with PTSD, there is limited evidence available on specific study populations of military personnel. Objective: The study aimed to determine the magnitude of post-traumatic stress disorder and associated factors among military personnel admitted to the Eastern Command Referral Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia from May 1 to 30, 2023. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was carried out at an institution. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using the post-traumatic stress disorder military version checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition. Data were entered and analyzed using EpiData version 3.1 and STATA version 14. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the information. To investigate factors linked with outcome variables, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. The results were presented using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, with statistical significance given at a p-value of 0.05. Results: This study found that approximately 23.6% (95% CI = 19.9-27.8) of admitted military members fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Participants' history of mental illness [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.73, 95% CI = 2.66-12.31], family history of mental illness (AOR = 10.38, 95% CI = 5.36-20.10), current chewing of khat (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.13-4.32), physical trauma (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.00-4.13), moderate social support (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.1-4.53), strong social support (AOR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02-0.35), and severe depression (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.74-5.71) were factors significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: The magnitude of post-traumatic stress disorder is high among military personnel. Factors such as participants' history of mental illness, family history of mental illness, depression, lack of social support, current use of khat, and physical trauma are significantly associated with PTSD. It is crucial to identify and intervene early in individuals with these risk factors to address PTSD effectively.

Intravenous fluid administration practice among nurses and midwives working in public hospitals of central Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Intravenous fluid administration is the most common invasive procedure widely practiced in hospital settings. Globally, approximately 25 million people receive intravenous fluid therapy. Different factors affect nurse's intravenous fluid administration practices; that it may influences on the patient's outcome, increase morbidity and mortality. Previous study indicates that healthcare providers especially in developing countries have skills gap related to intravenous fluid administration. The purpose of this study was aimed to assess the intravenous fluid administration practices and its associated factors among nurses and midwives working in public hospitals of West Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia. Materials and methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 396 nurses and midwives in public hospitals in West Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia, from March 1 to 31, 2019. A Simple random sampling was used to select study participants using structured self-administered questionnaire, and observational checklist. The logistic regression model was used to identify association, and odds ratio was used to test the strength of the associations with outcome variable and predictor variables. Results: In this study, 59.3% (95%CI = 54.7%-64.5%) participants was had inadequate intravenous fluid administration practice. Inadequate knowledge (AOR 2.1; CI 95% = 1.36-3.36), being untrained (AOR 1.7; 95% CI = 1.04-2.86), unavailability of supervision (AOR 1.8; CI 95% = 1.14-2.99), and absence of incentives and promotion for nurses and midwives (AOR 2.1; CI 95% = 1.19-3.62) were significantly associated with outcome variable. Conclusion: Nearly seven in ten participants in the study setting were inadequate intravenous fluid practice. Inadequate knowledge, training, and absence of supervision by senior staffs, and absence of incentives and promotion for nurses and midwives were the main factors affecting intravenous fluid administration practice. Refresher courses, supervision, incentives and promotions were needed to nurses and midwives for an improvement of the intravenous fluid administration practice.

Factors associated with undernutrition among pregnant women in Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia: A community-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Although undernutrition in pregnancy has continued to get global attention as pregnancy is considered a critical period in the life cycle owed to increase the metabolic and physiological demands, evidence is scarce on undernutrition and associated factors among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assessed the undernutrition and associated factors among pregnant women in Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected pregnant women in Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurement, and hemoglobin analysis by trained research assistants. An adjusted Prevalence ratio (aPR), and a 95% confidence interval (CI), were used to report associations. Poisson regression analysis model with a robust variance estimate identified variables associated with undernutrition. Data were double entered using Epi-data 3.1 and cleaned, coded, checked for missing and outliers, and analyzed using Stata 14 (College Station, Texas 77845 USA. Finally, the p-value <0.05 was the cut-off point for the significant association. RESULTS: A total of 448 pregnant women with a mean age of 25.68 (± 5.16) were included in the study. The prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women was 47.9% (95% CI: 43%-53%). From the analysis, the undernutrition was more likely higher among respondents who had five or more family members (APR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.02-1.40), lower dietary diversity (APR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.13-2.21) and those who were anemic (APR = 4.27; 95% CI = 3.17-5.76). CONCLUSION: Nearly half of the pregnant women in study area were undernourished. High prevalence was found among women who had large family sizes, low dietary diversity and anemia during pregnancy. Improving dietary diversity, strengthening family planning services and giving special attention to pregnant women, supplementation of iron and folic acid, and early detection and treatment of anemia is essential to improve the high burden of undernutrition and the adverse effect on pregnant women and the fetus.

The Association between Intrahousehold Food Allocation Social Norms and Thinness among Young Adolescent Girls: A Community-Based Study.

Background: Inequalities in food allocation related to social norms among household members significantly affect the nutritional status and well-being of the vulnerable members of the household, such as adolescent girls. This study assesses the association between social norms related to intrahousehold food allocation and young adolescent girls' thinness. Materials and Methods: The study involved 1,083 pairs of mothers/caregivers and young adolescent girls. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was employed to examine associations using STATA/SE V.14 statistical software. In addition, a stratified analysis was done to investigate the effect of social norms on thinness in food-secure and food-insecure households. Result: The overall prevalence of young adolescent girls' thinness was 15.70% (95% CI 13.52-17.86%). Young adolescent girls' thinness was associated with mothers'/caregivers' conformity to inequitable intrahousehold food allocation social norms in food-secure households [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.43, 95% CI: 1.14-1.80] but not in food-insecure households. Conclusion: Nearly 16% of adolescent girls were thin. Mothers/female caregivers conforming to inequitable intrahousehold food allocation social norms compromise the nutritional status of adolescent girls, particularly in food-secure households. The lack of statistically significant association in food-insecure households hints at the need to address inequality in food-secure households while addressing food shortage to improve the nutritional status of adolescents in low-income countries. We also recommend more studies in different sociocultural contexts to fully gather the evidence for adopting appropriate policies and practices.

Diabetes knowledge and foot care practices among type 2 diabetes patients attending the chronic ambulatory care unit of a public health hospital in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess diabetes knowledge and foot care practices among type 2 diabetes patients. DESIGN: An institution-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from 1 January to 31 January 2021. SETTING: Eastern Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected type 2 diabetes patients who were available during the data collection period were included. OUTCOMES: Patients' diabetes knowledge was assessed with the revised diabetes knowledge test questionnaire. Five items were used to evaluate foot self-care practices. RESULTS: The study population comprised of 549 patients. About 52.5% of the patients had adequate diabetes knowledge (95% CI: 48.2% to 56.7%). Patients with an educational level of secondary school and above (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.04, 95% CI: 1.13 to 3.71), (AOR: 5.28, 95% CI: 2.28 to 12.22), and those with medium and above wealth status (AOR: 3.81, 95% CI: 2.24 to 6.47), (AOR: 3.46, 95% CI: 1.98 to 6.04), were found to have better odds of having adequate diabetes knowledge. However, those aged >55 years (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.99) were found to have lower odds of adequate diabetes knowledge.Of the total included patients, 20.2% (95% CI: 16.9% to 23.8%) had good foot care practices. Knowledge of the target fasting plasma glucose (AOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.94 to 5.22) and adequate diabetes knowledge (AOR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.95 to 5.91) were significantly associated with good foot care practices. CONCLUSION: According to this study, about half of individuals with type 2 diabetes have adequate levels of knowledge about the disease. In addition, only one out of every five patients has good foot care habits. Diabetes education should emphasise the significance of rigorous adherence to daily foot care practices.

Co-occurrence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the magnitude of undernutrition in Ethiopia is unacceptably high. The burden of co-occurrence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency, on the other hand, has received less attention. Thus, in this study, we looked at the prevalence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 pregnant women in Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia. An interview-assisted questionnaire and blood serum were collected from pregnant women using standard techniques and shipped to an EPHI for micronutrient analysis. Factors associated with the co-occurrence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency were identified using binary and multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: According to this study, 81.6% of the participants were deficient in at least one micronutrient, and 53.53.2% were deficient in two or more. Women who did not receive iron-folic acid supplementation (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.52-3.92), did not attend Antenatal care (ANC) follow up (AOR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.81-4.61), and reported low consumption of diversified diet (AOR = 2.18 (95% CI = 1.35-3.51) had a higher risk of co-occurrence of iron, folate, and vitamin A deficiency. CONCLUSION: This study found that more than half of pregnant women were in multiple micronutrients, indicating a major public health issue. In addition to the IFA supplementation programs that are already in place, there is a need for multiple micronutrient supplementation.

Profiles and factors associated with schizophrenia in eastern Ethiopia: A matched case-control study.

Background: Despite its strong hereditary and genetic connections, there are other factors reported to be linked to schizophrenia, but not well studied in eastern Ethiopia. Objective: This study was aimed to investigating the potential profiles and factors associated with schizophrenia in eastern Ethiopia. Materials and methods: A matched case-control study was conducted in two public hospitals from December 1, 2021, to January 30, 2022. Cases were patients with schizophrenia who visited the hospitals, and controls were healthy individuals without any mental illness who visited the same hospitals. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Cases and controls were matched using age and sex. STATA-14 was used for analysis. A conditional logistic regression with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to identify the determinants. P-values of <0.05 were used to build the final model as a measure of statistical significance. Results: The mean age of the study participants group was 28.6 (±8.44) years, mean age for cases was 28.7(±8.5) ranging from 18 to 56 years and the mean age for the controls was 28.4 (±8.5), ranging from 18 to 60 years. About 181 (83.03%) of the participants were male. The odds of having schizophrenia was about 12.2 times higher among participants with family history of mental illness (AOR: 12.21; 95% CI: 4.83-30.00). The odds of having schizophrenia was 4.5 times higher among polysubstance users (AOR: 4.45; 95% CI: 1.28-5.45) and 2.8 times higher among khat consumers (AOR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.23-6.45) compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Our findings show that genetic risk factors as well as some modifiable behaviors are associated to schizophrenia in eastern Ethiopia. At all levels, special attention should be given to those who are at risk.

Respectful maternity care among women who gave birth at public hospitals in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: A compassionate and respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth is one of the essential components of safe motherhood. However, most of the women in developing countries experience disrespectful and abusive maternity care during childbirth. Hence, this study assessed the status of respectful maternity care and associated factors to bridge the gap. Methodology: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers who delivered in public Hospitals in the Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia from March 01 to 30, 2020. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics was computed and multivariable logistic regression was fitted to identify predictors. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval was used to show the strength of association and level of significance was declared at P-value < 0.05. Result: This study showed that 67.8 % (95% CI: 62.4-70.8%) of mothers received respectful maternal care. Being married [AOR: 2.17, 95% CI (1.03-6.93)], Cesarean section delivery [AOR: 2.48, 95% CI (1.03-5.97)], and absence of complications during child birth [AOR: 4.37, 95% CI (1.41-13.56)], were significantly associated with respectful maternity care. Conclusions: The level of RMC in this study was moderate. Being married, Cesarean section delivery, and absence of complications during child birth were identified predictors of respectful maternity care. Therefore, tailored interventions aimed at improving respectful maternity care should target unmarried women, and women with complications of labor regardless of mode of delivery.

Magnitude and Determinants of Postnatal Mothers' Knowledge of Essential Newborn Care at Home in Rural Ethiopia.

Introduction: Globally, nearly three million children die in the neonatal period. Although there is scant information about rural mothers, the enhancement of mothers' knowledge and skills toward essential newborn care (ENC) is a vital aspect in the reduction of newborn illness and mortality. Thus, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and determinants of mothers' knowledge of ENC. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among recently delivered women using a multistage sampling method in Chole woreda. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the determinant factors with the level of knowledge. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval was used to describe association and significance was determined at a P-value < 0.05. Results: Data from 510 mothers were employed for analysis. Overall, 33.5% (95% CI: 29.4, 37.6) of the mothers had good knowledge of ENC. Antenatal care (ANC) visits [AOR: 2.42; 95% CI: (1.50, 3.88)], counseled about ENC during ANC [AOR: 5.71; 95% CI: (2.44, 13.39)], delivery at health institutions [AOR: 2.41; 95% CI: (1.30, 4.46)], religion [AOR 1.99, 95% CI: (1.25, 3.16)], and educational level [AOR = 1.64 95% CI: (1.10, 2.51)] were significantly associated with knowledge of ENC. About 74, 75, and 41% of mothers practiced appropriate cord care, breastfeeding, and thermal care, respectively. Conclusion: Three out of 10 mothers had a good level of knowledge of ENC. Knowledge gaps identified pertained to cord care, breastfeeding, and thermal care. There is opportunity to enhance maternal knowledge of ENC through improving access to ANC and institutional delivery.

Correlates of Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Eastern Ethiopia: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Even though optimal blood glucose control reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications, many patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) fail to achieve it for a variety of reasons. In the study area, there was a paucity of evidence regarding correlates of glycemic control. Therefore, this study aimed to find out the correlates of glycemic control among patients with T2D in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 879 adult patients with T2D on follow-up at two public hospitals in Harar. Data were collected through interviews, physical measurements, and record reviews. The level of glycemic control was determined from three consecutive fasting plasma glucose (FPG) measurements. A mean value of FPG measurements falling in the normal range (80-130 mg/dl) was considered as optimal glycemic control; otherwise, a mean FPG level that is below or above the normal range (<80 mg/dl or >130 mg/dl) was defined as suboptimal glycemic control. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while a linear regression model was used to find out the correlates of glycemic control. A beta coefficient and a 95% CI reported associations. The statistical significance was declared at a p-value ≤0.05. Results: The mean age of the patients with T2D was 52.7 ( ± 13.3) years. The mean FPG level was 172 ± 56 mg/dl. Suboptimal glycemic control was found in 76% (95% CI: 73.41, 79.04) of patients with T2D. In a multivariable linear regression, khat chewing (ß = 6.12; 95% CI: 1.55, 8.69), triglycerides (ß = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.41.48, 0.65), comorbidity (ß = 5.29; 95% CI: 1.39, 9.13), and poor level of self-care practices (ß = 5.43; 95% CI: 1.41, 6.46) showed a significant correlation with glycemic control. Conclusions: This study found that about three-fourths of patients with T2D had suboptimal glycemic control. Khat chewing, comorbidity, and poor level of self-care practices were independently correlated with glycemic control. Thus, suppressing glycemic levels through appropriate treatment and strict diabetes self-care practices including avoidance of Khat chewing is a useful approach to attaining glycemic target that subsequently reduces cardiovascular risks.

Internalizing and externalizing mental health problems affect in-school adolescent's health-related quality of life in eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: This study aimed to examine the association between mental health problems and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) among in-school adolescents 13-19 years in the Harari region, eastern Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3227 in-school adolescents aged 13 to 19 using multistage sampling. The KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire assessed health-related quality of life (HrQoL), while a self-administered version of the strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ) examined mental health issues. Data were double entered, validated, and cleaned using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA 14.1. An ordinal logistic regression model investigated the link between the outcome variable and the predictors. The results were reported using an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A quarter of the adolescents (23%) reported poor health-related quality of life; adolescents with internalizing and externalizing mental health problems had the lowest health-related quality of life. After controlling for potential confounders, adolescents with abnormal (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.59) and borderline (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.78) levels of internalizing problems had a 52% and 41% lower probability of having high HrQoL than those with normal levels. Furthermore, individuals with abnormal (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.77) and borderline (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.92) levels of externalizing difficulties had a 41% and 36% lower chance of having a high health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly a quarter of in-school adolescents had poor health-related quality of life. High scores for internalizing and externalizing mental health problems significantly impacted the adolescents' health-related quality of life. This emphasizes the need to address mental health issues in the school setting to improve adolescents' overall quality of life.