Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and their associations with overweight/obesity and impaired blood glucose among diabetic patients in Eastern Ethiopia: Institutional-based study.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its associations with overweight/obesity and impaired blood glucose among diabetic patients in Eastern Ethiopia. Method: A total of 644 diabetic individuals were included in the study through systematic random sampling techniques. The Michigan neuropathy screening instrument was used to evaluate the presence of diabetic neuropathy. Data were presented using narrative, figures, and tables from the results of statistical analysis. The descriptive result was reported using frequency (percentage) for categorical variables and mean ± SD for continuous measures, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Results: The overall prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 47.8% (95% CI: 43.9%-51.7%). Low monthly income (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.73), history of khat chewing (AOR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.907), impaired blood glucose (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.63, 1.94), physical inactivity (AOR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.74, 4.36), and raised body mass index (AOR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.99) were factors significantly associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the value of early diabetic peripheral neuropathy detection and the widespread presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy risk factors in diabetes patients. Any initiative intended to lessen the burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy-related morbidity and high health care costs must be implemented as a strategy.

Improved health among people living with HIV/AIDS who received packages of proven preventive health interventions, Amhara, Ethiopia.

In 2009, basic care packages (BCP) containing health products were distributed to HIV-infected persons in Ethiopia who were clients of antiretroviral therapy clinics. To measure health impact, we enrolled clients from an intervention hospital and comparison hospital, and then conducted a baseline survey, and 7 bi-weekly home visits. We enrolled 405 intervention group clients and 344 comparison clients. Intervention clients were more likely than comparison clients to have detectable chlorine in stored water (40% vs. 1%, p<0.001), soap (51% vs. 36%, p<0.001), and a BCP water container (65% vs. 0%, p<0.001) at every home visit. Intervention clients were less likely than comparison clients to report illness (44% vs. 67%, p<0.001) or health facility visits for illness (74% vs. 95%, p<0.001), and had lower median illness scores (1.0 vs. 3.0, p<0.05). Participation in the BCP program appeared to improve reported health outcomes.