Magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors among war survivor women in Northern, Ethiopia, 2022: a community-based cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Civilian war and internal conflicts increase the incidences of mental health conditions among war survivors. It is crucial to assess war-related psychological consequences in war-affected areas in Ethiopia to intervene in the future. Thus, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors of psychological distress among war survivor women in Northern, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted, and 1596 war survivor women were recruited to participate using a face-to-face interviews with a census sampling technique from May 1-30, 2022. The psychological distress was assessed using a Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used, and variables with a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable analyses were considered statistically significant. RESULT: In this study, the response rate was 100% and the prevalence of psychological distress was 44.90% at a 95% CI: (42.40, 47.40). Psychological distress was significantly associated with the education of ability to read and write (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 2.12, 4.01), primary education and above (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI: 2.09, 4.54), housewife (AOR = 5.07; 95%CI: 2.64, 9.74), farmer (AOR = 8.92; 95%CI: 4.03, 19.70), emotional violence (AOR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.18), physical violence (AOR = 3.85; 95%CI: 2.37, 6.26) and sexual violence (AOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.98, 5.33) whereas being separate was protective for psychological distress (AOR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.92). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychological distress was found to be high. Therefore, women who are housewives, married, farmers, educated, and who have experienced violence must be the focus of governmental and private collaborative interventions to prevent war-related psychological morbidity and mortality.

Environmental determinants for participation among stroke survivors in Africa, a scoping review.

Purpose: In this review, we aimed to determine the environmental factors that are influencing the participation of stroke survivors in Africa. Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to August 2021, and identified articles were screened by the two authors of this review based on predetermined criteria. No date restrictions were imposed, and we included any type of paper, including gray literature. We followed the scoping review framework by Arksey and O'Malley, which was later revised by Levac et al. The whole finding is reported using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Results: A total of 584 articles were generated by the systematic search, and one article was added manually. After eliminating the duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 498 articles were screened. From the screening, 51 articles were selected for full article review, of which 13 met the criteria to be included. In total, 13 articles were reviewed and analyzed based on the international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF) framework of the environmental determinants. Products and technology; natural environment and human-made changes to environment; and services, systems, and policies were found to be barriers for stroke survivors to participate in their community. Conversely, stroke survivors are getting good support from their immediate family and health professionals. Conclusion: This scoping review sought to identify the environmental barriers and the facilitators that are determining the participation of stroke survivors in Africa. The results of this study can serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, urban planners, health professionals, and other stakeholders involved in disability and rehabilitation. Nonetheless, additional research is necessary to validate the identified facilitators and barriers.

Home-based therapy and its determinants for children with cerebral palsy, exploration of parents' and physiotherapists' perspective, a qualitative study, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of parents and physiotherapists regarding home-based therapy programs for children with cerebral palsy and to understand the factors affecting adherence to home-based therapy programs. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thematic analysis method was used to identify, analyse and report findings. Twelve physiotherapists and five caregivers were purposively sampled and interviewed. RESULTS: All transcripts were coded line by line, and the codes were then organized into categories for the development of descriptive themes and the generation of analytical themes. The data analysis followed the steps of the thematic analysis process. Seven themes emerged during the analysis: Why Home-Based Therapy? Ways of Teaching, Types of the therapy, Strategies of assessing adherence, Environmental factors, Attitude and knowledge; and Family participation. Physiotherapists use home-based therapy to prevent complications and improve functioning. They use various ways of teaching, such as explaining, demonstrating, and using pictures and videos. Physiotherapists consider several factors such as severity, age, and availability of resources before they decide the type of home therapy programs. However, parent's participation was low; and strategies to monitor and evaluate adherence were also low. Low family support, limited recourse, lack of knowledge and poor attitude negatively affected adherence to home-based therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding revealed that physiotherapists use quite limited methods of teaching, and do not properly monitor adherence of the home-based therapy. Additionally, family participation to select type of therapy and to set goal were low.