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.

Incidence of opportunistic infections and its predictors among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy in Gondar University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Opportunistic infections (OIs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults living with HIV. Current and accurate information about the occurrence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected adults is critical for developing more effective treatments and interventions. However, few studies have been conducted in Ethiopia on the prevalence of common opportunistic infections in HIV-infected adults. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of opportunistic infections among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the comprehensive specialized hospital affiliated with the University of Gondar.Methods: Between January 11, 2015, and January 10, 2021, a retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. A total of 715 HIV-infected adults on ART were included in the study. Data were extracted from the charts of HIV-infected adults using a data extraction form adapted from the ART entry and follow-up forms. Epi-dataTM Version 4.5 was used to enter data, and StataTM Version 16 was used to analyze the data. The time interval between opportunistic infections was estimated using the Kaplan Meier survival curve. To identify risk predictors of opportunistic infections, bivariate and multivariate semi-parametric and parametric regression models were fitted.Result: This study included the records of 715 HIV-infected adults-initiated ART between January 11, 2015, to January 10, 2021. During the follow-up period, the overall incidence of opportunistic infections was 4.1 (95 percent CI 3.74 to 4.44) per 10,000 person-year observation, with a median of 57 months (IQR = 40-69 months). Pneumocystis' pneumonia at 90(16.51%) was the most encountered OI at follow-up. Adults are presenting with baseline CD4 < 200 cells/µl counts (AHR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.69), bedridden baseline functional status (AHR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.82), WHO clinical stage II (AHR = 5.87, 95% CI 3.97 to 8.69) and WHO clinical stage III (AHR = 5.85, 95% CI 3.55 to 9.65) were notably associated with the incidence of opportunistic infections development.Conclusions: Opportunistic infections are uncommon among HIV-infected adults in this study. In terms of predictors, such as a low CD4 count and an advanced WHO stage (II or III), bedridden functional status was found to be significantly associated with OIs.

Awareness of complications of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients at Addis Zemen District Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: Awareness about complications is important to reduce diabetes related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess awareness of diabetes complications and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients. Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from April to June, 2019, using simple random sampling technique, and interviewer administered questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age was 41 ± 1.46 years and 56% were females. Awareness regarding diabetic complications was 48.5% with 95% CI (43.3, 52.7%). Male sex (AOR: 4.67, 95% CI (2.53, 8.61)), age of 31-45 years (AOR: 7.30, 95% CI (3.10, 17.17)), 46-70 years old (AOR: 15.02, 95% CI (6.11, 36.92)), read and write (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI (1.78, 8.06)), primary school (AOR: 9.58, 95% CI (3.26, 28.18)), high school and above (AOR: 7.46, 95% CI (3.02, 18.44)), NGO employee (AOR: 7.24, 95% CI (2.68, 19.53)), having a family history of DM (AOR: 5.55, 95% CI (2.53, 12.20)); income of 1001-1500 (AOR: 3.22, 95% CI (1.28, 8.10)), 1501-2500 (AOR: 11.73, 95% CI (4.32, 31.81)) and > 2500 Ethiopian birr (AOR: 7.18, 95% CI (1.70, 30.28)) ≥ 2500 ETB (AOR: 7.18, 95% CI (1.70, 30.28)) were significantly associated with good awareness. To improve patient's awareness on DM complications providing health education for type 2 diabetic patients is crucial.