COVID-19-related anxiety and knowledge toward its preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as 2019-nCoV cluster of acute respiratory illness with unknown causes, which occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in China, was first reported to World Health Organization country office as of December 30, 2019. People with medical illness are at a higher risk for coronavirus disease, and the pandemic influences mental health and causes psychological problems, particularly in those with chronic medical illness. Hence, this study aimed to assess coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety and the knowledge on its preventive measures among patients with medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and Arsi zones. OBJECTIVE: To assess coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety and knowledge toward coronavirus disease 2019 preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected hospitals of Bale and West Arsi zones, Southeast Ethiopia. A total of 633 study participants were included in this study, and data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A descriptive summary was computed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the associated factors. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of anxiety among chronic patients in this study was 6.3% (95% confidence interval: 4.6%-8.5%) and 420 (66.35%) had good knowledge on the preventive measures of coronavirus disease 2019. Factors significantly associated with anxiety among chronic patients were being educated (95% confidence interval: adjusted odds ratio = 0.26 (0.09-0.74)), being male (95% confidence interval: 2.69 (1.11-6.53)), and use of mask (95% confidence interval: 0.11 (0.05-0.26)). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety among chronic patients was high and being males, uneducated, and not using face mask was significantly associated with coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety.

Compliance towards infection prevention measures among health professionals in public hospitals, southeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study with implications of COVID-19 prevention.

INTRODUCTION: The new coronavirus disease 2019 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by the highly contagious novel coronavirus which has currently overwhelmed the world. Realizing a comprehensive set of infection prevention measures is a key to minimize the spread of this virus and its impacts in all healthcare settings. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the compliance towards COVID-19 preventive measures and associated factors among health professionals in selected public hospitals, southeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 660 health professionals in public hospitals of southeast Ethiopia from October 1 to 31, 2020. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by interview using structured and pretested questionnaires. Ordinary logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio. To declare the statistical significance of factors associated with the outcome variable, P-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: A total of 654 health professionals were involved in the study; of whom, 313 participants were nurses. The overall good compliance and knowledge of health professionals regarding COVID-19 preventive measures were 21.6 and 25.5%, respectively. Working in the general hospital (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.38, 0.79), service year (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.35, 3.21), knowledge (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.14, 2.89), and water availability (AOR = 3.26; 95% CI 2.25, 4.72) were some of the factors found to have a statistically significant association to compliance of health professionals regarding COVID-19 preventive measures. CONCLUSION: In this study, nearly one fifth of health professionals had good compliance towards COVID-19 prevention practices. Thus, a consistent supply of COVID-19 prevention materials, facilities, and improving the knowledge of health professionals through on and off-job training are crucial.

Schistosoma mansoni infection among preschool age children attending Erer Health Center, Ethiopia and the response rate to praziquantel.

OBJECTIVE: Preschool age children (PSAC) are excluded from community based praziquantel treatment programs mainly due to paucity of evidence on the magnitude of schistosomiasis, efficacy and safety of this treatment in PSAC. The aim of this study is to assess Schistosoma mansoni infection rate and evaluate response to praziquantel in PSAC. A facility based longitudinal study was employed from April to June 2016 at Erer Health Center, Eastern Ethiopia. Stool sample was examined for schistosomiasis in 236 PSAC and repeated after 4 weeks post-treatment in positive individuals. Treatment outcomes were recorded and interpreted. RESULTS: Out of the 236 study participants, 59 (25%) were infected with S. mansoni. Praziquantel treatment (40 mg/kg) resulted in 96.4% cure rate and 99.4% egg reduction rate. Children of 3-5 year old were significantly affected with S. mansoni infection. Nausea and fatigue were common mild adverse events within 4 h of treatment however moderate and severe adverse events and allergic reactions were not observed. In conclusion, praziquantel at 40 mg/kg, the dose utilized in standard care for school age children, is tolerable and efficacious in the treatment of S. mansoni infection in PSAC, which calls for the healthcare system to provide appropriate service for this population.