Health-Related Quality of Life Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in Central Ethiopia: A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Diabetes, one of the major global health emergencies of the 21st century, can affect a patient's quality of life. A compromised quality of life has adverse effects on self-care practices, resulting in inadequate glycemic control and an increased susceptibility to complications. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of information regarding the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study aimed to assess health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetes follow-up clinics in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa using short form- 36 (SF-36) health survey measures. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study participants. Simple and multiple linear regressions were done to identify significantly associated factors with health-related quality of life. Result: A total of 309 patients participated in this study. The mean scores of the physical and mental component summaries were 40.15 (SD = 7.27) and 48.11 (SD = 8.87), respectively. Being old, being overweight or obese, living with type 2 diabetes mellitus for more than fifteen years, taking combined medication, having diabetes-related complications, and having comorbidities were factors that reduced the mean score of the physical component summary (p-value<0.05). Being obese and diabetes related complication were factors that negatively affect mental component summary (p-value <0.05). On the other hand, being married was factors that positively affect mental component summary (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Older age, being married, obesity, overweight, longer duration of diabetes, using combined medications, diabetic-related complications, and co-morbidities were factors associated with health-related quality of life. Healthcare providers should strengthen counseling patients on lifestyle modifications such as diet modifications, and weight reduction.

Magnitude of flat foot and its associated factors among school-aged children in Southern Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Flat foot, also known as pes planus, is a common condition among primary school children and is a leading cause of all clinical visits related to foot problems worldwide. It can cause skeletal problems and joint misalignment. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of flat foot and its associated factors among public primary school children. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1072 school children aged 11 to 18 years. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the footprints were used to calculate the plantar arch index. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6, and analyzed by STATA version 15. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were conducted. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value < 0.05. RESULT: Out of 1022 participants, 105(10.27%) 95%CI: 8.5-12) had a flat foot. Being male (AOR = 2; 95%CI:1.22-3.30), living in highland altitude (AOR = 8.83; 95% CI: 4.64-16.79), living in midland altitude (AOR = 3.32;95% CI:1.75-6.29), living in an urban area (AOR = 2.42;95% CI:1.15-5.09), insufficient physical activity (AOR = 8.78;95% CI: 4.42-12.3), wearing closed-toe shoes (AOR = 2.33;95%CI:1.27-4.28), obesity (AOR = 6.30;95% CI:3.31-11.9), and foot pain (AOR = 3.52;95%CI:2.08-6.27) had a higher likelihood of flat foot as compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: One in every ten children had a flat foot. Altitude, residence, sex, physical activity, foot pain, body mass index, and type of footwear were found to be factors statistically associated with flat foot. Integrated interventions for children to have sufficient physical activity, wearing sandals, maintaining a healthy body mass index, and flatfoot screening and monitoring are recommended.

Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Uptake and Its Effect on Tuberculosis Incidence Among People Living with HIV in Illubabor and Buno Bedelle Zones, South-West Ethiopia, 2022: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death among human immune deficiency virus (HIV) patients. Based on the 2020 global TB report, Ethiopia was among the 30 high TB and TB/HIV burden countries. This study filled gaps regarding IPT uptake in the study area and representative sample determination for assessing TB incidence and its predictors at public health facilities in Illubabor and Buno Bedelle zones, south-west Ethiopia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at public health facilities in Illubabor and Buno Bedelle zones, south-west Ethiopia. Both isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) exposed and unexposed PLHIV were followed from the date of ART initiation until the date of TB diagnosis of the most recent visit prior to the end of follow-up. The Cox proportional hazard model was employed to identify variables that predicted the incidence of TB at a P value of <0.05. Results: Data were collected on 421 PLHIV, with a response rate of 97.4%. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of the study participants was 32 (28-40) year. The incidence rate of pulmonary TB was 3.1 per 1000 person-months (95% CI: 2.4-3.9). The incidence rate of TB among IPT-exposed PLHIV was 1.45 per 1000 person-months, but it was 6.2 per 1000 person-months in the unexposed group. Patient's residence, IPT exposure, baseline ART adherence, baseline hemoglobin level, baseline CD4+ cell, recent hemoglobin level, recent CD4+ cell, recent BMI, and recent WHO HIV clinical stage were independently associated with the incidence of TB. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals working in ART clinics should routinely assess HIV-positive individuals for changes in clinical indicators and environmental exposures like living conditions, which will help HIV-positive individuals in reducing their risk for TB. Likewise, patients attending ART clinics should receive counseling on a regular basis.

Evaluation of Dermatoglyphic Features of Type 2 Diabetic Patients as Compared to Non-Diabetics Attending Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Type 2 DM has a strong hereditary background. A study of the dermatoglyphic features can help in the early identification of people with a genetic predisposition to develop type 2 DM. Purpose of the Study: The study was aimed to compare the finger and palmar dermatoglyphics features in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to evaluate the association with other variables. Patients and Materials: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in one referral hospital and three primary hospitals located in Gedeo Zone. Three hundred ninety study participants (130 type 2 diabetics and 260 non-diabetics) from adult OPD and diabetic clinics were included in the study. The association among different dermatoglyphics variables was analyzed using the chi-square test. An independent t-test was conducted to analyze the mean difference and to test the significance of numerical variables. A statistically significant association was declared at P-value <0.05. Results: In the present study, a total of 3900 digits (1300 from type 2 diabetic and 2600 non-diabetic) were analyzed for distribution of digital dermatoglyphic patterns. Loop pattern is found to be the commonest in both study groups with a prevalence of 65.8% and 60.7% among type 2 diabetics and non-diabetics, respectively. Both the right-left axial tri-radius angle was significantly higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients compared to non-diabetic study participants. Total finger ridge counts and absolute finger ridge counts showed no significant difference in both groups. Conclusion: The study revealed Loop pattern was more frequent in type 2 DM compared to non-diabetic study participants. Whorl type was more common than arch type in non-diabetic patients compared to type 2 DM groups. The result also showed tri-radius angle is significantly wider in diabetic groups in both hands.

Patterns of superficial veins in the cubital fossa and its clinical implications among southern Ethiopian population.

Cubital fossa is the site where the venous accesses are frequently made. Superficial veins at this site display variations in their pattern among different populations. Knowledge of different venous pattern in the cubital fossa is important for diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures. The purpose of this study was to report variations of the cubital superficial vein patterns in the southern Ethiopian subjects. An institution based cross-sectional study design was employed among 401 randomly selected patients presented at the triage room of Arba Minch General Hospital from January 15 to February 15, 2021. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and images of the common and variant superficial venous patterns were recorded. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. P<0.05 was considered as statistical significance. In the present study, a total of 802 cubital fossae from 401 study participants were examined. Five patterns of superficial veins were identified. Type 2 was the most common pattern and observed in 55.0% of cubital fossae (42.1% right and 67.8% left cubital fossae). The least common, type 5 variant was detected in 2.6% cubital fossae (2.7% right and 2.5% left). Statistically significant association based on sex and laterality was noted. The current study concluded that type 2 and type 3 patterns were more frequent superficial venous patterns in the cubital fossa and more common in males than female. Awareness of these uncommon cubital venous patterns and their incidence is very useful for those performing venipuncture or venisection especially under emergency conditions.

Ultrasonographic Determination of Portal Vein Diameter Among Adults with and without Chronic Liver Disease at Selected Referral Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Measuring portal vein diameter (PVD) is a feasible method of detecting portal vein hypertension, which is a primary and fatal complication of chronic liver disease (CLD) and is usually diagnosed very late. However, there is a paucity of morphometric information on portal vein diameter in the Ethiopian population. Hence, it is important to determine the portal vein diameter among adults with and without chronic liver disease. PURPOSE: The study aimed to identify how PVD is affected by age, sex, and anthropometric measurements in patients with and without CLD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 participants (110 CLD patients and 110 controls) who have visited the radiology unit at selected Hospitals. Patients with CLD were selected consecutively as they present while controls were selected by a systematic sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Correlation and independent t-test were used to assess the relations. A statistically significant association was declared at P-value <0.05. RESULTS: Mean portal vein diameter for CLD patients was 17.03±1.97 mm with a range of 12.8-20.8mm and 10.79±1.27mm with a range of 7.70-13.25mm for the control group. Age, weight, and body mass index had a positive correlation with portal vein diameter in both groups. The mean portal vein diameter increased by 21.34% during deep inspiration in the control group. CONCLUSION: The mean portal vein diameter among patients with CLD was higher than that of the control group. A significant gender-based difference was recorded in the portal vein diameter of the control group only. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive, readily available diagnostic tool for portal vein pathology. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended for clinicians to take into consideration age, sex and anthropometric measurements while measuring PVD.