Infection in preterm infants receiving topical emollient oil massage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants are highly susceptible to infections, which significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of topical emollient oil application in preventing infections among preterm infants. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Clinical trials, Epistemonikos, HINARI and Global Index Medicus) and other sources. A total of 2185 articles were identified and screened for eligibility. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomised controlled trials. Data analysis was performed using StataCrop MP V.17 software. Heterogeneity among the studies was evaluated using the I2 and Cochrane Q test statistics. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist guided the presentation of the results. RESULTS: Of 2185 retrieved articles from initial searches, 11 met eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. A random effects meta-analysis revealed that infants who received massages with emollient oils had a 21% reduced risk of infection (risk ratio=0.79, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.97, I2=0.00%). Subgroup analyses indicated that preterm babies who received topical emollient oil massages with coconut oil, administered twice a day for more than 2 weeks, had a lower likelihood of acquiring an infection compared with their non-massaged counterparts. CONCLUSION: It is quite evident from this analysis that topical emollient oil application in preterm neonates is most likely effective in preventing infection. However, further studies, particularly from the African continent, are warranted to support universal recommendations.

Hotspot areas of risky sexual behaviour and associated factors in Ethiopia: Further spatial and mixed effect analysis of Ethiopian demographic health survey.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual behaviour needs to take a central position in the heart of public health policy makers and researchers. This is important in view of its association with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Though the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is declining in Ethiopia, the country is still one of the hardest hit in the continent of Africa. Hence, this study was aimed at identifying hot spot areas and associated factors of risky sexual behavior (RSB). This would be vital for more targeted interventions which can produce a sexually healthy community in Ethiopia. METHODS: In this study, a cross-sectional survey study design was employed. A further analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey data was done on a total weighted sample of 10,518 women and men age 15-49 years. ArcGIS version 10.7 and Kuldorff's SaTScan version 9.6 software were used for spatial analysis. Global Moran's I statistic was employed to test the spatial autocorrelation, and Getis-Ord Gi* as well as Bernoulli-based purely spatial scan statistics were used to detect significant spatial clusters of RSB. Mixed effect multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify predictors and variables with a p-value ≤0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULT: The study subjects who had RSB were found to account about 10.2% (95% CI: 9.64%, 10.81%) of the population, and spatial clustering of RSB was observed (Moran's I = 0.82, p-value = 0.001). Significant hot spot areas of RSB were observed in Gambela, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. The primary and secondary SaTScan clusters were detected in Addis Ababa (RR = 3.26, LLR = 111.59, P<0.01), and almost the entire Gambela (RR = 2.95, LLR = 56.45, P<0.01) respectively. Age, literacy level, smoking status, ever heard of HIV/AIDS, residence and region were found to be significant predictors of RSB. CONCLUSION: In this study, spatial clustering of risky sexual behaviour was observed in Ethiopia, and hot spot clusters were detected in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Gambela regions. Therefore, interventions which can mitigate RSB should be designed and implemented in the identified hot spot areas of Ethiopia. Interventions targeting the identified factors could be helpful in controlling the problem.

Surgical outcome and predictors of neonates with esophageal atresia admitted at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is the most common congenital anomaly of the esophagus. This anomaly continues to cause considerable morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, presenting various concerns about how to treat esophageal atresia. Esophageal atresia-related neonatal mortality can be reduced by evaluating the surgical outcome and identifying associated factors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the surgical outcome and identify predictors of neonates with esophageal atresia admitted at Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital. METHODS: Retrospective crossectional study design was employed on 212 neonates with esophageal atresia who were undergone surgical intervention in Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital. Data were entered into epi data 4.6 and exported to Stata version 16 software for further analysis. A logistic regression model with Adjusted odds ratio (AOR), confidence interval (CI) and p-value <0.05 were used to identify predictors of poor surgical outcome of neonates with esophageal atresia. RESULT: In this study, 25% of newborns who underwent surgical intervention at TikurAbnbesa specialized hospital had successful surgical outcomes, compared to 75% of neonates with esophageal atresia who had poor surgical outcomes. Significant predictors of the poor surgical outcome of neonates with esophageal atresia were severe thrombocytopenia (AOR = 2.81(1.07-7.34)), timing of surgery (AOR = 3.7(1.34-10.1), aspiration pneumonia (AOR = 2.93(1.17-7.38)) and related abnormalities (AOR = 2.26(1.06-4.82)). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that, when compared to other studies, a substantial percentage of newborn children with esophageal atresia had poor surgical outcomes. Early surgical management, aspiration pneumonia and thrombocytopenia prevention and therapy play a big part in improving the surgical prognosis for newborns with esophageal atresia.

Dyslipidemia and serum cystatin C levels as biomarker of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The diagnostic markers of nephropathy, including the presence of albuminuria and/or a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, are not clinically ideal, and most of them are raised after a significant reduction in renal function. Therefore, it is crucial to seek more sensitive and non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. Objective of the study: This study aimed to investigate the serum cystatin C levels and dyslipidemia for the detection of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to August 2022 in Tikur, Anbessa specialized teaching hospital with a sample size of 140 patients with type2 diabetes mellitus. Socio-demographic data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and 5 mL of blood was collected from each participant following overnight fasting for biochemical analyses. Results: In type 2 diabetes patients with nephropathy, we found significant lipoprotein abnormalities and an increase in serum cystatin C (P < 0.001) compared to those without nephropathy. Serum cystatin C, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and duration of diabetes were identified as being significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy (P < 0.05) in multivariable logistic regression analysis. The mean values of total cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in females as compared to male type-2 diabetic patients. The fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles of the participants were found to be significantly associated with serum cystatin C levels. Conclusion: The present study found significant serum cystatin C and lipoprotein abnormalities in T2DM patients with diabetic nephropathy when compared with those without diabetic nephropathy, and these lipoprotein abnormalities were significantly associated with serum cystatin C levels.

Helicobacter pylori infection and its associated factors among dyspepsia patients attending Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections of humankind that affects more than 50% of the world's population. It has been implicated as an important agent in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Data regarding its prevalence using stool antigen test is scarce in Ethiopia. Hence, the main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among dyspeptic patients using stool antigen test and assessing the potential risk factors. METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 373 dyspepsia patients. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. SPSS Version 23 for Windows software was used for summarization and analyses of data. Bivariate analysis was conducted to detect the association between dependent and independent variables, and all candidate variables were entered into multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. RESULT: More than one-third (34%) of dyspepsia patients were positive for H. pylori stool antigen test. Having greater than or equal to four children in the house [AOR = 7.5 95% CI (1.7, 33.6) p = 0.008)], absence of latrine for the house hold [AOR = 4.3 95% CI (1, 17.8), p = 0.043 and drinking of river water [AOR = 12.5 95% CI (1.5, 105), p = 0.021] were predictors of H-pylori infection. CONCLUSION: More than one-third of dyspepsia patients were positive for H-pylori infection. Overcrowding and poor hygienic conditions are the main risk factors of H-pylori infection.