Predictors of Opportunistic Infections among HIV-infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are diseases that cause infections in people whose immune systems are compromised. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of OIs and associated factors among HIV-infected patients. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was done in Eastern Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 394 study participants through an interview method. The required sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to find factors at p < .05. The prevalence of OIs was found to be 52% (95% CI [47.5, 57.1]). Occupation, CD4+ count, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and functional status were independently associated with OIs. Intervention measures such as improving adherence to ART should be strengthened to further reduce the burden of OIs.

Erectile dysfunction and its associated factors among the male population in Adigrat Town, Tigrai Region, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction is one of the common sexual dysfunctions, but it is generally misunderstood as it is not a condition that threatens life. It affects an individual's physical as well as psychosocial health and has a significant impact on sufferers and their families' quality of life. No data are suggesting the prevalence of erectile dysfunction at the population level in Ethiopia. This research aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of erectile dysfunction among the male population. METHODS: We employed a community based cross-sectional study among 802 study participants. A two-stage random sampling method was used for enrolling study participants. Including the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire-5 (IIEF-5) for erectile dysfunction, data were collected using pretested and a structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with erectile dysfunction. RESULT: Out of the total of 802 individuals, 25.4%(95% CI:(22.4, 28.3%)) (n = 204) reported erectile dysfunction. The mean age of the participants was 34.3 ± 9.6 years. Age of 40years and above [AOR = 10.74, 95% CI: (7.07, 16.35)], physical inactivity [AOR = 3.62, 95% CI: (2.40, 5.45)], depression [AOR = 4.01, 95% CI: (2.22, 7.21)], poor quality of life [AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: (1.07, 2.36)] were significantly associated with erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction was high. Therefore, it is recommended that erectile dysfunction treatment be integrated into the health care system that focuses on educating and inspiring people on healthy eating, physical activity, and behavior enhancing wellbeing.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Psychological Distress Among Secondary School Students in Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is defined as a state of emotional suffering characterized by the combination of symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is more prevalent in school adolescents than in the general population. There are no published studies that reflect the current status of psychological distress among Ethiopian school adolescents. So, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among secondary students in Mekelle Town, North Ethiopia. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was done among 782 from May 15 to June 15, 2018. Stratified multistage sampling procedure was used to select study subjects. Data were collected using a pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used to declare the statistical significance between psychological distress and associated factors. RESULTS: A total of 845 students were enrolled in the study, with a response rate of 92.54%. The mean age of the participants was 16.24 years (SD=±1.17). Prevalence of psychological distress among the study participants was 34.9%. Being female [AOR = 2.30; 95% CI: (1.28, 4.12)], current alcohol use [AOR = 3.08; 95% CI: (1.64, 5.77)], physical fight [AOR = 2.99; 95% CI: (1.69-5.28)], contact sexual abuse [AOR=2.37; 95% CI: (1.23, 4.55)], non-contact sexual abuse [AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: (1.04, 3.49)], and being bullied [AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: (1.03, 3.29)] were significantly associated with psychological distress. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychological distress in this study was high. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen the activities that help to reduce or ameliorate the major causes of psychological distress.

Determinants of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Among Adult Patients with Diabetes Attending the Diabetic Clinic in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer is among the commonest complications of diabetic mellitus attributed to a number of morbidity and mortality cases in diabetic patients. Nowadays, the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer is increasing due to the increased prevalence of diabetes. However, the risk factors of the problem are less studied in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the determinants of diabetic foot ulcer among adult patients with diabetes attending a diabetic clinic in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 161 patients with diabetes (53 patients with diabetes with foot ulcer and 108 patients with diabetes without foot ulcer). Cases were selected from patients with diabetes with foot ulcer by consecutive sampling technique and controls from patients with diabetes without diabetic foot ulcer by systematic random sampling technique. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. All variables with a P-value<0.25 were included in the multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was declared at P-value<0.05 with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In this study, 28 (52.8%) cases and 55 (50.9%) controls were male. Taking insulin alone (AOR=2.75, 95% CI=1.04-7.23), having peripheral neuropathy (AOR=7.56, 95% CI=2.82-20.24), not inspecting feet daily (AOR=5.61, 95% CI=2.24-14.05), and using moisturizing cream between toes (AOR=3.35, 95% CI=1.35-8.32) were positively associated with diabetic foot ulcer, whereas employed (AOR=0.35, 95% CI=0.14-0.87) and combined treatment (insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents) (AOR=0.11, 95% CI=0.02-0.57) were negatively associated with diabetic foot ulcer. CONCLUSION: Diabetic foot ulcer was significantly associated with occupation, kind of treatment of diabetes mellitus taking, peripheral neuropathy, inspecting feet daily, and putting moisturizing cream between toes. It will be helpful if diabetic patients inspect their feet on a daily basis and do not put moisturizing cream between their toes.

Stunting and associated factors among under-five children in Wukro town, Tigray region, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under-five children of Wukro town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017-2018. RESULT: Totally 394 under-five children were participated in this study with a response rate of 98.5%. A total of 222 (56.3%) of respondents were females and 106 (26.95%) were in the age group of 12-23 month. One hundred ninety-eight (50.3%) of the participants were between 2 and 3 in birth order and 194 (49.2%) had 4 to 5 house hold size. The overall prevalence of stunting was 194 (49.2%). Being female and presence of washing facilities nearby latrine were significantly associated with stunting. Under-five female children were 35.4% lower odds of stunting compared to male children (p = .041, OR = .644, and 95% CI (.422, .983)).

Assessment of wasting and associated factors among under five children of Wukro town, Tigray regional, North Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, 50 million children under 5 were wasted; of which 16 million were severely wasted. A severely wasted child is at a nine times higher risk of dying. To prevent this problem, it is necessary to determine the magnitude and factors associated with childhood wasting. In Ethiopia specifically Wukro town, Tigray regional state there is no clear information regarding under five wasting. Therefore, the study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of wasting among under five children in Wukro town, North Ethiopia. Objective: to assess the prevalence of wasting and associated factors among under five children of Wukro town, Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2017/2018. METHODS: Community based cross-sectional study design with a single population proportion formula was used with a total sample size of 400 children. Wukro town has three kebele, two kebelle were included in the study through simple random sampling method. There was proportional allocation of subjects to each kebelle and final study subject was selected using systematic method. In case there were more than one child in the household one child was selected randomly. The data were collected by face to face interview and measuring of weight and height after the instrument was pre-tested. The anthropometric results were entered in to Emergency nutritional assessment (ENA) to calculate Z-Score. The collected data and result of Z-score were entered in to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20. Finally, results were presented in texts, graphs and tables. RESULTS: A total of 394 under five children were participated in this study, which gave a response rate of 98.5%. The respondents were females 222 (56.3%) and 106(26.95%) were in the age group of 12-23 month. The overall prevalence of wasting was 28 (7.2%). Out of this 14 (3.6%) were wasted and 14 (3.6%) were severely wasted. Under five children those, whose family does not live together were 3.086 times more likely to be wasted compared to under five children those, whose family live together (P=.038, OR=3.086, & 95% CI= (1.061, 8.970). Under five children those, whose mother did not taken family planning were 2.530 times more likely to be wasted compared to under five children those, whose mother take family planning (P=.038, OR=2.530, & 95% CI= (1.054, 6.074)). CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of mothers were not taken extra food during pregnancy and lactation. There was significant prevalence of wasting of under five children in the study area. Living condition of family and usage of family planning were associated with increased risk of wasting.