ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of eight ANC contacts during pregnancy, of which having one ultrasound examination before 24 weeks of gestation is indicated. Ultrasound plays a significant role in the surveillance and management of high-risk pregnancies. However, the obstetric ultrasound coverage in resource limited settings remains low. Evidence examining the barriers and facilitators to obstetrics ultrasound use in a resource-limited setting like Ethiopia is lacking. This qualitative study explored the facilitators and barriers to introducing obstetric Vscan Access ultrasound in primary health care facilities in Ethiopia. METHODS: The study employed a qualitative descriptive exploratory study design using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study participant were mothers who have had recent birth, community members, maternal and newborn service providers, and their managers. We employed an inductive thematic analysis to analyze the data. RESULT: We conducted a total of ten FGDs, three with community members and seven with maternal and newborn service providers, and 52 IDIs with the service providers and health facility managers. Two major themes, health system related and client-related factors, emerged from the analysis. The health system related enablers include increased knowledge and skill of the providers, improved mothers and providers' motivation, increased service utilization, and improved quality of maternal and newborn care (MNC), and enhanced referral system. The health system related barriers include service interruption, staff shortage/workload, and the providers' limited capacity. Under the main theme of client-related factors, barriers include perceived limited knowledge and skills of providers and the small size of the ultrasound machine while the facilitators include mothers' needs and interest in ultrasound scan, availability of free of charge ultrasound service, and increased demand for ultrasound scan service. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the health system provides an enabling context to introduce limited obstetric ultrasound service and routinely provide the service through mid-level maternal care providers at primary health care level in resource limited settings. Overcoming the health system and client related barriers will maximize and sustain the use of the technology.
Subject(s)
Maternal Health Services , Obstetrics , Ethiopia , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Primary Health Care , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in sub-Saharan Africa, compared with other world regions. In Ethiopia, a National Cancer Control Plan published in 2015, outlines an ambitious strategy to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. This strategy includes widespread screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). As the national screening program has rolled out, there has been limited inquiry of provider experiences. This study aims to describe cancer control experts' perspectives regarding the cancer control strategy and implementation of VIA. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 18 participants elicited provider perspectives on cervical cancer prevention and screening. Open-ended interview questions queried barriers and facilitators to implementation of a new national screening program. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis and mapped to the Integrated Behavioral Model. Participants were health providers and administrators with positionality as cancer control experts including screening program professionals, oncologists, and cancer focal persons at town, zone, and federal health offices at eleven government facilities in the Arsi, Bale, and Shoa zones of the Oromia region, and in the capital Addis Ababa. RESULTS: The cancer control plan and screening method, VIA, were described by participants as contextually appropriate and responsive to the unique service delivery challenges in Ethiopia. Screening implementation barriers included low community- and provider-awareness of cervical cancer and screening, lack of space and infrastructure to establish the screening center, lack of materials including cryotherapy machines for the "screen-and-treat" approach, and human resource issues such as high-turnover of staff and administration. Participant-generated solutions included additional training for providers, demand creation to increase patient flow through mass media campaigns, decentralization of screening from large regional hospitals to local health centers, improved monitoring and evaluation, and incentivization of screening services to motivate health providers. CONCLUSIONS: As the Ethiopian government refines its Cancer Control Plan and scales up screening service implementation throughout the country, the findings from this study can inform the policies and practices of cervical cancer screening. Provider perspectives of barriers and facilitators to effective cancer control and screening implementation reveal areas for continued improvement such as provider training and coordination and collaboration in the health system.
Subject(s)
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Early Detection of Cancer , Ethiopia , Female , Humans , Mass Screening , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & controlABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite advances in non-invasive radiological techniques for the treatment of intussusception, management of the entity still remains exclusively surgical in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Fluoroscopic units are rare or mostly dysfunctional. Ultrasound scanners are more commonly available. Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction (USGHR) was recently introduced to the main referral hospital in Ethiopia, and subsequently has been adopted as the initial management option for intussusception. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with USGHR in Ethiopia and measure the impact on patient care. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between July 2014 and August 2015 on all pediatric patients, with US-confirmed intussusception, at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All patients, excluding those with signs of peritonitis, bowel ischemia, or symptoms lasting longer than 4 days, were selected to undergo USGHR. RESULTS: A total of 53 children were diagnosed with intussusception, confirmed via ultrasound. Following exclusion criteria, USGHR was attempted in 47 of the patients. Forty-one of the 47 patients (87.2%) had successful reduction, resulting in a 77% overall rate of successful non-operative management in all patients with intussusception. CONCLUSION: The rate of operative reduction of intussusception decreased by 77% following the introduction of USGHR as the initial non-surgical intervention. Therefore, we believe USGHR should be fully implemented in our hospital, and recommend that this study serves as an example to other institutions in our country as well as in other developing countries facing similar challenges.
Subject(s)
Intussusception/therapy , Ultrasonography, Interventional , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethiopia , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Prospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Our understanding of the post-transcriptional mechanisms involved in follicular atresia is limited; however, an important development has been made in understanding the biological regulatory networks responsible for mediating follicular atresia. MicroRNAs have come to be seen as a key regulatory actor in determining cell fate in a wide range of tissues in normal and pathological processes. Profiling studies of miRNAs during follicular atresia and development have identified several putative miRNAs enriched in apoptosis signaling pathways. Subsequent in vitro and/or in vivo studies of granulosa cells have elucidated the functional role of some miRNAs along with their molecular pathways. In particular, the regulatory roles of some miRNAs have been consistently observed during studies of follicular cellular apoptosis. Continued work should gradually lead to better understanding of the role of miRNAs in this field. Ultimately, we expect this understanding will have substantial benefits for fertility management at both the in vivo or/and in vitro levels. The stable nature of miRNA holds remarkable promise in clinical use as a diagnostic tool and in reproductive medicine to solve the ever-increasing fertility problem. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the involvement of miRNAs in follicular atresia, discuss the challenges for further work and pinpoint areas for future research.
Subject(s)
Follicular Atresia/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation , MicroRNAs/genetics , Animals , Apoptosis/genetics , Autophagy/genetics , Biomarkers , Female , Follicular Atresia/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Granulosa Cells/metabolism , Humans , Ovarian Follicle/metabolism , Signal Transduction , TranscriptomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a mycobacterial infection mainly affecting the lungs. Early and correct diagnosis of sputum smear negative patients by chest radiography (CXR) is challenging since it depends on reader's ability to detect abnormal findings and to interpret it correctly. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity and reliability of CXR the diagnosis of TB among smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at seven selected health facilities from October 2011 to September 2012 on 159 adults aged 18 years and above who were newly diagnosed smear negative for PTB patients diagnosed using Chest X-ray (CXR). Morning sputum was collected and cultured from each patient using Lowenstein Jensen media. All the CXRs were revised by senior radiologists in conjunction with the principal investigator. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, clinical and radiological data. Sensitivity and specificity measures of the CXR findings were calculated in comparison to the gold standard sputum culture results. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of patients involved in the study was 37.1 (16.7), ranging from 18 to 87 years. Of the total 159 smear negative PTB patients, the most common CXR finding was consolidation (40.3%) followed by cavitations (23.9%) and nodular lesions (17.0%). Sputum culture results showed that, 47 (29.6%) were culture positive, 103 (64.7%) were culture negative and 9 (5.6%) were contaminated. About 14% (22/159) of the study subjects were HIV positive. The sensitivity and specificity of CXR findings were 77.1% (37/48) and 36.9% (41/111), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 34.6% (3 7/107) and 78.8% (41/52), respectively. CONCLUSION: CXR can be used as supportive investigative modality to diagnose smear negative Pulmonary TB in conditions where TB culture is no more feasible.
Subject(s)
Radiography, Thoracic , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Sputum/microbiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
A case report of a left sided IVC with hemiazygos continuation and retro aortic right renal vein in a 45 year old female is described here with discussion of embryogenesis of this anomaly and its clinical importance. The anomaly was first observed on computer tomographic images performed for a different purpose. Doppler ultrasound done afterwards then showed absence of hepatic segment of the IVC and a retro aortic right renal vein. As far as our search is concerned this is the first report of its kind in Ethiopia.
Subject(s)
Aorta/abnormalities , Azygos Vein/abnormalities , Heart Defects, Congenital/complications , Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnosis , Renal Veins/abnormalities , Vena Cava, Inferior/abnormalities , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Arteriovenous malformations are uncommonly occurring congenital conditions and great vein of Galen malformations are rare form of arteriovenous malformations. Aneurysmal dilatation of the median prosencephalic vein of Markowski is responsible for the clinical presentation of patients and most children manifest the disease during infancy. We present three cases of great vein of Galen malformations, presenting to Tikur Anbessa hospital, one with thrombosis and communicating hydrocephalus; the other two with obstructive hydrocephalus and no thrombosis. All patients have markedly dilated intracranial veins with vascular enhancement pattern in venous phase of brain CT scan. Physicians should be aware of different radiological presentations of vein of Galen malformations and different clinical presentation of these cases. Very rarely the vein of Galen malformation can have thromboses and obliteration of itself The clinicians should also know that CT scan and MRI are the corner stones for the diagnosis of vein of Galen malformations but more fetuses are diagnosed with VGM in the uterus by ultrasound during ANC.
Subject(s)
Hydrocephalus/diagnostic imaging , Vein of Galen Malformations/diagnostic imaging , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Hydrocephalus/etiology , Infant , Male , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color , Vein of Galen Malformations/complicationsABSTRACT
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and incident cancers worldwide with an Increasing prevalence in a younger age in developing countries. The aim of the study was to determine the staging and imaging pattern of CRC at diagnosis. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including all consecutive cases of CRC found in the departments of radiology and oncology during the study period from March 2016 - February 2017. Results: A total of 132 CRC cases were studied with M: F = 2.4:1, mean age of 46yrs and 67.4% = 50yrs. Left-sided tumors were associated with rectal bleeding (p = 0.001) and bowel habit change (p =0.045) whereas right-side tumors were associated with weight loss (p = 0.02) and abdominal pain (p = 0.004). 84.5% of CRC presented at an advanced stage, and 32% had distant metastasis. Young age was associated with the advanced stage (P=0.006) whereas family history was associated with the lower stage (P=0.008). Distance metastasis was associated with Colonic lesions (P=0.003) and emergent presentation (P=0.008). Asymmetric wall thickening with luminal narrowing was significantly associated with left side tumor (95% vs 21.4%) whereas large mass with necrosis was significantly associated with right side tumor (50% vs 5%) (P= 0.004). Conclusions: CRC is presented at a younger age and at an advanced stage. The majority of CRCs were left-sided and rectal. Increasing the index of suspicion for CRC in patients with rectal bleeding and, bowel habit change is recommended.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms , Humans , Middle Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiologyABSTRACT
Background: The thyroid, along with the breast, lung, and bone marrow, is among the most radiosensitive organs. This study aims to assess the rate of unnecessary radiation exposure to the thyroid gland in patients who had chest Computed Tomography (CT) at a large teaching hospital. Method: Hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study on 1,306 patients who underwent chest CT from July 2018 to January 2019. Thyroid gland inclusion along with the CT dose of the studies was evaluated. Data was collected by evaluating chest CT scans from Picture Archive and Communication System (MedWeb). Result: Out of 1306 patients, who had Chest CT scans intravenous iodinated contrast media was used in 95.4% of the CT scans. The thyroid was included in 99.8% of the scans, out of which 76.9% included the whole thyroid gland. Among the patients who had previous CT scans, 75.3% had one previous scan and 24.7% had two previous scans. DLP (Dose Length Product) in mGycm was lower in females (360.33±32) compared to males (426.45±378.4). The lowest DLP value was observed in the pediatric patients in the age range of 1-5 years which was 146.83, while the highest was observed among those above 18 years of age with mean DLP of 418.31. Conclusion: The majority of chest CT scans unnecessarily include the whole thyroid gland, which is one of the most sensitive organs for radiation-induced effects. Authors recommend optimized technique for chest scans to avoid future impacts.
Subject(s)
Thyroid Gland , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Male , Female , Humans , Child , Infant , Child, Preschool , Retrospective Studies , Radiation Dosage , Thyroid Gland/diagnostic imaging , Cross-Sectional Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/adverse effects , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methodsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: A pseudoaneurysm arising from the superior thyroid artery is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, STA Pseudoaneurysm after thyroidectomy has not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old female presented with anterior neck swelling of two years duration. Physical exam revealed a thyroid mass that measures 10 cm ∗ 8 cm. Neck US showed MNG (TIRADS 3) and FNAC suggested colloid goiter. Near Total Thyroidectomy was performed. On the 10th postoperative day, she noticed a painless, progressive left-sided neck swelling which is increasing in size with no active bleeding and no compressive symptoms. There is a 6x4cm tense pulsatile left-sided neck swelling adjacent to the thyroid cartilage and anterior to sternocleidomastoid muscle with a healed neck collar incision. CBC and coagulation profile were normal. Head and Neck CTA show aneurysmal dilatation of STA 3.8 cm × 3.2 cm with thrombosis of the posterior part of the lesion. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: STA Pseudoaneurysms are quite rare events but could lead to catastrophic complications. Clinical manifestations can include pulsating painful mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, bleeding from the oral cavity, and cerebrovascular symptoms. It should be investigated with Color Doppler ultrasound, MRI and CTA. CONCLUSION: In our case, the pseudoaneurysm occurred after thyroidectomy which has not been reported previously. The diagnosis was made by a computed tomography scan and the patient was treated by open STA ligation as endovascular service isn't available in our setup. Clinicians should therefore include pseudoaneurysm of STA or adjacent arteries in their differential diagnosis and intervene early to avoid devastating complications.
ABSTRACT
Spontaneous suburothelial hemorrhage (SSH), also known as Antopol Goldman lesion, is a rare condition characterized by spontaneous bleeding into the renal sinus and proximal ureter wall. This case report describes the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and management of SSH in a 20-year-old female initially suspected to have urothelial malignancy. Imaging features of SSH include pre-contrast hyperdensity and non-enhancing thickening of the pelviureteric wall, which can mimic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and lead to unnecessary interventions. Radiologists should maintain a high level of suspicion for SSH and be aware of its imaging characteristics to avoid misdiagnosis. Additionally, clinical data, such as bleeding dyscrasia, can aid in the imaging diagnosis. This report provides insights into the diagnosis and management of SSH while offering a comprehensive literature review on its clinical presentation and imaging features. Increased awareness of SSH will facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate management, avoiding unnecessary interventions for patients with this benign condition.
ABSTRACT
Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare phenomenon although it is the second most common visceral artery aneurysm. Usually it occurs in adults with an increase in incidence as age increases and the diagnosis is made incidentally during work-up of patients for other clinical conditions. When it ruptures life threatening hemorrhage occurs and patients usually die if the correct diagnosis is not made timely. Here we present a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm which was misdiagnosed as a hemorrhagic pancreatitis and finally the diagnosis was made on post contrast computed tomography scan. Physicians must include ruptured splenic artery aneurysm as one of the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen particularly in patients who are in shock state and anemic.
Subject(s)
Abdomen, Acute/etiology , Aneurysm, Ruptured/diagnosis , Splenic Artery/diagnostic imaging , Abdomen, Acute/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aneurysm, Ruptured/complications , Diagnosis, Differential , Ethiopia , Hospitals, Special , Humans , Incidental Findings , Male , Middle Aged , Splenic Diseases/diagnosis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Pulmonary cryptococcal infection is commonly seen in HIV patients and in patients who have compromised cell mediated immunity. Its occurrence in immunocompetent individuals is uncommon. Here we present a young adult who presented with cough and hemoptysis and is negative for HIV testing and has no clinical and laboratory evidences of conditions compromising his cell mediated immunity. Radiologically manifested as a solitary huge parenchymal mass lesion mimicking lung malignancy. He was finally diagnosed as having pulmonary cryptococcoma after open biopsy. This is an uncommon manifestation of cryptococcoma in immunologically competent patient.
Subject(s)
Cryptococcosis/pathology , Immunocompetence , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Biopsy, Needle , Diagnosis, Differential , HIV Seronegativity , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Lung/pathology , Male , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The occurrence of liver disease out break of unknown origin and of a significant morbidity and mortality with a major symptom of abdominal dropsy was reported among the inhabitants of Tsaeda--Emba village, Tahtay Koraro woreda, Tigray during mid December, 2005. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess if chemical intoxicants were the responsible agents for the outbreak in the affected locality. METHODS: The experimental approach towards the identification of the possible causative agent from the consumables and environmental samples collected from the affected village were determination of physico-chemical quality parameters and chemical analysis using instrumental and chromatographic techniques. RESULTS: The intoxicant was found to stem from the consumption of the water from the unprotected well in which pyrrolizidine containing plant, Ageratum sp, abundantly thrives. CONCLUSION: The water source was intimately linked to the outbreak of disease and, therefore, immediate intervention and preventive measures are called for.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Drinking Water , Environmental Exposure , Liver Diseases/etiology , Liver Diseases/mortality , Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids/toxicity , Water Pollution , Ageratum/chemistry , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Environmental Monitoring , Epidemiological Monitoring , Ethiopia/epidemiology , Humans , Morbidity , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Water Pollution/adverse effectsABSTRACT
The study was conducted in the central rift valley of Ethiopia to define Arsi-Bale goat keepers' breeding objectives and breeding practices and to describe flock management practices and rate of inbreeding in Arsi-Bale goat population. Two-stage sampling techniques were employed to select study sites and 202 respondents. Semistructured questionnaire and group discussion were used to collect the required information. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social science. Rate of inbreeding in the population and indices were also calculated. On average, each respondent holds around 12 goats in which 30.7, 66.6 and 2.7% were males, females and castrates, respectively. The most important purpose of goat production in the study area was for milk utilization. Farmers have multiple breeding objectives and they considered both subjective and objective selection criteria with slightly more emphasis on morphological characteristics for buck selection than replacement doe selection. Only 39.1% (n = 79) of respondents have their own breeding bucks. None of the respondents practiced controlled mating. Average rate of inbreeding in the population was around 0.20. Arsi-Bale goats are found to be adaptive to the prevailing condition. Therefore, any breed improvement strategy to be designed or implemented in the study area and other similar areas should consider important traditional breeding practices.
Subject(s)
Animal Husbandry/methods , Breeding/methods , Goats/genetics , Animal Husbandry/economics , Animal Husbandry/statistics & numerical data , Animals , Dairying , Ethiopia , Female , Inbreeding , MaleABSTRACT
The study was conducted to evaluate reproductive performances and estimate genetic parameters for reproduction traits in Arsi-Bale goats. A total of 792 kidding records collected from 2001 to 2007 were used. Parity of dam, year, season and type of kidding were investigated as fixed effects by PROC GLM of SAS. Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) method was used to estimate genetic parameters by fitting four animal models. Parity of dam and year of kidding influenced (P < 0.05) all the traits. The overall means for age at first kidding (AFK), kidding interval (KI), litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter weight at weaning (LWW), abortion and dystocia were 574.9 ± 8.3 days, 280.0 ± 13.7 days, 1.6 ± 0.03, 1.37 ± 0.03, 3.7 ± 0.08 kg, 9.11 ± 0.38 kg, 3.8% and 0.13%, respectively. The estimates of direct additive heritability for the traits, except for abortion and dystocia, under the best model (direct animal for AFK and repeatability model for other traits) were 0.245 ± 0.19, 0.060 ± 0.08, 0.074 ± 0.05, 0.006 ± 0.05, 0.125 ± 0.05, 0.053 ± 0.07, respectively, while the corresponding permanent environmental effects were 0.00 ± 0.00, 0.07 ± 0.07, 0.08 ± 0.05, 0.172 ± 0.06, 0.03 ± 0.04 and 0.07 ± 0.05, respectively. Repeatability estimates for KI, LSB, LSW, LWB and LWW were 0.13, 0.15, 0.18, 0.16 and 0.12, respectively. Genetic correlations between reproductive traits vary from medium to high. Arsi-Bale goats have good reproductive performance with low incidence of reproductive disorder. Except for AFK, other traits have low estimates of heritabilities with high genetic correlation among the traits. Repeated measures of the traits are needed before deciding to keep or cull the animal.
Subject(s)
Goat Diseases/epidemiology , Goats/genetics , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , Reproduction , Abortion, Veterinary/epidemiology , Aging , Animals , Birth Weight , Dystocia/epidemiology , Dystocia/veterinary , Ethiopia , Female , Goats/physiology , Litter Size , Male , Pregnancy , Seasons , Weaning , Weight GainABSTRACT
Background: Radiology has become one of the most sought out residency programs in the country attracting highly qualified candidates from all over the country. The objective of the study was to determine the attitude, practice and barriers of radiology residents towards academic research. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted across all five institutions currently giving radiology residency programs in the country the survey was carried out from 12/16/2020 to 12/12/2021. Using a questionaries' that were distributed to the residents using google docs. Results: There were A total of 120 radiology residents participated in the study. 93(77.5%) of the participants were male while the rest 27 (22.5%) were female. With the mean age of the participants was 29 (1.75)years of age. Out of the 120 residents only 6 (5%) of them have published a research paper. 92.6% of the respondents were found to have a positive attitude towards academic research. Some of the major barrier to research identified by the study were the lack of time due to heavy workload, lack of Training course, inadequate Mentor Support and inadequate financial support. Conclusions: The study has showed that the overall attitude of radiology residents across the country towards academic research was positive but the practice of the residents in various academic research activities was found to be low. The authors recommend that all the stakeholders in radiology post graduate education to encourage residents in their academic pursuits by providing the necessary time and resources needed to perform quality research.
Subject(s)
Internship and Residency , Radiology , Male , Female , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethiopia , Radiology/education , Radiography , Surveys and Questionnaires , Attitude of Health PersonnelABSTRACT
Background: National and multinational surveys indicate large variability of Computed Tomography urinary tract Stone doses. The wide use of abdominopelvic Computed Tomography in the diagnosis, raised the issue of radiation exposure. Hence, this study was conducted to assess Computed Tomography radiation exposure of urinary tract Stone Patients there by, to compare the results from established reference values and other published studies. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional was done on 100 urinary tract Stone patients who have at least one computed tomography scan as part of their follow-up or for diagnosis purposes from February 1 to May 31, 2021, at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire format that evaluates the number of Computed Tomography they had, scan parameters, dose indicators, and socio-demographic characteristics. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 22. Results: Out of 100 patients 3.6%of our patients have radiation exposure of more than 4mSv, which is the standard for low-dose Computed Tomography. The median radiation exposure is 1.27mSv per scan. Exposure factors like tube current, tube current products, dose length product, and scan range all have similar values with an almost null interquartile range. All the scans that overpassed the low dose threshold(4mSv) were done outside Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital. Conclusion: Our study showed that Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital's low-dose CT protocol for patients with urinary tract Stone is well optimized as opposed to non- Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital.
Subject(s)
Radiation Exposure , Urinary Calculi , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Urinary Calculi/diagnostic imaging , Urinary Calculi/etiology , Hospitals , Radiation Exposure/adverse effectsABSTRACT
The practice of radiology began after the invention of X-rays in 1895 which then spread to different parts of the world. There is no documentation on how and when the x-ray was introduced to the Ethiopian medical practice. However, radiology as a profession was in place for the last four decades. Similar with the experience in other countries, the history of progress in the field of radiology in the Ethiopian setup is related directly to technological advances that occurred during the past few decades. Radiography was the main modality used in the first two decades. In the early years of the initiation of radiology training, only radiographs and ultrasounds were available for training and service. In the subsequent years, modern cross-sectional imaging equipment was introduced. This was mainly accomplished with the involvement of the private institutions which played a significant role. So far, there are more than 300 practicing radiologists as diagnosticians. Recently, also radiologic interventions were also introduced with the commencement of subspecialty training.
Subject(s)
Radiology , Humans , Ethiopia , Radiology/education , Radiography , X-RaysABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Unresolved sexual issues can have an impact on a person's wellbeing, social interactions, or even medication compliance. Given the enormous global demand to enhance and preserve sexual health, faculty members have a specific goal of developing nursing workforce who are truly prepared to work with clients who have sexual health issues. Hence, the study's purpose has been to evaluate the current state of attitude and belief of nursing students toward sexual healthcare and the factors that influence it in Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Mizan-Tepi University involving 134 undergraduate nursing students from February 1 to March 10, 2022. The Sexual Attitude and Beliefs Scale (SABS) were used to assess the level of attitudes and beliefs regarding sexual care. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 26 was employed for data analysis. Multivariable linear regression analyses was conducted to identify predictors of attitudes and beliefs regarding sexual healthcare. The significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the nursing students participating in this study was 28.47±5.2. In our study, mean SABS score of the nursing students was found as 42.3 ± 2.1. The mean score of the SABS items ranged from 1.68±0.93 to 4.37±1.48. Having receiving sexual health education (p<0.001) was significantly associated with attitude and beliefs regarding sexual healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: Ethiopian nursing students have been found to have a negative attitude and beliefs about sexual health care. Because comprehensive sex education is sorely lacking in nursing schools, this scrutiny prevents student nurses from receiving an adequate education. As there is a lack of appropriate sexual health subject matter, it is critical to standardize sexual health education in nursing programs so that nursing students can learn to provide comprehensive care to clients.