Factors Affecting Satisfaction With Inpatient Services Among Adult Patients Admitted to Arba Minch General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: A Mixed Method Study.

Previous studies on patient satisfaction in Ethiopia focused on satisfaction with nursing care and outpatient services. Therefore, this study aimed to assess factors affecting satisfaction with inpatient services among adult patients admitted to Arba Minch General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. A mixed method cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 462 admitted adult patients from March 7 to April 28, 2020. A standardized structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used to collect data. A total of 8 in-depth interviews were conducted to collect the qualitative data. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data, and a P-value <.05 in the multivariable logistic regression was used to declare the statistical significance of the predictor variables. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically. In this study, 43.7% of patients were satisfied with the inpatient services they received. Urban residences (AOR 95% CI 1.67 [1.00, 2.80]), educational status (AOR 95% CI 3.41 [1.21, 9.64]), treatment outcome (AOR 95% CI 2.28 [1.65, 4.32]), use of meal service (AOR 95% CI 0.51 [0.30, 0.85]), and duration of hospital stay (AOR 95% CI 1.98 [1.18, 2.06]) were the predictors of satisfaction with inpatient services. Compared to previous studies, the level of satisfaction with inpatient services was relatively low.

Inpatient Care Service Experience Among Adult Patients Admitted to Arba Minch General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: Institution-Based Qualitative Study.

Acknowledging patients' experience with the care delivered in healthcare settings is crucial in ensuring the quality of healthcare service delivery. In Ethiopia, qualitative evidence of patients' experience with inpatient care services is limited. This study aimed to explore the experience of inpatient care service among adult patients admitted to Arba Minch General hospital, Southern Ethiopia from April 05-28, 2020. An institution-based qualitative approach was carried out among adult patients discharged from the study hospital. Thirty-one in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted and audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Data were coded, sorted, and themes were developed manually based on the thematic analysis. This study showed that kindness, respecting appointments, and treatment outcomes were the positive experiences highlighted by study participants. Participants reported a lack of drinking water, unpleasant toilet hygiene, lack of bedsheets, and absence of drugs as negative experiences. Therefore, the hospital administration should work on improving the problems mentioned by the participants of this study.

Coverage of completion of four ANC visits based on recommended time schedule in Northern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study design.

BACKGROUND: Despite decades of implementation of maternal health care programs, the uptake of antenatal care services based on the recommended gestational age continues to be below the national and regional targets. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors related to the completion of four antenatal care visits among mothers who gave birth 6 months preceding the study. METHOD: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative component included administering a pre-tested structured questionnaire to 466 mothers who gave birth 6 months preceding the study using a simple random sampling technique from respective Tabias. The quantitative result was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the association between independent and dependent variables. Variables were declared as statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression model. The qualitative interview data were collected from eight mothers and four key informants recruited through purposive sampling method. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of completion of four ANC visits based on the recommended time schedule was 9.9% (95% CI, 7.1-12.4). However, 63.9% of the participants attended four visits or more regardless of the recommended time schedule. Being member of community health insurance (AOR 2.140, 95% CI, 1.032-4.436), walking on foot less than or equal one hour to reach the health facility (AOR 3.921, 95% CI, 1.915-8.031), having workload at home (AOR 0.369, 95% CI, 0.182-0.751), and husband supported during antenatal care (AOR 2.561, 95% CI, 1.252-5.240) were independently associated with the completion of four ANC visits based on the recommended time schedule in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: The completion of four ANC contacts based on the recommended time schedule remains low in rural areas of Northern Ethiopia. Being a member of community health insurance, distance to the health facility, workload, and male involvement were associated with the completion of four ANC visits based on the recommended time schedule. The existing health system should consider improving the recommended ANC visits by integrating Community based interventions.

COVID-19 Perception, Knowledge, and Preventive Practice: Comparison between South Korea, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Africa, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Egypt on February 14, 2020. Since then, the number of cases has continued to increase with Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Sudan, Angola, Tanzania, Ghana, and Kenya identified as vulnerable countries. The present study aimed to: 1) identify differences in trust level of COVID-19 diagnosis, recent healthcare utilization experiences, and COVID-19-related knowledge, information, and prevention practices in South Korea, Ethiopia, and DRC; and 2) identify factors influencing trust level in healthcare facilities regarding COVID-19 diagnosis. The present study was cross-sectional. The questionnaire survey was conducted between May 1-14, 2020 using Google forms, and 748 respondents were included in the final analysis. The data collected were analyzed using ANOVA, post- hoc test, and binary logistic regression analysis. South Korea showed higher rate of practice for COVID-19 prevention such as hand washing, mask wearing, and etc. than Ethiopia and DRC. The results showed significant differences with the trust level being 3.129 times higher in respondents from DRC than those from Ethiopia (aOR=3.129, 95% CI: [1.884-5.196], p <.000) and 29.137 times higher in respondents from South Korean than those from Ethiopia (aOR=29.137, 95% CI: [13.869-61.210], p <.000). Gender, age, number of family members, healthcare utilization experience, information, and practice were significant variables. Health education expansion for information and practice about COVID-19 in Ethiopia and DRC is necessary.

Level of physical activity and associated factors during pregnancy among women who gave birth in Public Zonal Hospitals of Tigray.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity in the general population is considered too low, and this is true for pregnant women. Moderate physical activity during pregnancy have many benefits for the mother and the developing baby. This study was aimed to assess the level of physical activity during pregnancy and associated factors in public zonal hospitals of Tigray, Ethiopia. A hospital based cross-sectional study was used and 458 study participants was selected using multistage sampling technique. The data were collected using standardized pregnancy physical activity questionnaire. RESULT: Out of 442 women who participated in this study, only 21.9% were physically inactive. Parity [AOR = 7.68; 95% CI (3.193, 18.459)], maternal occupation [AOR = .015; 95% CI (.003, .083)], history of miscarriage [AOR = 8.045; 95% CI (3.325, 19.465)], maternal age AOR = 4.67; 95% CI (1.431, 15.254)], were the variables that showed statistical association with level of physical activity during pregnancy. Level of physical activity during pregnancy was generally high. Thus, it would be optimal if health professionals can take a more active role in promoting physical activity during pregnancy.

Older siblings' influence on sexual behavior of high school adolescents in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia.

Background: Older siblings are one of the key sources of beliefs about sexual activity, including safe sexual practices, and can even exert pressure to engage in sexual activities. This effect persists beyond parental supervision and peer pressure. Despite this, although a considerable body of research has examined parental and peer influence, comparable data on older sibling influence on younger adolescent sexual behaviors are scant, and this area needs in-depth analysis. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess older siblings' influence on sexual behavior of high school adolescents in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia in 2017-2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and a total of 285 adolescents who had ever had sex were sampled randomly from selected schools. Data were entered into Epi-info version 07 and exported to and analyzed with SPSS version 22. Means ± SD, frequency, percentage, and cross-tabulation were used to describe the result. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was fitted to compute older sibling influence. Results: Perceiving older sibling sexual behavior as risky increased adolescents' likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior. (AOR 4.52, 95% CI 2.59-7.89) whereas high intimacy with an older sibling (AOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17-0.59) decreased the odds of risky sexual behavior (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.30-0.92). Conclusion: Older siblings had an influence on the sexual behavior of youngr adolescents. Perceiving older sibling sexual behavior as healthy and high sibling intimacy may serve as protective factors; however, risky sexual behavior of an older sibling can increase high school adolescents' likelihood for same. As such, families should realize that elders can affect their younger siblings' behavior, included the former in family strategies, and give them responsibility to protect their younger siblings.

Risk Factors for Neonatal Sepsis in Public Hospitals of Mekelle City, North Ethiopia, 2015: Unmatched Case Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in the developing countries. Delays in the identification and treatment of neonatal sepsis are among the main contributors to the high mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors of neonatal sepsis in public hospitals of Mekelle City, Tigray Region, North Ethiopia, 2015. METHODS: A hospital based case control study was done in public hospitals of Mekelle City, Tigray region. Cases were neonates who had sepsis with their index mothers and controls were neonates who hadn't had sepsis with their index mothers. Hematologic findings were used to diagnose sepsis once the neonates were being clinically suspected. Cases and controls were selected using the systematic sampling technique. Data were entered using Epi info version 7 and then analyzed using SPSS window 20. The binary logistic regression model was used to test the association between dependent and independent variables and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the associated risk factors to neonatal sepsis. FINDINGS: A total of 78 cases and 156 controls were included in this study. More than three quarters (76.8%) of cases had early onset sepsis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the possible risk factors of neonatal sepsis in this study were; history of maternal urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted infection [AOR = 5. 23; 95% CI (1.82, 15.04)], prolonged rupture of membrane [AOR = 7. 43; 95% CI (2.04, 27.1)], Place of delivery; health center delivery [AOR = 5. 7; 95% CI (1.71, 19.03)], intrapartum fever [AOR = 6. 1 95% CI (1.29, 28.31)], APGAR score <7 at 5th minute [AOR = 68. 9; 95% CI (3.63, 1308)] and not crying immediately at birth [AOR = 124. 0; 95% CI (6.5, 2379)]. CONCLUSION: Both maternal and neonatal factors had contributed to the risk of neonatal sepsis. Strengthening of the existing risk based prevention strategies as well as improvement of institutional delivery practices are crucial.

Utilization of Modern Contraceptives among HIV Positive Reproductive Age Women in Tigray, Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study.

Background. HIV infected women in sub-Saharan Africa are at substantial risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. In developing countries including Ethiopia counseling and provision of modern contraceptives of choice to HIV infected women including those on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an important strategy to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Little is known about the existing practices and utilization of modern contraceptives among HIV positive reproductive age women attending ART units. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess utilization of modern contraceptives and associated factors among HIV positive reproductive age women attending ART units in zonal hospitals of Tigray region, North Ethiopia. Method. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 364 HIV positive reproductive age women in all zonal hospitals of Tigray region using systematic sampling technique. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods were used to analyze utilization of modern contraceptives and the factors associated with it. Result. Three hundred sixty-four subjects participated with a response rate of 99.2%. The mean age of the respondents was 31.9 ± 6.5 (SD) years. About 46% of participants utilized modern contraceptives, 59.9% out of them used dual method. However, a significant proportion of the respondents (46%) reported that they wished to have a desire for children. Being secondary education and higher (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.17-6.95) and currently on HAART (AOR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.49-7.01) they were more likely to utilize modern contraceptive. But those women who were ≥25 years old, house wives, single, divorced, or widowed were less likely to utilize modern contraceptive. Conclusion. Results of this study revealed that the number of respondents who were ever heard of modern contraceptives was high. However, modern contraceptive utilization was still low. Additional efforts are needed to promote modern contraceptive utilization in general and dual method use in particular among HIV positive reproductive age women.

Emerging chronic non-communicable diseases in rural communities of Northern Ethiopia: evidence using population-based verbal autopsy method in Kilite Awlaelo surveillance site.

INTRODUCTION: In countries where most deaths are outside health institutions and medical certification of death is absent, verbal autopsy (VA) method is used to estimate population level causes of death. METHODS: VA data were collected by trained lay interviewers for 409 deaths in the surveillance site. Two physicians independently assigned cause of death using the International Classification of Diseases manual. RESULTS: In general, infectious and parasitic diseases accounted for 35.9% of death, external causes 15.9%, diseases of the circulatory system 13.4% and perinatal causes 12.5% of total deaths. Mortalities attributed to maternal causes and malnutrition were low, 0.2 and 1.5%, respectively. Causes of death varied by age category. About 22.1, 12.6 and 8.4% of all deaths of under 5-year-old children were due to bacterial sepsis of the newborn, acute lower respiratory infections such as neonatal pneumonia and prematurity including respiratory distress, respectively. For 5-15-year-old children, accidental drowning and submersion, accounting for 34.4% of all deaths in this age category, and accidental fall, accounting for 18.8%, were leading causes of death. Among 15-49-year-old adults, HIV/AIDS (16.3%) and tuberculosis (12.8%) were commonest causes of death, whereas tuberculosis and cerebrovascular diseases were major killers of those aged 50 years and above. CONCLUSION: In the rural district, mortality due to chronic non-communicable diseases was very high. The observed magnitude of death from chronic non-communicable disease is unlikely to be unique to this district. Thus, formulation of chronic disease prevention and control strategies is recommended.