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BACKGROUND: Although Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in the uptake of the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2) for national aggregate data reporting, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the maturity level of the system. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the maturity level of DHIS2 implementation in Ethiopia and propose a road map that could guide the progress toward a higher level of maturity. We also aim to assess the current maturity status, implementation gaps, and future directions of DHIS2 implementation in Ethiopia. The assessment focused on digital health system governance, skilled human resources, information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, interoperability, and data quality and use. METHODS: A collaborative assessment was conducted with the engagement of key stakeholders through consultative workshops using the Stages of Continuous Improvement tool to measure maturity levels in 5 core domains, 13 components, and 39 subcomponents. A 5-point scale (1=emerging, 2=repeatable, 3=defined, 4=managed, and 5=optimized) was used to measure the DHIS2 implementation maturity level. RESULTS: The national DHIS2 implementation's maturity level is currently at the defined stage (score=2.81) and planned to move to the manageable stage (score=4.09) by 2025. The domain-wise maturity score indicated that except for ICT infrastructure, which is at the repeatable stage (score=2.14), the remaining 4 domains are at the defined stage (score=3). The development of a standardized and basic DHIS2 process at the national level, the development of a 10-year strategic plan to guide the implementation of digital health systems including DHIS2, and the presence of the required competencies at the facility level to accomplish specific DHIS2-related tasks are the major strength of the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia so far. The lack of workforce competency guidelines to support the implementation of DHIS2; the unavailability of core competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required to accomplish DHIS2 tasks at all levels of the health system; and ICT infrastructures such as communication network and internet connectivity at the district, zonal, and regional levels are the major hindrances to effective DHIS2 implementation in the country. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the Stages of Continuous Improvement maturity model toolkit, the implementation status of DHIS2 in Ethiopia is at the defined stage, with the ICT infrastructure domain being at the lowest stage as compared to the other 4 domains. By 2025, the maturity status is planned to move from the defined stage to the managed stage by improving the identified gaps. Various action points are suggested to address the identified gaps and reach the stated maturity level. The responsible body, necessary resources, and methods of verification required to reach the specified maturity level are also listed.
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BACKGROUND: Disability influences activities of daily living, leading to unsafe conditions, poor quality of life, and dependence on others and assistive technologies. Despite limited access and unmet needs, assistive technology enables users to participate in education and be independent members of their community. Students with disabilities in higher education face many challenges in their day-to-day activities and evidence is limited in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to explore assistive technology experience and daily living challenges among students with disabilities in higher education. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative study design was employed at the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia, between December 20, 2022, and January 20, 2023. A purposive sampling method was employed to recruit 14 students with disabilities. An in-depth interview was employed using semi-structured questionnaires. Open Code version 4 software for coding and reflexive thematic analysis approach was employed for the analysis. RESULT: A total of 14 students with disabilities were included in an in-depth interview. Four main themes emerged, which included activities of daily living, attitudes toward people with disabilities, barriers to accessibility, and access to assistive technology. CONCLUSION: Barriers to activities of daily living among students with disabilities were poor accessibility of infrastructural facilities, lack of teaching/learning materials in an accessible format, and negative attitudes. The present study's finding is needed to support students in higher education for their academic achievement and to design appropriate rehabilitation strategies and policies on the accessibility of physical infrastructures, inclusive education, and the provision of assistive technology.
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Introduction: Teleradiology allows distant facilities to electronically transmit images for interpretation, thereby bridging the radiology service gap between urban and rural areas. The technology improves healthcare quality, treatment options, and diagnostic accuracy. However, in low resource settings like Ethiopia, teleradiology services are limited, posing challenges for implementation. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the factors that facilitated or hindered the implementation of web-based teleradiology in the public hospitals of the South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: In this study, a purposive sampling method was employed to select seventeen participants, including hospital managers, physicians, emergency surgeons, and radiologists, for an in-depth interview (IDI). The interviews were conducted from March to May 2023. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using an abductive coding technique at the semantic/explicit level. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted face-to-face and virtually, with audio recordings transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Open Code version 4.02 software. Trustworthiness was ensured through prolonged engagement, reflective journaling, and review by coauthors. Results: The study examined eight main themes, with barriers to sustainable teleradiology implementation falling into five categories: technological, organizational, environmental, individual, and workflow and communication. Conversely, identified facilitators included improved radiology service efficiency, system accessibility, collaboration opportunities, and user trust in the radiology ecosystem. Within each theme, factors with potential impacts on teleradiology system sustainability were identified, such as the lack of system handover mechanisms, absence of a central image consultation center, and inadequate staffing of full-time radiologists and technical personnel. Conclusions: The study highlights the positive user perception of a web-based teleradiology system's user-friendliness and efficiency. Overcoming challenges and leveraging facilitators are crucial for optimizing teleradiology and improving service delivery and patient outcomes. A centralized consultation center with dedicated radiologists and technical personnel is recommended for maximizing efficiency.
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BACKGROUND: Considering individual differences caused by personality differences is crucial for end users' technology acceptance. However, previous studies overlooked the influence of users' technology readiness on technology acceptance. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the influence of technology readiness on teleradiology acceptance in the Amhara Regional State Public Hospitals using a technology readiness acceptance model. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional mixed study design was conducted in September 2021 among 547 health professionals working at sixteen public hospitals in the Amhara region of northwest Ethiopia. Eight key informants were interviewed to explore organizational-related factors. Face-to-face and Google Meet approaches were used to collect the data. We applied structural equation modeling to investigate the influence of technology readiness on health professionals' teleradiology acceptance using Analysis of Moment Structures Version 23 software. RESULTS: Of the total participants, 70.2% and 85.7% were ready and intended to use teleradiology, respectively. According to technology readiness measuring constructs, optimism and innovativeness positively influenced health professionals' technology acceptance. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness showed a statistically positive significant effect on health professionals' intention to use teleradiology. In addition, a statistically significant mediation effect was observed between technology readiness measuring constructs and behavioral intention to use. Furthermore, a shortage of budget, inadequate infrastructure, and users' lack of adequate skills were reported as critical organizational challenges. CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher proportion of readiness and intention to use teleradiology among health professionals. Personality difference measuring constructs and organizational factors played considerable influence on teleradiology acceptance. Therefore, before the actual implementation of teleradiology, ensuring the system's user-friendliness, improving infrastructure, allocating an adequate budget, and availing of capacity-building opportunities are recommended.
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Telerradiología , Humanos , Etiopía , Estudios Transversales , Personal de Salud , Hospitales PúblicosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are the most common morbidities of women during the prenatal period. In LMICs mobile phones have been identified as a good vehicle for monitoring individuals with a high risk of mental health conditions. However, evidence is scarce and the purpose of this study was to assess the intention to use a mobile phone to receive mental health support and its predicting factors among women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Ambo town, Ethiopia 2022. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from May 20th to June 20th, 2022. A total of 715 prenatal women were included and a systematic random sampling technique was employed. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used. Collected data was exported to SPSS version 25 for the descriptive part, and AMOS 26 structural equation modeling was also used to describe and assess the degree and significance of relationships between variables. RESULTS: A total of 699 (97.8% response rate) responded to complete all the questionnaires. About 530 (77.3%) 95% CI (74%-80.3%) of women intended to use a mobile phone to receive mental health support. The perceived usefulness has a positive effect on attitude (ß = 0.391, p < 0.001) and intention to use (ß = 0.253, p < 0.001). The perceived ease of use influences perceived usefulness (ß = 0.253, p < 0.001) and attitude ß = 0.579, p < 0.001). The intention to use is positively affected by attitude (ß = 0.662, p < 0.001).Trust has a positive effect on perceived usefulness (ß = 0.580, p < 0.001) and intention to use (ß = 0.113, p = 0.005). Subjective norm has a direct positive effect on perceived usefulness (ß = 0.248, p < 0.001). Attitude serves as a partial mediator between perceived usefulness and intention to use and a complete mediating role between perceived ease of use and intention to use. CONCLUSION: The level of intention to use a mobile phone among prenatal women is relatively high and attitude, perceived usefulness, and trust had direct positive effects on intention to use a mobile phone. Therefore, hospitals and healthcare providers should take proactive measures to implement the strategies and policies for providing mobile phone-based mental health support to prenatal women in remote areas.
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Teléfono Celular , Atención Prenatal , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Intención , Etiopía , Estudios Transversales , Salud Mental , Instituciones de Salud , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Despite the recognized benefits, access to assistive technology (AT) remains limited. Identifying the current usage patterns and unmet needs of AT users could help address the challenges of students with disabilities. Thus, this study aimed to investigate AT use and its associated factors. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional mixed study was conducted on higher education students with disabilities in Ethiopia. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and an in-depth interview technique were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the quantitative data, while inductive thematic analysis was undertaken for the qualitative data. RESULTS: A total of 233 (74.68%) with (95% CI: 70%-80%) students with disabilities used at least one form of AT. Four themes emerged which include experiences of AT use and disability, benefits and challenges of using AT, perception of the community towards AT, and responsibility for the provision of AT. Students with vision problems or those with severe disability types were most likely to be AT users. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: A significant proportion of students with disabilities had unmet needs for AT. Capacity at universities or rehabilitation centres would enhance access, usage of AT, and the unmet needs of students with disabilities.
Will help to solve the barriers to accessing assistive technology and associated factors in the access and provision of assistive technology.Will help policymakers and stakeholders to design evidence-based rehabilitation strategies in the provision of assistive technology to persons with disabilities.Provide insight into the role of assistive technology in an educational platform to engage people with disabilities in education, improve their quality of life and lead them to become part of a productive society.
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BACKGROUND: Medical imaging plays a vital role in the accurate diagnosis, treatment and outcome prediction of many diseases and injuries. However, in many African countries, deserving populations do not have access to the proper medical imaging specialists' services. As a result, clinicians continue to struggle to provide medical imaging via consultation. However, little is known about conventional referral consultation practices and their challenges. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the practice and challenges of medical imaging service consultation among health professionals and patients in the context of the Ethiopian public healthcare delivery system. METHODS: Descriptive phenomenological study was employed to explore the practice of medical imaging service consultation among health professionals and patients in public hospitals of Amhara region from October 12, 2021 to December 29, 2021. Semi-structured interview guides were prepared separately for key-informant and in-depth interviews. A total of 21 participants (6 hospital managers, 4 medical directors, 4 department heads, 3 medical imaging coordinators and 4 patients) were selected using the maximum variation sampling technique. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to inductive thematic analysis using Open Code 4.02 software. RESULTS: Six major themes emerged following the thematic analysis: (1) medical image service delivery practices; (2) medical imaging consultation modalities; (3) benefits and drawbacks of the consultation modalities; (4) challenges; (5) challenge mitigation strategies; and (6) future recommendations. Image films, compact disks, and telegram apps were the consultation modalities used by the referring clinicians to send the medical images to radiologists. Frequent failure of imaging machines, delayed equipment maintenance, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of budget, lack of radiologists, and low-quality of printed image films were among the challenges influencing the medical imaging consultation service. CONCLUSIONS: This research explored onsite and referral imaging consultation practices. However, there are many challenges encountered by the referring clinicians and the radiologists during the consultation process. These challenges could potentially affect clinicians' ability to provide timely diagnosis and treatment services which would ultimately affects patient health status and service delivery. Virtual consultation via teleradiology and enhancing clinicians' competence through long-term and short-term trainings are recommended to improve the referral consultation practice.
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Personal de Salud , Derivación y Consulta , Humanos , Etiopía , Diagnóstico por Imagen , Hospitales PúblicosRESUMEN
Background: In Ethiopia and other developing countries, electronic medical record systems and other health information technology are being introduced. However, a small proportion of low-income countries have successfully implemented national health information systems. One cause for this can be the lack of digital literacy among medical practitioners. As a result, this study aimed to assess health professionals' digital literacy level and associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study was employed among 423 health professionals working in a teaching and referral hospital in Northwest Ethiopia. We modified and applied the European commission's framework for digital competency to assess the level of digital literacy among health professionals. We used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation to the size of the departments in the hospital to select study participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered, and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis techniques were used to describe respondents' digital literacy level and identify its associated factor, respectively. The odds ratio with 95% CI and value of p were used to assess the strength of the association and statistical significance, respectively. Results: Out of 411 participants, 51.8% (95% CI, 46.9-56.6%) of health professionals had adequate digital literacy. Holding a master's degree (Adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.18-3.85), access to digital technology (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.12-3.17), having training in digital technology (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.05-2.59), and having a positive attitude towards digital health technology (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02-2.68) were found to be significant factors associated with health professionals digital literacy level of health professionals. Conclusion: Low level of digital literacy among health professionals was observed, with nearly half (48.2%) of them having poor digital literacy levels. Access to digital technology, training on digital technology, and attitude toward digital health technology were significant factors associated with digital literacy. It is suggested to increase computer accessibility, provide a training program on digital health technology, and promote a positive attitude toward this technology to improve the deployment of health information systems.
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Alfabetización en Salud , Personal de Salud , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Hospitales de Enseñanza , Alfabetización DigitalRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Treatment with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces viral load as well as HIV-related morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive patients. Despite the expanded availability of antiretroviral therapy around the world, virological failure remains a serious problem for HIV-positive patients. Thus, Machine learning predictive algorithms have the potential to improve the quality of care and predict the needs of HIV patients by analyzing huge amounts of data, and enhancing prediction capabilities. This study used different machine learning classification algorithms to predict the features that cause virological failure in HIV-positive patients. METHOD: An institution-based secondary data was used to conduct patients who were on antiretroviral therapy at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital from January 2020 to May 2022. Patients' data were extracted from the electronic database using a structured checklist and imported into Python version three software for data pre-processing and analysis. Then, seven supervised classification machine-learning algorithms for model development were trained. The performances of the predictive models were evaluated using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, f1-score, and AUC. Association rule mining was used to generate the best rule for the association between independent features and the target feature. RESULT: Out of 5264 study participants, 1893 (35.06%) males and 3371 (64.04%) females were included. The random forest classifier (sensitivity = 1.00, precision = 0.987, f1-score = 0.993, AUC = 0.9989) outperformed in predicting virological failure among all selected classifiers. Random forest feature importance and association rules identified the top eight predictors (Male, younger age, longer duration on ART, not taking CPT, not taking TPT, secondary educational status, TDF-3TC-EFV, and low CD4 counts) of virological failure based on the importance ranking, and the CD-4 count was recognized as the most important predictor feature. CONCLUSION: The random forest classifier outperformed in predicting and identifying the relevant predictors of virological failure. The results of this study could be very helpful to health professionals in determining the optimal virological outcome.
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Fármacos Anti-VIH , Infecciones por VIH , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Etiopía/epidemiología , Recuento de Linfocito CD4 , Aprendizaje Automático , Hospitales , Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The WHO developed a manual outlining the preliminary organizational and health professionals' readiness to implement electronic medical records (EMR). On the other hand, the readiness assessment in Ethiopia only includes the evaluation of health professionals, leaving out organisational readiness components. As a result, this research aimed to determine health professionals' and organizational readiness to implement EMR at a specialized teaching hospital. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 423 health professionals and 54 managers. Self-administered and pretested questionnaires were used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with health professionals' readiness for EMR implementation. An OR with a 95% CI and p<0.05 was used to determine the strength of the association and the statistical significance, respectively. RESULTS: In this study, 53.7% management capacity, 33.3% finance and budget capacity, 42.6% operational capacity, 37.0% technology capability and 53.7% organisational alignment among the five dimensions evaluated to assess an organisation's readiness to implement an EMR system. Of 411 health professionals in this study, 173 (42.1%) with (95 CI 37.3% to 46.8%) were ready to implement an EMR system at the hospital. Sex (AOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.73 to 4.18), basic computer training (AOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.46), knowledge of EMR (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.97) and attitudes towards EMR (AOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.59) were significantly associated with health professionals' readiness towards EMR system implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings showed that most dimensions of organizational readiness for EMR implementation were below 50%. This study also revealed a lower level of EMR implementation readiness among health professionals compared with previous research studies' results. To improve organisational readiness to implement an electronic medical record system, a focus on management capability, financial and budget capability, operational capability, technical capability and organisational alignment was crucial. Likewise, having basic computer training, giving special attention to female health professionals and improving health professionals' knowledge of and attitudes towards EMR could help improve the readiness level of health professionals for implementing an EMR system.
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Registros Electrónicos de Salud , Instituciones de Salud , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Etiopía , Hospitales de EnseñanzaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Healthcare policy formulation, programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, and healthcare service delivery as a whole are dependent on routinely generated health information in a healthcare setting. Several individual research articles on the utilisation of routine health information exist in Ethiopia; however, each of them revealed inconsistent findings. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this review was to combine the magnitude of routine health information use and its determinants among healthcare providers in Ethiopia. METHODS: Databases and repositories such as PubMed, Global Health, Scopus, Embase, African journal online, Advanced Google Search and Google Scholar were searched from 20 to 26 August 2022. RESULT: A total of 890 articles were searched but only 23 articles were included. A total of 8662 (96.3%) participants were included in the studies. The pooled prevalence of routine health information use was found to be 53.7% with 95% CI (47.45% to 59.95%). Training (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.56, 95% CI (1.12 to 2.18)), competency related to data management (AOR=1.94, 95% CI (1.35 to 2.8)), availability of standard guideline (AOR=1.66, 95% CI (1.38 to 1.99)), supportive supervision (AOR=2.07, 95% CI (1.55 to 2.76)) and feedback (AOR=2.20, 95% CI (1.30 to 3.71)) were significantly associated with routine health information use among healthcare providers at p value≤0.05 with 95% CI. CONCLUSION: The use of routinely generated health information for evidence-based decision-making remains one of the most difficult problems in the health information system. The study's reviewers suggested that the appropriate health authorities in Ethiopia invest in enhancing the skills in using routinely generated health information. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022352647.
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Instituciones de Salud , Personal de Salud , Humanos , Etiopía/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Manejo de DatosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The strategic plan of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health recommends an electronic medical record (EMR) system to enhance health care delivery and streamline data systems. However, only a few exhaustive systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted on the degree of EMR use in Ethiopia and the factors influencing success. This will emphasize the factors that make EMR effective and increase awareness of its widespread use among future implementers in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the pooled estimate of EMR use and success determinants among health professionals in Ethiopia. METHODS: We developed a protocol and searched PubMed, Web of Sciences, African Journals OnLine, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus to identify relevant studies. To assess the quality of each included study, we used the Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool using 9 criteria. The applicable data were extracted using Microsoft Excel 2019, and the data were then analyzed using Stata software (version 11; StataCorp). The presence of total heterogeneity across included studies was calculated using the index of heterogeneity I2 statistics. The pooled size of EMR use was estimated using a random effect model with a 95% CI. RESULTS: After reviewing 11,026 research papers, 5 papers with a combined total of 2439 health workers were included in the evaluation and meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of EMR usage in Ethiopia was 51.85% (95% CI 37.14%-66.55%). The subgroup study found that the northern Ethiopian region had the greatest EMR utilization rate (58.75%) and that higher (54.99%) utilization was also seen in publications published after 2016. Age groups <30 years, access to an EMR manual, EMR-related training, and managerial support were identified factors associated with EMR use among health workers. CONCLUSIONS: The use of EMR systems in Ethiopia is relatively low. Belonging to a young age group, accessing an EMR manual, receiving EMR-related training, and managerial support were identified as factors associated with EMR use among health workers. As a result, to increase the use of EMRs by health care providers, it is essential to provide management support and an EMR training program and make the EMR manual accessible to health professionals.
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BACKGROUND: COVID-19 had affected the health-care-seeking behavior of people with chronic medical conditions. The impact is even worse in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the extent and correlates of missed appointments among adults with chronic disease conditions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review and cross-sectional survey were conducted from December 2020 to February 2021. A total of 1833 patients with common chronic disease were included by using a stratified systematic random sampling technique. Web-based data collection was done using Kobo collect. The data were explored using descriptive statistical techniques, the rate of missed appointments s before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was determined. A negative binomial regression model was fitted to identify the factors of missed appointment. An incidence rate ratio with its 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value of the final model were reported. RESULTS: The rate of missed appointments was 12.5% (95% CI: 11.13%, 14.20%) before the pandemic, increased to 26.8% (95% CI: 24.73%, 28.82%) during the pandemic (p-value < 0.001). Fear of COVID-19 infection and lack of transport was the most common reasons for missing appointments. Older patients (Adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio (AIRR) = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.001; 1.015), having treatment follow up more than 5 years (AIRR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.103; 1.69), shorter frequency of follow-up (AIRR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.63; 2.49), covering expense out of pocket (AIRR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.41; 2.95), having a sedentary lifestyle (AIRR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.12; 1.71), and history of missed appointments before COVID-19 pandemic (AIRR = 4.27, 95%CI: 3.35; 5.43) were positively associated with the incidence of missed appointments. CONCLUSION: The rate of missed appointment increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, longer duration of follow up, more frequent follow-up, out-of-pocket expenditure for health service, history of poor follow-up, and sedentary lifestyle had positive relationship with missed appointments during the pandemic. Therefore, it is important to give special emphasis to individuals with these risk factors while designing and implementing policies and strategies for peoples with chronic diseases to ensure the continuity of care and to avoid the long-term impact on their health.
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COVID-19 , Adulto , Citas y Horarios , COVID-19/epidemiología , Enfermedad Crónica , Estudios Transversales , Etiopía/epidemiología , Humanos , Pandemias , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Background: Social media has become an alternative platform for communication during medical crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess social media usage for COVID-19-related information among health professionals. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was conducted among 370 health professionals. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered, and pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis techniques were used to describe respondents' social media usage for COVID-19 information and identify its associated factors. Results: About 54% (95% CI: 48-58%) of the participants had good social media usage for COVID-19-related information. Age≤30 (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.14-3.58), Wi-Fi/broadband Internet access (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.38-4.33), taking computer training (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.37-4.85), basic computer skill (AOR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.71-6.29), and usefulness of social media (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.57-8.04) were found to be the significant factors associated with usage of social media for COVID-19-related information. Conclusion: The present study confirms that more than half of health professionals had good social media usage for COVID-19-related information. This shows that social media platforms can be used as a source of COVID-19-related information for health professionals if basic computer training is offered, internet connection is available in the workplace, and the usefulness of social media is emphasized.
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For children who work, there has been little research into the intricate relationship between their home lives and their work lives and the implications that this relationship might hold for their psychosocial development and functioning. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Amhara region, Ethiopia, between March and April 2020 on a sample of 1311 working children with the aim, in part, of exploring ways in which various dimensions of children's psychological wellbeing are influenced by their working conditions and their family contexts. In addition to collecting data on some personal traits, family relationships, home environments, and detailed occupational characteristics, we gathered information on psychosocial wellbeing using 22 items from the Instrument for the Psychosocial Assessment of Working Children (IPAC). Exploratory factor analysis enabled us to identify five factors characterizing the dimensions of psychosocial wellbeing: work-related self-esteem, work-related stress, workplace supervision, emotional and somatic wellbeing, and self-determination. Linear regressions of these factors were then conducted on social, occupational, and environmental variables. We found that all dimensions of psychosocial wellbeing were significantly associated with the children's working conditions. Of particular interest, work-related dimensions of wellbeing, such as stress, self-esteem, and supervision, were significantly associated with the characteristics of the home and family environment. These findings illustrate that work and working conditions must be considered jointly, along with family life and home environments, as factors in both environments affect working children's socioemotional development and wellbeing. They also strengthen the call for a systemic approach to protecting children involved in child labor, in which families are central to all discussions.
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Trabajo Infantil , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Etiopía , Humanos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
Background: Social media platform is one way to share online information regarding pandemic prevention. However, there is no study regarding the attitude of health professionals toward social media use for the COVID-19-related information. This study aimed to assess health professionals' attitudes toward using social media for COVID-19-related information. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 355 health professionals in Bahir Dar city public health centers, Northwest Ethiopia. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered by EPI-data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 23 software. Descriptive statistics, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to describe respondents' attitudes toward using social media for COVID-19 information and identify associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) and a p-value with a 95% CI were calculated to measure the strength of the association and assess statistical significance. Result: Out of 341 participants, about 73% of the participants had a good attitude toward the use of social media for COVID-19 information. Age < 24 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.74, 95% CI: (1.53-9.13)] and age group 25-34 years [AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: (1.04-4.86)], computer training [AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: (1.03-4.00)], usefulness of social media [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: (1.58-6.67)], and trustworthiness [AOR = 3.57, 95% CI: (1.93-6.60)] were enabling factors for attitude toward the use of social media for COVID-19 related information. Conclusion: Health professionals had a moderate attitude toward using social media for accessing COVID-19-related information. This implies that after considering positive attitude predictors, such as providing basic computer training, emphasizing the usefulness of social media, and building trusted social media pages, social media platforms can be used as a source of COVID-19-related information for health professionals.
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COVID-19 , Medios de Comunicación Sociales , Adulto , COVID-19/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Etiopía , Personal de Salud , HumanosRESUMEN
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the application of the best scientific evidence for clinical decision-making in professional patient care. In Ethiopia, the majority of nursing care is based on experience, tradition, intuition, common sense, and untested hypotheses. Evidence-based clinical practice has the potential to increase the quality of healthcare services while also lowering costs and increasing clinical outcomes. An institutional-based concurrent study design method of quantitative and qualitative research was conducted from Feb. 30 to Apr. 20, 2020. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study participants for the quantitative and qualitative analyses, respectively. To collect quantitative data, a pretested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire was used, and to collect qualitative data, an in-depth interview guided by questions was used. EBP was found to be significantly associated with educational level (AOR = 2.15, CI (1.15-4.02)), administrative support for EBP (AOR = 1.89, CI (1.22-2.91)), attitude toward EBP (AOR = 1.80, CI (1.24-2.62)), and preference of available information sources (AOR: 2.32, CI (1.58-3.39). The four main themes that emerged from the conventional content data analysis were the advantages of EBP application, barriers to EBP implementation, enabling factors for EBP, and evidence sharing. According to the findings of this study, only a few nurses used EBP at a high level. The implementation of EBP was positively associated with educational level, attitude toward EBP, administrative support, and the availability of information resources, as confirmed by the qualitative study. There must be an intervention program to facilitate the implementation of evidence in nursing practice by stakeholders to improve and increase the efficacy of practicing EBP.
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Actitud del Personal de Salud , Sistemas de Atención de Punto , Estudios de Cohortes , Etiopía , Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia/educación , Hospitales Especializados , Humanos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Introduction: even though there is a significant decline in neonatal mortality globally, it remained unacceptably high in Ethiopia. The estimated experience of neonatal danger signs affects the outcome more than the perceived knowledge. The main aim of this study was to estimate the experience of mothers on neonatal danger signs and its associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 6-16, 2019. All the women who have delivered live birth in the past six months in three districts of Northwest Ethiopia were the source populations. A total of 2424 mothers were selected using two-stage stratified cluster random sampling technique. A pretested and semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from eligible mothers. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors that affected mother´s experiences about neonatal danger signs at a p-value of 5%. Results: in this study, 2335 (96.3%) mothers completed the interview and 1509 (64.6%) of them have mentioned at least one danger sign. However, only 160 (11.0%) mothers have experienced danger signs in their babies. Of these, about 54 (49.1%) mothers have noticed within 24 hours of delivery and 37 (33.6%) have noticed after 48 hours of delivery. Fifty (45.5%) mothers have noticed the danger signs at home after birth, and 48 (43.6%) have noticed during birth. The frequently reported danger signs were; baby feels hot 106 (66.3%), fast breathing 67(41.9%), and difficulty of breathing 61(38.1%). Mothers who are living in urban, AOR=1.8(95%CI: 1.04,3.0), having multiple pregnancy, AOR=9.8 (95%CI: 2.3,42.0), absence of obstetric danger signs or complication, AOR=0.4 (95%CI: 0.2,0.6), post-term gestational age, AOR=6.5 (95%CI: 2.1,19.5), preterm gestational age, AOR=3.3 (95%CI: 0.8,13.4), assessment by hospital staff during delivery, AOR=2.1 (95% CI: 1.01,4.3), and poor mothers knowledge on neonatal danger signs, AOR=0.7 (95% CI: 0.5,0.9) were the predictors of mothers experience on neonatal danger signs. Conclusion: even though the knowledge of mothers on neonatal danger signs is high, the practice or experience in using their knowledge is very low. We recommend an implementation study to be conducted to bridge this "know-do" gap.
Asunto(s)
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Madres , Estudios Transversales , Etiopía , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Parto , Embarazo , Atención Prenatal , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Medical documentation is an important part of the medical process as it is an essential way of communication within the health care system. However, medical documentation practice in the private sector is not well studied in Ethiopian context. The aim of this study was to assess the practice of medical documentation and its associated factors among health workers at private hospitals in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. METHOD: An institution-based cross-sectional quantitative study supplemented with a qualitative design was conducted among 419 health workers at the private hospitals in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia from March 29 to April 29 /2021. Data were collected using both a self-administered questionnaire and interview guide for quantitative and qualitative respectively. Data were entered using Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics, Bi-variable, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. In-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires with eight respondents to explore the challenges related to the practice of medical documentation. Respondent's response were analyzed using OpenCode version 4.03 thematically. RESULTS: Four hundred seven study participants returned the questionnaire. Nearly 50 % (47.2%) health workers had of good medical documentation practice. Health workers who received in-service training on medical documentation AOR = 2.77(95% CI: [1.49,5.14]), good knowledge AOR = 2.28 (95% CI: [1.34,3.89]), favorable attitude AOR = 1.78 (95%CI: [1.06,2.97]), strong motivation AOR = 3.49 (95% CI: [2.10,5.80]), available guide line formats AOR = 3.12 (95% CI: [1.41,6.84]), eHealth literacy AOR = 1.73(95% CI: [1.02,2.96]), younger age AOR = 2.64 (95% CI:[1.27,5.46]) were statistically associated with medical documentation. CONCLUSION: More than half of the medical services provided were not registered. Therefore, it is important to put extra efforts to improve documentation practice by providing planed trainings on standards of documentation to all health workers, creating positive attitudes and enhancing their knowledge by motivating them to develop a culture of information.
Asunto(s)
Personal de Salud , Hospitales Privados , Estudios Transversales , Documentación , Etiopía , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This survey aimed to assess the awareness and readiness of healthcare providers to use telemonitoring (TM) technologies for managing diabetes patients as well as to identify associated factors in Ethiopia. DESIGN: An institution-based cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted by using a pretested self-administered questionnaire from February to March 2020. Data analysis used a binary logistic regression and partial proportional odds model for factor identification. PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected 423 study physicians and nurses. SETTING: This study was conducted at the University of Gondar and Tibebe Ghion specialised teaching referral hospitals. OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness and readiness towards TM in diabetes care. RESULT: Out of 406 healthcare providers (69.7%, n=283 nurses and 30.3%, n=123 physicians) who completed the survey, 345 (38.7%) heard about TM, when it came to readiness, 321 (25.1%) and 121 (65.5%) of respondents had average and low readiness towards TM, respectively. The result of regression analysis shows that awareness towards TM was higher among respondents who had access to a computer (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 7.1)), computer-related training (AOR: 4.6 (95% CI 1.63 to 12.95)) and those who had the experience of supporting patients through digital tools (AOR: 1.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.8)). Self-perceived innovators and those who had access to a computer, computer-related training and favourable attitude towards TM had significantly higher readiness to use TM. CONCLUSION: The findings of this survey revealed low awareness and readiness of participant's towards TM. However, this study suggests the need of improving participant's attitudes, access to smartphones and computers and technical skills to fill this gap.