Factors associated with self-reported medical errors among undergraduate health science students in southern Ethiopia.

Introduction: Medical errors are not uncommon, but they are seldom reported. Patient safety practices are among the key areas for service improvement. This study aimed to assess factors associated with self-reported medical errors among undergraduate health science students in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among health science students of Arba Minch University in 2018. The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula. A total of 287 medical students in their fourth year and above, nursing and midwifery students in their second year and above, and other health science students in their third year and above were included. Results: The majority (82.1, 95%CI: 77.63-86.67) of the study participants had a 'good' knowledge score on patient safety. Approximately 62.5% (95%CI: 56.8-68.2) of the participants had a 'favorable' patient safety attitude. Only 38.6% (95%CI: 32.8-44.3) of the study participants had 'good' patient safety practices. At adjusted analysis, the practical attachment unit, having ever managed a patient independently, having ever witnessed harm to patients by colleagues or other healthcare workers, and having ever witnessed harm to a close friend or family member were statistically significantly associated with self-reported medical errors. Participants who were doing their practical clinical attachment in the surgical and obstetric units were three times more likely to self-report medical errors as compared to those practicing in the pediatrics, internal medicine, and other units (AOR = 2.72, 95%CI: 1.16-6.39.97). Students who had never managed a patient independently were less likely to self-report medical error (AOR = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.08-0.72). The odds of self-reporting medical errors were less among among participants who had not ever witnessed harm to patients by colleagues or other healthcare workers (AOR = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.05-0.29) and participants who had not ever witnessed harm to a close friend or family member (AOR = 0.36, 95%CI: 0.16-0.80). Conclusion: One in five of the participants reported having harmed patients while practicing. Most of the students had good patient safety knowledge, while approximately two-thirds of the participants had a favorable attitude toward patient safety. Only 38.6% of the study participants had good patient safety practices. Having worked in surgical and obstetrics units, having managed a patient independently, and having witnessed harm to a patient were associated with self-reporting of medical errors.

Knowledge, practice, and impact of COVID-19 on mental health among patients with chronic health conditions at selected hospitals of Sidama regional state, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 causes worse outcomes and a higher mortality rate in adults with chronic medical conditions. In addition, the pandemic is influencing mental health and causing psychological distress in people with chronic medical illnesses. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, practice, and impact of COVID-19 on mental health among chronic disease patients at selected hospitals in Sidama regional state. METHOD: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 422 study subjects were enrolled in the study using a two-stage sampling technique. Data were coded and entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS-20 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to present the data using tables and figures. Bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to identify factors associated with the initiation of preventive behavior of COVID-19. Variables with a P-value of less than 0.25 in bivariate analysis were considered as candidate variables for multivariable analysis. The statistical significance was declared at a P-value less than 0.05. RESULT: More than half 237 (56.2%, 95% CI: 50.7-60.9) of the study participants had good knowledge of COVID-19. The practice of preventive measures toward COVID-19 was found to be low (42.4%, 95% CI: 37.9-47.2). Being widowed (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI (0.10, 0.92)), secondary and above educational status (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI (1.01, 4.84)), urban residence (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI (1.30, 4.19)) and good knowledge (AOR = 4.87, 95% CI (2.96, 8.00)) were significantly associated with good practice. In addition, more than one-third of the study participants 37% (95% CI 32.7, 41.5) were experiencing anxiety. While more than a quarter of respondents 26.8% (95% CI 22.5, 31.5) had depression. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Despite more than half of the participants had good knowledge, the prevention practice was low. Hence, multiple information dissemination strategies should be implemented continuously among chronic disease patients. In addition, the magnitude of concurrent depression and anxiety in the current study was high.

Sociodemographic and Obstetric Determinants of Antenatal Depression in Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia: Facility Based Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, 10-20% of women experience depression during pregnancy. In sub-Saharan countries, depression during pregnancy is estimated to be 15-57%. Even though there is a high burden of depression during pregnancy, little attention has been given to identify sociodemographic and obstetric determinants in diverse populations like Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To identify sociodemographic and obstetric determinants of antenatal depression among women attending an antenatal clinic at Jimma Medical Center, southwest Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted among 246 pregnant mothers (82 cases and 164 controls) attending an antenatal clinic in Jimma Medical Center from June 1 to August 30, 2019. Antenatal depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Epidata 3.1 and SPSS v24 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95%CIs were estimated using logistic regression models. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Married mothers were 67% (AOR=0.33, 95%CI: 0.15-0.75), housewives were 97% (AOR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.14), private workers were 87% (AOR=0.13, 95%CI: 0.04-0.44), and government employees were 84% (AOR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.05-0.46), less likely to develop antenatal depression. Multigravida were 88% (AOR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.04-0.37) less likely to develop antenatal depression. Third trimester pregnancy was four times (AOR=4.04, 95%CI: 1.51-10.81) more likely to have depression. Mothers who having wanted pregnancy were 83% (AOR=0.17, 95%CI: 0.04-0.81) less likely to develop antenatal depression compared with mothers having unwanted pregnancy. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Being married, multigravida, having wanted pregnancy and occupation status (housewives, private workers and government employees) can protect mothers from developing antenatal depression. Mothers with third trimester pregnancy were four times more likely to have depression. Designing a screening and intervention strategy for antenatal depression must consider the aforementioned protective and risk factors.

Risky Sexual Behavior and Predisposing Factors among Students of Jimma University, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Students of higher institutions are assumed to be exposed to many risky sexual behaviors. However, little has been explored about the magnitude of risky behavior and predisposing factors in the context of higher education institutions in Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the pattern of risky sexual behaviors and predisposing factors among Jimma University students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2009 involving quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative study was conducted on 1010 students selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS V.16.0. Multi-variate logistic regression was used to see association between variables. The qualitative part involved 10 focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews selected purposively. The qualitative data were analyzed by thematic areas. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 267(26.9%) ever had sexual intercourse. The mean age at first sexual intercourse was 17.7±2.7 years. Most, 75.6%, started sexual intercourse during secondary school. Among whoever had sex, 51.0% had sex in the last 12 months and 28.3% had multiple sexual partners. Consistent condom use with non-regular partner in the last 12 months was 69.1%. Lack of parental control, substance use, peer pressure, campus and outside environment were identified as predisposing factors. CONCLUSION: Risky sexual behaviour such as having multiple sexual partner and sexual practice without condom with non-regular partner exists. The university and local health bodies should work together to address the identified risky behaviours with particular focus on Behaviour change communication.