Assessment of the level of social support and associated factors among cancer patients in the comprehensive cancer center at Ethiopia: Ordinal logistic regression analysis level of social support and associated factors among cancer patients.

Introduction: Cancer is a serious and common disease, which had a substantial problem in the social status of patients. There was no empirical evidence on the effect of cancer on social support. Objective: This study aimed to determine the level of social support among cancer patients in a comprehensive cancer center in Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was done. About 386 study participants who were selected through systematic random sampling involved in the study. Training and close supervision and monitoring were done. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-25. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were done. Ordinal bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were done to show the net effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Model fitting information, the goodness of test, and the test of parallel line assumption test of the ordinal logistic regression model were carried out. Results: A total of 386 study subjected were included in the final analysis. The poor, moderate, and strong levels of social support among cancer patients were found to be 45.3%, 34.2%, and 20.5% respectively. The mean score of social support among cancer patients was 10.4 ± 2.6SD. Age, Marital status, residence, educational status, stage III were found to be significant factors for the level of social support. Conclusion: and recommendation: The level of poor, moderate, and strong social support was found to be 45.3%, 34.2 and 20.5 respectively. Emphasis should be given to those cancer patients who had poor social support, and frequent social status assessment should be done.

Time to death and its predictors among neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at tertiary hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Retrospective follow up study.

Backgrounds: Neonatal death is the major problem in developing world. Burden and predictors of neonatal mortality vary across countries and even among regions of a country, so understanding the problem concerning these factors is essential to overcome the problem. Therefore, this study aimed to determine time to death and its predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Tertiary Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was employed among 434 neonates admitted in Tertiary hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A Kaplan Meier curve and a log-rank test were used to estimate the survival time and compare survival curves between variables. The cox proportional hazard model was also fitted to identify predictors. Results: A total of 434 neonates included in the study, 11.1% of which were died, and the incidence rate was 19.2 per 1000 live births. The time to death of neonates was 17 days. Independent predictors of neonatal mortality were incomplete maternal antenatal follow up[AHR: 3.7 (95% CI:1.86,7.60)], low(Appearance, Pulse, Grimily, Activity, and Respiration(APGAR)score[AHR:5.0 (95%CI:1.51-15.04)], perinatal asphyxia [AHR:5.2 (95%CI:1.92-14.30)], preterm 4.2 (95%CI: 1.32-8.83)]. Moreover, small for gestational age [AHR:4.8 (95%CI:2.33-9.72)], respiratory distress[AHR: 2.5 (95%CI: 1.24-5.09)], sepsis [AHR: 3.4 (95%CI: 1.71-4.01)], low birth weight[AHR: 7.3 (95%CI:2.69,1.91)], and tracheoesophageal fistula [AHR: 2.2 (95%CI: 1.13-4.32)]. Conclusion: The overall incidence rate was 19.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Emphasis should be given to incomplete Antenatal care follow up, small for gestation, preterm, low birth weight, low 5th min APGAR score, neonatal sepsis, respiratory distress, perinatal asphyxia, and tracheoesophageal fistula.

Magnitude and determinants of suicide among overweight reproductive-age women, Chacha and Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia: community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The magnitude and impact of women's suicidal behaviors, like suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, are an important public health problem in low and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Suicidal behavior and being overweight are typical complications of reproductive age with many undesired consequences. Despite both having a serious impact on women of reproductive age, they are neglected in Ethiopia. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the magnitude and determinants of suicide among overweight reproductive-age women in Chacha and Debre Berhan towns, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was once employed from April 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to measure suicidal attempts and ideation, and the data was collected by direct interview. All collected data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multivariable regression models were used to determine the factors associated with a suicidal attempt and ideation. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: Of the total participants, 523 were included, with a response rate of 93.7%. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 13.0% (95% CI 10.1-15.9), whereas suicidal attempt was 2.3% (95% CI 1.1-3.6). Based on multivariable regression analysis, the odds of suicidal ideation have been higher among overweight women with stressful life events, depression, and younger age groups. CONCLUSION: Suicidal ideation was frequent in overweight reproductive-age women. Preventing, treating, and using coping mechanisms regarding identified factors is a good way to minimize the burden of suicide.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Children Aged 6-17 Years in North Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the public neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impulsivity and restlessness or hyperactivity. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and its associated factors among children aged 6 to 17 years in Shewa Robit town, Northeastern Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 children aged 6-17 years from Feb 1-March 30, 2020, at Shewa Robit town. Systematic random sampling was employed to select study participants. Data were collected by interview using structured and pretested questionnaires. Finally, data was entered using Epi-data 4.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Odds ratios with 95% CI were calculated, and variables having a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of ADHD among children aged 6 to 17 years was 13%. Financial crises [AOR 4.76(95% CI 1.51-15.05)], children a previous history of the mental problem [AOR 8.45(95% CI 1.24-57.43)], C/S delivery [AOR 6.38(95% CI 1.26-32.26)] and substance use in life [AOR 2.43(95% CI 1.09-5.43)] were significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Conclusion: The prevalence of ADHD in children 6 to 17 years old was high (13%). Financial crises, children's history of mental disorders, C/S delivery, and lifetime substance use were significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, particular attention should be given to mothers and children with significant factors.

Factors Associated With Neural Tube Defects Among Newborns Delivered at Debre Berhan Specialized Hospital, North Eastern Ethiopia, 2021. Case-Control Study.

Background: Neural tube defects are severe congenital malformations secondary to an abnormal closure of the neural tube between third and fourth weeks of gestational ages. Neural tube defects affect birth outcomes worldwide, with an occurrence of 18.6 per 10,000 live births. In addition, neural tube defects are associated with considerable mortality, morbidity, disability, and socio-economical cost. Objective: To identify factors associated with neural tube defects among newborns delivered at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, 2021. Methods: Facility-based case-control study design was conducted among 381 (127 cases and 254 controls) newborns delivered from June 2019 to June 2021 at Debre Berhan Specialized Hospital. Consecutive and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select cases and controls, respectively. Data were collected using semi-structured checklists. Finally, data were entered using Epidata version 4.2.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. In the bivariable logistic regression model, factors with a p < 0.20 were entered into multivariable logistic regressions. Statistical significance was declared at a p < 0.05. Result: In this study, 381 newborns (127 cases and 254 controls) participated with a response rate of 100%. In the logistic regression model, mothers who took medication during pregnancy [AOR 1.83 (95% CI 1.08-3.08)], mothers who did not take a balanced diet during pregnancy [AOR 13.46 (95% CI 7.83-23.13)], and mothers who did not take folic acid before and during the first trimester of pregnancy [AOR 1.71 (95% CI 1.01-2.94)] were significantly associated with neural tube defect. Conclusion and Recommendation: Mothers who took medication during pregnancy, mothers who did not take balanced diets during pregnancy, and mothers who did not take folic acid during pregnancy were the significant factors of neural tube defects. Health care professionals should focus on maternal safe drug prescription, maternal folate intake, and a balanced diet before and during pregnancy.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dyslipidemia among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at a Referral Hospital, North Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes and its associated complications rising in Ethiopia ranged from 2.0%-6.5%, the primary cause of morbidity and mortality with consequential economic impact. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of dyslipidemia among diabetes follow-up patients. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital from January to March 2020 in 347 Adult type 2 diabetes follow-up patients using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected by interviews and entered using Epi-data 4.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Factors having a p-value < 0.25 in the bi-variable logistic regression model were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Statistical Significance was declared at a p-value ≤ of 0.05. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia among type 2 diabetes patients in this study was 59 %. Significantly associated variables were being female [AOR 2.6 (95% CI 1.2-3.2), P = 0.011], smoking history [AOR 4.1 (95% CI 2-6.8), P = 0.001], Being overweight [AOR 3.5 (95% CI 1.6-7.8), P = 0.002], Being obese [AOR 4.8 (95% CI 1.7-13), P = 0.002]. Conclusion: Prevalence of dyslipidemia was high among diabetic patients, which accounts for 59%. Being female, smoking history, being overweight, and being obese were determinants of dyslipidemia. Patients with poor glycemic control need additional lipid-lowering therapies to prevent secondary Atherosclerotic vascular complications.

Preparedness and Responses of Healthcare Providers to Combat the Spread of COVID-19 Among North Shewa Zone Hospitals, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2020.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging respiratory disease that is caused by a novel coronavirus and was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The disease is highly infectious, and its main clinical symptoms include fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea. Healthcare providers are in front in fighting the coronavirus spread by making themselves the risk of contracting the disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess the preparedness and responses of healthcare providers to combat the spread of COVID-19 among North Shewa Zone Hospitals, Amhara, Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2020 among 422 healthcare providers in the North Shewa Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia using a self-administered questionnaire. Study subjects were selected through systematic random sampling based on their proportional distribution of sample size to each hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were coded and entered into the Epi data 4.2.1 version and the analysis was carried out in Statistical Package for Social Science 25 versions. RESULTS: Four hundred four participants involved in the study have been given a response rate of 95.7%. The self-satisfaction of healthcare providers revealed 301 (74.5%) of study participants feel unsafe in their workplace. Two-third, 260 (64.4%), of them responded that they feel anxious while working with febrile patients. Nearly one-third (31%), 27.4%, 15.9%, 14.5%, 14.2% of HCPs had access to gloves, facemask, goggle, shoe, and apron respectively in hospitals. CONCLUSION: Protecting healthcare workers is a public health priority. Access to essential personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic was limited. The poor perception of healthcare professionals about not having enough support from medical institutions and public health authorities raises the need to urgently implement strategies to protect healthcare workers in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.