In-vivo Immunomodulatory Activities of Essential Oils of Artemisia abyssinica and Lepidium sativum in Mice.

Background: Ethiopians use Artemisia abyssinica and Lepidium sativum as immunity enhancers. However, there is no scientific validation conducted so far regarding this claim. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vivo immunomodulatory activities of essential oils of A. abyssinica and L. sativum in mice. Methods: The extraction was carried out using the earlier techniques. By hydro distilling fresh seeds and aerial portions of A. abyssinica and L. sativum, respectively, essential oils were obtained. Essential oils of both plants were tested at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. The rate of carbon clearance, humoral antibody titer, delayed type hypersensitivity response, spleen and thymus indices were evaluated in mice according to scientific protocols. The carbon clearance assay was determined using carbon ink. Sheep red blood cell was used as an antigen for other tests. Results: Essential oils of A. abyssinica and L. sativum at 400 mg/kg significantly increased the rate of carbon clearance from the body of mice (p<0.05). The maximum carbon clearance rate was achieved for A. byssinica essential oil at 400 mg/kg. Both essential oils raised the level of HAT to SRBC in comparison to the vehicle and cyclophosphamide administered groups. The largest (84.668±1.951) mean secondary HAT to SRBC was generated by L. sativum essential oil at 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). A. abyssinica essential oil at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased the level of thymus index compared to the model group (p<0.05 and 0.01 respectively). The levamisole group experienced the highest increase in thymus index (p<0.001). Essential oil of L. sativum at 400 mg/kg also increased the level of thymus index. The spleen index in mice was improved by the essential oils only at the highest dose levels (400 mg/kg). Conclusion: It can be inferred that the essential oils of L. sativum and A. abyssinica have immunostimulant properties.

Delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted at pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Delay in the diagnosis of childhood cancer is one of the major health problem that contribute to decreased survival rates of children particularly in developing nations. Despite advances in the field of pediatric oncology, cancer remains a leading cause of death in children. Diagnosis of childhood cancer as early as possible is crucial to reduce mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted to pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia 2022. METHOD: Institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from January1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. All 200 children were included in the study and Data were extracted through structured check-list. The data were entered using EPI DATA version 4.6 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for data analysis. RESULTS: From the total of two hundred pediatric patients 44% had delayed diagnosis and the median delay diagnosis was 68 days. Rural residence (AOR = 1.96; 95%CI = 1.08-3.58), absence of health insurance (AOR = 2.21; 95%CI = 1.21-4.04), Hodgkin lymphoma (AOR = 9.36; 95%CI = 2.1-41.72), Retinoblastoma (AOR = 4.09; 95%CI = 1.29-13.02), no referral (AOR = 6.3; 95%CI = 2.15-18.55) and absence of comorbid disease (AOR = 2.14; 95%CI = 1.17-3.94) were significant factors associated with delay in diagnosis. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Delayed in diagnosis of childhood cancer was relatively lower than previous studies and most influenced by the child's residency, health insurance, type of cancer and comorbid disease. Thus; every effort should be made to promote public and parental understanding of childhood cancer, promote health insurance and referral.

Acute and Subacute Toxicity Study of Essential Oil of Cymbopogon Martini in Mice.

Background: Local Ethiopians regularly use Cymbopogon martini for cosmetic purposes. The plant's safety, however, is not supported by any solid facts. This investigation aimed to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicities of C. martini essential oil in mice. Methods: The essential oil was analyzed using GC-MS. The approach outlined by Chinedu et al., 2013 has been used to calculate the median lethal dose. According to organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) 407 standard, a 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity study was carried out on female mice. Three groups of ten experimental mice each were distributed at random. Group I received the same saline volume and was considered the control. Groups II and III were treated with doses of C. martini of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, of body weight. Hematological and biochemical markers were assessed. The liver and kidney were taken out after the sacrifice using sodium pentobarbital for pathological analysis. Results: Geraniol (40.89%) was the predominant component in the essential oil composition of C. martini with cyclofenchene (13.91%), myrcene (9.34%), 2, 4, 6, octatriene, 2, 6, dimethyl (8.20%), and ocimene (5.93%) being present in small amounts. The LD50 of C. martini essential oil was discovered to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. During a 4-week follow-up period, mice treated with C. martini, the essential oil, at doses of 500 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg body weight showed no evidence of toxicity or mortality. Biochemical and hematological parameters were not significantly altered in mice treated with the essential oil of C. martini compared with the control group. Histopathological evaluation of the liver and kidney did not exhibit any adverse results. Conclusions: The essential oil of C. martini from Ethiopia is considered relatively safe and nontoxic.

The magnitude of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among HIV-positive patients attending antiretroviral therapy clinics of Butajira General Hospital, Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the magnitude of undiagnosed hypertension, and its associated factors among adult HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at Butajira General Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Methods: We applied an institutional-based cross-sectional study design at Butajira General Hospital from 1 May to 1 July 2021. We used a systematic random sampling technique to select the total number of participants. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was applied to collect the data (sociodemographic characteristics, clinical-related factors, and lifestyle-related factors from the study participants. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed by statistical package for social science version 25. We applied a multivariable logistic regression analysis model to identify variables significantly associated with hypertension. Results: The study comprised 388 participants with 39 years (10.6 SD) as the mean age of the participants. Of the total participants, 235 (60.6%) were female. In this study the magnitude of undiagnosed hypertension among HIV-positive patients was 18.8% (95% CI: 14.7%-23.2%). Having comorbidity of diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio = 5.29, 95% CI: 2.154, 12.99), habit of alcohol drinking (adjusted odds ratio = 2.909, 95% CI: 1.306, 6.481), duration of antiretroviral therapy ⩾ 5 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.087, 95% CI: 1.558, 6.115), and age ⩾ 40 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.642, 95% CI: 1.450, 4.813) were factors significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Conclusions and recommendations: The magnitude of undiagnosed hypertension among HIV-positive patients attending the antiretroviral therapy clinic of Butajira General Hospital is high. The findings of this study implied that HIV-positive patients attending antiretroviral therapy clinics should be monitored routinely for hypertension; especially participants aged ⩾40 years, highly active antiretroviral therapy duration ⩾5 years, having diabetes mellitus comorbidity need more attention. Primary healthcare integration is also vital to enhance the health of HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy.

Overnutrition and its associated factors among adult human immunodeficiency virus positive patients on antiretroviral therapy, Northwest, Ethiopia.

Background: Anti-retroviral therapy was introduced to treat human immunodeficiency virus patients; comorbidities affecting individuals with human immunodeficiency virus-positive have changed dramatically, with increasing the prevalence of overnutrition. Overnutrition has increased from time to time in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus. However, there is scarce adequate documented evidence regarding nutrition on human immunodeficiency virus. Objective: The study aimed to assess the magnitude of over nutrition and its associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus receiving antiretroviral therapy. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design to collect data from 422 participants from Debre Markos hospital. We used a systematic sampling technique to select the total number of participants. The outcomes of Data were entered, and coded using Epi-data version 4.1 and analysed using STATA Version 14.1. We performed a multivariable logistic regression model to identify determinants of over-nutrition at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: The magnitude of overnutrition was 19.7% (95%CI: 14.6-25.4). Age group > 45 years (AOR: 3.18:95%CI: 1.09, 9.22), being farmer (AOR: 0.068, 95%CI (0.007, 0.611), family size greater than or equal to 4 (AOR: 3.18:95%CI (1.09-9.22), viral load less than 1000 copies/ml (AOR: 4.45 95%CI (1.69-11.76), and use of prophylaxis therapy (AOR: 2.67:95%CI (1.138-6.291) were significantly associated with over nutrition. Conclusions: In this study one-fifth of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus patients had over nutrition. In this study, the magnitude of overnutrition is high associated with a viral load of fewer than 1000 copies/cell, age greater than 45, and having taken prophylaxis therapy. Therefore, education about lifestyle change, regular monitoring of weight, regular nutritional assessment, and intervention of the existed problems like doing regular exercise is highly recommended.

Magnitude and associated factors of low back pain among nurses working at intensive care unit of public hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common public health problem throughout the world with a global prevalence from 28% to 86%. Nurses working in intensive care units are handling people who are critically ill and helpless, which requires more assistance for transferring and handling activities. This possesses a risk for low back pain but little is known about it in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of low back pain and associated factors among nurses who work at intensive care units in Amhara region public hospitals, North Ethiopia. METHODS: A multi-centered institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Amhara region public hospitals from March 1-30, 2020. A simple random sampling technique after proportional allocation was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a standard modified Nordic musculoskeletal assessment tool. After data were checked for completeness and consistency, it was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science software version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with low back pain. Finally, those variables with a p-value of <0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. RESULT: Study was conducted among 412 intensive care unit nurses giving a response rate of 97.6%. The magnitude of low back pain was 313 (76%) [95% CI: (71.6%-79.9%)]. Being female [AOR = 2.674 (1.404, 5.076)], unavailability of assistive device for patient handling [AOR = 2.139 (1.035, 4.410)], lack of training on intensive care [AOR = 2.017 (1.092, 3.943)], lack of regular exercise [AOR = 2.164 (1.164, 4.108)] and job stress [AOR = 3.66 (1.955, 6.498)] were factors significantly associated with low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the magnitude of low back pain was high. Being female, unavailability of an assistive device for patient handling, lack of training on intensive care, lack of regular exercise and job stress were factors associated with low back pain. Policymakers and concerned bodies should emphasize the accessibility of assistive devices for patient care, provision of training on intensive care, and adaptive working environment for intensive care unit nurses.

Magnitude of Hypertension and Associated Factors Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Adults Receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: People living with human immunodeficiency virus are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. Current evidence on the proportion of hypertension is essential to inform policymaker to strengthen interventions and regular monitoring of hypertension, yet information is scarce concerning hypertension in this study area. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the magnitude of hypertension and associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed. Data were collected from systematically selected 412 participants using pre-tested, interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data were entered and coded using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version 14. The assumption of the logistic regression model was checked using a correlation matrix and Hosmer and Lemeshow's tests. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In the present study, the prevalence of hypertension among human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults who received antiretroviral therapy was found to be 41.3% (95% CI; 36.7-46.0). Age groups 35-45 years (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.27), greater than 45 years (AOR: 5.00, 95% CI: 2.190, 11.44), no physical exercise (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.33, 5.57), body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2 (AOR: 2.87 95% CI: 1.52, 5.39), and antiretroviral therapy regimens of 2 h/2f/2e/ABC+3TC+ATV/r (AOR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.41, 6.60) were significantly associated with hypertension. CONCLUSION: In the current study, the magnitude of hypertension was high among HIV-positive adults. Therefore, educating about the use of lifestyle change, counseling the use of regular physical activities, promoting weight reduction, and intervention in this situation are highly recommended.

Magnitude of malnutrition and associated factors among HIV infected children attending HIV-care in three public hospitals in East and West Gojjam Zones, Amhara, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2017: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of malnutrition and associated factors among HIV infected children in Amhara Regional State, and Northwest Ethiopia. This study is a result of single observation. RESULTS: A total of 372 study participant were interviewed, of which 60.2%, 95% CI (55.90-65.60) were malnourished. Children who had good individual dietary diversity were 53% times less likely malnourished as compared to children who had fair/poor dietary diversity (AOR = 0.474, 95% CI (0.26, 0.86)). Sex of child, Age of the child, undiversified diet, comorbidity disease, oral ulcer, diarrhea and history of hospital admission were found statically significant associated with malnutrition. Magnitudes of malnutrition among HIV infected children were very high. The early detection and control progression of HIV, closely follow up to intervene this situation is highly recommended.