Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among High School Students in Shinshicho Town, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Early identification of people living with hepatitis B virus infection is required to initiate treatment and care, prevent community transmission, and expand vaccination. However, only an estimated 10% of people living with chronic hepatitis B infection are diagnosed, and only 2% are on treatment globally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and its associated factors among high school students in Shinshicho Town, southern Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 high school students in Shinshicho Town, southern Ethiopia, from September to October 2022. A laboratory investigation of hepatitis B surface antigen was done to determine infection status. An odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among high school students in Shinshicho town was observed to be 7.6% (95% CI: 5.5, 10.5%). Age 20 to 24 years [AOR: 2.7; 95% CI: (1.0-7.0)], rural residence [AOR: 3.4; 95% CI: (1.3-8.9)], and history of unprotected drug injection [AOR: 11.3; 95% CI: (3.7-34.8)] were independently associated with hepatitis B virus infection. Conclusion: A high prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was observed among high school students in this study. Therefore, strengthening the school-based screen-and-treat program, especially targeting students from rural areas and young adults, and conducting awareness campaigns about the importance of practicing safe behaviors, such as avoiding unprotected drug injections, could contribute to the prevention and control of hepatitis B virus infection among high school students.

Abdominal obesity and associated factors among urban adults in Southwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: the obesity epidemic is growing faster in developing countries with no exception of Ethiopia. Currently, abdominal obesity is identified as a major risk factor for chronic diseases due to the accumulation of liable fat. However, despite the evidence of certain documented data, abdominal obesity has been on the rise in Ethiopia, especially in urban areas. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with abdominal obesity among adults in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: a community-based cross-sectional study was employed on 845 adults selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Simple linear regression was conducted to identify candidate variables. A multivariable linear regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with abdominal obesity. P-value<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: a total of 806 respondents participated in this study, making a response rate of 95.4%. The magnitude of abdominal obesity was found to be 24.6% (95% CI: 21.5, 27.5). Physical activity (ß= -2.053; 95%CI: -3.353, -0.454), alcohol consumption (ß=1.631; 95%CI: 0.176, 3.087), and age (ß=0.319; 95%CI: 0.250, 0.389) were significantly associated with abdominal obesity. Conclusion: the magnitude of abdominal obesity among adults in the study area was high compared to previous studies. Alcohol drinking, being physically inactive, and age were predictors of abdominal obesity. There is a need for intervention for adults with physical inactivity and alcohol consumption to reduce abdominal obesity.

Time to Recovery from Covid-19 and Its Predictors Among Patients Admitted to Treatment Centers of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), ETHIOPIA: Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The world is currently facing a pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). It has caused significant morbidity and mortality. So far little is known about recovery time (prolonged hospital stay) from Covid-19 and its determinants in Ethiopia as well as in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine time to recovery from Covid-19, and identify predictors of time to recovery among patients admitted to treatment centers of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). Methods and Materials: A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among Covid-19 patients admitted to care centers of SNNPR from May 30, 2020 to October 15, 2021. A sample of 845 patients was included in the study. Summarization of the data was done using mean (standard deviation) and median (inter quartile range). Kaplan-Meier Survival Curve was used to estimate recovery time from Covid-19 and the independent effects of covariates on recovery time was analyzed using multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model. Results: The incidence density of recovery was 8.24 per 100 person-days (95% CI: 7.67, 8.85). The overall median recovery time was 10 days (IQR: 8-16 days). Critical stage of Covid-19 (aHR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.29), severe stage of Covid-19 (aHR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.56), mechanical ventilation (aHR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.073, 0.56) and treatment center (aHR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.90) were significant predictors of recovery rate among Covid-19 patients. Conclusion: The median time to recovery from Covid-19 was relatively short. The incidence density of recovery was 8.24 per 100 person-days. The hazard of recovery was lower for patients at higher levels of Covid-19 severity and for patients in need of mechanical ventilation. Early identification of severity levels of the patients is required at the time of admission. Special attention, critical follow-up and management is warranted for patients at higher levels of Covid-19 severity.

Time to Recovery from Severe Pneumonia and Its Predictors Among Children 2-59 Months of Age Admitted to Pediatric Ward of Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hossana, Ethiopia: Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Severe pneumonia is still the greatest infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five around the world. Each night spent in the hospital raises the chance of bad drug responses, infections, and ulcers by 0.5%, 1.6%, and 0.5%, respectively. In Southern Ethiopia, as well as the research area, little is known regarding death and recovery time from severe pneumonia and their determinants. OBJECTIVE: To determine time to recovery from severe pneumonia and its predictors among children 2-59 months of age admitted to pediatric ward of Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. METHODS: A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among children 2-59 months of age. Three years' medical records, from January 2017 to December 2020, were reviewed. A total of 280 children with severe pneumonia were included. In the case of survival time, median was calculated. Kaplan Meier survival curve was used to estimate recovery time from severe pneumonia, and the independent effects of covariates on recovery time were analyzed using multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The median time to recovery was 4 days (interquartile range = 3, 5). The incidence rate of recovery was 24.16 per 100 person-days. Underweight (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38-0.80), age group 12-35 months (adjusted hazard ratio= 2.0, 95% CI=1.30-3.30), treatment with ampicillin and gentamicin (adjusted hazard ratio= 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13-0.80), and antibiotic change (adjusted hazard ratio= 0.34, 95% CI = 0.21-0.53) were statistically significant predictors of time to recovery from severe pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The median length of stay in the hospital was short (4 days [interquartile range =3, 5]). Time to recover from severe pneumonia was significantly influenced by being underweight, age, antibiotics administered first, and antibiotic change. Measures such as providing nutritious meals to children and ensuring that underweight children are properly managed should be bolstered.

Dietary Practice and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Misha Woreda, South Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Proper food and good nutrition are essential for survival, physical growth, mental development, performance and productivity, and health and well-being. Pregnancy is a critical phase in a woman's life. The aim of this study is to assess the dietary practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Misha woreda, south Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Misha woreda, South Ethiopia, on pregnant women. Data were collected by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered in EpiData V-3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Binary logistic regression analysis was also employed to examine the association between dependent and independent variables. A P value of <0.05 was considered as the cutoff point to declare statistical significance. RESULT: Out of 618 pregnant women, almost all of them 618 interviewed with the response rate of 100%. The mean age of pregnant women was 27.31 years (±5.622). From total study participants, 54.1% of the respondents were followers of protestant religion and 80.2% of husband occupation were farmers and 78.7% pregnant women occupation were house wives. From the total participants, 43.6% had illness on the current pregnancy. Almost two third 66.2% of the pregnant women travel ≥ 1 hr to reach HF. Majority of the participants (62%) had moderate knowledge about dietary practice in pregnancy, and 29.5% practiced good dietary practice. Educational status (AOR = 4.07 [2.13, 9.18]), occupation (AOR = 5.32 [1.08, 13.95]), dietary knowledge (AOR = 7.2 [3.9, 17.09]), and food craving (AOR = 2.07 [1.41, 5.5]) were variables having a significant association with dietary practice. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of good dietary practice among pregnant women in Misha district was low when compared to other studies. According to the study result, educational status, occupation, dietary knowledge, and food craving were factors that affect dietary practice.

Prevalence and associated factors of non-exclusive breastfeeding of infants during the first six months in rural area of Sorro District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, a wide number of mothers practice non-exclusive breastfeeding in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify prevalence and factors associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding in rural area of Sorro District in Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was undertaken. The study population consisted of all mothers with infants aged of 0-5 months living in the randomly selected kebeles (lowest administrative unit) in the rural area of Sorro District. The study was conducted on 602 mothers with infants selected by using systematic sampling method from 12 August to 23 August 2015. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between the study variables and to control possible confounding. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-exclusive breastfeeding in infants under 6 months was 49.4 %. Being currently unmarried [AOR (95 % CI) = 3.85 (1.44, 10.27)], index infant's age being within 2-3 months [AOR (95 % CI) = 3.63 (2.06, 6.36)] and 4-5 months [AOR (95 % CI) =10.29 (5.60, 18.92)] compared to infant age 0-1 month, initiation of breastfeeding after 1 h of birth [AOR (95 % CI) = 2.11 (1.37, 3.24)], no antenatal care visit during their last pregnancy [AOR (95 % CI) =2.60 (1.64, 4.10)] and no postnatal care visit after delivery [AOR (95 % CI) = 1.90 (1.19, 3.04)] were significantly associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: In this study a large proportion of mothers with infants under 6 months of age were practicing non-exclusive breastfeeding which is one of the major risks for infant and child morbidity and mortality. Taking measures on identified associated factors with non-exclusive breastfeeding was recommended to improve the status of exclusive breastfeeding in the study area.