Burden of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity continue to escalate, despite the regulations and interventions that have been put in place. To support further policy directions, it is necessary to have pooled data that illustrate the burden of overweight and obesity among adolescents nowadays. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the burden of overweight and obesity among Ethiopian adolescents. METHODS: Embase, Science Direct, Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science were the databases used in the search for publications that ran from inception until 25 October 2023. STATA version 18 was used to analyze data on overweight and obesity in adolescents. Using the random effect model, the pooled estimates with 95% CIs were calculated. Using the Galbraith plot, I2 statistics and Cochrane Q statistics, heterogeneity was investigated. RESULTS: In total, 20145 adolescents aged 10-19 years were included in this meta-analysis study. The pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Ethiopia was 10% (95% CI 9 to 12%; I2=94.03%). There was a substantial correlation between being female (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.15), attending private schools (OR=1.78, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.26), having a family size of ≥4 (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.58) and being of middle economic status (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.10). CONCLUSIONS: In Ethiopia, one in 10 adolescents is overweight/obese. The study's findings clearly show that a large number of adolescents are dealing with this emerging public health issue. Moreover, characteristics related to physical activity, nutrition and sociodemographics were discovered to be associated with overweight and obesity. To lessen the burden of overweight and obesity, the government and other parties should work together to support gender-specific nutritional interventions, encourage healthy lifestyle choices among teenagers and facilitate these efforts.

Magnitude and associated factors of occupational hazard exposures among sanitary workers: Propose RASM model for risk mitigation for the public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Hospital sanitation workers (SWs) are exposed to numerous occupational hazards due to workplace conditions such as unsafe and unhygienic working environment in the hospitals. Therefore, knowing magnitude, types and source of occupational hazard exposures with their determinants are very significant for further mitigations. METHODS: Hospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia from 1st May to August 30th, 2023. 809 SWs participated. Data was entered into Epi Data Version 3.1 and Stata 17MP version used for analysis. Descriptive analysis was applied to describe the data. While, multilevel logistic regression was explored to determine the association between outcome and independents among at individual level (model 1), at hospitals (model 2) and combination of the two (model 3). The crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for models 2 and 3 were reported. Variables with an AOR with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value < 0.05 were reported. RESULT: Out of 809 SWs, 729 (90.11%) responded. The overall magnitude of self-reported occupational hazard exposures among SWs was 63.65% (95% CI 0.60-0.67). Of this, biological, chemical, and ergonomic hazards accounted for 82.44%, 74.76%, and 70.92%, respectively. The multilevel logistic regression shows that having social recognition (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.14, 0.91), neutral attitude (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI 0.17, 1.41) as compared to negative attitude. The model also found that SWs those supervised could reduce the likelihood of occupational hazard exposures by 50% times (AOR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.18, 1.38) as compared to non-supervised SWs. The final model predicted the variation of occupational hazard exposures among sanitary workers from the hospitals to hospitals was 26.59%. CONCLUSIONS: The concluded that hospital sanitary workers are facing biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychological, mechanical, and electrical hazards. This study's findings predicted that dissatisfied with their environment, working more than 8 hr per a day,  a negative attitude towards workplace risks and inadequate supervision may serve as contributing factors for the likelihood of occupational hazard exposures among these groups. Thus, the study suggested that hospitals could reduce these hazard risks if they implement the Risk Assessment and Safety Management (RASM) model, which includes multi-modal strategies, indicators and tripartite philosophy.

The discrepancy of antemortem clinical diagnosis and postmortem autopsy diagnosis of lung pathologies in under-five deaths and the reasons for discrepancies: a case series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic autopsy is the most reliable approach to definitively ascertain the cause of death and evaluate the accuracy of antemortem clinical diagnoses. Identifying diagnostic discrepancies is vital to understanding common gaps in antemortem clinical diagnoses and modifying antemortem diagnostic approaches to increase the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of diagnostic discrepancies between antemortem clinical diagnoses and postmortem autopsies on lung pathologies and to understand the reasons for diagnostic discrepancies among cases included in Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) in Ethiopia. METHODS: A clinical case series study of deaths among children under-five in the CHAMPS study at three sites in Ethiopia between October 2019 and April 2022 was conducted. The antemortem clinical diagnoses and postmortem pathological diagnoses of the lung were compared for each case. Two senior physicians assessed the findings for both agreement and disagreement. McNemar's test was used to assess for statistically significant differences between antemortem and postmortem diagnoses. RESULTS: Seventy-five cases were included (73.3% male). Over half (54.7%) died between the 1st and 7th day of life. Sepsis (66.7%), pneumonia (6.7%), and meconium aspiration syndrome (5.0%) were the most common immediate causes of death. Half (52%) of cases were correctly diagnosed antemortem. The magnitude of diagnostic discrepancy was 35% (95% CI: 20-47%). The most common contributing factors to diagnostic discrepancy were gaps in knowledge (22/75, 35.5%) and problems in consultation and teamwork (22/75, 35.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnoses were common among young children who died with positive lung pathology findings. In-service education initiatives and multidisciplinary collaboration are needed to mitigate high rates of diagnostic discrepancies among young children to potentially prevent future deaths.

The protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate couple-based violence prevention education and its ability to reduce intimate partner violence during pregnancy in Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of women in Ethiopia suffer from violence by their intimate partner during pregnancy, which has adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. Couple-focused interventions are effective in reducing and/or controlling violence between women and their intimate partners. However, interventions addressing intimate partners of the victims are not well studied, particularly in the Ethiopian setting. This study aims to assess the effect of couple-based violence prevention education on intimate partner violence during pregnancy. METHODS: We will use a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of couple-based violence prevention education compared to routine care in reducing intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Sixteen kebeles will be randomly assigned to 8 interventions and 8 control groups. In the trial, 432 couples whose wife is pregnant will participate. Health extension workers (HEWs) will provide health education. Data will be collected at baseline and endline. All the collected data will be analyzed using Stata version 16.0 or SPSS version 25.0. We will use the McNemar test to assess the differences in outcomes of interest in both intervention and control groups before and after the intervention for categorical data. A paired t-test will be used to compare continuous outcome of interest in the intervention and the control groups after and before the intervention. The GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation), will be used to test the independent effect of the intervention on the outcome of the interest. Data analysis will be performed with an intention-to-treat analysis approach. During the analysis, the effect size, confidence interval, and p-value will be calculated. All tests will be two-sided, and statistical significance will be declared at p < 0.05. DISCUSSION: We expect that the study will generate findings that can illuminate violence prevention strategies and practices in Ethiopia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: It has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05856214 on May 4, 2023.

Health professionals' perspectives on the role of obstetric ultrasonography in maternity care in rural eastern Ethiopia: a qualitative descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess healthcare providers' perspectives on maternity care following the introduction of ultrasound services in the area. DESIGN: The qualitative descriptive study. STUDY SETTING: This study was carried out in health centres under Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) pregnancy surveillance catchment areas in Kersa, Haramaya and Harar districts in eastern Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: The study participants were 14 midwives working in the maternity units and 14 health centre managers in the respective health facilities. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for in-depth interviews using a semistructured interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We identified one overarching theme "improved perinatal care" and six subthemes. Based on the accounts of the participants, the introduction of ultrasound services has led to a remarkable transformation in the overall provision of maternity care at health centres. The participants have reported a substantial rise in the utilisation of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services. The availability of ultrasound has enabled midwives to deliver comprehensive maternity care. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound service utilisation at health centres improves maternity care. The utilisation of ultrasound in healthcare enables providers to closely monitor the growth and development of the fetus, identify potential complications or abnormalities and administer timely interventions. This integration of ultrasound technology translates into enhanced prenatal care, early detection of issues and prompt management, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for both the mother and the baby.

Epidemiology of hyperglycemia during pregnancy in Ethiopia: prevalence, associated factors, and feto-maternal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is a significant medical complication affecting pregnant women globally and is considered a public health burden due to the negative outcomes it can cause for both mother and infant. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of HIP in Ethiopia. METHODS: To gather relevant information for this study, both published and unpublished studies were searched for in several major databases, including PubMed, Embase, HINARI, Web of Science direct, and Google Scholar, as well as other sources. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the findings from these studies. Data was then extracted and summarized using a template in Microsoft Excel software, and the extracted data was analyzed using Stata software version 16.0. If significant heterogeneity was found between studies, subgroup analyses were conducted to further examine the data. RESULT: Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, involving a total sample size of 50,816 pregnant women in Ethiopia. The prevalence of HIP among pregnant women varied considerably across the primary studies, ranging from 0.4 to 26.2%. The pooled prevalence of HIP among pregnant women in Ethiopia was found to be 6.9% (95% C 2.2-11.6). Pregnant women with a family history of diabetes had 2.5 times higher odds of developing HIP compared to those without a family history of diabetes (OR = 2.49; 95% CI = 2.02, 2.96). However, there was no significant association found between HIP and maternal obesity (OR 2.31, 95% CI = 0.85, 3.78) or previous history of abortion (OR 3.89; 95% CI 0.85, 6.94). The common fetal outcomes associated with HIP were admission to the intensive care unit (46.2; 95% CI 27.4, 65.1), macrosomia (27.3%; 95% CI 9.4%, 45.1%), and preterm birth (16.9; 95% CI 12.5, 21.3). Additionally, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (28.0%; 95% CI 15.2, 40.8) and operative delivery (51.4%; 95% CI 35.9, 66.8) were more common among women with HIP in Ethiopia. CONCLUSION: Although there was some variation between studies, the meta-analysis revealed that approximately seven out of 100 pregnant women in Ethiopia had HIP. A family history of diabetes was found to be a significant predictor of HIP in Ethiopia. Additionally, HIP was associated with various serious adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants in Ethiopia. These findings highlight the need for national guidelines to ensure that pregnant women are uniformly screened for HIP.

Co-occurrence of and factors associated with health risk behaviors among adolescents: a multi-center study in sub-Saharan Africa, China, and India.

Background: Despite lifelong and detrimental effects, the co-occurrence of health risk behaviors (HRBs) during adolescence remains understudied in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines the co-occurrence of HRBs and its correlates among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, China, and India. Methods: A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021-2022, involving 9697 adolescents (aged 10-19 years) from eight countries, namely Burkina Faso, China, Ethiopia, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. A standardized questionnaire was administered to examine five types of HRBs - physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, and risky sexual behavior. Latent class analysis was employed to identify clustering patterns among the behaviors, and logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of these patterns. Findings: Three clusters of HRBs were identified, with Cluster 1 (27.73%) characterized by the absence of any specific risky behavior, Cluster 2 (68.16%) characterized by co-occurrence of physical inactivity and poor dietary habits, and Cluster 3 (4.11%) characterized by engagement in smoking, alcohol consumption, and risky sexual behavior. Relative to Cluster 1, being in Cluster 2 was associated with being female (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09-1.32), not enrolled in education (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71-0.99), and not engaged in paid work (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.41). Compared with those Cluster 1, adolescents in Cluster 3 were less likely to be female (aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.54), be engaged in paid work (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.41-0.71), more likely to be older (aOR 7.56, 95% CI 5.18-11.03), not be enrolled in educational institution (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.27-2.38), and more likely to live with guardians other than parents (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.19-2.05). Interpretation: The significant clustering patterns of HRBs among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, China, and India highlights the urgent need for convergent approaches to improve adolescent health behaviors. Early life and school-based programs aimed at promoting healthy behaviors and preventing risky and unhealthy behaviors should be prioritized to equip adolescents with the tools and skills for lifelong well-being. Funding: Fondation Botnar (Grant #INV-037672) and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, partially funded this study.

Two out of every three pregnant women who gave birth in public health facilities of Tullo Woreda were dissatisfied with deliveries services, Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: The level of maternal satisfaction with delivery services significantly affects health service utilization among women. Ethiopia's healthcare system and health facilities' quality have not much improved, which may contribute to women's generally poor levels of satisfaction and there was a limited study about client satisfaction on delivery services in the study area. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess level of maternal satisfaction with delivery service and its associated factors among women who gave birth in Tullo Woreda public health facilities, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 September 2020 among 355 women who gave birth in Tullo Woreda public health facilities, Eastern Ethiopia Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview and entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25. The prevalence was reported using a 95% confidence interval and summary measures. Predictors were assessed using a multivariable logistic regression analysis model and reported using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05. Results: The overall satisfaction of mothers on delivery service was 33.5% (95% CI: 27.81, 39.13). Factors such as having no antenatal care (ANC) for the index pregnancy (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.56), women who came to health centers on foot (AOR = 0.17; CI: 0.04, 0.74) and by auto-rickshaw (AOR = 0.16; 95 % CI: 0.04, 0.64), mothers who did not satisfied with toilet service at the delivery room (AOR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.86) and who were not satisfied with maternal drugs availability (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.95) were predictors of maternal satisfaction. Conclusions: This study pointed out that only 33.5% of women were satisfied with delivery care services provided in public health facilities of the study area. Factors such as not having ANC, using foot and auto-rickshaw as means of transportation, availability of drugs, and toilets were predictor of maternal satisfactions. Awareness creation for the benefit of ANC follow-up and delivery in the health facilities and providing safe transportation during referral time may help mothers get a timely healthcare service, which may increase client satisfaction. The concerned entities must pay attention in timely availability of drugs and improving the toiles, which play a role in shaping and molding level of satisfaction of women.

Midwives' experiences of performing obstetric ultrasounds in antenatal care in eastern Ethiopia: Qualitative exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the World Health Organization recommended inclusion of an ultrasound scan as part of routine antenatal care to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, most rural women in Ethiopia do not have access to ultrasound scanning as part of their routine antenatal care. Recently, ultrasonography services were introduced at health centers in Harar, Kersa, and Haramaya districts in Eastern Ethiopia. This expoloratory study aimed to examine experiences of pregnancy surveillance midwives in the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) who performed ultrasonography at health centers that are in the catchment area of Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems, in Eastern Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To explor midwives' experiences across 14 health centers in Eastern Ethiopia, located in the Kersa, Haramaya, and Harar Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems from February to April 2022. DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative study. METHODS: The methods used were based on the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research framework. Purposeful sampling was used to explore experiences of midwives who performed ultrasonography at selected health centers. The Midwives are recurited, trained and stationed at the health ceners to do ultrasound scanning and other activities by the Child Helath and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) pregancny surveillance activities. Among 17 midwives who had undergone ultrasonography training and who were actively involved in ultrasound scanning at health centers in Kersa, Haramaya, and Harar Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems, three midwives who worked at health centers with no power or near a hospital were excluded. Using tape recordings and note-taking, data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis used for data categorization, and the trustworthiness of data was kept throughout the procedure using credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. RESULTS: In this study, we identified five main themes: Ultrasonography positively impacts midwives trained as sonographers; performing ultrasound scans enhances the skills and confidence of midwives, improving their professional development, Individual perception of self-efficacy; midwives' belief in their abilities to perform ultrasound scans effectively influences their job satisfaction and motivation, Provision of care; integrating ultrasound into antenatal care enhances the quality, therapeutic communication, and personalized nature of care provided to pregnant women, Barriers to providing ultrasonography services; challenges such as shortage of ultrasonography-trained staff and workload can hinder the delivery of ultrasound services in rural areas, Community acceptance; the level of community understanding, trust, and support towards ultrasound technology and midwives as sonographers impacts the successful implementation and sustainability of ultrasound services. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography performed by midwives at rural health centers had a considerable impact on antenatal care services and incareased confidence of midwives.

Midwives' Experiences with Ultrasound Scans for Pregnant WomenThe World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women undergo at least four antenatal care (now eight times) visits during their pregnancy. The goal is to reduce feto-maternal complications. Recently, ultrasonography services are introduced in Harar, Kersa and Haramaya districts, Eastern Ethiopia.Midwives who performed ultrasonography at selected health centers were part of this exploaroty study. The information were generated through code, categories, and themes.Five themes were identified. Ultrasonography positively impacts midwives trained as sonographers, individual perception of self-efficacy, provision of care, barriers to providing ultrasonography services, and community acceptance.Ultrasonography performed by midwives at rural health centers had a considerable impact on antenatal care services and midwives confidence.

Identifying delays in healthcare seeking and provision: The Three Delays-in-Healthcare and mortality among infants and children aged 1-59 months.

Delays in illness recognition, healthcare seeking, and in the provision of appropriate clinical care are common in resource-limited settings. Our objective was to determine the frequency of delays in the "Three Delays-in-Healthcare", and factors associated with delays, among deceased infants and children in seven countries with high childhood mortality. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study using data from verbal autopsies and medical records for infants and children aged 1-59 months who died between December 2016 and February 2022 in six sites in sub-Saharan Africa and one in South Asia (Bangladesh) and were enrolled in Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS). Delays in 1) illness recognition in the home/decision to seek care, 2) transportation to healthcare facilities, and 3) the receipt of clinical care in healthcare facilities were categorized according to the "Three Delays-in-Healthcare". Comparisons in factors associated with delays were made using Chi-square testing. Information was available for 1,326 deaths among infants and under 5 children. The majority had at least one identified delay (n = 854, 64%). Waiting >72 hours after illness recognition to seek health care (n = 422, 32%) was the most common delay. Challenges in obtaining transportation occurred infrequently when seeking care (n = 51, 4%). In healthcare facilities, prescribed medications were sometimes unavailable (n = 102, 8%). Deceased children aged 12-59 months experienced more delay than infants aged 1-11 months (68% vs. 61%, P = 0.018). Delays in seeking clinical care were common among deceased infants and children. Additional study to assess the frequency of delays in seeking clinical care and its provision among children who survive is warranted.

Child deaths caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia: a secondary analysis of Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) data.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis in children, and antibiotic-resistant K pneumoniae is a growing public health threat. We aimed to characterise child mortality associated with this pathogen in seven high-mortality settings. METHODS: We analysed Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) data on the causes of deaths in children younger than 5 years and stillbirths in sites located in seven countries across sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Africa) and south Asia (Bangladesh) from Dec 9, 2016, to Dec 31, 2021. CHAMPS sites conduct active surveillance for deaths in catchment populations and following reporting of an eligible death or stillbirth seek consent for minimally invasive tissue sampling followed by extensive aetiological testing (microbiological, molecular, and pathological); cases are reviewed by expert panels to assign immediate, intermediate, and underlying causes of death. We reported on susceptibility to antibiotics for which at least 30 isolates had been tested, and excluded data on antibiotics for which susceptibility testing is not recommended for Klebsiella spp due to lack of clinical activity (eg, penicillin and ampicillin). FINDINGS: Among 2352 child deaths with cause of death assigned, 497 (21%, 95% CI 20-23) had K pneumoniae in the causal chain of death; 100 (20%, 17-24) had K pneumoniae as the underlying cause. The frequency of K pneumoniae in the causal chain was highest in children aged 1-11 months (30%, 95% CI 26-34; 144 of 485 deaths) and 12-23 months (28%, 22-34; 63 of 225 deaths); frequency by site ranged from 6% (95% CI 3-11; 11 of 184 deaths) in Bangladesh to 52% (44-61; 71 of 136 deaths) in Ethiopia. K pneumoniae was in the causal chain for 450 (22%, 95% CI 20-24) of 2023 deaths that occurred in health facilities and 47 (14%, 11-19) of 329 deaths in the community. The most common clinical syndromes among deaths with K pneumoniae in the causal chain were sepsis (44%, 95% CI 40-49; 221 of 2352 deaths), sepsis in conjunction with pneumonia (19%, 16-23; 94 of 2352 deaths), and pneumonia (16%, 13-20; 80 of 2352 deaths). Among K pneumoniae isolates tested, 121 (84%) of 144 were resistant to ceftriaxone and 80 (75%) of 106 to gentamicin. INTERPRETATION: K pneumoniae substantially contributed to deaths in the first 2 years of life across multiple high-mortality settings, and resistance to antibiotics used for sepsis treatment was common. Improved strategies are needed to rapidly identify and appropriately treat children who might be infected with this pathogen. These data suggest a potential impact of developing and using effective K pneumoniae vaccines in reducing neonatal, infant, and child deaths globally. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Post-mortem investigation of deaths due to pneumonia in children aged 1-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia from 2016 to 2022: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network programme undertakes post-mortem minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), together with collection of ante-mortem clinical information, to investigate causes of childhood deaths across multiple countries. We aimed to evaluate the overall contribution of pneumonia in the causal pathway to death and the causative pathogens of fatal pneumonia in children aged 1-59 months enrolled in the CHAMPS Network. METHODS: In this observational study we analysed deaths occurring between Dec 16, 2016, and Dec 31, 2022, in the CHAMPS Network across six countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Africa) and one in South Asia (Bangladesh). A standardised approach of MITS was undertaken on decedents within 24-72 h of death. Diagnostic tests included blood culture, multi-organism targeted nucleic acid amplifications tests (NAATs) of blood and lung tissue, and histopathology examination of various organ tissue samples. An interdisciplinary expert panel at each site reviewed case data to attribute the cause of death and pathogenesis thereof on the basis of WHO-recommended reporting standards. FINDINGS: Pneumonia was attributed in the causal pathway of death in 455 (40·6%) of 1120 decedents, with a median age at death of 9 (IQR 4-19) months. Causative pathogens were identified in 377 (82·9%) of 455 pneumonia deaths, and multiple pathogens were implicated in 218 (57·8%) of 377 deaths. 306 (67·3%) of 455 deaths occurred in the community or within 72 h of hospital admission (presumed to be community-acquired pneumonia), with the leading bacterial pathogens being Streptococcus pneumoniae (108 [35·3%]), Klebsiella pneumoniae (78 [25·5%]), and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (37 [12·1%]). 149 (32·7%) deaths occurred 72 h or more after hospital admission (presumed to be hospital-acquired pneumonia), with the most common pathogens being K pneumoniae (64 [43·0%]), Acinetobacter baumannii (19 [12·8%]), S pneumoniae (15 [10·1%]), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15 [10·1%]). Overall, viruses were implicated in 145 (31·9%) of 455 pneumonia-related deaths, including 54 (11·9%) of 455 attributed to cytomegalovirus and 29 (6·4%) of 455 attributed to respiratory syncytial virus. INTERPRETATION: Pneumonia contributed to 40·6% of all childhood deaths in this analysis. The use of post-mortem MITS enabled biological ascertainment of the cause of death in the majority (82·9%) of childhood deaths attributed to pneumonia, with more than one pathogen being commonly implicated in the same case. The prominent role of K pneumoniae, non-typable H influenzae, and S pneumoniae highlight the need to review empirical management guidelines for management of very severe pneumonia in low-income and middle-income settings, and the need for research into new or improved vaccines against these pathogens. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Burden of child mortality from malaria in high endemic areas: Results from the CHAMPS network using minimally invasive tissue sampling.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a leading cause of childhood mortality worldwide. However, accurate estimates of malaria prevalence and causality among patients who die at the country level are lacking due to the limited specificity of diagnostic tools used to attribute etiologies. Accurate estimates are crucial for prioritizing interventions and resources aimed at reducing malaria-related mortality. METHODS: Seven Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network sites collected comprehensive data on stillbirths and children <5 years, using minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS). A DeCoDe (Determination of Cause of Death) panel employed standardized protocols for assigning underlying, intermediate, and immediate causes of death, integrating sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory (including extensive microbiology, histopathology, and malaria testing), and verbal autopsy data. Analyses were conducted to ascertain the strength of evidence for cause of death (CoD), describe factors associated with malaria-related deaths, estimate malaria-specific mortality, and assess the proportion of preventable deaths. FINDINGS: Between December 3, 2016, and December 31, 2022, 2673 deaths underwent MITS and had a CoD attributed from four CHAMPS sites with at least 1 malaria-attributed death. No malaria-attributable deaths were documented among 891 stillbirths or 924 neonatal deaths, therefore this analysis concentrates on the remaining 858 deaths among children aged 1-59 months. Malaria was in the causal chain for 42.9% (126/294) of deaths from Sierra Leone, 31.4% (96/306) in Kenya, 18.2% (36/198) in Mozambique, 6.7% (4/60) in Mali, and 0.3% (1/292) in South Africa. Compared to non-malaria related deaths, malaria-related deaths skewed towards older infants and children (p < 0.001), with 71.0% among ages 12-59 months. Malaria was the sole infecting pathogen in 184 (70.2%) of malaria-attributed deaths, whereas bacterial and viral co-infections were identified in the causal pathway in 24·0% and 12.2% of cases, respectively. Malnutrition was found at a similar level in the causal pathway of both malaria (26.7%) and non-malaria (30.7%, p = 0.256) deaths. Less than two-thirds (164/262; 62.6%) of malaria deaths had received antimalarials prior to death. Nearly all (98·9%) malaria-related deaths were deemed preventable. INTERPRETATION: Malaria remains a significant cause of childhood mortality in the CHAMPS malaria-endemic sites. The high bacterial co-infection prevalence among malaria deaths underscores the potential benefits of antibiotics for severe malaria patients. Compared to non-malaria deaths, many of malaria-attributed deaths are preventable through accessible malaria control measures.

Prevalence of food insecurity amid COVID-19 lockdowns and sociodemographic indicators of household vulnerability in Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with widespread social disruptions, as governments implemented lockdowns to quell disease spread. To advance knowledge of consequences for households in resource-limited countries, we examine food insecurity during the pandemic period. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study and used logistic regression to examine factors associated with food insecurity. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 through a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) using a survey instrument focused on knowledge regarding the spread of COVID-19; food availability; COVID-19 related shocks/coping; under-five child healthcare services; and healthcare services for pregnant women. The study is set in two communities in Eastern Ethiopia, one rural (Kersa) and one urban (Harar), and included a random sample of 880 households. RESULTS: Roughly 16% of households reported not having enough food to eat during the pandemic, an increase of 6% since before the pandemic. After adjusting for other variables, households were more likely to report food insecurity if they were living in an urban area, were a larger household, had a family member lose employment, reported an increase in food prices, or were food insecure before the pandemic. Households were less likely to report food insecurity if they were wealthier or had higher household income. CONCLUSIONS: After taking individual and household level sociodemographic characteristics into consideration, households in urban areas were at higher risk for food insecurity. These findings suggest a need for expanding food assistance programs to more urban areas to help mitigate the impact of lockdowns on more vulnerable households.

Network analysis of mental health problems among adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 has negatively impacted mental health of adults globally with increased rates of psychiatric comorbidities. However, network analysis studies to examine comorbidities and correlations between symptoms of different mental disorders are uncommon in low-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the network structure of depression, anxiety and perceived stress among adults in Addis Ababa and identify the most central and bridge symptoms within the depressive-anxiety-perceived symptoms network model. DESIGN: Community-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: This study was carried out on a sample of the general population in Addis Ababa during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1127 participants were included in this study, of which 747 (66.3%) were females, and the mean age was 36 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale, respectively.Network analysis was conducted to investigate the network structure. The centrality index expected influence (EI) and bridge EI (1-step) were applied to determine the central and bridge symptoms. Case-dropping procedure was used to examine the network stability. RESULT: The sad mood (EI=1.52) was the most central and bridge symptom in the depression, anxiety and perceived stress network model. Irritability (bridge EI=1.12) and nervousness and stressed (bridge EI=1.33) also served as bridge symptoms. The strongest edge in the network was between nervousness and uncontrollable worry (weight=0.36) in the anxiety community. The network had good stability and accuracy. The network structure was invariant by gender and age based on the network structure invariance test. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the sad mood was the core and bridge symptom. This and the other central and bridge symptoms identified in the study should be targeted to prevent mental health disorders and comorbidities among adults.

Global prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sanitary workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives. Sanitary workers are more likely to experience musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to a lack of ergonomics principles and poor job design. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify MSDs among sanitary workers. Methods. The PRISMA and PICOS protocols were used for flow diagrams and review questions, respectively. Articles published between 2000 and 2022 were eligible. The keywords '(Musculoskeletal Disorders) AND (Solid waste collectors *OR Street sweepers *OR Sewage workers *OR health facilities cleaners)' and MeSH terms were utilized. The data were analyzed using STATA version 17 with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. A total of 158 papers were qualified, with 26 studies from 17 countries and a total of 6586 sanitary workers. The global prevalence of MSDs among sanitation workers was 40.52% (95% CI [32.47, 48.67]; p < 0.05). It was 43.32% (95% CI [31.98, 54.68]; p < 0.05) in high-income countries and 38.58% (95% CI [26.94, 50.18]; p < 0.05) in low-income countries. By subgroup analysis, it was 45.12% (95% CI [32.57, 57.67]; p < 0.05) for solid waste collectors, which is the highest prevalence among other workers. Conclusion. Current evidence shows that sanitation workers have a higher prevalence of occupationally associated MSDs, which might be lowered by using ergonomic work design principles.

Corrigendum to "Counting adolescents in: the development of an adolescent health indicator framework for population-based settings".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102067.].

Association between dietary protein intake, diet quality and diversity, and obesity among women of reproductive age in Kersa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: In Ethiopia, there is limited evidence on the effect of dietary protein intake on women's body mass index. Therefore, this study investigated the association between dietary protein intake, diet quality, and overweight and obesity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 897 women of reproductive age. Food frequency questionnaires were used to assess 7-day dietary intake. It was converted into protein and other macro-nutrient intakes, Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women, and Global Dietary Quality Score. Body Mass Index (BMI) of overweight & obese women were defined as ≥25 kg/m2. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (in a multivariate logistic regression model) was used to determine the strength of the association between BMI and dietary protein intake, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The median dietary protein intake was 41.3 (32.9, 52.6) grams/day or 0.8 (0.6, 1.0) grams/kilogram of body weight/day. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 7.5% (n = 67). Only 220 (24.5%) women could meet the recommended minimum dietary diversity of five or more food groups out of 10 per day. Furthermore, only 255 (28.4%) women were found to have a low risk for nutrient adequacy. Interestingly, women who consumed moderate dietary protein had a significantly lower likelihood of being overweight or obese, with AOR of 0.21 (95% CI 0.10-0.48). Similarly, those who consumed a high amount of protein had even lower odds, with AOR of 0.03 (95% CI 0.01-0.14), compared to those who consumed a low amount of dietary protein. Age of 40-49 years (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.24-8.95) compared to 18-29 years, non-farmers (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.55-6.62), higher consumption of food from unhealthy groups (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.05-1.61), and high fat intake (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.09) were associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusions and recommendations: The study indicated an inverse relationship between BMI and dietary protein intake. It also revealed that women who consumed foods from unhealthy or unhealthy when consumed in excessive amounts were more likely to be overweight or obese. Increasing dietary protein consumption can help reproductive-age women reduce the odds of obesity and overweight. Furthermore, community-based educational programs, policy changes, and healthcare services can support this effort.

Household hardships and responses to COVID-19 pandemic-related shocks in Eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 resulted in enormous disruption to life around the world. To quell disease spread, governments implemented lockdowns that likely created hardships for households. To improve knowledge of consequences, we examine how the pandemic period was associated with household hardships and assess factors associated with these hardships. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using quasi-Poisson regression to examine factors associated with household hardships. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 from a random sample of 880 households living within a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) located in the Harari Region and the District of Kersa, both in Eastern Ethiopia. RESULTS: Having a head of household with no education, residing in a rural area, larger household size, lower income and/or wealth, and community responses to COVID-19, including lockdowns and travel restrictions, were independently associated with experiencing household hardships. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identify characteristics of groups at-risk for household hardships during the pandemic; these findings may inform efforts to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 and future disease outbreaks.

Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths Caused by Group B Streptococcus in Africa and South Asia Identified Through Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS).

Background: Invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis and is also associated with stillbirth. This study aimed to determine the proportion of stillborn infants and infants who died between 0 and 90 days attributable to GBS using postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) in 7 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) participating in Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS). Methods: Deaths that occurred between December 2016 and December 2021 were investigated with MITS, including culture for bacteria of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), multipathogen polymerase chain reaction on blood, CSF, and lung tissue and histopathology of lung, liver, and brain. Data collection included clinical record review and verbal autopsy. Expert panels reviewed all information and assigned causes of death. Results: We evaluated 2966 deaths, including stillborn infants (n = 1322), infants who died during first day of life (0 to <24 hours, n = 597), early neonatal deaths (END) (1 day to <7 days; END; n = 593), and deaths from 7 to 90 days (n = 454). Group B Streptococcus was determined to be in the causal pathway of death for 2.7% of infants (79 of 2, 966; range, 0.3% in Sierra Leone to 7.2% in South Africa), including 2.3% (31 of 1322) of stillbirths, 4.7% (28 of 597) 0 to <24 hours, 1.9% (11 of 593) END, and 2.0% (9 of 454) of deaths from 7 to 90 days of age. Among deaths attributed to GBS with birth weight data available, 61.9% (39 of 63) of decedents weighed <2500 grams at birth. Group B Streptococcus sepsis was the postmortem diagnosis for 100% (31 of 31) of stillbirths. For deaths <90 days, postmortem diagnoses included GBS sepsis (83.3%, 40 of 48), GBS meningitis (4.2%, 2 of 48), and GBS pneumonia (2.1%, 1 of 48). Conclusions: Our study reveals significant heterogeneity in the contribution of invasive GBS disease to infant mortality across different countries, emphasizing the need for tailored prevention strategies. Moreover, our findings highlight the substantial impact of GBS on stillbirths, shedding light on a previously underestimated aspect in LMICs.