Clinical competency and associated factors among undergraduate nursing students studying in universities of Southern regional state of Ethiopia, 2021.

Background: Clinical practice is the means by which nursing students learn to apply the theory, facilitating integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skill in the clinical setting which becomes arts and science of profession. This correlation of theory and practice, and the building of meaningful experience, take place during clinical practice in the health care service. Even though, nursing students need to have clinical competency during practical setting, there were little available evidences regarding to their competency status in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess magnitude of clinical competency and its predictors among undergraduate nursing students studying in universities of Southern regional state of Ethiopia in 2021 G C. Methods: Multi-centered institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 414 undergraduate nursing students studying in eight universities of Southern regional state of Ethiopia in 2021 academic year. Systematic random sampling technique after proportional allocation to each selected university was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using pretested structured questionnaire by face to face interview after written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Data were cleaned, coded and entered into Epidata version 3.01 and analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 26. Descriptive statistic for all variables and bi-variable and multi-variables logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with clinical competency was computed and expressed in odds ratio. The result was presented in the form of text, tables and figures and those variables with P-value of <0.05 in multivariable analysis were declared as statistically significant. Result: From 423 total calculated sample sizes, 414 of them were participated in this study giving a response rate of 97.8%. From those participants, 248 (59.9%) of them has clinical competency [95% CI: (55.18%, 64.62%)]. In multivariable analysis, studying in post basic program [AOR: 5.58], conducive clinical learning environment [AOR: 4.10], good staff-student interaction [AOR: 7.44], satisfaction [AOR: 20.66] and positive attitude towards clinical practice [AOR: 2.49] were factors significantly associated with clinical competency. Conclusion: In this study, the overall magnitude of clinical competency was found to be unsatisfactory (59.9%). Studying in private program, non-conducive clinical learning environment, poor staff-student interaction, low satisfaction and negative attitude towards clinical practice were identified as factors associated with clinical incompetency. Policy makers, universities and teaching health facilities need to work collaboratively to create nurses with clinical competency by focusing on proper screening to select candidates for studying in private program, creating conducive clinical learning environment, integrating students with clinical staffs to facilitate learning and positive attitude change of students towards their profession to increase level of satisfaction.

Health care providers' preparedness and health care protection against the third wave of COVID-19 pandemics in a resource-limited setting in Southwest Ethiopia: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Introduction: the provision of quality health care during the COVID-19 pandemic depends largely on the health of health care providers. Health care providers as frontline caregivers dealing with infected patients play a significant role in limiting the outbreak of the disease by implementing safety and prevention practices. However, low and middle-income countries experience barriers to preparedness due to limited resources. Methods: an institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 326 health care providers from August 10-25, 2021 in Gurage zonal public hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A pretested self -administered structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The data were entered into the Epi-data 3.1 and exported to Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for analysis. Both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were presented. Results: this study showed that 53.1%, of health care providers, had adequate preparation against COVID-19 pandemics. The finding showed that monthly income, occupation, and working experience were found to be significantly associated with health care providers' preparedness. Nearly one-quarter (24.8%), 28.3%, 34.5%, and 39.8% of health care providers had access to facemasks, alcohol sanitizer, glove, and isolation gowns respectively. Conclusion: the levels of health care providers' preparedness and health care protection against the third wave COVID-19 pandemic were found to be low. Based on our findings, the government and other stakeholders should design interventions to increase health care providers' preparedness to respond to the ongoing pandemic and purchase an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to protect the health care providers.

Needlestick and sharp injuries and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Needlesticks and sharp injuries are occupational hazards for healthcare workers that result from the accidental piercing of the skin. Needlestick injuries expose healthcare workers to blood and body fluids that may be infected and can be transmitted to them. Healthcare workers have been exposed to blood-borne pathogens through contaminated needles and other sharp materials every day. Around 20 blood-borne diseases can be transmitted through casual needlesticks and sharp injuries. Objective: To assess needlestick and sharp injuries and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: The hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 341 healthcare workers in Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 10 to July 6, 2021. A stratified sampling technique was used and data were collected using standardized structural questionnaires by BSc nursing professionals. The collected data were checked for completeness and consistency by the investigator. The completed questionnaire was given an identification number and entered into EpiData version 3.5.1. The data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 26 using a binary logistic regression model and presented with texts, tables, and graphs. Results: The finding revealed that 30.6% of healthcare workers had experienced needlestick and sharp injuries within their working area. Healthcare workers not trained on safety measures of needlestick and sharp injury (adjusted odds ratio: 7.179 (3.494-14.749)), working in the delivery unit (adjusted odds ratio: 6.528 (3.171-11.834)), being older age (adjusted odds ratio: 3.394 (1.775-7.126)), working in inpatient unit (3.278 (1.804-5.231)), working in an emergency unit (adjusted odds ratio: 5.718 (4.326-6.398)), working in an operation room theater (adjusted odds ratio: 2.359 (1.781-4.430)), working as a medical laboratory technician (adjusted odds ratio: 1.070 (1.432-3.304)), working in pediatrics unit (adjusted odds ratio: 1.063 (1.431-2.843)), working as cleaners (adjusted odds ratio: 0.018 (0.002-0.195)), working <40 h per week (adjusted odds ratio: 0.036 (0.004-0.345)), and seldom needle recapping (adjusted odds ratio: 0.043 (0.015-0.125)) were statistically associated with needlestick and sharp injury. Conclusions: In this study, there is a high magnitude of needlestick or sharp injuries among healthcare workers. Lack of training on work-related safety measures; working in delivery; being older age; working in the inpatient unit, emergency, operation room, and pediatrics units; being laboratory technicians, and cleaners; working hours per week; and seldom needle recapping were significant predictors of needlestick and sharp injury.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension Among Adults in Gurage Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Introduction: Hypertension affects over a billion people worldwide, making it a major public health problem. The problem is significant in both developed and developing countries. However, studies are scarce in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors at the community level, in South Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed on a sample of 680 participants in the study from April 1 to June 30, 2022. An interview administer was conducted using a standardized and pretested questionnaire was employed. The Epi data 3.1 versions were used to enter data and then exported into SPSS version 23 for analysis. All variables in the multivariable logistic analysis were a candidate with a bi-variable at p < .25. The multivariable logistic regressions were performed to determine the predictors of hypertension, and the significance level was established with p < .05. Results: There were a total of 635 participants and the response rate was 93.4%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 22.0% [95% CI; 19.1-25.4]. The mean age of the participants was 40.8 ± 12.88 years. Being older age (AOR: 1.95; 95%CI; 1.13-3.36), family history [AOR: 2.65, 95%; CI (1.29-5.45)], eating animal fat [AOR: 0.21, 95%; CI (0.08-0.52)], smoking cigarettes [AOR: 4.06, 95%; CI (2.24-7.36)] and had poor knowledge about hypertension [AOR: 2.69, 95%; CI (1.61-4.49)] were significantly associated with raised blood pressure. Conclusions: Hypertension was prevalent in one out of every five study participants. Older age, family history of hypertension, animal fat intake, cigarette smoking, and lack of knowledge were found to be significant factors for hypertension. To address the burden of hypertension, health care practitioners should provide broad health education, routine screening, and promotion of recommended lifestyle measures.

Self-care practice and its associated factors among diabetic patients attending public hospitals in Gurage zone southwest, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires lifelong medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. Even though patients often neglect their own needs, self-care is an important factor in preventing and delaying complications related to diabetes. There are limited studies about self-care practice, and most of the studies conducted in Ethiopia focused on some parts of the recommended self-care practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the self-care practice and associated factors among diabetic patients in Gurage zone, south Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 6 to March 29, 2021. A systematic sampling method was employed to select 420 study participants. The data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. All variables with P < 0.25 in the bi-variable logistic regression analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. The statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 384 diabetes patients participated with a response rate of 91.4%. This study showed that more than half (60.4%) of the study participants had poor self-care practices. Being female (AOR: 2.40; 95% CI:1.31-4.40), rural residence (AOR:7.16;95% CI: 3.31-15.46), duration of diabetes treatment 5-10 years (AOR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.1-0.11), duration of diabetes treatment ≥ 10 years (AOR:0.8; 95% CI: 0.03-0.21), haven't social support (AOR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.05-0.23), haven't got health education (AOR: 0.17,95%CI 0.09-0.32) were factors significantly associated with self-care practice. CONCLUSIONS: Despite, the importance of diabetes self-care practice for the management of diabetes and preventing its complications, a high number of diabetes patients had poor self-care practices. Female, rural residence, duration of diabetes mellitus, lack of social support, and not get of health education were significantly associated with poor self-care practice. Therefore, health care providers should give attention to diabetic patients with the aforementioned factors that affect diabetic patients' self-care practices.

Lifespan and Associated Factors of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula Among Hospitalized Children in Public Hospitals of the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia, 2021.

Background: Peripheral intravenous cannulas are routinely used in hospital-admitted children requiring intravenous therapy. The majority of peripheral IVC lines are removed before completion of therapy due to cannula complications in children. Peripheral intravenous cannula securing is a painful procedure for children, so recognizing the variables associated with the peripheral intravenous cannula lifespan would help decrease the complications and increase the duration of cannula patency. Objective: The main aim of this study was to determine the lifespan and associated factors of peripheral intravenous cannula among hospitalized children in Gurage zone public hospitals, Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study design among 422 admitted children in public hospitals of the Gurage zone using a systematic random sampling technique. We collected data from interviews of parents using structured questionnaires and direct observations using checklists. The data was coded and entered into EPI-DATA version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable analysis was used by using a binary logistic regression model. Finally, the variables with a p-value of <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred and sixty-six children (41.4%) had a short cannula lifespan (below 30 h). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [AOR = 4.975; 95% CI (2.811-8.805)], reason for removal (complication) [AOR = 3.277; 95% CI (1.924-5.583)], fluid [AOR = 2.285; 95% CI (1.274-4.100)], and blood transfusion [AOR = 2.407; 95% CI (1.005-5.572)] were the statistically significant variables associated with the lifespan of a peripheral intravenous cannula. Conclusion and Recommendation: The proportion of the short lifespan of the peripheral intravenous cannula was higher in hospitalized children and health care providers better to use low concentration electrolytes, low osmotic pressure, and weak alkalinity fluid. The cannula access might be the responsibility of the health-trained staff, and conserving immediate removal upon the presence of a signal that indicates a complication.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Parents About Immunization of Infants and Its Associated Factors in Wadla Woreda, North East Ethiopia, 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Improving infant immunization coverage and timeliness is a key health policy objective in many developing countries such as Ethiopia. Despite this, full immunization coverage in Ethiopia becomes low with the concurrent significant burden of vaccine-preventable diseases among infants. A previously published study acknowledged that parental knowledge, attitude, and practice towards infant immunization are vital issues to improve coverage and influence uptake. OBJECTIVE: To assess parents' knowledge, attitude, practice, and its associated factors regarding immunization of infants at Wadla Woreda, North East Ethiopia, 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 418 parents from March to April 2019 in Wadla Woreda, North East Ethiopia. A stratified sampling technique was used to approach the study subjects. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and entered in EPI-Info 7.2 and transferred to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables having a significant association with parental knowledge, attitude, and practice. Variables with a p-value of ≤0.05 and AOR with 95% CI were declared as having a statistically significant association during multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 65.1%, 57.3%, and 55.3% of the parents had good knowledge, a favorable attitude, and good practice towards infant immunization, respectively. Parent's educational status (AOR=5.330), urban residency (AOR=2.788), favorable attitude (AOR=4.308) and got immunization service two-three times (AOR=3.227) and four-five times (AOR=2.254) were statistically associated with knowledge of parents. Parents who attend primary school [AOR=0.451) and secondary school [AOR=0.320), parents who were mothers of the child [AOR=3.813), and respondents who had good knowledge about infant immunization (AOR= 4.592) were significantly associated with a favorable parental attitude. Infant immunization practice was significantly associated with parental education who attend primary school (AOR=2.513), secondary school (AOR=2.546) and higher education (AOR=11.988), parents who had good knowledge of infant immunization (AOR= 4.206), and short waiting time (AOR=3.881). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Parental KAP towards infant immunization was found to be lower than most of the study findings quoted in this study. Improving the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents about immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases was recommended by providing health education and health promotion interventions.