The practice and determinants of ambulance service utilization in pre-hospital settings, Jimma City, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In pre-hospital setting, ambulance provides emergency care and means of transport to arrive at appropriate health centers are as vital as in-hospital care, especially, in developing countries. Accordingly, Ethiopia has made several efforts to improve accessibility of ambulances services in prehospital care system that improves the quality of basic emergency care. Yet, being a recent phenomenon in Ethiopia, empirical studies are inadequate with regard to the practice and determinants of ambulance service utilization in pre-hospital settings. Hence, this study aimed to assess the ambulance service utilization and its determinants among patients admitted to the Emergency Departments (EDs) within the context of pre-hospital care system in public hospitals of Jimma City. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used to capture quantitative data in the study area from June to July 2022. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 451 participants. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0; descriptive and logistic regressions were done, where statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Ambulance service was rendered to bring about 39.5% (of total sample, 451) patients to hospitals. The distribution of service by severity of illnesses was 48.7% among high, and 39.4% among moderately acute cases. The major determinants of ambulance service utilization were: service time (with AOR, 0.35, 95%CI, 0.2-0.6 for those admitted to ED in the morning, and AOR, 2.36, 95%CI, 1.3-4.4 for those at night); referral source (with AOR, 0.2, 95%CI, 0.1-0.4 among the self-referrals); mental status (with AOR, 1.9, 95%CI, 1-3.5 where change in the level of consciousness is observed); first responder (AOR, 6.3 95%CI, 1.5-26 where first responders were the police, and AOR, 3.4, 95%C1, 1.7-6.6 in case of bystanders); distance to hospital (with AOR,0.37, 95%CI, 0.2-0.7 among the patients within ≤15km radius); and prior experience in ambulance use (with AOR, 4.1,95%CI, 2.4-7). CONCLUSION: Although the utilization of ambulance in pre-hospital settings was, generally, good in Jimma City; lower levels of service use among patients in more acute health conditions is problematic. Community-based emergency care should be enhanced to improve the knowledge and use of ambulance services.

Burden and Associated Factors of Virological Failure Among People Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

United Nations program on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 ambitious goal recommends 90% of people living with HIV and taking antiretroviral therapy should achieve viral suppression by 2020. However, virological failure is still a global public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the burden of virological failure and its associated factors among peoples living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for studies that reported virologic failure and its associated factors. I-squared statistics and Egger's statistical test were used to detect heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. The pooled prevalence of virological failure was estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Sensitivity analysis was done to check the presence of outlier results included in the studies. The estimated pooled prevalence of virological failure was 1.7.25%. Lower Adherence to ART drugs,longer ART duration, lower CD4 count,and being co-infected with TB were significantly associated with the pooled estimate of virological failure.Virological failure was found to be high in sub-Saharan Africa. Adherence, duration of ART, CD4 + count, and TB co-infection were the significant factors associated with the pooled estimate of virological failure. Therefore, to achieve the 90-90-90 target and sustainable development goal 3 policymakers should design mechanisms to improve ART adherence, and early detecting and prevent opportunistic infections such as TB.

Working environment of nurses in public referral hospitals of West Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021.

BACKGROUND: Healthy working environment for nurses is a foundation for promoting patients' and nurses' safety in hospitals. However, in Ethiopia, there is scarcity of data on this issue. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the working environment of nurses in Public Referral Hospitals in Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 nurses from January to February 2021. Systematic random sampling was used to select nurses from each hospital. Structured, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. EPI- DATA and SPSS were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Frequency, percentages, and means were calculated. Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index tool was used to measure the outcome variable. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify associated factors. Finally, texts, tables and graphs were used to report findings. RESULTS: The response rate for the study was 96.2%. Around 210 (51.6%) of the study participants were male. One hundred eighty eight (46.2%) nurses reported that their working environment was healthy, while 219 (53.8%,) reported it as not healthy. Nurses who were working in pediatrics wards (AOR = 0.13, 0.02, 0.1) and nurses who gave care for 7-12 patients per day (AOR = 0.21, 0.05, 0.98) were less likely to have a healthy working environment, respectively. Nurses who reported the Ministry of Health to give focus to the nursing profession were 73% more likely to have a healthy work environment (AOR = 0.27; 0.09, .82). CONCLUSION: and recommendations. More than half of nurses reported that their working environment was not healthy to appropriate practice. Hence, introducing systems to improve participation of nurses in hospital affairs and patient care is essential. It is also important to give attention to nurses who are working at pediatrics wards, and for nurses who give care more than the standards.

Prevalence and associated factors of perinatal asphyxia in newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal asphyxia is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia. Understanding associated factors of perinatal asphyxia are important to identify vulnerable groups and to improve care during the perinatal period. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of perinatal asphyxia among newborns admitted to NICU at the Gondar University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest Ethiopia, Ethiopia. METHOD: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 364 newborns from November 2018 - August 2019. Data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. It was then cleaned, coded, and entered using EPI INFO version 7, then analyzed with SPSS statistics version 20.0. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables with p < 0.2. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI and P-value of <0.05 was used to identify significantly associated variables with perinatal asphyxia. RESULT: The prevalence of perinatal asphyxia in this study was 19.8, 95%CI (15.9, 24.2). Absence of maternal formal education (AOR = 4.09, 95%CI: 1.25, 13.38), pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR = 4.07, 95%CI: 1.76, 9.40), antepartum hemorrhage (AOR = 6.35, 95%CI: 1.68, 23.97), prolonged duration of labor (AOR = 3.69, 95%CI: 1.68, 8.10), instrumental delivery (AOR = 3.17, 95%CI: 1.22, 8.21), and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (AOR = 4.50, 95%CI: 2.19, 9.26) were significantly associated with perinatal asphyxia. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of perinatal asphyxia in this study was comparable to other resource poor countries. The absence of maternal formal education, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and Antepartum hemorrhage, prolonged duration of labor, Instrumental assisted delivery, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid was having significant association with perinatal asphyxia in this study.

Spatial variation and determinants of childhood anemia among children aged 6 to 59 months in Ethiopia: further analysis of Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016.

BACKGROUND: The magnitude of childhood anemia was increased from time to time. Thus, Even if the Ethiopian government applied tremendous efforts, anemia in children continues as a major public health problem. There is limited evidence on the spatial variation of and determinant factors of childhood anemia at the national level. Therefore, this study aimed to explore spatial distribution and determinants of anemia among children aged 6 to 59 months in Ethiopia. METHOD: A stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique was used in Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2016 data. In this study 8602 children aged 6-59 months were included. Bernoulli model was used to explore the presence of purely spatial clusters of Anemia in children in age 6-59 months using Sat scan. ArcGIS version 10.3 was used to know the distribution of anemia cases across the country. A mixed-effects Logistic regression model was used to identify determinant factors of anemia. RESULTS: The finding indicates that the spatial distribution of childhood anemia was non-random in the country with Moran's I: 0.65, p < 0.001. The SaT scan analysis identified a total of 180 significant primary clusters located in the Somali and Afar regions (LLR = 14.47, P-value< 0.001, RR = 1.47). Age of child 12-23 months (AOR = 0, 68, 95%CI: 0.55, 0.85), 24-35 months (AOR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.31, 0.47), and36-47 months (AOR = 0.25, 95%CI, 0.20, 0.31), working mother (AOR = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.76, 0.99), anemic mother (AOR = 1.53, 95%CI, 1.35, 1.73), had fever in the last 2 weeks (AOR = 1.36,95%CI:1.13, 1.65), moderate stunting (AOR = 1.31,95%CI: 1.13, 1.50),Severely stunting (AOR = 1.82,95%CI: 1.54, 2.16), religion, wealth index, and number of under-five children in the household were statistically significant associated with childhood anemia. CONCLUSION: Spatial variation of childhood anemia across the country was non-random. Age of the child, wealth index, stunting, religion, number of under-five children in the household, fever in the last 2 weeks, anemic mother, and working status of the mother were determinants of childhood anemia. Therefore, interventions should be a priority concern for high-risk (hot spot) areas regarding allocation of resources and improved access to health facilities, and to reduce the consequence of anemia among the generation policymakers and concerned bodies should be implemented these specific determinant factors.

Incidence and predictors of virological failure among adult HIV patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Amhara regional referral hospitals; Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Although the United Nations program on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90-targets recommends achieving 90% of viral suppression for patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy by 2020, virological failure is still high and it remains a global public health problem. Therefore, assessing the incidence and predictors of virological failure among adult HIV patients on first-line ART in Amhara regional referral hospitals, Ethiopia is vital to design appropriate prevention strategies for treatment failure and preventing the unnecessary switching to second-line regimens. METHOD: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted on 490 adult HIV patients. The simple random sampling technique was used, and data were entered into Epi data Version 4.2.0.0 and was exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. The proportional hazard assumption was checked, and the Weibull regression was fitted. Cox-Snell residual was used to test the goodness of fit, and the appropriate model was selected by AIC/BIC. Finally, an adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% CI was computed, and variables with P-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were taken as significant predictors of virological failure. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of virological failure was 4.9 events per 1000 person-month observations (95%CI: 3.86-6.38). Users of CPT (AHR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.31-0.97), poor adherence (AHR = 5.46, 95%CI: 3.07-9.74), CD4 Count <=200 cells/mm3 (AHR = 3.9, 95%CI: 1.07-13.9) and 201-350 cells/mm3 (AHR 4.1, 95%CI: 1.12-15) respectively, and NVP based first line drug regimen (AHR = 3.53, 95%CI: 1.73-7.21) were significantly associated with virological failure. CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of virological failure was high. CPT, poor adherence, low baseline CD4 count and NVP based first-line drug regimen were independent risk factors associated with virological failure. Therefore, strengthening HIV care intervention and addressing these significant predictors is highly recommended in the study setting.

Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Early Marriage among Married Women in Ethiopia: A spatial and Multilevel Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early marriage is a global public health problem that is mainly practiced in South Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. It raises the risk of early childbearing of women, higher rates of divorce, and an increased risk of maternal and child death. However, little is known about the spatial distribution and determinants of early marriage in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and determinants of early marriage among ever-married women in Ethiopia. METHODS: A detailed analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data was conducted. A total weighted sample of 11,646 reproductive-age married women were included in the analysis. To identify significant hotspot areas of early marriage the Bernoulli model was fitted using SaTScan version 9.6 software. Additionally, to explore the spatial distributions of early marriage across the country ArcGIS version 10.1 statistical software was used. For the determinant factors, the multilevel logistic regression model was fitted. Deviance was used for model comparison and checking of model fitness. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used to declare significant determinants of early marriage. RESULTS: The finding of this study revealed that the spatial distribution of early marriage was significantly varied across the country with Global Moran's I = 0.719 and p value < 0.001. The primary clusters were detected in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions. Both individual and community-level factors were associated with early marriage. Having no formal education (AOR = 4.25, 95% CI 3.13-5.66), primary education (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI 2.80-4.92), secondary education (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.32-2.33), and a decision made by parents (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.68-2.09) were individual-level factors associated with higher odds of early marriage. Among the community-level factors, the region was significantly associated with early marriage. Thus, living in Afar (AOR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.37-2.42), Amhara (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.38-2.77), and Gambela (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.09-190) was associated with higher odds of early marriage. Whereas, living in Addis Ababa (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.36-0.68) was associated with a lower chance of early marriage. CONCLUSION: The spatial distribution of early marriage was significantly varied in Ethiopia. Women's education, women's autonomy, and region were found to be the significant determinants of early marriage. Therefore, public health interventions targeting those identified significant hotspot areas of early marriage are crucial to reduce the incidence of early marriage and its consequence. In addition, enhancing women's education and empowering them to make their own choices are vital for changing the customs of the community and eliminating early marriage in Ethiopia.

Determinants of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among reproductive age (15-49 years) women in Ethiopia: further analysis of 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: The key cause of HIV transmission is failure to provide adequate information about HIV/AIDS which is a substantial public health issue in low and middle-income countries. While global health coverage continues, there is still little understanding of HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was employed using the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data. Data were extracted about comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age. We used multi-variable mixed-effect binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age. The adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistical significance. RESULTS: We found that having primary (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.56-1.97),secondary (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI 2.33-3.22), and higher (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI 3.32-4.99) educational statuses, being in highest wealth quintiles; richer (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.43) and richest (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.22-1.87), knowing the place for HIV test (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.88-2.42), use of traditional contraceptive method (AOR = 1.93,95% CI 1.12-3.35), female household head (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.31), watching television (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.41) and own mobile phone (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.33) were positively associated with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia. CONCLUSION: Women with higher education and higher wealth quintiles, knowing the place of HIV test, watching television, a traditional contraceptive method use, having a mobile phone and being in female headed household were positively associated with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia. Programs working on HIV/AIDS should target women based on the identified factors so as to scale up their comprehensive knowledge towards HIV/AIDS. In this context, the media should actively contribute to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.

Effect of mass media on comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its spatial distribution among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Globally, HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health issue particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Media exposure plays a significant role in raising community knowledge about HIV. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of media on comprehensive knowledge of HIV and its spatial distribution among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was done based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). A total weighted sample of 15,683 reproductive-age women was included for analysis. For the spatial analysis, ArcGIS version 10.3 and SaTScan version 9.6 software were employed to explore the spatial distribution of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS and for identifying significant hotspot areas. For associated factors, the mixed-effect logistic regression model was fitted. Deviance and ICC were used for model comparison. In the multivariable analysis, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to declare significantly associated factors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. RESULTS: The spatial analysis revealed that the spatial distribution of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among reproductive-age women was significantly varied across the country. The SaTScan analysis identified significant clusters in the entire Somali region, the eastern part of Dire Dawa and Harari regions. Being rural (AOR = 1.52,95% CI:1.21-1.91), maternal age 25-34 years (AOR = 1.26,95% CI:1.14-1.40), aged ≥35 years (AOR = 1.20,95%CI:1.07-1.35), being Muslim (AOR = 0.68,95% CI:0.60-0.78), being protestant (AOR = 0.83,95% CI:0.71-0.96), poorer wealth (AOR = 1.26,95%CI:1.06-1.51), middle wealth (AOR = 1.34,95%CI:1.11-1.60), richer wealth (AOR = 1.36,95% CI:1.12-1.63), richest wealth (AOR = 1.72,95% CI:1.37-2.15), reading newspaper (AOR = 1.20,95%CI: 1.06-1.37), listening radio (AOR = 1.24,95% CI:1.10, 1.41), covered by health insurance (AOR = 1.23,95%CI:1.01-1.51), having primary education (AOR = 1.77,95% CI:1.57-1.99), having secondary education (AOR = 2.45,95%CI:2.10-2.86) and having higher education (AOR = 3.04,95%CI:2.52-3.65) were significantly associated with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Spatial distribution of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among reproductive-age women was significantly varied across the country with significant hotspot areas with poor comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS identified in the Somali region, the eastern part of Dire Dawa and Harari Regions. media exposure was a significant predictor of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. Therefore, the government should scale up public health programs in the hot spot areas and provide health information using different media.

Exploring spatial variations and factors associated with skilled birth attendant delivery in Ethiopia: geographically weighted regression and multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Skilled birth attendant (SBA) delivery is vital for the health of mothers and newborns, as most maternal and newborn deaths occur at the time of childbirth or immediately after birth. This problem becomes worsen in Ethiopia in which only 28% of women give birth with the help of SBA. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial variations of SBA delivery and its associated factors in Ethiopia. METHODS: A secondary analysis was carried out using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. A total weighted sample of 11,023 women who had a live birth in the 5 years preceding the survey was included in the analysis. Arc-GIS software was used to explore the spatial distribution of SBA and a Bernoulli model was fitted using SaTScan software to identify significant clusters of non-SBA delivery. The Geographic Weighted Regression (GWR) was employed in modeling spatial relationships. Moreover, a multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with SBA delivery. RESULTS: In this study, SBA delivery had spatial variations across the country. The SaTScan spatial analysis identified the primary clusters' spatial window in southeastern Oromia and almost the entire Somalia. The GWR analysis identified different predictors of non- SBA delivery across regions of Ethiopia. In the multilevel analysis, mothers having primary and above educational status, health insurance coverage, and mothers from households with higher wealth status had higher odds of SBA delivery. Being multi and grand multiparous, perception of distance from the health facility as big problem, rural residence, women residing in communities with medium and higher poverty level, and women residing in communities with higher childcare burden had lower odds of SBA delivery. CONCLUSION: Skilled birth attendant delivery had spatial variations across the country. Areas with non-skilled birth attendant delivery and mothers who had no formal education, not health insured, mothers from poor households and communities, Primiparous women, mothers from remote areas, and mothers from communities with higher childcare burden could get special attention in terms of allocation of resources including skilled human power, and improved access to health facilities.

Trends and Spatio-temporal variation of female genital mutilation among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: a Spatio-temporal and multivariate decomposition analysis of Ethiopian demographic and health surveys.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a serious health problem globally with various health, social and psychological consequences for women. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of female genital mutilation varied across different regions of the country. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the trend and determinants of female genital mutilation among reproductive-age women over time. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was done using 2000, 2005, and 2016 Demographic Health Surveys (DHSs) of Ethiopia. A total weighted sample of 36,685 reproductive-age women was included for analysis from these three EDHS Surveys. Logit based multivariate decomposition analysis was employed for identifying factors contributing to the decrease in FGM over time. The Bernoulli model was fitted using spatial scan statistics version 9.6 to identify hotspot areas of FGM, and ArcGIS version 10.6 was applied to explore the spatial distribution FGM across the country. RESULTS: The trends of FGM practice has been decreased from 79.9% in 2000 to 70.4% in 2016 with an annual reduction rate of 0.8%. The multivariate decomposition analysis revealed that about 95% of the overall decrease in FGM practice from 2000 to 2016 was due to the difference in the effects of women's characteristics between the surveys. The difference in the effects of residence, religion, occupation, education, and media exposure were significant predictors that contributed to the decrease in FGM over time. The spatial distribution of FGM showed variation across the country. The SaTScan analysis identified significant hotspot areas of FGM in Somali, Harari, and Afar regions consistently over the three surveys. CONCLUSION: Female genital mutilation practice has shown a remarkable decrease over time in Ethiopia. Public health programs targeting rural, non-educated, unemployed, and those women with no access to media would be helpful to maintain the decreasing trend of FGM practice. The significant Spatio-temporal clustering of FGM was observed across regions in Ethiopia. Public health interventions must target the identified clusters as well.

Incidence and predictors of virological failure among HIV infected children and adolescents on first-line antiretroviral therapy in East Shewa hospitals, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: A retrospective follow up study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite gains made from improved antiretroviral therapy coverage in resource limited countries, the occurrence of first line drug resistance remains a priority agenda. To reduce the emergence of resistant viruses, HIV viral load monitoring plays a critical role. However, many resource limited countries have difficulty of monitoring viral load due to economic constraints.There is also limited study regarding viral failure in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of virological failure among HIV-infected children and adolescents on first-line ART Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: Institution based retrospective follow-up study was employed on 492 children and adolescents. Data were collected by trained nurses who have experience working in ART clinics. Data were entered using Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. The proportional hazard assumption was checked, and the Weibull regression was fitted. Cox-Snell residual was used to test the goodness of fit, and the appropriate model was selected by AIC. Finally, an AHR with a 95% CI was computed, and variables with a P-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were taken as significant predictors of virological failure. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of virological failure was 4.2, (95% CI: 3.41, 5.22) per 1000 person-months of observation with 20,169 person-months follow-up time. In multivariable analysis living in rural area (AHR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.15-3.36), poor adherence (AHR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.24-3.91), lower CD4 Count <200 cells/mm3 (AHR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.27-5.18) and 201-350 cells/mm3 (AHR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.28-4.67) respectively, and recent OI (AHR = 4.60, 95% CI: 2.38-8.90) are significantly associated with virological failure. CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of virological failure was high. Living in a rural, poor adherence, lower CD4 count, and recent opportunistic infection were independent risk factors associated with virological failure. Hence, it is better to give priority to strengthening the focused evaluation of important variables and managing accordingly.

Incidence and Associated Factors of Failed First Peripheral Intravenous Catheters among Adult Patients at Medical Surgical Wards in Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021.

BACKGROUND: Complications of peripheral intravenous catheters cause problems in clinical practice and bring high costs in terms of morbidity and mortality of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and associated factors of failed first peripheral intravenous catheters among adult patients in selected Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institution-based prospective observational study was conducted among 423 adult patients from January to February 2021. Patients were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. The data were collected using interviewer-based, structured questionnaires and observational checklists. EPI-DATA 3.1 and SPSS version-23 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Frequency, percentages, and means were calculated. The outcome variable was determined and graded based on phlebitis and infiltration scales. Binary and multivariable logistics regressions were computed. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventeen first peripheral cannula sites from 418 patients were followed for 2,565 peripheral catheter hours. A failed first peripheral intravenous catheter was observed in 124 (29.7%, CI: 25.6-34) adult patients. Patients who were female (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.22-0.74) had cannula duration of 49-72 hours (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.7) and 73-96 hours (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.9), and patients who had been given electrolytes (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11-0.86) were more likely to have failed first peripheral intravenous cannula. CONCLUSIONS: Failed first peripheral intravenous cannula is much higher as compared to the acceptable rate of ≤5% by the Infusion Nurses Society. Hence, all patients with peripheral intravenous catheters are screened for catheter failure at least once a day. Providing appropriate nursing care and patient education is also required to reduce the risks.

Magnitude and associated factors of unmet need for family planning among rural women in Ethiopia: a multilevel cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of unmet need for family planning among rural women in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Reproductive age group women. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Unmet need for family planning. METHODS: This study drew data from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, which was conducted from 18 January to 27 June 2016. A total of 8327 rural reproductive-aged (15-49 years) women were included. A two-level multivariable logistic regression model was carried out to identify individual and community-level factors associated with unmet need for family planning. Adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI was used to assess the strength of association between independent and dependent variables. RESULTS: The overall unmet need for family planning among rural women was 24.08% (95% CI 23.17 to 25.01), of which 14.79% was for spacing and 9.29% for limiting. Number of children (AOR=1.15; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.24) and working status of women (AOR=1.18; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37) were significantly associated with a higher odds of unmet need for family planning. However, women with primary education (AOR=0.87; 95% CI 0.74 to 0.94), women married at age 18 or later (AOR=0.82; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.96), women from households with high wealth index (AOR=0.77; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.94), women who deem distance to a health facility as not a big problem (AOR=0.85; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.99), women from communities with a high percentage of educated women (AOR=0.73; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.89) and women who live in communities with high media exposure (AOR=0.81, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98) were significantly associated with a lower odds of unmet needs for family planning. CONCLUSION: Unmet need for family planning among reproductive-aged women in rural Ethiopia was high. Number of children, working status of women, women's education, age at first marriage, household wealth, distance to a health facility, community women's education and community media exposure were significantly associated with unmet needs for family planning. Therefore, to reduce unmet need for family planning, public health policymakers should consider both individual and community-level factors when designing FP programmes and emphasis should be given to high-risk populations.

Exploring spatial variation in BCG vaccination among children 0-35 months in Ethiopia: spatial analysis of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016.

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem and is the second leading cause of death worldwide. BCG vaccination is a life-saving and important part of standard tuberculosis control measures, particularly in Ethiopia where tuberculosis is endemic. The End Tuberculosis Strategy targets of 2020 have not been achieved. Exploring spatial variations in BCG vaccination among children is vital to designing and monitoring effective intervention programmes. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial variation in BCG vaccination among children in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. SETTING: Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 0-35 months. PRIMARY OUTCOME: BCG vaccination coverage. METHODS: Data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were used and a total of 4453 children aged 0-35 months were included. Spatial autocorrelation analysis, cluster and outlier analysis, hotspot analysis, spatial interpolation, and spatial scan statistics were carried out to identify geographical risk areas for BCG vaccine utilisation. ArcGIS V.10.6 and SaTScan V.9.6 statistical software were employed to explore spatial pattern and significant hotspot areas for BCG vaccination among children. RESULTS: BCG vaccination was spatially clustered in Ethiopia at the regional level (Global Moran's I=0.516, p<0.001). A total of 51 most likely clusters of low BCG vaccination were identified in the Somali and Afar regions (log-likelihood ratio=136.58, p<0.001). Significant secondary clusters were also identified in North West Gambela, South Amhara, South West Addis Ababa, North East Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, and South West Oromia. CONCLUSION: A low probability of receiving BCG vaccination was found among children in the Somali and Afar regions. Therefore, these areas should be given attention when designing effective immunisation strategies to improve BCG vaccination among children in order to reduce the burden of tuberculosis in Ethiopia.

Predictors of Anemia Among Adult HIV Positive Patients on First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Northwest Ethiopia: A Retrospective Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, anemia is a common hematological disorder among HIV-infected patients. People with anemia often suffer from impaired physical functioning, psychological distress, and poor quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of anemia and its determinants among HIV positive individuals in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A total of 486 adult HIV positive patients on the first-line ART with complete information were enrolled in the adult care clinics of northwest Amhara referral hospitals from December 2015 to December 2018. EpiData version 4.2 was used for data entry and Stata version 14 for analysis. Variables having time to event nature were presented with the Kaplan-Meier function. The Cox regression model was used to identify predictors of anemia. Variables with P-values less than 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were considered in the multivariable regression. Adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CI was computed, and variables with less than 0.05 P-values in the multivariable Cox regression were taken as significant predictors of anemia. RESULTS: This study noted an overall 26.4 per 100 person-year observations (95% CI: 23.46, 30.74) incidence rate of anemia. According to the multivariable Cox regression, TB co-infection (AHR =1.99, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.74), zidovudine-based regimen (AHR=1.39, 95CI: 1.1, 1.85), CD4 level (AHR= 1.7, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.35), advanced WHO stage (AHR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.74), and being underweight (AHR= 1.53, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.07) were predictors of anemia. CONCLUSION: Anemia is a burden among HIV patients in the study setting. Baseline clinical variables, TB co-infection, and zidovudine-based were predictors of anemia. Therefore, early identification of anemia and addressing significant predictors are highly suggested to the study setting.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease among Adult Hypertensive Patients at Northwest Amhara Referral Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of the kidney function which leads to a decreased kidneys' ability to process waste in the blood and it affects the other important functions of the kidney. The disease has different stages that can alter the health status of individuals. During the early stages, patients may present with a normal or slight decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria. Later, it progresses and leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. Hypertension is considered as the major contributing risk factor of CKD. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of chronic kidney disease among adult hypertensive patients in referral hospitals of the Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 581 adult hypertensive patients in a chronic follow-up clinic in referral hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, from July to August 2020. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using the interviewer-administered questionnaire and participants medical records. Both bivariable and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Model fitness was assessed using a Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULT: The total prevalence of CKD among adult hypertensive patients was 17.6% (95% CI: 14.7-20.8). Diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg (AOR = 8.65; 95% CI: 4.77-15.68), duration of hypertension ≥10 years (AOR = 8.81; 95% CI: 2.47-31.45), stage II HTN (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.04-6.50), comorbid disease (AOR = 7.0; 95% CI: 2.20-22.21), proteinuria (AOR = 4.59; 95% CI: 2.08-10.12), dyslipidemia (AOR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.56-7.24), and serum creatinine ≥1 mg/dl (AOR = 8.88; 95% CI: 4.40-17.91) were associated with chronic kidney disease among adult hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of CKD among hypertensive patients found was 17.6%. Regarding associated factors, dyslipidemia, proteinuria, comorbid disease, serum creatinine greater than 0.9 mg/dl, duration of hypertension greater than 10 years, and diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg are factors associated with the occurrence of chronic kidney disease among hypertensive patients.

Spatial distribution and determinants of iron supplementation among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Maternal anemia continues as a global public health concern particularly in developing countries including Ethiopia. It is associated with an increased risk of maternal death, obstetric complications, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Even though maternal anemia is the commonest problem in Ethiopia, there is limited evidence on the spatial distribution and determinants of iron supplementation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution and determinants of iron supplementation among pregnant women in Ethiopia. METHOD: A secondary data analysis was conducted based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. A total weighted sample of 7589 women was included for analysis. For the spatial analysis; ArcGIS version 10.6, and SaT Scan version 9.6 statistical software were employed to explore the spatial distribution, and to identify significant hotspot areas of iron supplementation in Ethiopia. For the determinant factors, multilevel logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify significant individual and community level determinants of iron supplementation. Deviance, Median Odds Ratio (MOR), and Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were used for model comparison and for assessing model fitness. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were considered in the multivariable multilevel analysis. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to declare significant determinants of iron supplementation. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of iron supplementation was significantly varied across the country with Global Moran's index value of 0.3 (p < 0.001). The SaTScan analysis identified a total of 271 significant clusters, of these 89 clusters were primary clusters located in the Southwest Somali and Central Oromia regions (LLR = 66.69, P < 0.001, RR = 1.35). ANC visit (AOR = 3.66, 95%CI: 3.21, 417), community education [AOR = 1.31, 95%CI, 1.07, 1.59), media exposure (AOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.15, 1.53), distance to health facility (AOR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.16, 1.50), region and household wealth index were statistically significant determinant factors of iron supplementation. CONCLUSION: Iron supplementation among pregnant women were significantly varied across the country. Therefore, the finding of this study could help to design effective public health interventions targeting areas with low iron supplementation and maternal health services should be delivered in all areas of our country. Besides, public health programs should enhance iron supplementation through promoting ANC visits, media exposure, and giving special emphasis to marginalized and remote areas.

Knowledge and attitude of the communities towards COVID-19 and associated factors among Gondar City residents, northwest Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is the novel coronavirus responsible for the ongoing global outbreak of acute respiratory disease and viral pneumonia. In order to tackle the devastating condition of the virus, countries need to attack the virus with aggressive and targeted tactics. Thus, to strengthen the COVID-19 mitigation measures and to give rapid response, there is an urgent need to understand the public's knowledge and attitude about of the pandemic at this critical moment. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of communities about COVID-19 and associated factors among Gondar City residents. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was done among 623 respondents in Gondar city from April 20-27/2020. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from different literatures. The data were entered using Epi data version 3.1 and then exported into STATA version 14 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was used to declare statistically significant variables on the basis of p value less than 0.05 in the multivariable binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: The overall knowledge and attitude of the community towards COVID19 was 51.85% [95% CI (47.91%-55.78%)] and 53.13% [95% CI (49.20, 57.06%)], respectively. In this study, being married [AOR = 0.60 at 95% CI: (0.42, 0.86)], educational level; primary [AOR = 3.14 at 95% CI: (1.78,5.54)], secondary [AOR = 2.81 at 95% CI: (1.70,4.63)], college and above [AOR = 4.49 at 95% CI: 7.92, 13.98)], and family size [AOR = 1.80, at 95% CI: (1.05, 3.08)] were emerged as statistically significant factors impacting the knowledge of the community about COVID-19. Besides, educational level; primary [AOR = 1.76 at 95% CI: (1.03, 3.01)], secondary [AOR = 1.69 at 95% CI: (1.07, 2.68)], and college & above [AOR = 2.38 at 95% CI: (1.50, 3.79)], and family size; four to six members [AOR = 1.84 at 95% CI (1.27, 2.67)], above seven members [AOR = 1.79 at 95% CI (1.08, 2.96)] were factors identified as significantly attribute for positive attitude of the communities towards COVID-19. CONCLUSION: More than half of the respondents had better knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19. Higher educational level and larger family size were significant factors predominantly affecting the knowledge and attitude of the communities towards COVID-19.

Correction: Adherence towards COVID-19 mitigation measures and its associated factors among Gondar City residents: A community-based cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244265.].