Prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among bank workers at Hawassa city, Northern Zone, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Lower back pain (LBP) is a public health threat that affects people who frequently experience sedentary working conditions. Few studies reported on low back pain among bank workers in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of low back pain among bank workers in Hawassa City, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: This institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20, 2023, to June 30, 2023. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select participants, and data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, entered into Epidata version 4.6, and transferred to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of lower back pain. RESULTS: Of the 627 total study participants, six hundred seven bank workers participated in the study, with a response rate of 96.8%. The overall magnitude of lower back pain among the study population was 55.2%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI 51.1-59). Based on the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, being in a manager position (AOR = 3.85; 95% CI = (1.2,12), a level 2 banker (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI = (1.9,8.9), age 30-39 years (AOR = 4; 95% CI = (2,12.4), an age ≥ 40 years (AOR = 5.4; 95% CI= (3.04,16.3), working in sufficient space (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = (0.3,0.9), and physical activity (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI = (0.1,0.8)) were significantly associated with low back pain. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low back pain among the bank workers was high in the study area. Being in a managerial position, being a level two banker, being aged 30-39 years, being aged ≥ 40 years, working in sufficient space, and engaging in physical activity were significantly associated. Therefore, it is essential to establish a health screening team, create awareness programs for the benefit of physical activity, provide sufficient working space, and give special attention to elderly and senior bankers and bank managers to reduce the risk of developing low back pain.

Prevalence of depression and associated factors among primary caregivers of adult cancer patients, Sidama region Southern Ethiopia: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of cancer diagnosis affects the psychological well-being of the caregivers of cancer patients and results in a risk of psychiatric morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among primary caregivers of adult cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the magnitude of depression and associated factors among primary caregivers of adult cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among primary caregivers of adult cancer patients. The convenient sampling method used to recruit caregivers of cancer patients. The data was collected by using the Amharic version patient health questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of depression and bivariable and multivariable regression models were used to determine the net effect of each independent variable on depression. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depression among adult cancer patient caregivers was 54.1% (95% CI 47.6, 60.6). Household size < 3; (AOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.1-13), Monthly income < 600 (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI:2.5-15.9), Caring hours ≥ 9 (AOR = 9, 95% CI:4-21), Burden level ≥ 20 ;(AOR = 10.7, 95% CI:9.3-11.6) were independent factors of depression among primary caregivers of cancer patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a higher prevalence of depressed symptoms among primary caregivers of cancer patients. Long caring hours, small household size, low-income level, and higher burden level were independent factors of caregiver depression, indicating the urgent necessity to investigate and deal with it through interdisciplinary approaches.

Perception about human papillomavirus vaccination among middle adolescent school girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2023: qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among school girls in Ethiopia was still low and uptake was majorly related to perception regarding the vaccine. This study explored school girls' perceptions of Human papillomavirus vaccination in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to explore the perception of secondary school girls towards Human Papilloma Virus vaccine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2023. METHODS: A qualitative research using focused group discussions were used to explore middle adolescent school girls' perceptions of Human papillomavirus in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from March 2023-April 2023. A focus group discussion guide was employed with potential probes to achieve study objectives. A convenience sampling technique was performed to select study participants. The collected data were transcribed and translated into English and thematic analysis was done by using Atlas-Ti software version 7.5.16. RESULT: Two dominant themes emerged from the study; perceived benefits and potential barriers to Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake. Poor awareness, lack of family support, perception of poor vaccine quality, fear of side effects, misconceptions, and myths are potential barriers to the Human papillomavirus vaccine. Some students perceive the vaccine as important in the prevention of cervical cancer, others are not sure about the importance of the vaccine and many students think that the vaccine can cause infertility and other beliefs it can cause diseases. CONCLUSION: The perceived benefits of the Human papillomavirus vaccine was; it prevents cervical cancer enhance acceptability and can be an important motivation for Human papillomavirus vaccination among students. The main barriers to vaccine uptake and acceptance were; lack of awareness, misconceptions, and myths, lack of credible information sources of vaccines, perception of poor vaccine quality, Poor family support, and cultural and religious perspectives. We recommend the development of strong collaborations that work on identified challenges.

Survival and predictors of mortality among colorectal cancer patients on follow-up in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. A 5-year retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer were still rising rapidly in many low-income and middle-income countries, which was linked to ongoing societal and economic status. Colorectal cancer is the leading cancer in Ethiopia with relatively lower survival. However, colorectal cancer patients' survival time and predictors have not been well studied in Southern Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess five-year survival and predictors of mortality among colorectal cancer patients at Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. METHOD: Facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 323 patients who visited Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1st, 2017 to April 30th, 2022. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve with the Log-rank test was used to estimate the survival time. Bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the net effect of each independent variable on time to death after diagnosis. RESULT: Over the 5-year observation period, the overall mortality rate was 38.5%, with an incidence density of 31 fatalities per 100 person-years observation. Survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 78%, 53, 32.4%, 23.3%, and 18.7% respectively. The multivariable analysis showed that metastatic disease (AHR = 4.2, CI: 1.5-11.5), baseline carcinoembryonic antigen level ≥5ng/ml (AHR: 2.4, CI: 1.2-5.8), living in rural areas (AHR = 2.2, CI:1.03-4.8) and mucinous carcinoma (AHR = 0.33, CI: 0.13-0.87) were independent predictors of colorectal cancer mortality. CONCLUSION: Overall survival of colorectal cancer patients in the study was low compared to similar studies in developing and developed worlds. A significantly low survival rate was observed for patients with advanced stage, elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and rural residents indicating the key role of early detection and timely initiation of treatment to improve survival and quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer.

Survival and predictors of mortality among acute leukemia patients on follow-up in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A 5-year retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although Ethiopia has more than 78% of leukemia cases and a significant burden of the disease, the survival of leukemia patients in the country is poorly recognized. The purpose of this study was to assess the survival and predictors of acute leukemia patients. METHODS: A 5-year retrospective cohort study was conducted including all acute Leukemia patients who visited Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. Data were retrieved from patient's medical records between March and April 2020. Using SPSS version 25, the Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression models were employed to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients with acute leukemia were retrospectively evaluated for 60 months, having 196 person-years of risk. About 46 deaths (38.7%) were recorded over the follow-up period, giving a mortality incidence rate of 23.5 (95% CL:18-52) per 100 person-years. The median survival time was 35 months (95% CI, 28.3-41.7). At 60 months of follow-up, the predicted overall survival rate after diagnosis for acute leukemia was 21%. The adjusted hazard ratio for acute leukemia subtypes (aHR:4.9, 95% CI:2.3-10.4), history of relapse (aHR:3.9, 95% CI:1.0-7.9), participant age (aHR:1.25, 95% CI:1-1.75), hepatomegaly (aHR:2.7, 95% CI:1.36-5.36), and splenomegaly (aHR:2.29, 95% CI:1.2-4.4). CONCLUSION: The 5-year overall survival rate was found to be 21%. The finding was remarkably lower than other published reports. Survival among acute leukemia patients was significantly associated with older age, history of relapse, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, as well as certain subtypes. Therefore, improving early detection and initiation of treatment for all acute leukemia patients is necessary in order to improve patient's survival status.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on prevention and control of pulmonary tuberculosis index cases family in Shebedino District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death, despite being a largely curable and preventable disease. The goals of TB control are to reduce infection transmission, morbidity, and mortality until TB cannot be a threat to public health any longer while preventing drug resistance. Assessing KAP on TB control and prevention among family members is more essential, and taking action based on the result can break the transmission of TB infection. Methods: From August to September 2022, a community-based cross-sectional study method was used. A total of 422 participants were selected from a list of sample frames who were family members of PTB patients who had used anti-TB medication in the previous 12 months prior to the study period using a systematic random sampling method. SPSS version 25 software was used to analyze the data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine variables related to KAP on TB prevention and control. A variable with p-values less than 0.25 was included in the multivariable logistic regression model to find independent determinant factors. In the multivariate logistic regression, variables with p-values ≤0.05 were identified as statistically significant. Result: A total of 414 family members responded to the survey questionnaire. The average knowledge score on TB was 17.11 ± 6.34. The majority (51.9%) of respondents had a good knowledge of TB cases. One-third of those polled had an unfavorable attitude towards PTB prevention, with a mean score of 3.16 ± 1.78 and 55.1% had good practice in preventing tuberculosis. Marital status (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.5-2.5) was an independent predictor of knowledge. Practice level is independently affected by occupation (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI = (1.7-8.7)) and health education on PTB (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = (1.6-3.9). Conclusion: Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices about tuberculosis were not satisfactory when compared to several national and international studies. It is necessary to strengthen the program for health education and awareness-building on PTB.

Exploring Challenges Related to Breast Cancer to Identify Opportunities for Advocacy in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based, Qualitative Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore breast cancer (BC) challenges to identify opportunities for advocacy in southern Ethiopia in 2022. METHODS: Twenty-five participants from four local districts (kebeles) in Hawassa City were selected as key contributors to future work. Semistructured in-depth interviews were held for two clinicians, two local health bureau managers, two media managers, and three religious leaders. Two focus group discussions were conducted: one included six BC survivors and a caregiver; the other included two health extension workers, three members of the Women's Development Group, two community volunteers, one kebele leader, and one traditional healer. RESULTS: To our knowledge, our study was the first time that most participants had assembled. Many referred to patients as victims and BC as a killer disease or curse. Community and religious leaders were concerned about challenges and willing to collaborate. Survivors, providers, and religious leaders were identified as key sources of information, positive messages, and leadership. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for advocacy work in Hawassa include lobbying for BC as a health priority; including BC within the health extension package; initiating programs for earlier detection; educating the community to remove stigmas of the disease and treatments; working with media to disseminate messages that are inclusive of people in remote areas and speaking different languages; improving availability, affordability, and access to care; and assisting patients with psychosocial support. A strategic collaboration between religious leaders and health care providers was identified to increase community awareness and support advocacy for patients.