Foot care practice and associated factors among patients with lymphoedema in Boreda district, Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia, 2020. Implications for elimination of podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic filariasis is ranked as the second leading cause of disability world-wide. The current global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis is based on the interruption of transmission and the alleviation of disability and suffering. OBJECTIVE: to assess foot care practice and associated factors among lymphoedema patients in Boreda district, Gamo zone Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: a community based cross sectional study was employed from December 2020 to June 2021 in Boreda district. Simple random sampling technique was used for selecting participants. Pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire was prepared in English and translated to local language. FINDINGS: a total of 280 lymphedema patients were involved in this study. More than half 153 (54.6%) had poor practice towards foot care practice with 95% CI (48.7, 60.4%). Patients who fetched 50 l of water or below and wore shoes at the age above 20 years were negatively associated with foot care practice, (AOR = 0.383, 95%CI: 0.155, 0.945) and (AOR = 0.261, 95%CI: 0.107, 0.63), respectively. Patients who owned only one pair and two pairs were negatively associated with foot care practice (AOR = 0.04, 95%CI: 0.009, 0.182) and (AOR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.087, 0.85), respectively. On the other hand, attending LMMDP service and frequency of adenolymphangitis once and twice or more per month were positively associated with foot care practice (AOR = 3.339, 95%CI: 1.53, 7.285) and (AOR = 8.15, 95% CI: 3.157, 21.058) and (AOR = 9.35, 95% CI: 3.118, 28.059), respectively. CONCLUSION: this study indicated foot care practice among lymphedema patients in Boreda district was poor. Number of litre of water collected per day, age at which footwear first worn, number of shoes owned, attending LMMDP and frequency of adenolymphangitis were significantly associated with foot care practice. Standard foot care practice should be emphasized to control progression of lymphedema. Foot care practices like skin care, exercise and elevation, washing legs, bandaging and massaging are important factors that influence in reduction of lymphedema volume and acute attacks among people who are suffering from the diseases.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus, its risk factors and co-infection with human immune deficiency virus among clients of voluntary counseling and testing center in Hosanna, Southern Ethiopia

Hepatitis B infection (HBV) infection is a serious public health problem worldwide and its co-infection with human immune deficiency virus (HIV) is common due to shared routes of transmission. An increased mortality due to accelerated hepatic disease progression and the frequent hepatotoxicity caused by antiretroviral therapy are the challenges in the clinical management of HIV. Epidemiological studies on HBV and HBV/HIV co infection are scarce in Ethiopia, particularly at the study area. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of HBV, its risk factors and co-infection with HIV among clients of a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center in Southern Ethiopia. A facility based crosssectional study was conducted from 1st February 2016 to 15th March among clients of Nigist Eleni Memorial Hospital VCT Center. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and specific formula sheet as well recorded results of laboratory diagnosis of blood sample from each participant. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was done to identify predictors of HBV. Overall, 331 participants were included in the study. The prevalence of HBV was 8.8%, HBV/HIV co-infection was found in 3.6%. Individuals with a history of multiple sexual partner [AOR = 10.3; 95% CI, 3.71 - 28.83], previous history of invasive procedure [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 10.88; 95% CI, 3.84 - 30.86] and history of surgical procedure [AOR = 9.2; 95% CI, 3.1 - 27.88] were identified as in dependent predictors of HBV infection. High HBV infection and HBV/HIV coinfection was found in the study.Previous history of surgical procedure, invasive procedure and multiple sexual partners were identified as independent predictor of HBV infection