Food taboos and their perceived reasons among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a systematic review, 2022.

BACKGROUND: There are foods considered as taboo across different communities in the world and in Ethiopia in particular. Although food taboos exist across all ages or physiologic states, they are predominant among pregnant women and children. Identifying such foods among pregnant women is crucial in providing focused interventions and prevents their negative consequences. Therefore, the aim of this review was to review the available evidence on food taboos and their perceived reasons among pregnant women in Ethiopia to provide comprehensive and precise evidence for decision making. METHODS: Electronic search of the literature was made from Pub-Med, Google Scholar, Google Scopus, and Medline databases using search terms set based on the PICO/PS (Population, Intervention/exposure, Comparison, and Outcome) and PS (Population and Situation) search table. The search was made from December 05, 2020 - December, 29, 2021, and updated on January, 2022. All quantitative and qualitative studies published in English were included in the review. The systematic review protocol was registered at INPLASY (Registration number: INPLASY202310078). The outcome of interest was food taboo for pregnant women and its perceived reasons. The results of the review was narrated. RESULTS: After identifying eighty two articles, thirteen were found eligible for the review. Vegetables, fruits, and fatty foods like meat, and dairy products were considered as taboo for pregnant women in different parts of Ethiopia. The reasons stated for the food taboo vary from fear of having a big baby, obstructed labour, and abortion to evil eye and physical and aesthetic deformities in the newborn. CONCLUSIONS: Though not uniform across the country, there are foods considered as taboo for pregnant women in Ethiopia due to several perceived reasons, misconceptions, and societal influences. This could increase the risk of malnutrition and could have short and long term consequences on both the mother and her growing foetus. Therefore, context specific nutritional counseling with emphasis during ante-natal care and post-natal service is important.

Association between waiting time for radiotherapy initiation and disease progression among women with cervical cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

There is shortage of radiotherapy machines in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Data on adverse effects of this on cancer outcomes are limited, however. Herein, we examined the extent of waiting time for radiotherapy and its association with disease progression based on a prospective cohort study of women diagnosed with stage IA-IVA cervical cancer in Addis Ababa and who were scheduled to receive radiotherapy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the only hospital that provides radiotherapy services in the country. Association was examined using Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression model. Among the 178 women with cervical cancer scheduled for receipt of radiotherapy and with vital status information, 16 deceased (9.0%) while waiting for radiotherapy. For the remaining 162 women who initiated radiotherapy, the median treatment waiting period was 137 days (IQR = 60-234 days), with 74.1% of women waiting for >60 days. Tumor progressed to higher stage for 44.4% of these women. Compared to those women who initiated radiotherapy ≤60 days after diagnostic confirmation, the odds of tumor progression to higher stage was three times higher in those women who initiated radiotherapy between 120-179 days (aOR =3.30, 95%CI: 1.18-9.27) and ≥180 days (aOR =3.06, 95%CI: 1.24-7.52). Waiting period for receipt of radiotherapy among women with cervical cancer is exceedingly long in Addis Ababa, and it is associated with disease progression to higher stages. These findings reinforce the need to expand radiotherapy infrastructure in order to mitigate the undue high burden of the disease in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa.

Factors associated with late-stage diagnosis of breast cancer among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: Stage at diagnosis is a key determinant of breast cancer prognosis. In this study, we characterize stage at diagnosis and determine factors associated with advanced stage at diagnosis among women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. METHODS: Stage information was collected from medical records of 441 women with invasive breast cancer seen in seven major health facilities in Addis Ababa, from January 2017 to June 2018; these seven facilities capture 90% of all incident breast cancer cases in the city. We used multivariable Poisson regression model with robust variance to determine factors associated with advanced stage at diagnosis. RESULTS: The predominant tumor histology was ductal carcinoma (83.7%). More than half of the tumors' grade was moderately or poorly differentiated. The median tumor size at presentation was 4 cm. Sixty-four percent of the patients were diagnosed at advanced stage of the disease (44% stage III and 20% stage IV), with 36% of the patients diagnosed at early-stage (5% stage I and 31% stage II). The prevalence of advanced stage disease was significantly higher among women who used traditional medicine before diagnostic confirmation (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.31; p = 0.001), had patient delay of >  3 months (aPR = 1.16; p = 0.042) and diagnosis delay of > 2 months (aPR = 1.24; p = 0.004). But it was lower among women who had history of breast self-examination (aPR = 0.77; p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced stage at diagnosis of breast cancer among women in Addis Ababa is strongly associated with use of traditional medicine and with prolonged time interval between symptom recognition and disease confirmation. Community- and health systems-level interventions are needed to enhance knowledge about breast cancer and facilitate timely diagnoses.

Delayed initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy among women with breast cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy within 90 days following surgery for non-metastatic breast cancer is the standard of care. There are no data, however, on the extent of time to initiation of chemotherapy (TTC) in Africa settings, including Ethiopia. METHODS: A total of 223 women with stage I-III breast cancer treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy during 2017-2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were included in the analysis. Based on information from medical records, we calculated TTC from date of surgery and completion of planned chemotherapy, with TTC > 90 days considered delayed and receipt of 85% of planned therapy as complete. Multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance was used to assess whether TTC > 90 days was associated with sociodemographic or clinical factors. RESULTS: The median TTC was 63 days. Chemotherapy initiation was delayed in 30% (95% CI 24.4-36.6%) of patients, with the risk significantly higher in low-income women. For example, the risk of delay in women with lowest quartile family monthly income group (US$ < 61) was 3.98 (95% CI 1.67-9.46) higher than in those women with highest quartile family income group (US$ > 194). Remarkably, adjuvant chemotherapy was completed in 95% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: A staggering one-in-three women with breast cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, delay to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy, with the delay more common in low-income women and yet with remarkably high degree of treatment adherence. These findings underscore the need for public policy to expand health care to low-income population to improve breast cancer care and other health outcomes in the country.

Quality of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) services from patients' perspective in Adigrat town, Eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. 2017: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Most of the maternal and newborn deaths occur at birth or within 24 h of birth. Provision of quality Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC) is very crucial and the current recommended intervention to prevent maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers receiving at least one of the signal functions of BEmONC services. A total of 398 women were included in the study. The study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data was collected using structured interviewer-administered Tigrigna version questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to control the effect of confounders. RESULTS: The perceived quality of BEmONC was 66.7%, which is poor. Clients scored lower quality rates on aspects such as the availability of necessary equipment, lack of clean and functional shower and toilet and administration of anti-pain during delivery and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). Quality of BEmONC was lower among rural residents (AOR = 0.273, 95% CI: (0.151-0.830). Whereas, Presence of companion (AOR = 2.259; 95% CI: (3.563-13.452) were found with a higher score of quality of BEmONC compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: The overall perception of quality of BEmONC services received was poor. Residence, ANC follow-up, and presence of companion during labor or delivery were found to have a significant association with the perceived quality of BEmONC services.

Application of the rapid ethical assessment approach to enhance the ethical conduct of longitudinal population based female cancer research in an urban setting in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Rapid Ethical Assessment (REA) is an approach used to design context tailored consent process for voluntary participation of participants in research including human subjects. There is, however, limited evidence on the design of ethical assessment in studies targeting cancer patients in Ethiopia. REA was conducted to explore factors that influence the informed consent process among female cancer patients recruited for longitudinal research from Addis Ababa Population-based Cancer Registry. METHODS: Qualitative study employing rapid ethnographic approach was conducted from May-July, 2017, at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Referral Hospital. In-depth and key informants' interviews were conducted among purposively selected 16 participants. Regular de-briefings among the study team helped to identify emerging themes and ensure saturation. Interviews and debriefings were tape recorded in Amharic, and transcribed and translated to English. Coding of the transcripts was facilitated by use of NVivo software. Thematic analysis was employed to respond to the initial questions and interpret findings. RESULTS: Perceived barriers to voluntary study participation included lack of reporting back study results of previous studies, the decision making status of women, hopelessness or fatigue in the patients, shyness of the women, data collectors approach to the patient, and patient's time constraints. Most of the patients preferred oral over written consent and face-to-face interview over telephone interview. Provision of detail information about the study, using short and understandable tool, competent, compassionate and respectful enumerators of the same gender were suggested to assure participation. Due to the perceived severity, the use of the term "cancer" was associated with fear and anxiety. Alternatively, uses of phrases like "breast or cervical illness/disease" were suggested during patient interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary participation is not straight forward but affected by different factors. Using competent, compassionate and respectful enumerators, short and precise questioning tools to limit the time of the interview could improve voluntary participation. Moreover, careful consideration of the patients and families concept of the disease such as wording and information has to be taken into account. This assessment helped in improving the consent process of the ongoing project on breast and cervical cancer patients.

Contraceptive use among lactating women in Ganta-Afeshum District, Eastern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2015: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Women who are not exclusively breastfeeding are at risk of pregnancy after four to six weeks of childbirth. Postpartum contraceptive use is crucial to prevent unintended pregnancy, and to have spaced births. The study was conducted to determine the magnitude of modern contraceptive utilization and factors associated with it among lactating women in Ganta-Afeshum district. METHODS: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among lactating women with children in the age group of six to twelve months. A total of 605 women were included in the study. The study participants were selected using cluster sampling method. Data were collected using structured interviewer administered Tigrigna version questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Multivariable logistic regression was used to control the effect of confounders. RESULTS: The magnitude of institutional delivery was 96.5%. The mode of delivery of the participants was spontaneous, instrumental and caesarean section, 95.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5%, respectively. The magnitude of modern contraceptive (MC) utilization was 68.1% (95% CI: 64.4-71.8). The contraceptive method mix was dominated by Depo-Provera (58.8%) followed by implants (31.8%). Almost all the study participants had at least one antenatal care (ANC) visit (99.7%) during the pregnancy of their index child. Participants who had radio and those who delivered their recent child by assisted delivery had higher odds of modern contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of contraceptive utilization among lactating mothers in the study area was higher than the national survey reports. However, significant numbers of women are not using contraceptives in their postpartum period, making them at risk of pregnancy. Mode of delivery of the women and having radio at home were significantly associated with the women's contraceptive utilization. Family planning information dissemination using radio in rural settings should be encouraged to increase the uptake of contraceptives in the lactating women.

Intention to use long acting and permanent contraceptive methods and factors affecting it among married women in Adigrat town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increase in contraceptive use worldwide over the last decade, there is still discrepancy in the need to limit birth and utilization of modern contraceptives specifically long acting and permanent contraceptive methods in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Intention to use long acting and permanent methods of contraception is an important indicator of the potential demand for family planning services. OBJECTIVE: To assess intention to use long acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs) and identifying associated factors among currently married women in Adigrat town. METHODS: A community based cross sectional study design complemented with a qualitative method was conducted in three selected Kebeles of Adigrat town. A total of 594 study subjects were interviewed. Systematic random sampling method was used to select study subjects. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Open code software version 3.6.2.0 was used to facilitate coding of the qualitative data. Factors associated with intention were identified using logistic regression model and content analysis was done on the qualitative data. RESULTS: Intention to use LAPMs was 48.4%. Intention to use LAPMs was higher among women who knew at least one of LAPMs (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.58, 14.01) and women who do not want to have birth within the next 2 years (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.22, 3.13). Intention to use LAMPs was less among women who perceive poor support from their husbands (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.45) and those who perceive LAPMs are harmful for the womb (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.41). Similarly, participants in the focus group discussion have expressed their concern on the return of fertility after using implants or IUCD as well as insertion and removal procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of intention to use LAPMs in the study area was low. The main limiting factors were fear of side effect, infertility after LAPMs use, knowledge on LAPMs and perception on partner's support of LAPMs use. To further promote the use of LAPMs addressing associated misconceptions through effective communication strategies and involving spouses in family planning programs is essential.

Association of Delay in Breast Cancer Diagnosis With Survival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: There are limited data on the association between delay in breast cancer diagnosis after breast symptom recognition and survival, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The recently launched Global Breast Cancer Initiative by WHO includes measuring delay as the core indicator for quality of breast cancer care. Herein, we examined the association between delay in breast cancer diagnosis with overall survival among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 439 women diagnosed with breast cancer from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, in Addis Ababa were followed for survival to the end of 2019. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The association between delay in diagnosis (>3 months after symptom recognition) and overall survival was computed using the multivariable Cox regression model after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Nearly 70% (303/439) of women with breast cancer were delayed in diagnosis of their cancer. During a median follow-up period of 25.1 months, 2-year overall survival rate was 73.5% (95% CI, 68.0 to 78.2) in women with diagnosis delay compared with 79.1% (95% CI, 71.2 to 85.1) in those women without diagnosis delay. In the multivariable Cox regression model, the risk of death was 73% higher (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.74) in women with diagnosis delay compared with those without diagnosis delay. CONCLUSION: Delay in diagnostic confirmation of breast cancer after recognition of breast symptoms was negatively associated with overall survival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscoring the need to increase awareness about the importance of prompt presentation for clinical evaluation and referral for diagnostic confirmation to mitigate the undue high burden of the disease.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Human Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Tropical diseases are public health problems affecting hundreds of millions of people globally. However, the development of adequate, affordable, and accessible treatments is mostly neglected, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality that could otherwise be averted. Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Leishmania parasite and transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandflies. No systematic review and meta-analysis has been done to identify the prevalence and risk factors of leishmaniasis to the authors' knowledge. Therefore, the objective was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of human leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. METHODS: Eleven studies conducted in all regions of Ethiopia, which were fully accessible, written in any language, and original articles done on prevalence and risk factors of leishmaniasis, were included. STATA™ version 11.1 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square, I2, and p values were assessed to check heterogeneity. A random effects model with heterogeneity taken from an inverse-variance model was employed to estimate the pooled effect. Subgroup meta-analysis was computed to reduce random variations among each article's point prevalence, and Egger and funnel plots were used to check for publication bias. RESULTS: The highest proportion of human leishmaniasis was reported from a study done in Amhara region (39.1%), and the lowest was reported from a survey done in Tigray (2.3%). The overall pooled prevalence of leishmaniasis was 9.13% (95% CI 5-13.27). Subgroup analysis by region revealed moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 51.8%) in studies conducted in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). The presence of hyraxes and being male were associated with an increased risk of human leishmaniasis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia remains high (9.13%), with significant risk factors being male and the presence of hyraxes within a 300-m radius of the sleeping area.

Factors associated with advanced stage at diagnosis of cervical cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the patterns and factors associated with advanced stage at diagnosis of cervical cancer among Addis Ababa residents, Ethiopia. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: Seven major hospitals or diagnostic facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: All histopathology-confirmed patients with incident cervical cancer diagnosed from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2018 among Addis Ababa residents. OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of patients with cervical cancer diagnosed at early stage (stage I/II) and advanced stage (stage III/IV) of the disease according to International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics staging criteria, and adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) for factors associated with advanced-stage diagnosis using a Poisson regression with robust variance model. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 52.9 (±13.3) years. Nearly two-thirds (60.4%, 95% CI: 53.8% to 66.5%) of patients with cervical cancer were diagnosed at an advanced stage. Advanced stage at diagnosis was significantly associated with paying medical bill out of pocket (APR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.91), diagnostic interval >90 days (APR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.71), practicing religion as a remedy or not taking immediate action following symptom recognition (APR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.91) and visiting more than three different health facilities prior to diagnostic confirmation (APR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.51). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of the high proportion of advanced-stage diagnosis of cervical cancer in Addis Ababa and its strong associations with out-of-pocket medical bill, seeking care out of conventional medicine settings and multiple visits to healthcare facilities before diagnostic confirmations underscore the need for public policies to improve the affordability of cancer care and enhance community awareness about the severity of the disease and referral system, in addition to expanding cervical cancer screening.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards COVID-19 Pandemic Among Quarantined Adults in Tigrai Region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: With the onset of any novel condition, it is the "first" case identified that brings attention and sets into motion the machinery to respond - so it began with a first novel pneumonia case of unknown origin in Wuhan, China. Currently, the World Health Organization has declared SARS-CoV-2 (more commonly known as COVID-19) a public health emergency of international concern. It is projected that the path of COVID-19 could kill 50-80 million people and impacts the world's economy in its devastating global sweep. The surge is increasing on global and national levels, causing rapid loss of life, joblessness, deterioration of the healthcare systems, and both national and global economies. In Ethiopia, the first COVID-19 case was reported in March. Since then, the government has been taking different measures to prevent its spread. Locking down all schools, declared social distancing and hand hygiene, and restricting large gatherings were some of the Ethiopian government's actions. OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 pandemic among quarantined adults in Tigrai region, Ethiopia. METHODS: A total of 331 participants selected using a systematic random sampling method were included in the study. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire. After describing the variables using frequencies, means, and standard deviations, multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with knowledge and chi-squared tests for attitudes and practices towards COVID-19. RESULTS: The study participants were primarily males (70%) and mean age 30.5 (SD=11) years. The mean knowledge score was 8.73 (SD=2.64), with less than half 42.9% (95% CI: 37.5-48%) of the study participants were knowledgeable. Regarding the attitude questions, three-fourths of the participants believed that Ethiopia will control and win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one-third of the participants replied that the Ethiopian government is handling this pandemic health crisis well. About half of the study participants reported that they had gone to crowded places in recent days, did not wear face mask when leaving home, and practiced preventive measures given by local health authorities. Knowledge score was statistically significantly associated with gender, age, and educational status of the study participants, whereas attitude and practices were significantly associated with educational status and knowledge of participants.

Determinants of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Among Adult Patients with Diabetes Attending the Diabetic Clinic in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer is among the commonest complications of diabetic mellitus attributed to a number of morbidity and mortality cases in diabetic patients. Nowadays, the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer is increasing due to the increased prevalence of diabetes. However, the risk factors of the problem are less studied in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the determinants of diabetic foot ulcer among adult patients with diabetes attending a diabetic clinic in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 161 patients with diabetes (53 patients with diabetes with foot ulcer and 108 patients with diabetes without foot ulcer). Cases were selected from patients with diabetes with foot ulcer by consecutive sampling technique and controls from patients with diabetes without diabetic foot ulcer by systematic random sampling technique. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. All variables with a P-value<0.25 were included in the multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was declared at P-value<0.05 with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In this study, 28 (52.8%) cases and 55 (50.9%) controls were male. Taking insulin alone (AOR=2.75, 95% CI=1.04-7.23), having peripheral neuropathy (AOR=7.56, 95% CI=2.82-20.24), not inspecting feet daily (AOR=5.61, 95% CI=2.24-14.05), and using moisturizing cream between toes (AOR=3.35, 95% CI=1.35-8.32) were positively associated with diabetic foot ulcer, whereas employed (AOR=0.35, 95% CI=0.14-0.87) and combined treatment (insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents) (AOR=0.11, 95% CI=0.02-0.57) were negatively associated with diabetic foot ulcer. CONCLUSION: Diabetic foot ulcer was significantly associated with occupation, kind of treatment of diabetes mellitus taking, peripheral neuropathy, inspecting feet daily, and putting moisturizing cream between toes. It will be helpful if diabetic patients inspect their feet on a daily basis and do not put moisturizing cream between their toes.

Prevalence and associated factors of adolescent undernutrition in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, there are different pocket studies that assessed adolescent undernutrition which came up with inconsistent and inconclusive findings. Therefore, estimating the pooled prevalence and associated factors of the adolescent undernutrition using meta-analysis is crucial in Ethiopia. METHODS: A systematic review of eligible articles was conducted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive searching of the literature was made in Pub Med, Scopus, Google, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and CINAHL. The quality of the articles included in the review was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for non-randomized studies in meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence and odds ratio of the associated factors with their 95% confidence interval was computed using STATA version 14 software. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 17,854 adolescents. Using the random-effects model analysis, the pooled prevalence of stunting and underweight was 20.7% (95% CI: 16.08, 25.33) and 27.5% (95% CI: 17.9, 57.14), respectively. Rural residence, having family size≥5, households with an unprotected water source for drinking and food-insecure household were significant associated factors for adolescent stunting. Early adolescent age (10-14 years), family size≥5, food-insecure household, lack of latrine, WHO diet diversity score < 4, mother educational status (with no formal education) were significant associated factors for adolescent underweight. CONCLUSION: Adolescent undernutrition remains one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia. Almost a quarter of Ethiopian adolescents were affected by stunting and underweight. Large family size, rural residence and unprotected source of drinking water were the associated factors for adolescent stunting. Similarly, large family size, early age of adolescent, lack of latrine, low dietary diversity score, mother illiteracy, and food insecure household were the associated factors for adolescent underweight. It would be good to give high emphasis on adolescent undernutrition and it is important to address the above mentioned associated factors during adolescent nutritional interventions in Ethiopia.

Assessment of the Appropriateness of Ceftazidime Use in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital, Northern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ceftazidime is nowadays one of the most commonly used antibiotics due to its high antibacterial potency, wide spectrum of activity, and low potential for toxicity. However, the global trend shows huge misuse of ceftazidime. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the appropriateness of ceftazidime use and to identify areas of intervention to prevent inappropriate use in different wards of Ayder Compressive Specialized Hospital, a tertiary teaching Hospital, Mekelle-Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based prospective cross-sectional study design was steered on 327 patients who received ceftazidime during their hospitalization in the selected wards from February 1 to April 30, 2019. RESULTS: In the assessment of the appropriateness of ceftazidime use, 2,084 (70.8%) were appropriate. Appropriateness of indication was 295 (90.2%), the effectiveness of ceftazidime use was 221 (67.6%), correct dose of ceftazidime use was 264 (80.4%), and the correct frequency of ceftazidime use was 230 (70.3%). Its use was empiric in 275 participants (84.1%) and specific in 52 (15.9%) participants. The most common indication for ceftazidime use was uncomplicated pneumonia, at 112 (34.3%). One hundred and seventy-one (52.3%) participants had intervention to prevent inappropriate use of ceftazidime. Changing the drug combination (96, 29.4%), increasing the dose (13, 4%), decreasing the dose (21, 6.4%), holding the (21, 6.4%), and discontinuation of ceftazidime (20, 6.1%) were among the interventions. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that more than one-fourth of the ceftazidime use was inappropriate. This may lead to the emergence of resistant pathogens which in turn lead to treatment failure and increased the cost of therapy. Therefore, adherence to current evidence-based guidelines and initiating antimicrobial stewardship are recommended.

Perspectives of patients, family members, and health care providers on late diagnosis of breast cancer in Ethiopia: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Most women with breast cancer in Ethiopia are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease, but the reasons for this have not been systematically investigated. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the main reasons for diagnosis of advanced stage breast cancer from the perspective of patients, family members, and health care providers. METHODS: A qualitative study with in-depth interviews was conducted with 23 selected participants at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Oncology Clinic using a semi-structured interview guide. These participants were 13 breast cancer patients, 5 family members, and 5 health care providers. Data were transcribed into English, coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Awareness about the causes, risk, initial symptoms, early detection methods, and treatment of breast cancer were uncommon, and misconceptions about the disease prevailed among breast cancer patients and family members. There was a sense of hopelessness and uncertainty about the effectiveness of conventional medicine amongst patients and family members. Consequently, performing spiritual acts (using holy water) or seeking care from traditional healers recurred amongst the interviewees. Not taking initial symptoms of breast cancer seriously by the patients, reliance on traditional medicines, competing priorities, financial hardship, older age, fear of diagnosis of cancer, and weak health systems (e.g., delay in referral and long waiting period for consultation) were noted as the main contributors to late diagnosis. In contrast, persuasion by family members and friends, higher educational attainment, and prior experience of neighboring women with breast cancer were mentioned to be facilitators of early diagnosis of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The causes of late diagnosis of breast cancer in Ethiopia are multi-factorial and include individual, cultural, and health system factors. Interventions targeting these factors could alleviate the misconceptions and knowledge gap about breast cancer in the community, and shorten waiting time between symptom recognition and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast and cervical cancer patients' experience in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia: a follow-up study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is an emerging public health problem in Ethiopia, with breast and cervical cancers accounting for over half of all newly diagnosed cancers in women. The majority of women with breast and cervical cancer are diagnosed at late stage of the disease and most patients do not receive care consistent with global standards. However, little is known about the health-seeking behaviours, barriers to early detection and treatment, patient-reported outcomes, financial burden and survival of women with breast and cervical cancer in the country. Therefore, this study aims to document the experience of women with breast and cervical cancer from recognition of symptoms to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship/mortality in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A prospective follow-up study using mixed methods (both quantitative and qualitative) will be employed. All women newly diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer from 1 January, 2017 to 30 June 2018 in Addis Ababa will be included in the study. Interviewer-administered questionnaires will be used to collect information about medical consultations after recognition of symptoms, health-seeking behaviours, treatment received, barriers to early detection and treatment, and survivorship care. In-depth interview will be conducted on purposefully selected women with breast and cervical cancer. The primary outcomes of the study are time intervals (patient and diagnostic waiting times), stage at diagnosis and survival. Multivariable analysis will be employed to determine the contributions of independent variables on the outcomes of interest. HRs with 95% CIs will be calculated for time-to-event outcomes. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol is ethically approved by Institutional Review Board of Addis Ababa University. Verbal informed consent will be obtained from study participants. Results will be disseminated in international peer-reviewed journals and presented in relevant conferences.

Predictors of poor glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes on follow-up care at a tertiary healthcare setting in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Contemporary clinical guidelines endorsed that glycemic control is the ultimate goal in the management patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of glycemic control and to identify predictors of poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A cross-sectional study was conducted among systematically selected 357 diabetic patients. Data were collected through direct patients' interviews and medical chart review. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was (± SD) 56.1 ± 11.6 years. Nearly four in five (77.9%) of the participants had comorbidities, mainly of hypertension, and 60.2% had diabetic complications, mainly diabetes neuropathy. Poor glycemic control was found in 68.3% of the participants with a mean (± SD) FBG of 174.1 ± 48.9 mg/dL. Being female gender, having greater body mass index and low medication adherence was significantly associated with poor glycemic control. In conclusion, the overall aspects of glycemic control level of patients were far from the standards. Being female, greater body mass index and poor medication adherence were predictors of poor glycemic control. In response to this finding, an aggressive intervention that targets in improving the glycemic control is required.

Time intervals experienced between first symptom recognition and pathologic diagnosis of breast cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of patient and diagnostic delays and associated factors among women with breast cancer in Addis Ababa. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: All women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in seven major healthcare facilities in Addis Ababa (n=441) were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Patient interval (time from recognition of first symptom to medical consultation) and diagnostic interval (time from first consultation to diagnosis). Patient intervals >90 days and diagnostic intervals >30 days were considered delays, and associated factors were determined using multivariable Poisson regressions with robust variance. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent (95% CI [31.1%, 40.3%]) of the patients had patient intervals of >90 days, and 69% (95% CI [64.6%, 73.3%]) of the patients had diagnostic intervals of >30 days. Diagnostic interval exceeded 1 year for 18% of patients. Ninety-five percent of the patients detected the first symptoms of breast cancer by themselves, with breast lump (78.0%) as the most common first symptom. Only 8.0% were concerned about cancer initially, with most attributing their symptoms to other factors. In the multivariable analysis, using traditional medicine before consultation was significantly associated with increased prevalence of patient delay (adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.13, 95% CI [1.68, 2.71]). First consultation at health centres (adjusted PR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.02, 1.39]) and visiting ≥4 facilities (adjusted PR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.10, 1.40]) were associated with higher prevalence of diagnostic delay. However, progression of symptoms before consultation (adjusted PR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.60, 0.90]) was associated with decreased prevalence of diagnostic delay. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breast cancer in Addis Ababa have prolonged patient and diagnostic intervals. These underscore the need for public health programme to increase knowledge about breast cancer symptoms and the importance of early presentation and early diagnosis among the general public and healthcare providers.

Factors associated with cervical precancerous lesions among women screened for cervical cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A case control study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in the developing countries including Ethiopia. Precancerous lesions can be developed and risk to the development of cervical cancer over time. Early identification of the precancerous lesion and its risk factor is paramount in preventing cervical cancer. However, the determinants of cervical precancerous lesions are not well documented in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is conducted to determine factors associated with cervical precancerous lesion among women screened for cervical cancer. METHODS: A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa from March to April 2016. Data were collected from 114 cases and 229 controls using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, entered to Epi Info version 7, and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Odds ratios with its 95% confidence intervals and two-tailed P-value were calculated. Variables with P-value ≤ 0.2 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Women aged 40-49 years had 2.4-fold higher odds of precancerous lesions compared to those aged 30-39 (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.4, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.27-4.54). Women having history of sexually transmitted infections were significantly associated with cervical precancerous lesion compared to their counterparts (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 3.20, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.26-8.10). Similarly, those women who had two or more lifetime sexual partners (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.17 95% Confidence Interval: 1.01-4.67), and women whose husbands had two or more lifetime sexual partners (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 3.03, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.25, 7.33) had higher odds of cervical precancerous lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, history of multiple sexual partners and sexual transmitted infections were associated with increased risk of precancerous lesion. Therefore, women with higher risk of precancerous lesions should be encouraged to be screened more frequently for cervical cancer.