A cross-sectional study on the prevalence and associated risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections among under-five aged children in Dabat primary hospital, north Gondar, Ethiopia.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are the main public health problems in several developing countries, and under-five-aged children are the most vulnerable groups of the population. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among under-five-aged children at Dabat primary hospital, northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional hospital-based study including 384 under-five-aged children was conducted from February to June 2022.

Pathogenic Bacteria and Their Antibiotic Resistance Patterns in Milk, Yoghurt and Milk Contact Surfaces in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia.

Background: Bacterial contamination of milk is a primary culprit for causing foodborne illnesses, presenting a significant health hazard for millions of individuals around the globe. The level and variety of microorganisms present in raw milk determine its degree of contamination and the potential health risks it poses.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to August.

Parasitic Contamination and Microbiological Quality of Commonly Consumed Fresh Vegetables Marketed in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia.

Parasitic and microbial contamination and the pattern of occurrence of the parasite species depends on weather conditions, socio-cultural conditions, sampling season, analyzed vegetable products, and other factors. Therefore, local assessment of vegetable contamination is crucial for targeted and effective interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2022.

Cervical Cancer Screening Service Utilization and Associated Factors Among Women Living With HIV Receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second highest cause of cancer-related mortality in the world, and it is one of the top 20 causes of mortality in Ethiopia. Even though cervical cancer is more common among women living with HIV, the utilization of cervical cancer screening services remains low in Ethiopia.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess cervical cancer screening service utilization and associated factors among women living with HIV receiving anti-retroviral therapy at Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia.

Acute and Subacute Toxicity Study of Essential Oil of Cymbopogon Martini in Mice.

Background: Local Ethiopians regularly use for cosmetic purposes. The plant's safety, however, is not supported by any solid facts. This investigation aimed to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicities of essential oil in mice.

Antidiabetic Activity of Mung Bean or Wilczek Seeds in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Introduction: Despite the development of oral hypoglycemic medications, diabetes and its associated complications continue to be significant clinical issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the antidiabetic effects of (L.) Wilczek seeds in mice that had been given alloxan to cause diabetes.

Foodborne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Ethiopia: An Urgent Call for Action on "One Health".

Foodborne pathogens are the most common cause of foodborne disease worldwide. They contaminate food at all stages of the food chain, at the agricultural production level (soil and irrigation), from animal sources or at the time of preparation by food handlers. Therefore, food security is a critical issue that affects everyone in the world.

Methanolic Extract of Leaf Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Mice.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading public health problems globally, and its prevalence is increasing in Ethiopia. The current drugs for people with diabetes are costly, less effective, and less safe with a challenging administration method. Thus, globally, the need for alternative herbal antidiabetic medicines is increasing.

Changes in attitudes and behaviors supportive of maternal and newborn health in Ethiopia: an evaluative case study.

Background: Ethiopia's high neonatal mortality rate led to the government's 2013 introduction of Community-Based Newborn Care (CBNC) to bring critical prevention and treatment interventions closer to communities in need. However, complex behaviors that are deeply embedded in social and cultural norms continue to prevent women and newborns from getting the care they need. A demand creation strategy was designed to create an enabling environment to support appropriate maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) behaviors and CBNC.

Determinants of Opportunistic Infections Among HIV-Positive Patients on HAART in Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, 2020: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Opportunistic infections are an illness that exists more frequently and is more severe in people with HIV. In HIV/AIDS patients, opportunistic infections still cause morbidity and mortality even after the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and most patients die as direct or indirect complications of opportunistic infections. This study was aimed to identify the determinants for the occurrence of opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients having HAART follow-up in DBRH, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.

Newborn Birth Weight and Associated Factors Among Mother-Neonate Pairs in Public Hospitals, North Wollo, Ethiopia.

Background: Birth weight or size at birth is an important indicator of the child's vulnerability to the risk of childhood illnesses and diseases. Low birth weight is closely associated with fetal and neonatal morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases in life. The study was aimed to assess the birth weight of neonates and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at a public hospital in North Wollo, 2020.

Prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are public health problems of global concern and are notably prevalent in developing countries. The prevalence of HAI and its associated factors are not well described in the context of Ethiopia. Currently, the nationwide prevalence of HAI and its corresponding associated factors have not been formally reported in Ethiopia.

Evaluation of Pulmonary Function Tests Among Pregnant Women of Different Trimesters in Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Shoa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Pregnancy is characterized by a sequence of dynamic physiological changes that impact multiple organ system functions and is associated with various changes in pulmonary anatomy and physiology. Precise knowledge of the pulmonary function test parameters helps to understand and manage the course and outcome of pregnancy leading to safe delivery. It also helps to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.

Are We Using the Right Approach to Change Newborn Care Practices in the Community? Qualitative Evidence From Ethiopia and Northern Nigeria.

Changing behaviors is usually a core component of the role of community health workers (CHWs), but little is known about the mechanisms through which they change behavior. We collected qualitative data from 8 sites in Ethiopia and northern Nigeria where CHWs were active to understand how they change newborn care behaviors. In each country, we conducted 12 narrative interviews and 12-13 in-depth interviews with recent mothers and 4 focus group discussions each with mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and CHWs.

People have started to deliver in the facility these days: a qualitative exploration of factors affecting facility delivery in Ethiopia.

Objectives: To understand the recent rise in facility deliveries in Ethiopia.

Design: A qualitative study.

Setting: Four rural communities in two regions of Ethiopia.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiology of Risky Sexual Behaviors in College and University Students in Ethiopia, 2018.

Background: Risk of sexual ill-health occurs with the onset of unsafe sexual activity, mostly among the adolescents, and continues as long as the risky activities are engaged in. Globally, and in Africa, adolescent AIDS-related mortality among adolescents has been increasing. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiology of risky sexual behaviors in college and university students in Ethiopia is mandatory.

Early postnatal home visits: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to achieving high coverage.

Background: Timely interventions in the postnatal period are important for reducing newborn mortality, and early home visits to provide postnatal care are recommended. There has been limited success in achieving timely visits, and a better understanding of the realities of programmes is needed if improvements are to be made.

Methods: We explored barriers and facilitators to timely postnatal visits through 20 qualitative interviews and 16 focus group discussions with families and Health Extension Workers in four Ethiopian sites.

Illness recognition and appropriate care seeking for newborn complications in rural Oromia and Amhara regional states of Ethiopia.

Background: Ethiopia has made significant progress in reducing child mortality but newborn mortality has stagnated at around 29 deaths per 1000 births. The Maternal Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP) was a 3.5-year implementation project aimed at developing a community-oriented model of maternal and newborn health in rural Ethiopia and to position it for scale up.

Appropriateness and timeliness of care-seeking for complications of pregnancy and childbirth in rural Ethiopia: a case study of the Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership.

Background: In 2014, USAID and University Research Co., LLC, initiated a new project under the broader Translating Research into Action portfolio of projects. This new project was entitled Systematic Documentation of Illness Recognition and Appropriate Care Seeking for Maternal and Newborn Complications.

Lipid Profile in Tuberculosis Patients with and without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Background: Understanding whether the preceding low lipid profile leads to active tuberculosis (TB) or active TB leads to low lipid profile is crucial.

Methods: Lipid profile concentrations were determined from 159 study participants composed of 93 active TB patients [44 HIV coinfected (HIV+TB+) and 49 HIV negative (HIV-TB+)], 41 tuberculin skin test (TST) positive cases [17 HIV coinfected (HIV+TST+) and 24 HIV negative (HIV-TST+)], and 25 healthy controls (HIV-TST-). Cobas Integra 400 Plus was used to determine lipid profiles concentration level.

Illness recognition and care seeking for maternal complications of pregnancy and birth in rural Amhara and Oromia Regional States of Ethiopia.

Background: Ethiopia has made steady progress in improving maternal health over the decade, yet mortality remains high. The Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP) was a 3.5-year project aimed at developing a community-oriented model to improve maternal and newborn survival in rural Ethiopia.

"Why not bathe the baby today?": A qualitative study of thermal care beliefs and practices in four African sites.

Background: Recommendations for care in the first week of a newborn's life include thermal care practices such as drying and wrapping, skin to skin contact, immediate breastfeeding and delayed bathing. This paper examines beliefs and practices related to neonatal thermal care in three African countries.

Methods: Data were collected in the same way in each site and included 16-20 narrative interviews with recent mothers, eight observations of neonatal bathing, and in-depth interviews with 12-16 mothers, 9-12 grandmothers, eight health workers and 0-12 birth attendants in each site.

Current Neonatal Skin Care Practices in Four African Sites.

Data for this study on skin care practices and emollient use in four African sites were collected using in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions and observations. Respondents were mothers, grandmothers, fathers, health workers, birth attendants and people selling skin-care products. Analysis included content and framework analyses.

Roles and responsibilities in newborn care in four African sites.

Objectives: To explore roles and responsibilities in newborn care in the intra- and postpartum period in Nigeria, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews with mothers, grandmothers, fathers, health workers and birth attendants and were analysed through content and framework analyses.

Results: We found that birth attendants were the main decision-makers and care takers in the intrapartum period.