Assessment of patients' perception and satisfaction with extemporaneous compounding service in ALERT hospital, Ethiopia.

Background: Extemporaneous compounding for dermatological use is an important therapeutic alternative for patients whose clinical needs are not met by approved drug products circulated in the market. Evaluating patients' perceptions and levels of satisfaction towards such services is an important factor for the adherence of patients and maintaining the quality of healthcare services. The current study aimed to assess patients' perception and level of satisfaction with the compounding service and extemporaneous preparations rendered at ALERT hospital.

Health-related quality of life and complications of corticosteroid treatment in patients with immune thrombocytopenia in two teaching hospitals in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a major clinical challenge and has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and prolonged use of corticosteroids may have a negative impact on HRQoL.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of ITP on HRQoL and complications of corticosteroid treatment in patients with ITP in two teaching hospitals in Ethiopia.

Methods: The institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 15, 2022, to March 15, 2023, to recruit 214 study participants during the study period (4 months).

Treatment outcomes and adherence to treatment in patients with immune thrombocytopenia in two Ethiopian teaching hospitals: a retrospective cohort study.

The treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is challenging and treatment outcomes depend on numerous unknown and patient-specific factors. Corticosteroids are the cornerstone of ITP treatment, but they are associated with many side effects. In this retrospective cohort study, treatment outcomes and treatment adherence in patients with ITP were investigated in 214 ITP patients from November 15, 2022 to March 15, 2023.

Chemotherapy safe handling practices in Ethiopia: A comprehensive multi-center evaluation.

Introduction: The increasing incidence of cancer and capacity for cancer care in Ethiopia has led to an upsurge in chemotherapy use in the country; however, studies indicate that there is a gap in the safe handling of chemotherapy by healthcare workers. There exists a need to understand if such unsafe practices occur in Ethiopia and, if so, which areas along the chemotherapy life cycle need the most improvement.

Methods: This study utilized a multi-method design through an online survey administered to health care professionals and evaluative site visits of eight cancer units in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to understand the current conditions of chemotherapy handling.

Impact of pharmacist-led interventions on medication-related problems among patients treated for cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Background: Medication-related problems (MRPs) continue to impose a voluminous health impact, particularly among patients on anti-cancer therapy, due to the nature and complexity of the care. Pharmacists have a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, effective, and rational use of medicines in this group of patients.

Objectives: To examine the impact of pharmacist-led interventions in resolving MRPs among patients treated for cancer.

Infection prevention and control practices in the Pediatrics and Child Health Department of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a set of practices that are designed to minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) spreading among patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Implementation of IPC is essential for reducing infection incidences, preventing antibiotic use, and minimizing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of the study was to assess IPC practices and associated factors in Pediatrics and Child Health at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Reliability and validity of the Amharic version of immune thrombocytopenia life quality index tool for assessment of the health-related quality of life in Ethiopian patients of immune thrombocytopenia: Cross-sectional study.

Background: Platelet count and bleeding risk are frequently used in clinical assessments of the severity of immune thrombocytopenia. On the other hand, immune thrombocytopenia also influences patients' health-related quality of life. The immune thrombocytopenia life quality index is a new tool for evaluating health-related quality of life in immune thrombocytopenia patients.

Assessment of adequacy and appropriateness of pain management practice among trauma patients at the Ethiopian Aabet Hospital: A prospective observational study.

Introduction: Pain is unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences associated with actual and/or potential tissue damage. It is the most common and prevalent reason for emergency departments (ED) visits with prevalence over 70% in the world.

Aim Of The Study: The study aimed to assess the adequacy and appropriateness of pain management at Aabet Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Challenges of Access to Oral Morphine Medicine: Palliative Care at a Crossroads for Cancer Patients in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia registers 77,352 new cases of cancer and 51,865 deaths every year, and the number is showing an increasing trend year to year. Despite the importance of providing palliative care, the country has a long way to go to match the needs of and provide relief for patients with cancer. The promotion and expansion of palliative care services is challenged by a number of problems, among which lack of access to pain-relieving medicine is one of, if not the main, problems raised by health professionals and by various parties involved in health care.

Impact of Delay Prior to Treatment in Ethiopian Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Introduction: More than 85% of childhood malignancies occur in developing countries with less than a 30% cure rate as opposed to more than 80% cure rate in developed countries. This disproportionately significant difference might be due to delays in diagnosis, treatment initiation, lack of adequate supportive care, and treatment abandonment. We aimed to determine the impact of overall treatment delay on induction mortality of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital (TASH).

Insulin injection practice and health related quality of life among individuals with diabetes at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Insulin therapy can be inconvenient, painful, burdensome, and restrict patients' daily activities and health related quality of life (HRQOL) due to improper injection techniques or the nature of administration.

Objective: This study aimed to assess insulin injection practice, HRQOL and predictors among patients treated with insulin at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH).

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetes patients on insulin therapy from May to June 2022.

A three years antimicrobials consumption in Ethiopia from 2017 to 2019: A cross- sectional study.

Background: The widespread use and misuse of antimicrobials are the major driving factor for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that threatens the health of human beings globally. Thus, monitoring antimicrobial consumption at national level is crucial to prevent and contain AMR. Nevertheless, there is no well-established system for recording and reporting of antimicrobial consumption in Ethiopia.

Health professionals' perceptions on local production and bioequivalence study of generic medicines: A cross-sectional survey of physicians and pharmacy professionals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Local production of generic medicines in developing countries has a critical role to meet public health needs by ensuring the availability of essential medicines and providing patients' relief from the burden of unaffordable medical bills. Compliance with bioequivalence (BE) requirements increase the quality and competitiveness of generic drugs regardless of the source. In this regard, a regional BE center has been established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to serve the needs of Ethiopia and neighbouring countries.

Cost-effectiveness of pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim for prevention of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with lymphoma: a systematic review.

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with lymphoma receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim is more effective than filgrastim as prophylaxis for FN. However, its usage has been limited because of its higher cost.

Length of Hospital Stay and Its Predictors Among Neonatal Sepsis Patients: A Retrospective Follow-Up Study.

Introduction: Sepsis is common among neonates, and is often fatal. Hospitalization results in severe nosocomial infections which could be resistant to antibiotics. It also incurs higher fees for medical care.

Cost-utility analysis of caspofungin and fluconazole for primary treatment of invasive candidiasis and candidemia in Ethiopia.

Background: Invasive candidiasis and/or candidemia (IC/C) is a common fungal infection leading to significant health and economic losses worldwide. Caspofungin was shown to be more effective than fluconazole in treating inpatients with IC/C. However, cost-effectiveness of caspofungin for treating IC/C in Ethiopia remains unknown.

Chemotherapy supply chain management, safe-handling and disposal in Ethiopia: the case of Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital.

Optimal chemotherapy management is substandard in low and middle-income countries. We aimed to identify major gaps to design interventional strategies for improved chemotherapy management at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Ethiopia. This study was conducted using an observational checklist, open-ended questions, record review, and key informant interviews of department heads and focal persons at TASH.

Processes and perceptions of chemotherapy supply chain in Ethiopia: A mixed-method study.

Background: The impact and downstream effects of the chemotherapy supply chain in Ethiopia are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify perceived gaps in supply chain and characterize their impact on patient care.

Methods: A concurrent mixed-method study was conducted at a large academic cancer center in Ethiopia.

Current status of African pediatric oncology education efforts aligned with the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.

Education of the pediatric oncology workforce is an important pillar of the World Health Organization CureAll technical package. This is not only limited to healthcare workers, but all stakeholders in the childhood cancer management process. It includes governmental structures, academic institutions, parents and communities.

Incidence and Determinants of Chemotherapy Associated Thromboembolic Events among Ethiopian Patients Treated for Solid Malignancy: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Venous thromboembolism is a common problem in patients treated for cancer, although the reported incidence varies widely between studies. This was the first study in its kind in Ethiopia and aimed to assess the incidence and determinants of chemotherapy associated thromboembolic events among patients treated for solid malignancy. An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st March to 1st June, 2019 at adult oncology center of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Multicentre point-prevalence survey of antibiotic use and healthcare-associated infections in Ethiopian hospitals.

Objective: Effective antimicrobial containment strategies such as Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) require comprehensive data on antibiotics use which are scarce in Ethiopia. This study sought to assess antibiotics use and healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in Ethiopian public hospitals.

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the WHO point-prevalence survey protocol for systemic antibiotics use and HCAIs for low/middle-income countries.

Exploring reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers in Ethiopia.

Introduction: the World Health Organization has identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health. The purpose of this study was to explore factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers, their perspectives regarding vaccine uptake by the public and their recommendations to improve vaccine uptake in Ethiopia.

Methods: a phenomenological qualitative study was conducted among purposively selected healthcare providers working in the Ministry of Health (MoH), regulatory authority, public and private hospitals and health centres who hesitated to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in June 2021.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Ethiopian healthcare workers.

Introduction: COVID-19 poses significant health and economic threat prompting international firms to rapidly develop vaccines and secure quick regulatory approval. Although COVID-19 vaccination priority is given for high-risk individuals including healthcare workers (HCWs), the success of the immunization efforts hinges on peoples' willingness to embrace these vaccines.

Objective: This study aimed to assess HCWs intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the reasons underlying vaccine hesitancy.