Machine-learning methodologies to predict disease progression in chronic hepatitis B in Africa.

Background: Little is known about the determinants of disease progression among African patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We used machine-learning models with longitudinal data to establish predictive algorithms in a well-characterized cohort of Ethiopian HBV-infected patients without baseline liver fibrosis. Disease progression was defined as an increase in liver stiffness to >7.

A prospective, multicenter study of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine with or without hepatitis B immunoglobulin in preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus in Ethiopia.

Background: Historically, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was considered uncommon in Africa, leading to a reluctant attitude to birth-dose HBV vaccination on the continent. As a randomized trial would be unethical, real-life data are needed to assess the effect of HBV birth-dose vaccine in Africa.

Methods: A multicenter, prospective, observational study of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women and their infants was carried out in Ethiopia, from January 2019 to May 2021.

Antimicrobial resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients, healthcare workers, and the environment in a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Staphylococcus aureus infection and colonization in patients may be transmitted to healthcare providers and the environment and subsequently cause healthcare-associated infections in other patients. Pathogenic S. aureus strains produce virulence factors, such as Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), that contribute to the severity of infections and aid in their spread.

Clinical trial: An open-label, randomised trial of different re-start strategies after treatment withdrawal in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may trigger a beneficial immune response leading to HBsAg loss, but clinical trials on re-start strategies are lacking.

Aim: To assess whether it is beneficial to undergo a prolonged flare after NA cessation.

Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty-seven patients with HBeAg negative, non-cirrhotic CHB with at least 24 months of viral suppression on NA therapy were included.

Delays to treatment initiation and emergence of drug resistance among new adult tuberculosis patients in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Studies in Ethiopia have indicated that tuberculosis (TB) patient's elapsed a long time before initiating treatment. However, there is very limited evidence on the association of treatment initiation delay with drug resistance. To investigate the association of delayed treatment initiation with drug resistance among newly diagnosed TB patients in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Medicinal Plants in Treating Hepatitis B Among Communities of Central Region of Ethiopia.

Purpose: In Ethiopia, most people rely heavily on traditional therapeutic plants that have been used for years. The practice of traditional medicines use to treat hepatitis is currently gaining popularity due to the limited availability and affordability of modern drugs. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the traditional medicinal plants use to treat viral hepatitis among communities of Central region of Ethiopia.

Genotype characterization of Epstein-Barr virus among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus in Ethiopia.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human lymphotropic herpesvirus with a causative agent in cancer. There are two genotypes of EBV (EBV genotype 1 and EBV genotype 2) that have been shown to infect humans. This study aimed to characterize the EBV genotype among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) and HIV-negative individuals in Ethiopia.

Five-year results of a treatment program for chronic hepatitis B in Ethiopia.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, less than 1% of treatment-eligible chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receive antiviral therapy. Experiences from local CHB programs are needed to inform treatment guidelines and policies on the continent. Here, we present 5-year results from one of the first large-scale CHB treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aphallia: A Rare Congenital Anomaly in a Low-Resource Setting.

Aphallia is a very uncommon congenital condition with an incidence of about one in 30 million births. It is characterized by the absence of a penis which is due to the failure of the genital tubercle to form or develop fully. In this case report, we present a 3-month-old male infant with aphallia from a remote part of Eritrea who was subsequently lost to follow-up and discuss the challenges that are faced when dealing with such a complex congenital anomaly in a developing country.

The Burden of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Its Determinants among Adult HIV-Positive Individuals in Ethiopia.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a well-known risk factor for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). People with HIV infection (PWH) are at increased risk for EBV-associated malignancies such as HL and NHL. Nevertheless, there are limited data on the burden of EBV among this population group in Ethiopia.

Renal Safety of Long-term Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Treatment in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Data on renal safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment among individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are inconsistent. The current study aimed to assess the effect of long-term TDF treatment on renal outcomes in adult patients with CHB.

Methods: From a CHB cohort in Ethiopia, we included 233 patients treated with TDF and 126 untreated controls.

Mixed-Method Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Shared Decision-Making Tools for Cancer Screening.

This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of shared decision-making (SDM) tools for cancer screening and explored the preferences of vulnerable people and clinicians regarding the specific characteristics of the SDM tools. A mixed-method convergent segregated approach was employed, which involved an independent synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data. Articles were systematically selected and screened, resulting in the inclusion and critical appraisal of 55 studies.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Gene Profile of Clinical : A Multi-Center Study from Ethiopia.

Background: causes a wide range of infections from mild skin and soft tissue to severe life-threatening bacteremia. The pathogenicity of infections is related to various bacterial surface components and extracellular proteins such as toxic-shock syndrome (TSS) toxin and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). In this study we determine the antimicrobial resistance of isolated strains and their virulence genes in Ethiopia.

Clonal diversity of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in clinical specimens from selected health facilities in Ethiopia.

Staphylococcus aureus is among the top three causative agents of nosocomial infection in Ethiopia. The majority of studies in Ethiopia have focused on the epidemiology of S. aureus in hospital settings, with limited molecular genotyping results.

Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Associated Factors Among HIV-Infected Children in Public Health Institutions of Adwa, Axum, and Shire Towns of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) provision was among the major challenge of treatments. Maintaining the optimal level of adherence among children living with HIV/AIDS is a pivotal step towards achieving treatment success. However, there are limited studies on child's ART adherence.

Cancer signs and risk factors awareness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a population-based survey.

Background: There is a paucity of data on public awareness of cancer in Ethiopia. This study assessed cancer signs, symptoms, and risk factors awareness among individuals aged 18 and older in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Method: A population-based face-to-face interview was conducted applying a validated cancer awareness measure (CAM) tool.

Tuberculosis in individuals who recovered from COVID-19: A systematic review of case reports.

Background: The emergence of COVID-19 overwhelmed tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control, resulting in a decrease in TB detection rate and an increase in TB deaths. Furthermore, the temporary immunosuppressive effects, lung inflammation, and the corticosteroids used to treat COVID-19, may play a direct role in immunosuppression, leading to reactivation of either previous infection or latent TB or the development of new TB. Thus, the aim of this study was to review TB incidence in individuals who recovered from COVID-19.

Determinants of incomplete childhood immunization among children aged 12-23 months in Dabat district, Northwest Ethiopia: Unmatched case- control study.

Background: Despite the effort to increase access to routine immunization, majority of children in low-resource countries including Ethiopia are still either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. In Ethiopia for the past four decades, the completion rate of routine childhood immunization remains low particularly in a rural area. In this study setting, evidence regarding the socio-economic, maternal continuum care, and caregiver characteristics effect on child immunization is limited.

Knowledge deficit and fear of COVID-19 among higher education students during the first wave of the pandemic and implications for public health: a multi-country cross-sectional survey.

Background: Public health measures such as physical distancing and distance learning have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 related knowledge deficit can increase fear that leads to negative mental health and COVID-19, especially among adolescents. Therefore, our study aimed to assess COVID-19 related knowledge deficit and its association with fear among higher education (HE) students during the first wave of COVID-19.

Tuberculosis incidence in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate global TB incidence in patients with CKD.

Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method was followed to perform the study. Electronic and gray literature sources were investigated for studies published between 2000 and 2021.