Evidence for immune activation in pathogenesis of the HLA class II associated disease, podoconiosis.

Available evidences suggest that podoconiosis is triggered by long term exposure of bare feet to volcanic red clay soil particles. Previous genome-wide studies in Ethiopia showed association between the HLA class II region and disease susceptibility. However, functional relationships between the soil trigger, immunogenetic risk factors and the immunological basis of the disease are uncharted.

Effectiveness of simulation-based cesarean section education on improving non-physician clinician midwife's competency in performing cesarean section in Ethiopia: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Simulation-based education enhances fundamental and clinical knowledge, procedural abilities, teamwork, and communication skills, as well as quality of care and patient safety. Due to excessive clinical loads and a lack of physicians, even classic teaching methods like bedside instruction are constrained in low-income settings. Thus, this study aimed to ascertain if simulation-based cesarean section education successfully raises non-physician clinician midwives' competency in Ethiopia.

Saliva is superior over nasopharyngeal swab for detecting SARS-CoV2 in COVID-19 patients.

Scaling up of diagnostic capacity is needed to mitigate the global pandemic of SARS-CoV2. However, there are challenges including shortage of sample collection swabs and transport medium. Saliva has been recommended as a simple, low-cost, non-invasive option.

Whole-Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Isolates from Ethiopian Patients.

Three complete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from Ethiopian patients were compared with deposited global genomes. Two genomes belonged to genetic group 20A/B.1/GH, and the other belonged to genetic group 20A/B.

Evaluation of sample pooling for screening of SARS CoV-2.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed the global public health importance of robust diagnostic testing. To overcome the challenge of nucleic acid (NA) extraction and testing kit availability, an efficient method is urgently needed.

Objectives: To establish an efficient, time and resource-saving and cost-effective methods, and to propose an ad hoc pooling approach for mass screening of SARS-CoV-2.

Does antiretroviral therapy cause congenital malformations? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This meta-analysis investigated the risk of congenital anomalies among infants of human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnant women who were exposed to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: Cohort studies, case-control studies, randomized controlled trials, and controlled clinical trials were reviewed by searching MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, AIDSLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google/Google Scholar. Methodological quality was assessed using the GRADE evaluation.

Severe maternal morbidity (near-miss) and its correlates in the world's newest nation: South Sudan.

Background: This study investigates the frequency of near-miss events and compares correlates in the world's newest nation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to audit near-miss events and their causes. A total of 1,041 mothers were sampled.

Depression in diabetic patients attending University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Diabetes mellitus, frequently associated with comorbid depression, contributes to the double burden of individual patients and community. Depression remains undiagnosed in as many as 50%-75% of diabetes cases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among diabetic patients attending the University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic, Northwest Ethiopia.

Antiretroviral Therapy and Pregnancy Outcomes in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Despite significant efforts to understand adverse pregnancy outcome in women receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), ART-related adverse birth outcomes are still poorly understood. We systematically review ART-related adverse birth outcomes among HIV-infected pregnant women; we also review the covariates associated with adverse birth outcomes in the aforementioned group.

Methods: The main source for our systematic review was electronic bibliographic databases.

Institutional delivery service utilization and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in Sekela District, north west of Ethiopia: a community-based cross sectional study.

Background: Reduction of maternal mortality is a global priority particularly in developing countries including Ethiopia where maternal mortality ratio is one of the highest in the world. The key to reducing maternal mortality ratio and improving maternal health is increasing attendance by skilled health personnel throughout pregnancy and delivery. However, delivery service is significantly lower in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.