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.

A review on emerging pharmaceutical residues in Ethiopia: occurrence, ecotoxicological aspects, and regulatory concerns.

Background: Pharmaceuticals are expected to improve human and animal health, but improper management and regulation have led to adverse effects such as reproductive disorders, antibiotic resistance, and biodiversity loss in ecosystems. Their presence in the environment poses significant risks, including a reduction in biodiversity, reproductive issues, and the development of antimicrobial resistance. This review aims to examine the occurrence and sources of pharmaceuticals in the environment and their ecotoxicological and regulatory aspects, with a focus on Ethiopia.

Assessing the prevalence of unused medicines at home and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Prescriptions come with extensive instructions on taking medicines but provide little information about the burden of unused medicines. This issue centers around the vast quantities of unused medications accumulated in households. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of unused medicines and associated factors in Gondar City.

Prevalence of potential drug‒drug interactions and associated factors among elderly patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The occurrence of potential drug‒drug interactions (pDDIs) is a serious global issue that affects all age groups, with the elderly population being the most vulnerable. This is due to their relatively high rates of comorbidity and polypharmacy, as well as physiological changes that can increase the potential for DDIs and the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of pDDIs and associated factors among elderly patients in Ethiopia.

Completion of maternal and child health continuum of care and associated factors in West Gondar Zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023: a community based cross sectional study.

Background: The maternal and child health continuum of care integrates services from pre-pregnancy through childhood to enhance maternal and child outcomes. It is crucial for reducing maternal and child mortality by focusing on comprehensive health interventions. Despite its significance, comprehensive studies on the continuum remain limited.

A narrative review on problems in product quality, regulatory system constraints, and the concept of quality by design as a solution for quality assurance of African medicines.

Background: The provision of medicines with confirmed quality and efficacy is critical for maintaining the public health and building confidence in the healthcare systems. However, the presence of poor-quality medicines still presents a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical landscape across the African regions. This is further exacerbated by the lack of consistency or discrepancy in the current regulatory framework.

Review on Recent Advance of 3DP-Based Pediatric Drug Formulations.

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has emerged as a game-changing technology in the pharmaceutical industry, providing novel formulation development in the pharmaceutical sector as a whole, which improved patients' individualized therapy. The pediatric population is among the key targets for individualized therapy. Children are a diverse group that includes neonates, infants, and toddlers, each with unique physiological characteristics.

Determinants of hemoglobin level and time to default from Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for adult clients living with HIV under treatment; a retrospective cohort study design.

HIV/AIDS is one of the most devastating infectious diseases affecting humankind all over the world and its impact goes beyond public health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the joint predictors of hemoglobin level and time to default from treatment for adult clients living with HIV/AIDS under HAART at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, North-west Ethiopia. The study was conducted using a retrospective cohort design from the medical records of 403 randomly selected adult clients living with HIV whose follow-ups were from September 2015 to March 2022.

Public awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding proper disposal of unused medicines and associated factors in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Proper disposal of unwanted medicines, in addition to reducing wastage, has a positive impact on the environment and public health. Improper disposal of medications increases the risk of accidental poisonings, particularly among children. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and awareness regarding the proper disposal of unused medicines in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia.

Cardiac patients' surgery outcome and associated factors in Ethiopia: application of machine learning.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are a class of heart and blood vessel-related illnesses. In Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, preventable heart disease continues to be a significant factor, contrasting with its presence in developed nations. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of death due to cardiac disease and its risk factors among heart patients in Ethiopia.

"Implementation of intensified COVID-19 vaccination optimization (ICVOPT) campaigns strategy in complex humanitarian emergency settings and hard-to-reach areas; a case of South Sudan".

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is still a public health concern in South Sudan having caused suffering since the first case of COVID-19 was introduced on 28 February 2020. COVAX vaccines have since been introduced using a number of strategies including fixed site, temporary mobile, hit and run in flooded and conflict affected areas. We aim to describe the 2 ICVOPT campaigns that were conducted to improve the uptake and document lessons learnt during the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programin South Sudan between February 2022 and June 2022 each lasting for 7-days.

Post-surgery survival and associated factors for cardiac patients in Ethiopia: applications of machine learning, semi-parametric and parametric modelling.

Introduction: Living in poverty, especially in low-income countries, are more affected by cardiovascular disease. Unlike the developed countries, it remains a significant cause of preventable heart disease in the Sub-Saharan region, including Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health statement, around 40,000 cardiac patients have been waiting for surgery in Ethiopia since September 2020.

Time to recovery and its predictors following traumatic injuries among injured victims in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North East of Ethiopia, 2022: a retrospective follow-up study.

Background: Injuries are an extremely important public health problem worldwide. Despite being largely preventable and despite government efforts, injuries continue to be a major public health issue. Thus, the study tends to evaluate the time to recovery and its predictors for traumatic injuries.

Evaluation of Seven Different Brands of Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets Available in the Market in Gondar City, Ethiopia.

Background: WHO estimates that 15.8% of substandard or falsified medical products are used to treat non-communicable diseases which account for 80% of the global burden including diabetes. The increased level of use of metformin hydrochloride tablets in clinical practice creates the need to monitor and ascertain the quality of the various brands available in the drug market for quality control assessment and generic substitution.

Substandard and falsified antimicrobials in selected east African countries: A systematic review.

Background: Globally, millions of people have been affected by fraudulent pharmaceutical products, particularly those in developing countries. Although the problem of falsified and substandard drugs is acknowledged, the extent of the issue is ever-changing, has a dynamic nature, and should be quantified and captured in a recent snapshot.

Objective: This systematic review seeks to examine the data that can quantify and provide a current snapshot of the prevalence of SF antimicrobials in selected east Africa countries.

Predictors for CD4 cell count and hemoglobin level with survival time to default for HIV positive adults under ART treatment at University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Background: HIV/AIDS is the most known powerful risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the world. The greatest biological markers in HIV patients are CD4 cell count and hemoglobin level, as they are independent predictors of survival of HIV patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the common socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral Predictor's affecting the CD4 cell count, and hemoglobin level with survival time to default from ART treatment among HIV positive adults under ART treatment at university of Gondar comprehensive and specialized hospital, North-west Ethiopia.

Groundwater potential delineation using geodetector based convolutional neural network in the Gunabay watershed of Ethiopia.

Groundwater potential delineation is essential for efficient water resource utilization and long-term development. The scarcity of potable and irrigation water has become a critical issue due to natural and anthropogenic activities in meeting the demands of human survival and productivity. With these constraints, groundwater resource is now being used extensively in Ethiopia.

A circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 outbreak in a chronic conflict setting: a descriptive epidemiological study in South Sudan - 2020 to 2021.

Background: In this study, we describe the epidemiological profile of an outbreak of the circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 in South Sudan from 2020 to 2021.

Method: We conducted a retrospective descriptive epidemiological study using data from the national polio/AFP surveillance database, the outbreak investigation reports, and the vaccination coverage survey databases stored at the national level.

Results: Between September 2020 and April 2021, 59 cases of the circulating virus were confirmed in the country, with 50 cases in 2020 and 9 cases in 2021.

Time to recovery and its determinant factors among patients with COVID-19 in Assosa COVID-19 treatment center, Western Ethiopia.

Background: The Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global threat. Determining the time to recovery from COVID-19 is intended to assist healthcare professionals in providing better care, and planning logistics. So, the study aimed to identify the factors that affect the time to recovery from COVID-19 for patients treated at Assosa COVID-19 treatment center, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia.

Predictors of Viral Load and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Adults Under Treatment at Felege-Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-West, Ethiopia.

Background: Maintaining good medication adherence and decreasing viral load in patients living with HIV/AIDS are critical to ensuring antiretroviral therapy's preventive and therapeutic benefits. The main objective of this study was to assess the predictors of viral load and medication adherence among HIV-positive adults under treatment at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (FHCSH).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was conducted from a random sample of 281 adult HIV-infected patients under treatment at FHCSH in northwest Ethiopia from June 2017 to June 2021.

Determinants of Time-to-Death of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Background: Leukemia is a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and results in a large number of abnormal white blood cells. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most prevalent leukemia in Western countries, with an estimated incidence rate of less than 1 to 5.5 per 100 000 people, and average age at diagnosis of 64 to 72 years.

Quality of Life and Associated Factors of HIV Patients Under Treatment with First Line Regimens in Public Hospitals in Amhara Region, North-West Ethiopia.

Background: The availability of medication related to HIV treatment in the world is one of the substantial improvements for reaching USAID's 90-90 targets. Among the 90% of patients who have awareness about their disease, 90% are accessing their treatment and patients who received appropriate treatment have a suppressed viral load and improved CD4 cell count. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to investigate the quality of life and associated factors of people living with HIV receiving first-line regimens at public hospitals in the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Surface Disinfection Practice in Public Hospitals in the Era of COVID-19: Assessment of Disinfectant Solution Preparation and Use in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Surface disinfection of healthcare facilities with appropriate disinfectants is among the infection control strategies against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As sodium hypochlorite solution (SHS) is a commonly used surface disinfectant, its preparation and proper use should be given a due attention. The current study aimed at assessing the practice of Addis Ababa public hospitals in the preparation and use of SHS.

Potential risk assessment due to groundwater quality deterioration and quantifying the major influencing factors using geographical detectors in the Gunabay watershed of Ethiopia.

Groundwater quality has become deteriorated due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Poor water quality has a potential risk to human health and the environment. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the potential risk of groundwater quality contamination levels and public health risks in the Gunabay watershed.