Microscopic prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria in Gorgora, western Dembia, Northwest Ethiopia: exploring hidden threats during minor transmission season.

Background: Malaria poses a significant public health threat globally, particularly in African regions, where asymptomatic malaria is a considerable logistic problem. Individuals with asymptomatic malaria do not seek treatment, and thus they are invisible to health facilities and represent a substantial hidden reservoir of Plasmodium species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and its associated factors in Gorgora, western Dembia district, Northwest Ethiopia.

Bacterial profiles and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in neonatal sepsis at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the bacterial profiles and antibiotic susceptibility patterns causing neonatal sepsis is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment, improving patient outcomes, and combating the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Despite its importance, data regarding neonatal sepsis in the study area is limited.

Burden and factors influencing intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections pose significant global health challenges, particularly in developing countries. Asymptomatic infections often present a considerable burden with food handlers serving as potential carriers. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of these parasites varies across regions, and accurate data in the study area is lacking.

Evaluating proficiency testing implementation and identifying challenges that government comprehensive specialized hospital laboratories in northwest Ethiopia faced as they participated in the external quality assessment scheme: A document-based, interview-driven evaluation.

Objectives: To assess the implementation of proficiency testing in the northwest Ethiopian government comprehensive specialized hospital laboratories, with a focus on identifying and understanding the challenges encountered during their participation in the external quality assessment scheme.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 comprehensive specialized hospitals in northwest Ethiopia, analyzing 41 documented laboratory test parameters from 2020 to 2022. In addition, face-to-face, in-depth interviews were carried out to identify the major challenges the participating institutions faced.

Exploring coagulation parameters as predictive biomarkers of Plasmodium infection: A comprehensive analysis of coagulation parameters.

Background: Malaria affects the intravascular environment, leading to abnormal coagulation activation, prolonged prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. Despite the high prevalence of malaria in the study area, there has been little published research on the effects of Plasmodium infection on coagulation parameters.

Objective: The aim was to assess the effect of malaria on basic coagulation parameters among patients attending Dembia Primary Hospital and Makisegnit Health Center.

Navigating Quality Assessment Hurdles in Clinical Laboratory Services: A Comprehensive Review in Resource-Limited Settings.

External quality assessment is the process of evaluating the performance of a laboratory and the competence of professionals. Participation in EQA and standardizing the quality of laboratory services are a mandatory requirements for accreditation. This review is aimed at identifying and discussing challenges that hinder the effective implementation of an EQA program in countries with resource limited setting.

Analyzing clinical laboratory specimen rejection rates at a specialized hospital in Ethiopia: A 2-year document review.

Objectives: Accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for effective patient care, but the rejection of specimens within laboratories can have serious consequences.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2021 at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital laboratory. Two years of laboratory data were collected from laboratory log books and analyzed to determine trends in specimen rejection rates and identify potential reasons for those rejections.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Viral Infection in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus is a highly genetically heterogenous bloodborne pathogen that is responsible for acute and chronic hepatitis. Globally, an estimated 71 million population is chronically infected with this virus from which 399,000 people die every year. Its prevalence is high in Ethiopia and varies from region to region, even among different studies within a region.

Prevalence of Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Associated Factors among HIV/AIDS Patients at Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Cryptococcosis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection. High morbidity and mortality are frequently observed among hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients, particularly having CD4 count ≤100 cells/l. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients.

Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Isolates from Blood Culture among HIV/AIDS Patients at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is recognized as a global public health problem. Bloodstream infection with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in HIV/AIDS patients makes the problem more challenging. So, regular and periodic diagnosis and use of the appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility pattern determination is the only option for decreasing the prevalence and development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Laboratory Quality Management System and Quality Indicators Implementation Status as Perceived by Laboratory Professionals in Preparation for the Accreditation Process from Selected Government Hospitals of Ethiopia.

Background: The aim was to produce quality results that clinical laboratories need to implement and maintain continuous quality improvement systems. In recent years, health organizations have increasingly prioritized the quality of laboratory services by implementing quality management systems (QMSs) and building quality improvement activities. Efforts to strengthen laboratory systems in the African region have received increased attention in recent years.

and Prevalence in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Malaria is a protozoan disease caused by the species. Among the five species. Among the five and malaria are by far the most predominant and widely Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in the sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia.

How Does ISO 15189 Laboratory Accreditation Support the Delivery of Healthcare in Ethiopia? A Systematic Review.

Background: Assessing quality by considering input, process and output level quality variables is important to ensure improved quality services. Designing and execution of an effective quality management system are aimed for the purpose of quality improvement, error reduction and associated risks. Therefore, this review is designed to assess the value of accreditation on the performance of healthcare institutions in ensuring quality improvement interventions.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of waste handlers about medical waste management in Debre Markos town healthcare facilities, northwest Ethiopia.

Objective: Medical waste is a total waste stream which is generated from the healthcare facilities during the healthcare delivery process. It can contain potentially hazardous substances for the human being and the environment. Waste handlers play a significant role for its proper management and they need to have adequate knowledge, attitude, and practices.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice about Biomedical Waste Management and Associated Factors among the Healthcare Professionals at Debre Markos Town Healthcare Facilities, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Healthcare activities restore health and save lives at the same time; however, they can generate hazardous biomedical wastes to a human being or the environment. Generation and disposal of biomedical wastes have become an emerging problem worldwide.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice about biomedical waste management and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Debre Markos town healthcare facilities, northwest Ethiopia.