Prevalence and pathogen profiles of bacteremia in neonates hospitalized for clinical Sepsis in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bacteremia is prevalent in neonates, largely attributed to factors inherent in the neonatal period. However, the prevalence of proven bacteremia in Ethiopian neonates has not been previously synthesized. Accordingly, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the prevalence of bacteremia and pathogen profiles in neonates hospitalized for clinical sepsis in Ethiopia.

Molecular and clinical insights into extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from neonatal sepsis in Ethiopia.

Background: Klebsiella bacterial strains harboring Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) enzymes are the primary culprits behind neonatal sepsis globally. These strains significantly impact clinical outcomes due to their multi-drug resistance patterns in local healthcare settings. In response to this spiraling threat, we studied the prevalence and clinical implications of ESBL-encoding genes in neonates hospitalized with confirmed sepsis.

Phenotypic bacterial epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles in neonatal sepsis at Jimma medical center, Ethiopia: Insights from prospective study.

Background: Epidemiological profiles and the rundown crisis of antimicrobial resistance from bacterial isolates in neonatal sepsis compel regular surveillance to enhance data-driven decision-making. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the phenotypic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from clinically suspected neonatal sepsis in Ethiopia.

Methods: A total of 342 neonates suspected of clinical sepsis were randomly included in a prospective observational study conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Jimma medical center (JMC) from May 2022 to July 2023.

Mechanisms of Bacterial Drug Resistance with Special Emphasis on Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase.

Antibiotics are designed to effectively treat bacterial infections while minimizing harm to the human body. They work by targeting specific components of bacteria or by disrupting essential processes such as cell wall synthesis, membrane function, protein production, and metabolic pathways. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of drug resistance in humans, animals, and agriculture, contributing to the global spread of this problem.

Neonatal Sepsis Due to Multidrug-resistant Bacteria at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Ethiopia.

Background: The burden of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in low-income countries is alarming. This study aimed to identify the bacterial etiologies and antibiotic resistance patterns among neonates in Jimma, Ethiopia.

Methods: An observational longitudinal study was conducted among 238 presumptive neonatal sepsis cases tested with blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture.

Hierarchical Predictors of Mortality in Neonatal Sepsis at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Neonatal sepsis made the neonatal period the most perilous time for child survival, and it continued to cause preventable mortalities worldwide. These mortalities stem from the interaction of several factors that have not been sufficiently studied and, in some cases, remain overlooked. Thus, the study aims to investigate the predictors of mortality that arise from the interaction of these factors and quantitatively determine their etiologic fraction.

Epidemiologic features of neonatal sepsis and its COVID-19 associated temporal patterns in Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia: A Joinpoint regression analysis.

Background: Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates across all regions, including Africa. Compared to developed and some developing countries, there are relatively few epidemiological trends for neonatal sepsis and associated patterns with COVID-19 in Ethiopia. We modeled an epidemiological trend and pattern to aid in the monitoring of changes in neonatal sepsis.

Improving TB case notification and treatment coverage through data use.

Background: This was a study on national TB data.

Objective: To assess improvement in TB case notification and treatment coverage through improved data use for action in Nigeria.

Design: We analysed pre- and post-intervention secondary TB programme data comprising data on increased supervisory visits, incentives for health workers, DOTS expansion, outreaches and geo-code monitoring.

A cross-sectional study design to assess the sexual experiences and contraceptive use of adolescents and youths attending high school and college in Jimma town.

Background: Adolescents and youths in Ethiopia have limited access to reproductive health services designed to address their needs. Therefore, the study aims to assess adolescents' and youth's sexual practice, contraceptive use, and behavioral patterns towards safe sexual exercise.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was used on 374 students selected from high school and vocational colleges to assess their sexual experience and contraceptive use and related perceptions using pre-tested self-administered semi-structured questionnaires.

Cystic echinococcosis, a food-borne zoonotic neglected tropical disease in slaughtered cattle at Jimma Town municipal abattoir, Southwest Ethiopia.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), also called hydatid disease (HD) is a parasitic disease caused by larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus and is considered as a food-borne zoonotic, neglected tropical disease (NTD). Backyard slaughtering and inadequate veterinary services are major risk factors for high prevalence of the disease in developing countries. Here, we determined the prevalence of HD in the cattle slaughtered in the municipal abattoir of Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia by an abattoir based cross-sectional study, which included 389 randomly selected cattle.

Major causes of death in preterm infants in selected hospitals in Ethiopia (SIP): a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study.

Background: Neonatal deaths now account for 47% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years globally. More than a third of newborn deaths are due to preterm birth complications, which is the leading cause of death. Understanding the causes and factors contributing to neonatal deaths is needed to identify interventions that will reduce mortality.

Availability of HIV services along the continuum of HIV testing, care and treatment in Ghana.

Background: Ghana has been providing HIV and AIDS services since the identification of the first case in 1986 and added highly active antiretroviral therapy to its comprehensive care in 2003.This study aimed at assessing availability of HIV services along the continuum of HIV care in Ghana.

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 172 (87%) of the total 197 ART canters in Ghana.

A Prospective Study of Causes of Illness and Death in Preterm Infants in Ethiopia: The SIP Study Protocol.

Background: With nearly 15 million annual preterm births globally, preterm birth is the most common cause of neonatal death. Forty to 60 % of neonatal deaths are directly or indirectly associated with preterm mortality. As countries aim to meet the Sustainable Development Goals to reduce neonatal mortality, significant reductions in preterm mortality are needed.

Efficacy and Safety of a Single-Dose Mebendazole 500 mg Chewable, Rapidly-Disintegrating Tablet for and Infection Treatment in Pediatric Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a new chewable, rapidly-disintegrating mebendazole (MBZ) 500 mg tablet for and infection treatment. Pediatric patients (1-15 years; = 295; from Ethiopia and Rwanda) excreting and/or eggs were enrolled. The study had a screening phase (3 days), a double-blind treatment phase (DBP, 19 days), and an open-label phase (OLP, 7 days).

Effect of anti-malarial interventions on trends of malaria cases, hospital admissions and deaths, 2005-2015, Ghana.

Background: Since 2005, the Government of Ghana and its partners, in concerted efforts to control malaria, scaled up the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Beginning in 2011, a mass campaign of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) was implemented, targeting all the population. The impact of these interventions on malaria cases, admissions and deaths was assessed using data from district hospitals.

Maternal Health Service Disparities Across Incomes and Implications on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Service Coverage: Current Context in Sub-Saharan Africa.

About 69% of people living with HIV globally and over 90% of the children who acquired HIV infection are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, promising results have been observed, especially over the last decade - for example, a 25% decline in new HIV infections as compared to 2001 and a 38% decline in the number of children newly infected by HIV in 2012 as compared to 2009. However, the Global Plan and the Global Fast-Track Commitments of eliminating new HIV infections among children require addressing impediments to service expansion.

Prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections among pre-school age children in 12 kindergartens in Jimma Town, southwest Ethiopia.

Background: Pre-school age children (preSAC) remain difficult to reach in mass drug administration (MDA) programmes to control soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. Kindergartens provide a unique platform to increase the coverage of MDA in preSAC in Ethiopia, but surveys assessing STHs among preSAC in kindergartens are scarce.

Methods: We report the prevalence and intensity of STH infections among 622 preSAC in 12 kindergartens in Jimma, Ethiopia.

Global health diplomacy in Iraq: international relations outcomes of multilateral tuberculosis programmes.

Background: International development programmes, including global health interventions, have the capacity to make important implicit and explicit benefits to diplomatic and international relations outcomes. Conversely, in the absence of awareness of these implications, such programmes may generate associated threats. Due to heightened international tensions in conflict and post-conflict settings, greater attention to diplomatic outcomes may therefore be necessary.

Global health diplomacy investments in Afghanistan: adaptations and outcomes of global fund malaria programs.

Background: Global health programmes require extensive adaptation for implementation in conflict and post-conflict settings. Without such adaptations, both implementation success and diplomatic, international relations and other indirect outcomes may be threatened. Conversely, diplomatic successes may be made through flexible and responsive programmes.

Diplomatic and operational adaptations to global health programmes in post-conflict settings: contributions of monitoring and evaluation systems to health sector development and 'nation-building' in South Sudan.

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems are an essential element of functioning and accountable global health programmes. In post-conflict settings, the role of M&E systems is also critical to ensure that health services are being delivered to those populations and regions most in need. Given the inherent challenges of health service delivery in such environments, a range of both diplomatic and operational adaptations to M&E procedures are necessary.