Determining the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on corticomotor excitability and motor performance: A sham-controlled comparison of four frequencies.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) modulates brain oscillations and corticomotor plasticity. We examined the effects of four tACS frequencies (20 Hz, 40 Hz, 60 Hz, and 80 Hz) on motor cortex (M1) excitability and motor performance. In a randomised crossover design, 12 adults received 20-minute tACS sessions, with Sham as control.

Determining the corticospinal, intracortical and motor function responses to transcranial alternating current stimulation of the motor cortex in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) employs low-intensity sinusoidal currents to influence cortical plasticity and motor function. Despite extensive research, inconsistent results require a comprehensive review of tACS efficacy.

Objective: This study systematically assesses tACS effects on corticospinal and intracortical excitability, and motor function over the motor cortex (M1), focusing on alpha, beta, and gamma frequencies.

Impaired glomerular filtration rate and associated factors among diabetic mellitus patients with hypertension in referral hospitals, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Impaired glomerular filtration rate is common health problem in diabetic mellitus patients (DM) with hypertension (HTN). It is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and poor quality of life. There is limited data on the prevalence and associated factors of impaired glomerular filtration among diabetic mellitus patients with hypertension in Ethiopia.

Strength-trained adults demonstrate greater corticoreticular activation versus untrained controls.

The rapid increase in strength following strength-training involves neural adaptations, however, their specific localisation remains elusive. Prior focus on corticospinal responses prompts this study to explore the understudied cortical/subcortical adaptations, particularly cortico-reticulospinal tract responses, comparing healthy strength-trained adults to untrained peers. Fifteen chronically strength-trained individuals (≥2 years of training, mean age: 24 ± 7 years) were compared with 11 age-matched untrained participants (mean age: 26 ± 8 years).

Differential modulation of corticomotor excitability in older compared to young adults following a single bout of strength -exercise.

Evidence shows corticomotor plasticity diminishes with age. Nevertheless, whether strength-training, a proven intervention that induces corticomotor plasticity in younger adults, also takes effect in older adults, remains untested. This study examined the effect of a single-session of strength-exercise on corticomotor plasticity in older and younger adults.

Visual Impairment and Its Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia.

Background: Visual impairment is one of the most common long-term effects of high blood pressure. It affects one's quality of life, independence, and mobility. There is a paucity of information regarding the prevalence of visual impairment due to hypertension in Ethiopia.

Geospatial variations and determinants of contraceptive utilization among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia: spatial and multilevel analysis of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, 2019.

Introduction: Contraception is the most effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancies and their associated disadvantages. It is critical to recognize one's desire to utilize contraceptives before drafting and implementing a good family planning program, especially in developing nations like Ethiopia.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the geospatial variations and determinants affecting the utilization of contraceptives among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia.

Identifying the role of the reticulospinal tract for strength and motor recovery: A scoping review of nonhuman and human studies.

In addition to the established postural control role of the reticulospinal tract (RST), there has been an increasing interest on its involvement in strength, motor recovery, and other gross motor functions. However, there are no reviews that have systematically assessed the overall motor function of the RST. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of the RST underpinning motor function and recovery.

Sleep Quality and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Unit at the Referral Hospitals in Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Poor sleep quality during pregnancy leads to adverse neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm birth, and operative birth. Though it has many consequences, a limited study was conducted on the prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Objective: This study is aimed to determine poor sleep quality and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care units at the selected referral hospitals.

Prevalence and variability of HIV/AIDS-associated neurocognitive impairments in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: HIV/AIDS-associated neurocognitive impairments negatively affect treatment adherence, viral load suppression, CD4 count, functionality, and the overall quality of life of people with seropositive status. However, huge variability is observed across primary studies regarding the prevalence and determinants of neurocognitive impairment in people with HIV/AIDS. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the pooled prevalence of neurocognitive impairment and identify factors contributing to variations in its estimate among people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and associated factors among university students in Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptom is a relapsing chronic medical condition resulting from the reflux of gastric acid contents into the esophagus and throat or mouth. It interferes with social functioning, sleep, productivity, and quality of life. Despite this, the magnitude of GERD symptoms is not known in Ethiopia.

Myopia and its associated factors among pregnant women at health institutions in Gondar District, Northwest Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

Background: Myopia is the most common form of uncorrected refractive error with a growing burden worldwide. It is the principal complaint of most women during pregnancy. Although myopia has led to several consequences across the standard life of pregnant women, there is no previous study in Ethiopia regarding this topic.

Predictors of underage pregnancy among women aged 15-19 in highly prevalent regions of Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis based on EDHS, 2016.

Under age (teenage) pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs under the age of 20 years old. Its magnitude is increasing globally. It is much higher in low-income countries compared to high-income countries.

Factors associated with diabetic retinopathy screening and regular eye checkup practice among diabetic patients attending Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital.

Aim: To identify associated factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening and ey e check-up practice among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients attending Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was applied from October 4, 2019 to January 12, 2020 at Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants and an interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed to collect the data.

Suboptimal blood pressure control and its associated factors among people living with diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Suboptimal blood pressure control among people living with diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the primary causes of cardiovascular complications and death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is a paucity of evidence on the prevalence and associated factors of suboptimal blood pressure control in SSA. Therefore, this review aimed to estimate its pooled prevalence and associated factors among people living with DM in SSA.

Hypertension and Its Associated Factors Among Long-Distance Truck Drivers in Ethiopia.

Introduction: Hypertension is rising globally and is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. It affects people of different groups; however, owing to a rise in a sedentary lifestyle it is more prevalent among long-distance truck drivers. However, the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among truck drivers in Ethiopia is not known.

Knowledge of intensive care nurses' towards prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in North West Ethiopia referral hospitals, 2021: A multicenter, cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common nosocomial infection that occurs in critically ill patients who are on intubation and mechanical ventilation. Nurses' lack of knowledge may be a barrier to adherence to evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of intensive care nurses' towards the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Patterns and associated factors of electrocardiographic abnormality among type 2 diabetic patients in Amhara National Regional State Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia: a multicenter institution-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the most causes of mortality and morbidity among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes are common in the early course of the disease. Little is known about the electrocardiographic abnormalities among type 2 DM patients in Ethiopia.

Determinants of under-five mortality in Ethiopia using the recent 2019 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data: nested shared frailty survival analysis.

Background: Worldwide, there is remarkable progress in child survival in the past three decades. Ethiopia is off-track on sustainable development targets in under-five mortality since 2020. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate time to death and its associated factors among under-five children in Ethiopia.

Cognitive impairment and associated factors among mature and older adults living in the community of Gondar town, Ethiopia, 2020.

Cognitive impairment and dementia are age-related major public health concerns in the elderly population. It is a major cause of disability, dependency, and poor quality of life. However, in Ethiopia, the magnitude of this cognitive impairment among the elderly community was not investigated.

Factors associated with decision-making power of married women to use family planning in sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel analysis of demographic health surveys.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, there are several socio-economic and cultural factors which affect women's ability to make decision regarding their own health including the use of contraceptives. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine factors associated with decision-making power of married women to use family planning service (contraceptives) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: The appended, most recent demographic and health survey datasets of 35 sub-Saharan countries were used.

Spatial distribution and determinants of bottle feeding among children 0-23 months in Ethiopia: spatial and multi-level analysis based on 2016 EDHS.

Background: Bottle feeding is associated with diarrheal disease morbidity and mortality and risk of pyloric stenosis, especially in developing countries. Even though, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended avoiding bottle feeding among children, still higher magnitude was reported in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and determinants of bottle feeding among children 0-23 months in Ethiopia.

Predictors of dream enactment behavior among medical students: The case of the University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Dream enactment behavior is one of the features of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. It might be a manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases and can lead to fall associated injuries. There is no evidence of dream enactment behavior and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

Visual impairment and its predictors among people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Dessie town hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia: institution-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye(s) that results in reduced visual acuity, visual field loss, visual distortion, perceptual difficulties, or any combination of the above. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the common causes of visual impairment. Since there is no study conducted in Ethiopia so far in this regard, the current study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of visual impairment among people living with diabetes at Dessie town Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia.