Implementing a multimodal intervention using local resources to improve hand hygiene compliance in a comprehensive specialized hospital in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia.

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is known to be the most effective practice to reduce Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The main barriers to HH practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Sub-Saharan Africa are heavy workload, infrastructural deficits, and poorly positioned facilities. There is limited data on HH compliance and particularly on the impact of the World Health Organization's (WHO) multimodal HH strategy in low- and middle-income countries.

Longitudinal profile of antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19 in a setting from Sub-Saharan Africa: A prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 plays an important role for epidemiological studies, in aiding the diagnosis of COVID-19, and assess vaccine responses. Little is known on dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 serology in African settings. Here, we aimed to characterize the longitudinal antibody response profile to SARS-CoV-2 in Ethiopia.

Effect of co-infection with intestinal parasites on COVID-19 severity: A prospective observational cohort study.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection results in a spectrum of clinical presentations. Evidence from Africa indicates that significantly less COVID-19 patients suffer from serious symptoms than in the industrialized world. We and others previously postulated a partial explanation for this phenomenon, being a different, more activated immune system due to parasite infections.

Effect of rK39 testing in guiding treatment initiation and outcome in patients with visceral leishmaniasis in Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study.

Background: The rapid diagnostic test (RDT) rK39 is currently being used for routine diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in East Africa. However, continuous monitoring of the performance of the assay, in particular its impact on the clinical decision in initiating anti-leishmanial treatment and outcomes remains needed as there are concerns about the diagnostic performance of this test.

Methods: VL patients prospectively enrolled in a diagnostic trial and with rK39 RDT were included.

Incidence and predictors of HIV related opportunistic infections after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy at Ayder Referral Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia: A retrospective single centered cohort study.

Introduction: Even though use of antiretroviral therapy (HAART) decreases the incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs) they are continuing to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Studies concerning this problem are scarce in Eastern Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and predictors of OIs after initiation of HAART in Ethiopia.

Prevalence and determinants of modern contraceptive utilization among women in the reproductive age group in Edaga-hamus Town, Eastern zone, Tigray region, Ethiopia, June 2017.

Introduction: All individuals and couples have a basic human right to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing, and timing of their child. However, In Ethiopia, the prevalence of contraceptive utilization remains low and it varies in different regions. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine prevalence and determinant factors affecting the utilization of modern contraception in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) in Edaga-Hamus Town.