Water, sanitation, and hygiene in selected health facilities in Ethiopia: risks for healthcare acquired antimicrobial-resistant infections.

Background: Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health facilities, and the low adherence to infection control protocols can increase the risk of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections (HAIs). The risk for HAIs can increase morbidity, and mortality, health care cost, but also contribute to increased microbial resistance.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess WASH facilities and practices, and levels of nosocomial pathogens in selected health facilities in Oromia Region and Southern, Nations and Nationalities and Peoples (SNNPs) Region.

Genotypes and drug resistance pattern of complex among clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Background: Clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) (CDPTB) patients account for a huge proportion of TB. However, little is known about the genetic diversity and drug resistance profile of Complex (MTBC) strains in this group of patients.

Method: Unmatched case-control study was conducted among 313 PTB patients to compare the genetic diversity of MTBC and their drug resistance profiles among CDPTB ( = 173) and bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB (BCPTB) ( = 140) patients.

Congenital Aortic Arch Malformation Presenting as Bilateral Pulsatile Neck Mass: A Unique Case Report.

Vascular malformations of the aortic arch and its main branches such as cervical aortic arch and high-riding brachiocephalic artery can present as pulsatile neck swelling. Although this entity is rare, an initial Doppler ultrasound is suggested before intervention to avoid complications from unidentified aberrant vessels.

Nighttime ionospheric irregularity during intense geomagnetic storm events over the Europe-African longitudinal sector.

Radio communication and navigation systems can be severely impacted by irregularities in the ionosphere. There is still much to learn about how geomagnetic storms affect the occurrence of these irregularities. Ionosphere studies in different regions, particularly the equatorial and low-latitudes, are necessary to enhance the forecasting of this phenomenon.

Beyond Intention: Barriers to Undergoing a Blood Pressure Check in the South-West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

Background/objectives: Hypertension is often asymptomatic, progresses slowly, and leads to multiple secondary diseases. Thus, a regular blood pressure check is recommended. The objective of this study is to assess the intention to undergo a blood pressure check and its associated factors among adults in Southwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

Proteomic Analysis of Biomarkers Predicting Treatment Response in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the eighth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most prevalent type. The global incidence of HNCs is steadily increasing, projected to rise by approximately 30% per year by 2030, a trend observed in both developed and undeveloped countries. This study involved serum proteomic profiling to identify predictive clinical biomarkers in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Reach and impact of a nationwide media campaign in Ethiopia for promoting safe breastfeeding practices in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: In response to the COVID-19 challenge and the consequent concerns and misconceptions about potential mother-to-child virus transmission, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, launched a 3-month nationwide media campaign to promote appropriate and safe breastfeeding practices using national and regional television and radio channels, as well as social media. This study assesses the reach and impact of a media campaign in Ethiopia on improving mothers', partners'/caregivers', and the public's awareness of and practices related to appropriate and safe breastfeeding.

Methods: A two-round mobile survey was conducted using random digit dialing (RDD) and an interactive voice response (IVR) system.

Suboptimal nutritional status of school-age children in Addis Ababa: evidence from the analysis of socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral factors.

Background: School-aged children (6-14 years old) are susceptible to malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Environmental and behavioral factors greatly influence their nutritional status. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary factors and the nutritional status of school-aged children attending public and private schools in Addis Ababa.

Factors associated with tetanus toxoid vaccine utilization among reproductive-age women in Debre Markos town, Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The risk of neonatal tetanus infection will be reduced when the pregnant woman takes two doses of the maternal tetanus toxoid vaccine. In Ethiopia, however, low immunization coverage levels, mostly due to missed opportunities, are a concern. The study's main objective of the study was to assess tetanus toxoid immunization utilization coverage and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Debre Markos town, Ethiopia.

Compliance of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies to Good Manufacturing Practices in Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning Systems: The Case of Local Ethiopian Firms.

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is a part of quality management that maintains product quality and manages it according to the criteria of fitness for use. The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system comprises the equipment, technology, and procedure that ensure product quality through maintaining heat, ventilation, and coolness of pharmaceutical manufacturing firms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the GMP compliance of HVAC systems and assess the opportunities and challenges of improving these systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Ethiopia.

Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Forming Characteristics of Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates at a Hospital in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Background:  infections are becoming difficult to treat due to the bacterium's biofilm-forming capabilities and rising resistance to multiple antibiotics, posing a growing clinical challenge. This study assessed the antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation by isolates from patients at a hospital in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Method: From patients exhibiting signs of bacterial infection, while excluding recent antibiotic users or those with incomplete data, 417 clinical samples comprised of 84 blood, 108 pus, and 225 urine samples were obtained in a cross-sectional study.

The FLuorometholone as Adjunctive MEdical Therapy for Trachomatous Trichiasis Surgery (FLAME) Trial: Study Design.

Purpose: To report the design of FLuorometholone as Adjunctive MEdical therapy for TT surgery (FLAME) trial.

Design: Parallel design, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 1:1 randomization to fluorometholone 0.1% eye drops twice daily or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks in eyes undergoing trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery for assessing the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of fluorometholone 0.

Relevance of reporting leprosy related disability at the completion of multi drug therapy: A 5-year retrospective analysis of disability in persons affected by leprosy at ALERT Hospital Ethiopia.

Background: Leprosy is one of the neglected tropical diseases associated with significant morbidity in endemic regions. It causes disability affecting the daily activities and social participation of affected individuals. Understanding the prevalence and trend of leprosy-related disability throughout the world and the accuracy of disability data counted by WHO is crucial in guiding efforts to be made towards the targets set by WHO to be achieved by 2030.

Experience and perceptions of mental ill-health in people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Understanding the lived experience of mental health and illness in people with epilepsy has been little investigated in Africa and yet is essential to inform person-centered care. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences mental ill-health in the contexts of the lives of people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia.

Methods: A phenomenological approach was employed using in-depth individual interviews with PWE.

Exploring Oesophageal Cancer in Ethiopia: Elevated Incidence in Females and Younger Cases.

Background: Oesophageal cancer is a public health concern in Ethiopia. Identifying the incidence and demographic profile of the two histological subtypes: oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the key steps in recognizing the disease burden and potential aetiopathological associations.

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the age and gender-specific incidence patterns of the most common subtype of oesophageal cancer in a high-incidence area of Ethiopia.

Assessment of the barriers towards menstrual hygiene management: evidence from a qualitative study among school communities: lessons from Bahir Dar city in northwest Ethiopia.

Background: The challenges of safe menstrual hygiene management practices in low-income settings, including the study areas are pressing. However, Studies specifically focusing on barriers that schoolgirls face in managing monthly menstruation in schools of Bahir Dar are inadequate and scarce.

Method: To ensure the robustness of the findings, a comprehensive study was conducted among schoolgirls and boy students aged 12-20 in three schools.

Occupation-related respiratory diseases among sanitary workers in the workplace: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Emerging evidence from both developed and developing countries indicates that occupation-related respiratory diseases (ORRD) among sanitary workers constitute a significant public health challenge. These are because of the working environment, where employees are more likely to be at risk in an unsafe workplace, especially sanitary workers. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of ORRD among sanitary workers.

The Frequency and Incidence of QT Prolongation with Extended Use of Bedaquiline or Delamanid in a Large, Multi-Country MDR/RR-TB Cohort.

Background: The 2022 WHO guidelines on multi-drug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) recommend six months of bedaquiline (Bdq) in the all-oral 9-month shorter regimen and six months or longer for Bdq and delamanid (Dlm) in the 18-20-month longer regimen. However, lack of evidence on extended treatment using Bdq or Dlm has limited their use to six months. We examine the frequency and incidence of QT prolongation based on duration of Bdq and/or Dlm use in longer regimens.

From burnout to breakthrough: understanding the work-related stress-motivation Nexus in medical imaging professionals.

Background: Work-related stress is a pervasive issue in the global occupational health landscape, ranking as the second-most common problem after low back pain. In Ethiopia, the healthcare sector is particularly affected by low staff motivation and stressed workers, which can significantly impact the functioning of health systems. However, when it comes to medical imaging professionals (MIPs), there is a lack of substantial evidence regarding the relationship between work-related stress and motivation.