Correlates of Trachoma Recrudescence: Results from 51 District-Level Trachoma Surveillance Surveys in Amhara, Ethiopia.

Trachoma recrudescence is a serious concern for trachoma control programs. Programs define recrudescence as the return of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) prevalence above elimination threshold (≥5%) on district-level trachoma surveillance surveys (TSSs). This study aimed to determine potential correlates of trachoma recrudescence within a historically highly endemic region.

Impact of maternal antenatal nutrition and infection treatment interventions on Longitudinal Infant Development and Growth in rural Ethiopia: protocol of the LIDG child follow-up study.

Introduction: Maternal undernutrition and inflammation in utero may significantly impact the neurodevelopmental potential of offspring. However, few studies have investigated the effects of pregnancy interventions on long-term child growth and development. This study will examine the effects of prenatal nutrition and infection management interventions on long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of offspring.

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.

Effect of pregnancy intention on completion of maternity continuum of care in Sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The maternity continuum of care is a strategy to provide timely and quality maternal and child healthcare through preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal, and the early childhood periods. The maternity continuum of care effectively reduces global maternal and neonatal deaths. However, several factors are reported to cause low completion of the maternity continuum of care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Measles vaccine effectiveness in African children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease that can be prevented through vaccination. It is caused by the measles virus and presents with symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a distinctive rash. Complications may include pneumonia, diarrhoea, and neurological issues.

Introduction of dengue virus serotype 3 in the Afar Region, Ethiopia.

The genetic analysis of the Dengue virus circulating in Ethiopia's Afar region, in 2023, identified three distinct introductions with spatiotemporal clustering linked to genomes from Asia and Italy. These findings are crucial for enhancing prevention and control strategies, reinforcing the necessity to provide sustainable tools for genomic epidemiology in Africa.

Distinct neutrophil effector functions in response to different isolates of Leishmania aethiopica.

Background: In Ethiopia, cutaneous leishmaniasis is mainly caused by Leishmania (L.) aethiopica parasites and presents in three main clinical forms. It is still not clear if the host immune response plays a role in the development of these different presentations.

A novel machine-learning aided platform for rapid detection of urine ESBLs and carbapenemases: URECA-LAMP.

Pathogenic gram-negative bacteria frequently carry genes encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and/or carbapenemases. Of great concern are carbapenem resistant , , and . Despite the need for rapid AMR diagnostics globally, current molecular detection methods often require expensive equipment and trained personnel.

Antibiotic Prescribing Behavior of Physicians in Outpatient Departments in Hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia: Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

Background: Antibiotic resistance, fueled by irrational prescribing, is a global threat associated with health, social, and economic consequences. Understanding antibiotic prescribing behavior and associated factors is important to promote good prescribing practice.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting antibiotic prescribing behaviors of physicians based on the theory of planned behavior in hospitals in northwest Ethiopia in 2022.

Quality of neonatal health care in comprehensive specialized hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: a retrospective study with neonatal death audit.

Background: Neonatal health is one of the targets for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) that aim to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1 000 live births in 2030. However, the world is not on track to achieve this target. The problem has worsened in many low-income countries, including Ethiopia, due to a fragile health system, as well as health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, food insecurity and climate change.

Correlation of Clinical Severity of Trachomatous Inflammation and Chlamydia trachomatis Bacterial Load.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between bacterial load of Chlamydia trachomatis as measured from quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the relative clinical severity of trachomatous inflammation. Individuals with trachoma from rural communities in Ethiopia had photographs taken as well as swabs obtained of the upper tarsal conjunctivas. Conjunctival swabs were processed with PCR assay, which provided quantitative results of ocular chlamydial load.

Cervical cancer screening utilization and associated factors among women living with HIV in Ethiopia, 2024: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant global health challenge, with the majority of cases and deaths occurring in low-resource regions like sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Women living with HIV (WLHIV) in this area face a six-fold higher risk of cervical cancer compared to women living without HIV Both the availability of screening services and their utilization remain low, particularly among WLHIV, hindering efforts to reduce the cervical cancer burden in this vulnerable population.

Objective: This study aimed to synthesize the current research on the prevalence of cervical cancer screening utilization and the associated factors among women living with HIV in Ethiopia.

Association between pregnancy intention and completion of newborn and infant continuum of care in Sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The newborn and infant continuum of care such as essential newborn care, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and immunisation are highly recommended for improving the quality of life and survival of infants. However, newborn and infant mortality remains high across Sub-Saharan African countries. While unintended pregnancies are associated with adverse newborn and infant health outcomes, there is inconclusive evidence on whether pregnancy intention influences newborn and infant continuum of care completion.

HIV Stigma in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, and a Unique Community Association as a Potential Partner.

Indigenous institutions play a vital role in fighting HIV stigma by leveraging their cultural knowledge, leadership, and community connections. Understanding HIV/AIDS attitudes, information gaps, and stigma among members of indigenous institutions is critical for devising culturally relevant and successful interventions and preventative strategies. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the various HIV/AIDS discriminatory attitudes and practices among members of the Awi Equestrian Association, an indigenous association in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, that plays major roles in the social, cultural, political, and economic activities of the community.

Altered co-stimulatory and inhibitory receptors on monocyte subsets in patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites from the Leishmania (L.) donovani complex. VL is characterised by uncontrolled parasite replication in spleen, liver and bone marrow, and by an impaired immune response and high systemic levels of inflammation.

Demographic characteristics and clinical features of patients presenting with different forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis, in Lay Gayint, Northern Ethiopia.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites, that can cause long-term chronic disabilities. The clinical presentation of CL varies in both type and severity. CL presents as three main clinical forms: localised lesions (localised cutaneous leishmaniasis, LCL); mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) that affects the mucosa of the nose or the mouth; or as disseminated not ulcerating nodules (diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, DCL).

Compliance with tetracycline eye ointment during annual mass drug administration for trachoma control in the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Objectives: A 6-week course of tetracycline eye ointment is an alternative to single -dose oral azithromycin in annual mass drug administration for trachoma control. Compliance with the recommended tetracycline eye ointment regimen has not been well characterised when administered as part of a trachoma control program.

Methods: A routine mass drug administration for trachoma was carried out in 40 communities in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Intention to leave the current health facility among healthcare workers in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Strengthening workforce management to address retention challenges is worldwide concern. Ethiopia did different human resource reforms to improve retention and performance of available health workforce to step up towards universal health coverage. However, there is limited and fragmented research on intention to leave their current facility and related factors on health workers.