Qualitative drivers of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics use and resistance in Ethiopia.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) cautions against unnecessary prolongation of postoperative antibiotics to prevent surgical site infections (SSI), however this practice is still common in many countries. This study aims to describe drivers of prolonged postoperative antibiotic prescribing and clinicians' perspectives on antibiotics resistance and stewardship in Ethiopia.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews of 16 surgeons and nine surgical ward nurses at three academic referral hospitals in Addis Ababa.

Extended tests for evaluating post-traumatic brain injury deficits in resource-limited settings: methods and pilot study data.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of all injury-related deaths and disabilities in the world, especially in low to middle-income countries (LMICs) which also suffer from lower levels of funding for all levels of the health care system for patients suffering from TBI. These patients do not generally get comprehensive diagnostic workup, monitoring, or treatment, and return to work too quickly, often with undiagnosed post-traumatic deficits which in turn can lead to subsequent incidents of physical harm.

Methods: Here, we share methods and results from our research project to establish innovative, simple, and scientifically based practices that dramatically leverage technology and validated testing strategies to identify post-TBI deficits quickly and accurately, to circumvent economic realities on the ground in LMICs.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Assess Diaphragmatic Paralysis in Resource-Limited Setting: A Case Series.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction can arise from various factors, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, characterized by acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy, is one such cause that may result in respiratory failure due to diaphragmatic paralysis. Prompt recognition and timely intervention, including airway protection and addressing the underlying pathology, are crucial for achieving optimal patient outcomes. Point-of-care ultrasound, specifically utilizing the M-mode function, can be employed for individuals displaying symptoms of diaphragmatic paralysis.

Understanding the challenges of delivering radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries in Africa.

Background: Access to high quality radiotherapy (RT) continues to be a major issue across Africa with Africa having just 34% of its optimal capacity.

Methods: We co-developed a survey with clinical, academic and policy stakeholders designed to provide a structured assessment of the barriers and enablers to RT capacity building in Africa. The survey covered nine key themes including funding, procurement, education and training.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Acetabular Fractures Treated Operatively without a C-Arm in Ethiopia.

Background: There is little evidence describing the open treatment of displaced acetabular fractures in low-resource environments. We endeavored to determine the results of the operative management of acetabular fractures without intraoperative C-arm use in a developing nation, through the assessment of patient-reported outcome measures.

Methods: This was a prospective, single-surgeon, consecutive case series conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Ethiopia, a high-population, low-income country.

Self-care practice among adult hypertensive patients at ambulatory clinic of tertiary teaching Hospital in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, hypertension is a major public health problem and a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease complications. To reduce and prevent complications from hypertension, it is important to adapt self-care behaviors. This study aimed to assess the self-care practices of adult hypertensive patients at a tertiary teaching hospital in Ethiopia.

Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infections among preschool and school-age children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is a lack of comprehensive national data on prevalence, geographical distribution of different species, and temporal trends in soil-helminthiasis (STHs). Therefore, this study aimed to provide a summary and location of the available data on STHs infection among preschool and school-age children in Ethiopia.

Methods: The search was carried out in Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar on data published between 1997 to February 2020 for studies describing the rate of STHs infection among preschool and school-age in Ethiopian.

High rates of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among patients with active tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have negative synergistic impact on each other. Global guidelines recommend collaborative efforts to address this synergy, but implementation has been slow. Part of the reason is lack of adequate evidence on the operational feasibility of existing tools and mechanisms of collaboration.

Epidemiology of staphylococci species and their antimicrobial-resistance among patients with wound infection in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pooled estimate of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci and their antimicrobial-resistance in patients with wound infection.

Methods: Literature searches were carried out in the electronic biomedical databases and indexing services such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Original records of research articles, available online from 1988 to March 2020, addressing the rates and antimicrobial-resistance pattern of staphylococcus aureus (S.

Availability of Therapies and Services for Parkinson's Disease in Africa: A Continent-Wide Survey.

Background: The growing burden of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Africa necessitates the identification of available therapies and services to improve patient care.

Objective: To investigate the availability, affordability, frequency of usage, and insurance coverage of PD therapies (pharmacological, surgical, physical, and speech therapies) and services including specialized clinics, specialists, and nurses across Africa.

Methods: A comprehensive web-based survey was constructed and distributed to neurologists/physicians with a special interest in PD across Africa.

HIV-positive status disclosure to a sexual partner and associated factors among HIV-positive pregnant women attending antenatal care in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Pregnant women who disclose their HIV-positive status to their sexual partners have played an important role in reducing the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission to the baby during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postnatal periods. Studies are limited in the current study area in a similar arena. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the proportion of HIV-positive status disclosure and its associated factors among pregnant women.

Knowledge towards cervical cancer screening and associated factors among urban health extension workers at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: facility based cross-sectional survey.

Background: Cervical cancer is preventable and remains a leading cause of avoidable death among women in the world. In a developing country, the knowledge of screening for cervical cancer behavior still very low. However, little is known about the knowledge towards cervical cancer screening of urban health extension workers in Ethiopia.

Immediate postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device utilization and influencing factors in Addis Ababa public hospitals: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUCD) utilization remains very low in Ethiopia beside high levels of unmet need for postpartum family planning even if nongovernmental organizations efforts to promote its use. This study investigates immediate PPIUCD utilization and influencing factors.

Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on public hospitals of Addis Ababa city.

Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Family Caregivers of Adult Cancer Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Cancer has a major impact on the lives of family caregivers, including their health and quality of life (QOL). However, little is known about the QOL of family caregivers of adult cancer patients in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the QOL and associated factors among primary family caregivers of adult cancer patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methicillin- and Inducible Clindamycin-Resistant among Patients with Wound Infection Attending Arba Minch Hospital, South Ethiopia.

Background: Wound infection is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. Different bacteria cause infection, of which is one of the known bacteria in causing infection with increased drug-resistant isolates.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin and inducible clindamycin-resistant among patients with wound infections attending Arba Minch Hospital.

One Hundred Skull Base Meningiomas Operated at Black Lion Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Objective: After 10 years of training in their home country, neurosurgeons at Black Lion Specialized Hospital (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) operated on skull base meningiomas independent of their external teachers. The present study used a retrospective design of an in-hospital series with short-term follow-up.

Methods: A total of 100 patients (mean age, 40.

Efficacy of intravenous tramadol and low-dose ketamine in the prevention of post-spinal anesthesia shivering following cesarean section: a double-blinded, randomized control trial.

Background: Shivering is a frequent and undesirable complication of spinal anesthesia. It is a physiologic response to increase the body core temperature in an attempt to raise metabolic heat production. However, shivering may trigger myocardial ischemia; increase intraocular and intracranial pressures, increase wound pain, delay wound healing and interfere with pulse rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram monitoring.