Asymptomatic Malaria in Households and Neighbors of Laboratory Confirmed Cases in Raya Kobo District,Northeast Ethiopia

BackgroundMalaria is the leading vector-borne parasitic disease that is causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. So far huge efforts to control and eliminate malaria are hindered by the occurrence of asymptomatic carriers that are a potential source of infection. Yet, there is a scarcity of data nationally and in the current study area as well. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 involving a total of 270 study participants recruited via purposive non-probability sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, individual and household factors related to asymptomatic malaria. Data were entered in Epi Data 3.1 version and analyzed by using SPSS version 20, and p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe overall prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 7.0%, with 3.0%, 5.2%, and 12.0%, respectively by Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), Microscopy and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The majority of infections (73.7%) were identified from index households. Previous malaria history (AOR: 4.030, 95% CI: 1.021–15.903), living with index cases (AOR: 3.880, 95% CI: 1.275–11.806) and family size > 6 members (AOR: 4.820, 95% CI: 1.260–18.437) were significant predictors of asymptomatic malaria.ConclusionReactive case detection had identified considerably higher asymptomatic malaria cases in the community. Therefore, active case investigation should be established in the community by tracking the symptomatic cases at the health facilities.     

Predictors of mortality among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition,Northwest Ethiopia: an institution based retrospective cohort study

Background

Globally, approximately 19 million children under 5 years are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income countries including Ethiopia. However, little is known regarding predictors of mortality among these children in Ethiopia. The current study aimed to assess the potential predictors of mortality among under-five children with SAM admitted to a stabilization center.

Method

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 527 under-five children who were admitted for SAM at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital from 2014 to 2016. Data were collected from a randomly selected chart after getting ethical clearance. Data were cleaned, coded and entered to Epi-info (version 7) and analyzed using STATA (version14). The outcome was computed by using tables and graphs. A multivariable cox proportional hazards model was fitted to identify predictors of mortality.

Result

Overall, the median follow-up period was 10 days with interquartile range (Q1, Q3: 8, 17). At the end of the follow-up, the mortality rate was 66(12.52%). Anemia (AHR(Adjusted Hazard Ratio): 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.5), Shock (AHR: 7.9, 95% CI: 3.7, 16.7), no intake of antibiotics (AHR: 2.3 95% CI: 1.2, 4.4), IV-Fluid (AHR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.7, 5.8), no intake of F75 (AHR: 6.6,95% CI: 2.9, 14.7) and no intake of F100 (AHR: 3, 95% CI: 1.6, 5.4) were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

The survival status of under-five children with SAM was lower than the national standard protocol. Altered general conditions such as shock, anemia, not adhering to medical and nutritional therapies were identified as predictors of mortality among SAM children. Health education on early medical seeking behavior and adherence on the routine regimens may improve this gap in child survival.

     

Stigma in Ethiopia: association with depressive symptoms in people with HIV

Rates of depression among people living with HIV can be as high as 50%. In many settings, HIV-related stigma has been associated with depressive symptoms which may lead to poor engagement in care and ultimately, poorer health outcomes. Stigma is a major issue in Ethiopia but data examining the relationship between stigma and depression in Ethiopia are lacking. We performed a mixed-methods cross-sectional study to examine the relationship between stigma of HIV/AIDS and depressive symptoms in Gondar, Ethiopia. We interviewed patients who presented for routine HIV care at Gondar University Hospital during the study period, examining depressive symptoms and HIV/AIDS-related stigma using standardized measures. Multiple-regression was used to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, stigma, and gender. Of 55 patients included in this analysis, 63.6% were female and most participants had limited formal education (69%, less than 12th grade education). The majority reported experiencing both stigma (78%) and depressive symptoms (60%) ranging in severity from mild to moderately severe. Higher levels of HIV-related stigma were significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (β = 0.464, p ≤ 0.001). Although gender was associated with stigma, it was not associated with depressive symptoms (β = ?0.027, p > 0.05). Results suggest the importance of psychosocial issues in the lives of people with HIV in Ethiopia.     

Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections and Geophagia among Pregnant Women in Jimma Town Health Institutions,Southwest Ethiopia

BackgroundPregnancy is a key step for human''s reproduction and continuity of generation. Pregnant women are among at risk groups for the infection of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). STHs are highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries due to the deprived environmental sanitation and personal hygiene. Eating soil (geophagia) is also commonly practiced by pregnant women, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of STHs and geophagia, and to assess associated factors among pregnant women in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among 407 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at different health facilities located in Jimma Town. Data related to sociodemographic and geophagia practice was collected using a structured questionnaire and STH infections status was determined by using McMaster technique.ResultsA total of 407 pregnant women were included in this study. The overall prevalence of any STHs was 19.7% (80/407). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent 45(56.2%), followed by Trichuris trichiura 19(23.8%) and hookworms 12(15%). There were 4(5%) of double infection with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Overall, 71 (17.4%) of the pregnant women responded to practice geophagia. STHs infection was significantly higher among geophagic pregnant women (p<0.01) and pregnant women who practiced geophagia were 3 times more likely (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–4.2) to have the STHs compared to non-geophagic. Out of those who claimed soil eating habits, 59.1% preferred reddish soil type. Geophagia practice was significantly higher during the third trimester as compared to first and second (p<0.05).ConclusionGeophagia is a risky behavior and this study showed a significant association of geophagia practice with STH infections, although the causal relation could not be established.     

Cholera Epidemic Associated with Consumption of Unsafe Drinking Water and Street-Vended Water—Eastern Freetown,Sierra Leone, 2012

During 2012, Sierra Leone experienced a cholera epidemic with 22,815 reported cases and 296 deaths. We conducted a matched case-control study to assess risk factors, enrolling 49 cases and 98 controls. Stool specimens were analyzed by culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Conditional logistic regression found that consuming unsafe water (matched odds ratio [mOR]: 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1, 11.0), street-vended water (mOR: 9.4; 95% CI: 2.0, 43.7), and crab (mOR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.03, 10.6) were significant risk factors for cholera infection. Of 30 stool specimens, 13 (43%) showed PCR evidence of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1. Six specimens yielded isolates of V. cholerae O1, El Tor; PFGE identified a pattern previously observed in seven countries. We recommended ensuring the quality of improved water sources, promoting household chlorination, and educating street vendors on water handling practices.     

Long-Term Effects of Truancy Diversion on School Attendance: a Quasi-Experimental Study with Linked Administrative Data

Prevention Science - Over 60% of US school districts implement court diversion programs to address chronic unexcused absenteeism, yet the effectiveness of these programs is not known. We evaluated...     

The incidence of oxygen desaturation during rapid sequence induction and intubation

BACKGROUND:

Rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) is an emergency airway management technique for patients with a risk of pulmonary aspiration. It involves preoxygenation, administration of predetermined doses of induction and paralytic drugs, avoidance of mask ventilation, and laryngoscopy followed by tracheal intubation and keeping cricoid pressure applied till endotracheal tube cuff be inflated. Oxygen desaturation has been seen during RSII. We assessed the incidence of oxygen desaturation during RSII.

METHODS:

An institution-based observational study was conducted from March 3 to May 4, 2014 in our hospital. All patients who were operated upon under general anesthesia with RSII during the study period were included. A checklist was prepared for data collection.

RESULTS:

A total of 153 patients were included in this study with a response rate of 91.6%. Appropriate drugs for RSII, equipments for RSII, equipments for difficult intubation, suction machine with a catheter, a monitor and an oxygen backup such as ambu bag were not prepared for 41 (26.8%), 50 (32.7%), 51 (33.3%), 38 (24.8%) and 25 (16.3%) patients respectively. Cricoid pressure was not applied at all for 17 (11.1%) patients and 53 (34.6%) patients were ventilated after induction of anesthesia but before intubation and endotracheal cuff inflation. A total of 55 (35.9%) patients desaturated during RSII (SPO₂<95%). The minimum, maximum and mean oxygen desaturations were 26%, 94% and 70.9% respectively. The oxygen desaturation was in the range of <50%, 50%–64%, 65%–74%, 75%–84%, 85%–89 % and 90%–94% for 6 (3.9%), 7 (4.6%), 5 (3.3%), 10 (6.5%), 13 (8.5%) and 14 (9.2%) patients respectively.

CONCLUSION:

The incidence of oxygen desaturation during RSII was high in our hospital. Preoperative patient optimization and training about the techniques of RSII should be emphasized.KEY WORDS: General anesthesia, Rapid sequence induction and intubation, Oxygen desaturation     

Incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up among adult HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral therapy at North Shewa zone public Hospitals,Northeast Ethiopia: A retrospective follow-up study

BackgroundPatients who are lost to follow-up while on treatment compromise their own health and the long-term success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs. Besides, loss to follow-up (LTFU) increases HIV-related morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence of LTFU and its predictors among adult HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral therapy at North Shoa zone public hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective follow up study of 517 people living with HIV/AIDS and attending an ART clinic between 2015 and 2020 was conducted at North Shewa zone, public hospitals. Kaplan-Meier failure function together with log rank test was used to compare failure function. Multivariable Cox proportion hazards regression model was used to determine predictors of LTFU.ResultThe incidence density rate of lost to follow up among HIV positive adult on ART was found to be 8.9 per 100 adult years observation (95%CI; 7.45, 10.68). In multivariable cox proportional regression analysis, WHO clinical stage-IV (AHR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.75), comorbidity disease (AHR = 0.54; 95% CI; 0.30, 0.97), body mass index less than 18kg/m2 (AHR = 1.60; 95% CI; 1.02, 2.51), cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (AHR = 1.57; 95% CI;1.09, 2.53), and a low CD4 count (AHR = 1.66; 95% CI; 1.29, 3.49) were found to be a significant predictors of lost to follow up.ConclusionThe current study showed that the incidence rate of loss to ART follow-up was high. Body mass index score less than 18kg/m2, advanced WHO clinical stage, CD4<200cell/mm³, had comorbidity disease, and cotrimoxazole therapy were a significant predictors of lost to ART follow up. Therefore, appropriate mitigation measures in the at-risk group need to be instigated to advance retention rate.