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.     

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing, sociodemographic description and its effect on academic performance, Jimma University students 2002

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing habit is being a hot issue of discussion nation wide. This habit is spreading at an alarming rate among the young generation, especially in high schools and higher institutions, where there are intensive academic activities. Students in colleges and universities commonly use khat, hoping that it improves their academic performance. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of khat chewing and its impact on academic performance. A cross sectional study was conducted, in January 2002, on a representative sample of 500 students selected by systematic random sampling technique from a total of 2073 students who stayed in the university at least two years. Out of these, 76.91% were males, 59.53% were Orthodox believers, 70.98% were between 16 and 25 years old, and 49.15% were Amhara in their ethnic background. The current prevalence of khat chewing was estimated to be 24.79%. In this study, 27% of male students, 46.74% of Muslim students and 31.30% of Oromo students were found to be khat chewers. Khat chewing has a significant association with high income (p < 0.001), with smoking habit (p < 0.05) and with coffee drinking habit (p < 0.001). The presence of khat chewers in the family and among friends have also a positive association with khat chewing habit. The mean cummulative grade point average (CGPA) of non-chewers was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of chewers. In conclusion, the present study depicts that gender, age, religion, ethnicity and income have a positive association with the habit of khat chewing. The t-test value showed a significant difference between the mean CGPA of Khat chewers and non chewers in favor of the later. This indicates that Khat chewing may not help to improve academic performance.     

Estimating transmitted power density from mobile phone: an epidemiological pilot study with a software modified phone

The aims of this study were to evaluate the weekly and annual cumulative radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure attributed to mobile phone (MP) use, and assess whether a novel app (Quanta Monitor?) could be employed in a small human sample to characterise the RF-EMF exposures associated with the use of MPs. Ten participants provided their two months’ daily objective data on their MP exposures (i.e. transmitted and received power densities) attributed to different modes of MP usage such as cellular calls, cellular data and Wi-Fi. The results demonstrated that total transmitted power density (cellular phone calls, data and Wi-Fi surfing) could be many orders of magnitude higher than that from the total received power density. Of the total transmitted power density, cellular data use contributed the largest portion. Our study showed that Quanta Monitor? could be employed in prospective assessment of exposures to MPs in epidemiological studies.     

Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors in human immuno deficiency virus infected adult individuals in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Anemia is a common hematologic disorder among human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected adult Individuals. However, there is no concrete scientific evidence established at national level in Ethiopia. Hence, this review gave special emphasis on Ethiopian HIV infected adult individuals to estimate pooled prevalence of anemia and its associated factors at national level.

Methods

Studies were retrieved through search engines in PUBMED/Medline, Cochrane Library, and the web of science, Google and Google scholar following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistical Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for critical appraisal of the included studies. Random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of anemia and associated factors at 95% Confidence interval with its respective odds ratio (OR). Meta regression was also carried out to identify the factors. Moreover, Sub-group analysis, begs and egger test followed by trim-and-fill analysis were employed to assess heterogeneity and publication bias respectively.

Result

A total of 532 articles were identified through searching of which 20 studies were included in the final review with a total sample size of 8079 HIV infected adult individuals. The pooled prevalence of anemia was 31.00% (95% CI: 23.94, 38.02). Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4) count <= 200 cells/μl with OR?=?3.01 (95% CI: 1.87, 4.84), World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage III&IV with OR?=?2.5 (95% CI: 1.29, 4.84), opportunistic infections (OIs) with OR?=?1.76 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.89) and body mass index (BMI) <?18.5 kg/M² with OR?=?1.55 ((95% CI: 1. 28, 1.88) were the associated factors.

Conclusion

This review demonstrates high prevalence of anemia among HIV infected adults. Low CD4 count, WHO clinical stage III&IV, OIs and low level of BMI were found to have significant association with the occurrence of anemia. Therefore, the responsible stockholders including anti retro viral treatment (ART) clinics should strengthen the system and procedures for the early diagnosis of opportunistic infection and screening of underlying problems. There should be also early screening for OIs and under nutrition with strict and frequent monitoring of HIV infected individuals CD4 count.

     

Surgical Admissions and Treatment Outcomes at a Tertiary Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Ethiopia: A Two-Year Review

BackgroundIntensive Care Unit (ICU) is a special unit where critically ill patients who require advanced respiratory or hemodynamic support are admitted. Little has been published about surgical intensive care unit patients in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of admission and treatment outcomes of adult surgical patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at St. Paul''s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC).MethodsA two-year retrospective medical record review of all adult surgical patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit at St. Paul''s Hospital Millennium Medical College.ResultsSurgical patients made up 91(22.1%) of 411 admissions of adult intensive care unit. Of these, 82 (M: F = 1.5:1) patients were analyzed. Age ranged from 16 to 82 years with a mean age of 43 years (SD +/-18.2). Emergency admissions accounted for 70(85.4%) cases. The top three primary admission diagnoses were generalized peritonitis secondary to perforated viscus (25,30.5%), bowel obstruction (21,25.6 %) and trauma (13,15.9%). Acute respiratory failure (38,46.3%) and septic shock (23,28.0%) were the leading indications of intensive care unit admission. Most patients (62,75.6%) received mechanical ventilatory support. The mean length of intensive care unit stay was 7.3 days (SD+/-5.2).Death occurred in 33(40.2%) patients. Mortality was higher in those who stayed for 48 hours (OR=5.6;95% CI 1.60–19.69; p=0.007) and in ventilated patients (OR=5.3; 95% CI 1.41–19.98; p=0.013).ConclusionThe observed mortality in this review was higher than the one in most reports. It was significantly high in patients who stayed for 48 hours and in those who required mechanical ventilatory support.     

Sleep deprivation and associated factors among students of the Institute of Health in Jimma University,Southwest Ethiopia

Objective: Despite getting sufficient sleep being one of the most important things that we can do to keep our body and mind healthy, sleep deprivation has become a major public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep deprivation and its associated factors among students of the Institute of Health in Jimma University.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 10 to April 24 in 2019. Data were collected from 365 randomly selected participants and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; version 23). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with sleep deprivation. The level of significance was declared at a P-value of <0.05. Results: A total of 365 participants participated, with a response rate of 97.6％. The study findings showed that 60.8％ of students had sleep deprivation and 68.2％ had sleep latency. Health problems (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.91 [95％ confidence interval {CI} = 1.01–3.58]), alcohol consumption [AOR = 0.42 (95％ CI = 0.2–0.89)], cigarette smoking [AOR = 0.31 (95％ CI = 0.09–0.93)], khat chewing [AOR = 0.47 (95％ CI = 0.12–0.82)], use of an electronic device before bedtime [AOR = 5.26 (95％ CI = 1.78–15.52)], and cumulative grade point average (CGPA) [AOR = 0.48 (95％ CI = 0.27–0.83)] were significantly associated with sleep deprivation. Conclusions: Sleep deprivation was common in the study area. This is mainly due to health problems, substance utilization, long-time use of an electronic device, and low CGPA. Therefore, a strategy and system should be established to limit substance use, enhance proper use of electronic devices, and create awareness on the impact of nonoptimal sleep.