Vol 62, No 2 (2024): April 2024 Volume 62 Number 2

Abstract

Background: Otitis media is a pervasive childhood problem posing great healthcare challenges in developing countries. The magnitude of the problem and the lack of appropriate data about the prevalence, common etiologic agents, and the risk factors responsible for otitis media among children in Eritrea have encouraged us to undertake the present study.

Methods: A total of 366 ear discharge samples were collected by an Otorhinolaryngologist. All collected samples were screened by using appropriate media and conditions that favor the growth of bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done to record the sensitivity and resistance of bacteria by the disc diffusion method. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using standard and structured questionnaires and the data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.

Results: Of 400, 366 (91.5%) samples were with Otitis media and 305 showed the presence of bacteria (83.33%). The most common pathogenic bacteria was Staphylococcus aureus followed by Hemophilus influenza and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that the infection is more common in lower-aged children, daycare attendees, and big families. All are statistically significant (P-value 0.003), (P-value 0.036) (p<0.000), respectively. H.influenza, P.aeruginosa, and S.aureus showed good sensitivity towards ciprofloxacin, which was 85.5%, 100%, and 68.1% respectively.

Conclusion: Of 400, 366 (91.5%) samples were with Otitis media and 305 showed the presence of bacteria

(83.33%). The most common pathogenic bacteria was Staphylococcus aureus followed by Hemophilus influenza

and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that the infection is more common in lower-aged children, daycare attendees, and big families. All are statistically significant (P-value 0.003), (P-value 0.036) (p<0.000), respectively. H.influenza, P.aeruginosa, and S.aureus showed good sensitivity towards ciprofloxacin, which was 85.5%, 100%, and 68.1% respectively.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major global public health problem that affects millions of people each year and has been linked to poor prognosis in critically ill patients. As being a common complication in hospitalized patients, understanding its effect on non-critical patients is equally crucial, but there is a paucity of knowledge in this area, particularly in Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of AKI on in-hospital morality in non-critical medical patients admitted to a large tertiary hospital in Ethiopia.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 319 non-critical medical patients (113 with AKI and 206 without AKI) admitted between July 2019 and January 2022 was conducted. The in-hospital mortality rate was estimated using incidence density with a 95% CI. The two groups' comparability was assessed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The effect of AKI on in-hospital mortality was analyzed using a log-binomial regression model with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 determining a significant effect, and the effect was measured using adjusted relative risk (ARR) and its 95% CI.
Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.8 per 1000 person-days of observation (95% CI=4.9-9.4). AKI did not show a significant effect on in-hospital mortality (ARR = 0.72, 95% CI=0.30-1.71, p=0.450). On the other hand, sepsis was found to be a significant predictor, with over a threefold increase in the risk of in-hospital mortality (ARR=3.47, 95% CI=1.60-7.52, p=0.002).
Conclusion: With early detection and proper management, non-critical patients with AKI can have a similar prognosis as those without AKI, unlike the critical setting. However, sepsis was found to be a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality implying the need to pay special attention to the management of these cases.

Introduction: Despite financial investments and support for family planning in Addis Ababa, many individuals in poverty hesitate to use modern contraception, and sustained usage rates are often low. The enhancement of reproductive health in women can result in an improvement in children’s nutritional status, and conversely, an improvement in nutrition can contribute to the improvement of reproductive health. The study aims to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and contraceptive use.

Method: A study was conducted on 651 reproductive-age women in three randomly selected Woredas (districts) from Lideta Sub-city from February to March 2023. Six Ketenas(villages) were selected using a probability proportional to size technique from three Woredas. Data was collected through a validated survey by trained individuals, and household income and expenditure were used to measure food insecurity access. The Pearson chi-square test (c²) and logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and contraceptive use, considering other covariates.

Result: Modern contraception usage was at 50.5% in the study area. Women with food insecurity had only a 32.0% usage rate, while those who were food secure had a higher rate of 68.7%. Women in food-insecure households have a 76.5% lower chance of using modern contraception. Positive attitude, family planning information, partner discussion, income, and childhood mortality are associated with contraception (p <0.05).

Conclusion: The utilization of modern methods of contraception shows a negative correlation with food insecurity. Therefore, addressing household food insecurity as a potential obstacle to the development of family planning services requires comprehensive stakeholder engagement and socio-economic policy intervention.

Background: Nutrient deficiencies are a public health concern among pregnant women in developing countries,
including Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of nutrients among pregnant women in Dilla, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Dilla Town, Southern, Ethiopia. Data
on socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics were collected using a standardized questionnaire. We employed a day-weighted food record method among 71 pregnant mothers. All the foods consumed by pregnant women were weighed using digital weight scales. Data collectors and supervisors were trained in data collection techniques and procedures. Calibration of equipment and standardized techniques were used to minimize random anthropometric measurement errors. Data entry was done using SPSS version 25 and NutriSurvey2007 and exported
to Intake, Monitoring Assessment and Planning Program (IMAPP) software to estimate the usual nutrient intake
and prevalence of nutrient inadequacy.
Results: The current study indicated that energy, protein, and micronutrient intakes (iron, folic acid, and calcium)
among pregnant women in the study area were low as compared to the World Health Organization (WHO)/Food
and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reference nutrient intake. The inadequacy of selected micronutrient intakes
such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C, iron, calcium, and zinc for pregnant women by comparing usual nutrient intake with
the estimated average requirement (EAR) cutoff point. Calcium, vitamin-C, and vitamin-A deficiency were prevalent in 98.47, 95.52, and 72.28 percent of the population, respectively.
Conclusions: The prevalence of risk of nutrient inadequacy (calcium, vitamin-A, and vitamin-C) among pregnant
mothers was high. Therefore, multiple micronutrient supplementation and provision of nutrient-dense food-based
interventions need to be considered. Furthermore, multisectoral collaboration on the nutrition-sensitive and specificity intervention is also needed

Background: Healthcare professional motivation is crucial for delivering high-quality healthcare in any setting. However, low motivation is a significant challenge in developing countries like Ethiopia, where workforce shortages and   a weak healthcare system strain to handle an increasing patient flow.This study aimed to assess the motivation levels and associated factors among healthcare professionals working at ALERT Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2022 among 293 healthcare professionals. Participants were selected from the pool of permanent hospital employees who were actively working at the time of the study. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire. Motivation level was assessed using 23 questions under 7 constructs that are measured on a five-point likert scale and finally reported as a standardized percentage of scale maximum (% SM). To identify factors associated with motivation level, a multiple linear regression analysis was run at 5% level of significance, where regression coefficient (β) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to interpret significant results.

Results: The participants' job motivation level was 41.6% (95%CI: 39.8-43.6%). Being a doctor was associated with a significantly lower level of motivation than nurses (β=-7.94, 95%CI=-11.80, -4.07, p<0.001). On the other hand, significantly high motivation levels were associated with having a managerial role (β=3.95, 95%CI=0.74,7.15, p=0.016), availability of adequate resources for effective work performance (β=2.77, 95%CI=1.27,4.27, p<0.0001), and low practice of subjective performance appraisal system (β=2.41, 95%CI=1.02,3.79, p=0.001).

Conclusion: The healthcare professionals' level of motivation was moderate.  Designing interventions to minimize workload, and improve decision making power, resources availability, and performance appraisal system is crucial. Further multi-center study using a mixed-methods design is essential to gain an in-depth understanding and reach a more generalizable finding.