Facility-based Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Histopathologic patterns and factors associated with cervical lesions at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia: A two-year cross-sectional study.

The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus, which connects this organ to the vagina through the endocervical canal. This study aimed to determine the histopathologic patterns and factors associated with cervical lesions at Jimma Medical Center from September 12, 2017, to September 12, 2019. A 2-year facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2020. In this study, cervical cancer was the most common (71%) cause of cervical lesions. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent cervical cancer diagnosed during the study, accounting for 96.4% of 331 cancerous cases, followed by adenocarcinoma (3.3%). High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most frequently diagnosed precancerous lesions, accounting for 68.4% of cases. Endocervical polyps were the most commonly diagnosed benign lesions, accounting for 59.3% of cases. The maximum age distribution of cervical lesions was in the 41-50-year age range. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent type of cervical cancer. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most frequently diagnosed precancerous cervical lesions. The most common benign cervical lesions were endocervical polyps. We recommend educating the community to improve health-seeking behavior and on possible preventive strategies for cervical cancer.

Factors Contributing to Malnutrition among Children Under 5 Years at St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital, Ahafo Hwidiem.

Nutrition among children under 5 plays an important role in the overall development of children physically and psychologically. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition generally affect children. In this study, we estimate the prevalence of 3 malnutrition indicators underweight, stunting and wasting and to assess factors associated with them. The main objective of the study was to assess the factors contributing to malnutrition among children under 5 years old. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design to assess the factors contributing to malnutrition among children under 5 years of age. This is quantitative cross-sectional facility-based study of 245 children aged 11 to 49 months. A structured questionnaire was used, and anthropometric measurements were taken to collect data. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the bivariate association between the outcomes and the characteristics. The binary logistic regression model was employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds of malnutrition indicators among the characteristics observed in the study. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 35.9, 13.9, and 33.9%, respectively. Underweight was significantly higher among females compared to males (42.0% vs. 24.1%) and highest among children aged 11 to 23 months (53.6%). Female children had 3 times more odds of being underweight (AOR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.56-6.12). Compared to children aged 11 to 23 months, the odds of being underweight were less among children aged 24 to 35 months (AOR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13-0.51, P < .001), and 36 to 47 months (AOR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.03-0.29, P < .001). Wasting was less prevalent among children aged 11 to 23 months (4.8%). Also, wasting was high among children aged 24 to 35 months (AOR: 27.41, 95% CI: 9.12-82.37, P < .001), 36 to 47 months (AOR: 28.23, 95% CI: 7.59-104.94, P < .001), and 48 to 59 months (AOR: 18.10, 95% CI: 3.04-107.76, P < .001). None of the observed factors were associated with stunting in the study. This study concludes that child malnutrition was high among under-five children. Promoting the use of healthy complementary feeding, preventing diarrheal diseases, and vaccinating children integrated with access to nutrition education programs are vital interventions to improve the nutritional status of children.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sensorineural Hearing Impairment Among Patients with T2DM in Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022: A Multi-Centered Cross-Sectional Study.

Generally, people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in various countries experience a significant rate of sensorineural hearing impairment. Nonetheless, there is scant evidence of sensorineural hearing impairment among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Northwest Ethiopian. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence rate and contributing factors of sensorineural hearing impairment in type 2 diabetics at comprehensive and specialized referral hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was carried out from May 3, 2022, to June 14, 2022, on 846 study participants in Ethiopia, with a response rate of 99.65%. The research subjects were chosen by simple random sampling techniques. Data was gathered by using audiometric measurements and structured interview-administered questionnaires and then entered into EPI data version 4.6. Finally, it was exported to STATA 14 for analysis. Binary logistic regression, chi-square test, and odds ratio were done to verify the assumptions and degree of association. Ultimately, factors exhibiting a p-value < 0.05 with a 95% CI were regarded as significant predictors of hearing impairment. The magnitude of sensorineural hearing impairment in this investigation was 50.49% (95% CI: 45.67%, 55.26%). Factors significantly associated with sensorineural hearing impairment were age (AOR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.14), hyperlipidemia (AOR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.05, 7.82), duration of diabetes (AOR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.06), hypertension (AOR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.69) and regular physical exercise (AOR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.68). In this study, relatively high rates of sensorineural hearing impairment were observed. Stakeholders should establish routine hearing screening, and participants will advise to incorporate regular physical exercise into their routines.

Assessment of Diabetes Mellitus Prevalence and Associated Complications among Patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital

In recent years, Africa has witnessed a notable shift in its disease landscape from acute infectious conditions to chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes. The economic impact of diabetes and its complications has become a significant concern, affecting individuals, families, healthcare systems, and national economies through direct medical costs and productivity loss. Uganda, in particular, has observed a rising prevalence of diabetes, with the Uganda Diabetes Association reporting a 1.4% prevalence, accounting for approximately 500,000 individuals affected. This surge in diabetes presents a dual challenge as both a public health issue and an economic burden, necessitating vigilant monitoring and stringent management. Recognizing its profound public health implications in terms of morbidity, mortality, and cost, a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence and complications of diabetes mellitus was conducted at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH). Using a retrospective facility-based cross-sectional study design encompassing qualitative and quantitative approaches, this research reviewed 784 patient records admitted to JRRH from January 2018 to December 2018. The findings revealed a notably high prevalence of diabetes mellitus at 8.2%. Noteworthy gender disparities were observed, with a higher prevalence among males (12%) than females (6%) within the studied population. Moreover, urban dwellers exhibited a higher susceptibility to diabetes compared to rural counterparts, and the risk was observed to escalate with age. Complications associated with diabetes mellitus were alarmingly prevalent, reaching 89.23%, predominantly characterized by microvascular complications, accounting for 56.90%. Despite the severity of complications, the case fatality rate stood at 1.54%, lower than the documented 4%, possibly influenced by a spectrum of contributing factors both positive and negative. The study underscores the urgency for increased focus on diabetes care in Jinja, emphasizing the imperative for further research, robust health education initiatives, and enhanced funding allocation toward managing this escalating health concern. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Diseases, Public Health, Complications, Males and Females.

Patient satisfaction and associated factors among insured and uninsured patients in Deder General Hospital, eastern Ethiopia: a facility-based comparative cross-sectional study.

Patient satisfaction is a crucial measure of healthcare quality, as dissatisfied patients are more likely to miss appointments, disregard treatment plans, and leave hospitals, leading to poor treatment outcomes. Therefore, the study aimed to compare levels of satisfaction with health services and associated factors among insured and uninsured patients in Deder General Hospital, eastern Ethiopia. A comparative cross-sectional study with 532 participants was conducted from December 1-30, 2021. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, analyzed using SPSS, and predictors assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Overall, patient satisfaction with health services was 65.6% (95% CI: 61.5-69.5), and the level of patient satisfaction with health services among insured and noninsured patients was 68.8% (95% CI: 62.8-74.4) and 62.4% (95% CI: 56.8-68.0), respectively. In the final model of multivariable analysis, factors such as educational status of secondary school (AOR = 4.90; 95% CI: 2.05-11.76), and a higher level (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI: 1.05-9.03), getting the entire prescribed drugs (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.43-8.54), getting some of the ordered drugs (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.61-6.94), paying less than 100 Ethiopian birrs (AOR = 4.85; 1.35-17.40) were significantly associated with patient satisfaction among insured patients. Whereas getting the entire and some prescribed drugs were (AOR = 6.28; 95% CI: 3.26-12.05), and (AOR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.70-6.78) times more likely to be satisfied with the service among noninsured patients as compared to their counterparts, respectively. The study found that about six in 10 patients in the study area were satisfied with healthcare services, with insurance patients reporting higher satisfaction. Factors such as receiving prescribed drugs, paying less than 100 Ethiopian birr, having a secondary school education, and having a higher education were associated with satisfaction.

Mediating effects of women’s empowerment on dietary diversity during pregnancy in Central West Ethiopia: A structural equation modelling

ABSTRACT Background Considerable proportions of pregnant women consume inadequately diversified diets in Ethiopia. On the other hand, women’s empowerment is identified as a means of achieving maternal nutrition improvement. However, evidence on the relationship between multiple dimensions of women’s empowerment and dietary diversity during pregnancy is limited in Ethiopia. Objective This study aimed to assess the mediating effects of women’s empowerment in the pathway between women’s education and dietary diversity during pregnancy in West Shewa zone, Ethiopia. Methods A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,383 pregnant women in 2021. Dietary diversity was measured using the minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) tool. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to identify and validate women’s empowerment dimensions. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the pathways linking pregnant women’s education and empowerment to dietary diversity during pregnancy. Results From the latent dimensions of women’s empowerment produced by factor analyses, pregnant women’s education was directly associated with household decision-making power, psychological and time dimensions. In turn, household decision-making power, psychological and time dimensions were associated with dietary diversity during pregnancy. The direct relationship between pregnant women’s education and dietary diversity was insignificant, but the total indirect effect and total effect were significant. Household decision-making power, psychological and time dimensions were significant mediators in the relationship between pregnant women’s education and dietary diversity. However, economic dimension was related to neither pregnant women’s education nor dietary diversity. Conclusion This study highlights pregnant women with better education are more likely to be empowered in household decision-making, psychological and time dimensions; and those empowered pregnant women are more likely to consume more diverse diets, suggesting women’s access to higher education could have a positive indirect effect on consumption of more diverse diets during pregnancy by empowering women in the study area.

Work-related burnout and its associated factors among midwives working at public hospitals in northwest Ethiopia: a multi-centered study.

Work-related burnout (WRB) is defined as the degree of physical and psychological fatigue and exhaustion that is perceived by the person as related to work. Midwives are vulnerable to work-related burnout due to their physically and emotionally demanding nature of their job. It affects the health of professionals and the quality of care provided. However, there is limited evidence on the burden and predictors associated with work-related burnout among midwives in developing countries, including Ethiopia. This study investigated the burden and contributing factors of work-related burnout among midwives in northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 7 to April 30, 2022. A simple random sampling method was used to enroll 640 study participants. The Copenhagen burnout inventory tool was used to assess the magnitude of work-related burnout. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which was then entered into Epi Data 4.6 software and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was fitted to identify factors associated with work-related burnout. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported to declare the factors that are significantly associated with work-related burnout. The prevalence of work-related burnout was found to be 60.47% (95% CI = 56.6-64.2). Workplace violence (AOR = 3.33, CI: 2.02, 5.48), working hours over 60 h a week (AOR = 4.55, CI: 2.78, 7.43), emotional demand of the job (AOR = 8.85, 95% CI: 4.48, 17.47), exposure to blood and body fluids/sharp injuries (AOR = 5.13, CI: 3.12, 7.13), good superior support (AOR = 0.38, CI: 0.23, 0.63), Job rotation of ≤6 months (AOR = 2.30, CI: 1.28, 4.14) and being stressed (AOR = 2.64, CI: 1.63, 4.26) were all found to be strongly linked to work-related burnout. This study found a significant level of work-related burnout among midwives working in public hospitals. Experiencing workplace violence, a job rotation of less than or equals to six months, working hours over 60 h a week, good superior support, exposure to blood and body fluids or needle stick injuries and experiencing stress were significant factors that influenced work-related burnout. Therefore, reducing prolonged working hours, promoting supportive management, creating a safe working environment, and applying effective stress prevention strategies are some of the interventions to prevent or alleviate work-related burnout.

Prevalence and determinants of goitre among children of South Kordofan state, Sudan, 2021: an urgent need for effective implementation of universal salt iodisation.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of goitre among children aged 6-12 years at South Kordofan state. This was a cross-sectional facility-based study. The study was conducted in twenty villages of South Kordofan state during a medical mission. All 575 school-age children (6-12 years) who attended the medical day were examined for clinical assessment of goitre. The prevalence of goitre among children of South Kordofan was 42·8 % (grade 1: 15·7 %, grade 2: 27·1 %). Only 24·2 % of caregivers reported using iodised salt. Mothers working as farmers (OR: 3·209, CI 95 % 1·437, 7·167; P = 0·004) and children of Darforian tribes (OR: 21·799, CI 95 % 2·566, 185·226; P = 0·005) were found to be significantly associated with higher prevalence of goitre among children. This contrasts with children of African tribes, where they were found to have less goitre prevalence (OR: 0·432, CI 95 % 0·213, 0·875; P = 0·02). Iodised salt utilisation (OR = 0·523, CI 95 % 0·320, 0·854; P = 0·01) was found associated with a lower prevalence of goitre. Even though National Iodine Deficiency Disorders control programs were initiated in Sudan more than 25 years ago, the prevalence of goitre among children in South Kordofan state was alarming (42·8 %). Efforts to improve access to iodised salt, increase utilisation and raise awareness are urgently needed.

Determinants of unmet need for family planning among HIV-positive women of reproductive age in a treatment and care center Jos, Northcentral Nigeria

Introduction: About half of Nigeria’s population living with HIV are women. Therefore, the use of contraceptives is useful for HIV prevention. The aim of this study was to assess the unmet need for family planning and its associated factors among HIV-positive women of reproductive age in Jos, North-central. Nigeria.Method: This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 335 HIV positive women of reproductive age attending the (APIN) Public Health Initiative Centre of the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Plateau State. A systematic sampling technique was used to select participants. Pre-tested intervieweradministered questionnaires were used for data collection and statistical analysis done using the SPSS version 23 software package. A logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of unmet needs for family planning. Ethical approval was obtained for the study.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 37.44 ± 6.40 years. Unmet need for family planning was 25.4% and the commonest reasons cited include partner opposition and fear of side effects. Marital status, duration of HIV diagnosis, duration on HAART, use of condom during the last sexual act, partner/husband support, and desire for more children were found to be associated with unmet need for family planning. Predictors of unmet need for family planning were marital status (AOR=0.15, P-value-0.030), duration of HIV diagnosis (AOR=5.09, P-value-0.005), duration on HAARTs (AOR=2.64, P-value-0.03) and desire for more children (AOR=0.42, P-value-0.001).Conclusion: HIV-positive women of reproductive age in Jos have high unmet needs for family planning and will benefit from early reproductive health education which includes couple counseling on contraceptive use.

Factors associated with diabetes concordant comorbidities among adult diabetic patients in Central Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Diabetes comorbidities are a serious public health issue that raises the risk of adverse health effects and complicates diabetes management. It also harms emotional health, medication adherence, self-management, and general quality of life. However, evidence is scarce in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes concordant comorbidities and identify factors associated with the presence of concordant comorbidities among adult diabetic patients in central Ethiopia. A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 adult diabetic patients. A computer-generated simple random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected using a structured data extraction checklist. The collected data were entered into Epi info version 7.2 and exported to SPSS version 27 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. An adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of the association and statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. The prevalence of diabetes-concordant comorbidities was 41% (95% CI: 36.2-46.0). The multivariable logistic regression model showed that age 41-60 (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.60-5.13), place of residence (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.33-3.70), having type two diabetes (AOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.21-8.99), and having positive proteinuria (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.47-4.76) were significantly associated with diabetes concordant comorbidities. The prevalence of diabetes-concordant comorbidities was relatively high. Age, place of residence, type of diabetes, and positive proteinuria were factors associated with diabetes-concordant comorbidities. Prevention, early identification, and proper management of diabetes comorbidities are crucial.

Readiness of managers and health care workers for e-Health: a cross-sectional study in Khartoum primary health care centers, Sudan

Backgrounde-Health is defined as “the use, in the health sector, of digital data— transmitted, stored and retrieved electronically—for clinical, educational and administrative purposes, both at the local site and at a distance”. In Primary health care (PHC), the role of e-Health in promoting PHC systems defines its need to achieve the PHC aims. This literary work aims to study the readiness of managers and healthcare workers for e-Health at Khartoum state PHC centers.MethodsThis was a facility-based cross-sectional study that took place between February and August 2022. A sample size of 327 was calculated, and multistage cluster sampling was used. A validated questionnaire was used, and the generated data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Variables were described as n (%) and mean ± SD. Non-parametric tests and Spearman’s correlation were used to investigate the association of readiness scores with different categorical and numerical variables, respectively. A standard multiple regression model was used to model the associations.ResultsA total of 262 forms were completed. The overall readiness percentages were low for both managers (52.8%) and healthcare workers (55.3%). Factors associated with e-Health readiness included occupation, doctors’ level of expertise, PHC center, and PHC center type.ConclusionsThis study reports low levels of e-Health readiness as reflected by managers and HCWs in Khartoum State PHC. Project planners need to be aware of the obstacles and threats faced by e-Health initiatives if they are not carefully planned, executed, and monitored. Special attention must be given to addressing health inequities and inequalities to ensure that these projects will contribute to fostering accessibility to health services and narrowing the digital divide.

Prevalence, severity and associated risk factors of anemia among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in Sawla General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study

Background Anemia is a significant public health problem in HIV/AIDS patients worldwide. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and its risk factors among HIV-infected adults in Sawla General Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study involving HIV-infected adults was conducted in ART clinic of Sawla General Hospital from April 01 to May 31, 2019. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit the study participants. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire and checklist. Hemoglobin concentration from venous blood was determined by HemoCue® 301 analyzer. Descriptive and inferential statistics, by Statistical Package for Social Science version 26.0, were applied; p-values ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered statistically significant. Results A total of 220 HIV-infected adults participated in this study. The prevalence of anemia was 38.6%, from which 90.6, 7.1, and 2.3% are mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively. Anemia among HIV-infected adults was significantly associated with CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3 (AOR: 4.32; 95% CI: 2.10–8.86), clinical stage III or above (AOR: 4.20; 95% CI: 1.06–16.62), five or more years duration of HIV infection (AOR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.08–4.94) and BMI below 18.5 kg/m2 (AOR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.83–8.00). Conclusion Anemia is a moderate public health problem among the study population. Longer duration of HIV infection, advanced clinical stage, lower CD4 cell count, and BMI are risk factors for anemia. Therefore, early ART enrolment for HIV-infected adults with nutritional support and rigorous monitoring of CD4 cell count are essential to lower the prevalence.

Predictors of information needs among women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant therapy at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundWomen undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer have diverse information needs that remain unfulfilled. Extensive research has shown that access to relevant information about their condition can significantly enhance the quality of life for these women, making it an essential part of cancer care. However, various clinical and socioeconomic factors influence the information needs of these women. Hence, the primary aim of this study is to identify predictors of the information needs of women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. In addition, this study will also describe the preferred sources of information and the optimal timing for its acquisition.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at Tikur Anbessa Specialty Hospital, enlisting a cohort comprising 121 women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Trained interviewers administered an Amharic-translated Toronto information needs questionnaire specifically designed for breast cancer to assess the information needs of the study participants Statistical analysis was executed using the sophisticated software SPSS (version 25). Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the variables of the study. A linear regression analyses was then carried out to identify notable predictors that significantly influenced the information needs of the women.ResultsThe total mean score for overall information needs in the current study was 194.30 (± 28.01), with a range scale of 142–260 and a standardized mean score of 3.74 (± 0.54). The disease and treatment domains had the highest information needs, with standardized mean scores (standard deviation) of 4.00 (± 0.54) and 3.77 (± 0.59), respectively. 95% of the participants sought information from healthcare professionals, and 67.7% of the women needed the information before beginning the treatments. Predictors of information needs were following a single treatment option (β = 12.68; 95% CI (0.68, 24.68); P = 0.039) and joining higher education and above (β = 17.1; 95% CI (1.47, 34.14); P = 0.033).ConclusionThe women exhibited a substantial demand for information. Healthcare professionals need to consider the women’s educational background and treatment status while delivering the needed information.

Development and Validation of Tool for Assessment of Knowledge About Childhood Hypertension Among Final Year Medical Student.

Childhood hypertension (HTN) is becoming one of the most important health concerns in children, and it is the most important predictor of adult HTN. The objective was to assess the level of knowledge and to develop and validate questionnaires about childhood HTN among final-year medical students. This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to September 2018 in 5 teaching hospitals of Central India. A total of 383 interviews were conducted by non-probability purposive sampling using a validated tool. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the validity of the questionnaire, and internal consistency of items was assessed with Cronbach α. A total of 26 items were finalized through consensus. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sample adequacy was measures of sampling adequacy (MSA) = 0.83, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was (x2 = 15.89, P = .014). This study shows that the tool developed had acceptable validity and reliability to assess the knowledge about childhood HTN among undergraduate medical students.

Seroprevalence of diphtheria IgG antibodies among 5–20 years old in diphtheria affected regions during 2018–19: Evidence in support of the revised National Vaccine Policy for diphtheria in India

BackgroundDiphtheria continues to be a public health problem in India as it is re-emerging in several regions of the country. In recent times, apart from preschool-aged children, diphtheria outbreaks are seen to affect older children and adults. The present study was conducted to determine the immunity against diphtheria among the 5–20 years age group in a population from diphtheria-affected regions of Kolar. MethodsThis facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six diphtheria-affected regions of Kolar district, Karnataka, India among the population aged between five and 20 years from June 2018 to December 2019. A total of 337 participants who sought health care from the primary health centres were included in the study and the IgG antibody titres against diphtheria were estimated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chi-square test was done to see the association of variables with antibody titres to diphtheria. ResultsIn the present study, among the 337 study participants; 53.7 % of the participants had full protection, 35.6 % had basic protection and 10.7 % did not have any protection and were susceptible to diphtheria. None of the study participants had reliable long-term protection against diphtheria (>1.0 IU/ML). ConclusionAbout half of the study participants from the diphtheria-affected regions belonged to the susceptible category and the basic protection category. Only 53.7 % of the participants showed full protection against diphtheria. This strongly advocates for the changes made in the National Vaccine Policy in India for the adoption of booster doses of vaccination against diphtheria in the population.

The Outcome of the Treatment of Malnourished Children Treated by Ready To Use Therapeutic Food and Ready to Use Supplementary Food in Wad ElBashir Heath Cente 2021

introduction: Malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition. Child undernutrition is a major global health problem that is more common in low-income countries like Sudan, it can cause childhood morbidity, mortality, and impaired intellectual development. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the outcome of malnourished children treated with ready to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), and ready to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) in Wad Elbasheir Health Centre in Ombada Locality Methods: This is an analytical Cross-Sectional facility-based Study conducted at Wad Elbasheir Health Centre. A convenient nonprobability sampling technique was used in this study. Data were collected using a datasheet after being pretested. Data were collected from secondary data from the records of malnourished children treated by the RTUF and RUSF. Results: The majority of the participants of this study were aged between 6 to 23 months (84%) and most of the participants were females (56%). This study showed that 70 (24%) of the participants were classified as severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), while 218 (76%) were classified as moderate Acute malnutrition (MAM). This study showed that having a smaller number of children in the family and middle Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) between 11.5-12.5 cm were more associated with recovery. Moreover, this study showed that children who use amoxicillin or anti-worms were more likely to be recovered from malnutrition. Conclusion: RUTF was designed for the nutritional management of children with uncomplicated acute malnutrition treated as outpatients. In this study, most of the children recovered. In addition, this study found that several factors were associated with better outcomes including fewer children in the family, MUAC between 11.5-12.5 cm, having MAM (compared to having SAM), and using amoxicillin or anti-worms.

Maternal satisfaction on quality of childhood vaccination services and its associated factors at public health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundVaccination is one of the most important public health interventions to reduce child mortality and morbidity. In Ethiopia, about 472,000 children die each year by vaccine-preventable diseases. A satisfied mother is assumed to use the services and complies with the service provider for better health care outcomes. However, there was no adequate evidence regarding maternal satisfaction with quality of childhood vaccination services. This study aimed to assess maternal satisfaction on quality of childhood vaccination services and its associated factors at public health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 12 July to 12 August 2021 at public health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 366 mothers (caretakers) of under one-year-old children participated in the study. A systematic sampling technique with an interviewer-administered questionnaire and inventory checklist were used to collect the data. A binary logistic regression model was fitted. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value < 0.05 were used to identify the factors associated with the outcome.ResultsNearly two-thirds (61.2%) of mothers (caretakers) were satisfied with the quality of childhood vaccination services. Service providers’ greeting [AOR = 1.60; 95%CI: 1.37–1.99] and information about the types of vaccines [AOR = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.32–1.89] were positively associated with maternal satisfaction. On the contrary, long waiting time of mothers (caretakers) to receive services [AOR = 0.29; 95%CI: 0.14–0.62] was negatively associated with services.ConclusionThe overall maternal satisfaction towards the quality of childhood vaccination services in this study was found to be low. Minimizing waiting time at the health facility, enhancing greetings and providing adequate information regarding childhood vaccination for mothers (caretakers) improved their satisfaction with the services.

Attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan region of Iraq

BackgroundUnsafe abortion is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in countries where induced abortion is restricted. In Kurdistan Region of Iraq, induced abortion is strictly forbidden except for life-threatening situations, increasing the risk of seeking unsafe abortions. Attitudes among healthcare professionals who directly encounter cases and consequences of induced abortion can be studied to improve women’s access to safe abortion. This study aimed to examine attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.MethodsThis cross-sectional facility-based study was conducted in the first quarter of 2022 in Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the cities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. Convenient sampling was used to invite 330 gynecologists to participate, with 171 ultimately completing the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 53%. Questionaries using the Taylor and Whitehead abortion attitude scale were sent in person or digitally. The data was then analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to determine the independence of attitudes and associations between attitudes and sociodemographic factors.ResultsAmong 171 gynecologists, 25% of the gynecologists agreed that induced abortion is unacceptable under any circumstances. Most (71%) disagreed that a woman has the right to choose to have an induced abortion. Around 51% considered induced abortion murder, and 41% agreed that induced abortion goes against all morals. Around 57% disagreed with the legalization of induced abortion, while 43% agreed. Gynecologists who were unmarried (P = 0.025), under the age of 40 (P = 0.044), and with less than 10 years of clinical experience (P = 0.043) were more likely to support the legalization of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region. None of the variables was found to be independently associated with attitudes towards abortion legalization.ConclusionsDespite some younger gynecologists having more favorable attitudes towards induced abortion, most gynecologists in Kurdistan Region had less favorable views. Most gynecologists were willing to provide post-abortion care regardless of their legal status. We recommend conducting more studies to investigate the consequences of current abortion legislation among women in need of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Determinants of cord care practices among caregivers in a level 5 facility in Kenya

Background: Globally, in the year 2020, 2.4 million children died with the likelihood of a child in Sub-Saharan Africa to die in their first month after birth being ten times higher compared to that in developed countries. Infection is a leading cause of mortality among infants with a significant number being attributed to umbilical cord infections. The aim of the study was to assess cord care practices and the associated factors among mothers and care givers at the Mombasa County referral hospital in Kenya. Methods: This was a facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the maternal child health/family planning clinic at a level 5 public health facility in Mombasa County, Kenya. Systematic random sampling was employed to select study respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The association of the dependent and independent variables was assessed using Pearson Chi-square statistics. A p&lt;0.05 was considered significant at 95% CI. Results: Slightly below half (43.6%) of the respondents had practiced inappropriate cord care. Inappropriate cord care practices reported included the use of breast milk (24.3%), herbal substances (17.8%), warm salty water (16.4%), saliva (15.1%), soot (11.2%), black soil (7.9%) and coconut oil (7.2%). Socio-cultural beliefs regarding cord care were prevalent among the respondents. Socio-demographic characteristics, facility-related factors, and socio-cultural factors were associated with cord care practices (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: There is a need to enhance health education regarding cord care among women in the health facilities and community. Strategies to enhance scale- up of chlorhexidine use should be explored.

How Competent are Health Professionals in Delivering Nutrition Education? A Cross-Sectional Study in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recognises nutrition as the basis for good health and the leading edge of disease prevention. Nutrition education is also key in facilitating healthy habits in all spheres of life. Health professionals are central to informing good dietary habits through nutrition education since they are seen as reliable sources for nutritional information. This study assessed health professionals’ competencies in nutrition education in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A health facility-based cross-sectional study among health professionals was conducted in three selected hospitals from three Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 421 health professionals selected by multistage sampling were surveyed. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 25. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression were used in the analysis, and the level of statistical significance was determined by a p-value of &lt;0.05. Overall adequate competence of health professionals on nutrition education was derived by the proportion of respondents who had good knowledge, good perception, and good practice of nutrition education. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 32.4 ± 8.9 years, and the majority, 67.5% (283), were females. The highest proportion of respondents, 59.4% (249), were nurses. Less than one-tenth of respondents, 7.4%, had good knowledge of nutrition. A higher proportion of respondents, 85.9% (360), had good practice of nutrition education while less than half, 42.5% (178), had a good perception of nutrition education. A minor proportion of respondents, 43.0% (180), had adequate competency in nutrition education. Predictors of health professionals’ competencies included having postgraduate level of training (AOR= 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2 - 0.8), being a physiotherapist (AOR = 17.2; 95% CI = 1.1 - 267.5), being &lt; 39 years (AOR = 5.8; 95% CI = 2.1 – 16.3) and 40 - 49 years (AOR = 4.8; 95% CI = 1.6 – 14.6). CONCLUSIONS: A minor proportion of respondents had adequate competency in nutrition education. The knowledge of nutrition among health professionals is also poor. The health professionals may require nutrition training for proper delivery of nutrition education. There is a need to incorporate regular in-service training as a strategy for improving health professionals’ nutritional competency.