Hawassa University Research Articles

Glaucoma medication non-adherence rate and associated barriers among glaucoma patients in Hawassa, Ethiopia

BackgroundThe estimated number peoples aged 40 to 80 years affected with glaucoma were 76.0 million in 2020 and 111.8 in 2040 globally. The estimated number peoples aged 40 to 80 years affected with glaucoma were 76.0 million in 2020 and 111.8 in 2040. This study identified glaucoma medication non-adherence rates and associated barriers among patients with glaucoma attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 340 patients diagnosed with glaucoma who were administered ocular hypotensive medication at least for one week before current visit and those who were diagnosed and prescribed the medication, currently presented to the hospital as new attendant. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire by interviewing patients and reviewing their medical charts from May 01 to November 30, 2022. The collected data checked for completeness, entered to SPSS 22. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis were done using the software. The findings were presented using tables and Pie-charts. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance.ResultsAbout 340 patients participated in this study with response rate of 90%. More than half of them (59.4%) were male. Mean age of the study participants was 60.2 ± 3.17SD years. The majority came from rural areas (186 (54.71%). Approximately 62.4% of them were with bilateral glaucoma while 47.10% were at advanced stage at least in one eye. The glaucoma non-adherence rate was 54.71% (95% CI; 50.90–58.50). Forgetfulness (AOR 28.32 (95% CI;14.80–54.16), difficulty with schedule AOR 2.52 (95% CI;1.009–6.29), believing eye drops were not effective AOR 6.35 (95% CI;1.17–34.49) and poor self-efficacy AOR 10.96 (95% CI;1.26–95.57) were barriers significantly associated with non-adherence.Conclusion and recommendationThe nonadherence rate to glaucoma medication among patients with glaucoma attending Hawassa University comprehensive hospital was high (54.71%). Forgetfulness, difficulty with schedule, belief that the drug was not effective and poor self-efficacy were barriers associated with glaucoma medication non-adherence. Health workers better to properly council and inform the patients about the disease nature, goal of treatment, danger of nonadherence to administered medication and mechanism to increase their adherence such as setting reminder.

Accountability System, Academic Autonomy, and Freedom of Academia Versus Pathways to Educational Excellence in Hawassa University, Ethiopia

The study examined integrated effects of implementation of accountability system, institutional autonomy, and academic freedom of academia versus pathways to educational (professional, leadership and pedagogical) excellence in Hawassa University. The study answered the central research question: “What do the effects of implementation of accountability, academic autonomy and freedom of academia versus professional, leadership and pedagogical excellences look-like?” The study employed mixed method with concurrent triangulation design. The researchers selected samples of the study using purposive, convenient, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques. The researchers collected data using questionnaires, unstructured interviews, and document examination and analyzed data using descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic narration using SPSS-26 and NVivo-14, respectively. There were multiple gaps pertaining implementing performance-based and professional-based internal accountability to accomplish institutional visions, missions, and mutual goals. The findings of the study showed that although academic autonomy relates to the independence of academic institutions in decision-making concerning curriculum, teaching methods, research, and academic policies, it shows practical gaps concerning teachers’ and students’ academic freedom. This includes challenges related to quality teaching, research, community services, and expression of views to criticize the weakness of institutional censorship. The study recommends that the practice of accountability strategies, technological, and pedagogical innovation toward striving for educational excellences needed improvements. Managerial, technological, and pedagogical innovation should promote decision-making competencies, professional, leadership, and pedagogical excellence.

Prevalence of cancer-related fatigue, associated factors and adult cancer patients’ experiences at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia: a mixed methods study

Prevalence of cancer-related fatigue, associated factors and adult cancer patients’ experiences at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia: a mixed methods study

Prevalence of Salmonella Typhi, its associated factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile among patients attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia

IntroductionSalmonella Typhi infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella Typhi, its associated factors and antibiotic susceptibility profile among suspected typhoid patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 typhoid fever suspected patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 2022 to September 2022. Data were collected using questionnaires by face-to-face interview. Stool samples for microbiological culture, blood samples for S. Typhi IgM/Entero-check WB rapid test and isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility tests were used through standard procedures and according to the reagents manufactures’ instructions. Hygiene implementation of patients was also assessed using interview. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patient’s were considered. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and logistic regression model analysis was performed to assess associations between S. Typhi infection and the associated sociodemographic and clinical factors.ResultsThe prevalence of S. Typhi IgM/Entero-check WB rapid test and stool culture results were 3.3%; (95% CI: 1.5–5.6) and 3.7%; (95% CI: 1.9–6.3) respectively. Not washing hands after latrine [AOR = 0.85, 95% CI (0.15–4.79), p = 0.05] is not significant but, not washing hands before meal [AOR = 0.053, 95% CI (0.08–0.36), p = 0.03], eating raw vegetables [AOR = 0.024, 95% CI (0.001–0.48), p = 0.015] and drinking water from a stream [AOR = 0.12, 95% CI (0.19–0.70), p = 0.001] were significantly associated with S. Typhi infection, but in terms of AOR, all are preventive. Susceptibility of isolates was 9/10 (90%), 8/10 (80%), and 8/10 (80%) to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol, respectively. The majorities 100% and 80% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole, respectively. About 40% of the isolates were MDR.ConclusionThe prevalence of Salmonella Typhi with MDR has been observed. Therefore, health programmers and stakeholders should make efforts to improve the habit of sanitation, strengthen the capacity of laboratory diagnostic methods and increase awareness of the misprescription and misuse of antibiotics to reduce the impact of MDR bacteria.

Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices of Integrating Critical Thinking Skills when Teaching Reading

The aim of this study is to explore teachers’ perceptions and practices of instilling critical thinking skills in reading instruction, to enhance students’ reading comprehension. It also identifies perceived challenges that hinder the practice of critical thinking skills in reading classes. Methodology. The research was carried out at Hawassa University in Ethiopia, using a descriptive survey design and an explanatory mixed-methods approach to collecting data. Forty out of a total of fifty-two English educators and three reading teachers participated in this study. The questions were randomly selected. Texts used in quizzes, mid-term exams and final exams were chosen, to evaluate the texts in which teachers integrated critical thinking skills into classroom reading activities and assessments. Quantitative data was gathered through questionnaires, while qualitative data was obtained through document analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24, and content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results. The survey results revealed that teachers had a moderate level of perception with regard to integrating critical thinking skills (m=3.59) and identified student-related challenges (m= 3.76) as significant obstacles to the practice of critical thinking skills. The results of document analysis indicated that the practice of critical thinking skills was infrequent. It can be concluded that teachers' conceptual perception at moderate level was not sufficient to incorporate critical thinking skills into reading instruction in order to enhance students' reading comprehension. Therefore, it is imperative to train teachers in the integration of critical thinking skills in an interactive reading curriculum to motivate and engage students and help them comprehend reading skills in greater depth. Further research is recommended to explore the impact of teachers' perceptions of critical thinking skills on students' reading comprehension.

Histopathologic Patterns of Urinary Bladder Lesions and Associated Factors in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Background: Urinary bladder lesions, non-neoplastic and neoplastic, are collectively responsible for significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Bladder cancer is a prevalent disease affects a significant number of individuals each year worldwide. The most common non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesion of the urinary bladder is non-specific cystitis and urothelial carcinoma respectively. Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe histopathologic patterns of urinary bladder lesions and associated risk factors in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023. Methods: A 7-year cross sectional study was conducted to describe histologically diagnosed bladder lesions and associated factors at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023. Results: This study comprised a total of 182 patients who have bladder biopsies at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Pathology department from January 2017 to December 2023. Out of which 21 cases (12.1%) are non-neoplastic, while 152 cases (83%) are neoplastic. Nine cases (4.9%) have a descriptive diagnosis. With 139 (90.44%) cases, urothelial neoplasms have the highest frequency form all neoplastic lesions. Ninety-seven cases, or 69.8%, of urothelial neoplasms were invasive; of them, 78 (80.4%) were high grade cases. Low-grade noninvasive papillary carcinomas, which accounted for 24 instances. One case is a cystectomy specimen, and the remaining 181 cases are TURBT. The age range of 50-59 years was the most frequent accounting for 39 (21.4%) of all cases, with a male to female (M: F) ratio of 2.9:1. The most frequent presenting symptom in 146 (85.7%) of patients was hematuria. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 139 (90.44%) of the neoplastic bladder lesions were bladder neoplasms of urothelial origin, 97 (69.8%) of which are invasive urothelial carcinoma with rising numbers each year and implying the burden in the region.

Survival of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Hawassa, Ethiopia: a cohort study

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, led to 622,119,701 reported cases and 6,546,118 deaths. Most studies on COVID-19 patients in hospitals are from high-income countries, lacking data for developing countries such as Ethiopia.This study assesses clinical features, demographics, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality in Hawassa, Ethiopia. The research cohort comprises 804 cases exhibiting clinical diagnoses and/or radiological findings and indicative of symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from September 24, 2020, to November 26, 2021. In-hospital mortality rate was predicted using Cox regression. The median age was 45 years, with males making up 64.1% of the population. 173 (21.5%) fatalities occurred, with 125 (72.3%) among males. Male patients had higher mortality rates than females. Severe and critical cases were 24% and 21%. 49.1% had at least one comorbidity, with 12.6% having multiple. Common comorbidities were diabetes (15.9%) and hypertension (15.2%). The Cox regression in Ethiopian COVID-19 patients found that factors like gender, advanced age group, disease severity, symptoms upon admission, shortness of breath, sore throat, body weakness, hypertension, diabetes, multiple comorbidities, and prior health facility visits increased the risk of COVID-19 death, similar to high-income nations. However, in Ethiopia, COVID-19 patients were young and economically active. Patients with at least one symptom had reduced death risk. As a conclusion, COVID-19 in Ethiopia mainly affected the younger demographic, particularly economically active individuals. Early detection can reduce the risk of mortality. Prompt medical attention is essential, especially for individuals with comorbidities. Further research needed on diabetes and hypertension management to reduce mortality risk. Risk factors identified at admission play a crucial role in guiding clinical decisions for intensive monitoring and treatment. Broader risk indicators help prioritize patients for allocation of hospital resources, especially in regions with limited medical facilities. Government’s focus on timely testing and strict adherence to regulations crucial for reducing economic impact.

Incidence and Predictors of Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Patients Underwent Ophthalmological Surgery at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital : A Prospective Cohort Study

Incidence and Predictors of Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Patients Underwent Ophthalmological Surgery at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital : A Prospective Cohort Study

Nutritional characterization of banana by-products under irrigation (In case of Arba Minch, South Ethiopia)

The present study evaluated the nutritional values of banana by-products (BBP) obtained from irrigated areas of Arba minch, Gamo Zone Southern Ethiopia. By-product fractions (leaf, shoot, rhizome, fruit bunch and whole mixture) were collected from farmers' gardens during fruit harvesting. Collected fractions were separately chopped and air-dried in shades lined with plastic sheets until transported to Hawassa University, Animal Nutrition Laboratory, where chemical composition and existence of associative effects were evaluated using an in vitro system. The dry matter (DM) content of BBP was 18.5, 7.6, 8.3, 6.2 and 10.2% for leaves, pseudostem, rhizome, FB-stem and whole mixture, respectively. The CP values obtained ranged from 2.5 to 8.6%, the lowest for the pseudostem, while the highest was for the leaf. The IVDMDs of leaves, pseudostem, rhizome, FB-stem, and the whole BBP mixture were 35.5, 41.3, 35.4, 46.21, and 39.6%, respectively. Potential gas production (a+b) was rated highest for Wmix (41.3 ml) and rhizome (40.0 ml) and lowest for leaf (18.8 ml). The ranges of metabolisable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) values were 2.7 to 4.5 MJ/kg dry weights, 29.26 to 33.27% and 0.22 to 0.33 µmol, respectively. ME, OMD and SCFA values ranked as, pseudo stem > Wmix > rhizome > Fb stem > leaf. The higher values obtained for potential gas production (a+b), ME, OMD and SCFA in pseudostem and Wmix could mean higher availability of nutrients for rumen microorganisms. The results showed that pseudostem and Wmix could have higher nutritional value in ruminant feed than other fractions, but appropriate treatment/supplementation with high-quality feed or additives is needed to balance nutrients.

Survival and predictors of mortality among colorectal cancer patients on follow-up in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. A 5-year retrospective cohort study.

The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer were still rising rapidly in many low-income and middle-income countries, which was linked to ongoing societal and economic status. Colorectal cancer is the leading cancer in Ethiopia with relatively lower survival. However, colorectal cancer patients' survival time and predictors have not been well studied in Southern Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess five-year survival and predictors of mortality among colorectal cancer patients at Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 323 patients who visited Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1st, 2017 to April 30th, 2022. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve with the Log-rank test was used to estimate the survival time. Bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the net effect of each independent variable on time to death after diagnosis. Over the 5-year observation period, the overall mortality rate was 38.5%, with an incidence density of 31 fatalities per 100 person-years observation. Survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 78%, 53, 32.4%, 23.3%, and 18.7% respectively. The multivariable analysis showed that metastatic disease (AHR = 4.2, CI: 1.5-11.5), baseline carcinoembryonic antigen level ≥5ng/ml (AHR: 2.4, CI: 1.2-5.8), living in rural areas (AHR = 2.2, CI:1.03-4.8) and mucinous carcinoma (AHR = 0.33, CI: 0.13-0.87) were independent predictors of colorectal cancer mortality. Overall survival of colorectal cancer patients in the study was low compared to similar studies in developing and developed worlds. A significantly low survival rate was observed for patients with advanced stage, elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and rural residents indicating the key role of early detection and timely initiation of treatment to improve survival and quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer.

Implementation of a perioperative registry in Ethiopia to enhance surgical quality improvement.

Despite a glaring need and proven efficacy, prospective surgical registries are lacking in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to design and implement a comprehensive prospective perioperative registry in a low-income country. This study was conducted at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Design of the registry occurred from June 2021 to May 2022 and pilot implementation from May 2022 to May 2023. All patients undergoing elective or emergent general surgery were included. Following one year, operability and fidelity of the registry were analyzed by assessing capture rate, incidence of missing data, and accuracy. A total of 67 variables were included in the registry including demographics, preoperative, operative, post-operative, and 30-day data. Of 440 eligible patients, 226 (51.4%) were successfully captured. Overall incidence of missing data and accuracy was 5.4% and 90.2% respectively. Post pilot modifications enhanced capture rate to 70.5% and further optimized data collection processes. The establishment of a low-cost electronic prospective perioperative registry in a low-income country represents a significant step forward in enhancing surgical care in under-resourced settings. The initial success of this registry highlights the feasibility of such endeavors when strong partnerships and local context are at the center of implementation. Continuous efforts to refine this registry are ongoing, which will ultimately lead to enhanced surgical quality, research output, and expansion to other sites.

Awareness of glaucoma among adult patients attending hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital ophthalmic outpatient department, Sidama, Ethiopia, August 2022

BackgroundDue to the asymptomatic nature of the disease and lack of awareness, most glaucoma patients present for eye examination late, after significant damage of optic nerve occur. Being aware of glaucoma is important for timely diagnosis of the disease and preventing blindness from it.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess glaucoma awareness and associated factors among adult patients aged 35 and over attending the eye outpatient department.MethodsHospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 adult patients aged 35 and over attending ophthalmic outpatient department from July to August 2022 using systematic random sampling. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were checked for completeness, and then entered to SPSS version 22 software. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Independent variables with p-value ≤ 0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were considered as statistically significant.ResultsAbout 284 study participants, of whom 57.75% were male, participated in this study with a response rate of 94.1%. The mean age of the study participants was 53.58 years. Only 39.09%(95% CI: 36.53–41.65) were aware of glaucoma. Age groups 46–50 [AOR; 1.83: 1.18, 2.56] and 51–64 [AOR; 3.21: 2.03, 4.39], having college education or above [AOR; 3.1: 2.20, 6.64], family member with glaucoma [AOR; 5.86:3.25, 8.0], income 6500 ETB [AOR; 2.9: 1.97, 5.00] and previous eye examination [AOR; 2.15: 1.46, 4.05] were factors significantly associated with awareness of glaucoma. The main sources of information were news media, family members with glaucoma and health workers.ConclusionMore than half (60.91%) of adult ophthalmic patients attending HUCSH were unaware of glaucoma and need eye health education concerning glaucoma.

Utilizing communication strategies to enhance reflective learning in Ethiopian EFL classrooms

Various studies have extensively examined classroom communication patterns in active language learning classrooms at higher education levels. However, research in the Ethiopian context is limited. While these studies contribute significantly to the field, they neglect to explore classroom communication patterns in reflective classroom practices. This study aimed to evaluate the communication patterns used by English as foreign language instructors in facilitating reflective learning within the Communicative English Language Skill Course at Hawassa University. Guided by constructivist theory, the research adopted a descriptive qualitative case study design within the interpretative paradigm. Ten certified Higher Diploma Program instructors teaching the course were purposefully selected for data collection through classroom observation and semi-structured interviews. Both datasets were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. The findings revealed three communication patterns: instructorto-student, student-to-student, and student-to-instructor. The instructor-to-student pattern was the most commonly observed across all classes, characterized by instructors posing questions and students engaging in individual and collective reflection. However, the student-to-student pattern was rarely observed, particularly during group activities, and students often struggled to express their views due to time constraints. Additionally, there was limited communication between students and instructors, even when students had the opportunity to ask questions or give feedback. Despite instructors' efforts to establish rapport with students, reflective learning was not adequately facilitated through student-to-student and student-to-instructor communications. In conclusion, communication patterns in fostering reflective learning faced limitations, primarily due to insufficient opportunities for student reflection and inadequate time allocation for the reflection process, impacting its effectiveness.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health concern and has a high degree of associated morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, Hepatitis B virus infection has a variable seroprevalence among different regions with an estimated overall prevalence of around 6%. However, there is a scarcity of data specific to cancer patients. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 cancer patients who came for follow-up at the oncology unit of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1/2020 to October 11/2021. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data was collected using structured and interviewer-administered questionnaires and blood samples were drawn from the patients to test hepatitis B virus sero-status. Data was entered to Epi- Data version 4.6 then exported and analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants. Finally, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify significantly associated factors. The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was 7.6% [95% CI: (4.54 - 9.79)]. Having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI (3.35-16.80)), a history of dental procedures (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI (1.007‑7.66)), and being a hepatocellular carcinoma patient (AOR = 6.13; 95% CI (3.66-18.77)) were factors associated with seropositive status for Hepatitis B virus. The seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was high. It is better to consider HBV screening in cancer patients and doing cancer surveillance in HBV-infected patients.

Simple Criteria, Yet the Dearth Utilization-Antithrombotic Management Practice among Atrial Fibrillation Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity from stroke and thromboembolism. Despite the availability of effective oral anticoagulation medication, AF patients remain at a high risk of stroke if not treated properly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antithrombotic therapy practices in patients with AF in the adult cardiac clinic at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). It was a retrospective document review study. Total charts of 119 patients who had follow-up at the adult cardiac clinic with a history of documented AF from January 1 to December 30, 2018, were included. Indicators for antithrombotic therapy based on the congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease, age 65 to 74, and sex category (female) (CHA2DS2-VASc) score were recorded. A p value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data analysis was done using SPSS 23 software. In this study, about 55% of patients with AF were receiving the appropriate antithrombotic treatment. The patients were 48 ± 18.2 years old. Of these, 70% were women. The most frequent underlying cardiac etiology was chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease (50%), followed by cardiomyopathy (14%). In nonvalvular AF, the mean CHA2DS2VASc score was 4.0 ± 1.07. In valvular AF compared to nonvalvular AF, the need for appropriate antithrombotic therapy was substantially greater (p 0.0001). Only 8 (13.6%) of the warfarin-using patients had adequate anticoagulation. The study's findings in regard to antithrombotic usage and maintenance of appropriate antithrombotics for stroke prevention in our patients revealed a discrepancy between recommendations and practice. Therefore, we demand that patients with AF who meet the criteria utilize antithrombotics properly to prevent stroke. Warfarin-taking patients' subpar optimum anticoagulation has to be addressed. Lastly, we advocate proper CHA2DS2-VASc score utilization for nonvalvular heart disease. A regular INR follow-up is also advised for patients who have started taking warfarin.

Determinants of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated factors among regular undergraduate students at Hawassa University Southern, Ethiopia, 2023: institution-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundPremenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a condition causing severe emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms before menstruation. It greatly hinders daily activities, affecting academic and interpersonal relationships. Attention is not given to premenstrual disorders among female students in higher education. As a result, students are susceptible to stress, and their academic success is influenced by various factors, including their menstrual cycle, and the long-term outcomes and consequences are poorly researched. Even though PMDD has a significant negative impact on student’s academic achievement and success limited research has been conducted in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia, especially in the study setting. Therefore, a study is needed to assess premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated factors among regular undergraduate students at Hawassa University.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 regular undergraduate female students at Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. A self-administered structured premenstrual symptoms screening tool for adolescents was used to assess premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The collected data were loaded into a statistical package for the social science version 25 and analyzed using it. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Each independent variable was entered separately into bivariate analysis, and a variable with a p-value less than 0.25 were included in the multivariate analysis to adjust the possible confounders. Statistically significant was declared at a 95% confidence interval when variable with a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariate analysis with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.ResultsThe magnitude of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in this study was 62.6% (95% CI 57.4–67.5). Having severe premenstrual pain (AOR = 6.44;95%CI 1.02–40.73), having irregular menstrual cycle (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.32–3.70), students who had poor social support (AOR = 5.10;95%CI, (2.76–12.92) and moderate social support (AOR = 4.93;95%CI (2.18–11.18), and students who used contraception (AOR = 3.76;95%CI, 2.21-6,40) were statistically significant factors with the outcome variable.ConclusionThe prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder was high as compared to other studies. There was a strong link between irregular menstrual cycle, severe menstrual pain (severe dysmenorrhea), poor social support, and contraception use with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This needs early screening and intervention to prevent the complications and worsening of the symptoms that affect students’ academic performance by the institution.

Magnitude of neonatal sepsis and its associated factors among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia, 2020

BackgroundNeonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of disease and death among neonates globally. And it made a great contribution to neonatal admission to intensive care units. To mitigate the ongoing neonatal crisis and accomplish the goal of sustainable development through a decrease in neonatal mortality, information from various regions is needed. Despite the considerable burden of neonatal sepsis in our setting, no prior studies were conducted in the study area. So, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 287 neonates from March 1, 2020, to April 25, 2020. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi Data 3.1 software and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables having a significant association with neonatal sepsis. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant during multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe study found that the magnitude of neonatal sepsis was 56%. The mean age of neonates was 3.2(SD±2.2) days. Around two-fifths (39%) of neonates were in the gestational age of <37 completed weeks. A quarter of mothers(25.8%) were delivered through cesarean section. During labor, 251 (87.5%) mothers had ≤4 digital vaginal examinations. Moreover, the finding revealed that mothers who delivered by cesarean section [AOR = 2.13, 95% CI (1.090-4.163)]. neonates who had been resuscitated at birth [AOR = 4.5, 95% CI (2.083-9.707)], and neonates who had NG tube inserted [AOR = 4.29, 95% CI (2.302-8.004)] were found to be significantly associated with neonatal sepsis.ConclusionsThe current study shows that neonatal sepsis was prevalent among more than half of the neonates admitted to the NICU. Therefore, designing strategies to enhance the aseptic techniques of professionals in the provision of care and actively and collaboratively working with cluster health facilities is highly recommended.

Spiritual well-being and associated factor among adult cancer patients in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Oncology Center, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Spiritual well-being and associated factor among adult cancer patients in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Oncology Center, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Abstract LB418: Time to adjuvant chemotherapy and its predictors among postoperative breast cancer patients at Cancer Treatment Center of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Hawassa, Ethiopia in 2022: A retrospective follow-up study

Abstract Background The incidence of breast cancer is rising and is becoming a major public health problem in Ethiopia, posing a substantial threat to countries with limited oncology centers. Adjuvant chemotherapy is the most important treatment option for breast cancer initiated after definitive surgical management. Adjuvant chemotherapy decreases the risk of breast cancer mortality, reduces the recurrence rate, and improves the long-term overall survival. The time between surgery and the first adjuvant chemotherapy appears to have an impact on the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with breast cancer. Objective This study aimed to determine the time to start adjuvant chemotherapy and its predictors in post-operative breast cancer patients at oncology center of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between September 2020 and March 2022. Method This institution based retrospective follow-up study was conducted at the Hawassa University Comprehensive Hospital Cancer Treatment Center between September 2020 and March 2022, among all women with breast cancer. All eligible patients whose medical records were available and accessed in the hospital during the study period were enrolled. The checklists were prepared using Google Forms. The data were then exported to Excel and sent to SPSS software version 26 for data analysis. A stratified Cox regression model was used to identify potential predictors. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported to indicate the strength of the association. This study was conducted between February 22 and April 8, 2022. Result In this study, the median time to adjuvant chemotherapy was 69 days Interquantile range (IQR)=26) with a range of 28-157 days. Twenty (12.9%) patients started chemotherapy in less than 30 days, 36 (23.2%) patients waited for 31-60 days, 68 (43.9%) patients initiated chemotherapy within 61-90 days while 31 (20%) patients took more than 90 days to start their adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients who experienced surgical complications were 1.5 times more likely to initiate adjuvant chemotherapy earlier than those without such complications, with an adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of 1.512 (95% CI: 1.287-3.140). Patients with a BMI classified as underweight were1.5 times high likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy earlier (AHR 1.569, 95% CI: (1.336-3.887)). Post-operative breast cancer patients with co-morbidity had a 25% lower likelihood of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy earlier than those without comorbidity (AHR=0.751,95%CI: 0.474-0.817), and illiteracy (AHR=0.829, 95% CI: (0.458-0.950)) was also a significant predictor of time to adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion The duration of initiation of the adjuvant chemotherapy was longer than the recommended initiation time. Body Mass Index, presence of surgical complications, presence of comorbidity, and educational status were predictors of delayed time to adjuvant chemotherapy Citation Format: Adugna Getahun Deboch. Time to adjuvant chemotherapy and its predictors among postoperative breast cancer patients at Cancer Treatment Center of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Hawassa, Ethiopia in 2022: A retrospective follow-up study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB418.

Predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama regional state, Ethiopia

BackgroundDespite promising efforts, substantial deaths occurred during the neonatal period. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), Ethiopia is among the top 10 nations with the highest number of neonatal deaths in 2020 alone. This staggering amount makes it difficult to achieve the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) target that calls for all nations to work hard to meet a neonatal mortality rate target of ≤ 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. We evaluated neonatal mortality and it’s contributing factors among newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH).MethodsA hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study on neonates admitted to the NICU from May 2021 to April 2022 was carried out at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. From the admitted 1044 cases over the study period, 225 babies were sampled using a systematic random sampling procedure. The relationship between variables was determined using bivariate and multivariable analyses, and statistically significant relations were indicated at p-values less than 0.05.ResultsThe magnitude of neonatal death was 14.2% (95% CI: 0.099–0.195). The most common causes of neonatal death were prematurity 14 (43.8%), sepsis 9 (28.1%), Perinatal asphyxia 6 (18.8%), and congenital malformations 3 (9.4%). The overall neonatal mortality rate was 28 per 1000 neonate days. Neonates who had birth asphyxia were 7.28 times more probable (AOR = 7.28; 95% CI: 2.367, 9.02) to die. Newborns who encountered infection within the NICU were 8.17 times more likely (AOR = 8.17; 95% CI: 1.84, 36.23) to die.ConclusionThe prevalence of newborn death is excessively high. The most common causes of mortality identified were prematurity, sepsis, perinatal asphyxia and congenital anomalies. To avert these causes, we demand that antenatal care services be implemented appropriately, delivery care quality be improved, and appropriate neonatal care and treatment be made available.