Hawassa University Research Articles

Descriptive epidemiology of gynaecological cancers in southern Ethiopia: retrospective cross-sectional review

ObjectiveTo determine the epidemiology of gynaecological cancer among patients treated at Hawassa University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital (HUCSH) from 2013 to 2019.DesignA retrospective cross-sectional review.Setting, participants, and outcome measureA total...

Bacterial etiology and risk factors among newborns suspected of sepsis at Hawassa, Ethiopia

Neonatal sepsis is a systemic infection that occurs at an early age. Its etiology varies from one region to the other. The contribution of sepsis to neonatal mortality and morbidity is significant in resource-limited countries; however, there is limited information about the etiology of sepsis in Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial caused newborn sepsis, associated factors, and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria. A hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 sepsis suspected newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from March 2021 to November 2021. Blood specimens were collected and bacteria were isolated using the standard culture method. The drug resistance profile of bacteria was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. The socio-demographic and clinical parameters of participants were gathered using a questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the determinants of sepsis. A variable with a p < 0.05 was considered a significant determinant of neonatal sepsis with a 95% confidence level. The prevalence of sepsis caused by bacteria among newborns was 143 (36.5%); 95% CI (31.3–41.4). The predominant bacteria was Klebsiella species (n = 61; 42.65%), followed by non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (n = 27; 18.88%) and Enterococcus species (n = 26; 18.18%). The overall proportions of antimicrobial resistance of Gram-negative bacteria range from 10.2 to 99.1%. All Klebsiella species were resistant to ceftriaxone. Ppremature rupture of membrane [AOR = 12.7 (95% CI 6.430–25.106)], absence of respiratory support [AOR = 3.53 (95% CI 1.840–6.759)], sex of newborns [AOR = 2.10 (1.214–3.560)] and reason for admission [AOR = 3.17 (95% CI 1.278–7.859)] were significantly associated with culture-confirmed neonatal sepsis. This study indicated the contribution of bacteria in causing sepsis among newborns; the majority of them were Gram-negative bacteria. Most recovered bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Pre-term, mode of delivery and types of respiratory support were significantly associated with the occurrence of sepsis caused by bacteria.

Magnitude of sepsis and its predictors among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital in Southern Ethiopia 2022

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal death across the globe, which accounted for 15% and 30% of neonatal mortality in low and middle-income countries and developing countries including Ethiopia, respectively. Despite various efforts have been made by the Ethiopian government to prevent neonatal mortality and morbidity, sepsis-related to neonatal mortality is still high. So the objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and affecting factors of neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to neonate intensive care units in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Methods and materials: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2022 at Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 216 neonate-mother pairs who were admitted to the intensive care unit was included in the study and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participant. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was entered into EPI Data 3.1 version and transported to SPSS version 25 for data analysis. Multi regression analysis was done for predictor variables associated at p-value &lt;0.05 with the dependent variable. Result: A total of 74 (34.3%) neonates were admitted with neonatal sepsis. A surgical procedure is done before sepsis (AOR=2.9, 95% of CI(1.5 to5.6), last pregnancy wanted (AOR=2.8, 95% of CI(1.0 to 7.3), more frequent per-vaginal examination (AOR=2.6, 95% of CI (1.3 to 5.3), educational level unable to read and write(AOR=5.4, 95% of CI(1.0 to 27.7), low birth weight (AOR=5.4, 95% of CI(3.0 to 9.8), and getting care from unskilled health workers(AOR=2.7, 95% of CI(1.5 to 4.9) were significantly associated with neonatal sepsis at multivariable with less than 0.05 p values. Conclusion: This study indicated that the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was still high. Thus, immediate action should be taken before it leads to neonatal mortality and further complications. The study used only physician diagnosis to confirm neonatal sepsis, which may affect its prevalence and needs further investigation.

Patterns of Childhood Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia.

Because of the pauci bacillary nature of childhood tuberculosis and the difficulties in obtaining proper sputum samples from young children, diagnosing childhood tuberculosis (TB) is difficult. Childhood TB needs early identification and care since it advances swiftly to more advanced stages.This study was aimed to determine the patterns of all forms of childhood tuberculosis diagnosis at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Hawassa, Ethiopia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1, 2017 to January 30, 2021 among 175 children diagnosed and treated for tuberculosis in the pediatric ward. Children medical charts and pediatrics ward logbook were used to extract pertinent data by structured checklists. SPSS version 23.0 was used for data entry and statistical analysis. Of 175 children, fever was the leading clinical symptoms and diagnosed in 166 (94.9%) children followed by weight loss (154, 88%), and cough (136, 77.7%). In twenty seven out of 88 (30.6%) children, gastric aspirate was positive for TB infection by Xpert MTB/Rif, while 3/40 (7.5%) were positive for TB using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), 19/66 (28.8%) had suggestive TB by cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF), 10/29 (34.5%) were smear positive for TB and 70/162 (43.2%) were suspected for TB by chest X-ray. Despite recent breakthroughs in quick microbiological detection, such as Xpert MTB/Rif, this study revealed that more than half of the children, 89/175 (51%), were treated for TB diseases solely based on clinical criteria. This will significantly underestimate the true nature of the illness or disease and make them vulnerable to mistreatment. As a result, in order to appropriately treat the disease and manage patients in our settings, getting a microbiological diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis requires improvement, and we call for expanded availability and use of a more sensitive and specific diagnostic technique to circumvent these concerns.

Use of a trauma registry to drive improvement in the regional trauma network systems in Hawassa, Ethiopia

AimOur aim is to establish and analyse the first year of trauma registry data from Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialised Hospital (HUCSH)—an Ethiopian tertiary referral centre. We plan to identify possible trends in injury patterns, access to health care and referral pathways and establish if our observations are in keeping with data published from other sub-Saharan LMIC’s.MethodsProspective data collection using the WHO trauma registry dataset. All trauma patients presenting to HUCSH between November 2019 and November 2020 were included. Military patients were excluded. Dataset: Age, sex, region of residence, mode of transport to hospital, referral centre, time from injury to arrival in HUCSH, arrival triage category, Kampala Trauma Score (KTS), mechanism of injury, injury type, closed/open fracture and 24 h outcomes. Data statistical analysis was performed to calculate frequencies of the above variables.ResultsThere were a total of 1919 cases. Fifty-three per cent were caused by road traffic collision and 49% were fracture/dislocations. Public transport was the most common mode to hospital—40%. Seventy-seven per cent of all trauma admissions were referred from other centres, 69% had a mild KTS. A total of 376 patients presented with an open fracture—76% had a low KTS and 67% remained in ED for > 24 h. Sixty-five per cent of ambulances were utilised for mild KTS patients, only 25% of ambulances transported moderate and severe injuries.ConclusionWe have shown that a ‘one size fits all approach’ should not be adopted for LMIC’s as trends vary between regions and countries. Improvements are needed in ambulance utilisation, the use of appropriate triaging tools to facilitate initial basic trauma care and appropriate, timely referrals and the management of open fractures.

Phenotypic and Allelic Distribution of the ABO and Rhesus Blood Groups among students at Hawassa University, Ethiopia

A prior information on the distribution of ABO and Rh groups is important for management of blood bank and transfusion, genetic counseling, anthropological studies, to study the association of blood groups and diet; to investigate the association between blood and diseases. This study aimed to determine the frequency of ABO and Rh bloods and investigate gene diversity at both loci among students in Ethiopia. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed involving randomly selected two thousand thirty nine (2039) university students (1054 males and 985 females) with an age range of 18–29 years. Blood groups were determined based on agglutination reaction. The most common blood group was found to be O (42.47%), followed by A (27.86%), B (21.87%), and AB (7.80 %). The frequency of Rh+ and Rh- were 90.88% and 9.12 %, respectively. The combined blood types showed O+, A+, B+ and AB+ were: 38.60 %, 25.20%, 20.10% and 7.00%, respectively. A slightly different distribution pattern of ABO blood group was observed among females from Amhara region (O&gt; B&gt; A&gt;AB). The distribution of ABO phenotypes from Addis Ababa and Amhara did not differ significantly from those expected under the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium. A high level of gene diversity was observed for both loci. In general, the O blood type is most frequent and followed by A, B and AB. A similar pattern of distribution of the ABO and Rh blood groups was found in male and female study subjects. The present study will generate baseline data that could be used in blood bank management and transfusion, genetic counseling, population genetic and anthropological studies, and for disease management.

Plant Species Composition and Community Perception Towards Landscaping Work Executed at Hawassa University-Main Campus, Ethiopia

Landscaping is making visual improvements to academic institutions, urban and other private organizations with plants and attractive materials. People all over the world are attracted to green and beautiful landscapes which initiate them to be happy and creative. Especially students in higher educational institutions who spend much of their time focused on their studies need of clean, green and attractively well-designed landscape in their campus. So far data on plant species composition and perception of university towards landscape work is lacking. With this understanding, the study was conducted to investigate plant species composition and community perception towards landscaping work executed at Hawassa University’s main campus using questionnaires, interviews, observation and group discussion methods. In addition, vegetation data were collected using systematic sampling method. In the study, 221 respondents were drawn from academic staff, administrative workers and students using random sampling method. Key informants were selected using purposive sampling method. In order to identify the plant species, systematic sampling along the transect line was employed. Twelve (12), 40m X 40 m (i.e. 1600 m2) area quadrat plots were laid and all the plants species in the quadrats were collected and identified. The distance between each transects and quadrat was 200 m and 100m, respectively. 52 plant species with 44 genera and 29 families were recorded. The study showed that, the most dominant family was Fabaceae with 9 species followed by Cupressaceae as well as Moraceae with 4 species each respectively. The results revealed that, campus landscaping work was the most significantly important and made the campus more attractive by plantation (61.1%), landscaping (27.1%) and walkways (5.7%). Plantation could also modify the micro-climate of the campus environment (94.3%) due to the plants photosynthesis process which produces O2 and takes in Co2 from the atmosphere. In general educational institutions landscaping need to be encouraged to enhance the teaching-learning process, and to make the working environment attractive. A great educational environment is guided by the most powerful teacher of all, nature itself

Satisfaction status and its associated factors on delivery service provided among women who gave birth at hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital in southern Ethiopia 2022

Background: Despite the Ethiopian federal ministry of health implementing compassionate, respectful, and caring as one of the health sector transformation agendas to increase health service utilization, the level of maternal satisfaction with institutional delivery is still low and varies from region to region. In addition, no previous study was conducted in this study area. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to assess the level of women's satisfaction with institutional delivery services and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at Hawassa University's comprehensive specialized Hospital. Methods and Materials: Institutional based quantitative cross-sectional study was employed from April to May 2022 at Hawassa University's comprehensive specialized hospital. A total of 265 women who came to delivery service were included in the study and systematic sampling techniques was used to select study participant. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was entered into EPI Data 3.1 version and transported to SPSS version 25 for data analysis. Binary and multi-regression were done for predictor variables associated at p-value &lt;0.05 with the dependent variable. Result: A total of 265 mothers fully responded, making a response rate of 95.3%. This study found that 63% of study participants were satisfied and 37% of them were unsatisfied with the delivery and labor service. Participants' occupation, last pregnancy wanted, health conditions of the mother during and after delivery, media exposure to institutional delivery, total duration of labor, a surgical procedure done for women, the provider gives periodic updates on the progress of labor and explained what is being done and that to be expected were statistically associated with satisfaction status. Conclusion: The study showed that the overall satisfaction of the women with the delivery service provided by health care providers in the study area was relatively low. Therefore, all stakeholders should take immediate and appropriate action on those identified factors.

Non adherence to treatment and the associated factors in patients with epilepsy in Southern Ethiopia

Adherence to antiepileptic drug therapy in people with epilepsy is critical for seizure control. Poor adherence to epilepsy treatment, on the other hand, is recognized as a worldwide problem, particularly in developing countries such as Ethiopia. As a result, the current study seeks to ascertain patients’ adherence to antiepileptic medications and the factors that influence it at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Southern Ethiopia. From February 1 to October 15, 2017, 187 people with epilepsy who were on followup at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital underwent a hospitalbased retrospective medical review. Adherence was measured using Morisky Medication Scale-8. Data was entered and analyzed using the soft ware Statistical package for social sciences version 20. The results were summarized using cross-tabulations and frequency tables. While binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with adherence to antiepileptic drug therapy, significance was declared at p&lt;0.05. According to the findings of the current study, about nineteen percent of the study participants were nonadherent to their treatment. Compared to patients with monthly income of less than 1000.00 ETB, those who earn&gt;3000.00 ETB [AOR=0.164, 95% CI (0.038: 0.702)] and those with monthly income between 2000 and 3000 ETB [AOR=0.110, 95%CI (0.026:0.461)] [AOR=0.110, 95% CI (0.026:0.461)] are less likely associated with non-adherent to antiepileptic drugs (P&lt;0.05). Likewise, patients who perceived epilepsy as psychiatric disorder [AOR= 0.250, 95%CI (0.087: 0.716)] compared to those who perceive it as neurologic, and those patients with seizure free period of less than one year [AOR= 0.206, 95%CI(0.076:0.562)] compared to those with seizure free period of more than one year are found to be less non adherent (p&lt;0.05).

Time-to-recovery after cesarean section delivery among women who gave birth through cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, South Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study.

Cesarean deliveries have become a major public health problem worldwide in recent decades. In addition, information on the quality of service, as measured by timely recovery is scarce. This study was assessed predictors of recovery time after cesarean section among women who delivered by cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HU-CSH) Southern Ethiopia. Institution-based prospective cohort study design was conducted among 381 study participants from July to August 2020. A consecutive sampling technique employed to select study participants. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered and analyzed by Epi info version 7 and SPSS respectively. Bivariable and multivariable Cox regression used to identify the predictors of time-to-recovery after cesearean section. Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) with the respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs)and p-value <0.5 was used to declare statistical significance. A total of 369 mothers who undergone cesearean section were followed for 1,042 person-days of observation. The timely recovery (within 4 days) was found to be 96.2% [95%CI: 94.04-98.4%] and the overall median (IQR) time of recovery was 2.00 (2, 3) days. The study revaled that the Incidence density rate (IDR) of timely recovery was found to be 0.34 per person-days or 2.38 per person-week. Whereas, the cumulative probability of not recovered on the 1st and 4th day was 0.995 and 0.038 respectively. This study found that women who had ANC follow-up (AHR = 1.49, 95%, CI: 1.05-2.10) and discharge from the wound site (AHR = 0.13, 95%, CI: 0.03-0.56) were identified as a significant positive and negative predictors of time-to-recovery after CS delivery respectively. The rate of early recovery obtained by this study was comparable to the global level figures. Still, the cleanness of the surgical site to prevent the incidence of postsurgical site CS delivery is very essential.

Nutritional Status and Its Determinants among Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia.

Background Malnutrition is a common problem in cancer patients. It has an impact on all aspects of the patient's life such as increasing the risk of infection, treatment toxicity, hospital stay, and health-care costs. Factors influencing the nutritional status of adult cancer patients undertaking chemotherapy treatment in Ethiopia have not been thoroughly investigated. As a result, the purpose of this study is to assess the nutritional status and its determinants among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Objectives The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional status and its determinants among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Oncology Treatment Center, from January to May 2021. The data were gathered through a face-to-face interview and chart review method. Epi Data 4.6 was used to enter the data, which was then exported to SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between nutritional status and potential risk factors. A P value less than 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Result This study revealed that 48.1% of participants have some level of malnutrition. Lowest wealth index AOR 0.06 (0.016–0.2), food insecurity AOR 0.1 (0.05–0.24), vomiting AOR 0.2 (0.110–.444), poor appetite AOR 0.2 (0.11–0.44), no diarrhea AOR 2.6 (1.34–5.00), and poor functioning AOR 0.3 (0.2–0.54) were significantly associated with good nutritional status. Conclusion and Recommendation. The prevalence of malnutrition among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at HUCSH was high. Wealth index, food security, poor appetite, diarrhea, and performance status were significantly correlated with the nutritional status of the patients. To improve the patient's nutritional status, economic support, early nutritional screening, and assessment, management of chemotherapy-induced symptoms should be considered.

An Investigation of Organizational Culture of Higher Education: The Case of Hawassa University

With an emphasis on Hawassa University, the study was set out to examine the organizational cultures of HEIs in Ethiopia in both existing and preferred situations. The study used a mixed methods approach and an explanatory research design. Respondents from the four colleges and institutes of Hawassa University selected using purposive sampling included academic personnel, administrative employees, and students. Out of the 436 surveys issued, 396 respondents, 60 were members of the academic staff, 120 were members of the administrative staff, and 216 were students, completed and returned the questionnaires correctly. The respondents were chosen using a simple random sampling procedure. Additionally, two student councils, three college deans, and two administrative staff directorates were purposely chosen to participate in the interview. Through surveys and interviews, both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered. Both descriptive statistics (percentage and mean) and inferential statistics (ANOVA) were applied to the data in order to analyze it. Even though Hawassa University’s staff and students prefer a clan culture, the study’s findings revealed that hierarchy culture is the institution’s predominant organizational culture. In addition, it is discovered that the hierarchy in the present and the clan in the favored contexts are a little stronger and more prominent than the other cultural types. However, out of the six cultural dimensions, the clan culture type is based on the dominant traits, organizational leadership, strategic emphasis, and success criteria, whereas in the preferred situation, management of employees and organizational glue are perceived as being adhocracy and market culture, respectively. In general, an organization’s culture influences not only the performance of its employees but also the effectiveness of the organization as a whole. Therefore, higher education officials must seek to change the current organizational culture of their institutions in order to serve the requirements and interests of stakeholders and to improve the overall performance of their organizations.

Magnitude and morphological types of anemia differ by age among under five children: A facility-based study

BackgroundWorld Health Organization recently acknowledged the proportion of anemia attributable to iron deficiency among under-five children could be lower than the previously assumed 50%. Ethiopia reported 8.6% and 12.3% prevalence of iron deficiency anemia by serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor respectively. However, evidence generated from large samples on the magnitude of different types of anemias is limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence and morphological types of anemia in relation to age. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using electronic records of hemoglobin and red blood cell indices of 4739 children of 6–59 months of age who visited Hawassa University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital from May 2017 to May 2019. Microcytic hypochromic morphology combined with high red cell distribution width was used to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency. ResultsAbout 44.7% of the children were anemic. Anemia affected 6–23 months old children (53.1%) more than 24–59 (37.2%) months (p < 0.001) with no difference among boys and girls. Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, as explained by microcytic hypochromic morphology with high red cell distribution width combined model, were estimated to be 38.6% and 24.1%, respectively. About 54% of anemic children had iron deficiency which was higher among 6–23 months (63.5%) than 24–59 months (41.8%) (P < 0.001; X2 = 98.883). Regardless of anemia status, iron deficiency was two-fold higher among 6–23 months old children than 24–59 months of age. On the contrary, normocytic normochromic anemia affected significantly 24–59 months old children (23.1%) compared to 6–23 months. Less than 6% of the total anemia was macrocytic showing no significant relation with age. About 96% of macrocytic anemia was coupled with high red cell distribution width, indicating folate and vitamin B12 deficiency. ConclusionsMicrocytic hypochromic anemia with high red cell distribution width was the most prevalent type affecting primarily under two children. Normocytic normochromic anemia was significant among 24–59 months while macrocytic anemia had no age-related pattern. An in-depth study of causes of anemia other than iron deficiency particularly among 24–59 months children is essential.

Effect of storage conditions on physico-chemical and sensory acceptability of sweet potato in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The effect of different storage conditions (pit, sack, wooden box and clump) on the physico-chemical and sensory acceptability of sweet potatoes was conducted. Sweet potatoes were stored in the four storage conditions and untreated sweet potatoes (control) were used for this study. In four storage conditions, 10 kg of freshly harvested sweet potatoes were stored until the end of four storage months. Per cent of weight loss, sprouting, and spoilage of sweet potatoes data were collected from storage conditions in monthly intervals. All samples were analyzed for physic-chemical properties at Hawassa University, Food Chemistry and Food Microbiology Laboratory, and sensory acceptability was evaluated by using untrained 45 panellists at the end of the storage period. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used for storage conditions with three replication. The mean scores of appearance, taste, flavour, smell, and texture of sweet potato in storage conditions at the end of four months and untreated sweet potatoes had not shown significant difference except for overall acceptability of sweet potato. The mean scores of moisture and protein of sweet potato samples had not shown significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in all storage conditions and untreated sweet potatoes. The pit storage scored the highest mean of moisture (71.30), ash (1.53), protein (6.73), fat (4.66) and fiber (1.76) than other storage conditions but less than untreated sweet potato except for fiber content of pit storage. The least mean per cent of weight loss (26.45), sprouting (9.72), and spoilage (2.87) of sweet potato was recorded at pit storage than in other storage conditions at the end of the fourth month. It was concluded that pit is storage preferable to other storage conditions based on weight loss, sprouting, spoilage, better physic-chemical and sensory acceptability, and recommended to farmers for storing sweet potatoes. Further study will be needed on the microbial quality of sweet potatoes in different storage conditions during storage periods.

Practice towards Hepatitis B Virus Infection Prevention and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students at Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia, 2021: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health burden accounting for 2.7% of all deaths globally. Being part of the health care system, the risk of exposure to hepatitis B viral infection among medical and health science students is found to be high. In Ethiopia, particularly in this study area, very little is known about the practice of students towards hepatitis B virus infection prevention and its associated factors. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the practice towards hepatitis B virus infection prevention and its associated factors among undergraduate students at Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia, 2021. Methods and Materials An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2021, among undergraduate students who had clinical exposure. The 404 sampled participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered into EpiData version 4.6.0 and was exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Association between the dependent and independent variables was computed using the bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model. Odds ratio was calculated. Results were interpreted as significant if P value is <0.05 at 95% CI. Result This study revealed that 277 (69.9%) of the students were in the age group of 20-24 years and 266 (67.2%) were males. Out of 396 participants, about half 199 (50.3%) 95% CI (0.452–553) had a good practice towards hepatitis B virus infection prevention. Only 43.4% of the study participants had been completely vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. Age (20-24 years) (AOR = 2.736), 95% CI (1.130-6.625), and good knowledge (AOR = 1.990), 95% CI (1.207-3.282) were factors significantly associated with the practice towards hepatitis B virus infection prevention. Conclusion and Recommendation. The current study showed that about half of the study participants had good practice towards hepatitis B virus infection prevention but more than half were not completely vaccinated against HBV. Age and knowledge were factors significantly associated. It is recommended to give training for students on hepatitis B virus infection prevention. It is also advisable to screen and vaccinate students before they start their clinical attachments.

Post-operative pain and associated factors after cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe most frequent obstetric surgery both in Ethiopia and around the world is the cesarean section (CS). Postoperative pain that is not well managed can have a major negative impact on surgical patient morbidity, delaying healing and the return to normal daily activities. Even though the cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed operations, postoperative pain after cesarean section and associated factors has not been studied. ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude and factors associated with postoperative pain after cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia. MethodsFrom February 1 to September 30 in 2021, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among women who underwent cesarean deliveries at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The patient's medical file was read, and information was gathered from them using a structured questionnaire and checklist. The information was prepared for analysis by being cleaned, coded, and put into EPI Data version 3.1 before being exported to SPSS version 20. The prevalence rate and socio-demographic details were displayed using descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the associated factors. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. ResultsThe magnitude of moderate to severe post-operative pain after a cesarean section was 89.8% (95% CI 84.7, 93.5). Duration of procedure (AOR: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.33, 15.85), type of anesthesia (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.31, 8.71), and type of analgesics administered (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.28, 19.21) were significantly associated with moderate to severe post-operative pain. ConclusionIn this study a significant number of parturient in this study reported moderate to severe post-cesarean pain within 24 h. The duration of the procedure, the type of anesthesia used, and the type of analgesics administered were all found to be significantly associated with postoperative pain after cesarean section.

Magnitude and Associated Factor of Acute Appendicitis among Adult Patient Admitted At Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Surgical Ward

The pathology of the elderly is the direct result of the aging process, aggravated by the physical and mental involution that occurs with advancing age. Age-related eye changes are present, such as: presbyopia, decreased tears, peripheral visual field reduction, vitreous liquefaction (with posterior vitreous detachment and retinal detachment), decreased vision due to cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular lesions, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), optic atrophy. At the same time, there are multiple systemic diseases in the elderly, at the cardiovascular, respiratory, locomotor, neurological, auditory level. The diseases of the elderly can be multiple, with a long, chronic evolution, with periods of exacerbation, frequent complications, prolonged convalescence. Aging is a continuous, dynamic process that must be followed because in its evolution new connections and balances are created that must be identified and treated properly, old age being a distinct stage of ontogenesis that should not be seen as a state of disease. In an elderly patient, the normal aging should be differentiated from pathology.

Profile of Amblyopia Among Children Aged from 5 to 15 Years at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Pediatric Eye Clinic, South Ethiopia, 2020/21.

PurposeFunctional visual impairment in children is mostly caused by amblyopia. Permanent visual impairment is caused by belated treatment of amblyopia and underlying causes, mostly due to the lack of awareness. Amblyopia affects children’s school performance, social interaction and motor skills. This study was aimed to assess the profile of amblyopia among children aged from 5 to 15 years.Methods and MaterialsA hospital-based, cross-sectional study was done from November to April 2020/21. Data were collected from all children who came to Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital pediatric eye out patient department in the data collection period. Visual acuity measurement, slit lamp examination, cycloplegic refraction, cover test and dilated fundus examination were conducted. Data was entered in Epi-info version 7 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science version 20. Descriptive statistics were conducted to estimate the proportion of amblyopia and its causes.ResultsThe proportion of amblyopia was 23.8% (18.3–29.7). Most of the participants were within the age range of 5–9 years (55.4%) and males (51.5%). Anisometropia was the commonest cause of amblyopia (31.25%), followed by meridional (20.83), mixed (16.67%), isometropia (12.50%), sensory deprivation (10.42%) and strabismus (8.33%).ConclusionThe proportion of amblyopia was 23.8%. Anisometropia, meridional, sensory deprivation, isometropia, mixed type and strabismus were the identified causes of amblyopia.

Determinants of time to full enteral feeding achievement among infants with birth weight 1000-2000g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of public hospitals in Hawassa city, Sidama region Ethiopian, 2019: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundNutritional care during the neonatal period is a cornerstone towards achieving optimal care. However, very limited data is available on optimizing parenteral and enteral nutrition that directly affects infant survival among Ethiopian neonates. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify determinants of time to full enteral feeding achievement among low-birth-weight neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units of public hospitals in Hawassa city.MethodsA facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted in Adare general hospital and Hawassa University’s comprehensive specialized hospital from August 2018 to 2019. Charts of infants with a birth weight of 1000-2000g (n = 273) neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) were reviewed. The sample size for each hospital was allocated proportionally and subjects were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Data were entered using Epi. data version 3.1, and analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Kaplan-Meier estimator and a Cox proportional hazard model were used.ResultThe mean (SD) age when an enteral feed (trophic feeding) was first commenced was 2.13(1.373) days. The median time to achieve full enteral feeding was 8 days with IQR (7–10 days). Gestational age reduces the time to full enteral feeding by 18.8% for each additional week of gestation (AHR = 0.812, p-value = 0.003). The time to achieve full enteral feeding was shorter by 70.4% among neonates who were small for gestational age, as compared with that appropriate for gestational age (AHR = 0.296, p-value<0.001).ConclusionAccording to this study, the time that the neonate takes to achieve full enteral feeding was relatively short. Gestational age and weight for gestational were the determinants for time to full enteral feeding achievement. Further research needs to be conducted to explore further, in addition to current findings.

English Language Literacy Skills and Academic Achievement of Urban and Rural Secondary Schools: The Case of High and Low Achievers

The main objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between English language literacy skills and academic achievement between urban and rural secondary schools. The study employed a descriptive design. The subjects of the study were 139 students (73 urban and 66 rural) selected from seven secondary schools in Hawassa University Technology Village local district through a stratified random sampling technique. The data were collected by administering a literacy skill test that contains reading and writing skill items. Then, a t-test was computed to compare the mean differences between rural and urban secondary school high and low achievers’ English language literacy skill performances. And the p -value was computed to determine the level of significance of the obtained mean difference. The findings disclosed that there was a statistically significant mean difference between urban secondary school high achievers in the test scores of English language literacy (0.003, which is &lt; 0.05) in which urban high achievers outperform. Likewise, regarding the subcomponents of English literacy skills, a statistically significant mean difference (0.006, which is &lt; 0.05) was obtained between urban and rural high achievers, which favored the urban ones. On the other hand, the study also confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference between the urban and rural low achievers in their language literacy skill mean scores.