Hospital Millennium Medical College Research Articles

Locally advanced cervical cancer: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery an alternative approach to chemo-radiation in a low-income setting: A descriptive study.

To describe the treatment outcomes of locally advanced cervical cancer managed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus radical surgery at a gynecology oncology center in Ethiopia. This was a retrospective descriptive study of management of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (Ethiopia) over 5 years. Data were collected by reviewing patient records. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Simple descriptive analysis was employed to analyze clinical, histologic, and treatment outcomes of LACC managed with NACT+ radical surgery. Frequency and proportions were used to present the results' significance. A total of 98 patients were analyzed. One-third (31.6%) of cervical cancer patients with locally advanced disease were operable after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Out of this, nodal metastasis was found in 2 patients (all pelvic lymph node metastasis). Disease recurrence within 2 years was 3% (1 recurrence within 6-12 months and 2 recurrences at 12-24 months). This study supports utilization of NACT plus radical surgery for locally advanced cervical cancer, where chemoradiation is not readily available. Our findings imply that this treatment modality is a life-saving alternative treatment in a low-income setting, which is often married by shortage or unavailability of radiotherapy at the needed time before disease progression ensues.

Predictors of functional status and disability among patients living with chronic kidney diseases at St Paul’s hospital millennium medical college, Ethiopia: findings from a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe rise in risk factors like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus has partly led to the increase in the number of patients affected by chronic kidney disease, affecting an estimated 843 million people, which is nearly 10% of the general population worldwide in 2017. Patients with CKD have an increased risk of functional difficulties and disability. This study aimed to assess the level of functional status and disability and its associated factors among patients with chronic kidney attending Saint Paul Hospital, Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 enrolled study participants through systematic random sampling techniques. Face-to-face interviews and chart reviews were used to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from works of literature. The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) was used to assess the functional status and disability of the participants. Data was entered into EPI info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was employed with a p-value less than 0.25. Finally, those variables with a p-value less than 0.05 in multivariate analysis were taken as statistically significant.ResultsA total of 219 (72.5%) CKD patients had moderate to severe functional limitation and disability (HAQ-Di > 0.5-3). Age > 50 years [AOR = 1.65; 95% CI (1.23, 3.15)], being at stage 2 and 3 CKD [AOR = 4.05; 95% CI (1.82, 9.21), being at stage 4 and 5 CKD [AOR = 2.47; 95% CI (1.87, 4.72)], and having MSK manifestations [AOR = 2.97; 95% CI (1.61, 5.55)] were significantly associated with functional status and disability.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that CKD-associated functional disabilities are common. The advanced stage of CKD, higher age, and presence of musculoskeletal manifestations appear to be important variables predicting self-reported functional status. Healthcare professionals treating CKD shall be vigilant about the CKD-associated disability, the modifiable predictors, and interventions to limit the CKD-related disability.

Anorectal Malformations (ARM) and associated maternal factors among children at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An unmatched case-control study

Anorectal Malformations (ARM) and associated maternal factors among children at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An unmatched case-control study

Evaluation of molecular and bacteriological detection methods performed on the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy samples collected from endometrial and lymph node tuberculosis suspected patients

BackgroundEndometrial Tuberculosis is one of the most common gynecological problems known to have serious implications for the quality of life like infertility. The commonly practiced histopathology solely relies on the suggestive feature of Tuberculosis (TB) with low specificity. Regarding the alternative bacteriological and molecular detection tools, little evidence was generated on their utility in the diagnosis of endometrial tuberculosis in Ethiopia. Therefore, we aim to investigate the detection rate of molecular and bacteriological detection methods on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy samples for the diagnosis of endometrial and lymph node TB.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 formalin fixed paraffin embedded biopsy samples from patients with gynecologic and lymph problems collected between 2018 and 2022 at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. SPSS version 26 was used for statistical analysis. The diagnostic performance was calculated using the histopathology method as the reference standard. Cohen’s Kappa value was used to measure the level of agreement. A test with a P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 90 samples were analyzed in the current study. Auramine O, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, and Real-Time PCR tests have shown a detection rate of 32/90 (36%), 43/90 (47.8%), and 54/90 (60%) respectively (P ≤ 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of AO were 38.1% and 95% respectively. RT PCR showed superior sensitivity followed by GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, 70% and 58.6%. AO and molecular methods have shown a similarly low level of agreement with histopathology (Kappa value = 0.2).ConclusionsIn a resource-limited setting, the selection of diagnostic tools needs careful attention. Putting the patients on anti-TB treatments based solely on histopathological findings may lead to undesired and adverse complications. Therefore, applying molecular and bacteriological detection methods along with histopathology, could help minimize inappropriate antimicrobial use.

Surgical abortion service reorganization in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a unique experience of attending second trimester D&E procedures under spinal anesthesia as emergency procedures.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a massive shift in how health care systems interact with COVID testing for patients. To avoid delay in accessing second trimester surgical abortion at our hospital (St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College) during this pandemic, dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedures were attended as emergency cases, instead of as elective surgical procedures, which then required adherence to the universal preoperative COVID-19 testing protocol. This study aimed at documenting the experience of this unique abortion service adjustment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021. We reviewed second trimester surgical abortion cases managed with D& E procedures, performed under spinal anesthesia using the emergency COVID-19 pre-operative testing protocol. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and simple descriptive statistics were applied. Percentages and proportions were used to present the results. Nineteen cases of second trimester D&E cases were reviewed. The median gestational age of the abortion clients was 21.57 weeks. Eight of 19 cases had cervical preparation with overnight intra-cervical Foley catheter placement while the rest 11 (57.9%) cases had their cervical preparation with Laminaria. The median time interval from initial evaluation of the abortion client to time of doing D& E procedure was 21.83 h. Surgical abortion service reorganization enabled abortion clients to access dilation and evacuation procedures within 24 h of their initial presentation. This prevented significant delays in accessing abortion care that could otherwise have occurred as a result of adhering to the preoperative COVID-19 testing protocols applied to elective surgeries.

Immediate and short-term outcomes of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy for severe mitral stenosis at a Resource Limited Setting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundRheumatic heart disease is a common cause of mitral stenosis (MS) in developing nations. Percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy (PMBC) is the treatment of choice for patients with MS with favorable anatomy. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess immediate and short-term outcomes of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy for symptomatic patients with rheumatic severe mitral stenosis. MethodsThe clinical records of patients who underwent Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Commissurotomy (PBMC) at Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Cardiac Center were reviewed. A retrospective observational study was conducted from February 01, 2018, to August 30, 2021. All eligible patients who underwent Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Commissurotomy during the study period at the cardiac center were included in this study. Ninety-one patients were enrolled in the study after excluding repeat procedures, those with incomplete data, and lost medical records. Data were collected through chart reviews using a structured questionnaire by trained physicians, with daily supervision by the investigators. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Associations were checked using a paired t-test and Fisher's Exact Test, with statistical significance set at a p-value of <0.05. ResultPercutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy was successful in 91.2 % of patients. Following the procedure, there was a significant increase in the mean mitral valve area from 0.799 cm2 to 1.674 cm2 and a reduction in the trans-mitral mean pressure gradient from 20 mmHg to 7.71 mmHg (P < 0.001). Atrial fibrillation and a high Wilkins score were identified as correlates of non-successful PMBC. A Wilkin's score of ≤8 and a post-procedure mitral valve area > 1.5 cm2 were associated with New York Heart Association functional class improvement three months after the procedure. ConclusionIn this study, percutaneous mitral balloon Commissurotomy (PMBC) demonstrated an excellent success rate. The majority of patients exhibited significant improvement in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class.

Impact of Non-Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury on Survival Outcomes in Non-critically Ill Hospitalized Medical Patients in a Resource-Limited Setting: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction The severe consequences of acute kidney injury (AKI) have been well-documented in high-risk patient populations. However, the effects of milder forms in non-critically ill patients remain understudied, particularly in resource-limited settings. While the risk of mortality associated with these cases is considered low, it can still lead to various complications including prolonged hospitalization, which may influence long-term renal and patient survival.Hence, the objective of this study was to studythe impact of non-dialysis-requiring AKI (NDR-AKI) on survival outcomes of non-critically ill medical patients admitted to St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College in Ethiopia during the period from July 2019 to January 2022. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 300 non-critically ill medical patients, 93 with NDR-AKI and 207 without AKI.Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and median survival times, were employed to summarize the data. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were utilized to compare survival experiences of groups. A Cox proportional hazards survival model was fitted to estimate the impact of NDR-AKI on time to recovery. Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report findings. Results Two hundred four (68.0%) were discharged after improvement and the median recovery time was 16 days (95%CI: 13.5-18.5 days). Having NDR-AKI was associated with a 43% lower rate of achieving recovery (AHR=0.57, 95%CI=0.38, 0.84, p-value=0.004). Females were found to have a 1.41 times higher rate of recovery (AHR=1.41, 95%CI=1.03,1.94, p-value=0.033). Additionally, having tuberculosis (AHR=0.41, 95%CI=0.23,0.72, p-value=0.002) and being on anticoagulant (AHR=0.67, 95%CI=0.47,0.95, p-value=0.027) were associated with a 59% and 33% lower rate of recovery, respectively. Conclusion NDR-AKI significantly delays recovery compared to patients without AKI suggesting that even milder forms of AKI in non-critically ill patients can negatively impact patient outcomes. Early identification, prompt management, and addressing underlying causes are key to improving recovery and reducing long-term morbidity and mortality. Strict screening and monitoring of high-risk groups such as men, patients with tuberculosis, and those on anticoagulants is also crucial.

Caregivers’ knowledge and practice regarding hypoglycemia prevention in children with type one diabetes mellitus at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Caregivers’ knowledge and practice regarding hypoglycemia prevention in children with type one diabetes mellitus at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Serum ferritin level and associated factors among uncontrolled adult type II diabetic follow-up patients: comparative based cross-sectional study

BackgroundUncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (UT2DM) and its associated consequences nowadays have been a global health crisis, especially for adults. Iron has the property to oxidize and reduce reversibly, which is necessary for metabolic processes and excess accumulation of iron indicated by serum ferritin levels could have a significant impact on the pathophysiology of T2DM via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, no conclusive evidence existed about the association of serum ferritin with the state of glycemic control status. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate serum ferritin levels and associated factors in uncontrolled T2DM patients and compare them with those of controlled T2DM and non-diabetic control groups.MethodsA hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently selected 156 study participants, who were categorized into three equal groups of uncontrolled T2DM, controlled T2DM, and non-diabetic control groups from October 2 to December 29, 2023 at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and diabetes-related information. The laboratory tests were done using an automated chemistry analyzer and IBM-SPSS statistical software (version-27) was utilized for data entry and analysis with a significance level of p < 0.05.ResultThe mean serum ferritin level was noticeably higher in uncontrolled T2DM patients as compared to controlled T2DM and control groups (p < 0.001). It was significantly correlated with HbA1c [r = 0.457, p < 0.001], fasting blood sugar (FBs) [r = 0.386, p < 0.001], serum iron [r = 0.430, p < 0.001], and systolic blood pressure (SBP) [r = 0.195, p = 0.047] in T2DM patients. A multivariate logistic regression model revealed that a rise in HbA1c (AOR = 3.67, 95% CI(1.50–8.98), serum iron (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI(1.01–1.04), male gender (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI(0.05–0.57) and being on oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) monotherapy (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI(0.07–0.95) were key associated factors for the elevated serum ferritin among T2DM patients.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that T2DM patients had elevated serum ferritin levels which might be related to the existence of long-term hyperglycaemia and that serum ferritin had a significant positive association with HbA1c and FBs, implying that it could be used as an additional biomarker to predict uncontrolled T2DM patients.

Describing the practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female healthcare workers in Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women and is a global health problem. Yet, it can be a manageable disease with early diagnosis and sufficient treatment protocols, such as advanced surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiation therapies. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a screening technique that involves examining one's breasts for lumps, distortions, or swelling, and contributes to early diagnosis of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess the practice of BSE and associated factors among female healthcare workers in Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022. An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College. A stratified and systematic random sampling technique was utilized to obtain respondents for the study. The data for this study were collected by professional nurses using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 20) software. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess relevant factors. Predictors with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Four hundred respondents participated giving a 100% response rate. The median age of study participants was 28 years, with an inter-quartile range of six years. About two-thirds (63.8%) of the study participants had good knowledge about BSE, 46.3% had a positive attitude toward BSE, and 76.25% reported they practised BSE. Significant associations were observed with the practice of BSE and the factors of age, monthly income, and knowledge about BSE. Compared to participants 40 years and above, participants between 25-29 years [AOR=0.10; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.88] and 35-39 years [AOR=0.09; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.92] were less likely to practise BSE; those with monthly income less than 5250 ETB [AOR=0.19; 95%CI: 0.035, 0.996], and between 5251-7800 [AOR=0.16; 95%CI: 0.032, 0.78], and 7801-10900ETB [AOR=0.18; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.83] were less likely to practise BSE; and those with good knowledge about BSE [AOR=2.08; 95%CI: 1.23, 3.53] were more apt to practise BSE. The study showed that about three-quarters of the health workers practised BSE. Statistically significant associations were observed between BSE and the factors of age in years, monthly income, and knowledge about BSE.

Describing the practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female healthcare workers in Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contexte : Le cancer du sein est le cancer le plus fréquent chez les femmes; il constitue un problème de santé mondial. Il peut toutefois être gérable si le diagnostic est précoce et que les protocoles de traitement avancé (par chirurgie, chimiothérapie et radiothérapie) sont adéquats. L’auto-examen des seins a pour but de détecter la présence de bosses, de déformations ou de gonflements dans le sein, ce qui facilite le diagnostic précoce. Objectifs : L’étude, réalisée en 2022, avait pour but d’évaluer la pratique de l’auto-examen des seins et les facteurs associés chez les professionnelles de la santé travaillant au St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College d’Addis Abeba, en Éthiopie. Méthodologie : Une étude transversale a été menée en établissement, au St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. Les participants ont été recrutées par échantillonnage aléatoire systématique et stratifié. Des infirmières ont recueilli les données à l’aide de questionnaires structurés, puis les ont analysées avec la version 20 du logiciel SPSS. Des analyses de régression logistique ont été appliquées pour évaluer les facteurs pertinents. Les variables libres pour lesquelles la valeur p était supérieure à 0,05 étaient considérées statistiquement significatives. Résultats : En tout, 400 personnes ont pris part à l’étude, ce qui correspond à un taux de réponse de 100 %. L’âge médian des participantes était de 28 ans, pour un écart interquartile de 6 ans. Environ les deux tiers (63,8 %) des participantes possédaient de bonnes connaissances au sujet de l’auto-examen des seins, 46,3 % avaient une attitude positive par rapport à la technique et 76,25 % disaient la mettre en pratique. Des associations significatives ont été observées entre la pratique de l’auto-examen des seins et des facteurs comme l’âge, le revenu mensuel et les connaissances sur l’auto-examen. Comparativement aux participantes âgées de 40 ans et plus, celles qui avaient entre 25 et 29 ans (rapport de cotes ajusté [RCA] = 0,10; IC à 95 % : 0,01, 0,88) et entre 35 et 39 ans (RCA = 0,09; IC à 95 % : 0,01, 0,92) étaient moins susceptibles de pratiquer l’auto-examen des seins; les femmes dont le revenu mensuel était inférieur à 5 250 birrs (RCA = 0,19; IC à 95 % : 0,035, 0,996) ou se situait entre 5 251 et 7 800 birrs (RCA = 0.,6; IC à 95 % : 0,032, 0,78) et entre 7 801 et 10 900 birrs (RCA = 0,18; IC 95 % : 0,04, 0,83) étaient moins susceptibles de pratiquer l’auto-examen des seins; les participantes ayant de bonnes connaissances au sujet de l’auto-examen (RCA = 2,08; IC à 95 % : 1,23, 3,53) étaient plus aptes à le pratiquer. Conclusion : L’étude a révélé qu’environ les trois quarts des professionnelles de la santé pratiquaient l’auto-examen des seins. Des associations statistiquement significatives ont été observées entre la mise en pratique de la technique et des facteurs comme l’âge, le revenu mensuel et les connaissances au sujet de l’auto-examen des seins. Mots-clés : sein, auto-examen des seins, Éthiopie, soins de santé

Magnitude of emergence agitation, its interventions and associated factors among paediatric surgical patients

BackgroundEmergence agitation is a transient confusional state of a child associated with consciousness from general anaesthesia, commonly occurs in the postoperative setting which delays their recovery and exposes them to traumas. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the magnitude of emergence agitation, its interventions and associated factors among paediatric surgical patients at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsHospital based cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up framework was conducted on a paediatric surgical patients aged 2-14 years who underwent surgery under general anaesthesia between June 1 - October 30 2022. Stratified sampling method followed by simple random sampling technique was employed to reach study participants. Magnitude of emergence agitation and its interventions done at post-anaesthetic care units were recorded. Data analysis was carried out using a descriptive statistics method and the results were summarized using tables and diagrams. Bivariate analysis was done to identify causal relationship and multivariable analysis to assess the confounding effects of factors associated with emergence agitation. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant factor.ResultsA total of 150 participants were included in the current study, where 107 (71.3%) were male and 97 (64.7%) were preschool aged. About 81 (54%) of care givers were female and majority of them have completed primary school. The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 6.4 (3.57) years. Around 42.7% of them developed emergence agitation with an average duration of 8.39 ± 4.45 minutes. Factors such as propofol administration at the end of procedure (OR of 0.104 with 95% CI [0.035, 0305]), Ear, nose, throat surgery and oral maxillofacial surgery (OR of 2.341 with 95% CI [1.051, 5.211]) and arrival of patient to recovery awake (OR of 0.456 95% CI [0.209, 0.994]) showed statistically significant association with emergence agitation.ConclusionAlmost half of the study participants experienced emergence agitation which is high magnitude. Ear, nose, throat surgery and oral maxillofacial surgeries were predictive factors of emergence agitation while propofol administration at the end of procedure and arrival of patient to recovery awake significantly decreased risk of emergence agitation. Therefore, anaesthesia personnel should have essential skills and knowledge to effectively care for children perioperatively including to minimize and treat emergence agitation.

Outcomes of deep venous thrombosis management and associated factors among patients in tertiary hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundPulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are the two most important manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE). DVT remains a significant condition since associated morbidity is significant and has elevated healthcare-related costs.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among DVT patients admitted to Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Zewditu Memorial Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College on follow-up from July 1, 2017, to July 01, 2020. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, types of DVT, laboratory findings, medications, risk factors of DVT, complications and outcomes of DVT were collected. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors of DVT recurrence and major bleeding. A P value < 0.05 was considered to identify significant predictors.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 45.2 years, with SD of 15.36. The major causes of DVT included immobilization (29.9%), previous surgery (27.5%) and cancer (21.1%). The DVT recurrence rate was 22.5%. Nine (2.2%) of the participants died, and 19.9% developed complications. Bilateral DVT (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.8, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.14, 6.66), obesity (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.15, 9.59), hypertension (AOR = 6.5, 95% CI = 2.90, 14.70) and retroviral infection (AOR = 6.3, 95% CI = 2.34, 16.94) were predictors of recurrent DVT. Nineteen (4.7%) patients had major bleeding, and patients with bilateral DVT, active cancer and terminal age had an increased risk of major bleeding.ConclusionsThe overall DVT recurrence rate was alarmingly high and further complicated by PE, post thrombotic syndrome and chronic vein insufficiency, resulting in a 2.2% death rate. Major bleeding after DVT and PE remained high. Close monitoring should be performed for patients with advanced age, active cancer, bilateral DVT, retroviral infection, obesity and hypertension to prevent the recurrence of DVT and major bleeding.

Contraceptive Counselling and Uptake Among Female Kidney Transplant Recipients in Ethiopia

ABSTRACTBackgroundContraceptive counselling and utilization for kidney transplant patients is a vital component of their kidney transplant care. The use of standardized information on contraceptive methods to prevent unplanned post‐transplant pregnancies in Africa in general is less studied. This study aimed to describe contraceptive counselling and uptake among kidney transplant recipients at a kidney transplant centre in Ethiopia.MethodsA descriptive study on contraceptive counselling and uptake among female Ethiopian kidney transplant recipients was conducted at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (Ethiopia) from April 15 to July 15, 2023. Data on women's sociodemographic, renal transplantation and contraceptive counselling and use were collected through interviewing the participants using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed on SPSS 23 using simple descriptive analysis. Percentages and frequencies were used to present the results.ResultsA total of 60 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the participants was 33.7 ± 8.4 years. The median duration from the time of renal transplant was 19 months. Most (49/60, 81.7%) of the participants reported that they did not receive family planning counselling on contraceptive methods in the early post‐transplant phase. The rate of contraceptive uptake was 8.3% (5/60) with two patients being copper IUD users, and Implanon, tubal ligation and combined oral contraceptives each utilized by a single kidney transplant patient.ConclusionContraceptive counselling and uptake rates among female kidney transplant recipients in this study were very low, which is consistent with findings from previous studies. Increasing female kidney transplant patients’ awareness on safe and effective contraceptive use through adequate contraceptive counselling is essential.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury After Thyroid Surgery at St. Paul&amp;apos;s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, a dreaded complication in thyroid surgery, remains a concern even in the hands of seasoned surgeons. It stands as a significant cause for medical malpractice claims against surgeons. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objective&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: To assess the Magnitude of RLN injury and associated factors in patients undergoing thyroid surgery at St. Paul&amp;apos;s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 1st, 2021, to April 30&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;th&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;, 2022. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Methods&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: A facility-based, observational study was conducted at SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire designed with Google Forms. A census sampling approach was used to select the data charts to ensure a comprehensive perspective. This method ensured a representative sample of the population under study, enhancing the reliability of the results. The information was transferred to Excel and then imported into SPSS. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the key characteristics within the dataset concisely. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was implemented to explore the potential relationships between the independent and dependent variables. A significance level of p &amp;lt; 0.05 was adopted to identify statistically meaningful results. The findings are presented through a combination of text, tables, and figures. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: The study included a total of 185 patients, with a mean± SD age of 41.62 ± 12.72 and a median age of 40. Females constituted 78.9% of the participants. The study&amp;apos;s key finding is a persistent RLN injury rate of 5.4% (10/185). After adjusting for other covariates, the odds of developing persistent RLN injury were found to be 30 times higher among patients who had central neck dissection than those who had not undergone central neck dissection (AOR=30.0, 95%CI=4.3,211.9, p-value=0.001). However, sex, substernal goiter, histologic finding, preoperative toxicity, extent of thyroidectomy, and identification of RLN intra-operatively were not associated with persistent RLN injury in bivariate logistic regression analysis. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusion&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: This study found a persistent, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury rate of 5.4% in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Central neck dissection was the only factor significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. These findings suggest minimizing central neck dissection when feasible during thyroid surgery to reduce the risk of this complication.

Accuracy of focused cardiac ultrasound interpretation among emergency and critical care medicine residents in Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study

IntroductionFocused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) has emerged as a valuable tool in emergency and critical care medicine, allowing for rapid assessment of cardiac function and structure at the bedside. This rapid diagnostic technique holds particular promise in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia, where access to standard echocardiography may be limited and delayed. However, the accuracy of FoCUS interpretation is highly dependent on the operator's skills and expertise. To inform the design of effective interventions, the study aimed to assess the accuracy of FoCUS interpretation and associated factors among senior Emergency Medicine residents at two large referral teaching hospitals in Ethiopia. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023 among 80 residents at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College. To assess diagnostic accuracy, 15 pre-selected cardiac ultrasound videos (normal and pathological cases) were selected from American College of Emergency Physicians website and the PoCUS Atlas, and accurate interpretation was defined as correctly answering at least 12 out of 15 readings. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify significant factors at the 5% level of significance, where significant results were interpreted using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultThe overall accuracy in interpreting FoCUS findings was 47.5% (95% CI: 38.8–60.0%), with highest for collapsing Inferior Vena Cava (91.3%) and standstill (90.0%), and lowest for Regional Wall Motion Abnormality of Left Ventricle (46.3%). Residents who received training (AOR=4.14, 95%CI:1.32–13.04, p = 0.015), perceived themselves as skilled (AOR=4.81, 95%CI=1.06–21.82, p = 0.042), and felt confident in acquiring and interpretation (AOR=3.16, 95%CI=1.01–9.82, p = 0.047) demonstrated significantly higher accuracy. ConclusionThe study identified a low overall accuracy in FoCUS interpretation, with accuracy improving with training and better perceived skill and confidence. Training programs with simulation, continuous education, and mentorship are crucial to enhance these critical skills.

Medication non-adherence and its associated factors among kidney transplant patients in a large teaching hospital in Ethiopia

BackgroundThis study examines medication adherence among kidney transplant patients at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on the level of adherence and associated factors to immunosuppressant medicines.Methods and materialsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 patients from October 2021 to January 2022 using a structured questionnaire analyzed with SPSS version 26. The prevalence of medication adherence was computed, and a binary logistic regression was fitted to estimate the association. Medication adherence level measurement in post-kidney transplant patients was assessed using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) and Basel Adherence Assessment Scale in Immunosuppressants (BAASIS). A 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 were used for statistical significance.ResultsThe study found that 71.5% of kidney transplant patients were male, with a median age of 37 and a mean duration of 3.55 years. Medication adherence in post-kidney transplant patients was 81.9%. Post-transplant duration above 5 years and missing follow-up visits more than two times was associated with a 92.6% and 91.2% in medication non-adherence rate respectively. Additionally, forgetfulness was associated with a 90.6%, non-adherence level compared to drug unavailability and financial reasons.Conclusion and recommendationThe study indicates that our patients exhibit higher medication adherence than WHO-measured levels, suggesting the need for healthcare providers to strengthen their intervention, especially for those above 5 years post-kidney transplant. The reason for increased adherence could be explained by the health education program about the medication name, dosing, frequency of ingestion and adverse effects of the drug, and effects of non-adherence.

Obstetric HDU: A Supply-Based Alternative for ICU Care in a Low-Income Setting: A Descriptive Study

Abstract Background: The demand of ICU care for obstetric patients is rising in low-income settings, where there is low ICU-bed capacity. Introduction of obstetric High-dependency unit (HDU) has been described as an effective strategy to bridge this gap in resource-restricted settings. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristic and maternal outcomes of obstetric patients admitted to the first obstetric HDU in Ethiopia. Study Design: This was a descriptive study on clinical characteristics and maternal outcomes of obstetric patients admitted to obstetric HDU over one year (October 2021 to September 2022) at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (Ethiopia). Data were collected retrospectively through reviewing patients’ medical records using a data extraction format with KOBO collect tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and simple descriptive statistics were employed. Proportions and percentages were used to present the results. Results: After excluding 18 patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria, a total of 355 obstetric patients who were admitted to an obstetric HDU were included in the final analysis. Among these all-obstetric patients admitted to obstetric HDU, pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia (82/355, 23.1%) and postpartum hemorrhage (66/355, 18.6%) were the most frequent reasons for admission to the HDU whereas cardiac disease constituted 14.1% (50/355) of the indication for admissions to the unit. Majority (318/355, 89.6%) from the study participants were transferred to other wards with improvement, while 37(7.9%) deteriorated with 9(2.53%) of them died. Septic shock (6/9, 66.6%) and DIC (2/9, 22.2%) were the leading causes of death in the HDU. Conclusion: Findings of our study demonstrate that opening HDU in a low-income setting is feasible and results in favorable maternal outcomes. Introduction of obstetric HDU in low-income settings is an effective intervention to reduce severe maternal morbidity and mortality associated with low ICU-bed capacity in those settings.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Associated Factors at an Adult Endocrine Clinic of SPHMMC Addis Ababa Ethiopia

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, is associated with severe complications. Type 2 DM (T2DM), the most prevalent form of DM in adults, is characterized by varying degrees of insulin deficiency or resistance. The prevention or delay of macrovascular and microvascular problems associated with DM depends on achieving appropriate glycemic control. The percentage of T2DM patients failing to reach glycemic targets keeps rising even with the expanded availability of numerous anti-hyperglycemic drugs and evidence-based treatment guidelines. The delay in treatment intensification despite inadequate glucose control—often referred to as clinical or therapeutic inertia-contributes significantly to this trend.&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Objective:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; This study aims to evaluate the understanding and perceptions of insulin therapy among patients with T2DM. The study focuses on patients under follow-up care at the Adult Endocrine Clinic of St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College.&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Method and Material:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2021 to evaluate knowledge and attitudes regarding insulin therapy and related factors. A structured questionnaire was used for interviews with a representative sample of 271 T2DM patients who are receiving follow-up care at the endocrine clinic at SPHMMC. The SPSS, version 25, was the software utilized. The statistical significance of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using a 95% confidence interval and a p-value less than 0.05.&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Results:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; The majority of the respondents were between the ages of 56 and 65, with a mean age of 57.35 years. More than half of the participants, accounting for 231 (85.2%) of the total, were from urban areas. Out of the 271 respondents, approximately 85.6% demonstrated poor knowledge of insulin therapy, and around 37.6% exhibited negative attitudes towards it. Factors such as age, occupation, and a history of long-term Oral Antidiabetic Drug use were found to be associated with the level of knowledge about insulin. In addition to these factors, marital status and a family history of insulin use were found to be associated with patients’ attitudes towards insulin. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusions:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Our study identified a significant knowledge gap about insulin usage among T2DM patients in the designated study area. We recommend the implementation of regular, structured health education programs, delivered by trained health professionals. This approach is expected to enhance both the knowledge and attitudes toward insulin usage among patients attending follow-up sessions at the SPHMMC diabetic clinic.

Comorbid depression among adults with heart failure in Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundDepression is a common comorbidity in adults with heart failure. It is associated with poor clinical outcomes, including decreased health-related quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data concerning the extent of this issue in Ethiopia. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of comorbid depression and associated factors among adults living with heart failure in Ethiopia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiac outpatient clinics of two selected specialist public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College and St. Peter Specialized Hospital. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 383 adults with heart failure who attended the clinics and met the inclusion criteria. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with depression. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 17 software.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 55 years. On average, participants had moderate depression, as indicated by the mean PHQ-9 score of 11.02 ± 6.14, and 217 (56.6%, 95%CI 51.53–61.68) had comorbid depression. Significant associations with depression were observed among participants who were female (AOR: 2.31, 95%CI:1.30–4.08), had comorbid diabetes mellitus (AOR: 3.16, 95%CI: 1.47–6.82), were classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV (AOR: 3.59, 95%CI: 1.05–12.30), reported poor levels of social support (AOR: 6.04, 95%CI: 2.97–12.32), and took more than five medications per day (AOR: 5.26, 95%CI: 2.72–10.18).ConclusionsThis study indicates that over half of all adults with heart failure in Ethiopia have comorbid depression, influenced by several factors. The findings have significant implications in terms of treatment outcomes and quality of life. More research in the area, including interventional and qualitative studies, and consideration of multifaceted approaches, such as psychosocial interventions, are needed to reduce the burden of comorbid depression in this population.