Search

IntroductionGenerating quality data for decision-making at all levels of a health system is a global imperative. The assessment of the Ethiopian National Health Information System revealed that health information system resources, data management, dissemination, and their use were rated as “not adequate” among the six major components of the health system. Health extension workers are the frontline health workforce where baseline health data are generated in the Ethiopian health system. However, the data collected, compiled, and reported by health extension workers are unreliable and of low quality. Despite huge problems in data management practices, there is a lack of sound evidence on how to overcome these health data management challenges, particularly among health extension workers. Thus, this study aimed to assess data management practices and their associated factors among health extension workers in the Central Gondar Zone.MethodAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 health extension workers. A simple random sampling method was used to select districts, all health extension workers were surveyed in the selected districts, and a structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The data was entered using EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using STATA, version 16. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were executed. An odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of

Abstract Cooking and heating using solid fuels, such as dung, wood, agricultural residues, grass, straw, charcoal, and coal, is a main source of household air pollution. This indoor combustion encompasses a diversity of health detrimental pollutants, especially for people from low-income countries like Ethiopia since solid fuels are accessible easily at a lesser cost. Limited studies done showing factors affecting in choosing fuel type and no study, which revealed spatial heterogeneity of solid fuel used based on such nationally representative data. Therefore, this study, aimed at investigating spatial variation and determinants of solid fuel use in Ethiopia. This study was done using the data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016, a national representative sample (16,650) households were included. Spatial and Multi-level logistic regression analysis was done by considering the DHS data hierarchal nature. Variables in the final model with a p-value

Abstract Background Tele-education is the use of ICTs to conduct remote learning. It has been utilized to deliver ongoing training for many years. The world’s modern culture is increasingly reliant on the use of information technology to enhance standards of education. However, in order to deploy successful e-learning systems in a developing nation, understanding of user characteristics is required in the creation and usage of e-learning systems. Thus, this study will enable us to understand the user’s level of knowledge and attitude towards tele-education. Methods An institution-based quantitative cross-sectional study supported by qualitative design was used 397 medical students at University of Gondar from May to June 2022. A pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaires and in-depth interview were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Thematic-content analysis was conducted using open-code software for analyzing qualitative data. Quantitative data was entered to Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for further statistical analysis. Binary logistic regression was conducted. The adjusted odds ratio(AOR) was used to measure the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results A total of 397 medical students were participated in this study with a response rate of 93.63%. In this study nearly six out of ten 230(57.9%) of study participants had good knowledge towards tele-education. More than half. 211(53.1%) of medical students participated on the study also had a favorable attitude towards tele-education. Factors associated with knowledge about tele-education is training related to ICT (AOR = 2.27 95% CI; (1.13,4.55)), knowledge of medical education digitization (AOR = 3.80 95% CI; (2.12,6.84)), high computer literacy (AOR = 2.82 95% CI; (1.68,4.72)) and favorable attitude towards tele-education (AOR = 3.52 95% CI; (2.12,5.84)). Factors associated with attitude towards tele-education is age group > 21 (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI; (1.33,11.39)) and good knowledge towards tele-education (AOR = 3.42,95%CI;(2.06,5.66)). Conclusion The study revealed that the knowledge of the medical students was good and nearly five out of ten of them had a favorable attitude towards tele-education. The study shows that training related to ICT, knowledge of medical education digitization, high computer literacy and favorable attitude towards tele-education were associated significantly with knowledge of tele-education. In this study age group > 21 and good knowledge towards tele-education of study participants were associated significantly with attitude towards tele-education.

Abstracts Background Tele-pharmacy is a subset of telemedicine in which pharmacies use telecommunication technology to provide patient care. Tele-pharmacy can improve pharmaceutical care service delivery by reducing medication errors, improving access to health professionals and facilities in remote and rural areas, and minimizing adverse drug events. However, there is limited evidence regarding future pharmacists' knowledge and perceptions of the Tele-pharmacy system in Ethiopia. As a result, this study aimed to assess tele-Pharmacy perception, knowledge and associated factors among pharmacy students in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 376 pharmacy students in Northwest Ethiopia between July 15 and August 27, 2022. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered using Epi info version 7.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to describe pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions of Tele-pharmacy and identify associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) and a p-value with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to declare statistical significance. Results From a total of 352 participants, about 32.4% with [95% CI (27%-37%)] and 48.6% with [95% CI (43%—54%)] had good knowledge and a positive perception toward Tele-pharmacy, respectively. Being age group of 26–30 (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17–0.68), being male (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.26–4.49), Having a CPGA of > 3.5 (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.24–4.19), Taking basic computer training (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.17–3.39), Management support (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.06–3.19) were found to be significantly associated with pharmacy students' knowledge of Tele-pharmacy. Similarly, having access to electronic devices (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.81–7.97), training related to pharmacy information systems (AOR = 6.66, 95% CI: 3.34–13.29), availability of guidelines (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.62–5.50) were found to be significantly associated with pharmacy students' perceptions of Tele-pharmacy. Conclusion This study found that pharmacy students have limited knowledge and perceptions of the Tele-pharmacy system. A continuing Tele-pharmacy training package, incorporating pharmacy information system guidelines as part of their education, and providing managerial support could be recommended to improve pharmacy students' knowledge and perception of Tele-pharmacy.

Objective To assess the awareness and readiness of mental healthcare providers to implement telemental health services and the associated factors at public referral hospitals in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia.Study design A cross-sectional study was conducted among mental health professionals working at public referral hospitals in Addis Ababa City from 4 May to 10 June 2022.Participants A total of 413 (55.7% male and 44.3% female) health professionals participated in the study. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. All mental healthcare providers working at public referral hospitals in Addis Ababa City were considered as the source population. Mental healthcare providers who meet the inclusion criteria were considered the study population. Having a minimum diploma qualification and 6 months or more of work experience and giving written consent were considered the inclusion criteria.Outcome measure The main outcome measure was awareness and readiness to implement telemental health services.Result A total of 413 participants were enrolled, with a response rate of 90.6%. The prevalence of good awareness towards telemental health services was 41% (95% CI 37%, 47%). Being female (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.34; 95% CI 0.15, 0.76), having poor information technology support (AOR=0.32; 95% CI 0.11, 0.99) and having electronic health technology experience (AOR=1.21; 95% CI 1.1, 2.44) were significantly associated with awareness of telemental health services, whereas computer access at the workplace (AOR=0.04; 95% CI 0.003, 0.55) and awareness (AOR=4.34; 95% CI 1.02, 18.48) and attitude (AOR=1.01; 95% CI 1.03, 2.19) towards telemental health services were the variables that showed statistically significant association with readiness of mental healthcare providers for telemental health services.Conclusion Although majority of healthcare providers in this survey were prepared to implement telemental health services, there was typically little awareness among mental healthcare providers.

IntroductionElectronic health has the potential benefit to the health system by improving health service quality efficiency effectiveness and reducing the cost of care. Having good e-health literacy level is considered essential for improving healthcare delivery and quality of care as well as empowers caregivers and patients to influence control care decisions. Many studies have done on eHealth literacy and its determinants among adults, however, inconsistent findings from those studies were found. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the pooled magnitude of eHealth literacy and to identify associated factors among adults in Ethiopia through systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodSearch of PubMed, Scopus, and web of science, and Google Scholar was conducted to find out relevant articles published from January 2028 to 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale tool was used to assess the quality of included studies. Two reviewers extracted the data independently by using standard extraction formats and exported in to Stata version11 for meta-analysis. The degree of heterogeneity between studies was measured using I2 statistics. The publication bias between studies also checked by using egger test. The pooled magnitude of eHealth literacy was performed using fixed effect model.ResultAfter go through 138 studies, five studies with total participants of 1758 were included in this systematic review and Meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of eHealth literacy in Ethiopia was found 59.39% (95%CI: 47.10-71.68). Perceived usefulness (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.12),educational status(AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.68), internet access (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.67, 3.30), knowledge on electronic health information sources(AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.78, 3.78), electronic health information sources utilization (AOR = 2.55; 95%CI: 1.85, 3.52), gender (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.38, 2.41) were identified significant predictors of e-health literacy.Conclusion and recommendationThis systematic review and meta-analysis found that more than half of study participants were eHealth literate. This finding recommends that creating awareness about importance of eHealth usefulness and capacity building to enhance and encouraging to use electronic sources and availability of internet has para amount to solution to increase eHealth literacy level of study participants.

Abstract In the situation of high maternal morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, less than 80% of pregnant women receive antenatal care services. To date, the overall effect of antenatal care (ANC) follow up on essential newborn practice have not been estimated in East Africa. Therefore, this study aims to identify the effect of ANC follow up on essential newborn care practice in East Africa. We reported this review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We searched articles using PubMed, Cochrane library, African journal online (AJOL), and HINARI electronic databases as well as Google/Google scholar search engines. Heterogeneity and publication bias between studies were assessed using I2 test statistics and Egger’s significance test. Forest plots were used to present the findings. In this review, 27 studies containing 34,440 study participants were included. The pooled estimate of essential newborn care practice was 38% (95% CI 30.10–45.89) in the study area. Women who had one or more antenatal care follow up were about 3.71 times more likely practiced essential newborn care compared to women who had no ANC follow up [OR 3.71, 95% CI 2.35, 5.88]. Similarly, women who had four or more ANC follow up were 2.11 times more likely practiced essential newborn care compared to women who had less than four ANC follow up (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.33, 3.35). Our study showed that the practice of ENBC was low in East Africa. Accordingly, those women who had more antenatal follow up were more likely practiced Essential newborn care. Thus, to improve the practice of essential newborn care more emphasis should be given on increasing antenatal care follow up of pregnant women in East Africa.

BackgroundHIV risk behavior among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a major public health concern as it increases HIV transmission. In Ethiopia, findings regarding HIV risk behavior have been inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of HIV risk behavior and associated factors among PLWHA in Ethiopia.MethodsInternational databases, including Google Scholar, Cochrane library, HINARI, Pub Med, CINAHL, and Global Health were systematically searched to identify articles reporting the prevalence of HIV risk behavior and associated factors among PLWHA in Ethiopia. The data were analyzed using STATA/SE version-14. The random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effects. I-squared statistics and Egger's test were used to assess the heterogeneity and publication bias respectively.ResultsA total of 4,137 articles were reviewed and fourteen articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HIV risk behavior in Ethiopia was 34.3%% (95% CI: 28.2, 40.3). Severe heterogeneity was observed between the included research articles (I2 = 96.6, p = 0.000). Alcohol use (OR = 1.9, 95%, CI: [1.6, 2.3]), HIV status non-disclosure (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: [1.3, 4.0]) and perceived stigma (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: [1.3, 4.1]) had a significant association with HIV risk behavior.ConclusionThe prevalence of HIV risk behavior among PLWHA in Ethiopia was high. Alcohol use, HIV status non-disclosure, and perceived stigma had a significant association with HIV risk behavior. In addition to promoting access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment and improving medication adherence among PLWHA, various intervention programs focusing on the associated factors have to be implemented to tackle high-risk sexual behavior and go forward toward ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

BackgroundUnder-five mortality (U5M) is one of the most important and sensitive indicators of the health status of the community. Despite there having been a substantial reduction in U5M since 1990, its rate is still high in Sub-Saharan African countries. Thus, this study aimed to assess time to under-five mortality and its predictors in rural Ethiopia.MethodsThis study utilized a secondary analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 9,807 weighted under-five children selected at different stages were included in the analysis. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox's-gamma shared frailty models were used to estimate survival time and to identify predictors of under-five mortality, respectively. An adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) along with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to measure the effect size and direction of the association.ResultsThe study indicated that 6.69% (95% CI: 6.13, 7.30) of children died before celebrating their fifth birthday in rural Ethiopia. Of all the deaths, the median time to death was 27 months. After controlling the effect of cluster and other confounding factors, female sex (AHR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.75), ever born greater than five children (AHR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.83), very large size at birth (AHR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03 1.71), very small size at birth (AHR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.82), twin pregnancy (AHR = 3.5, 95% CI: 2.47, 4.88), not ever breastfeeding (AHR = 11.29, 95% CI: 9.03, 14.12), unimproved latrine (AHR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.91, 6.17), covered by health insurance (AHR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.70) were predictors of under-five mortality.ConclusionsStill under-five mortality was high in rural Ethiopia as compared to the global under-five mortality rate. In the final model, sex of a child, the total number of children ever born, children's size at birth, type of pregnancy, breastfeeding, type of toilet, and being covered by health insurance were significant predictors of under-five mortality. Further emphasis should be given to twin and not breastfeeding children, as well as households' better encouraging membership of community health insurance and utilization of improved latrines.

Background In Ethiopia, nearly one-third of people living with human immunodeficiency viruses do not adhere to antiretroviral therapy. Moreover, information regarding non-adherence and its associated factors among adults on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Northeast Ethiopia is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of non-adherence and its associated factors among adults on first-line antiretroviral therapy in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 326 participants selected by systematic random sampling technique from the five randomly selected public health facilities. Data were collected using the questionnaire adapted from the studies conducted previously and the collected data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to Stata version 14 for further analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done and an adjusted odds ratio with its corresponding 95% confidence interval was used to declare a statistical significance. Results The overall prevalence of non-adherence was 17.4% [95% CI: (12.8%, 21.2%)]. Patients with no formal education [AOR (95% CI) = 5.57 (1.97, 15.88)], those who did not use memory aids to take their medications [AOR (95% CI) = 3.01 (1.27, 7.11)], travel more than 10 kilometers to visit the nearby antiretroviral therapy clinics [AOR (95% CI) = 2.42 (1.22, 25.86)], those who used substance [AOR (95% CI) = 3.57 (1.86, 28.69)], and patients whose medication time interfered with their daily routine activities [AOR (95% CI) = 15.46 (4.41, 54.28) had higher odds of having non-adherence to first-line antiretroviral therapy compared to their counter groups. Conclusion The level of non-adherence to first-line antiretroviral therapy was 17.4%, higher compared to WHO’s recommendation. Hence, patients counseling focused on avoiding substance use, use memory aids, and adjusting working time with medication schedule are very crucial. Furthermore, the ministry of health and the regional health bureau with other stakeholders should expand antiretroviral therapy service delivery at health facilities that are close to the community to address distance barriers.

BackgroundIntestinal parasitosis is a major public health problem that affects the health of primary school children in low- and middle-income countries where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions are deficient. Since there is a paucity of information on the prevalence and associated factors of this problem among primary school children in Dessie City in Ethiopia, this study was designed to address these gaps.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 stratified-sampled primary school children in five primary schools at Dessie City from April to June 2018. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, an observation checklist and laboratory analysis of stool samples. Stool specimen from each study participant was collected using clean, properly labeled and leak-proof stool cup. A portion of stool from each study participant collected sample was processed using saline wet mount technique and examined by microscope. The remaining specimens were preserved with 10% formalin and transported to Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital laboratory to be processed by using formol-ether concentration technique. Then, slide smears were prepared from each processed stool specimen and finally, it was microscopically examined with 10x as well as 40x objectives for the presence or absence of intestinal parasites. Factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis were determined using binary logistic regression model at 95% CI (confidence interval). Thus, bivariate (COR [crude odds ratio]) and multivariable (AOR [adjusted odds ratio]) logistic regression analyses were carried out. From the multivariable analysis, variables having a p-value of less than 0.05 were declared as factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among primary school children.Main findingsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was found to be 16.0% (95% CI: 12.5-19.4%), of these, 50.8% were positive for protozoa, 32.2% for helminth infections and 16.9% for double co-infections. Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent parasite (29.2%), followed by Giardia lamblia (21.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%), Hymenolepis nana (9.2%) and Enterobius vermicularis (4.6%). Prevalence rates were similar among government (16.3%) and private (15.7%) school children. Water consumption was less than 5 liters per capita per day in 4 of the 5 schools. Thirty-eight (9.3%) of primary school students reported that they practiced open defecation. About two-thirds (285, 70.0%) said they always washed their hands after defecation. Mother's education (illiterate) (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.20-9.37), father's education (illiterate) (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.40-10.82), fathers who could read and write (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.25-7.86), handwashing before meal (sometimes) (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.11-4.17) and poor knowledge of WASH (AOR = 9.3; 95% CI: 2.17-16.70) were statistically associated with presence of intestinal parasitic infections.ConclusionWe concluded that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in the study area among Grades 4-8 primary school children had public health significance. Factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among primary school children's were illiterate mothers and fathers, irregular handwashing of children before meals, and poor knowledge of WASH. Health education to improve students' WASH knowledge and mass deworming for parasites are recommended as preventive measures; and improvements to the quality of WASH facilities in primary schools are strongly recommended to support these measures.

BackgroundMalnutrition among under-five children is a common public health problem and it is one of the main cause for the mortality of under-five children in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, lack of evidence about geographic heterogeneity and predictors of under-nutrition hinders for evidence-based decision-making process for the prevention and control programs of under-nutrition in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to address this gap.MethodsThe data were obtained from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2016. A total of 9,384 under-five children nested in 645 clusters were included with a stratified two-stage cluster sampling. ArcGIS version 10.5 software was used for global, local and ordinary least square analysis and mapping. The spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran's I) statistic was held in order to assess the pattern of wasting, stunting, and underweight whether it was dispersed, clustered, or randomly distributed. In addition, a Bernoulli model was used to analyze the purely spatial cluster detection of under-nutrition indicators through SaTScan version 9.6 software. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) version 4.0 software was used to model spatial relationships in the GWR analysis. Finally, a statistical decision was made at p-valueMain findingsChildhood under-nutrition showed geographical variations at zonal levels in Ethiopia. Accordingly, Somali region (Afder, Gode, Korahe, Warder Zones), Afar region (Zone 2), Tigray region (Southern Zone), and Amhara region (Waghmira Zones) for wasting, Amhara region (West Gojam, Awi, South Gondar, and Waghmira Zones) for stunting and Amhara region (South Wollo, North Wollo, Awi, South Gondar, and Waghmira zones), Afar region (Zone 2), Tigray region (Eastern Zone, North Western Zone, Central Zone, Southern Zone, and Mekele Special Zones), and Benshangul region (Metekel and Assosa Zones) for underweight were detected as hot spot (high risk) regions. In GWR analysis, had unimproved toilet facility for stunting, wasting and underweight, father had primary education for stunting and wasting, father had secondary education for stunting and underweight, mothers age 35-49 years for wasting and underweight, having female children for stunting, having children eight and above for wasting, and mother had primary education for underweight were significant predictors at (pConclusionsOur study showed that the spatial distribution of under-nutrition was clustered and high-risk areas were identified in all forms of under-nutrition indicators. Predictors of under-nutrition were identified in all forms of under-nutrition indicators. Thus, geographic-based nutritional interventions mainly mobilizing additional resources could be held to reduce the burden of childhood under-nutrition in hot spot areas. In addition, improving sanitation and hygiene practice, improving the life style of the community, and promotion of parent education in the identified hot spot zones for under-nutrition should be more emphasized.