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Hailemichael Kindie Abate, 1 Addisu Taye Abate, 1 Zewdu Baye Tezera, 1 Debrewok Tesgera Beshah, 2 Chilot Desta Agegnehu, 3 Mohmmed Adem Getnet, 1 Birhaneselassie Gebeyehu Yazew, 1 Mahlet Temesgen Alemu, 2 Chilot Kassa Mekonenn, 1 Chanyalew Worku Kassahun 1 1Department of Medical Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Surgical Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Community Nursing Unit, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Hailemichael Kindie Abate Tel +251965321790Email haile206k@gmail.comIntroduction: Nursing professionalism is how nurses view their work and is a guide for the behavior of nurses in practice to ensure patient safety and quality care. Poorly perceived nursing professionalism can lead to poor patient outcomes, which decrease the promotion and career options of nurses.Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the perceived prevalence of nursing professionalism among nurses in Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 nurses from January to February 2021. A simple random sampling method was used to reach the study subject. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. To explain the study variables, frequency tables and percentages were used. A binary and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to see the relation between the dependent variable and independent variables.Results: A total of 407 nurses participated in the study with a response rate of 99.3%. The overall prevalence of good perceived nursing professionalism was found to be 24.8%. Variables such as having > 10 years experience (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.2, 95%CI: 2.9– 5.57) a day working shift (AOR=2.36, 95%CI: 0.78– 6.67), having professional identification (AOR=5.44, 95%CI: 4.38– 8.45), and getting medical service (AOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.11– 2.28) were significantly associated with perceived good nursing professionalism.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that only one-fifth of nurses had perceived good nursing professionalism. In this study, variables such as nursing experience > 10 years, working shift, having professional identification, and getting medical services were significantly associated with good perceived nursing professionalism. The policymakers ought to incorporate free medical services to enhance the attitude of nurses toward nursing professionalism.Keywords: nursing, professionalism, hospital, Ethiopia

Mehammed Adem Getnet,1 Netsanet Habtie Bayu,2 Mekdes Dessie Abtew,2 Tesfamichael G/Mariam W/Mariam3 1Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Comprehensive Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mehammed Adem GetnetUniversity of Gondar, Gondar 196, EthiopiaTel +251 984245934Email muhammedadem@yahoo.comIntroduction: Healthcare professionals continue to be at risk of acquiring occupation-related hepatitis B virus infection because of noncompliance for the 3-dose primary series of hepatitis B vaccine recommended. The objective of the study was to determine the rate of and to identify the predictors of hepatitis B vaccination uptake in healthcare professionals in Ethiopia.Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 19 2018 and June 15 2018. A stratified with systematic random sampling technique was used to select 260 healthcare professionals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect all the necessary primary data from samples. This survey analyzed hepatitis B vaccination uptake as the binary outcome variable (“noncomplete” vs “complete”) with regard to the 30 potential predictor variables. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques have been used to address the study objective.Results: The rate of complete vs noncomplete hepatitis B vaccination uptake was 37.7% vs 62.3%. The significantly independent predictors of hepatitis B vaccination uptake were professional qualification (P=0.004), professional experience (P=0.013), household income (P=0.006), workload status (P=0.015), routine infant immunization program existence at the workplace (P=0.014), perceived susceptibility to infection (P=0.005), perceived safety of vaccine (P=0.001), prior occupational exposure to blood (P=0.006), training on universal precautions (P=0.015), and colleagues’ suggestion (P=0.002).Conclusion: The rate of hepatitis B vaccination uptake found was currently low. The significantly independent predictors of hepatitis B vaccination uptake included perceived safety, colleagues’ suggestion, professional qualification, perceived susceptibility, household income, prior occupational exposure to blood, professional experience, existence of routine infant immunization program at the workplace facility, workload status, and universal precautions training.Keywords: hepatitis B, virus, occupational risk, vaccine, healthcare professionals

IntroductionThe age at first birth refers to the age at which a woman has her first child. It can significantly influence the demographic behavior of women and the general community. Moreover, teenage childbearing is a serious public health and social problem. The main objective of this study was to identify factors associated with age at first birth among women in Ethiopia.MethodsSecondary data on women were obtained from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS). These population-based cross-sectional data were downloaded from the Measure Demographic and Health Survey website (http://www.measuredhs.com). The study included a random sample of 8,885 women aged 15–49 years from 305 enumeration areas. A multilevel survival analysis was employed to identify the factors associated with teenage childbearing among women in Ethiopia.ResultsThe majority (67.7%) of randomly sampled women were subjected to teenage childbearing. Women being rural dwellers [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.54]; women from middle-income families (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.74); and women from higher-income families (HR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.70) were associated with a higher risk of teenage childbearing. Conversely, contraception method users (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.99), Muslims (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.89), Orthodoxes (HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.80), women with secondary education (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.65), women with higher education (HR = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.37), and the higher age of household head (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.99) were associated with a lower risk of teenage childbearing among women in Ethiopia.ConclusionSince the median age of women to have their first child was 18 years old, this study strongly suggests that stakeholders at the federal and regional levels must work closely toward enforcing the legal age of marriage and implementing national adolescents’ and youths’ targeted sexual and reproductive health programs.

Abstract Ethiopia has implemented numerous national development plans and strategies to achieve sustainable economic growth at both the national and regional levels, specifically in the Afar region. However, there has been a lack of assessment regarding the outcomes and expected goals of these plans and strategies, particularly for the regional economy. Hence, this study assesses the current and future gross domestic product (GDP) of Ethiopia’s Afar regional state. It analyzes the data using a descriptive and econometric model called autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA). The analysis shows that the regional GDP has been increasing over time, but per capita income remains below the national average. The service sector dominates the economy, while the growth of the industry sector has been stagnant. This indicates that development policies have not achieved their goals of reducing poverty and transforming the economy. Using the ARIMA model, it is projected that the Afar regional GDP will gradually increase from 19,300.20 Billion Birr to 21,678.20 Billion Birr between 2023q1 and 2025q4, with an average growth rate of 10%. It is important for development policies to prioritize not just economic growth, but also social development within local communities. This involves addressing issues related to institutional capacity, and governance, and leveraging agricultural resources to benefit agro-pastoralists and pastoralists, as the agricultural sector is the main driver of the economy. By understanding the present and projected GDP of the Afar regional state, policymakers and stakeholders can make informed decisions for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

IntroductionBreast milk is the ideal food for the infant and is associated with various public health benefits for both the infant and the mother. The recommended time for early initiation of breastfeeding is within one hour after birth. The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding was lower than the plan of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health Sector Development program. Thus, the main objective of this study was to identify individual and group-level factors associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia.MethodsSecondary data on children was obtained from the 2019 Ethiopia mini-demographic and health survey. The survey was a population-based cross-sectional study and was downloaded from the Measure Demographic and Health Survey website (http://www.measuredhs.com). The study included a random sample of 2,125 last-born infants who were born within 24 months before the survey. A multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia. Statistical data was analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS 9.4).ResultsThe prevalence of early breastfeeding initiation was 72%. The higher preceding birth interval (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.1076, 1.5451), the higher gestational age of infants (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.2796, 1.4782), the higher number of antenatal care visits (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.2340, 1.2934), delivery at a health facility (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.4585, 1.7515), vaginal delivery (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.1019, 1.1123), mothers with primary education (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.0204, 1.2738), mothers with secondary education (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.4678, 1.6190), and mothers with higher education (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 2.2574, 3.0526) were associated with higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding. Being a rural dweller (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.5684, 0.7038) and the age of mothers (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.3921, 0.4894) were associated with lower odds of early initiation of breastfeeding.ConclusionSince the prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding was minimal among rural mothers who delivered their child by caesarean section, this study strongly suggests special supportive care for these mothers.

The banking industry has seen the emergence of numerous service delivery channels, automated teller machines (ATMs), telephone banking, and online banking. Global financial systems and mature competition have been compelled to research the importance of consumer satisfaction. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of automated teller machine service quality on customer satisfaction in commercial banks of Ethiopia in the Afar regional state, Northeast Ethiopia. To this end, cross-sectional data were collected through a questionnaire from a sample of three hundred forty-six (346) ATM users selected from Semera-logia City, Asyaita, and Awash Town. To identify the dimensions of automated teller machine service quality and their relationship with customer satisfaction, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM)) through SPSS and AMOS 23.0 data analysis software were used. The findings indicate that convenience, reliability, ease of use, fulfillment, and security/privacy of ATM service quality dimensions are positively and significantly associated with customer satisfaction. The results of this study can help banks' management improve the quality of their ATM services to increase overall customer satisfaction. To ensure continued customer satisfaction, banks are encouraged to make the ATM service more convenient, reliable, user-friendly, secure, and fulfilling. They should also constantly update and differentiate their ATM service quality aspects to build a competitive advantage and boost their profitability.

Saving is a crucial tool for enhancing the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, but due to a number of factors, its status and intensity are still in their infancy. Because of this, the current state of saving practices, their causes, and the size of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are all examined in this study. A multi-stage sampling process was used to determine the 600 typical selected households. In order to assess the data, a double hurdle model was used. From the descriptive analysis result, only 35% of pastoral and agro-pastoral groups were savers. In comparison to their counterparts, households who have access to credit, are financially literate, engage in non-farm activities, cultivate crops in addition to livestock husbandry, use informal financial institutions, are educated, and wealthier are more likely to be savers and eager to save a larger amount of property. Households with more livestock and who live far away from formal financial institutions, on the other hand, are less likely to be savers and save only a small fraction of their income. Male-headed families are more likely to participate in saving decisions, whereas female-headed households must save more than their male counterparts once they have opted to save. Instead of relying on ineffective monetary policy (changing interest rates), any concerned bodies should emphasize mixed farming practices, establish financial institutions nearby to improve saving habits, provide non-farm training, and empower women in order to close the gap between savers and non-savers and mobilize resources to save and invest. Furthermore, raise awareness of financial institutions’ products and services, as well as provide credit.

Introduction: A sterile technique is a standard to reduce microorganism transmission during surgery. Gaps in knowledge and practice in sterile techniques by nurses are common causes of surgical site infections for surgical patients. Even though surgical site infection is a global problem due to lack of knowledge and practice, almost no study has been done in Ethiopia regarding nurses' knowledge and practice of sterile techniques in the operating room. Therefore, this study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge, practice, and associated factors of sterile techniques in Addis Ababa public hospitals, Ethiopia., Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 423 nurses who were working in sixty-six operation rooms at seven public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 11 to June 26/2022. A simple random sampling method was employed to select study participants. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered by Epi-data version 4.6 and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were presented by text, table, and figure. Multivariable analysis was used to identify the association between the dependent variable and independent variables. Variables with a P-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant., Result: Nearly three-fifths (58.1%; 95%CI: 53.2 to 63.7) of respondents had good knowledge, and 56.1% with 95%CI (51.5 to 61.1) had good practice with respect to sterile techniques in the operation room. Training [AOR = 1.989; 95%CI (1.120 to 3.530)], availability of guidelines [AOR = 6.4; 95%CI (3.773 to 10.856)], and supervision [AOR = 2.963; 95%CI (1.693 to 5.184)] were associated with nurses' knowledge about sterile techniques in the operating room. Availability of guidelines [AOR = 1.890, 95%CI (1.123 to 3.182)], presence of supervision [AOR = 4.732; 95%CI (2.643 to 8.471)], and having good knowledge of sterile techniques [AOR = 5.419; 95%CI (3.087 to 9.512)] were associated with nurses' practice of sterile techniques in the operation room., Conclusion: Operative theater nurses' knowledge and practice of sterile techniques were found inadequate. Training, supervision, availability of guidelines, and knowledge of nurses towards sterile techniques are factors associated with sterile techniques in the operating room. So, it is better to strengthen training, equip wards with standardized guidelines, and provide supervision, which is crucial to enhancing their knowledge and practice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In the past decade, the increasing distribution of pollutants in the aquatic environment has been observed, causing integrative effects on fish. Likewise, due to anthropogenic activities, the southern gulf of Lake Tana is an impacted region, and the production of Nile tilapia fish is reduced. For this reason, the aim of this study was to conduct a histopathological-based study of 48 Nile tilapia fishes' health status at the southern gulf of Lake Tana and aquaculture using a cross-sectional study from February 2023 to May 2023. The study evaluated the histopathology of the gill, liver, gonads, and spleen organs using descriptive statistics accompanied by a 2 × 2 contingency table and t-test analysis. During the study, different histological alterations were detected, and the numbers of fish affected by a specific histological alteration were presented as percentage prevalence; hence, from the total fish examined, hyperplasia (54.15%), followed by pigment deposits (52%), hemorrhage (50%), and immune cell infiltration (50%), respectively, were the most frequently detected alterations. However, Nile tilapias from the southern gulf of Lake Tana were 1.4 (odds ratio) times more likely to show histopathological alterations than those from aquaculture, although statistically, was not significant (p > 0.05). In addition, the study found the mean value of the fish index (95.3) and regressive indices of the gill (13.6), liver (14.8), and gonad (12.3); moreover, the inflammatory indices of the spleen organ (11.3) and mean severity grade value of the gill (2.35) and gonad (1.7) organs, respectively, were obtained from the southern gulf of Lake Tana, and all those values were significantly higher (p < 0.05) from this site as compared to the aquaculture. In general, it has been found that tilapias from the southern gulf of Lake Tana showed higher pathological severity as compared with aquaculture. Among the four target organs evaluated, liver organs were observed to be the most damaged, while gonads were the least impacted organs. Therefore, it has been concluded that tilapia fish are living in abnormal conditions, so to ensure a sustainable fishery, water pollutant sources from Bahirdar city must receive proper attention, and future studies should consider age differences, seasonal variation, and the detection of specific pollutants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Healthy working environment for nurses is a foundation for promoting patients' and nurses' safety in hospitals. However, in Ethiopia, there is scarcity of data on this issue. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the working environment of nurses in Public Referral Hospitals in Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021., Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 nurses from January to February 2021. Systematic random sampling was used to select nurses from each hospital. Structured, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. EPI- DATA and SPSS were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Frequency, percentages, and means were calculated. Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index tool was used to measure the outcome variable. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify associated factors. Finally, texts, tables and graphs were used to report findings., Results: The response rate for the study was 96.2%. Around 210 (51.6%) of the study participants were male. One hundred eighty eight (46.2%) nurses reported that their working environment was healthy, while 219 (53.8%,) reported it as not healthy. Nurses who were working in pediatrics wards (AOR = 0.13, 0.02, 0.1) and nurses who gave care for 7-12 patients per day (AOR = 0.21, 0.05, 0.98) were less likely to have a healthy working environment, respectively. Nurses who reported the Ministry of Health to give focus to the nursing profession were 73% more likely to have a healthy work environment (AOR = 0.27; 0.09, .82)., Conclusion: and recommendations. More than half of nurses reported that their working environment was not healthy to appropriate practice. Hence, introducing systems to improve participation of nurses in hospital affairs and patient care is essential. It is also important to give attention to nurses who are working at pediatrics wards, and for nurses who give care more than the standards., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Complications of peripheral intravenous catheters cause problems in clinical practice and bring high costs in terms of morbidity and mortality of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and associated factors of failed first peripheral intravenous catheters among adult patients in selected Public Referral Hospitals of West Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021., Materials and Methods: An institution-based prospective observational study was conducted among 423 adult patients from January to February 2021. Patients were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. The data were collected using interviewer-based, structured questionnaires and observational checklists. EPI-DATA 3.1 and SPSS version-23 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Frequency, percentages, and means were calculated. The outcome variable was determined and graded based on phlebitis and infiltration scales. Binary and multivariable logistics regressions were computed., Results: Four hundred and seventeen first peripheral cannula sites from 418 patients were followed for 2,565 peripheral catheter hours. A failed first peripheral intravenous catheter was observed in 124 (29.7%, CI: 25.6-34) adult patients. Patients who were female (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.22-0.74) had cannula duration of 49-72 hours (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.7) and 73-96 hours (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.9), and patients who had been given electrolytes (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11-0.86) were more likely to have failed first peripheral intravenous cannula., Conclusions: Failed first peripheral intravenous cannula is much higher as compared to the acceptable rate of ≤5% by the Infusion Nurses Society. Hence, all patients with peripheral intravenous catheters are screened for catheter failure at least once a day. Providing appropriate nursing care and patient education is also required to reduce the risks., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Chanyalew Worku Kassahun et al.)

Background: Intestinal obstruction (IO) is one of the most common acute abdominal disorders that often requires emergency surgical management in the hospital setting. However, the surgical management sometimes ends with unfavorable outcomes characterized by fatal and nonfatal postoperative complications., Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical management outcome of IO and its associated factors among surgically treated patients for intestinal obstruction at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UGCSH), Ethiopia, 2018., Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who were surgically treated for IO during the last 3 years at the UGCSH. The patient participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A structured research tool was used to collect all the necessary data from the patients' medical records. The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Frequencies with percentages were used to describe the surgical management outcome of IO. The binary logistic regression model was used to explore the determinant factors associated with the surgical management outcome of IO. Factors at P < 0.05 were declared statically significant., Results: 227 patient participants were included and finally analyzed in this study. From these, 83.3% patients have favorable surgical management outcomes of IO, whereas the rest 16.7% patients have unfavorable outcomes. Of 38 patients with unfavorable outcome, the most common postoperative complication occurred was surgical site infection (36.8%), followed by pneumonia (23.6%) and septic shock (21.0%) among other complications. A total of 10 postoperative deaths were also documented as unfavorable surgical management outcomes of IO. Of the determinant factors analyzed in this study, only three factors, duration of illness before surgery, length of hospital stay after surgery, and comorbidity, were independently significantly associated with the surgical management outcome of IO., Conclusions: In this study, the majority of patients had favorable surgical management outcomes of IO, and the proportion of patients with unfavorable outcomes was however considerable. Thus, designing a strategy addressing the significantly associated determining factors could be helpful to further increase the likelihood of favorable surgical management outcomes of IO., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Background: During medication administration process, including preparation, administration, and documentation, there is high proportion of work interruption that results in medication administration errors that consequently affect the safety of patients. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of work interruption and associated factors during medication administration process., Methods: A prospective, observation-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 278 nurses. Structure observational sheet was utilized to collect data. EPI Info version 3.5.3 and SPSS version 20 software were utilized for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were fitted to identify the associated factors using an odds ratio and 95% CI., Results: The incidence of work interruption was found to be 1,152 during medication administration process. Of this, 579 (50.3%) were major/severe work interruptions. Unit of work, day of the week, professional experience, perceived severity of work interruption, source/initiator of interruption, and secondary tasks were factors significantly associated with major work interruptions at p < 0.05., Conclusion: In this study, more than half of work interruption was major/severe. Thus, the authors suggest raising the awareness of nurses regarding the severity of work interruptions, with special attention to those who have lower work experience, sources of interruption, and secondary tasks by assigning additional nurses who manage secondary tasks and supportive supervision.

Background: The characteristics of epilepsy such as the episodic nature of impairment of consciousness and motor control, psychomotor comorbidity, seizure frequency, and side effects of antiepileptic drugs impact negatively on the physical safety of the patients. Physical injuries such as burn, fracture, dental loss, and hemorrhage affect the quality of patients' life to the extent of death. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of physical injury and associated factors among people with epilepsy., Methods: The study was carried out among 409 people with epilepsy. Cross-sectional study design was utilized to enroll the selected study participants using systematic random sampling technique. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were fitted to identify associated factors using an odds ratio and 95% CI., Results: The overall estimated prevalence of seizure-related physical injury was found to be 27.9%. Of the 27.9% seizure-related physical injuries, 12.5% had abrasions, 5.9% had burns, 4.4% had dental injuries, 2.2% had fractures, and 1.5% had head injuries and dislocations, respectively. Employment, 2-3 years duration of illness, seizure frequencies, and frequencies of drug taken were factors associated with physical injury., Conclusion: More than a quarter of the study participants experienced physical injury. Designing/strengthening injury prevention strategies is suggested especially for those who had uncontrolled seizure frequency for longer period of time.