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BackgroundBrucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease often contracted through contact with animals and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. Despite being the most common cause of non-malarial acute febrile illness brucellosis is often misdiagnosed in healthcare setups. The global incidence of Brucella infection is reported to be over 2 million cases annually. In Ethiopia, there are varying reports on the prevalence of brucellosis, and just a few researches have been undertaken on the prevalence among febrile patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine sero-prevalence of human brucellosis and associated factors among febrile patients attending Moyale Primary Hospital in southern Ethiopia.MethodsCross-sectional study was conducted on 293 febrile patients attending Moyale Primary Hospital. We used convenience sampling technique. Blood specimen was collected and screened for Brucella antibody using Rose-Bengal plate test and ELISA was used for confirmation of Brucella infection. We used a questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and to assess associated factors (S1 Table). Bivariate and subsequent multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore associated factors with the prevalence of human brucellosis.ResultsThe sero-prevalence of human brucellosis in this study was 13% (95% CI: 9.5, 16.5). Majority of the study participants (58.7%) were rural dwellers; 54.6% were male and the age range was from 5 to 80 years (mean = 24.17, SD = ±15.9). Higher number of sero-prevalence was seen among rural residents (19.8%) and male participants (14.40%). Drinking unpasteurized camel milk (AOR = 11.62, 95% CI: 3.85, 17.13; P = 0.000) and rural residence (AOR = 7.21, 95% CI: 2.48, 15.90; P = 0.000) were significantly associated with brucellosis. Consumption of pasteurized milk was shown to have protective effect (AOR = 6.12, 95% CI: 1.26, 29.76; P = 0.025) against brucellosis.ConclusionThe current study showed 13% point prevalence of human brucellosis among febrile patients attending Moyale Primary Hospital. Consuming unpasteurized milk, particularly unpasteurized camel milk, and rural residence was significantly associated with Brucella infection. Awareness creation about the zoonotic nature of brucellosis and the role of unpasteurized milk in the transmission of the disease is important to control human brucellosis.

Abstract Background The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)-Frontline is a three-month in-service training aimed at improving surveillance officers’ capacity to collect, analyze, and interpret surveillance data, and respond to health emergencies. We evaluated the effectiveness of the FETP-Frontline which was introduced in Ethiopia in 2016. Methods We conducted a comparative, randomized cross-sectional study to assess surveillance-related knowledge, skills, and performance among trained and untrained officers using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. We compared the knowledge, skills, and performance scores of trained and untrained officers using the Fisher’s Exact test, chi-square test, and t-test at p-value

Background: The Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia Annual performance report in 2014–2015 showed that the highest prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) case in Ethiopia was reported from Dire Dawa city which was 400/100,000 population. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of pulmonary TB (PTB) in public health facilities of Dire Dawa city, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A case–control study was conducted from October to December 2017 among 95 cases and 190 controls in Dire Dawa city. Dire Dawa is one of the two chartered cities in Ethiopia like the capital city Addis Ababa. Cases and controls were identified and selected randomly from the health facilities. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire by trained data collectors. We used logistic regression to model the associations of independent variables with PTB infection. Results: PTB was associated with patients' education (no formal education vs. formal education) (adjusted odds ratio [AQR] [95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.0, [1.3, 7.1]), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive status (AOR [95% CI]: 3.1: [1.1,9.1]), previous contact history with TB patient (AOR [95% CI]: 9.9 [4.3,23.0]), body mass index (BMI) of ≤18 (AOR [95% CI]: 14.9 [6.4,35.1]), and cigarette smoking history (ever vs. never) (AOR [95% CI]: 6.7 [2.3,19.5]). Conclusion: This study showed that patients' educational status, HIV status, cigarette smoking, contact history with PTB patient, and BMI were independently associated with being infected with PTB. To reduce PTB transmission, peoples should be educated on TB prevention and consequences of risky behaviors.

Background: The Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia Annual performance report in 2014-2015 showed that the highest prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) case in Ethiopia was reported from Dire Dawa city which was 400/100,000 population. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of pulmonary TB (PTB) in public health facilities of Dire Dawa city, Eastern Ethiopia., Methods: A case-control study was conducted from October to December 2017 among 95 cases and 190 controls in Dire Dawa city. Dire Dawa is one of the two chartered cities in Ethiopia like the capital city Addis Ababa. Cases and controls were identified and selected randomly from the health facilities. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire by trained data collectors. We used logistic regression to model the associations of independent variables with PTB infection., Results: PTB was associated with patients' education (no formal education vs. formal education) (adjusted odds ratio [AQR] [95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.0, [1.3, 7.1]), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive status (AOR [95% CI]: 3.1: [1.1,9.1]), previous contact history with TB patient (AOR [95% CI]: 9.9 [4.3,23.0]), body mass index (BMI) of ≤18 (AOR [95% CI]: 14.9 [6.4,35.1]), and cigarette smoking history (ever vs. never) (AOR [95% CI]: 6.7 [2.3,19.5])., Conclusion: This study showed that patients' educational status, HIV status, cigarette smoking, contact history with PTB patient, and BMI were independently associated with being infected with PTB. To reduce PTB transmission, peoples should be educated on TB prevention and consequences of risky behaviors., Competing Interests: None