Horn African Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences

Common problems observed in manuscripts submitted by health and biomedical sciences researchers

2024-10-31T07:50:15+00:00

Time to develop tuberculosis and its predictors among adult diabetes mellitus patients on follow-up at chronic outpatient department of hospitals in Southwest Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study

2024-10-31T06:16:32+00:00

Background: Diabetes mullites (DM) is a risk factor of tuberculosis (TB) and the two are often coexist and influence each other. Developing countries are suffering from DM which further exposes individuals to active TB infection. However, there is limited evidence on the time to develop TB and its predictors among adult diabetes mullites (DM) patients on treatment. Thus, this study aimed to determine time to develop TB and its predictors among adult DM patients on follow-up in hospitals in Southwest Shewa zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 346 DM patients on follow-up in hospitals found in Southwest Shewa Zone from 2013-2022. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the participants. A structured questionnaire and data extraction checklist were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the participants. Kaplan-Meir curve was employed to show survival probability between groups for significantly associated variables. Cox-proportional hazard model was used to determine predictors of time to TB develop.

Results: Of the total 346 DM patients, 11.5% were developed TB during follow-up period, and more than 55% of TB incidences occurred within five years of follow-up. The overall TB incidence density was 2.2 per 100 (95% CI: (1.5–4.6)) person-year observations (PYOs). Age older than 50 year (AHR = 6.0, 95%CI:1.6–21.6), having smoking history (AHR = 5.8, 95%CI: 1.1–13.7), previous TB treatment history (AHR = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.2–2.6), being HIV sero-reactive (AHR = 3.5, 95% CI:1.6–8.2), being alcohol user (AHR = 3.5, 95% CI:1.6–7.6) and forgetfulness (AHR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2–4.9) were significantly predicted time to develop TB.

Conclusion: The incidence of TB in DM patients was considerable (11.5%), and more than 55% of TB incidences occurred within five years of follow-up. Interventions that targeted DM patients who smoke cigarette, drink alcohol, and have forgetfulness are vital to increase time to develop TB in DM patients.

Evaluation of the health management information system status and effectiveness at Jimma University Medical Centre: A descriptive cross-sectional study

2024-10-31T08:59:19+00:00

Background: Health management information system (HMIS) plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of health services by integrating data collection, processing, reporting, and information utilization. However, the effectiveness and status of HMIS implementation at institutions like Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) remain underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the status and effectiveness of the HMIS at JUMC.

Methods: A facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 283 study participants who were enrolled in this study, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data was entered and analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 20. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 221 participants provided valid responses which made a response rate of 8.1%. A significant proportion of participants (65% for record keeping and 90% for accessibility) indicated that the hospital reliance on manual systems for data storage and retrieval. The effectiveness of the HMIS at the hospital is found to be only 50%, falling short of World Health Organization (WHO) standards due to issues with accuracy, timeliness, relevance, and completeness of information. This deficiency hampers the accessibility and storage of information, thereby limiting its utilization for decision-making.

Conclusion: The HMIS at the JUMC lacks effectiveness for further utilization and quality service provision. The status shows that the paper-based patient record system is still in use. Raising awareness among staff members, providing training, decentralizing the HMIS by appointing information and communication technology experts in each department, and establishing a database management system for seamless information sharing and retrieval are required to enhance effective HMIS utilization in the medical center.

Resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains to Isoniazid: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2024-10-31T10:00:49+00:00

Background: Genotyping and drug susceptibility test of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is recommended to understand the prevalence of Isoniazid resistance to facilitate early treatment initiation and controlling the spread of the resistant strain in the community. Although several primary studies reported from different parts of the world, there are few review studies that attempt to summarize the available information to support tuberculosis (TB) control program. Thus, this review aimed to determine the prevalence of isoniazid resistance MTB family and identify the high-risk WHO regions.

Methods: Medline/PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched until 22 November 2022 to access all original studies that published in English. The random effects model was used to estimate pooled prevalence of isoniazid (INH) resistance. Sub-groups analyses were done to investigate sources of heterogeneity by the type of MTB genotype and WHO regions. Random effects model was used to pool the prevalence of isoniazid resistance. Publication bias was assessed by Funnel plot, Egger’s test and Begg’s test statistic. Heterogeneity across studies was measured by I²and data was analyzed by STATA version 14.

Results: The pooled prevalence of INH resistance MTB strains was 18% (95%CI: 15–22) with high heterogeneity (I² = 97.70%). The subgroup analysis by WHO regions showed that the prevalence of INH resistance MTB was: 18% (95%CI: 14–23%) in Western pacific region, 25% (95%CI: 13–38%) in South-East Asian region, 34% (95%CI; 17– 52%) in European region, 8% (95%CI: 5–11%) in African region, 19% (95%CI: 10–27%) in region of America and 10% (95%CI: 9–12%) in Eastern Mediterranean region. Sub-group analysis by MTB genotype showed that 22% (95%CI: 18–26%) Beijing INH resistance, 19% (95%CI: 16–22%) unclassified strains, 27% (95%CI:10–54%) Ural, 15% (95%CI: 1–20%) CAS, 19% (95%CI: 14–24%) LAM, 15% (95%CI:11–19%) EAI 38% (95%CI: 24–51%), MANU, 22% (95%CI: 16–27%) T, 24% (95%CI: 18–31%) Haarlem, 7% (95%CI: 5–10%) Euro-American, and 41% (95%CI: 34–49%) Orphan.

Conclusion: The INH resistance was considerable in different regions of the world. The highest prevalence was observed in European, South-East Asia and America WHO regions. Beijing family is the most prevalent of INH resistance in these regions. Intervention is required to reduce INH resistance to achieve end TB strategy.

Syphilis and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at Yaya Gulale District public health facilities, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

2024-11-03T15:25:48+00:00

Background: Syphilis is the prevalent disease worldwide. Its screening is often conducted among pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission. It is significantly rising in Ethiopia, although there is effective treatment. However, the prevalence of syphilis and its associated factors in pregnant women have not been well investigated in this study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prevalence of syphilis and associated factors among pregnant women attended antenatal care at Yaya Gulale District health facilities Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 228 pregnant women from September 15 to October 15, 2022 in Yaya Gulale District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The collected data was entered to EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the characteristics of the participants. Variables with P-values< 0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors of the dependent variable.

Results: The prevalence of syphilis was 2.6% 95% CI: (0.9–4.8) among the pregnant women. Married marital status (AOR = 7.9, 95% CI: (3.3–9.1), p = 0.006), having multiple sexual relation history (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI: (1.6–5.6), p = 0.004), and poor knowledge about syphilis (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI (2.4–7.65), p = 0.008) were significantly associated with syphilis infection.

Conclusion: The prevalence of syphilis was considerable in this study area. Interventions targeted married women with multiple sexual partners, and awareness creation to increase knowledge about syphilis are crucial to prevent syphilis infection among pregnant women.

Sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among rural adolescents in Dama District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

2024-11-03T15:48:41+00:00

Background: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service utilization remains a significant public health issue which affecting millions of adolescents worldwide. Adolescents aged 15 to 19 are particularly vulnerable to unprotected sexual practices, increasing their risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, there is limited evidence on the utilization of SRH service and the associated factors among adolescents residing in rural areas. Thus, this study aimed to determine the utilization of SRH services and its associated factors among rural adolescents in Dama District, Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in Dama District from April to May 2022 involving 615 adolescents. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select participants for the quantitative portion, while a purposive sampling method was used for qualitative interviews. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and an interview guide was utilized for the qualitative study through in-depth interviews. The quantitative data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the participants, and a logistic regression model used to identify factors associated with SRH service utilization. Thematic analysis was conducted to assess barriers to SRH service utilization.

Results: The utilization of SRH service in the past twelve months was 18.2% (95% confidence interval: 15%–21.3%). Family planning was the most utilized service, with a rate of 71.4%. Not living with both parents (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3–6.0), having discussions about family planning (AOR = 10, 95% CI: 6.0–19.0), engaging in discussions about voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.4–4.0), and possessing good knowledge of SRH (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6–7.0) were significantly associated with SRH service utilization.

Conclusions: A considerable proportion of adolescents in rural areas are not utilizing SRH services. Enhancing discussions about family planning, VCT for HIV/AIDS, and increasing knowledge of SRH are crucial for improving service utilization among adolescents living in these areas.

Measles second dose vaccine uptake and associated factors among children aged 24-35 months in Nedjo District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

2024-11-03T16:10:27+00:00

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended incorporating the second dose of measles-containing vaccines into routine immunization program. Ethiopia has also introduced the second dose of the measles vaccine into its routine immunization program in 2019. However, there is limited evidence on the uptake of the second dose and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess second-dose vaccine uptake and its associated factors among children aged 24-35 months in Nedjo District, West Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 620 children aged 24-35 months in Nedjo District from June to July 2023. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected using pretested and structured questionnaires. Three midwives and three nurses were collected the data. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the characteristics of the participants. A logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with second-dose of measles vaccine uptake. The statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05.

Results: The uptake of the second dose of measles vaccine among children in Nedjo District was 61.4% [95% CI (57–65)]. Living in urban area (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.1–11.5), college and above maternal education level (AOR = 13.1, 95% CI: 3.1–55.7), having postnatal care follow-up (AOR = 9.6, 95% CI: 3.1–30.1), waiting time less than 30 minutes to access vaccination service (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: (1.8–6.4), and having knowledge on the recommended age for the second dose of measles vaccination (AOR = 8.0, 95% CI: 4.4–14.7) were significantly associated with second-dose measles vaccination uptake.

Conclusion: Second dose measles vaccine uptake in Nedjo District is below the global recommended coverage. Targeted interventions are required to address issues such as rural residence, lower maternal education levels, lack of postnatal care follow-up, long waiting times for vaccination services, and limited awareness of the recommended age for the second dose.