Undernutrition and associated risk factors among school age children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background Causes of child undernutrition are diverse and change in space and time. Investigating current determinants of undernutrition remains vital to design an effective intervention strategy. The study assessed prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among children living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in 459 school age children and their parents or caregivers living in Lideta sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Participants were selected using a multi-stage simple random sampling technique. Height and weight of children was measured and their parents or care givers were interviewed for factors associated with undernutrition. Results About 31% (n = 141) of the children were undernourished (19.6% stunted, 15.9% underweight). Being male, higher birth order (\u3e2), larger family size (6–8), low meal frequency (≤3 times) in a day prior to the survey and mud floor house were significantly associated with undernutrition. Similarly, the risk of underweight increased significantly with an increase in age, birth order, family size and also the absence of hand washing facilities. The odds of undernutrition was lower in children born to 20–30 years old mothers compared to those born to mothers younger than 20 years. Conclusions Undernutrition is prevalent among school age children living in Lideta sub city, Addis Ababa. Policy makers should consider school age children in their nutrition policy documents and implement screening program and intervention strategy

Plasmodium falciparum and soil-transmitted helminth co-infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) and Plasmodium co-infections need better understanding. The findings of the individual studies are inconclusive. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize evidence on the association of STH infection with the prevalence and density of Plasmodium falciparum infection, and its effect on anaemia among children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Plasmodium falciparum Infection Status among Children with Schistosoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

A clear understanding of the epidemiology of malaria during Schistosoma co-infection is essential to inform decisions on appropriate control strategies for schistosomiasis and malaria in SSA. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we synthesized evidence on the nature of relationship of S. haematobium and S. mansoni infection with the prevalence/incidence of P. falciparum infection, density of the parasite and related reduction in haemoglobin level among children in SSA. We searched all published articles available in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and CINAHL databases before May 20, 2015 without any language restriction. We found five cross-sectional and seven prospective cohort studies eligible to be included in the systematic review, and 11 of these studies were included in the meta-analysis. A summarized analysis of the study findings showed that S. haematobium and S. mansoni infection is associated with an increased odds of asymptomatic/uncomplicated P. falciparum infection. However, density of P. falciparum infection decreased and haemoglobin level increased during S. haematobium co-infection

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Improving socioeconomic status may reduce the burden of malaria in sub Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND:A clear understanding of the effects of housing structure, education, occupation, income, and wealth on malaria can help to better design socioeconomic interventions to control the disease. This literature review summarizes the relationship of housing structure, educational level, occupation, income, and wealth with the epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS:A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The protocol for this study is registered in PROSPERO (ID=CRD42017056070), an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews. On January 16, 2016, available literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. All but case studies, which reported prevalence or incidence of Plasmodium infection stratified by socioeconomic status among individuals living in SSA, were included without any limits. Odds Ratio (OR) and Relative Risk (RR), together with 95% CI and p-values were used as effect measures. Heterogeneity was assessed using chi-square, Moran's I2, and tau2 tests. Fixed (I2<30%), random (I2≥30%) or log-linear dose-response model was used to estimate the summary OR or RR. RESULTS:After removing duplicates and screening of titles, abstracts, and full text, 84 articles were found eligible for systematic review, and 75 of them were included in the meta-analyses. Fifty-seven studies were cross-sectional, 12 were prospective cohort, 10 were case-control, and five were randomized control trials. The odds of Plasmodium infection increased among individuals who were living in poor quality houses (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.56-3.23, I2 = 27.7), were uneducated (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.19-1.54, I2 = 72.4.0%), and were farmers by occupation (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11-1.85, I2 = 0.0%) [p<0.01 for all]. The odds of Plasmodium infection also increased with a decrease in the income (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, tau2<0.001), and wealth index of individuals (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18-1.35, tau2 = 0.028) [p<0.001 for both]. Longitudinal studies also showed an increased risk of Plasmodium infection among individuals who were living in poor quality houses (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.47-2.25, I2 = 0.0%), were uneducated (OR 1.27, 1.03-1.50, I2 = 0.0%), and were farmers (OR 1.36, 1.18-1.58) [p<0.01 for all]. CONCLUSIONS:Lack of education, low income, low wealth, living in poorly constructed houses, and having an occupation in farming may increase risk of Plasmodium infection among people in SSA. Public policy measures that can reduce inequity in health coverage, as well as improve economic and educational opportunities for the poor, will help in reducing the burden of malaria in SSA

Plasmodium falciparum and soil-transmitted helminth co-infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) and Plasmodium co-infections need better understanding. The findings of the individual studies are inconclusive. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize evidence on the association of STH infection with the prevalence and density of Plasmodium falciparum infection, and its effect on anaemia among children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Forest plot showing the relationship of the roof and walls nature of a house with the epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Values show the odds ratio of Plasmodium infection (95% CI). Subtotal (summary) ORs estimated using random effect models. Weights estimated using inverse variance method. I2, a measure of heterogeneity.</p

Forest plot showing the relationship of wealth and occupation with the epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Wealth was treated as continuous and occupation was treated as a categorical variable. Values show the odds ratio of Plasmodium infection (95% CI). Total (summary) ORs estimated using random effect model. Weights estimated using inverse variance method. I-Squared, a measure of heterogeneity.</p