Acceptability of Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing among Tuberculosis and Non-tuberculosis Patients in Shashemene Town, Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to assess the acceptability of Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing (PIHCT) and factors influencing its service uptake among TB and non TB patients in Shashemene town of West Arsi Zone. Institution-based, comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2010, on 237 TB patients attending Tuberculosis clinics and 236 non TB patients who were offered PIHCT from outpatient department of Shashemene Hospital and Health Center. Data were collected using consecutive sampling until the required sample size was attained using structured questionnaire. Majority of the participants were male 286(60.5%), in the age group 25-34 years 172(36.4%), Muslim by religion 233 (49%).Among 473 study participants 86.3% (89.9% TB versus 82.6% non TB) had accepted PIHCT. TB patients are more likely to accept PICHT than non TB patients at AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.3, 5.0). Those who support importance of PIHCT were more likely to accept PIHCT at AOR=11.4; 95% CI (5.1, 25.4) than those who are against PIHCT. The acceptance rate of PIHCT is relatively higher in this study; TB patients were more likely to accept PIHCT than non TB patients. The programme needs to be strengthened in all settings for both TB and non TB patients since HIV testing and counseling stands out as paramount both in treatment and in prevention of HIV/AIDS

Replacement of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets in Malarious Kebeles of Gida Ayana District, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

The main objective of the study was to determine the sustainability of owning and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets in malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the replacement and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) in four malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. The study was conducted in June, 2013 on randomly sampled 420 households. Data were collected using structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and presences of LLINs in sleeping areas were checked. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 for windows software. Logistic regression analysis was used for determining LLINS ownership and socio-demographic characteristics. P values of less or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. Of the 420 households included in the study, 69.3% possessed one or more LLINs which are owned primary (for the first time) or replaced (substituting the old bed nets after three years of use). There was no significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and LLINs owing (P >0.05). Attrition rate of households in LLINs owing was 101(24 %). Of the 291 households which possessed one or more insecticides, 60.8% have replaced the LLINs after three years of use. 57.8% of respondents knew as LLINs need replacement after 3 years of use. 81.3 and 19.7 % of respondent prefer free supply and cost subsidize supply of LLINs for sustainable owing respectively. Of 114 households who have possessed LLINs primarily, 70.2 % have used the LLINs for more than 3 years. Utilization rate of LLINs available in the households the night prior to the study was 64.9 % and in 69.75 % of households LLINs were hanged in sleeping areas. Proportion of pregnant women and under five children slept under LLINs the night preceding the study was 43.1 and 48.4 % respectively. Old, worn out LLINs have been replaced after three years of use to sustain malaria control in the study area. Utilization of LLINs among malaria risk group was low. Every household in malarious kebeles should be included during substituting LLINs. Regular monitoring of household is required from health extension workers to scale-up and sustain utilization of LLINs in malaria control.Keywords: Long Lasting Insecticide; Treated Nets; Replacement; Utilization; Malaria contro

Comparative Study of the Protective Effect of Granulated Sugar and Garri Meal on Petroleum-induced Changes of Lipid Profiles in Albino Rats (Rattusnorvegicus)

Crude oil contaminated diet has been reported to induced changes in lipid profile of rats. In this study, 60 albino rats in 6 groups were fed with crude oil contaminated sugar-garri diets at varied concentrations to monitor petroleum-induce lipid profile changes using standard methods. The lipid profiles estimated were total cholesterols, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and Low density lipoproteincholesterol.The data showed that, the levels of total cholesterol (Mmol/l) increased from 2.89+0.08 in sugar fed rats compared with 3.05+0.12 in Gari fed rats. The concentration of triglycerides(Mmol/l) reduced from 1.10+0.51 in sugar fed rats to 1.06 + 0.03 in Gari fed rats while the high density lipoprotein cholesterol(Mmol/l) concentration of 2. 01+0.08 was significantly higher than 1.89 + 0.03 in Gari fed rats (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (Mmol/l) concentrations of 0.68+0.11 in sugar fed rats compared with 0.83 + 0.10 in Gari fed rats. The effect of pre-treatment of the diet with sugar reduced petroleum-induce changes in lipid profile than gari during the exposure of the albino rats to the petroleum diet suggesting that sugarcould possibly ameliorate petroleum-induce changes in lipid profile as shown by the significantlowering of the cholesterol and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol than gari in albino rats. Keywords: lipid, Petroleum, Sugar, Gari, Cassava, Change

Premarital Sex in the Last Twelve Months and Its Predictors among Students of Wollega University, Ethiopia

Background: Premarital sex increases the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV if unprotected and contraception is not used. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess premarital sex in the last twelve months and its predictors among regular undergraduate students of Wollega University.Methods: A cross-sectional survey using pretested, structured questionnaire was conducted on a total of 704 regular undergraduate students of Wollega University from February to March, 2014. We used multistage sampling technique to recruit study participants. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed using SPSS version 20 to assess predictors of premarital sex. Statistical significance was determined through a 95% confidence level.Results: Wollega University youths who had premarital sex in the last twelve months were 28.4%; 55.5% of them did not use condom during last sex while 31.3% engaged in multiple sex. Being male [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)(95% Confidence Interval(CI))=2.7(1.58-4.75)], age 20-24 years [AOR(95%CI)=2.8(1.13-7.20)], training on how to use condom [AOR(95%CI)=1.7(1.17-2.46)], being tested for HIV [AOR(95%CI)=2.3(1.48-3.53)], using social media frequently [AOR(95%CI)=1.8(1.14-2.88)], having comprehensive knowledge of HIV [AOR(95% CI)=1.5(1.01-2.10)], alcohol use [AOR (95%CI)=2.2(1.31-3.56)] were associated with increased odds of premarital sex in the last twelve months.Conclusion: Nearly one-third of regular undergraduate students of the university were engaged in premarital sex in the last twelve months. Being male, using social media frequently and alcohol use were associated with increased odds of premarital sex in the stated period. Thus, higher institutions have to deliver abstinence messages alongside information about self-protection.Keywords: Premarital sex, students, Wollega Universit

A Built-up Virtual Laboratory to Enhance Understanding of Concrete Structure Design Requirement

In this paper, simulation tools for educational purposes are developed to enhance understanding in undergraduate students taking courses related to concrete structural behavior. As undergraduate students learn about concrete structure, they commonly reach limits regarding their understanding of failure behavior in materials. Design codes should therefore be followed when students learn about reinforced concrete (RC) design. Students are able to follow a step-by-step design procedure for a RC beam using simple calculations. However, they usually then face some requirement, such as a design code, that requires students to make an RC beam with several pieces of rebar instead of one piece, because this provides a more desirable behavior for the RC structure. Understanding why the code is required needs more than just reading. By conducting an experiment, students can easily understand the reason for the code. However, real experiments for concrete structures are time-consuming and costly; therefore, provision of a realistic simulation tool, the ‘Virtual Concrete Structure Laboratory,’ for engineering educational purposes allows students to obtain virtual hands-on experience to learn about concrete structure. The main purpose of this paper is to show the effectiveness of this virtual lab in civil engineering education

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population