Comparison of Face Washing and Face Wiping Methods for Trachoma Control: A Pilot Study.

Eye-to-eye transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis, the causative agent of trachoma, may be plausibly interrupted if faces are kept free of ocular and nasal discharge. Between April and June 2018, 83 children aged 1-9 years with active trachoma were recruited from 62 households and allocated to a face cleaning protocol: face washing with water, face washing with water and soap, or face wiping. Faces were examined for the presence of ocular and nasal discharge, and swabs were taken from faces and hands to test for C. trachomatis at baseline, immediately post protocol, and after 1, 2, and 4 hours (washing protocols). Washing with soap was more effective at removing ocular discharge than either washing with water (89% and 27% of discharge removed, respectively, P = 0.003) or wiping with a hand (42%, P = 0.013). The reduction in prevalence of ocular discharge was sustained for at least four hours. The prevalence of C. trachomatis on face swabs was reduced by all washing protocols. The importance of soap should not be overlooked during facial cleanliness promotion

COVID-19 in Oromia Region of Ethiopia: a review of the first 6 months’ surveillance data

Introduction Despite unrelenting efforts to contain its spread, COVID-19 is still causing unprecedented global crises. Ethiopia reported its first case on 13 March 2020 but has an accelerated case load and geographical distribution recently. In this article, we described the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Oromia Region, the largest and most populous region in Ethiopia, during the early months of the outbreak.Methods We analysed data from the COVID-19 surveillance database of the Oromia Regional Health Bureau. We included all reverse transcription-PCR-confirmed cases reported from the region between 13 March and 13 September 2020.Results COVID-19 was confirmed in 8955 (5.5%) of 164 206 tested individuals. The test positivity rate increased from an average of 1.0% in the first 3 months to 6.3% in August and September. About 70% (6230) of the cases were men; the mean age was 30.0 years (SD=13.3), and 90.5% were <50 years of age. Only 64 (0.7%) of the cases had symptoms at diagnosis. Cough was the most common among symptomatic cases reported in 48 (75.0%), while fever was the least. Overall, 4346 (48.5%) have recovered from the virus; and a total of 52 deaths were reported with a case fatality rate of 1.2%. However, we should interpret the reported case fatality rate cautiously since in 44 (84.6%) of those reported as COVID-19 death, the virus was detected from dead bodies.Conclusion Despite the steady increase in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, Ethiopia has so far avoided the feared catastrophe from the pandemic due to the milder and asymptomatic nature of the disease. However, with the current pattern of widespread community transmission, the danger posed by the pandemic remains real. Thus, the country should focus on averting COVID-19-related humanitarian crisis through strengthening COVID-19 surveillance and targeted testing for the most vulnerable groups

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Tuberculosis in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia: A Hotspot Analysis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of TB and identify TB risk factors in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. Descriptive and spatiotemporal analyses were conducted. Bayesian spatiotemporal modeling was used to identify covariates that accounted for variability in TB and its spatiotemporal distribution. A total of 206,278 new pulmonary TB cases were reported in the Oromia region between 2018 and 2022, with the lowest annual TB case notification (96.93 per 100,000 population) reported in 2020 (i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic) and the highest TB case notification (106.19 per 100,000 population) reported in 2019. Substantial spatiotemporal variations in the distribution of notified TB case notifications were observed at zonal and district levels with most of the hotspot areas detected in the northern and southern parts of the region. The spatiotemporal distribution of notified TB incidence was positively associated with different ecological variables including temperature (β = 0.142; 95% credible interval (CrI): 0.070, 0.215), wind speed (β = −0.140; 95% CrI: −0.212, −0.068), health service coverage (β = 0.426; 95% CrI: 0.347, 0.505), and population density (β = 0.491; 95% CrI: 0.390, 0.594). The findings of this study indicated that preventive measures considering socio-demographic and health system factors can be targeted to high-risk areas for effective control of TB in the Oromia region. Further studies are needed to develop effective strategies for reducing the burden of TB in hotspot areas

Post COVID-19 vaccination side effects and associated factors among vaccinated health care providers in Oromia region, Ethiopia in 2021

Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS COV-2) known as COVID-19 since its outbreak in 2019, more than 375 and 5.6 million were infected and dead, respectively. Its influence in all disciplines stimulated different industries to work day to night relentlessly to develop safe and effective vaccines to reduce the catastrophic effect of the disease. With the increasing number of people globally who have been vaccinated, the reports on possible adverse events have grown and gained great public attention. This study aims to determine post-COVID-19 vaccination adverse effects and associated factors among vaccinated Health care providers in the Oromia region, Ethiopia in 2021. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 912 health care workers working in government hospitals in the central Oromia region from November 20 to December 15/2021. Respondents absent from work due to different reasons were excluded during the interview. The outcome variable was COVID-19 side effects (response as Yes/No). A descriptive analysis displayed findings in the form of the frequencies and percentages, and logistic regression was employed to see the association of different variables with side effects experienced. Result Overall, 92.1% of the participants experienced side effects either in 1st or 2nd doses of post-COVID-19 vaccination; 84.0% and (71.5%) of participants experienced at least one side effect in the 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccines, respectively. COVID-19 infection preventive protocols like keeping distance, hand wash using soap, wearing mask and using sanitizer were decreased post vaccination. About 74.3% of the respondents were worried about the adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine they received. The majority (80.2%) of the respondent felt fear while receiving the vaccine and 22.5% of the respondents suspect the effectiveness of the vaccine they took. About 14.8% of the vaccinated Health workers were infected by COVID-19 post-vaccination. Engaging in moderate physical activity and feeling fear when vaccinated were the independent factors associated with reported side effects of post-COVID-19 vaccination using multiple logistic regression. Respondents who did not engage in physical activity were 7.54 fold more likely to develop post-COVID-19 vaccination side effects compared to those who involved at least moderate-intensity physical activity[AOR = 7.54, 95% CI;2.46,23.12]. The odds of experiencing side effects among the respondents who felt fear when vaccinated were 10.73 times compared not felt fear (AOR = 10.73, 95% CI; 2.47,46.64), and similarly, those who felt little fear were 4.28 times more likely to experience side effects(AOR = 4.28, 95% CI; 1.28, 14.39). Conclusion Significant numbers of the respondents experienced side effects post COVID-19 vaccination. It is recommended to provide pre-awareness about the side effects to reduce observed anxiety related to the vaccine. It is also important to plan monitoring and evaluation of the post-vaccine effect using standard longitudinal study designs to measure the effects directly

Qualitative Insights on Barriers to Receiving a Second Dose of Measles-Containing Vaccine (MCV2), Oromia Region of Ethiopia

Introduction: Ethiopia introduced a second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) in 2019 to provide further protection against measles and further progress toward elimination. However, the sub-optimal coverage of both MCV1 and MCV2 suggest challenges with vaccine uptake. In this qualitative study, we explored barriers to the uptake of MCV2 among caregivers, community leaders, and healthcare workers (HCWs). Method: A qualitative study was conducted between mid-April and mid-May 2021. We selected ten woredas (districts) in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia, stratified by settlement type (urban/rural), MCV1 coverage (high ≥ 80%; low Results: Forty FGDs and 60 IDIs with caregivers, 60 IDIs with HCWs, and 30 KIIs with community leaders were conducted. Barriers among caregivers included lack of knowledge and awareness about MCV2 and the vaccination schedule, competing priorities, long wait times at health facilities, vaccine unavailability, negative interactions with HCWs, and transportation challenges. At the community level, trusted leaders felt they lacked adequate knowledge about MCV2 to address caretakers’ questions and community misconceptions. HCWs felt additional training on MCV2 would prepare them to better respond to caretakers’ concerns. Health system barriers identified included the lack of human, material, and financial resources to deliver vaccines and provide immunization outreach services, which caretakers reported as their preferred way of accessing immunization. Conclusions: Barriers to MCV2 uptake occur at multiple levels of immunization service delivery. Strategies to address these barriers include tools to help caretakers track appointments, enhanced community engagement, HCW training to improve provider–client interactions and MCV2 knowledge, and efforts to manage HCW workload

Factors Associated with Uptake of Routine Measles-Containing Vaccine Doses among Young Children, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021

Recommended vaccination at nine months of age with the measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) has been part of Ethiopia’s routine immunization program since 1980. A second dose of MCV (MCV2) was introduced in 2019 for children 15 months of age. We examined MCV1 and MCV2 coverage and the factors associated with measles vaccination status. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among caregivers of children aged 12–35 months in selected districts of Oromia Region. Measles vaccination status was determined using home-based records, when available, or caregivers’ recall. We analyzed the association between MCV1 and MCV2 vaccination status and household, caregiver, and child factors using logistic regression. The caregivers of 1172 children aged 12–35 months were interviewed and included in the analysis. MCV1 and MCV2 coverage was 71% and 48%, respectively. The dropout rate (DOR) from the first dose of Pentavalent vaccine to MCV1 was 22% and from MCV1 to MCV2 was 46%. Caregivers were more likely to vaccinate their children with MCV if they gave birth at a health facility, believe that their child had received all recommended vaccines, and know the required number of vaccination visits and doses. MCV2 coverage was low, with a high measles dropout rate (DOR). Caregivers with high awareness of MCV and its schedule were more likely to vaccinate their children. Intensified demand generation, defaulter tracking, and vaccine-stock management should be strengthened to improve MCV uptake

Respondents practice to protect COVID-19 infections pre and post COVID-19 vaccination for the study of post COVID-19 vaccine evaluations in Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.

Respondents practice to protect COVID-19 infections pre and post COVID-19 vaccination for the study of post COVID-19 vaccine evaluations in Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.</p

Perceptions related to COVID-19 vaccine and Re-infection among participants for the study of COVID-19 Vaccine complication evaluations in central Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.

Perceptions related to COVID-19 vaccine and Re-infection among participants for the study of COVID-19 Vaccine complication evaluations in central Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.</p

Respondents behavioral factors for the study of post COVID-19 vaccine evaluations in Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.

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Reasons not willing to take the 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine among health professionals for the study of post COVID-19 vaccine complication evaluations in central Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.

Reasons not willing to take the 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine among health professionals for the study of post COVID-19 vaccine complication evaluations in central Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.</p