Magnitude and associated factors of peripheral cytopenia among HIV-infected children attending at University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundIsolated or multi lineage cytopenia are the most common clinicopathological features and independently associated with increased risk of disease progression and death among human immunodeficiency virus infected children. In the study area, there is scarcity of data about the magnitude of various cytopenia.ObjectivesAimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of peripheral cytopenia among HIV infected children at the University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital ART clinic, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsInstitutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 255 HIV infected children from January- April 2020. None probable convenient sampling technique was used to select the study participant. Socio demographic data were collected by pre tested structured questionnaire via face-to-face interview and their medical data were obtained from their follow-up medical records. Moreover, blood specimens were collected and examined for complete blood count, viral load and blood film, whereas stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors of cytopenia. P-Value ResultThe overall magnitude of peripheral cytopenia was 38.9%. Anemia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and bi-cytopenia were 21.2%, 12.2%, 11%, 1.6% and 3.9% respectively. Being in the age group of 2-10 years (AOR = 5.38, 95%CI 2.33-12.46), AZT based regimen (AOR = 5.44, 95%CI: 2.24-13.21), no eating green vegetables (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.26-4.92) and having plasma viral load >1000 copies /ml (AOR = 5.38, 95%CI: 2.22-13.03) showed significant association with anemia.ConclusionAnemia was the predominant peripheral cytopenia among HIV infected children in this study. It was strongly associated with AZT based drug type, age below 10 years and high viral load. Critical stress should be given for early investigation and management of cytopenia in addition to the use of alternative drug which leads to higher viral suppression and lower risk of toxicity issue

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among secondary school students in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, an array of measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Such control measures could significantly influence the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 in the general population. However, still, there is scarce information regarding the KAP of students towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to assess KAP and associated factors towards COVID-19 among secondary school students in Gondar town, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2021 on a total of 395 participants. Proportional sample allocation was used in 4 randomly selected schools. Then, students from each of the schools were recruited by using a systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic data and questions regarding the KAP were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 20. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the associated factors and p-value ResultsThe mean age of study participants was 17.7±1.5 years and slightly more than 2/3 (67.3%) ranges from 17-19 years old. In this study, 86.3% (95% CI: 83-90) of study participants had good knowledge about COVID-19. Students having urban residence (AOR, with 95% CI: 5.6 (1.76-17.6), fathers with a diploma and above educational status (AOR, with 95% CI: 3 (1.2-7.5), and uses television or radio as a source of information (AOR, with 95% CI: 3.7 (1.5-9.3) tended to have good knowledge about COVID-19. About 381 (86.3%) had good attitude towards COVID-19 infections, while 238 (60.3%) of the participants had a good practice to prevent COVID-19 infections.ConclusionsThe majority of the secondary school students in Gondar town have good knowledge, attitude, and practices towards COVID-19. However, targeted interventions are still necessary, especially for students having poor knowledge and poor practice towards COVID-19. This study also found that urban residence, a father with a diploma and above educational status, and using television or radio as a source of information about COVID-19 were significantly associated with the knowledge level of the study participants

Anemia and associated factors among internally displaced children at Debark refugee camp, North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundChildren in refugee camps, due to their living conditions, are the most vulnerable groups to suffer from anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency is the most common causes of anemia. However, there is limited information on the prevalence and associated factors of anemia in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among internally displaced children at Debark refugee camp, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 354 internally displaced children, at Debark refugee camp from March to May 2022. A systematic sampling technique was employed. The socio demographic characteristics were collected by using structured questionnaire via face-to-face interview with the caregivers. The hemoglobin level was determined using HemoCue301+. Form anemic children, venous blood sample was collected for iron profile analysis. Parasitological and anthropometric measurements were also done. The data were entered using Epi-data version 4.6.0.6 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were done. Both crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated to measure the strength of association. P-Value ResultsFrom the total of 354 children included in this study, more than half (54.8%) of them were male. The median age of children was 7 years with interquartile range of (4-10) years. The total prevalence of anemia in this study was 33.62% (95% CI:28.7, 38.7). Moderate type anemia was predominant in this study. From anemic children 30 (25.2%) had iron deficiency anemia. In this study, low dietary diversity (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.0, 11.7), duration in the camp more than six months (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI:1.9, 9.4), presence of diarrhea (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI:1.3, 5.7), fever (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI:1.6, 7.1), and wasting (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI:1.3, 10.3) were significantly associated with the prevalence of anemia.ConclusionAnemia was moderate public health problem in the current study. Focused policies and strategies towards to internally displaced children should be designed to reduce anemia, by preventing the significant risk factors associated with anemia