Low birth weight and associated factors among singleton neonates born at Felege Hiwot referral hospital, North West Ethiopia

Background: Low birth weight is one of the public health problems in the globe and it is an indicator of the health of the newborn survival and the mother\u2019s nutrition and health status. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factors among mothers who gave birth at Bahir Dar Felege Hiwot referral hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional facility based study was conducted from March 18 to May 18 / 2015. A total of 662 mothers were included in the study.The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with low birth weight. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was found to be 11.6%. Age of the mothers (20-34 years) AOR= 0.4(95% CI: 0.19-0.93), low income AOR=2.6 (95%CI: 1.16-6.05), gestational age < 37 weeks AOR=18.2 (95% CI:9.26-35.94), MUAC<23 cm AOR =3.4 (95%CI:1.38-8.60) and pregnancy induced hypertension AOR=6.5 (95%CI:3.06-14.0) were factors associated with low birth weight. Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight was in line with WHO estimate for sub-Saharan Africa. Nutritional counseling and early detection and management of pregnancy induced hypertension is recommended

Perceived stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy at Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional institution based study

Background: Epilepsy is the world’s most common neurological disorder, affecting approximately 69 million people worldwide. Perceived stigma affects many domains of the lives of people with epilepsy. However, in Ethiopia there is dearth of study on perceived stigma specifically among people with epilepsy.Objective: To assess the prevalence of perceived stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy (PWE) attending the outpatient department of the University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2014.Methods: Institution based quantitative cross - sectional study was employed among 408 individuals people with epilepsy. Single population proportion formula was used utilized to calculate sample size. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Perceived stigma was measured using by the modified Family Interview Schedule (FIS) tool. Binary logistic regression analysis and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to identify the associated factors with perceived stigma..Results: Overall, the prevalence of perceived stigma was found to be 71.6%. Marital status [single (AOR = 0.23, CI: 0.25, 0.90), widowed ( AOR = 0.37, CI: 0.15, 0.90) duration of illness [2-5 years (AOR = 4.38, CI:1.98,9.62, 6-10 years (AOR =4.29, CI:1.90,9.64, ≥11 years (AOR = 4.31,CI:1.84,10.00) and seizure frequency of [1- 11per year (AOR=2.34, CI:2.21,3.56), ≥1per month (AOR = 5.63, CI:3.42,10.32)] were factors associated with perceived stigma.Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of perceived stigma was found to be high. Marital status, long duration of illness and seizure frequency were factors associated with perceived stigma.Keywords: Northwest Ethiopia, epilepsy, perceived stigm

Alcohol use related injury in Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Alcohol-related violence resulting in injury is a global public health problem and Africa is no exception. In the country of Ethiopia, there is a lack of statistical evidence regarding this issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence prevalence of alcohol-related violence and injury and its associative factors. Hospital based crosssectional research method was employed from January to June 30, 2014. The source population and study population were all interpersonal violence injured patients in the emergency department of University of Gondar Hospital. Data were collected using injury surveillance guidelines developed by the World Health Organization. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the presence and strength of association. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance. A total of 395 participants were involved in the study. The proportion of ARVI was found to be 119 (30.1%); gender, poor behavioral control and poor family functioning were found to be independently associated with alcohol-related interpersonal violence injury. The prevalence of alcohol-related violence and injury is high in Ethiopia. There is an urgent need to step up health advocacy with respect to reducing alcohol consumption in the country.Keywords: Alcohol, Emergency Department, injury, violenc

Late ART Initiation among adult HIV patients at university of Gondar Hospital, NorthWest Ethiopia

Introduction: Late initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is associated with low immunologic response, increase morbidity, mortality and hospitalization. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with late ART initiation among adult HIV patients in NorthWest Ethiopia. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 HIV patients who started ART between January/2009 and December/2014. Simple random sampling technique was used to select patient records. Data were collected by using pre-tested and structured extraction tool. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with late ART initiation. Result: A total of 410 participants were included for analysis after excluding 2 participants with incomplete data. The prevalence of late ART initiation was 67.3%. Age between 35-44 years(AOR=3.85; 95%CI:1.68-8.82), duration between testing and enrollment to care<1year (AOR=2.19;95%CI:1.30-3.69), secondary education (AOR=2.59; 95%CI 1.36-4.94), teritary education(AOR=3.28; 95%CI 1.25-8.64), being unmarried(AOR=1.88; 95%CI 1.13-3.03), bedridden and ambulatory patients (AOR=4.68 95%CI:1.49-14.68), other medication use before ART initiation(AOR=2.18; 95%CI 1.07-4.44), starting ART between 2009-2010 (AOR=5.94; 95%CI 2.74-12.87) and 2011-2012(AOR=2.80; 95%CI 1.31-5.96) were significantly associated with late ART initation at p-value <0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of late ART initiation was high. Strengthening the mechanisms of early HIV testing and linkage to care are recommended to initiate treatment earlier

Perceived stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy at Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional institution based study

Background: Epilepsy is the world\u2019s most common neurological disorder, affecting approximately 69 million people worldwide. Perceived stigma affects many domains of the lives of people with epilepsy. However, in Ethiopia there is dearth of study on perceived stigma specifically among people with epilepsy. Objective: To assess the prevalence of perceived stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy (PWE) attending the outpatient department of the University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2014. Methods: Institution based quantitative cross - sectional study was employed among 408 individuals people with epilepsy. Single population proportion formula was used utilized to calculate sample size. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Perceived stigma was measured using by the modified Family Interview Schedule (FIS) tool. Binary logistic regression analysis and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to identify the associated factors with perceived stigma.. Results: Overall, the prevalence of perceived stigma was found to be 71.6%. Marital status [single (AOR = 0.23, CI: 0.25, 0.90), widowed ( AOR = 0.37, CI: 0.15, 0.90) duration of illness [2-5 years (AOR = 4.38, CI:1.98,9.62, 6-10 years (AOR =4.29, CI:1.90,9.64, 6511 years (AOR = 4.31,CI:1.84,10.00) and seizure frequency of [1- 11per year (AOR=2.34, CI:2.21,3.56), 651per month (AOR = 5.63, CI:3.42,10.32)] were factors associated with perceived stigma. Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of perceived stigma was found to be high. Marital status, long duration of illness and seizure frequency were factors associated with perceived stigma

Effective Clinical Teaching Behaviors Views of Nursing Students and Nurse Educators at University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Institution Based Study

Introduction: Clinical teaching behavior is a critical determinant for quality of clinical learning. Nursing students’ and instructor’s perception of effective clinical teaching behavior (ECTB) is important to modify and facilitate clinical education. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to assess the effective clinical teaching behavior (ECTB) as perceived by students and nursing instructors. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted among 178 participants. Data were collected using pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire. Effective clinical teaching behaviors were measured by Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive and independent sample t-test. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval computed to determine the level of significance. Results: The most important rated ECTB as perceived by students was teaching ability. For instructors, nursing competences was the most rated ECTB. The overall mean of ECTBs of the students and instructors were 4.26 (0.52) and 3.52 (0.74) respectively. There was statistically significant mean difference between them (t = 5.888). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant mean difference between the students' and instructors’ perception of ECTBs. Thus, authors suggest nursing instructors to consider the presence of students who prefers different teaching methods

The COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare systems in Africa:A scoping review of preparedness, impact and response

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems in both developed and developing nations alike. Africa has one of the weakest health systems globally, but there is limited evidence on how the region is prepared for, impacted by and responded to the pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL to search peer-reviewed articles and Google, Google Scholar and preprint sites for grey literature. The scoping review captured studies on either preparedness or impacts or responses associated with COVID-19 or covering one or more of the three topics and guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. The extracted information was documented following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension checklist for scoping reviews. Finally, the resulting data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-two eligible studies, of which 6 reported on health system preparedness, 19 described the impacts of COVID-19 on access to general and essential health services and 7 focused on responses taken by the healthcare systems were included. The main setbacks in health system preparation included lack of available health services needed for the pandemic, inadequate resources and equipment, and limited testing ability and surge capacity for COVID-19. Reduced flow of patients and missing scheduled appointments were among the most common impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health system responses identified in this review included the availability of telephone consultations, re-purposing of available services and establishment of isolation centres, and provisions of COVID-19 guidelines in some settings. CONCLUSIONS: The health systems in Africa were inadequately prepared for the pandemic, and its impact was substantial. Responses were slow and did not match the magnitude of the problem. Interventions that will improve and strengthen health system resilience and financing through local, national and global engagement should be prioritised

The COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare systems in Africa : a scoping review of preparedness, impact and response

Funding Information: Funding GAT was supported with funding from the Australia National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grant #1195716.Peer reviewedPublisher PD