HIV-exposed infants on follow up at a PMTCT clinic: risk of HIV transmission and its predictors in north-west Ethiopia

Background: The HIV pandemic created an enormous challenge to the survival of mankind worldwide. Vertical HIV transmission from mother to child accounts for more than 90% of pediatric AIDS. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs are provided for dual benefits, i.e. prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child and enrolment of infected pregnant women and their families into antiretroviral treatment. The availability and use of short-course antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis, a safe and well-tolerated regimen, can contribute significantly to PMTCT during childbirth. This study assessed risk and predictors of HIV transmission among HIV-exposed infants on follow up at a PMTCT clinic of a referral hospital. Methods: Institution-based retrospective follow-up study was carried out on all records of HIV-exposed infants enrolled between September 2005 and July 2011 at Gondar University Hospital PMTCT clinic. Secondary data were collected using a structured data extraction format prepared in English by a trained nurse working at the PMTCT clinic. Data were then entered in to EPI INFO Version 3.5.1 statistical software and analyzed by SPSS version 16.0. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify variables that had association with vertical HIV transmission. Results: A total of 509 records were included in the analysis. The median age of infants at enrolment to follow up was 6 weeks (IQR=2 weeks). A total of 51 (10%) infants were infected with HIV. Late enrolment to the exposed infant follow-up clinic (AOR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.35, 6.21), rural residence (AOR=5.05, 95% CI: 2.34, 10.9), delivery at home (AOR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.64), absence of maternal PMTCT intervention (AOR=5.02, 95% CI: 2.43, 10.4) and mixed infant feeding practices (AOR=4.18, 95% CI: 1.59, 10.99) were significantly and independently associated with maternal-to-child HIV transmission. Conclusion: There is a high risk of MTCT of HIV among exposed infants on follow up at the PMTCT clinic of the University of Gondar referral hospital. This finding could push decision-makers to enhance commitment and support an adequate and sustainable extension of the use of PMTC services to rural mothers, expand services to rural settings in the PMTCT scaling-up program

ASSESSMENT OF SERVICE QUALITY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BANK IN WOLAITA SODO, ETHIOPIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Service quality is one of the most critical success factors that generally influence the competitiveness of a service organization. Elements of service quality differentiates a bank from its competitors . The purpose of the study is to evaluate the service quality of Commercial bank of Ethiopia (public bank) and Bank of Abyssinia (private bank) in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia and suggest measures for improvement in it. The study was conducted on 200 bank customers of each bank in between 15 Dec to 28 Dec 2016 in Wolaita Sodo. Descriptive research design was employed. Systematic sampling technique was used to contact the customers so that the responses can be collected from the customers. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for analyzing the data. Findings of the research show that the service quality of customers of both the banks is on average front and satisfied category in both a public and private bank. The technical aspects and functional aspect of service quality are on satisfactory but not above average and excellent. The private bank have significant higher service quality in relation to responsiveness and assurance dimension in comparison to public bank but still that requires a lot of improvement. The research outcome recommends that both the banks should work out on all service quality dimensions viz., tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. Both the banks should work hard towards these fronts as this can give banks a competitive advantage in increasing competitive environment

Isolation of Bacteriophage and Assessment of its Activity against Biofilms of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Jimma Town, South Western Ethiopia

Escherichia coli is one of the most commonly associated bacteria with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in humans and many times are antimicrobial resistant. Production of biofilms further makes matters worse in UTIs. Alternative therapy using bacteriophages was known in the past. This study was aimed to isolate lytic bacteriophages from sewage samples and assess their activity against biofilm of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Lytic phage was isolated from sewage water collected in Jimma town following standard enrichment method against UPEC. E. coli was isolated from UTI suspect patients using standard protocol. Microtiter plate technique was used to determine bacterial biofilm formation. Biofilm degrading efficacy of phage was assessed by treating biofilm developed on cover slip with standardized number of lytic phages or gentamicin compared with the control E. coli (untreated cells). Of 30 UPEC strains isolated from patients, 29 (96.6%) of them displayed biofilm forming phenotype. The strains with strongly biofilm positive were 76.6%. Generally, antibiotic resistance for biofilm producing E. coli was found to be high. Virulent phage (FJS4) was isolated which was effective against a strong biofilm former UPEC strain. Application of FJS4 phage or gentamicin to established biofilms have caused significant reduction of the cells within 3 hours of application and almost complete eradication of the cells within 36 hrs of incubation at 37°C. These results uphold the efficacy of phage against biofilm of UPEC and suggest that FJS4 phage may be a potential therapeutic alternative to antimicrobials on inanimate and animate surfaces

Lung function reduction and chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in the cement industry: a follow up study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are only a few follow-up studies of respiratory function among cement workers. The main aims of this study were to measure total dust exposure, to examine chronic respiratory symptoms and changes in lung function among cement factory workers and controls that were followed for one year.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted in two cement factories in Ethiopia. Totally, 262 personal measurements of total dust among 105 randomly selected workers were performed. Samples of total dust were collected on 37-mm cellulose acetate filters placed in closed faced Millipore-cassettes. Totally 127 workers; 56 cleaners, 44 cement production workers and 27 controls were randomly selected from two factories and examined for lung function and interviewed for chronic respiratory symptoms in 2009. Of these, 91 workers; 38 cement cleaners (mean age 32 years), 33 cement production workers (36 years) and 20 controls (38 years) were examined with the same measurements in 2010.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Total geometric mean dust exposure among cleaners was 432 mg/m³. The fraction of samples exceeding the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 10 mg/m³for the cleaners varied from 84-97% in the four departments. The levels were considerably lower among the production workers (GM = 8.2 mg/m³), but still 48% exceeded 10 mg/m³.</p> <p>The prevalence of all the chronic respiratory symptoms among both cleaners and production workers was significantly higher than among the controls.</p> <p>Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁) and FEV₁/Forced Vital Capacity (FEV₁/FVC) were significantly reduced from 2009 to 2010 among the cleaners (p < 0.002 and p < 0.004, respectively) and production workers (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02, respectively), but not among the controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and reduction in lung function is probably associated with high cement dust exposure. Preventive measures are needed to reduce the dust exposure.</p

Effectiveness of a simple lymphoedema treatment regimen in podoconiosis management in southern Ethiopia: one year follow-up

Background: Podoconiosis is a non-filarial elephantiasis caused by long-term barefoot exposure to volcanic soils in endemic areas. Irritant silicate particles penetrate the skin, causing a progressive, debilitating lymphoedema of the lower leg, often starting in the second decade of life. A simple patient-led treatment approach appropriate for resource poor settings has been developed, comprising (1) education on aetiology and prevention of podoconiosis, (2) foot hygiene (daily washing with soap, water and an antiseptic), (3) the regular use of emollient, (4) elevation of the limb at night, and (5) emphasis on the consistent use of shoes and socks. Methodology/Principal Findings: We did a 12-month, non-comparative, longitudinal evaluation of 33 patients newly presenting to one clinic site of a non-government organization (the Mossy Foot Treatment & Prevention Association, MFTPA) in southern Ethiopia. Outcome measures used for the monitoring of disease progress were (1) the clinical staging system for podoconiosis, and (2) the Amharic Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), both of which have been recently validated for use in this setting. Digital photographs were also taken at each visit. Twenty-seven patients completed follow up. Characteristics of patients completing follow-up were not significantly different to those not. Mean clinical stage and lower leg circumference decreased significantly (mean difference -0.67 (95% CI -0.38 to -0.96) and -2.00 (95% CI -1.26 to -2.74), respectively, p<0.001 for both changes). Mean DLQI diminished from 21 (out of a maximum of 30) to 6 (p<0.001). There was a non-significant change in proportion of patients with mossy lesions (p = 0.375). Conclusions/Significance: This simple, resource-appropriate regimen has a considerable impact both on clinical progression and self-reported quality of life of affected individuals. The regimen appears ideal for scaling up to other endemic regions in Ethiopia and internationally. We recommend that further research in the area include analysis of cost-effectiveness of the regimen

Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide on gold–copper bimetallic nanoparticles: Effects of surface composition on selectivity

In this work, bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of Au and Cu are synthesized for the electrochemical reduction reaction of CO2 (CO2RR). It is known that the binding strength between the reduction intermediates and the electrocatalyst affects the selectivity of products, but how to correlate the performance with the surface composition, structure, and properties of a bimetallic electrocatalyst, instead of stoichiometric or bulk composition remains less discussed. AuCu and AuCu3 NPs with the size around similar to 8 nm were prepared. By excluding the size effect, the work studies the effects of surface composition and heteroatomic interaction on the selectivity and faradaic efficiency of the reduction products. Based on X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), one can quantify the alloying extent and surface compositions of electrocatalysts, which are supposed to have the pivotal effects on the reaction pathways and the corresponding reduction products. It is found that high activity and notably improved CO selectivity of Au-Cu bimetallic NPs can be attributed to the heterometallic coordination and their electronic interactions. The reduction products were analyzed by gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Nearly 60 mA cm(-2) of current density was recorded at -0.91 V vs. RHE, and selectivity of 78 +/- 4.3% CO was obtained using AuCu. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Incidence and predictors of puerperal sepsis among postpartum women at Debre Markos comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study

Background: Puerperal sepsis is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, particularly in low and middle-income countries where most maternal deaths occur. Women with puerperal sepsis are prone to long-term disabilities, such as chronic pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, and secondary infertility. Besides this, puerperal sepsis has received less attention. For this reason, this study aimed to determine the incidence of puerperal sepsis and its predictors among postpartum women at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 330 postpartum women from September 2020 to 2021. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire with a data extraction checklist was used to collect the data. Data were entered into Epi data 4.2 and analyzed using STATA 14.0. The incidence rate of puerperal sepsis was calculated, and a Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival probability of developing puerperal sepsis. The cox-proportional hazards regression model was fitted to identify predictors of puerperal sepsis. Results: The study participants were followed for a total of 1685.3 person-week observations. The incidence rate of puerperal sepsis was 14.24 per 1,000 person-weeks. However, the overall incidence of puerperal sepsis was 7.27%. Not attending formal education [AHR: 3.55, 95% CI: (1.09–11.58)], a cesarean delivery [AHR: 4.50; 95% CI: (1.79–11.30)], premature rupture of the membranes [AHR: 3.25; 95% CI: (1.08–9.79)], complicated pregnancy [AHR: 4.80; 95% CI: (1.85–12.43)], being referred [AHR: 2.90; 95% CI: (1.10–7.65)], and not having birth preparedness and complication readiness plan [AHR: 2.95; 95% CI: (1.08–10.50)] were statistically significant predictors of puerperal sepsis. Conclusion: The incidence of puerperal sepsis was 7.27%. Not attending formal education, cesarean delivery, premature rupture of membranes, complicated pregnancy, referral status, and absence of birth preparedness and complication readiness plan were predictors associated with the incidence of puerperal sepsis

Assessing the impacts of watershed interventions using ground data and remote sensing: a case study in Ethiopia

Quantifying the temporal and spatial changes due to watershed interventions is important for assessing the effectiveness of natural resource management practices on vegetative cover and sediment management. This study assessed the performance of natural resource management in a target site (Aba Gerima) and compared the collateral impacts on neighbouring watersheds in Ethiopia in terms of land-use land-cover change. Changes in the extent of cropland, grassland and shrubland were assessed in the target watershed and the non-treated neighbouring watersheds using temporal satellite imagery. In addition, ground monitoring was applied to quantify the impacts on sediment accumulation, fodder biomass and vegetative cover intensity. The study findings showed substantial changes over the study period: mainly, a change from degraded and barren land to restored vegetation in the target watershed, but a continued trend of land-use change from perennial vegetation to cropland in the neighbouring untreated watersheds. There was a decrease in the rate of conversion of vegetative land cover to cropland in the target watershed, and significant on-site changes in sediment retention, fodder productivity and vegetation intensity. The study findings demonstrate a link between management interventions and improvement in soil and vegetation ecosystem functions. These results not only indicate that watershed-level interventions improve on-site soil and water environmental services but also underline the role of community managed land-use regulations in reducing pressure on natural land-use systems and thereby serve the major goal of up-scaling sustainable land management

Higher weight and weight gain after 4 years of age rather than weight at birth are associated with adiposity, markers of glucose metabolism, and blood pressure in 5-year-old Ethiopian children

BACKGROUND: Fetal and early life growth is associated with adult risk of obesity and cardiometabolic disease. However, little is known about the relative importance of birth weight and successive periods of weight gain on markers of cardiometabolic risk in childhood in low-income populations. // OBJECTIVES: The objective was to study associations of birth weight and weight gain velocities in selected age intervals from birth to 60 mo with height, fat-free mass (FFM), and markers of adiposity and cardiometabolic risk at 60 mo. // METHODS: In a prospective cohort study of 375 Ethiopian children aged 60 mo, we estimated individual weight gain velocities in the periods between birth and 3, 6, 24, 48, and 60 mo using linear-spline mixed-effects modeling. Subsequently, we analyzed associations of birth weight, weight gain velocities, and current weight with height, FFM, and markers of adiposity and cardiometabolic risk. // RESULTS: Weight gain from 48 to 60 mo and weight at 60 mo rather than birth weight were the strongest correlates of insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, blood pressure, height, FFM, waist circumference, and fat mass at 60 mo. For instance, 1 SD higher (1 SD = 50 g/mo) weight accretion from 48 to 60 mo was associated with a higher insulin of 23.3% (95% CI: 9.6%, 38.8%), C-peptide of 11.4% (2.7%, 20.8%), systolic blood pressure of 1.4 mm Hg (0.6, 2.3 mm Hg), fat mass of 0.72 kg (0.59, 0.85 kg), and FFM of 0.70 kg (0.56, 0.85 kg). Weight gain from 0 to 3 mo was positively associated with LDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, height, and the body composition indices, and weight gain from 24 to 48 mo was inversely associated with blood glucose. // CONCLUSIONS: In 60-mo-old Ethiopian urban children, weight gain and weight after 48 mo rather than weight at birth may represent a sensitive period for variations in markers of adiposity and glucose metabolism. The birth cohort is registered at https://www.isrctn.com/ as ISRCTN46718296