Visceral Lieshmaniasis and HIV co-infection in patients admitted to Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

No Abstract. The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 21 (1) 2007: pp. 53-6

In vitro susceptibility of gram-negative bacterial isolates to chlorhexidine gluconate

Objective: To investigate the susceptibility of clinical isolates of gram-negative bacteria to chlorhexidine gluconate. Design: Prospective laboratory study. Setting: Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Subjects: Clinical specimens from 443 hospital patients. Main outcome measures: Significant number of gram negative bacteria were not inhibited by chlorhexidine gluconate (0.02-0.05%) used for antisepsis. Results: Four hundred and forty three strains of gram-negative bacteria were isolated from Tikur Anbessa Hospital patients. Escherichia coli (31.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniue (23%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria followed by Proteus species (13.3%), Pseudomonas species (9.2%), and Citrobacter species (6.1%). Each organism was tested to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.0001% to l%w/v. All Salmonella species and E. coli were inhibited by CHG, MIC I 0.01%. Twenty nine per cent of Acinetobacter, 28% of K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter species and 19-25% of Pseudomonas, Proteus and Providenciu species were only inhibited at high concentrations of CHG (2 0.1%). Conclusion: Our results showed that a significant number of the gram-negative bacterial isolates were not inhibited by CHG at the concentration used for disinfection of wounds or instruments (MIC 0.02-0.05% w/v). It is therefore important to select appropriate concentration of this disinfectant and rationally use it for disinfection and hospital hygiene. Continuing follow up and surveillance is also needed to detect resistant bacteria to chlorhexidine or other disinfectants in time.East African Medical Journal, May 1999, 234-24

Can ICTs Increase Tax? Experimental Evidence from Ethiopia

The widespread introduction of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and digitalised data management systems is one of the most important developments among African tax administrations in recent years. However, very little evidence is available on their effectiveness in practice, and how taxpayers respond to these changes. This paper starts filling this gap by reporting three sets of results from Ethiopia.DFIDBill and Melinda Gates Foundatio

Schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Bushulo village, southern Ethiopia

Background: Schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STHs) are considerable medical and public health problems in Ethiopia. However, information is limited on the epidemiology of these infections in different localities even though it is needed to plan effective prevention and control measures. Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth infections in school children and residents in Bushulo village near Lake Awassa (Hawassa), southern Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological and parasitological studies were conducted on schistosomiasis mansoni and STHs in Bushulo village in May and June 2007. A total of 419 participants (353 school children and 66 other residents) were included in the study. The principal investigator interviewed the study subjects about demographic status using structured questionnaires. Moreover, experienced nurse took history and conducted physical examination to assess symptoms and signs related to chronic S. mansoni infection. A single stool sample was collected from each participant and processed using the Kato-Katz technique. Experienced laboratory technician read all slides at Bushulo Health Center. Results: The overall infection rates of schistosomiasis mansoni, trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infection were 73.7%, 41.5%, 37.2% and 28.4%, respectively. Other parasitic infections observed were caused by Hymenolepis nana (1.7%), Taenia species (1.4%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.4%). Children in the age range 10-14 years and those attending at St. Paul’s School had higher rates of T. trichiura and S. mansoni, respectively. Intensity of infection was higher for A. lumbricoides in the age range 5-9 years. The overall prevalence of any STHs was 67.3%. The rates of single, dual, triple and quadruple infections were 29.6%, 32%, 20.3% and 7.4%, respectively. Conclusion: The high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis makes periodic deworming programme urgent to reduce morbidity and transmission of helminthiasis in the area. Provisions of sanitary facilities and clean water supply as well as health education are also critically needed to sustain the impact of chemotherapy

Electroencephalographic patterns in Ethiopian patients with epilepsy: A retrospective review

Background: Epilepsy is a common problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Electroencephalography (EEG) is useful for the diagnosis and proper treatment of this condition. However, the literature is scanty of reports describing EEG patterns in Ethiopian patients with epilepsy. This study attempts to bridge that gap and provide a baseline for further research into the etiological basis of specific epileptiform abnormalities.Objective: To review EEG patterns in Ethiopian patients with epilepsy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed EEG records of patients with epilepsy presenting to a specialized referral hospital (Addis Ababa University Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital) and a private clinic (Yehuleshet Higher Clinic) between September 2008 and August 2010.Results: Two hundred and fifty one patients with mean age of 26 years (SD 14.8) and 1.2:1 male: female ratio was included in the study. One hundred and forty nine patients (59.4%) harbored EEG abnormalities. The majority of these abnormalities 61.1% were epileptiform discharges; the remainder 38.9% being nonspecific patterns. The most common epileptiform discharges were focal, with or without secondary generalization in 63.7%. These focal discharges originated from the left cerebral hemisphere in 43.1% cases and the right in 39.7%; 17.2% were bilateral. Multifocal cerebral and temporal lobe discharges accounted for 43.1% and 39.7% of all focal discharges, respectively.Conclusion: The most common EEG abnormalities in Ethiopian patients with epilepsy are focal interictal epileptiform discharges, typically originating from multifocal cerebral loci and the temporal lobe, without hemispheric lateralization. It provides a foundation for prospective studies to address the etiological basis of focal abnormalities

Health Extension Workers' diagnostic accuracy for common childhood illnesses in four regions of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: The Ethiopian primary care of sick children is provided within the integrated Community Case Management of childhood illnesses by Health Extension Workers (HEW). There is limited knowledge whether this cadre correctly assess and classify common diseases. The aim was to study their ability to correctly classify common childhood illnesses. METHODS: A survey was conducted from December 2016 to February 2017 in four regions of Ethiopia. Observations of the HEWs' assessment and classification of sick children were followed by child re-examination by a trained health officer. RESULTS: The classification by the HEWs of 620 sick children as compared to the re-examiner had a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 94% for diarrhoea, sensitivity 52% and specificity 91% for febrile disorders, and a sensitivity of 59% and specificity of 94% for acute respiratory tract infection. Malnutrition and ear infection had a sensitivity of 39 and 61%, and a specificity of 99 and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most cases of diarrhoea were correctly classified, while other illnesses were not frequently identified. The identification of malnutrition was especially at fault. These findings suggest that a significant number of sick children were undiagnosed that could lead to absent or incorrect management and treatment

Ethiopia

No abstract available.https://upjournals.up.ac.za/index.php/adryInstitute for International and Comparative Law in Afric

Les Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication (TIC) peuvent-elles augmenter les taxes? Résultats expérimentaux en Ethiopie

This ICTD Research in Brief is a two-page summary of ICTD Working Paper 82 by Giulia Mascagni, Andualem T. Mengistu, and Firew B. Woldeyes. This series is aimed at policy makers, tax administrators, fellow researchers and anyone else who is big on interest and short on time. African tax administrations have experienced rapid modernisation in the past two decades. The digitalisation of tax records and widespread adoption of ICTs have been key features of this process. However, there is still very little evidence on the effectiveness of ICTs and digitised data on tax collection and the functioning of tax administration more broadly. In principle, ICTs can have a great impact in making the tax administration more efficient. This brief summarises the findings from the working paper that asks the empirical question of whether and to which extent these benefits can materialise in practice, in presence of severe capacity constraints within the tax administration.Résumé du document de travail 82 de Giulia Mascagni, Andualem T. Mengistu, et Firew B. Woldeyes. Les administrations fiscales africaines ont connu une rapide modernisation au cours des deux dernières décennies. La numérisation des dossiers fiscaux et l’adoption généralisée des TIC ont été des éléments majeurs de ce processus. Cependant, il y a encore très peu de preuves de l’efficacité des TIC et des données numérisées sur le recouvrement des impôts et, plus généralement, sur le fonctionnement de l’administration fiscale. En théorie, les TIC peuvent avoir un impact important sur l’augmentation de l’efficacité de l’administration fiscale et sur l’évolution des emplois de tâches mécaniques – comme la saisie des données – vers des tâches plus élaborées – comme les audits et l’analyse de données. En outre, les données numérisées peuvent rendre la mise en œuvre moins coûteuse et plus efficace, en élargissant par exemple l’utilisation des informations issues de sources tierces et par le recoupement systématique des informations des contribuables. Cet article cherche à établir de manière empirique si, et dans quelle mesure, ces avantages peuvent se matérialiser dans la pratique, en présence d’importantes contraintes de capacité au sein de l’administration fiscale