Metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetic patients in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), premature death as well as cost related to health care.This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of MetS and its determinant factors among type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients attending a specialized hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 256 T2DM patients from the first march to 30th May 2017 at university of gondar comprehensive specialized hospital (UGCSH). Data was collected based on STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) statement. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were run to identify predictors of MetS from the independent variables and significance test was set at P <  0.05. Results The prevalence of MetS in this study was 70.3, 57 & 45.3% and it is more common in females (66.1, 83.3 & 70.7%) by using national cholesterol education program adult treatment panel III (NCEP-ATP III), International diabetic federation (IDF) and world health organization (WHO) criteria respectively. The most prevalent components of MetS were low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride(TG). By usingIDF criteria, female gender was significantly associated with MetS (AOR = 0.2 at 95%CI: 0.1, 0.6 P = 0.00). Where as by NCEP-ATP IIIcriteria, age between 51 and 64 years old (AOR = 2.4 95% CI: 1.0,5.8, P = 0.04), self employment (AOR = 2.7 95% CI:1.1, 6.5, P = 0.03), and completetion of secondary school and above (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI:1.6,6.7, P = 0.001) were predictors for the development of MetS. In the WHO criteria, being single in marital status was significantly associated with MetS (AOR = 17 at 95%CI: 1.8, 166, P = 0.000). Conclusions This study demonstrates that Metabolic syndrome is a major health concern for diabetic patients in Ethiopia and they are at increased risk of developing complications such as cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality. The predictors female gender, age between 51 and 64 years old, urban area residence, and being single are modifiable.Thus,health authorities shall provide targeted interventions such as life style modifications to these most at risk sub-populations of diabetic patients

Involvement of community pharmacists in continuing professional development (CPD): a baseline survey in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background Health care professionals have been striving to maintain their competence to deliver the best quality of service. This study intended to determine involvement in continuing professional development of community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods About 46 community pharmacists, each from a different setting, were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test of independence and Mann-Whitney U test with p < 0.05 taken as statistically significant. Results The majority (n = 26, 56.5%) reported of being unaware of the CPD concept. The mean hour spent per week on CPD is 4.1 ± 4.0. Most (n = 34, 73.9%) were engaged in self directed learning and expressed an interest to be more involved in CPD activities (N = 39, 84.8%). Interactive workshops were the most preferred modality. However they seek further support in the process of identifying learning needs (N = 34, 73.9%). The main barriers for CPD engagement include lack of (N = 36, 78.3%) and inaccessibility (N = 34, 73.9%) of CPD opportunities as well as time shortage (N = 33, 71.7%). Conclusions The community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia lack awareness of CPD concept but engaged in various types of CPD activities. They demonstrated good attitude and seek more support. The main barrier was lack of opportunities related to CPD

Compliance to iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Objective Strict compliance to iron and folic acid supplementation is vital for prevention of anemia in pregnancy. However, data are scarce in Ethiopia. So, we conducted this study to assess the level of compliance to iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and its associated factors. Results Of 418 women, over half, 231 (55.3%), adhered to the recommended iron and folic acid supplementation. Women who started antenatal care (ANC) follow up early [AOR; 95% CI 2.43 (1.12–5.26)], had more frequent number of ANC visit [AOR; 95% CI 2.73 (1.32–5.61)], took small number of tablets per visit [AOR; 95% CI 3.0 (1.21–7.43)], had history of anemia [AOR; 95% CI 1.9 (1.17–3.12)], and were from urban areas [AOR; 95% CI 2.2 (1.29–3.77)], were more likely to conform to recommended iron and folic acid supplementation. Therefore, there need to be prescription of the lowest possible number of tablets per visit. Furthermore, education targeting on increasing maternal health service utilization need to be in place. There need to also be further research aimed at determining the number of tablets to be prescribed per visit specific to individuals’ background characteristics

Herbal Medicines: Personal Use, Knowledge, Attitude, Dispensing Practice, and the Barriers among Community Pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Background. Herbal medicine use is increasing and the global market is estimated to be US$107 billion by the year 2017. Objectives. This study aimed at assessing community pharmacists’ personal use, knowledge, attitude, dispensing practice, and the barriers regarding herbal medicines. Methods. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 47 community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, using a structured interviewing questionnaire. Results. Nearly half of the respondents (n=22, 46.8%) sometimes use herbal medicines. Although knowledge related to such preparations was self-rated as poor/acceptable (n=34, 72.4%), majority (n=44, 93.7%) of community pharmacists agree/strongly agree that herbal medicines have beneficial effects. Only 6 (12.7%) of them are sometimes/often engaged in dispensing herbal medicines and most of them (n=34, 72.3%) rarely/never counseled clients regarding these preparations. Limited knowledge on and access to information regarding herbal medicines are the main barriers to the pharmacists’ practice. Conclusion. Although community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, commonly use and demonstrated good attitude towards herbal medicines, they are less involved in dispensing such products. They are also challenged with limited knowledge on and access to herbal medicine information. Thus, pharmacy educators, professional organizations, and the government shall pay more attention to solve the problem. Regulatory provisions on herbal medicine dispensing must be enacted and communicated very well

Assessments of functional outcomes and its determinants among bipolar disorder patients in Northwest Ethiopia comprehensive specialized hospitals: a multicenter hospital-based study

Abstract Introduction Bipolar disorder is a severe and chronic mental illness that could continue for a lifetime. Although it is a leading cause of disability and impairments for significant numbers of patients, the levels of functional outcomes have not been studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the functional outcome levels and associated factors among bipolar disorder patients in Northwest Ethiopia. Method Hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed among bipolar disorder patients attending psychiatric clinics, in Northwest Ethiopia, from April to June 2021. Systematic random sampling was used to get respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.6.02 and exported to SPSS Version 22 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with functional outcome levels, and p value < 0.05 was considered significant with 95% CI. Result Of the total 423 study participants approached, only 411 completed the questionnaire, with a response rate of 97.2%. The median (IQR) level of functional outcome was 6 (0–22) and 40% of the study subjects were impaired. Leisure time was the most normal functioning domain (92.2%), whereas cognitive (43.5%) and occupational (41.6%) domains were the most impaired domains. Unemployment (AOR (95%CI) = 3.9 (1.46–10.49), obesity (AOR (95% CI) = 6.5 (1.22–34.58), depressed and manic mood phases (AOR (95%CI) = 5.2 (2.84–9.35) and (AOR (95%CI) = 7.8 (3.31–18.34) respectively, medication non-adherence (AOR (95% CI) = 3.2 (1.71–6.05), and relapsed once or ≥ twice (AOR (95%CI) = 2.2 (1.25–3.98) and (AOR (95%CI) = 8.3 (2.73–25.30), respectively, were some of the important predictor variables that were significantly associated to the functional impairments levels. Conclusion The median of functional outcomes levels was found in an acceptable range; however, significant numbers of bipolar patients were functionally impaired. Moreover, patients still need unrestricted interventions in the cognitive and occupational functional domains. Socio-demographic, clinical, medication, and psychosocial variables were significantly associated with functional outcomes. Bipolar patients need to be followed and managed to improve their functional outcome and all stakeholders should be involved to achieve the recommended levels

Psychotropic medication non-adherence among patients with severe mental disorder attending at Bahir Dar Felege Hiwote Referral hospital, north west Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract Objective Medication non-adherence is a major public health problem that has been called an “invisible epidemic”. Globally, non-adherence rates among patients with severe mental illness ranged between 30 and 65%. It greatly increases the risk of illness exacerbation and hospitalizations. However, there is a paucity of studies examining treatment non-adherence and its associated factors among patients with severe mental disorder. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the magnitude of medication non-adherence and associated factors among patients with severe mental disorder. Results A total of 409 study subjects were participated making a response rate of 92%. The overall prevalence of medication non-adherence was found to be 55.2% (95%, CI; 49.9%, 60.2%). Study participants whose age group of (25–34) [AOR = 3.04 (95% CI 1.27, 7.29)], study subjects taking their medication twice per day [AOR = 4.60 (95% CI 2.25, 9.43)], no social support [AOR = 4.4 (95% CI 1.78, 11.08)] and no insight for their treatment [AOR = 5.88 (CI 2.08, 16.59)] were significantly associated with medication non-adherence. The result of this study showed that non-adherence among patients with severe mental disorder was found to be high. Psychiatry health care providers have to consider the frequency of medication become once per day, continual awareness creation among professionals and engaging significant others for good social support system and continual treatment alliance is strongly commended for adherence