Gender difference in health related quality of life and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS attending anti-retroviral therapy at public health facilities, western Ethiopia: comparative cross sectional study

Abstract Background Though HIV/AIDS has multidimensional consequences on quality of life, there is a gap in measuring and monitoring health related quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. Hence, this study intended to measure health related quality of life domains and associated determinants among people living with HIV/AIDS in western Ethiopia. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 520 HIV/AIDS patients on anti-retroviral therapy in public health facilities in West Shoa Zone, Western Ethiopia from April to May, 2016. Participants were selected using simple random sampling method. Quality of life was measured using WHOQOL-HIV BREF and depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. An independent sample t-test was used to compare quality of life domains between men and women and logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors. Results Females had significantly lower quality of life in physical, psychological, independence and environmental domains as compared with males except social relationship and spiritual domains. Depressed HIV patients had significantly lower quality of life in all domains as compared with HIV infected patients without depression in both genders. Malnutrition and anemia were significantly associated with poor physical, psychological, independence and environmental domains. Anemic women had 1.9 times lower independence quality of life compared with women who had no anemia (AOR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.4, 3.5). Tuberculosis was also predictor of physical, psychological, independence and social domains in both genders. TB/HIV co-infected females had 2.0 times poorer environmental health compared to only HIV infected females (AOR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.2, 3.5). Family support, education and occupation were also independent significant predictors of QOL domains in both genders. In females, residence was significantly associated with independence (AOR = 1.8, 95%CI: 1.2–3.8) and environmental (AOR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.1–3.2) domains. Conclusions Females had significantly lower quality of life compared with males. The findings indicted poor socio-economic status and co-infections significantly associated with poor quality of life among HIV/AIDS patients. So, due emphasis should be given to improve socio-economic status and enhance integrated early detection and management of malnutrition, depression, tuberculosis and anemia among HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopia

Food Insecurity, Nutritional Status, and Factors Associated with Malnutrition among People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending Antiretroviral Therapy at Public Health Facilities in West Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia

Background. In resource limited settings, HIV/AIDS patients lack access to sufficient nutritious foods, which poses challenges to the success of antiretroviral therapy. HIV/AIDS and malnutrition are still major public health problems in Ethiopia. Though measuring nutritional status is an essential part of ART program, little evidence exists on food insecurity and nutritional status of HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopia. Hence, the study aimed to determine food insecurity and nutritional status and contextual determinants of malnutrition among HIV/AIDS patients in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV/ADIS patients who have been attending antiretroviral therapy at public health facilities in West Shewa Zone from April to May 2016, Ethiopia. The sample size was 512 and study participants were selected from each facilities using systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using pretested questionnaire by trained data collectors. Data were entered to Epi-Info 3.5.1 for Windows and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine independent factors associated with malnutrition. Results. Prevalence of malnutrition was 23.6% (95% CI: 19.7%–27.4%) and prevalence of household food insecurity was 35.2% (95% CI: 31.1%–39.0%). Factors significantly associated with malnutrition among HIV/AIDS patients were unemployment (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.8–5.3), WHO clinical stages III/IV (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.8–6.5), CD4 count less than 350 cells/μl (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.8–4.2), tuberculosis (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3–4.9), duration on antiretroviral therapy (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.9), and household food insecurity (AOR = 5.3; 95% CI: 2.5–8.3). Conclusions. The findings revealed high prevalence of malnutrition and household food insecurity among HIV/AIDS patients attended ART. The negative interactive effects of undernutrition, inadequate food consumption, and HIV infection demand effective cross-sectorial integrated programs and effective management of opportunistic infections like tuberculosis

Getting ready for digital shift: the level of acceptance towards educational technology among faculty members in higher education institutions in Ethiopia

Abstract Introduction Understanding the extent to which faculty members' beliefs, attitudes, and acceptance of educational technologies for learning is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of technology and ensuring its long-term viability. However, higher education institutions have made significant investments in educational technology for learning without fully comprehending faculty members' beliefs, attitudes, and level of acceptance of these technologies. This lack of understanding has hindered the effectiveness of these investments. Therefore, this study aims to examine faculty members' beliefs, attitudes and level of acceptance towards educational technology in higher education institutions in Ethiopia. Methods A survey was conducted at five public higher education institutions that offer priority health training programs. The survey collected data using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, focusing on four key determinants. Faculty members were asked to rate these determinants on a scale of 1 to 5. Each determinant was analyzed separately, examining the mean value and standard deviation. An overall mean score was calculated by combining all the determinants. Additionally, a logistic regression analysis was performed to determine how different demographic factors influenced faculty members' acceptance of technology for student learning. Result A total of 330 faculty members participated in the study. The majority of respondents were male lecturers who held a second degree qualification. On average, the participants were 32.9 years old and had six years of teaching experience. Interestingly, nearly three fourth (72.6%) of faculty members hold positive beliefs and exhibit a high level of acceptance of educational technology. Furthermore, the likelihood of accepting and utilizing technologies for learning was found to be 2.3 times higher for faculty members working in teaching settings at research institutions. Conclusion Faculty members have a favorable attitude towards educational technology, demonstrating a high level of acceptance. This positive belief holds significant implications and is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of technology and ensuring its long-term viability