Knowledge and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adult people living with HIV/AIDS at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is necessary to achieve best virological response, lower the risk of drug resistance, and reduce morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the current study were to assess the extent of knowledge of patients on treatment plan and regimen, determine the rate of adherence and identify factors related to non-adherence to ART.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using data from both semi-structured interview (self-report) and ART database (pharmacy refill) during the months of March and April 2013 using a total 350 participants.Results: The results indicated that 33% of the participants had good knowledge on the treatment plan and regimen. Using self-report and pharmacy refill record, 79.1% and 72.9% respectively showed adherence rate of ≥95%. Younger people were found to be less likely to adhere to ART (AOR [95%] = 0.51 [0.30, 0.85]) using pharmacy refill record. Risk factors for ART non-adherence using self-report were use of memory aids (AOR [95%] = 3.46 [1.72, 6.98]), treatment satisfaction (AOR [95%] = 2.33 [1.22, 4.07]), taking co-medication (AOR [95%] = 0.56 [0.32, 0.98]), and regimen switch (AOR [95%] = 0.41 [0.19, 0.85]). Whereas using pharmacy refill record risk factors were, knowledge on treatment plan and regimen (AOR [95%] = 2.50 [1.39, 4.51]), use of memory aids (AOR [95%] = 2.71 [1.34, 5.47]), treatment satisfaction (AOR [95%] = 3.78 [1.47, 9.71]), and regimen switch (AOR [95%] = 0.50 [0.27, 0.92]).Conclusion: Older age, good knowledge on treatment plan and regimen, use of memory aids, treatment satisfaction, and not having co-medications and regimen switch showed more adherence to ART

Genetic and non-genetic parameter estimates for growth traits and Kleiber ratios in Dorper × indigenous sheep

Genetic improvement programme will only be successful when accompanied by a good understanding of the influence of different environmental factors, knowledge of the genetic parameters and the genetic relationships between the traits of interest. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of non-genetic fac- tors on growth traits and Kleiber ratios and to estimate genetic parameters for early growth traits in Dorper indigenous crossbred sheep. The effects of fixed factors were analysed by the general linear model procedure of statistical analysis system, while the genetic parameters were estimated using a WOMBAT computer program fitted animal model. The overall least-square mean for birth weight (BRW), weaning weight (3MW), six-month weight, nine-month weight, and yearling weight were 3.03 ± 0.02, 14.5 ± 0.18, 20.4 ± 0.26, 24.8 ± 0.31, and 28.3 ± 0.40 kg, respectively. The overall least- square mean for Kleiber ratio from birth to weaning (KR1), weaning to six months, six to nine months and nine months to yearling age were 16.8 ± 0.10, 6.41 ± 0.17, 4.55 ± 0.21 and 3.38 ± 0.20 g/kg of meta- bolic weight, respectively. The inclusion of maternal genetic effect had a significant influence on BRW, and it explains 20% of the phenotypic variation. The total heritability estimates for BRW, 3MW, birth to weaning average daily weight gain and KR1 were 0.10, 0.14, 0.16 and 0.12, respectively. The pheno- typic correlation varied from 0.11 ± 0.05 to 0.98 ± 0.02, whereas the direct genetic correlation ranged from 0.32 ± 0.40 to 0.98 ± 0.17. The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.105% with an annual rate of 0.02%. The heritability estimates for growth traits and Kleiber ratio suggest that slow genetic progress would be expected from the selection. However, the integration of selection with crossbreeding pro- gramme can enhance genetic gain. Therefore, selection should be conducted based on breeding values estimated from multiple information sources to increase the selection response

Effects of Level of Glycaemic Control in Reduction of Maternal and Perinatal Complications Among Pregnant Diabetic Women at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of morbidity for mother and fetus during pregnancy and at birth as well as later in life. The objective of this study was to determine the association between level of glycaemic control and maternal and perinantal complications in pregnant diabetic women. Institution based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted using 162 charts of women diagnosed with pregestational diabetes and gestational diabetes on follow ups at Endocrine and Metabolism Unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were 76 (46.9%), types 2 diabetes were 38 (23.5%) and gestational diabetes were 48 (29.6%). Fifty five (34.0%) women had good fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 29 (17.9%) had good 2 hour post-prandial (2hPP) blood glucose according to international diabetes federation recommendation. Preeclampsia developed in 35 (21.6%) women. Cesarean section was done for 107 (66.0%) women and 55 (44.05%) had vaginal delivery. Still birth accounted for 26 (16.0%) of births and macrosomia occurred in 35 (21.6%) of births. Average FBG was significantly associated with preeclampsia [AOR (95% CI) = 3.36 (1.18, 9.60)]. Still birth of neonate was also significantly associated with average 2hPP blood glucose [AOR (95% CI) = 8.77 (1.07, 71.72)]. Neonatal weight was significantly associated with maternal age [AOR (95% CI) = 3.25 (1.30, 7.91)], average FBG [AOR (95% CI) = 7.39 (1.80, 30.26)] and average 2hPP blood glucose [AOR (95%CI) = 0.24 (0.67, 0.87)]. In conclusion, maternal blood glucose affects maternal and perinatal outcome while, maternal age affect only perinatal outcome.Keywords: glycaemic control, pregestational diabetes, gestesional diabetes, maternal and perinantal complications, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopi

Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Boer X Central Highland Goat under Extensive Production System

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival rate of Boer x Central Highland goats. Data collected under field condition were utilized for this study. The overall least squares mean for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3MWT), six-month weight (6MWT), weight gain from birth to weaning (ADG1) and weight gain from weaning to six months of age (ADG2) for Boer crossbred goats were 2.73 kg, 10.4 kg, 14.5 kg, 84.4 g day-1 and 49.4 g day-1 , respectively. Whereas the overall least squares mean BWT, 3MWT, 6MWT, ADG1 and ADG2 for Central Highland goats were 1.79 kg, 6.77 kg, 10.6 kg, 54.1 g day-1 and 50.4 g day-1 , respectively. Sex, birth type and year of birth were the major determinants for growth traits. The pre-weaning survival rate of crossbred goats was 81.7%. The overall mean litter size at birth, litter size at weaning and weaning rate for Central Highland does were 1.48 kids, 1.21 kids, 81.7%, respectively. The pre-weaning growth performance of Boer crossbreds was superior to the indigenous Central Highland goats. However, the post-weaning growth rate was found to be similar for both genotypes. Central Highland goat had a moderate prolificacy and mothering ability