Posttraumatic stress disorder in a war-affected area of Northeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic condition that affects a significant proportion of war survivors following war and conflict. If PTSD is not managed, it can lead to decreased quality of life and impairments in daily functioning and lead to death. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors among residents in a war-affected area, Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult residents in the war-affected area, Dessie Town. A total of 615 individuals were selected by a systematic random sampling method. PTSD was assessed using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian Version. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to measure the associated factors. Associations between variables were described using odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and a p-value less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of PTSD was 34.5% (95% CI: 31–38). Female sex (AOR: 1.82; CI: 1.18–2.82), divorced or widowed (AOR: 2.12, CI: 1.23–3.66), having only primary schooling (AOR: 2.17; CI: 1.25–3.78), depression (AOR: 2.03; CI: 1.34–3.08), experienced ill health without medical care during the wartime (AOR: 2.97; CI: 1.43–6.16), forced separation from family (AOR: 1.90; CI: 1.16–3.12), and experienced stressful life events (AOR: 1.60; CI: 1.06–2.42) were significantly associated with PTSD. Conclusion: A significant rate of PTSD was found among residents of the war-affected area, Dessie Town. One in three people was experiencing PTSD. As a result, post-war mental health early screening and intervention is a priority, particularly for females, those who are separated or divorced, and those who have experienced stressful life events due to the war

Spatial distribution and determinants of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Ethiopia: Spatial and multilevel analysis.

BackgroundAlcohol consumption during pregnancy is a known contributor to teratogen and causes a range of effects on pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the spatial variation and determinants of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Ethiopia.MethodsA secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A total of 1,135 pregnant women were included in the analysis. ArcGIS version 10.7 software was used to explore the spatial distribution of alcohol consumption, and SaTScan version 9.6 was employed to identify the significant spatial clusters of alcohol consumption. A mixed multi-level logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the determinant factors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.ResultsThe result showed that the prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy was 22.49% (with a 95% CI: 18.18 to 26.17). The spatial analysis showed that the spatial distribution of alcohol consumption significantly varied across the country [Global Moran's I value = 0.30 (PConclusionAlcohol consumption during pregnancy in Ethiopia was high. The spatial distribution of alcohol consumption was significantly varied across the country. Therefore, public health interventions targeting areas with high alcohol consumption are needed for drinking cessation and to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes related to alcohol use

Level of Preparedness for COVID-19 and Its Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Providers in South Gondar Public Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. Although the efforts at global and national levels have attempted to decrease the COVID-19 pandemic, the low level of preparedness among healthcare providers is a challenge mainly in developing countries. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing the level of preparedness for COVID-19 and its associated factors among frontline healthcare providers in South Gondar public hospitals, northwest Ethiopia. Methods and Materials. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 207 selected healthcare providers who were working in South Gondar public hospital from July 08 to August 29, 2020. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The healthcare providers were selected through simple random sampling techniques. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions with a 95% confidence interval were fitted with 95% CI to establish the associated factors with a low level of preparedness. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The overall level of preparedness among healthcare providers for COVID-19 was found to be 41.3% (95% CI: 37.4, 44.7). Only 81 (40.1%) healthcare providers had prepared for telling their family and friends if they are infected with COVID-19. Besides, only 23.8% of healthcare providers obtained alcohol-based hand sanitizer in every patient room. Factors associated with a low level of preparedness include being male (AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.22–4.94), unmarried (AOR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.44–8.00), and working experience less than five years (AOR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.29-9.09). Conclusion. The level of preparedness among frontline healthcare providers towards COVID-19 was found to be very low. In the future, more emphasis should be placed on healthcare providers who are male, unmarried, and had working experience of lower than five years to decrease the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Hot spot analysis of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Ethiopia, 2016.

The Hot spot analysis of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Ethiopia, 2016.</p

Multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis result of the individual and community level determinants of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Ethiopia, 2016.

Multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis result of the individual and community level determinants of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Ethiopia, 2016.</p

Cognitive adverse effects of epilepsy and its predictors attending outpatient department of South Gondar zone hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia 2020 /2021

Background Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder which is further complicated by neurobehavioral co-morbidities, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, and social problems. However, assessments of cognitive status of epileptic patients are far too low during clinical visits. This calls for early neuropsychological assessment soon after the diagnosis of epilepsy for a better treatment plan and outcome for epileptic patients. Objective This study aimed to assess the cognitive adverse effects of epilepsy and its predictors attending outpatient departments of South Gondar Zone hospitals Amhara region Ethiopia 2020/2021. Methods A multi-center institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 509 respondents were included with a response rate of 93.9%. Previously adapted pretested structured questionnaire was used containing, socio-demographic, clinical, and seizure related factors. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure cognitive impairment. A systematic random sampling technique was applied. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.4.2 then exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions with odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were employed. The level of significance of association was determined at a p-value Results Prevalence of cognitive impairment in this study was 69.2% (95%CI; 65.4, 73.1). Rural residents (AOR = 4.16,95%CI, 1.99,8.67), respondents who couldn’t read and write (AOR = 2.62, 95%CI; 1.24, 5.5,) longer duration of seizure disorder (AOR = 4.59,95%CI; 2.01,10.52), taking combined Phenobarbital and Phenytoin (AOR = 4.69,95%CI; 1.88,11.69), having history of head injury (AOR = 3.29,95%CI;1.30,8.32), having depression (AOR = 4.76,95%CI;2.83,7.98), and anxiety (AOR = 3.11,95%CI; 1.58,6.12) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusions Prevalence of cognitive impairment in this study was high. Regular neuropsychiatric assessment of patients with epilepsy should be encouraged especially for those participants with longer durations of illness, who are rural residents, who take combined Phenobarbital and Phenytoin, participants who had a history of head injury, depression, and anxiety

Cognitive adverse effects of epilepsy and its predictors attending outpatient department of South Gondar zone hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia 2020 /2021.

BackgroundEpilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder which is further complicated by neurobehavioral co-morbidities, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, and social problems. However, assessments of cognitive status of epileptic patients are far too low during clinical visits. This calls for early neuropsychological assessment soon after the diagnosis of epilepsy for a better treatment plan and outcome for epileptic patients.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the cognitive adverse effects of epilepsy and its predictors attending outpatient departments of South Gondar Zone hospitals Amhara region Ethiopia 2020/2021.MethodsA multi-center institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 509 respondents were included with a response rate of 93.9%. Previously adapted pretested structured questionnaire was used containing, socio-demographic, clinical, and seizure related factors. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure cognitive impairment. A systematic random sampling technique was applied. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.4.2 then exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions with odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were employed. The level of significance of association was determined at a p-value ResultsPrevalence of cognitive impairment in this study was 69.2% (95%CI; 65.4, 73.1). Rural residents (AOR = 4.16,95%CI, 1.99,8.67), respondents who couldn't read and write (AOR = 2.62, 95%CI; 1.24, 5.5,) longer duration of seizure disorder (AOR = 4.59,95%CI; 2.01,10.52), taking combined Phenobarbital and Phenytoin (AOR = 4.69,95%CI; 1.88,11.69), having history of head injury (AOR = 3.29,95%CI;1.30,8.32), having depression (AOR = 4.76,95%CI;2.83,7.98), and anxiety (AOR = 3.11,95%CI; 1.58,6.12) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment.ConclusionsPrevalence of cognitive impairment in this study was high. Regular neuropsychiatric assessment of patients with epilepsy should be encouraged especially for those participants with longer durations of illness, who are rural residents, who take combined Phenobarbital and Phenytoin, participants who had a history of head injury, depression, and anxiety

The magnitude of common mental illness and associated factors among adult holy water users in Amhara regional state Orthodox Tewahido churches, Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract Background Because they are prevalent, persistent, and have substantial negative effects on physical health, psychological well-being, and economic implications, common mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints are major public health problems. Patients with mental illness are devoted to religious therapy including holy water as a coping mechanism for their illnesses. The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of common mental illness among adult holy water users. Methods Facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Amhara regional state orthodox Tewahido churches. A simple random sampling techinque was used to select participants. Data were collected by using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for mental illnesses symptoms and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Variables with a p-value of 0.25 in the bivariable logistic regression were entered into multivariable logistic regression. Result Three hundred eighty-two participants were involved in the study. The magnitude of Common mental illnesses among holy water users was 58.9%. Unemployed, using more than one substance, having Poor and moderate social support, current daily alcohol drinker and past history of mental illness were significantly associated with common mental illness. Conclusion The magnitude of common mental illness among adult holy water users was high. Giving special attention to decreasing unemployment, establishing social support services, and decreasing substance utilization are the keys to preventing common mental illnesses

Sampling procedure for the cognitive adverse effect of epilepsy and its predictors attending South Gondar hospitals Amhara Ethiopia 2020/2021.

Sampling procedure for the cognitive adverse effect of epilepsy and its predictors attending South Gondar hospitals Amhara Ethiopia 2020/2021.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of patents with epilepsy attending outpatient department of South Gondar zone hospitals Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021(n = 509).

Socio-demographic characteristics of patents with epilepsy attending outpatient department of South Gondar zone hospitals Amhara, Ethiopia, 2021(n = 509).</p