Neonatal Tetanus: case series from Dilla univeristy referal hospital, Ethiopia

Background: Neonatal tetanus is a deadly infection leading to 7-8% of neonatal mortality in de-veloping countries. WHO defines Neonatal tetanus as an illness in a child who has the normal ability to suck in the first 2 days of life, presented with failure to suck between 3rd and 28th days of life and has rigidity and spasms? Though Ethiopia declared maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination in 2017, there has been significant number of neonates presenting with this problem in Neonatal ICU’sMethods: This review characterized clinical profile, demography and outcome of seven neona-tal tetanus cases admitted at Dilla University hospital, neonatal ICU from September 11, 2018 to September11, 2020.Results: All mothers gave birth at home with unskilled birth attendant, local blade or knife was used to cut the cord. Median age for mothers was 26 years and two out of seven had antenatal care (ANC) follow up and took Two doses of tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine. Fever, failure to suck, spasm and convulsions were the common presenting symptoms. The overall mortality was 70%.Conclusion: Continuous emphasis on antenatal tetanus immunization and safe delivery practic-es should be maintained. Clinicians caring for neonates should be aware of the presentations of neonatal tetanus to allow them to diagnose these patients early and initiate appropriate lifesaving management

Senior Citizen Technology Accessibility Assessment

Final Project for INST490: Integrated Capstone for Information Science (Spring 2021). University of Maryland, College Park.The Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation runs numerous programs to serve senior citizens. This includes programs ranging from intellectual and physical engagement to social services and healthcare-related programs. Due to the pandemic and enforcement of social distancing protocols, the county has moved most of its services online. The Department of Parks and Recreation is eager to ensure that the senior community is engaged with the online services and they can leverage online access and services to use the entire catalog of senior-focused events and services. Currently, many in the senior community find it challenging to navigate the Parks and Recreation website and access its resources. This situation is limiting the engagement of the senior community with the online services. A new education curriculum is necessary to help teach those who find the online registration system challenging to access and interact with the services. This document explores various problems senior users encounter when working with technology in general and in navigating the Parks and Recreation’s website in particular. It proposes website improvements and recommendations to increase senior citizen participation in Parks and Recreation programs in a virtual environment.Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreatio

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Stunting and anemia among children 6–23 months old in Damot Sore district, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Background Stunting and anemia are long-standing public health challenges which adversely affects the cognitive development and physical wellbeing of children in low income settings. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of stunting and anemia among 6–23 months old children in Damot Sore District, Southern Ethiopia. Methods Cross-sectional survey was conducted among 477 children aged 6–23 months, which were living in Damot Sore District, in April 2017. A multistage sampling technique was used. Villages were randomly selected and systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Data on socio-demographic, anthropometric, dietary, blood samples for hemoglobin were collected. Data were entered into EPI Data V. 3.1 and exported into SPSS Version 21.0 for analysis. A principal component analysis (PCA) was done to generate wealth score of households. Binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variables (stunting and anemia) separately, those variables having less than a p-value of 0.25 were chosen as candidate for multivariable analyses and finally multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify independent variables of each outcomes, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI)). Results Out of 477 children studied, 31.7% were stunted and 52% were anemic. In the multivariable analyses, the number of under five children within a household (AOR = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.65–6.57), drinking water from unsafe source (AOR = 4.08, 95% CI: 1.33–12.54) and anemia (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI 2.00–4.92) were factors significantly associated with stunting. On the other hand, independent variables of anemia were early initiation of complementary feeding (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.23–4.85), poor dietary diversity (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.78–4.91), poor breast feeding practice (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.63–5.32) and stunting (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: 2.15–6.19). Conclusion This study revealed higher level of stunting and anemia among children aged 6–23 months than WHO (world health organization) criteria of public health importance. Sustainable promotion of diversified diet, optimal complementary feeding, optimal and complementary breast feeding practices, improving sanitation infrastructure are measures needed to tackle these severe public health challenges

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

Assessment of Staphylococcus aureus along milk value chain and its public health importance in Sebeta, central Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis acquired from contaminated foods such as milk and milk products. However, such information is limited in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the contamination of milk with S. aureus and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of actors along the milk value chain in Sebeta, Central Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 291 samples collected from dairy farms, milk collection centers (MCCs) and processing plant were examined using standard microbiological techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were also investigated. The KAP of actors in milk value chain were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. Results Overall, 23.4% (n = 68) of the samples were positive for S. aureus. The prevalence of S. aureus was 19.6% (95% CI: 14.5–25.6) and 80.0% (95% CI: 14.5–25.6) at farm level and MCCs, respectively. Higher isolation rate was observed in the MCCs (p = 0.000) than the farms. The contamination rates of hands of milkers’ and milking buckets with S. aureus were 32% and 11.1%, respectively. S. aureus was not isolated from pasteurized milk samples. The isolates were found to be resistant to cefoxitin (100%), penicillin G (98.5%), and streptomycin (77.9%). Among 23 interviewed farmers, 35% of them consumed raw milk, none of them wash their hands and 82.6% did not wash udder and teat before milking. Six percent of consumers had the habit of raw milk consumption. Eighty seven percent of dairy farmers and 54% of consumers had no awareness about milk borne diseases and staphylococcal food poisoning. Conclusions The study revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus along the milk value chain, poor milk handling practices, raw milk consumption behavior, lack of awareness about milk borne diseases and occurrence of antimicrobials resistant S. aureus. S. aureus seems to pose a public health risk in Sebeta. Authors recommended the urgent need of public awareness creation about the importance of hygienic milk production and proper handling and adequate heat treatment of milk before consumption and further study to assess cost-effective preventive and control options

Associated risk factors and distribution of anemia by characteristics of participants at SGH Southern Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 220).

Associated risk factors and distribution of anemia by characteristics of participants at SGH Southern Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 220).</p

Socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics of study participants at SGH, Southern Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 220).

Socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics of study participants at SGH, Southern Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 220).</p

Clinical and immunological characteristics of study participants at SGH, Southern Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 220).

Clinical and immunological characteristics of study participants at SGH, Southern Ethiopia, 2019 (n = 220).</p

Prevalence of anemia.

(A) Overall prevalence of anemia (n = 220), and (B) Severity of anemia (n = 85) among HIV-infected adults in SGH, southern Ethiopia, 2019.</p