Causes of child mortality in Gondar hospital, Ethiopia

Abstract: During a five year period (1987"1992). a total of 656 childhood hospital deaths. between the age of days and 15 years were registered in the Paediatrics Department, Gondar College of Medical Sciences. Protein-energy malnutrition (24.5%). bronchopneumonia (12.2%). pyogenic meningitis (8.4 ) , septicemia (7 % ) and disseminated tuberculosis (6. 1 % ) were the five primary leading causes of death. Four hundred eighty five (73.9%) of the deaths occurred in children under five years of age. Two hundred seventy (41.2%) children were admitted in a moribund state and died within 24 hours of admission.[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1996; 10(3): 145-148

Knowledge and attitude towards mother to child transmission of HIV and it's prevention among post natal mothers in Tikur Anbessa and Zewditu Memorial Hospitals, Addis Ababa

Background: HIV/AIDS is currently a major public health problem in Ethiopia and mother to child transmission (MTCT) is responsible for 90% of childhood HIV infections. The transmission of HIV from infected mothers to babies could occur during antenatal period, as well as during delivery and breastfeeding (postnatal period). Since breastfeeding is essential for child survival, it is also necessary to assess mothers' knowledge and attitude towards HIV transmission and its prevention during breastfeeding. Objectives: This study attempts to assess mothers' knowledge of MTCT of HIV including breastfeeding, in two government hospitals in Addis Ababa. It also describes mothers' attitudes towards voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude towards MTCT and its' preventive methods on postnatal mothers who delivered at Tikur Anbessa and Zewditu Memorial Hospitals, Addis Ababa, from January to March 2004. A structured, pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: A total of 384 mothers were interviewed 78.4% of whom were from Addis Ababa. 87.0% were aged between 16-30 years. Of these mothers 54.9% were primipara, 89.9% were married, and 84.6% were Christians. Amhara (44.5%), Oromo (26.3%), Gurage (17.2%), and Tigre (7.0%) were the major ethnic groups in the study population. All the 384 respondents had heard about HIV/AIDS of which, 82.3 % mentioned the major routes of transmission and 89.8% knew that that HIV could be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby. Most of the respondents (76.8%) knew that MTCT of HIV is preventable, 64.6% knew the protective effect of prophylactic anti-retroviral drugs, 37.1% knew that abstinence from breastfeeding can prevent MTCT, 10.4% knew elective caesarean section (C/S) as a preventive method and 6.9% stated that protection of the mother from HIV is the same as protecting her baby. Those mothers who were from Addis Ababa, and whose educational level was secondary and above were found to be more knowledgeable about MTCT and PMTCT. Three hundred seventeen (82.6%) of the mothers knew what VCT meant and 76.8% of them have positive attitudes to wards VCT. 69.3% of the mother indicated that mothers should be tested before breastfeeding and 67.4% agreed to have VCT before breastfeeding their new babies. 60.2% planned to have VCT before their next pregnancy.Conclusion: This study showed that most mothers in this study knew that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child and that it can be prevented. A majority are of the opinion that VCT can be a preventive strategy and most of them have the intention to have counseling and testing before the next pregnancy. Hence well-organized VCT centers and PMTCT programs should be established to halt the epidemic from affecting the next generation. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19(3) 2005: 211-21

ORT in diarrhoea: An overview

Abstract: This paper attempts to summarize the development of ORT (Oral Rehydration Therapy) and its role as the major public health intervention for the control of diarrhoeal diseases. It also highlights the large number of scientific studies conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). Improved ORS formulations trial including hypoosmolar solutions are described as these are areas of recent clinical studies that address the drawbacks in WHO/UNICEF ORS. However, until new ORS formulations are evaluated and implemented, the present glucose-based ORS does still save millions of lives and need to be recommended for all forms of dehydrating diarrhoea. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(3):192-198

Zinc during and in convalescence from diarrhea has no demonstrable effect on subsequent morbidity and anthropometric status among infants <6 mo of age 1,2,3,4

Background: Preventing illness and improving growth in the first 6 mo of life is critical to reducing infant mortality. Zinc given for 14 d at the start of diarrhea has been shown to decrease the incidence and prevalence of diarrhea and pneumonia and improve growth in the 2–3 mo after, but no trial has been done in infants <6 mo of age. Objective: This study sought to assess the effect of 14 d of zinc supplementation on subsequent morbidity and growth among infants 1–5 mo of age living in Pakistan, India, and Ethiopia. Design: Infants with acute diarrhea were randomly assigned to receive zinc (10 mg/d; n = 538) or placebo (n = 536) for 2 wk. Weekly follow-up visits were conducted for 8 wk after the diarrhea episode. Incidence and prevalence of diarrhea and prevalence of respiratory infections including pneumonia were compared between the groups. Changes in weight, length, and corresponding z scores during the 8 wk of follow-up were also compared. Results: One thousand seventy-four infants were enrolled at the start of follow-up. The groups did not differ significantly in the proportion of infants with at least one episode of diarrhea or respiratory infections. Infants who received zinc had more days of diarrhea (rate ratio = 1.20) than did the infants who received placebo. The groups had similar prevalences of pneumonia and overall respiratory infections. No significant differences in the mean changes in weight-for-age, length-for-age, and weight-for-length z scores were observed between the groups overall or in stratified analyses. Conclusion: Young infants do not appear to benefit from 2 wk of zinc, unlike what has been observed among older children

Inclusive education and research through African Network of Women in Astronomy and STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia initiatives

The African Network of Women in Astronomy and STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia initiatives have been established with aim to strengthen the participation of girls and women in astronomy and science in Africa and Ethiopia. We will not be able to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals without full participation of women and girls in all aspects of our society and without giving in future the same opportunity to all children to access education independently on their socio-economical status. In this paper both initiatives are briefly introduced.Comment: Proceedings paper of the International Astronomical Union Symposium 367: Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronom