“Time wasted by health professionals is time not invested in patients”: time management practice and associated factors among health professionals at public hospitals in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: a multicenter mixed method study

BackgroundTime management is of utmost importance in healthcare facilities since time squandered by health professionals is time not invested in patients, and this affects the quality of care given to patients. This study aimed to assess time management practice and factors affecting it among health professionals at public hospitals in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution-based cross-sectional study supplemented with a qualitative study was conducted from April 21 to May 20, 2022, among health professionals working in public hospitals in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 416 study participants. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, and an interviewer guide was used to collect qualitative data to complement quantitative data. Purposive sampling was used in the qualitative study, and 12 in-depth interviews were carried out till saturation was reached. The quantitative data were entered into Epi Data version 4.0 and analyzed using SPSS 25.0 whereas the qualitative data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. To identify the associated factors, bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. The degree of associations was interpreted using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval at <0.05 p-value.ResultsOf 416 invited participants, 410 of them participated in the study yielding a 98.5% response rate. The magnitude of time management practice among health professionals was 66.1% (95% CI: 61.5–70%). Age ranges 25–29 (AOR = 3.961, 95% CI: 1.068, 14.682) and 30–34 (AOR = 6.240, 95% CI: 1.640, 23.749), planning (AOR = 6.032, 95% CI: 3.478, 10.463), compensation and benefits packages (AOR = 1.888, 95% CI: 1.077, 3.309), responsible to work (AOR = 2.119, 95% CI: 1.192, 3.768), time waster (AOR = 1.855, 95% CI: 1.058, 3.251) and staff shortage (AOR = 0.535, 95% CI: 0.319, 0.896) were factors associated with time management practice. From the qualitative study, two major themes and five categories have emerged.Conclusion and recommendationsHealthcare facilities could improve their time management practices by providing training on planning, being a low time-waster and highly responsible at work, and designing compensation and benefits packages

Factors associated with divorce from first union among women in Ethiopia: Further analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey data.

BackgroundGlobally, divorce is a common phenomenon in couples' marital life. As a result, many divorced couples and their children face several social, economic, and health problems after dissolution. There is little information on the magnitude and determinants of divorce in developing countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of divorce from the first union and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.MethodsWe used the 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey data for this analysis. The survey was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted from January 18 to June 27, 2016. The survey employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. A total of 11,646 ever-married women were included in the analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistics regression was done to identify the determinants of divorce from the first marriage. A p-value ResultsAbout 25% (95%CI: 23.4% - 26.6%) ever-married women were divorced from their first marital relationship. Women who were married at age ConclusionDivorce from the first marriage is high in Ethiopia. Preventing early marriage and partner violence and promoting girls' education would reduce the divorce rate in Ethiopia

Modern Contraceptive Use and Influencing Factors in Amhara Regional State: Further Analysis of Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey Data 2016

Background. Ethiopia is one of the Sub-Saharan African countries with a high unmet need for contraceptives. Contraception is a good indicator of the extent to which couples have access to reproductive health services. A study on contraceptives can provide overall direction by helping to identify the obstacles in society and weaknesses in services that need to be overcome. However, little is known in Amhara region context. Therefore, this analysis was aimed to assess modern contraceptive use and influencing factors in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia. Methods. We used secondary data analysis of the regional representative sample of women aged 15–49 years from the 2016 Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 2207 married reproductive-age women (15–49 years) selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique were included in this analysis. Both descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA V.14. A 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistical significance. Results. Modern contraceptive use among married reproductive-age women was 51.3% (95% CI: 47.0–55.6). Being from households with rich wealth index (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.5), a secondary or higher level of education (AOR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4–6.2), and desire to space (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.9–3.7) or want no more child (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.6–3.5) were found positively associated with modern contraceptive use. On the other hand, modern contraceptive use was negatively associated with women aged 35–49 years (AOR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5–0.9). Conclusion. Modern contraceptive use was relatively high in the Amhara region. The odds of modern contraceptive use were higher among women with secondary or more educational levels. Women from households with rich wealth index and those who want to delay or avoid pregnancy had also more odds of using modern contraceptives. Therefore, strengthening women’s and community education could improve modern contraceptive use. Moreover, more emphasis should be given for income generation activities

Healthcare Waste Management Practice and Associated Factors among Private and Public Hospitals of Bahir Dar City Administration

Background. Lack of an appropriate management practice of healthcare waste is a potential threat to the healthcare workers, patients, and nearby communities of the health institutions. Objective. The study aimed to assess the healthcare waste management practices (HCWMP) and associated factors among healthcare workers of private and public hospitals of Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia. Methods. A facility-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to April 2017. The systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit 460 healthcare workers. The collected data entered into the EpiData software (version 3.1). The analysis was done by using SPSS software (version 20). Descriptive statistics were computed; logistic regression model was run. The model fitness was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit p>0.05. A p value of <0.2 at univariate analysis was included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Variables with a p value of <0.05 were statistically associated with healthcare waste management practice at 95% CI (AOR). Results. A total of 418 healthcare workers who participated in the study yielded a response of 90.9%. About 65% (95% CI: 61, 70) of the total respondents had good practice of healthcare waste management. More private hospitals, 79.2% (95% CI: 73, 85), had good healthcare waste management practice compared to public hospitals, 53.5% (95% CI: 47, 60). Male healthcare workers (AOR = 6. 43, 95% CI: 1.82, 22.77) and having a functional healthcare waste management committee (AOR = 6. 47, 95%CI: 1.93, 21.76) were significantly associated with HCWMP at private hospitals. For public hospitals, having a healthcare waste management committee (AOR = 1. 80, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.15) and a manual/guideline on HCWMP (AOR = 2. 43, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.91) was significantly associated with HCWMP. Conclusions. This study revealed there is a great discrepancy in HCWMP between private and public hospitals. Male healthcare workers and having a functional healthcare waste management committee and a manual/guideline were the identified factors of HCWMP

The Burden of Pneumocystis Pneumonia Infection among HIV Patients in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a leading cause of death among patients with AIDS worldwide, but its burden is difficult to estimate in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. This systematic review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of PCP in Ethiopia, the second most densely populated African country. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used to review published and unpublished studies conducted in Ethiopia. Studies that reported on the prevalence of PCP among HIV-infected patients were searched systematically. Variations between the studies were assessed by using forest plot and I-squared heterogeneity tests. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were carried out when I2 \u3e 50. The pooled estimate prevalence with 95% CI was computed using a random-effects model of analysis. Thirteen articles, comprising studies of 4847 individuals living with HIV, were included for analysis. The pooled prevalence of PCP was 5.65% (95% CI [3.74–7.56]) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 93.6%, p \u3c 0.01). To identify the source of heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were conducted by study design, geographical region, diagnosis methods, and year of publication. PCP prevalence differed significantly when biological diagnostic methods were used (32.25%), in studies published before 2010 (32.51%), in cross-sectional studies (8.08%), and in Addis Ababa (14.05%). PCP prevalence differences of 3.25%, 3.07%, 3.23%, and 2.29% were recorded in studies based on clinical records, published since 2017, follow-up studies, and north-west Ethiopian studies, respectively. The prevalence of PCP is probably underestimated, as the reports were mainly based on clinical records. An expansion of biological diagnostic methods could make it possible to estimate the exact burden of PCP in Ethiopia

Willingness to Pay for Social Health Insurance and Its Predictors among Government Employees in Mujja Town, Ethiopia

Background. Social health insurance is one of the possible organizational mechanisms for raising and pooling funds to finance health services, private health insurance, community insurance, and others. Objective. The study was aimed to assess willingness to pay for social health insurance and associated factors among government employees in Mujja town, Ethiopia. Methods. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on the total sample size of 375 study respondents. A simple random sampling technique was employed. Data were entered into EPI info 7 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors by controlling confounding variables. Statistical significance was declared at p<0.05. Results. This study revealed that 37.6% (95% CI: 33.1%, 42.61%) respondents were willing to pay for social health insurance. In the final model, respondents who ever heard about health insurance schemes were seven times (AOR = 7.205; 95% CI: 1.385, 37.475) more likely willing to pay for social health insurance. Thos who had history of difficulty and having other source to cover medical bills were 92.6% (AOR = 0.074; 95% CI: 0.009, 0.612) and 94.6% (AOR = 0.054; 95% CI: 0.011, 0.257) less likely to pay, respectively. Conclusions. Willingness to pay for social health insurance was low. Being heard about health insurance, history of difficulty, and having other sources to cover medical bills were associated factors. Thus, it is recommended that media promotion and these factors should be considered for the successful implementation of the scheme

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

International audienceBackground: Toxoplasmosis is a serious endemic zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy can result in congenital transmission and serious fetal and neonatal complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and its determinants among pregnant women in African countries.Methods: All articles reporting the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in African countries and published from 2010 to 2023 were searched using various databases. The pooled prevalence of toxoplasmosis was calculated using a random-effect model. The variation between the included studies was assessed using a funnel plot and I2 heterogeneity statistics. To identify the sources of heterogeneity, sub-group analysis was further conducted by country, diagnostic method, and sub-African region. The association of prevalence rates with the socio-economic level and geoclimatic parameters was also explored.Results: In total, 29,383 pregnant women from 60 articles were included for analysis. The pooled T. gondii seroprevalence was 42.89% with high heterogeneity (I2 = 99.4%, P < 0.001). Sub-group analysis revealed variation by country (ranging from 2.62% in Namibia to 80.28% in Congo), diagnostic method used (from 8.66% in studies using a rapid diagnostic test to 55.69% in those using an agglutination test), and sub-African region (from 4.14% in regions of Southern Africa to 53.96 in Central Africa). Cat ownership (OR = 1.58) and the consumption of raw meat (OR = 1.50) and raw vegetables (OR = 1.48) had a statistically significant combined effect on T. gondii seroprevalence. No association was found between T. gondii prevalence and the level of income of the country or geoclimatic parameters.Conclusion: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection among pregnant women in Africa is high, particularly in Central and Eastern Africa. The determinants of prevalence are multifactorial. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase the awareness of women concerning the risk factors for toxoplasmosis

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Current Cigarette Smoking among Ethiopian University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Although tobacco use is highest in high-income countries, most tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries with the highest number of deaths recorded in East Africa. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of current cigarette smoking among Ethiopian university students. Methods. The authors searched databases from PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Web of Sciences. The publications included in the analysis were inclusive, the literature was searched from January 2011 to December 2018. The JBI-MAStARI critical appraisal tool was applied to 13 publications identified by the database search. I2 statistics were used to indicate heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using the visual funnel plot. A p value < 0.1 was considered as indicative of statistically significant publication bias. A random effect meta-analysis model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of cigarette smoking, and the variables associated with cigarette smoking were examined. Results. The meta-analysis of 13 studies showed that the pooled prevalence of current cigarette smoking was found to be 12.55% (95% CI: 10.39–14.72; I2 = 94.0%) with no publication bias according to Egger’s test (p=0.007) for cigarette smoking by 2.05 (95% CI: 1.52–2.75). Factors associated with cigarette smoking were peer influence 2.79 (95% CI: 1.62–4.82; I2 = 35.7), khat chewing (95% CI: 2.81–15.26; I2 = 82.5), and alcohol use 11.16 (95% CI: 7.46–16.71). Conclusion. Our findings indicate a high prevalence of cigarette smoking among Ethiopian university students as compared to the general population. Gender, peer influence, khat chewing, and current alcohol use were significantly associated with cigarette smoking. The authors recommend promoting antismoking campaigns, emphasizing health hazard public service announcements about cigarettes, and integrating health education on smoking in youth-friendly services, especially targeting higher educational institutions

Awareness and care seeking for long COVID symptoms among Coronavirus disease survivors in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: phenomenological study

International audienceBackgroundCorona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has long-term sequels that persisted for months to years and manifested with a spectrum of signs and symptoms. Presentations of long COVID-19 symptoms are heterogeneous, vary from person to person, and can reach up to over 200 symptoms. Limited studies are conducted on the awareness of long COVID-19. So, this study aimed to explore the awareness about and care seeking for long COVID-19 symptoms among COVID survivors in Bahir Dar City in 2022.MethodsA qualitative study with a phenomenological design was used. Participants of the study were individuals who survived five months or longer after they tested positive for COVID-19 in Bahir Dar city. Individuals were selected purposively. An in-depth interview guide was prepared and used to collect the data. Open Cod 4.03 software was used for coding and synthesizing. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts.ResultsThe themes emerged from the data were awareness, experience of symptoms and their effects, and care practices of long COVID-19. Although only one participant mentioned the common symptoms of long COVID-19 the survivors experienced general, respiratory, cardiac, digestive, neurological, and other symptoms. These symptoms include rash, fatigue fever, cough, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and abdominal pain, loss of concentration, loss of smell, sleep disorder, depression, joint and muscle pain. These symptoms brought various physical and psychosocial effects. The majority of the respondents described that long COVID-19 symptoms will go off by themselves. To alleviate the problems some of the participants had taken different measures including medical care, homemade remedies, spiritual solutions, and lifestyle modification.ConclusionsThe result of this study revealed that participants have a significant deficit of awareness about the common symptoms, risk groups, and communicability of Long COVID. However, they experienced the majority of the common symptoms of Long COVID. To alleviate the problems, they had taken different measures including medical care, homemade remedies, spiritual solutions, and lifestyle modification