Background: Investigations across the world confirm dramatic increment in the use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnant women. The most important aspect is lack of awareness of pregnant women about potential effects of using traditional medicine on fetus; some herbal products may be teratogenic in human and animal models. In this area, so far, no research has been conducted in Ethiopia to assess traditional medicine use in pregnant women. Objectives: Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and use of herbal drugs among pregnant women attending Nekemte Hospital to provide baseline information for future studies. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by quantitative and qualitative approaches to identify the prevalence of using herbal medicines among pregnant women. About 50.4% of study participants used herbal drugs during their pregnancy. The proportion of herbal drug usage was gradually decreased along with the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The most and least commonly used herbs were ginger (44.36%) and tenaadam (9.15 %), respectively. The common indications of herbal remedies use during pregnancy were nausea (23.90%) and morning sickness (21.05%). Results:The result of the present study confirmed wide use of herbal drugs use during pregnancy that need to report the safety concerns of these drugs during pregnancy. Conclusions: To achieve the requirements of pregnant women, it is vital for health care workers to be familiar with the effect of herbal medicine in pregnancy.

Background and Objective Understanding and consistent hand hygiene practice by alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a cardinal step to stay safe from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to assess the self-reported level of knowledge, attitude, practice, and challenges to practice hand hygiene by alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia. Methods Between April and June 2020, a questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 96 study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and described. Results All of the study participants (96) were at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Most of the study participants were nurses (27) and pharmacists (21). Their mean age was 28.69±4.048 years. All of them were practicing different COVID-19 prevention methods. In this study, 95.8% of the respondents used alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The majority of the respondents were knowledgeable (93.8%), had a favorable attitude (74%), and good hand hygiene practices (76%) by alcohol-based hand sanitizers. However, 84.5% of the respondents were confronted with challenges during alcohol-based hand sanitizer use due to it is unavailable 66 (68.8%), expensive 50 (52.1%), forgetting 11 (11.5%), experiencing health-associated risks (skin irritation (28.1%), skin dryness (62.5%), ocular irritation (11.5%)), etc. Conclusion The majority of respondents had good knowledge, attitude, and practices of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. But there were some items of their evaluation with relatively low scores that revealed some room for improvements. Additionally, the respondents reported various challenges. Therefore, to achieve and sustain changes, the hand hygiene promotion strategic plan needs a great concern.

Background: Pandemic corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a global health crisis of our time. The consistent practice of hand hygiene, especially by proper use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in health facilities and community is a cardinal step in combating it. This study was designed to assess self-reported level of knowledge, attitude and compliance to WHO recommended hand hygiene status by alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during a COVID-19 pandemic in Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia.Methods: Questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 with significance level at p<0.05.Results: From a total of 96 volunteer study participants (27nurses; 21pharmacists, 15academicians, 13medical laboratory technicians, 7physician, 7dental doctors, 6midwives) 61 were males. Their mean age was 28.69+4.048years. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers were used by 95.8% respondents to prevent spreading of COVID-19. The majority (93.8%) of the respondents had good knowledge; 74% had a good attitude and 76% had good hand hygiene practices by alcohol-based hand sanitizers. They got information about this technique mainly from mass media 71(74%) and training (40.6%). 84.5% respondents were facing challenges during alcohol-based hand sanitizer use due to it is unavailable 66(68.8%), expensive 50(52.1%), forgetting 11(11.5%), experiencing and/or fearing health-associated risks (skin irritation(28.1%), skin dryness(62.5%), ocular irritation(11.5%), etc).Conclusion and recommendationThe majority of respondents had good knowledge; but the attitude and adherence to standard guidelines need improvement. The hospital should catalyze behavioral change, provide emollient containing hand sanitizers and educational courses to achieve and sustain improvements.

Background Globally, hypertension is a major public health problem and a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease complications. To reduce and prevent complications from hypertension, it is important to adapt self-care behaviors. This study aimed to assess the self-care practices of adult hypertensive patients at a tertiary teaching hospital in Ethiopia. Methods A health facility-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Jimma Medical Center in Ethiopia between February 2021 and July 2021. Binary and logistic regression was performed to assess the strength of associations between independent and dependent variables. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for social science (SPSS) software version 22.0. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Results From a total of 422 respondents included to the study, male accounted 55.7% and the mean ± SD age of the respondents was 58.7 ± 9.75 years. About 53.1% of patients had poor self-care practices toward hypertension. Not attending formal education [AOR = 2.15; 95% CI (1.74, 6.39); p ≤ 0.001], uncontrolled blood pressure [AOR = 2.14 95% CI (1.27, 3.61); p = 0.003], chronic disease co-morbidity [AOR = 1.48; 95% CI (0.25, 7.73); p ≤ 0.001], unfavorable attitude toward hypertension[AOR = 3.13; 95% CI (1.95, 7.52); p ≤ 0.001], and poor social support [AOR = 2.75; 95% CI (1.45, 6.43); p ≤ 0.001] were independent predictors of poor self-care practice. Conclusion The level of self-care practices for hypertension in the study area was low. In particular, the level of adherence to the DASH diet, exercise, and weight control was very low. Patient-specific targeted interventions are required to improve self-care practices for hypertension.

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