Background: Group B Streptococcus colonization of the gastrointestinal and genital tracts of pregnant women usually remains asymptomatic; even if it is the critical determinant of infection in neonates and young infants. It causes early and late onset of invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease manifesting as septicemia, meningitis and pneumonia. Now it is recognized as an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world including Ethiopia where the magnitude of the problem has been little studied. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of GBS colonization, to identify associated risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of GBS isolates among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Arbaminch General Hospital, Arbaminch, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from March-July, 2016 among 281 pregnant women on their antenatal care (ANC) visit at Arbaminch General Hospital (AGH). Consented participants' information was collected using structured questionnaire. Recto-vaginal swab samples were collected by consecutive sampling technique and inoculated directly onto 5% sheep blood agar (SBA) for isolation of GBS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI) guideline, 2014 by disk diffusion method. Data was coded and entered into EPidata version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to ascertain the association between explanatory and outcome variable considering p-value <0.05. Result: The colonization rate of GBS among pregnant mothers was 8.5%. The overall rectovaginal GBS colonization in this study was not significantly associated with any of socio-demographic and obstetric factors. All of the GBS isolates were susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin and vancomycin. Resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and gentamycin was found to be 37.5%, 29.2%, 29.2%, 20.8%, 8.3%, and 4.2%, respectively. From a total of twenty four GBS isolates, two showed multidrug resistance. Conclusion and recommendation: This study found that GBS colonization rate was rationally high and most isolates were resistant to the commonly used antibiotics.

Background Primary family caregivers of hemodialysis patients are the “hidden patients” who shoulder extraordinary care burdens. However, there is a dearth of studies in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of primary family caregivers of hemodialysis patients in Southern Ethiopia. Methods Qualitative phenomenological study design was employed in February 2021. A homogeneous purposive sampling technique was applied to select study participants. An in-depth interview using an interview guide and field notes were used to collect the required data. All interviews were recorded using a digital audio recorder. Data coding was assisted by Open code software version 4.03. Inductive thematic analysis was used to develop the emerged themes and sub-themes using Colaizzi’s 1978 seven-step phenomenological analysis method. The themes and sub-themes are described in detail in the respective heading and sub-headings. Results A total of twelve participants were involved in the present study. Bio-psychological experience, socio-economic impact, and healthcare provider-primary family caregiver relationships are the major themes that emerged from the data. The emotional responses, coping mechanisms, consequences on the family caregivers’ health, care fatigue, lifestyle change, economic burden, impact on social responsibility, social support, the role of the primary family caregiver, and trust and confidence in the service providers are the sub-themes defining primary family caregivers caring experience. Conclusion In this study, emotional instabilities and reactions, care fatigue, distortion of caregiver’s health, multiple economic and social damages are the major challenges faced by primary family caregivers.

Background: Globally, childhood diarrheal diseases accounts for 18% of childhood death. Diarrhea was most common among children of age 6-23 months. It is the second most common cause of child deaths next to pneumonia. Objective: To assess the determinants of diarrheal disease among under-five years of children in Worabe town Silte zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in 02 kebele, Worabe town from April to June 2018. Systematic random sampling method was used to get samples. Data was collected using questionnaire developed from different literatures. Data was analyzed by online bivariate analysis and p-value less than 0.05 was used to determine association. Result: A total of two hundred and twenty two respondents were included in the study. The prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children in 02 kebele was 69 (30.9%). From the total 69 under-five children affected by diarrhea, 32 (46.4%) were males and 37 (53.6%) were females. There was significant association between diarrhea morbidity and age of the child (X 2 = 16.42 (p<0.05)), children feeding status (on exclusive breast feeding and complementary feeding) (X 2 = 7.9009 (p<0.05)), hand washing during preparing food for children (X 2 = 49.55 (p<0.001)), and solid waste disposal (X 2 = 21.56 (p<0.001)). Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children in Worabe town was high. There was significant association between risk of having diarrhea with age of the child, exclusive breast feeding and complementary feeding, hand washing when preparing food for children, and solid waste disposal. Health Extension workers, woreda health office, kebele administrators and responsible bodies should educate communities on exclusive breast feeding, hygienic practices while preparing food and feeding children. Further research should be done using qualitative methods.

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Background Undernutrition is a common comorbidity in chronic kidney disease patients which augments the progression of the disease to an end-stage renal disease, renal dysfunction and related morbidity and mortality. However, in Ethiopia, there is a dearth of research evidence in this regard. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and its associated factors among adult chronic kidney disease patients. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected hospitals of Addis Ababa from May to August 2018. Data were collected by structured and pretested questionnaires. Patients’ charts were reviewed from their medical profiles. Body mass index was calculated from anthropometric measurements using calibrated instruments. Serum albumin level was determined by reference laboratory standard procedure. Data were entered into Epi- data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated and presented by tables, graphs and texts. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed and the level of statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05. Results From the total sample size of 403 participants, 371 were involved in the study. The prevalence of undernutrition (BMI<18.5) among adult chronic kidney disease patients was 43.1% (95% CI: 38%-48%). Undernutrition (BMI<18.5) was significantly higher among patients with diabetic nephropathy [AOR = 2.00, 95% CI, 1.09–2.66], serum albumin value less than 3.8g/dl [AOR = 4.21: CI, 2.07–5.07], recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI, 1.03–3.14] and stage V chronic kidney disease [AOR = 3.25:95% CI, 1.00–3.87]. Conclusion Undernutrition in chronic kidney disease patients was significantly higher among patients with diabetic nephropathy, patients on stage V chronic kidney disease, recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and serum albumin value less than 3.8g/dl.