Background Noroviruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups globally. The problem is magnified in developing countries including Africa. These viruses are highly prevalent with high genetic diversity and fast evolution rates. With this dynamicity, there are no recent review in the past five years in Africa. Therefore, this review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of noroviruses in Africa and tried to address the change in the prevalence and genetic diverisity the virus has been observed in Africa and in the world. Methods Twenty-one studies for the pooled prevalence, and 11 out of the 21 studies for genetic characterization of norovirus were included. Studies conducted since 2006, among symptomatic cases of all age groups in Africa, conducted with any study design, used molecular diagnostic methods and reported since 2015, were included and considered for the main meta-analysis. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain the studies. The quality the studies was assessed using the JBI assessment tool. Data from studies reporting both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, that did not meet the inclusion criteria were reviewed and included as discussion points. Data was entered to excel and imported to STATA 2011 to compute the prevalence and genetic diversity. Heterogeneity was checked using I2 test statistics followed by subgroup and sensitivity analysis. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and eggers test that was followed by trim and fill analysis. Result The pooled prevalence of norovirus was 20.2% (95% CI: 15.91, 24.4). The highest (36.3%) prevalence was reported in Ghana. Genogroup II noroviruses were dominant and reported as 89.5% (95% CI: 87.8, 96). The highest and lowest prevalence of this genogroup were reported in Ethiopia (98.3%), and in Burkina Faso (72.4%), respectively. Diversified genotypes had been identified with an overall prevalence of GII. 4 NoV (50.8%) which was followed by GII.6, GII.17, GI.3 and GII.2 with a pooled prevalence of 7.7, 5.1, 4.6, and 4.2%, respectively. Conclusion The overall pooled prevalence of norovirus was high in Africa with the dominance of genogroup II and GII.4 genotype. This prevalence is comparable with some reviews done in the same time frame around the world. However, in Africa, an in increasing trained of pooled prevalence had been reported through time. Likewise, a variable distribution of non-GII.4 norovirus genotypes were reported as compared to those studies done in the world of the same time frame, and those previous reviews done in Africa. Therefore, continuous surveillance is required in Africa to support future interventions and vaccine programs.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the predominant way for children to acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide including Ethiopia. Thus, objective of this study was to determine the status of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services utilization and factors affecting PMTCT utilization in health facilities of Afar region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to April 2015 taking 347 pregnant women and 22 health care providers. Data were collected using a questioner prepared separately for pregnant women and health care providers involved in PMTCT service delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS considering P value <0.05 statistical significant. The study indicated that the PMTCT service utilization was 67.7%. The study also showed that there is statistically significant association in using PMTCT service with women education level, monthly income, and residence around PMTCT site. Though not statistically significant, excess waiting time, limited physical access to PMTCT sites, and transportation problem were identified as barriers for PMTCT service utilization by pregnant women. Though knowledge of mothers on MTCT of HIV and PMTCT service utilization in agropostural community of Afar region was promising, there were also different barriers identified hindering PMTCT utilization. Thus, we recommend “Wored” and zonal health office to create awareness on significance of PMTCT service in the community, enhance accessibility of PMTCT sites, provide up-to-date trainings for health care providers, and ensure constant supply for PMTCT service.

Background. Traditional medicine is used by about 80% of the Ethiopian people to meet their healthcare needs. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the community on traditional medicine in Debre Tabor town. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from November 1, 2018, to December 30, 2018, with a face-to-face interview method and involved 402 participants recruited by systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The association of independent and dependent variables was determined by binary logistic regression. Results. Among the participants, 294 (73.13%) were females and 108 (26.87%) were males. The ages of participants ranged from 18 to 80 (mean age of the participants was 35.73 ± 0.59 years). Above three-fourths, 322 (80.1%) of the participants had good knowledge. 158 (39.3%) of the participants had a good attitude and 145 (36.1%) of the participants used traditional medicines in their lifetime for different ailments. From all the participants who use traditional medicine, 41 (28.3%) encountered minor adverse effects. Conclusions. The study participants in Debre Tabor have good knowledge but poor attitude and utilization of traditional medicine.

Background. Gardenia ternifolia is utilized in traditional medicine of Ethiopia for malaria treatment and possessing in vitro antimalarial activity. However, no in vivo study was conducted to substantiate the claim. The aim of this study was to judge the antimalarial activity of Gardenia ternifolia extract in vivo in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Methods. Plasmodium berghei was inoculated to healthy mice, and hydromethanolic crude extract and chloroform fraction of G. ternifolia leaves at 100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day were administered. Percent parasitemia inhibition, percent change in bodyweight, hemoglobin level, and mean survival time were determined. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey HSD test with IBM SPSS software version 20.0 statistical package and P < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results. The chemosuppressive test of hydromethanolic crude extract at 100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day ranged from 27.09% to 67.72%, and chloroform fraction had 35.21%–78.19% parasitemia suppression, respectively. For curative test on day 5, hydromethanolic crude extract at 100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day ranged from 25.58% to 48.76%, chloroform fraction at 100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day and chloroquine base at 10 mg/kg showed 46.36%–74.42% and 92.87% percent parasitemia inhibition, respectively, and also the results to both tests were highly significant ( P < 0.001 ) compared to the negative control. Maximum effects on chemosuppressive, curative, prevention of weight loss, and reduction in hemoglobin were observed at higher doses of the hydromethanolic crude extract and chloroform fraction. Conclusion. From this study, hydromethanolic crude extract and chloroform fraction of G. ternifolia leaves have shown promising antimalarial activity. The findings support the traditional claim of G. ternifolia leaves for malaria treatment; however, species variation could also limit such a straightforward extrapolation of the findings of this study in humans.