BackgroundHypertension is the major contributor to cardiovascular diseases related morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure is not well controlled in the majority of patients with both diabetes and hypertension. The main objective of this study was to assess blood pressure control and its determinants among diabetes mellitus co- morbid hypertensive ambulatory patients.MethodsHospital based cross sectional study was conducted among diabetes mellitus co-morbid hypertensive ambulatory adult patients based on the inclusion criteria. Patient specific data was collected using structured data collection tool. Data was analyzed using statistical software package, SPSS version 20.0. To identify the independent predictors of blood pressure control, multiple stepwise backward logistic regression analysis was done. Statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05. Patient’s written informed consent was obtained after explaining the purpose of the study. Patients were informed about confidentiality of the information obtained.ResultsFrom a total of 131 study participants 51.14% were males with the mean (SD) age of the 50.69 ± 13.71. The mean duration of time since the diagnosis of hypertension was 7.44 ± 5.11 years. The mean (SD) SBP was 149.79 ± 16.32 mmHg, while the mean (SD) DBP was 89.77 ± 9.34 mmHg. More than one fourth (25.20%) of study participants had a controlled SBP, while about 27.48% had a controlled DBP. The overall control of BP was achieved in about 57 (43.51%) of the study participants. Older age (≥50 years) (AOR = 2.06; 95% CI: 2.65–7.79; P = 0.002), female gender (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.19–2.14; P = 0.042), duration of hypertension (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.27, 8.31, P = 0.02), non-adherence (AOR 2.05; 95% CI: 2.61–9.33; P = 0.01) and uncontrolled blood sugar(AOR = 1.65; 95% CI: 2.14–3.32; P = 0.04) are independent predictors for uncontrolled blood pressure.ConclusionsBlood pressure control to target goal was suboptimal in the study area. Diabetic patients who were older, female, live longer duration with hypertension, non-adherent to their medications and poor glycemic control were more likely to have uncontrolled BP. Therefore, more effort should be dedicated to control the blood pressure in diabetics.

Background: Concomitant use of several drugs for a patient is often imposing increased risk of drug–drug interactions. Drug–drug interactions are a major cause for concern in patients with cardiovascular disorders due to multiple co-existing conditions and the wide class of drugs they receive. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of potential drug–drug interactions and associated factors among hospitalized cardiac patients at medical wards of Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among hospitalized cardiac adult patients based on the inclusion criteria. Patient-specific data were collected using structured data collection tool. Potential drug–drug interaction was analyzed using Micromedex 3.0 DRUG-REAX ® System. Data were analyzed using statistical software package, version 20.0. To identify the independent predictors of potential drug–drug interaction, multiple stepwise backward logistic regression analysis was done. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value < 0.05. Written informed consent from patients was obtained and the patients were informed about confidentiality of the information obtained. Results: Of the total 200 patients, majority were male (52.50%) and with a mean(±standard deviation) age of 42.54(±7.89) years. Out of 673 patients’ prescriptions analyzed, 521 prescriptions comprised potential drug interactions and it was found that 967 drug interactions were present. The prevalence rate of potential drug–drug interactions among the study unit was 4.83 per patient and 1.44 per prescription regardless of the severity during their hospital stay. Overall the prevalence rate of potential drug interactions was 74.41%. Older age (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.067 (2.33–27.12), p = 0.049), long hospital stay (⩾7 days) (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.80 (1.71–4.61), p = 0.024), and polypharmacy (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.64 (0.66–4.11), p = 0.041) were independent predictors for the occurrence of potential drug–drug interactions. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of potential DIs among hospitalized cardiac patients in medical wards due to the complexity of pharmacotherapy. The prevalence rate is directly related to age, number of prescribed drugs, and length of hospital stay. Pharmacodynamic drug–drug interaction was the common mechanism of drug–drug interactions. Therefore, close monitoring of hospitalized patients is highly recommended.

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: Pharmaceuticals waste is a public safety concern, resulting in a possible accidental poisoning, misuse, and environmental pollution. Thus, appropriate disposal of the damaged and expired medicines would save lives and protect the ecological system. Objective: The study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and disposal practices of pharmaceuticals waste among practitioners in private retail outlets. Method: A facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among private practitioners in retail outlets of Jimma city from November 20 to December 19, 2018. All private drug retail outlets and the respective staffs that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires. Results: Of 106 questionnaires distributed to practitioners, 87 completed questionnaires returned, making a response rate of 82.1%. Fifty-nine (67.8%) of the participants reported that at least one type of damaged or expired medicines was present in their store. The main reasons for the damage or expiration include inappropriate storage practices, 32 (29.1%), and receiving medicines with a near expiration date, 42 (38.2%). Concerning knowledge about disposal practices, 70 (41.7%) and 47 (38.2%) of the participants, respectively, reported that safe disposal of damaged or expired medicines would prevent environmental pollution and illegal use. Regarding disposal practice, 47 (38.2%) of the respondents reported burning separately, and 24 (19.5%) of them reported burying underground. Fifty-two (59.8%) of the total participants strongly agreed that they had a responsibility to protect environmental pollution. Conclusions: The majority of the participants knew that the appropriate disposal of pharmaceuticals waste could protect human beings and ecological systems. However, a majority of the respondents disposed of the pharmaceuticals waste at the retail pharmacy.

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.