Background:The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented a great threat to the physical and mental health of the general population. Patients with chronic disease have always been vulnerable to stressful life conditions. Therefore, determining the perceived stress and coping strategies among chronic disease patients is crucial to minimize the mental health consequences related to the outbreak. Objective: This study aimed to determine COVID-19-related stress and coping strategies among adults with chronic disease in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 613 randomly selected adults with chronic disease in southwest Ethiopia. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the COVID-19-related stress score and coping strategy types, and independent sample t-tests and ANOVA tests were conducted. Statistical significance was accepted at p-values <0.05. Results: More than two-thirds of study participants (68.4%) were moderately stressed, 13.9% were severely stressed, and 17.8% had low levels of perceived stress. Active coping (β=1.238, 95% CI: 0.0 to 2.477), denial (β=3.678, 95% CI: 2.44 to 4.915), behavioral disengagement (β=3.669, 95% CI: 2.193 to 5.146), self-blame (β=1.722, 95% CI: 0.146 to 3.297), and religion (β=3.443, 95% CI: 2.028 to 4.858) coping strategies positively predicted the COVID-19-related stress score. Only the acceptance coping strategy (β=−2.710, 95% CI: −3.926 to −1.493) negatively predicted the COVID-19-related stress score. Conclusion: Significant numbers of participants suffered from moderate to severe perceived stress levels due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategy types were significantly associated positively and negatively with perceived stress score among adults with chronic disease. There were significant differences in the mean scores of perceived stress and categories of variables such as family size, duration of disease, and age of the participants.

Background: Globally, 350 million people are suffering from depression. Many people suffering from depression use different sources of help for their problems. People with different mental health problems seek help from formal and/or informal sources. This gives crucial information on community beliefs and perception regarding their preference for help. This study helps to guide effective planning and provision of mental health services, and health policy of the country to explore the community's preference to different sources of help. Objective: The aim was to contrast patterns of formal and informal help-seeking preferences for depression among residents of Aykel town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study included 832 participants. We used a major depressive disorder case vignette and general help-seeking questionnaire (GHSQ) to assess preference to seek help. Study participants were selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. An independent sample t-test and analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was performed. Results: A total of 656 subjects (78.8%) showed high propensity to intimate partner, and 655 (78.7%) of the study subjects had high propensity to mental health professional. The mean score of the residents' preference to seek help from informal sources was 3.41±0.60. The mean score of preference to seek help from formal sources was 3.18±0.75. A total of 276 (33.2%) subjects showed high propensity to both informal and formal sources of help. The results also showed there was a mean score difference in preference for informal help between subjects with strong social support and low and moderate social support (P<0.001). Conclusion:The result suggests that the majority of the residents had a higher preference to seek help from informal sources than formal sources of care. Providing and strengthening both formal and informal sources of help in conjunction are crucial to get a more qualified and effective care for depressed patients.

Background Common mental disorders are the major public healthproblem that affects mothers with young children. Although there were a number of studies done on maternal mental health problems, they were largely focused on perinatal period. However, there is scarcity of information on the magnitude and correlates of these mental health problems beyond perinatal period and due concern is not given mainly in LMICs including our country. Objective To assess the prevalence and factors associated with common mental disorderamong mothers of under-five year children at Arbaminch town, South Ethiopia, 2019. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in May and June 2019 at Arbaminch town. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 776 participants. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess common mental disorder (CMD). Data was coded and entered in EPIDATA3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated to common mental disorder. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant and strength of the association was presented by adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Result The prevalence of common mental disorder among mothers with children aged below five years was 36.6% with (95% CI, 33.2, 39.9). Being single/divorced/widowed [AOR = 3.64, 95% CI:(1.47, 8.99), chronic medical illness [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI:(2.10, 5.04)], exposure to two/more stressful events [AOR = 1.62, 95% CI:(1.11, 2.36)], poor social support [AOR = 2.59, 95% CI:(1.62, 4.14)], mothers living with cigarette smoker husband [AOR = 2.03, 95% CI:(1.19, 3.47)], and mothers physically abused by their spouse [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI:(1.49, 3.74)] were factors associated with common mental disorder. Conclusion and recommendation The prevalence of common mental disorder was high among mothers with children aged below five years compared to the general population. Being single/divorced/widowed, chronic medicalillness, exposure to two/more stressful events, poor social support, mothers living with cigarette smoker husbandand physically abuse by their spouse were factors associated with common mental disorder. Early detection and management of these maternal mental health problems is vital for mothers’ wellbeing as well as growth and development of children.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and it is highly related with diminished HRQOL in Ethiopia; diabetic related complications especially bring major negative impacts on HRQOL. Objective: To assess HRQOL and associated factors among type two diabetic patients in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, north east Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 417 patients through systematic random sampling technique from February 08 to April 08, 2020. WHO HRQOL 26 items were used to measure outcome variable. Face-to-face interview, document review and measurement were implemented to collect data. The data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 and summarized by using tables. Simple linear regression analysis was done and forwarded to multivariable linear regression analysis at p-value <0.25. Next multivariable linear regression analysis was done and variables whose p-value less than 0.05 with unstandardized B-coefficient were declared significant predictor variables. Results: The mean scores of physical domain, psychological domain, environmental domain and social domain were 48±6.7 (47-49), 52±4.2 (50-52.3), 48.9±3.4 (48-50.4) and 49±4 (48-50), respectively. As age increased by one year, patients' physical HRQOL decreased by 0.031 factor, keeping effect of other variables constant [−0.031, 95% CI (−0.050 to-0.013)]. As duration of diabetes increased by one year, patients' physical HRQOL increased by 0.034 factor, keeping effect of other variables constant [0.034, 95% CI (0.004 to 0.065)]. In general, age, depression, perceived social stigma, self-employed, having two complications, widowed, insulin and oral anti-diabetic medication affected HRQOL negatively and duration of diabetes in physical domain and university level of education in environmental domain affected HRQOL positively. Conclusion and Recommendation: The mean score of health-related quality of life in physical health domain, psychological health domain, social health domain and environmental health domain was recorded nearly half score point out of a hundred. Health professionals should follow a holistic approach to management to address negatively associated predictor variables with HRQOL.

Background Epilepsy is strongly associated with an impaired quality of life. Patients suffering from epilepsy have a poorer quality of life than both the general population and many other chronic disease sufferers. However, attention is not given on the quality of life of people with epilepsy other than focusing on symptom reduction. This increases the frequency of seizures, impacts on the ability to perform and increases health-related costs. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and associated factors among patients with epilepsy attending the outpatient department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted between May and June 2019 at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to get a total number of 447 samples. Data on quality of life was assessed through interviews using the World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) Version. The collected data were coded, entered into EpiData 3.1, and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis models were fitted and the unstandardized β coefficient at 95% confidence interval was employed. The statistical significance was accepted at p -value <0.05. Results The mean score of quality of life was 61.1±11.6 (95%CI: 59.05, 61.23). Perceived stigma (β=−2.13, 95%CI:–2.96, −1.30), frequent seizure (β=−3.16, 95%CI: -4.27, −2.04), AED adherence (β=1.24, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.30), antiepileptic drug side effect (β=−0.32, 95%CI: -0.38, −0.26), anxiety (β-1.91, 95%CI: –2.95, −0.86), depression (β=−3.59, 95%CI: –4.67, −2.52), poor social support (β=−2.51, 95%CI: –3.62, −1.40) and moderate social support (β=−1.60, 95%CI: –2.58, −0.62) were significantly associated factors with quality of life. Conclusion The finding from this study indicated that quality of life of patients with epilepsy were moderate. Perceived stigma, frequent seizure, comorbid depression and anxiety, antiepileptic drug nonadherence, antiepileptic drug side effect and poor social support were the predictors of quality of life.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at three selected hospitals in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at

Background COVID-19 is a global pandemic and a major health crisis affecting several nations. Such outbreaks are associated with adverse mental health consequences to any group of the population. Despite its negative effects, no study has addressed the potential psychological impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak among the pastoral community. This study aims to assess psychological experiences during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak and the factors that contributed to it among pastoral community residents in West Omo, South-West Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from May to June 2020. The study subjects were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, and entered into EpiData 3.1, then exported to SPSS version 24 for statistical analysis. The psychological impact was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). P-value < 0.20 during bi-variable analysis was considered as a candidate for multivariable logistic regression. Independent factors of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level s at P-value < 0.05 cut-off point. Results A total of 845 eligible pastoral residents were interviewed, with a 94.4% response rate. The prevalence of a positive response for anxiety, depression and stress was 30.8%, 26.3% and 24.4%, respectively. Being female was highly associated with developing anxiety and depression. Anxiety was found to be three times more prevalent among the respondents with ≥ 3 family members. Furthermore, participants with a history of mental illness, poor social support, and a high perceived life threat were also at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress. Conclusion The prevalence of positive depression, anxiety and stress results were high. As a result, special attention should be paid, by governmental and non-governmental health organizations, to psychosocial and mental health programs for pastoral residentsduring the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Almost 1.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight or obese, while 462 million are underweight. These are primarily found in countries with low and middle-incomes, like Ethiopia. Under nutrition is the frequent health problem among peoples living with HIV/AIDS, however no large-scale research, including a number of health facilities has been conducted in Ethiopia. So this study aimed to assess the nutritional status and under nutrition related factors among HIV/AIDS patients attending ART follow-up in public hospitals of Bench Sheko zones, south west, Ethiopia.Methods: In November/2020, a cross-sectional facility study design was carried out in all public hospitals in the Bench Sheko zone. To pick the study participants, a systematic sampling technique was used. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews and entered into Epi-data 3.1, then exported to SPSS version 24 for statistical analysis. In order to identify the candidate and independent determinants of under-nutrition, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out respectively. Independent determinants of under-nutrition were measured using adjusted odds ratio with their corresponding 95% confidence level at P-value of < 0.05 cut of point.Results: A total of four hundred two adult HIV-positive patients who were attending in ART clinics were participated with 98% response rate. The proportion of under nutrition (BMI<18.5 kg/m2), normal nutrition (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and overweight or obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) patients were 29.2% [95% CI: (24.6-33.5)], 61.2% [95% CI: (56.5-66.3)], and 9.6% [95% CI: (6.6-12.9)] respectively. Out of under nutrition patients, severe malnutrition (BMI<16 kg/m2) accounted of 5.6%. Factors food insecurity [AOR: 3.26, 95% CI: (1.79-5.92)], poor ART adherence [AOR: 4.22, 95% CI: (1.47-12.14)], CD4 cell count ≤ 200 [AOR: 5.73, 95% CI: (2.45-13.13)], and substance user [AOR: 4.11, 95% CI: (2.31-7.30)] was independent factors of under nutrition.Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of malnutrition was high compared to other settings. The government should also pay due attention to improving the treatment of HIV/AIDS by offering nutritional support services in hospitals. Moreover policymaker and heath care professionals consider the effects of these factors for nutrition while providing ART service.