Background: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) can cause serious and long-lasting consequences for drivers, both in terms of physical and mental health outcomes. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most frequent mental disorder occurring after traumatic exposure. Ethiopian drivers experience RTCs more frequently than other sub-Saharan countries. Despite this prevailing phenomenon, limited attention has been given to PTSD among drivers. Objective: To determine the prevalence of PTSD and associated factors among drivers surviving RTCs in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 402 male drivers who had survived RTCs. The study was conducted in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. All drivers who had survived RTCs in the last year were included in the study. The Trauma Screening Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of PTSD. Data were entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to SPSS 24 for analysis. Results: The response rate of the study was 398(99%). Fifty of 398 (12.6%, 95% CI 9.5%-16.1%) met PTSD criteria based on the questionnaire. A history of near-miss RTCs (AOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.89-6.43), depression (AOR 3.32, 95% CI 1.36-5.12), and severe-risk cannabis use (AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.96-7.52) were significantly associated with PTSD. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of PTSD among drivers surviving RTCs was high compared to the general population. A record of near-miss RTCs, depression, and severe-risk cannabis use shown significant associations with PTSD. Strategies and guidelines must be developed to screen and treat PTSD among drivers surviving RTCs. Drivers with experience of near-miss RTCs, depression, and severe-risk cannabis use should be given priority when screening for PTSD.

Background Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders causing long-term damage to the cardiovascular system which remains asymptomatic among diabetic patients. An electrocardiograph is a simple and first-line tool in the screening of cardiovascular diseases. Objective To assess electrocardiogram abnormality and associated factors among apparently healthy adult type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, 2019. Materials and methods Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 30, 2019, at Jimma Medical Center among selected type 2 diabetes patients. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study participants. The World Health Organization stepwise approach and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were employed to collect basic data. Resting Electrocardiography was done using a standard 12-lead electrocardiograph machine. The collected data were checked for completeness, coded, entered into the Epi-data Version 4.0.2. and exported to SPSS Version 21. Descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations were carried out. Binary and multiple logistic regression was done and a p value of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance. Results A total of 344 type 2 diabetes patients were interviewed and underwent electrocardiography making a 100% response rate. Electrocardiographic abnormality was identified among 209 (61%) of the respondents. Not attending formal education [AOR = 3.07, 95%, CI = 1.37–6.87], solid oil use, [AOR = 1.79, 95%, CI = 1.07–2.98], body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 [AOR = 2.74, 95%, CI = 1.67–4.50] and long duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years [AOR = 3.36, 95%, CI = 1.46–7.71] were associated with electrocardiogram abnormality. Conclusions and recommendation In this study, the majority (3/5th) of the participant had electrocardiogram abnormality. Not attending formal education, longer duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years, solid oil use, and increased body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 were independent predictors of electrocardiographic abnormality. Integrating electrocardiogram screening in routine diabetic management can pick cardiac complications of diabetes.

Background: Thyroid disorders refer to benign or malignant condition affecting the structure and function of the thyroid gland that may present as a derangement of thyroid hormone secretion, thyroid enlargement or pain. Thyroid disease is a global health problem and the most common type of endocrine disorders next to diabetic mellitus accounting around 30% to 40% burden of the endocrine disorder.Objective: The present study was aimed to assess the magnitude and pattern of thyroid disorders among patients with anterior neck mass visiting Jimma Medical Center (JMC) based upon clinical decision and serum levels of thyroid function test (TFT) in 2018 G.C. Methods:A cross-sectional study was employed among the sampled 239 patients, with anterior neck mass visiting JMC. Data was collected after written and informed consent was obtained by using structured questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory measurements. TFT was done by measuring serum TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels by electro-chemiluminescence immune assay method at JMC laboratory. Data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. The data was processed, summarized and presented in the form of narratives, tables, graphs or figures.Result: A total of 239 patients with anterior neck mass visiting outpatient clinic of JMC were recruited in the study with mean age of 41.83 ± 17.52 SD years ranged from 18 to 90 years. Majority of the patients were females 212 (88.7%) while the left 27 (11.3%) were males; 155 (64.8%) of the study subjects were living in rural part while the rest 84 (35.2%) were from urban. Majority of the patients were belonged to stage II [117 (48.9%)] while others were allocated to stage III [86 (36%)], stage IB [30 (12.6%)] and stage IA [6 (2.5%)]. The mean of TSH was 0.95±49 and 0.83± 56 among males and females respectively while the mean of FT3 (4.58±38 vs. 4.27±86 vs.) and FT4 (15.47±92 vs. 14.98±44) among males and females respectively. The magnitude of signs and symptoms of patients with highest frequency were heat intolerance, irregular pulse, palpitation, cold intolerance, tachycardia, hypertension, weight gain, swelling, poor memory, weight loss and menstrual irregulaty. The discriminated types of thyroid disorders were euthyroidism 83 (34.7%), sub-clinical hypothyroidism 46 (19.2%), sub-clinical hyperthyroidism 42 (17.6%), hypothyroidism 35 (14.6%) and hyperthyroidism 33 (13.8%). Conclusion and Recommendation:Continous assessment of patients with anterior neck mass needs due emphasis for the overall management modality in preventing morbidity and mortality associated due to systemic exacerbation of the disease.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of electrolyte disorders and influencing factors among cancer patients in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma Medical Center (JMC). Eighty-four cancer patients admitted to JMC were recruited for this study. A structured questionnaire and serum electrolyte measurements were used for data collection. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression was employed to determine the association between electrolyte disorders and associated factors among admitted cancer patients. P value ⩽ 0.05 was used as a cut point to declare statistical significance. Result: The overall prevalence of electrolyte disorders was 60.7%. The presence or absence of comorbid diseases, age, body mass index (BMI), nutritional status, and current prescribed medication use were associated with electrolyte disorders. Younger patients had lower odds for electrolyte disorders (odds ratio (OR) = 0.128 (P value = 0.05) and OR = 0.08 (P value = 0.033)) for the first and the second quartile, respectively. Underweight patients had a threefold likelihood to develop electrolyte disorders (OR = 3.13 (P value = 0.043)) than having normal BMI. Compared with those in need of nutritional intervention, patients not in need of nutritional intervention had lower odds for the disorders (OR = 0.109 (P value = 0.006)). Medication had increased the likelihood of electrolyte disorders by 5.5 times than with no medication (P value = 0.023). Those who had comorbid disease had 10 times likely to develop electrolyte disorders than those who did not have comorbid diseases (P value = 0.004). Conclusion: Electrolyte disorders were prevalent in cancer patients. Age, BMI, nutritional condition, comorbid disease, and prescribed drugs were the predictors of electrolyte disorders in cancer patients. Authors recommend routine screening of electrolyte disorders in cancer patients and special emphasis on controlling and managing risk factors.

Introduction: Around 4500 Ethiopians die every year due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs). Various factors contributed for high prevalence as well as fatality of RTAs in Ethiopia including the road safety, the vehicles condition, the driver’s condition, the legislation and its implementation. Driver related factors collectively including visual impairment and substance use contribute for 82% RTAs. Although there are various measures to intervene RTAs, the magnitude of visual impairment and substance use disorders among drivers of public transportation in Jimma Zone are not known objectively. Objective: The main aim of the present study was to assess magnitude of visual impairment and substance use disorders and, their association with road traffic accident among drivers of public transportation in Jimma Zone. Methodology: Cross sectional study design was employed among 398 licensed drivers. Drivers were approached while waiting their turn using systematic random sampling technique. Interviewer-administered questionnaire and measurement of visual functions were used for data collection. Data were entered toEpi-data 4.4.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 25 for statistical analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: In the present study prevalence of self-reported road traffic accident (RTA) for the last one year was 35.7% (95% CI=31.02% to 40.38%). Among drivers, sixteen (4%) and 28 (7%) of them had color vision abnormality and subnormal depth perception respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: In conclusion, the present study revealed that there were statistically significant association between RTA and, severe khat use disorder, moderate alcohol use disorder, stereopsis abnormality, work schedule, color vision and marital status of drivers. There were also statistically significant association between age of drivers and occurrence of road traffic accident. We suggest eye examination in drivers whose age is greater than fifty years. We recommend transport authority officials to use efforts to tackle the use of substances among drivers and night driving.