Background: Khat (an evergreen plant with amphetamine-like properties) and alcohol are widely consumed among the youth of Ethiopia. However, their relationship to risky sexual behaviour is not well described. This study was conducted to describe the magnitude of risky sexual behaviour (unprotected sex and early initiation of sexual activity) and its association with Khat and alcohol consumption in Ethiopian youths.

BackgroundWe describe trends in characteristics and outcomes among adults initiating HIV care and treatment in Ethiopia from 2006-2011.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis of HIV-positive adults (≥15 years) enrolling at 56 Ethiopian health facilities from 2006–2011. We investigated trends over time in the proportion enrolling through provider-initiated counseling and testing (PITC), baseline CD4+ cell counts and WHO stage. Additionally, we assessed outcomes (recorded death, loss to follow-up (LTF), transfer, and total attrition (recorded death plus LTF)) before and after ART initiation. Kaplan-Meier techniques estimated cumulative incidence of these outcomes through 36 months after ART initiation. Factors associated with LTF and death after ART initiation were estimated using Hazard Ratios accounting for within-clinic correlation.Results93,418 adults enrolled into HIV care; 53,300 (57%) initiated ART. The proportion enrolled through PITC increased from 27.6% (2006–2007) to 44.8% (2010–2011) (p < .0001). Concurrently, median enrollment CD4+ cell count increased from 158 to 208 cells/mm3 (p < .0001), and patients initiating ART with advanced WHO stage decreased from 56.6% (stage III) and 15.0% (IV) in 2006–2007 to 47.6% (stage III) and 8.5% (IV) in 2010–2011. Median CD4+ cell count at ART initiation remained stable over time. 24% of patients were LTF before ART initiation. Among those initiating ART, attrition was 30% after 36 months, with most occurring within the first 6 months. Recorded death after ART initiation was 6.4% and 9.2% at 6 and 36 months, respectively, and decreased over time. Younger age, male gender, never being married, no formal education, low CD4+ cell count, and advanced WHO stage were associated with increased LTF. Recorded death was lower among younger adults, females, married individuals, those with higher CD4+ cell counts and lower WHO stage at ART initiation.ConclusionsOver time, enrollment in HIV care through outpatient PITC increased and patients enrolled into HIV care at earlier disease stages across all HIV testing points. However, median CD4+ cell count at ART initiation remained steady. Pre- and post-ART attrition (particularly in the first 6 months) have remained major challenges in ensuring prompt ART initiation and retention on ART.

ObjectiveSurgical site infections (SSIs) were the most common healthcare-associated infection mainly in developing countries. Inappropriate use of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, in terms of antibiotic choice, timing, and duration, can lead to the selection of resistant microorganisms and high costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of antibiotic use, incidence and predictors of SSIs at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ResultsFrom 131 patients, 55.7% were male study participants. Ninety (68.7%) patients received preoperative prophylaxis. Ceftriaxone was the most 76 (84.5%) prescribed agent for prophylaxis. Twenty-seven (20.6%) patients developed surgical site infection. Previous surgery AOR = 3.22 (95% CI [1.14–9.13]) and alcohol use AOR = 7.04 (95% CI [2.56–23.12, p = 0.000]) were independent predictors of SSIs in multivariate logistic regression analysis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3643-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundWarfarin is the most widely used anticoagulant in the world. The difficulty of managing warfarin contributes to great potential for patient harm, both from excessive anticoagulation and insufficient anticoagulation. This study assessed the International Normalized Ratio (INR) control outcome measures and warfarin dose adjustment practices at cardiology and hematology outpatient clinics at a teaching hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was based on a cross - sectional study design involving 360 retrospective patients’ chart review among outpatients who received warfarin for its various indications.ResultsThe mean frequency of INR monitoring per patient was 62.9 days (17.2–143.7 days).Patients spent 52.2%, 29.0% and 18.8% of the time in sub-therapeutic, therapeutic and supra-therapeutic ranges, respectively. The daily warfarin dose was increased 50.9% and 36.9% and decreased in 52.8% and 60.9% of the time for occurrences of sub-therapeutic and supra-therapeutic INRs to achieve target ranges of 2.0–3.0 and 2.5–3.5, respectively.ConclusionThe quality of anticoagulation management with warfarin among outpatients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital was sub-optimal. This was reflected by low Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR), longer than recommended INR monitoring frequency, and minimal actions taken to adjust warfarin dose after occurrences of non-therapeutic INRs.

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Background: Warfarin has been the mainstay oral anticoagulant agent for the last several decades despite its narrow therapeutic index. It is critical for health professionals to have better knowledge and understanding on oral anticoagulant management and on how to give counseling for patients on this therapy. This study assessed healthcare professionals' knowledge and counseling practice on warfarin therapy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH).

Background Patient satisfaction is a widely used indicator to measure quality of pharmacy services. Currently, a transformational pharmacy service called auditable pharmaceutical transactions and services is being implemented nationally in Ethiopia. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the national impact of this system on patient satisfaction. Objective To assess patient satisfaction in hospital pharmacies that have implemented auditable pharmaceutical transactions and services in Ethiopia. Method This is a national study conducted based on a cross-sectional study design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from September 5 to October 5, 2020. The collected data was analyzed using spreadsheet excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The proportions, ratios, and percentages were used for presenting data. A binary logistic regression test was used to determine the association of patient satisfaction with dispensary infrastructure, medicines availability, scores of labeling, and scores of patient knowledge on dispensed medicines. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result A total of 650 participants were included in this study for whom a total of 1422 medicines were prescribed which gives an average of 2.19 medicine per patient. The availability of the prescribed medicines in the pharmacies was 1061 (75%), and the affordability of medicines was 1.93 WD that indicates an unaffordable price. The average written medication labels score of 3.1 out of 8 points and the average patient knowledge score for correct usage of medicines was 4.5 out of 6 points. Overall, 585 (90%) of patients reported being satisfied with pharmacy services; the counseling skill of pharmacists 609 (93.7%), and dispensing area 607 (93.4%) cited the most. The only significantly associated factor for satisfaction was the infrastructure of the pharmacy. Conclusion Overall satisfaction of patients with the auditable pharmaceutical transactions and services implemented in hospital pharmacy services was generally high. The participants were most satisfied with the pharmacist counseling and dispensary area. The medication availability is moderate but the cost is unaffordable. Advanced infrastructures have resulted in a significant improvement in patient satisfaction.

Background: Despite the availability of effective drugs, tuberculosis remains a major public health problem that predominantly affects low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess tuberculosis treatment outcomes among patients treated at one of the primary health care levels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tuberculosis clinic in public primary healthcare facility. The study populations were all patients with tuberculosis who had been completed their treatment course in the center from July 2014 to July 2018. After getting Ethical clearance and permission from the health center, trained data collectors working in the center were recruited. The collected data were checked for completeness every day by the principal investigators. Data were edited, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data while multinomial logistic regression was employed to explore associations among variables of interest, and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 352 patients with tuberculosis were included for the study with a median age of 25 years which ranged from 1 to79 year. Most (36.4%) participants were in the age group of 15 to 24 years. The majority (38.8%) of patients had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, 11.9% of them were HIV positive and only two had family history of tuberculosis. Regarding treatment outcome, 238(67.6%) completed the treatment, 95(27%) cured and the rest were unsuccessful treatment outcomes 19(5.4%) either died, defaulted or treatment failed. The odds ratio for cured in relation to unsuccessful treatment outcome was found to be significantly higher in HIV negative patients (AOR = 6.1; 95%CI 2.1-13.9) compared with those patients tested positive for HIV. While patients with smearpositive pulmonary tuberculosis (AOR = 10.5, 95% CI 5.36-16.31) were significantly associated with the odds of having complete treatment cure as compared to patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Similarly being HIV positive and extrapulmonary tuberculosis were predicting factors for unsuccessful treatment compared with their counterparts. Conclusions: The finding of the present study showed that successful tuberculosis treatment outcome was found to be optimal.