Background: Population based survey study on hypertension risk factors among adults in Ethiopia are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess hypertension risk factors (socio-demographic and behavioural) among adults aged 15-64 years, at Gilgel gibe field research center, 2013. Methods: An analysis of population based cross-sectional survey data on chronic non-communicable diseases was carried on, between March and May 15, 2013 at the Field Center. Four thousand & fifty five individuals (hypertensive=303, non-hypertensive=3752) were involved for analysis. Principal investigator together with data miner extracts the required data. Bivariate analysis of the association between the explanatory and outcome variable were carried out and assessed using Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval; variables in a binary screening found at p-value ≤ 0.25 candidate, and then Multiple logistic regression analysis employed to find out significant socio-behavioural factors associated with being hypertensive, employing Statistical Program for Social Science version 20.0. Result: Four thousand and fifty five (90.7%) out of the planned sample engross in the analysis (hypertensive =7.5%; women 179 (4.4%; Nonhypertensive = 92.5%). And the age groups of 45-54 years were substantial number of suffering hypertension 67(7.8%). Female, able to read and write only, alcohol binge women and vigorous recreational exercise were predictors of hypertension. Men and urban residents were less likely to be hypertensive (Odd Ratio =0.74 and, 0.82, respectively). Current Khat chew was highest among hypertensive (Odd Ratio =1.07(95%CI: 0.84-1.36). Reported risk factor: low fruit &/ or vegetable serve was the highest both in normotensive (42%) & 43% in hypertensive, and total level of physical inactivity was the lowest among hypertensive (1.7%), and current alcohol consumption 5.5% among normotensive. The results of bivariate analysis illustrated female, alcohol binge women and vigorous exercise in leisure were statistically significant with Odd Ratio of (1.35, 6.12 and 2.03) times more likely hypertensive, respectively. Then multivariate analysis, denote the Odd Ratio value of being female was 1.32, able to read and write only 1.60, binge women 6.78 and vigorous recreational activity 2.61 times more likely to have the disease, in the current study. Conclusion & Recommendation: Socio-behavioural risk factors for hypertension were common, so provision of health education & setting up of and strength a surveillance system for hypertension and its risk factors and further extended studies including biological risk factors; is necessary to reduce the burden of hypertension, in the survey population.

Background Tuberculosis is a serious health risk, for people living with human immune deficiency virus worldwide, and the burden of TB/HIV infection is still high in Ethiopia in particular. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the predictors of tuberculosis infection among adults visiting anti-retroviral treatment center in East and West Gojjam, northwest, Ethiopia. Methods Institution based unmatched case-control study was employed to determine the predictors of tuberculosis infection among adults visiting anti-retroviral treatment center in east and west Gojjam, Northwest, Ethiopia from March 7–April 15, 2017. Just about 552 participants were participated in the study (139 Cases and 413 controls). Cases were confirmed with active TB and infected with HIV, and controls were HIV positive adults with non-TB. All cases in each health facility who confirmed by acid-fast bacilli, culture and gene expert were considered as TB positive. However, controls were selected by using simple random sampling technique through the above diagnostic criteria and the data were collected with Face to face interview as well as patient medical record were utilized, and the quality of the data were assured, checked, coded, cleaned and entered in EPI-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for the analysis. Result Of the total sample (556), just about 552(99.2%) were participated in the study. 47.5% were females and 58.9% were rural dweller. Behavioral and modifiable biological risk factors: alcohol users (AOR = 2.33; 95%CI:1.34,4.07), BMI < 18.5 kg/ m2 (AOR = 3.03;95%CI:1.79,5.14), CD4 count ≤200 cells/μl (AOR = 2.34;95%CI:1.89,2.79) and between 201 and 499 cells/μl (AOR = 2.63; 95%CI: 1.01,6.84), bedridden and ambulatory (AOR = 3.3;95%CI:1.70,6.29 and AOR = 8.2;95%CI:4.34,15.64), respectively. TB history in the family (AOR = 3.00; 95%CI: 1.57, 5.74) were predictors for TB infection. Taking CPT (AOR = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.21, 0.62) and having early WHO clinical stage I or II (AOR = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.20, 0.56) had protective effect against TB infection. Conclusion From this study, it has been concluded that alcohol users, BMI < 18.5 kg/m 2 , CD4 count < 499 cells/μl, bedridden and ambulatory and TB history were predictors for TB-HIV co-infected adults. Strengthen screening more frequently, CPT Prophlaxysis and treated promptly important to reduce TB co-morbidity.

Background. Continuum care is a basic package approach for women to receive essential services throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, and it is critical for women and their infants’ survival and well-being. Although it is an effective strategy for improving maternal and child health, it has not been implemented adequately in less developed countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, where 55% of women have been dropped out from the continuum of care. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing maternity continuum care completion and its associated factors within northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Materials and Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study design was considered among 504 women from March 10 to March 30, 2020, using pretested and structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. To select study participants, a simple random sampling technique was used. Data were coded, checked, and entered into EpiData software (V. 4.2), then transferred to SPSS (V. 25) for further analysis. A bivariable analysis with 95% CI was performed, and variables with P 0.25 during binary logistic regression were entered into a multivariable analysis to assess predictors’ independent effect. Results. About 177 (37.6%) women completed maternal continuum care. Women with secondary education and above ( AOR = 2.75 , 95% CI 1.42-5.32), urban residence ( AOR = 2.45 , 95% CI 1.35-4.45), using ambulance transport ( AOR = 3.96 , 95% CI 2.19-7.19), mass media exposure ( AOR = 3.64 , 95% CI 2.02-6.56), and distance from health facilities ( AOR = 3.22 , 95% CI 1.84-5.63) showed significant positive associations with completion of maternity continuum care. Conclusion. However, a higher proportion of mothers completed the continuum of maternity care in the district than Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 (9.1%); further interventions are compulsory to reach the acceptable level. Hence, comprehensive awareness-raising, education, and promotion activities at the community and health facility levels and empowering women in health care and decision-making backing to expand the completion of maternity continuum of care are necessary.

Background:The extended postpartum period is a one-year follow-up period after giving birth, and it is critical for women to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the risk of maternal and child mortality by ensuring safe birth intervals. Many women, however, are unaware that they are at risk for pregnancy throughout this period. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the utilization and associated factors of modern contraceptives during extended postpartum family planning (EPPP) in northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted using 630 samples from October 01 to October 30, 2020, in northwest Ethiopia. The study participants were drawn through a multistage sampling technique and data were collected using structured questionnaires via interview. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.2 and exported into SPSS version 25.0 for management and further analysis. A bivariable logistic regression model was used to identify variables having an association with the outcome variable. In bivariable analysis, variables having P ≤ 0.25 were selected and entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. Finally, in multivariable analysis, variables having P ≤ 0.05 with a 95% CI were declared as significantly associated with the outcome variable. Results: About 60.6% of women were using modern contraceptive during extended postpartum period. Mothers to partner discussion (AOR= 7.

Background: Tuberculosis treatment interruption is a failure of attending two scheduled appointments to collect the drugs in either phase of tuberculosis treatment. Even if TB treatment is crucial to achieve a cure and avoid the emergence of drug resistance, treatment interruption is the most testing and deterring factor for successful tuberculosis treatment and one of the problems leading to the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis. TB treatment interruption is the precursor for loss to follow-up and treatment failure, but the magnitude of this problem is unknown in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was intended to identify determinants of treatment interruption among drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis patients in South Ari district, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based unmatched case control study was conducted from February through April 2020 using 255 samples with a ratio of 2:1 (controls to cases). Data were entered into Epi data version 4.2 and exported for analysis using STATA 14.0 statistical software. The variables having a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were subjected to multivariable logistic regression analysis. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, AORs, 95% CIs, and p-values of <0.05 were used to identify significant variables. Results: The median age was 34 (IQR: 18) years in cases and 29 (IQR: 16) years in control groups. Significant factors that were associated with treatment interruption were alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI; 1.41-6.36); smoking habits (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI; 1.14-6.94); use of traditional medicine (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.05-5.24); co-infected with HIV (AOR=1.58, 95% CI; 1.85-4.29), and waiting time at the health facility ≥30 minutes (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI; 1.31-6.80). Conclusion: Alcohol consumption, waiting time at the health facility ≥30 minutes, smoking habits, used traditional medicine, and HIV co-infected were potential determinants. Enhancing public health education, designing strategies that emphasize patients with HIV coinfection, and reducing waiting times are recommended.

Background Pregnancy and childbirth-related deaths have become a global public health issue and the burden is more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. While several attempts have been made to minimize maternal mortality, the practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness is still inadequate in Ethiopia. As a result, this study was initiated to identify the gaps in birth preparedness and complication readiness practice in Southwest Ethiopia. Objective Aimed to assess the magnitude of birth preparedness, anticipated complication practices, and associated factors among recently delivered women in Mizan-Aman Town, southwestern Ethiopia, 2019. Methods A community-based cross-section study was conducted on 491 recently delivered mothers between May and June 2019. A multistage sampling technique was employed and data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The result was analyzed via SPSS version 25 and binary logistic regression was used to determine the association. Finally, the results were deemed significant when the P-value was <0.05. Results Out of 491 mothers, only 109 (22.2%) of respondents were well prepared for birth and its complications. Having a history of stillbirth 3.646 (AOR: 95% CI: 1.72, 5.65), being informed the term BP/CR from their friends 3.05 (AOR: 95% CI: 1.04, 8.89), being aware of pregnancy danger signs 2.82(AOR:  95% CI: 1.21,6.57) and being aware of two out of four postpartum danger signs 3.571(AOR:  95%  CI: 1.511,8.443) were found to be important predictors of birth preparedness and its complication practice. In addition, having infants birth order between 4–6 and being a housewife mother by occupation were considered as protective factors. Conclusions and Recommendations The status of birth preparedness and its complication was found to be low in this study and, therefore, intensive awareness-raising and promotion activities shall be implemented at the community and health facility level.

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Background. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-aged adults worldwide, including developing countries such as Ethiopia, and the burden of diabetes-related blindness is undeniably posing a massive challenge to the health care system. Diabetes and its micro- and macrovascular complications are becoming more prevalent among Ethiopian diabetics. For that reason, the purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and its predictors among diabetics in Ethiopia. Methods. A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using 494 randomly selected diabetics aged above 18 years at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 2011 through 2014 and was followed until December 2019. The preliminary and longitudinal data was abstracted into demographics, clinical, and physiological attributes using a standardized structured questionnaire. The collected data was entered into the system using EpiData version 4.2 and analyzed using STATA version 14.0. The survival experience of the patients was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survivor function. The predictors of diabetic retinopathy were identified by the Cox proportional hazard model. Bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were computed, and variables having a P value of < 0.05 in the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model were declared as significant predictors of diabetic retinopathy. Results. During the follow-up, the overall incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy was 48 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 40.0–57.0). Age in years (AHR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04), fasting blood sugar level (AHR 1.02; 1.00-1.04), hypertension (AHR 2.61; 95% CI: 1.47-4.63), DM patients who had LDL > 100  mg/dl (AHR 2.73; 95% CI: 1.32-5.64), total cholesterol > 200  mg/dl (AHR 2.22; 95% CI: 1.08-4.55), and positive proteinuria (AHR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.10 -2.73) were found to be the significant predictors of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion. The overall incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy was found to be high in both type 1 and type 2 DM. Age, fasting blood sugar levels, hypertension, proteinuria, dyslipidemia, and high systolic blood pressure were all predictors of the development of diabetic retinopathy. Controlling glycemia, dyslipidemia, proteinuria, and blood pressure is critical for halting the progression of diabetic retinopathy.