BackgroundCurable disease tuberculosis is becoming incurable or difficult to treat due to drug resistance. Multi drug resistance tuberculosis is a major health problem for less developed countries. Development of drug resistance is mainly as result of man related factors and poor lifestyle. Identifying predictors of drug resistance and working on them is the important way of reducing the expansion in high burden countries. Ethiopia is one of TB, TB/HIV, and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) high burden country globally. This study was aimed to assess predictor of MDR-TB in southwest part of Ethiopia.MethodsUnmatched case control study was conducted in case to control ratio of 1:1.2 in southwest part of Ethiopia. The cases were recruited from confirmed MDR-TB patient enrolled on second line treatment in Shenen Gibe Hospital (MDR-TB treatment center of the prefecture) and the controls were recruited from previously TB patients who cured or patient with smear negative at the end of treatment month during the study period in the same area. The data was collected by structured questionnaire by interview and logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of MDR-TB. Odds ratios with 95% CI were computed to determine the predictors.ResultFrom the total 132 participants about 45% of them were cases. None disclosed tuberculosis infected to relatives [AOR = 3.4, 95% CI (1.2–9.8)], insufficient instruction on how to take anti-TB drug [AOR = 4.7, 95% CI (1.4–14.6)], contact history with MDR-TB [AOR = 8.5, 95% CI (2.9–25.5)], interruption of first-line anti-TB treatment for at list 1 day [AOR = 7.9, 95% CI (2.5–24.9)], and having alcohol drinking habits [AOR = 5.1, 95% CI (1.4–18.7)] were identified predictors for MDR-TB infection in study area.ConclusionTB infection disclosure status, insufficient instruction on drug usage, contact history with MDR-TB, interruption of first-line anti-TB drugs, and alcohol drinking habits were identified predictor of MDR-TB case. Therefore, early detection and proper treatment of drug susceptible TB, strengthening directly observed treatment, short-course on daily bases, community involvement, and supporting the patient to intervene identified factors is paramount.

IntroductionDespite unrelenting efforts to contain its spread, COVID-19 is still causing unprecedented global crises. Ethiopia reported its first case on 13 March 2020 but has an accelerated case load and geographical distribution recently. In this article, we described the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Oromia Region, the largest and most populous region in Ethiopia, during the early months of the outbreak.MethodsWe analysed data from the COVID-19 surveillance database of the Oromia Regional Health Bureau. We included all reverse transcription-PCR-confirmed cases reported from the region between 13 March and 13 September 2020.ResultsCOVID-19 was confirmed in 8955 (5.5%) of 164 206 tested individuals. The test positivity rate increased from an average of 1.0% in the first 3 months to 6.3% in August and September. About 70% (6230) of the cases were men; the mean age was 30.0 years (SD=13.3), and 90.5% were <50 years of age. Only 64 (0.7%) of the cases had symptoms at diagnosis. Cough was the most common among symptomatic cases reported in 48 (75.0%), while fever was the least. Overall, 4346 (48.5%) have recovered from the virus; and a total of 52 deaths were reported with a case fatality rate of 1.2%. However, we should interpret the reported case fatality rate cautiously since in 44 (84.6%) of those reported as COVID-19 death, the virus was detected from dead bodies.ConclusionDespite the steady increase in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, Ethiopia has so far avoided the feared catastrophe from the pandemic due to the milder and asymptomatic nature of the disease. However, with the current pattern of widespread community transmission, the danger posed by the pandemic remains real. Thus, the country should focus on averting COVID-19-related humanitarian crisis through strengthening COVID-19 surveillance and targeted testing for the most vulnerable groups.

BackgroundMany countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, are focusing on the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to combat malaria. However, utilization of the LLIN is low when compared with LLIN possession because of various factors. This study was conducted to measure the actual LLIN usage and identify factors associated with its utilization in Limmu Seka District, South West Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 830 households from December 25, 2011 to February 29, 2012.ResultsA total of 830 households were selected by stratified systematic sampling and surveyed. Ninety percent of those surveyed owned LLINs and 68.3% reported that someone had slept under the net on the night prior to the survey. The factors associated with LLIN usage were knowledge of the mode of malaria transmission (AOR; 0.086, 95% CI 0.03, 0.24), the preferred conical shapes of the LLIN (AOR; 1.6, 95% CI 1.31, 4.1), receiving information about their use from Health Extension Workers (HEWs) (AOR; 2.4, 95% CI 1.5, 3.9), hearing media campaigns (AOR; 3.2 95% CI 3.5, 9.2), education at a health facility (AOR; 2 95% CI 1.5, 3.9) or having a family size of three or less (AOR; 2.1, 95% CI 1.3, 3.5).ConclusionAlthough ownership of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets was high at 90%, the actual usage of LLIN was low, and not all family members were protected. Promoting the usage of LLINs utilization by those at most risk, especially the conical shaped ones, through intensified health education using HEWs and mass media campaigns at all health facilities, schools and communities will improve LLIN utilization.

Continual improvement of laboratory quality service is vital to ensure accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of laboratory results. Implementation of the quality management system is an effective way of monitoring and assuring laboratory quality service. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of laboratory quality management system implementation on improving quality laboratory service in the health centers of Oromia region. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 89 health centers from March 27, 2019 to June 30, 2019 in Oromia. Data were collected using a nationally established laboratory quality management system implementation assessment checklist for health center laboratories. It was analyzed by SPSS version 20 and significantly associated variables with improved laboratory quality services were identified. The status of laboratory quality management system implementation in each laboratory was determined by achievement of star levels.Results: Seventy-one (79.8%) of the total health center laboratories achieved star zero, 6 (6.7%) star one and 9 (10.1%) star two. Only 3 (3.4%) of the total participated laboratories achieved star three. Availability of SSOPs (AOR[95% CI]=7.5 ([1.10-51.54])), preventive maintenance (AOR [95% CI]=9.34 ([1.15-80.95])), review of customer satisfaction (AOR[95% CI]= 15 ([2.87-80.82])), verification of results (AOR[95% CI]= 4.07 ([1.16-14.36])), availability of specimen guideline (AOR[95% CI]= 5.91 ([1.48-23.60])), availability of established quality indicators (AOR[95% CI]=5.51 ([1.15-26.43])) and quality plan (AOR[95% CI]=4.69 ([1.37-16.07])) were significantly associated with improved quality of laboratory service. Conclusion and Recommendation: About 20.2% of the health center laboratories provide improved laboratory service and achieved greater than star zero. Availability of SSOP, proper handling of documents, preventive maintenance, staff regular meetings, review of customer satisfaction, quality plan, verification of results, availability of specimen guideline, and availability of established quality indicators were the predictors of quality of laboratory service. Technical and managerial support by regional laboratories, facility management, and regional health bureau is vital for implementation of LQMS to improve laboratory quality services.

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