Background Group B streptococcus (GBS) is reported as the leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Newborns from GBS colonized pregnant women are at high risk of infection. Method A Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 05, 2014 to March 25, 2015. A total of 280 pregnant women along with their newborns were screened for GBS using standard method recommended by Center of Disease Control and Prevention. GBS strains were serotyped by using serotype specific antisera. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, obstetrics and clinical data of pregnant women and newborns. Data was analyzed by using chi-square and logistic regression to determine factors associated with prevalence of GBS among pregnant women and newborns. Descriptive statistics was used to determine prevalence of GBS among pregnant women and newborns. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result Prevalence of GBS among pregnant women, newborns and vertical transmission rate at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital were 44(15.7%), 26(8.9%) and 59.1% respectively. Among 26 GBS colonized newborns one developed sign and symptoms of early onset disease. Serotype distribution of GBS isolates collected from pregnant women and newborns was Ia 13(18.6%), Ib 9(12.9%), II 24(34.3%), III 8(11.4%), V 14(20%), and NT 2 (2.9%). Conclusion In our study we found relatively high prevalence of GBS among pregnant women and vertical transmission rate. The most prevalent GBS serotypes identified in this study were serotype II followed by V, Ia and Ib. Therefore, appropriate prevention strategies such as intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccine development should be considered.

Rectovaginal area of pregnant women can be colonized transiently with group B Streptococcus (GBS) without causing disease. the bacteria can be transmitted to the newborn before and during birth and cause early-onset neonatal disease. in this study, we aimed to determine the GBS colonization rate among pregnant women before delivery and their newborns and serotypes distribution of GBS. two hundred-eighty pregnant women along with their newborns were screened for GBS colonization from June 2014 to October 2014 at Adama Hospital Medical College. Rectovaginal swabs from pregnant women before delivery and specimen from nasal area, external ear, umbilical cord and throat of newborns were collected and cultured. The serotyping of GBS was performed by using serotype-specific antisera. to collect sociodemographic and clinical data we employed a structured questionnaire. GBS colonization among pregnant women and their newborns were 13.2% 95% CI (8.9-17.5) and 7.4% 95% CI (4.6-10.6). Out of 37 GBS strains recovered from pregnant women, the prevalent serotypes were Ia 6(16.2%), Ib 8(21.6%), II 10(27%), III 3(8.1%), and V 8(21.6%). Out of 21 GBS strains recovered from newborns, prevalent serotypes were Ia 3(14.3%), Ib 6(28.6%), II 6(28.6%), III 4(19%), and V 1(4.8%). This study indicated the existence of primary risk factors for neonatal disease in Adama area. Serotype ii was the common serotype detected in this study which is followed by serotype Ib, Ia, and V. As colonizing GBS serotypes could cause invasive disease among newborns, vaccine formulation which includes serotype II, Ia, V, Ib, and III can prevent of invasive disease caused by GBS in the study area.

Background: HIV/AIDS pandemic is the world's most deadly disease that has killed more than 25 million people so far. Appropriate antiretroviral viral treatment (ART) reduces mortality and morbidity and enhances quality of life. Adherence to both follow up clinics and drugs is crucial to this effect. Objective: To assess level of adherence to antiretroviral treatment and its determinants among patients on ART in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used. For the study purpose, the region was divided into four strata so that different socioeconomic characteristics of the study population will be represented. List of health facilities that had a case load of >500 patients across the strata was used as sampling frame and health facilities were randomly selected. The Sample size was proportionally assigned to health facilities and every other patient visiting the selected health facility was included and a total of 1632 study participants (age 15 years and above) were interviewed. The patients' follow up chart was used to extract baseline clinical data. Epi Info 7 was used for data entry and analyzed using SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics were used to determine sociodemographic characteristics and level of adherence. Logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of adherence. Results: Ninety seven percent of patients had good adherence to ART. Factors associated with better adherence were housewives (AOR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.30, 19.98), baseline CD4 count <350 cells/ml (AOR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.34) and patients free of addictive substances (AOR: 7.42; 95% CI: 1.46, 37.81). Significant proportions of patients believe that worshiping and holy water ("Tsebel") can cure HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The vast majority (97%) of the respondents were in optimum adherence to the treatment. Various factors were associated with optimum adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Knowledge and attitude of PLWHA towards ART should be addressed carefully.

Background: Persistent dyslipidemia in children is associated with risks of cardiovascular accidents and poor combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) outcome. We report on the first evaluation of prevalence and associations with dyslipidemia due to HIV and cART among HIV-infected Ethiopian children. Methods: 105 cART naïve and 215 treatment experienced HIV-infected children were enrolled from nine HIV centers. Demographic and clinical data, lipid profile, cART type, adherence to and duration on cART were recorded. Total, low density (LDLc) and high density (HDLc) cholesterol values >200 mg/dL, >130 mg/dL, <40 mg/dL, respectively; and/or, triglyceride values >150 mg/dL defined cases of dyslipidemia. Prevalence and predictors of dyslipidemia were compared between the two groups. Results: prevalence of dyslipidemia was significantly higher among cART experienced (70.2%) than treatment naïve (58.1%) children (p = 0.03). Prevalence of low HDLc (40.2% versus 23.4%, p = 0.006) and hypertriglyceridemia (47.2% versus 35.8%, p = 0.02) was higher among cART experienced than naïve children. There was no difference in total hypercholesterolemia and high LDLc levels. Nutrition state was associated with dyslipidemia among cART naïve children (p = 0.01). Conclusion: high prevalence of cART-associated dyslipidemia, particularly low HDLc and hypertriglyceridemia was observed among treatment experienced HIV-infected children. The findings underscore the need for regular follow up of children on cART for lipid abnormalities.

Background: Hospital-acquired infections are one of the major problems in hospitals resulting not only in increased morbidity and mortality but also increased healthcare costs. Inanimate devices are vectors for transmission of nosocomial pathogens.