The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of self-care behavior and associated factors among heart failure patients. This institutional-based cross-sectional study design was done in Tigray region, Ethiopia. The data collection process was made between February and April 2018. An interviewer assisted structured questionnaire and medical chart review was used to collect the data. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 22. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to identify the predictors ( p < .05). In this study, a total of 408 study subjects was included. The mean age of the participants was 45.4 (±19). The overall prevalence of good self-care behavior was 45.8% (95% CI: 40.9–50.5). Regression analysis revealed that age, educational level, co-morbidity, knowledge about heart failure, and social support were significantly associated with self-care behavior. Healthcare providers should strengthen patient education to improve self-care behavior.

Background Undernutrition and HIV/AIDS are highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia inclusive as linked in a vicious cycle. Thus, several studies have documented that undernutrition among HIV/AIDS patients increases the risk of mortality, decrease survival rates, affect the overall clinical outcome and quality of life. Despite this fact, information about the burden of undernutrition and associated factors among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy is lacking in the particular study area. Hence, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among adult HIV/AIADS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy patients in Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional research design was adopted in data collection while systematic sampling technique was employed to sample and select the study subjects. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 394 study subjects through face to face method. Also, data on demographics, laboratory and anthropometric variables were collected from each selected patients sampled. The data collected were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval were used to find factors associated with undernutrition. The adjusted odds ratio was calculated to show the strength of the association. Variables with p-value of < 0.05 were considered statically significant. Results The mean age of the respondents was 41 (± 10). Out of 394 study respondents, about 42.9% of them were undernourished (95% CI: 37.8–47.7). Respondents who had CD4+ count less than 200 cells/μl (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1–3.36), being advanced clinical staging (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI: 2.11–6.18), and not taking co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.21–4.6) were independently associated with undernutrition. Conclusion The result of this study indicated that the prevalence of undernutrition was high. Respondents with advanced clinical stage of CD4+ count less than 200 cells/ul and those that were not taking co-trimoxazole preventive therapy was found to be positively associated with undernutrition. Therefore, the implementation of nutritional programs is very crucial to improve the nutritional status of HIV/AIDS patients in the particular study.

Background: The care given for the first hours, days, and weeks after childbirth is lifethreatening. So far, this period receives less attention from health-care providers than the care given to pregnancy and delivery. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of early postnatal care service use among mothers who had given birth in the last 12 months in Adigrat Town, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2018 among 481mothers who had given birth in the last 12 months. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data analysis was computed using SPSS version 20. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 was used to determine the level of significance. Results: The proportion of early postnatal care service utilization was 34.3% (95% CI: 29.9%-38.5%). Mothers' use of early postnatal care service was predicted by previous early postnatal care use (AOR=2.

Introduction High prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among pregnant women is the primary source of infection for their children and the general population. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the primary mode of transmission in endemic areas like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infection, rate of MTCT, and associated risk factors among delivering mothers. Methods This health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four public hospitals of the Eastern zone of Tigray among 473 delivering mothers. Structured questionnaires and laboratory results were used to collect the data. The data were checked for completeness and entered into EpiData manager version 4.6.0.0. Then the data were exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval, was estimated to identify predictors of HBV infection using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Significant association was considered at p < 0.05. Results A total of 473 mothers were enrolled, and the response rate was 100%. The prevalence of HBV infection among the mothers and the rate of MTCT of the infection were 11.6% and 30.9%, respectively. History of home delivery [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) (2, 10.6)], history of hospital admission [AOR = 5, 95% CI (2.2, 11.5)], working at health facility [AOR = 5.4, 95% CI (1.4, 20.7)], body tattoos [AOR = 5.8, 95% CI (2.4, 13.6)], sharing personal care materials [AOR = 3.8, 95% CI (1.4, 9.9)], insufficient knowledge [AOR = 5.6, 95% CI (1.6, 19)], and having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [AOR = 5.1, 95% CI (1, 26.2)] were significantly associated with HBV infection. Conclusion HBV infection among delivering women is becoming highly endemic, and the rate of MTCT was high. Therefore, administering hepatitis B vaccine to all neonates within 24 h of birth is mandatory to prevent MTCT of HBV infection and related complications. Furthermore, health education and dissemination of information about HBV for the pregnant mothers are needed to reduce HBV infection and vertical transmission in Ethiopia.

Background: Good knowledge of self-care related to heart failure (HF) is key to improve patient outcomes. However, information regarding how much patients know about self-care is lacking in developing countries, particularly in the study setting. Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess HF patients’ knowledge about self-care and to explore predictors among HF patients in Ayder comprehensive specialised referral hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study design was undertaken in Ayder comprehensive specialised referral hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 408 HF patients participated, and the study was done between February and April 2018. An interviewer-assisted structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to identify the predictors associated with knowledge about self-care. Results: The mean age of the participants was 45.4 years (standard deviation=19 years). Around 255 (62.5%) of the participants had poor self-care knowledge. Age, New York Heart Association classes, duration of the disease and previous hospitalisation were the factors associated with knowledge about self-care. Conclusion: More than half of all participants had poor knowledge about self-care. Improving existing prevention strategies and strengthening patients’ knowledge are recommended to address this knowledge deficit.