Background: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) can cause serious and long-lasting consequences for drivers, both in terms of physical and mental health outcomes. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most frequent mental disorder occurring after traumatic exposure. Ethiopian drivers experience RTCs more frequently than other sub-Saharan countries. Despite this prevailing phenomenon, limited attention has been given to PTSD among drivers. Objective: To determine the prevalence of PTSD and associated factors among drivers surviving RTCs in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 402 male drivers who had survived RTCs. The study was conducted in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. All drivers who had survived RTCs in the last year were included in the study. The Trauma Screening Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of PTSD. Data were entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to SPSS 24 for analysis. Results: The response rate of the study was 398(99%). Fifty of 398 (12.6%, 95% CI 9.5%-16.1%) met PTSD criteria based on the questionnaire. A history of near-miss RTCs (AOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.89-6.43), depression (AOR 3.32, 95% CI 1.36-5.12), and severe-risk cannabis use (AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.96-7.52) were significantly associated with PTSD. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of PTSD among drivers surviving RTCs was high compared to the general population. A record of near-miss RTCs, depression, and severe-risk cannabis use shown significant associations with PTSD. Strategies and guidelines must be developed to screen and treat PTSD among drivers surviving RTCs. Drivers with experience of near-miss RTCs, depression, and severe-risk cannabis use should be given priority when screening for PTSD.

Background: Wood dust is one of the most common sources of occupational exposures in the world. Objective:The aim of the present study was to assess respiratory symptoms among woodworkers of Jimma town, Ethiopia, 2018 G.C. Materials and Method:A community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among woodworkers and non-woodworkers in Jimma town, 2018 G.C. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select the exposed study group and convenience sampling technique was used to select the non-exposed group. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the respiratory symptoms. A total of 140 study participants were enrolled in the study. Data were checked for completeness, entered into Epi data version 1.7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed, and results were presented with narratives, tables or figures.Results: Higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms was observed among woodworkers than non-woodworkers. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms like cough (41.4% vs. 10%), phlegm (34.3% vs.14.3%) and chest pain (32.9 vs. 17.1) shows statistically significance differences among exposed to non-exposed groups respectively Conclusion and Recommendation: The higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms among woodworkers needs due emphasis on preventive measures and awareness creation about wood dust-related respiratory symptoms.

Objectives: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the major long-term sequel of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which involves the cardiac valves leading to stenosis or regurgitation with resultant hemodynamic disturbance. The incidence of ARF and prevalence RHD in the sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia are amongst the highest in the world. The main priority of long-term management of ARF or RHD is to ensure that patients are adherent to the secondary prophylaxis which is monthly benzathine penicillin injection to prevent recurrent attacks of ARF. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among sampled 241 RHD patients having at least one year follow-up at cardiac clinic of Jimma Medical Center (JMC) who appointed every month to receive injections of antibiotic prophylaxis. The data was collected for 4 months (from June 1-September 30, 2018) by asking their follow-up status of last one year retrospectively and assessing related variables by using face to face interview. After the data was collected using structured questionnaires, it was coded, entered into Epi data and exported to SPSS for further analysis. The adherence rate of RHD patients was determined by frequency of annual injections of prophylaxis.

Background Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders causing long-term damage to the cardiovascular system which remains asymptomatic among diabetic patients. An electrocardiograph is a simple and first-line tool in the screening of cardiovascular diseases. Objective To assess electrocardiogram abnormality and associated factors among apparently healthy adult type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, 2019. Materials and methods Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 30, 2019, at Jimma Medical Center among selected type 2 diabetes patients. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study participants. The World Health Organization stepwise approach and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were employed to collect basic data. Resting Electrocardiography was done using a standard 12-lead electrocardiograph machine. The collected data were checked for completeness, coded, entered into the Epi-data Version 4.0.2. and exported to SPSS Version 21. Descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations were carried out. Binary and multiple logistic regression was done and a p value of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance. Results A total of 344 type 2 diabetes patients were interviewed and underwent electrocardiography making a 100% response rate. Electrocardiographic abnormality was identified among 209 (61%) of the respondents. Not attending formal education [AOR = 3.07, 95%, CI = 1.37–6.87], solid oil use, [AOR = 1.79, 95%, CI = 1.07–2.98], body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 [AOR = 2.74, 95%, CI = 1.67–4.50] and long duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years [AOR = 3.36, 95%, CI = 1.46–7.71] were associated with electrocardiogram abnormality. Conclusions and recommendation In this study, the majority (3/5th) of the participant had electrocardiogram abnormality. Not attending formal education, longer duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years, solid oil use, and increased body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 were independent predictors of electrocardiographic abnormality. Integrating electrocardiogram screening in routine diabetic management can pick cardiac complications of diabetes.

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