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.

This review pooled the magnitude of inguinal hernia based on the available population-based studies conducted throughout the world. We have searched for population-based articles reporting the magnitude of inguinal hernia on PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Google Scholar. Random-effect meta-analysis was carried out to pool the magnitude of inguinal hernia and its proportion between male and female subjects. To determine the presence of between-study heterogeneity, I2 and Cochran’s Q methods were employed. Publication bias was evaluated by the Egger test and visual examination of a funnel plot. All statistical tests were conducted by Stata version 16 software. Ten population-based studies with a total population of 51,304,093 were incorporated to pool the magnitude of inguinal hernia. The pooled prevalence of inguinal hernia was 7.7% (95% confidence interval: 6.06–9.34). Subgroup analysis showed that the highest pooled prevalence of inguinal hernia (12.72%) was observed in Asia, On the contrary, the lowest pooled prevalence emanated from America, 4.73%. The pooled prevalence of inguinal hernia in males is far higher than females. It was, respectively, 9.61% (95% confidence interval: 6.46–12.76) and 1.31% (95% confidence interval: 0.36–2.26) for males and females. The current meta-analysis revealed a higher burden of inguinal hernia. This finding glares the light that giving greater attention to inguinal hernia is required. It is recommended to identify the significant causes of inguinal hernia and design appropriate prevention as well as management strategies.

Background. The global prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing, and the risk of lung cancer in these patients is high. The use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in COPD patients could help to decrease potential lung cancer risk. We planned to conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the role of ICS in the risk of lung cancer among COPD patients. Methods. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library and a manual search of the list of references were conducted. Studies with cohort, case-control, and randomized clinical trial designs for any ICS use reporting the incidence/hazard ratio (HR) of lung cancer were included. The random-effects model was used to pool hazard ratios. Subgroup analysis and metaregression analysis were employed. Funnel plot and Egger regression test were used to assess publication bias. Results. Combining the results of 14 observations, the pooled HR for cancer risk reduction was 0.69 (95% CI 0.59-0.79), p value ≤ 0.001. The use of ICS in COPD patients showed a 31% reduction in the risk of lung cancer. Subgroup meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in the risk of lung cancer as well. Conclusion. The use of ICS in COPD patients reduces the risk of lung cancer. The risk reduction was independent of smoking status and latency period. Future studies should focus on the optimum dose and controlling confounders like asthma.

Introduction: Around 4500 Ethiopians die every year due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs). Various factors contributed for high prevalence as well as fatality of RTAs in Ethiopia including the road safety, the vehicles condition, the driver’s condition, the legislation and its implementation. Driver related factors collectively including visual impairment and substance use contribute for 82% RTAs. Although there are various measures to intervene RTAs, the magnitude of visual impairment and substance use disorders among drivers of public transportation in Jimma Zone are not known objectively. Objective: The main aim of the present study was to assess magnitude of visual impairment and substance use disorders and, their association with road traffic accident among drivers of public transportation in Jimma Zone. Methodology: Cross sectional study design was employed among 398 licensed drivers. Drivers were approached while waiting their turn using systematic random sampling technique. Interviewer-administered questionnaire and measurement of visual functions were used for data collection. Data were entered toEpi-data 4.4.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 25 for statistical analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: In the present study prevalence of self-reported road traffic accident (RTA) for the last one year was 35.7% (95% CI=31.02% to 40.38%). Among drivers, sixteen (4%) and 28 (7%) of them had color vision abnormality and subnormal depth perception respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: In conclusion, the present study revealed that there were statistically significant association between RTA and, severe khat use disorder, moderate alcohol use disorder, stereopsis abnormality, work schedule, color vision and marital status of drivers. There were also statistically significant association between age of drivers and occurrence of road traffic accident. We suggest eye examination in drivers whose age is greater than fifty years. We recommend transport authority officials to use efforts to tackle the use of substances among drivers and night driving.

Background: Sleepiness, the most frequent sub-type of sleep disorders, is an excessive daytime sleepiness which commonly affects commercial drivers than the general population. It contributes to the high prevalence of Road Traffic due to its impact related to psychological stress, decreased productivity and increased risk of accidents both in & out of Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study was designed to elucidate the level of daytime sleepiness and its attributes to contribute to the prevention actions of country’s strategy. Objective: To describe the prevalence and associated factors of daytime sleepiness among commercial vehicle drivers in EthiopiaMethods: Data were collected from 398 randomly selected participants using a validated and pretested questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristics and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), which assesses daytime sleepiness prevalence. All data were entered into EpiData and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 software whereby measurements of central tendencies and logistic regressions were used to report the results.Results: Overall, 398 public drivers were enrolled into the study making 99% response rate with the mean age of 32.1 years (SD ± 9.1) and 20-29 year modal class. The driving years of the majority (47%) were reported in 0-4 year class. The prevalence of the daytime sleepiness was 21.7% among the study subjects. In final model of logistic regression drivers’ work experience (AOR=13.96, CI=1.18, 11.1, p=0.04), substance users like Tobacco (AOR=2.9, CI=1.1, 7.6, p=0.03) & Alcohol (AOR=6.12, 95% CI=2.32, 6.12, P=0.00), and drivers’ monthly income (AOR=2.49, 95%CI=1.02, 6.06, P=0.04) were demonstrated an association with day time sleepiness.Conclusions: The prevalence of day time sleepiness was relatively high in the studied population group, and factors linked to the problem are driving experiences, substance use and middle level of monthly income. Therefore, we recommend further studies on impacts of day time sleepiness and strategic action on the reduction of the relation.

Background Even though previous systematic reviews have reported on the role of prenatal vitamin D on birth outcomes, its effect on child growth is poorly understood. Objective To synthesize a systematic summary of the literature on the effect of maternal vitamin D supplementation on the linear growth of under-five children. Method This study includes studies (both observational and interventional with a control group) that evaluated the effects of prenatal vitamin D status on child linear growth. The mean child length/length for age with 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled as the weighted mean difference using a random-effects model. A funnel plot was used to assess potential publication bias. Results A total of 45 studies and 66 reports covering a total population of 44,992 (19,683 intervention or high vitamin D group, and 25,309 control or low vitamin D group) were analyzed. Studies spanned from 1977 to 2022. The pooled weighted mean difference was 0.4 cm (95% CI: 0.15–0.65). A subgroup analysis, based on vitamin D supplementation frequency, showed that mothers who supplemented monthly or less frequently had a 0.7 cm (95% CI: 0.2–1.16 cm) longer child. Supplementation with a dose of >2000 international units increased child length at birth. The weighted mean difference was 0.35 cm (95% CI: 0.11–0.58). Conclusion The evidence from this review shows that maternal supplementation of vitamin D is associated with increased birth length. This is apparent at higher doses, low frequency (monthly or less frequent), and during the second/third trimester. It appears that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy is protective of future growth in under-five children. Clinical trials are needed to establish evidence of effectiveness for the frequency and dose of supplementation.

Background Psychiatric patients have two to three-fold higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as compared to the general population. Despite the high rate of cardiovascular disease, about 80% of patients with psychiatric disorders have fewer opportunities for cardiovascular disease screening. Early detection of subclinical cardiovascular disease using an electrocardiogram can improve the clinical outcomes of these patients. However, in Ethiopia, no previous study had been conducted on electrocardiogram abnormalities and associated factors among psychiatric patients. Hence, this study aimed to assess the electrocardiogram abnormalities and associated factors among psychiatric patients attending follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among psychiatric patients attending Jimma Medical Center Psychiatry Clinic from October 14 to December 10, 2021. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, behavioral factors, disease-related and medication-related data. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured following the standard protocols. A resting 12 lead ECG was recorded according to the standard recording protocol of the Minnesota code. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25. Results of the descriptive analysis were summarized by frequencies, means, and proportions, and presented by using tables and figures. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result A total of 315 psychiatric patients were included in the present study. The mean age (SD) of the respondents was 36.27 ± 10.85 years. ECG abnormalities were identified among 191 (60.6%) respondents. Age older than 40 years [AOR = 3.31: 95% CI 1.58–6.89], treatment with antipsychotics [AOR = 4.16: 95% CI 1.25–13.79], polytherapy [AOR = 3.13: 95% CI 1.15–8.62], having schizophrenia [AOR = 3.11: 95% CI 1.20–8.11], and illness duration of > 10 years [AOR = 4.25: 95% CI 1.72–10.49] were significantly associated with ECG abnormalities. Conclusions In the present study, six out of ten respondents had ECG abnormalities. Age of the respondents, treatment with antipsychotics, having schizophrenia, polytherapy and illness duration of > 10 years were significant predictors of ECG abnormalities. Routine ECG investigation should be performed in the psychiatry treatment setting and further studies are recommended to delineate factors affecting ECG abnormalities.