Background Needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSIs) are a common problem among healthcare workers (HCWs). Although the factors related to NSSIs for HCWs are well documented by several studies in Ethiopia, no evidence has been reported about the magnitude of and factors related to NSSIs in hospitals in northwestern Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2019 among 318 HCWs in three randomly-selected hospitals of the eight hospitals found in South Gondar Zone. Sample sizes were proportionally allocated to professional categories. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling methods using the monthly salary payroll for each profession as the sampling frame. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome of this study was the presence (injured) or absence of NSSIs during the 12 months prior to data collection. A binary logistic regression model with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for data analysis. Variables from the bi-variable analysis with a p-value ≤ 0.25 were retained into the multivariable analysis. From the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value less than 0.05 was declared as factors significantly associated with NSSIs. Main findings The prevalence of NSSIs was 29.5% (95% CI: 24.2–35.5%) during the 12 months prior to the survey. Of these, 46.0% reported that their injuries were moderate, superficial (33.3%) or severe (20.7%). About 41.4% of the injuries were caused by a suture needle. Factors significantly associated with NSSIs were occupation as a nurse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.18–4.26), disposal of sharp materials in places other than in safety boxes (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI: 2.10–5.35), recapping of needles (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13–4.56), and feeling sleepy at work (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.14–4.41). Conclusion This study showed that almost one-third of HCWs had sustained NSSIs, a proportion that is high. Factors significantly associated with NSSIs were occupation as a nurse, habit of needle recapping, disposal of sharp materials in places other than in safety boxes and feeling sleepy at work. Observing proper and regular universal precautions for nurses during daily clinical activities and providing safety boxes for the disposal of sharp materials, practicing mechanical needle recapping and preventing sleepiness by reducing work overload among HCWs may reduce the incidence of NSSIs.

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health problem. The disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Early identification of cases and commencement of effective chemotherapy is an effective method to control the spread of tuberculosis. Delay in diagnosis and starting tuberculosis treatment increases severity, risk of mortality, and transmission of the disease in the community. Objective. The purpose of this study is to assess the magnitude of patient delay in initiating tuberculosis treatment and its associated factors among tuberculosis patients in health facilities of Oromia Special Zone, Ethiopia. Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Oromia Special Zone. Data were collected using pretested questionnaires from patients with tuberculosis who are on treatment during the study period. The simple random sampling method was used to select health facilities and study participants. Data were entered using Epi Info version 7.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to see the significance of association between the outcome and independent variables. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Three hundred and eighty-seven tuberculosis patients aged 18 years and above enrolled in the study. Among these, 223 (57.6%) were males, 194 (50.1%) were married, and 206 (53.2%) lived in rural areas. The mean age of respondents was 35 years. The median patient delay was 35 (IQR=30) days, and 54.4% of patients seek their first consultation after 21 days. Patients who have a basic schooling level (AOR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.89) compared with the college/university level, long distance greater than 10 km (AOR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.97, 5.42), seeking treatment from informal source and private drug stores (AOR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.52, 5.95), extrapulmonary tuberculosis (AOR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.23), and poor knowledge about tuberculosis (AOR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.49) were associated factors that predict patient delay. Conclusion and Recommendation. A significant proportion of tuberculosis patients delayed to seek treatment. Health promotion and education involving different stake holders will make the community create awareness about tuberculosis that could help reduce delays in initiating tuberculosis treatment.

Background Vaccines are a powerful choice to stop disease outbreaks, including covid-19. However, people are hesitant to take vaccinations due to uncertainty about side effects. So, this study aimed to assess covid-19 vaccine side-effect and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, in Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Dessie Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital among 351 vaccinated healthcare workers from April 25 to May 25, 2021. Self-administrated questionnaires were used by consented health workers. Variance inflation factor (VIF) was used to assess the multicollinearity of independent variables. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to identify significant factors of vaccine side effects. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported as the effect size. Statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05. Results Overall, of vaccinated healthcare workers, 56.98% (95% CI, 50.86–61.26%) experienced at least one side effect. The majority of the side effects were fever (44.44%), headache (39.03%), fatigue (27.35%), injection site pain (25.93%), and nausea (24.22%). Healthcare workers with (≥10 years) of work experience (AOR: 3.74, 95% CI, 1.32–10.59), Hesitancy to take the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine (AOR: 3.01, 95% CI, 1.82–4.99), underlying chronic disease (AOR: 14.41, 95% CI, (5.07–40.92)), being on antihypertensive medication (AOR: 0.15; 95% CI (0.02–0.93)), and unsafe perception of vaccine safety (AOR:3.50; 95% CI, 1.43–8.57) were independent factors of Covax vaccine side effect development. Conclusion Overall, common vaccine side effects were identified in healthcare workers who have taken the Covax vaccine. Healthcare workers with (≥10 years) of work experience, Hesitancy to take the first dose, unsafe perception of vaccine safety, and underlined chronic disease were predictors of vaccine side effect occurrence. So, providing vaccine-related information to the community to be vaccinated is mandatory to reduce hesitancy and flaws regarding vaccine safety.

There is a lack of uniformity in developing and validating indicators of nutritional status among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV). Experiences from low and middle-income countries are scant, and differences in methodological and analytical approaches affect the comparability and generalizability of findings. Therefore, this study investigated the performance of individual diversity score (IDDS) as a proxy indicator of nutritional status among PLHIV. We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study among 423 PLHIV who were under Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) at clinics in Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia. We collected data on sociodemographic, dietary, clinical, and anthropometric measures. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-Hour dietary recall. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated to assess the nutritional status of study subjects. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the ability of the IDDS and Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) to detect poor nutritional status. Furthermore, sensitivity, specificity, Predictive Values (PPs), and Likelihood Ratios (LRs) were calculated at different cut-off points. IDDS showed good reliability with Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.76. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of IDDS was 78.5 (95%CI 73.9–83.4). At the IDDS cut-off of 4, the sensitivity and specificity of IDDS to indicate nutritional status were 88.0% (95%CI 81.0–93.0) and 71.0% (95%CI 66.0–76.0), respectively. The AUC of MDD-W was 74.1%, and at the cut-off of 4 the sensitivity and specificity of MDD-W to indicate undernutrition were 73.0% and 72.0%, respectively. Both IDDS and MDD-W have good accuracy as a proxy indicator for measuring the nutritional status of PLHIV. In the prevention of undernutrition among PLHIV especially in a resource-limited setting, IDDS and MDD-W can be used to assess nutritional status.

Introduction Despite the higher burden of cervical cases, screening programs in highly affected developing countries remained low. This made the disease to be present at an advanced stage which is almost always fatal, causing enormous pain and suffering for the individual and having significant adverse effects on the welfare of their families and community. Thus, this study aimed to assess determinants of cervical cancer screening utilization among women attending health facilities in Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based unmatched case–control study design was employed on 430 women (146 cases and 284 controls) at selected health facilities of Dessie town, South Wollo Zone, from July 1/2020 to August 30/2020. Cases were selected for all women screened for cervical cancer during the data collection period until the required sample size was attained and using a consecutive sampling technique, every 3 participants from women who come for services other than cervical cancer screening. were included as controls. Pretested and structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 25 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistics regression analysis was done. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated to measure the strength of the association. The level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. Result Age group of 35 and more [AOR = 11.52(6.09–21.77)], being a private employee [AOR = 4.67(2.41–9.03)], having symptoms of vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain or postcoital bleeding or vaginal discharge [AOR = 3.08(1.37–6.95)], being recommended by a physician for screening [[AOR = 3.07(1.45–6.49)] and positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening [AOR = 5.3(2.8–10.59)] were determinants of cervical cancer screening. Conclusion Age group of 35 and more, current occupation as a private employee, having symptoms of cervical cancer, being recommended by a physician for screening, and positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening were determinants of cervical cancer screening utilization.