27 research outputs found
sj-docx-1-smo-10.1177_20503121221110079 – Supplemental material for Evaluation of the performance of Panbio™ COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected patients in Ethiopia
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-smo-10.1177_20503121221110079 for Evaluation of the performance of Panbio™ COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected patients in Ethiopia by Dejene Dessalegn, Edosa Kifle Tola, Afework Tamiru and Biruk Zerfu in SAGE Open Medicine</p
Malar J
No full textBackgroundRapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are now widely used for laboratory confirmation of suspected malaria cases to comply with the World Health Organization recommendation for universal testing before treatment. However, many malaria programmes lack quality control (QC) processes to assess RDT use under field conditions. Prior research showed the feasibility of using the dried tube specimen (DTS) method for preserving Plasmodium falciparum parasites for use as QC samples for RDTs. This study focused on the use of DTS for RDT QC and proficiency testing under field conditions.MethodsDTS were prepared using cultured P. falciparum at densities of 500 and 1,000 parasites/\u3bcL; 50\ua0\u3bcL aliquots of these along with parasite negative human blood controls (0 parasites/\u3bcL) were air-dried in specimen tubes and reactivity verified after rehydration. The DTS were used in a field study in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Replicate DTS samples containing 0, 500 and 1,000 parasites/\u3bcL were stored at 4\ub0C at a reference laboratory and at ambient temperatures at two nearby health facilities. At weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24, the DTS were rehydrated and tested on RDTs stored under manufacturer-recommended temperatures at the RL and on RDTs stored under site-specific conditions at the two health facilities. Reactivity of DTS stored at 4\ub0C at the reference laboratory on RDTs stored at the reference laboratory was considered the gold standard for assessing DTS stability. A proficiency-testing panel consisting of one negative and three positive samples, monitored with a checklist was administered at weeks 12 and 24.ResultsAt all the seven time points, DTS stored at both the reference laboratory and health facility were reactive on RDTs stored under the recommended temperature and under field conditions, and the DTS without malaria parasites were negative. At the reference laboratory and one health facility, a 500 parasites/\u3bcL DTS from the proficiency panel was falsely reported as negative at week 24 due to errors in interpreting faint test lines.ConclusionsThe DTS method can be used under field conditions to supplement other RDT QC methods and health worker proficiency in Ethiopia and possibly other malaria-endemic countries.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-014-0524-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.2015862
Catastrophic Health Expenditure and Associated Factors Among Hospitalized Cancer Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No full textGirum Yihun Matebie,1,2 Anagaw Derseh Mebratie,1 Tamiru Demeke,1,2 Bezawit Afework,3 Eva J Kantelhardt,2 Adamu Addissie1,2 1School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Global Health Working Group, Medical Faculty Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Wittenberg, Germany; 3Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Girum Yihun Matebie, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P.o Box 9086, Tel +251910474367, Fax +251115157701, Email [email protected]: Out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures for cancer care expose households to unanticipated economic consequences. When the available health services are mainly dependent on OOP expenditure, the household faces catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). This study aimed to estimate the incidence and intensity of CHE in hospitalized cancer patients and identify coping strategies and associated factors.Method and Material: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 305 cancer inpatients in Addis Ababa between November 2021 and February 2022. All patients with cancer who were hospitalized during the data collection period were included in the study. The incidence of CHE was estimated at the 40% threshold of households’ non-food expenditure and the intensity of CHE was captured based on the amount by which household expenditure exceeded the threshold and mean positive overshoot, the mean level by which CHE exceeds the threshold used. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between CHE levels and the independent variables.Results: The incidence of CHE at the 40% threshold of households’ non-food expenditure was 77.7%, while the O and MPO were 36.2% and 46.6%, respectively. CHE for cancer care was significantly associated with patient residence, increased number of chemotherapy cycles, increased duration of hospital admission, lack of insurance enrolment, and lower-income quintiles. Saving and selling assets were identified as the primary coping mechanisms.Conclusion: The incidence and intensity of CHE among inpatients with cancer were high and which could lead to impoverishment of households. Improved quality and coverage of health insurance and decentralizing cancer care to regions standards similar to Addis Ababa will save households from incurring CHE.Keywords: catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure, coping mechanisms, cancer, Ethiopi
Dietary quality and nutrient intake assessment in school adolescents: A study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No full textSummary: Objective: Assess dietary quality and contribution of school meals to energy and nutrient needs of school adolescents. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 293 adolescents were selected from 20 selected schools. A multiple-pass 24-hour recall method employed to collect dietary intake from adolescents. Then compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) to identify sub-optimal quality, with school meals below two-thirds of the RDA serving as an indicator. Dietary diversity was assessed with a 12-food group score using STATA software. Results: The study revealed inadequate nutrition in school meals for adolescents. While school meals provided an adequate contribution of carbohydrates (74.4% of the RDA), the contribution for other nutrients was low: energy (34.1%), protein (42.5%), calcium (9.3%), zinc (14.6%), iron (52.9%), vitamin A (14.0%), thiamine (16.7%), vitamin B12 (12.8%), and niacin (3.8%). The study also revealed a high prevalence of inadequate intakes of priority nutrients among school adolescents, including protein (57.5%), carbohydrates (25.6%), calcium (90.7%), zinc (85.4%), iron (47.1%), vitamin A RAE (86.0%), vitamin C (86.0%), thiamine (83.3%), vitamin B12 (90.2%), and niacin (96.2%). Despite high dietary diversity, key nutrient deficiencies persisted in both school meals and overall 24-hour meals. Conclusion: Nutrient deficiencies in school adolescents necessitate prioritizing menu planning with nutrient-dense foods, implementing cost-effective strategies with locally sourced options, establishing nutrition education programs, and collaborating with stakeholders on tailored initiatives like community gardens, local farmer partnerships, and subsidized/free nutritious meals to address deficiencies and promote well-being
Socio‐economic and dietary diversity characteristics are associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in public health centers of Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia
No full textDietary Patterns and Anthropometric Status of Under-Five Children in Arba Minch Zuria, Gamo Gofa Zone: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
No full textCopyright: © 2015 Jisha H, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background: Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries. The problem is very significant among infant and young children. Although malnutrition is remarkably responsible for childhood death, the contributing factors are not well studied in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dietary patterns and anthropometric status of under-five children in Arba Minch Zuria, Gamo Goffa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on child-mother-pairs in Arba Minch Zuria from February-July, 2012. Quantitative data were obtained from sample of 762 respondents by using pretested questionnaires and observational checklists. Qualitative data were collected by using in-depth interviews with tape recorder. Socio-demographic status, maternal and child characteristics, child feeding practices, anthropometry and dietary diversity were assessed. Results: Breastfeeding is considered as natural gift in this community. About 95.8 % of mothers had ever breastfed their children. More than half of mothers (57.3%) initiated breastfeeding within first hour of delivery and small number 78(10.2%) of mothers discarded colostrum. About 60.4 % of mothers exclusively breastfed thei
Recurring Trans-Atlantic incursion of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses by long distance migratory birds from Northern Europe to Canada in 2022/2023
No full textIn December 2022 and January 2023, we isolated clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses from six American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) from Prince Edward Island and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Newfoundland, Canada. Using full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, these viruses were found to fall into two distinct phylogenetic clusters: one group containing H5N1 viruses that had been circulating in North and South America since late 2021, and the other one containing European H5N1 viruses reported in late 2022. The transatlantic re-introduction for the second time by pelagic/Icelandic bird migration via the same route used during the 2021 incursion of Eurasian origin H5N1 viruses into North America demonstrates that migratory birds continue to be the driving force for transcontinental dissemination of the virus. This new detection further demonstrates the continual long-term threat of H5N1 viruses for poultry and mammals and the subsequent impact on various wild bird populations wherever these viruses emerge. The continual emergence of clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx viruses requires vigilant surveillance in wild birds, particularly in areas of the Americas, which lie within the migratory corridors for long-distance migratory birds originating from Europe and Asia. Although H5Nx viruses have been detected at higher rates in North America since 2021, a bidirectional flow of H5Nx genes of American origin viruses to Europe has never been reported. In the future, coordinated and systematic surveillance programs for HPAI viruses need to be launched between European and North American agencies.Canadian Food Inspection Agency emergency funding for the 2022 outbreak (YB)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra, UK)Devolved Administrations of Scotland and Wale
Field assessment of dried Plasmodium falciparum samples for malaria rapid diagnostic test quality control and proficiency testing in Ethiopia
No full textCatastrophic health expenditure and associated factors among hospitalized cancer patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No full textBackground: Out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures for cancer care expose households to unanticipated economic consequences. When the available health services are mainly dependent on OOP expenditure, the household faces catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). This study aimed to estimate the incidence and intensity of CHE in hospitalized cancer patients and identify coping strategies and associated factors.
Method and Material: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 305 cancer inpatients in Addis Ababa between November 2021 and February 2022. All patients with cancer who were hospitalized during the data collection period were included in the study. The incidence of CHE was estimated at the 40% threshold of households’ non-food expenditure and the intensity of CHE was captured based on the amount by which household expenditure exceeded the threshold and mean positive overshoot, the mean level by which CHE exceeds the threshold used. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between CHE levels and the independent variables.
Results: The incidence of CHE at the 40% threshold of households’ non-food expenditure was 77.7%, while the O and MPO were 36.2% and 46.6%, respectively. CHE for cancer care was significantly associated with patient residence, increased number of chemotherapy cycles, increased duration of hospital admission, lack of insurance enrolment, and lower-income quintiles. Saving and selling assets were identified as the primary coping mechanisms.
Conclusion: The incidence and intensity of CHE among inpatients with cancer were high and which could lead to impoverishment of households. Improved quality and coverage of health insurance and decentralizing cancer care to regions standards similar to Addis Ababa will save households from incurring CHE
Perceived benefits and challenges of school feeding program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
No full textAddis Ababa initiated a universal Home-Grown School Feeding Program (HGSFP) in February 2019 to address hunger and improve the educational outcomes of schoolchildren. This study aimed to document the perceived benefits and challenges of the HGSFP in Addis Ababa, where such information was lacking. In May 2023, a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to collect data from 20 schools participating in the HGSFP. Data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 98 purposively selected participants. The study encompassed 48 student mothers in 5 FGDs, 20 student interviews, 20 school principals, and 10 experts from the Ministry of Education, Sub-cities, and the School Feeding Agency for in-depth interviews. Data collected in the local language were transcribed, translated into English, and thematically analysed using ATLAS-TI software. The study’s findings unveiled the transformative impact of the HGSFP in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It demonstrated remarkable improvements in attendance, concentration, academic performance, reduced dropout rates, financial relief, enhanced behaviour, and a safer learning environment. However, urgent measures are imperative to tackle pressing challenges such as underpaid kitchen workers, operational issues, reduced reading time, rising food costs, limited market access, inadequate infrastructure, and growing dependency. To ensure the enduring sustainability of HGSFP, addressing challenges like workload reduction, kitchen infrastructure enhancement, government guideline implementation, promoting self-reliance, overcoming budget limitations, and addressing school gardening obstacles is vital
