S O Akodu, A F Adekanmbi, T A Ogunlesi, M B Fetuga
Background: Children with sickle cell anaemia have been reported to have potential risk of hypothyroidism from chronic blood transfusions and probable thyroid tissue ischaemia. However, few studies on hypothyroidism status of children with sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria are available. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism among children with sickle cell anaemia.
Methods: A cross sectional study that assayed the thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of 71 children with sickle cell anaemia was conducted at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu. Using age appropriate hormonal reference values, the subjects were classified into subclinical, primary and secondary hypothyroidism.
Results: The mean serum TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 were comparable irrespective of age category (p > 0.05). No subject was identified to have low TSH value while 7.0% had high TSH value. Low free T3 was identified in 1.4% and 8.5% had high free T3 values. Low free T3 and free T4 were seen in 11.3% each of the subjects. The overall prevalence of primary, secondary and subclinical hypothyroidism was 0%, 0% and 4.2%, respectively.
Conclusion: Sub-clinical hypothyroidism does occur in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia. Routine screening for hypothyroidism is advocated in all children with sickle cell anaemia.
背景:据报道,镰状细胞性贫血患儿因长期输血和甲状腺组织可能缺血而有甲状腺功能减退的潜在风险。然而,关于尼日利亚镰状细胞性贫血患儿甲状腺功能减退状况的研究却寥寥无几。本研究旨在确定镰状细胞贫血儿童中甲状腺功能减退症的发病率:这项横断面研究在奥拉比西-奥纳班霍大学萨加穆教学医院(Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu)进行,对 71 名镰状细胞贫血患儿的甲状腺激素和促甲状腺激素(TSH)进行了检测。根据与年龄相适应的激素参考值,受试者被分为亚临床、原发性和继发性甲状腺功能减退症:结果:无论年龄大小,受试者的平均血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离 T3 和游离 T4 都相当(P > 0.05)。没有人发现 TSH 值偏低,而 7.0% 的人 TSH 值偏高。1.4%的受试者游离 T3 值偏低,8.5%的受试者游离 T3 值偏高。游离 T3 和游离 T4 值偏低的受试者各占 11.3%。原发性、继发性和亚临床甲减的总发病率分别为 0%、0% 和 4.2%:结论:尼日利亚镰状细胞贫血患儿中确实存在亚临床甲状腺功能减退症。建议对所有镰状细胞贫血患儿进行甲减常规筛查。
{"title":"Are We Missing Hypothyroidism among Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia?","authors":"S O Akodu, A F Adekanmbi, T A Ogunlesi, M B Fetuga","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i6.6","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i6.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Children with sickle cell anaemia have been reported to have potential risk of hypothyroidism from chronic blood transfusions and probable thyroid tissue ischaemia. However, few studies on hypothyroidism status of children with sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria are available. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism among children with sickle cell anaemia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross sectional study that assayed the thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of 71 children with sickle cell anaemia was conducted at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu. Using age appropriate hormonal reference values, the subjects were classified into subclinical, primary and secondary hypothyroidism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean serum TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 were comparable irrespective of age category (p > 0.05). No subject was identified to have low TSH value while 7.0% had high TSH value. Low free T3 was identified in 1.4% and 8.5% had high free T3 values. Low free T3 and free T4 were seen in 11.3% each of the subjects. The overall prevalence of primary, secondary and subclinical hypothyroidism was 0%, 0% and 4.2%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sub-clinical hypothyroidism does occur in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia. Routine screening for hypothyroidism is advocated in all children with sickle cell anaemia.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11111276/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141086939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a substantial global health challenge, resulting in an annual death toll of over 15 million individuals aged 30 to 69. Ethiopia, categorized as COVID-19 vulnerable, grapples with NCD treatment challenges. This study aims to assess disease service availability at primary health units in Ethiopia during the pandemic.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021 across regions, encompassing 452 facilities: 92 health centers, 16 primary hospitals, 344 health posts, and 43 districts. Facility selection, based on consultation with regional health bureaus, included high, medium, and low performing establishments. The study employed the WHO tool for COVID-19 capacity assessment and evaluated services for various diseases using descriptive analysis.
Results: Results reveal service disruptions in the past year: hospitals (55.6%), health centers (21.7%), districts (30.2%), and health posts (17.4%). Main reasons were equipment shortages (42%), lack of skilled personnel (24%), and insufficient infection prevention supplies (18.8%). While tuberculosis treatment was fully available in 23% of health posts and malaria services in 65.7%, some health centers lacked HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular, mental health, and cervical cancer services. Most communicable and non-communicable disease diagnoses and treatments were fully accessible at primary hospitals, except for cervical cancer (56.3%) and mental health (62.5%) services.
Conclusion: Significant gaps exist in expected services at primary health units. Improving disease care accessibility necessitates strengthening the supply chain, resource management, capacity building, and monitoring systems.
{"title":"Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Service Availability at Primary Health Care Units During COVID-19 Outbreak in Ethiopia.","authors":"Tajebew Zayede Gonete, Netsanet Abera Asseffa, Kassahun Dessie Gashu, Binyam Tilahun, Dessies Abebaw Angaw, Meskerem Jisso, Alemu Tamiso, Akalewold Alemayehu, Rekiku Fikre, Biru Abdisa, Habtamu Sime, Elias Ali Yesuf, Abdurezak Umer, Mesfin Kebede, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.3S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.3S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a substantial global health challenge, resulting in an annual death toll of over 15 million individuals aged 30 to 69. Ethiopia, categorized as COVID-19 vulnerable, grapples with NCD treatment challenges. This study aims to assess disease service availability at primary health units in Ethiopia during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021 across regions, encompassing 452 facilities: 92 health centers, 16 primary hospitals, 344 health posts, and 43 districts. Facility selection, based on consultation with regional health bureaus, included high, medium, and low performing establishments. The study employed the WHO tool for COVID-19 capacity assessment and evaluated services for various diseases using descriptive analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results reveal service disruptions in the past year: hospitals (55.6%), health centers (21.7%), districts (30.2%), and health posts (17.4%). Main reasons were equipment shortages (42%), lack of skilled personnel (24%), and insufficient infection prevention supplies (18.8%). While tuberculosis treatment was fully available in 23% of health posts and malaria services in 65.7%, some health centers lacked HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular, mental health, and cervical cancer services. Most communicable and non-communicable disease diagnoses and treatments were fully accessible at primary hospitals, except for cervical cancer (56.3%) and mental health (62.5%) services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Significant gaps exist in expected services at primary health units. Improving disease care accessibility necessitates strengthening the supply chain, resource management, capacity building, and monitoring systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Essential health services are a package of services critical to improve health outcomes. COVID-19 pandemic disrupts essential health services. However, the level of essential health service disruption due to COVID-19 in Ethiopia is not clear. This study aimed at measuring the status of delivery of essential health services in Ethiopia during COVID-19.
Methods: A national mixed-methods cross-sectional survey was conducted. It was undertaken in Amhara (10 districts), Oromia (eight districts), Sidama (six districts), Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (16 districts), and Dire Dawa City Administration. A total of 452 health facilities were surveyed. Data were collected using face-to-face interview. Descriptive analysis was undertaken. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically.
Results: The woredas (districts) and health facilities which adopted essential health services before the COVID-19 pandemic were 81.4% and 51.2%, respectively. Nearly all health centers provided antenatal care services. Blood pressure measuring apparatus and delivery set were available in all health centers. However, only 50% of health centers had radiant warmer. Malnutrition services were provided by 47% of rural health centers. Moreover, a functional incinerator was available in only 41% of health centers. The provision of cardiovascular disease management was at 27.2%. Furthermore, HIV/AIDS treatment was provided by 43.5% of health facilities.
Conclusion: The adoption of lists of essential health services was optimal. The status of delivery of essential health services was high for maternal healthcare. Neonatal care at birth, malnutrition treatment, and cardiovascular disease management were low. The district health system should strive more to maintain essential health services.
{"title":"Essential Health Services Delivery Status During COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopia: A National Mixed-Methods Survey of Primary Healthcare Units.","authors":"Elias Ali Yesuf, Biru Abdisa, Habtamu Sime, Enku Kifle Alemu, Netsanet Abera Asseffa, Meskerem Jisso, Alemu Tamiso, Akalewold Alemayehu, Rekiku Fikre, Abdurezak Umer, Mesfin Kebede, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Kassahun Dessie Gashu, Dessies Abebaw Angaw, Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, Binyam Tilahun, Tajebew Zayede Gonete","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.2S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.2S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Essential health services are a package of services critical to improve health outcomes. COVID-19 pandemic disrupts essential health services. However, the level of essential health service disruption due to COVID-19 in Ethiopia is not clear. This study aimed at measuring the status of delivery of essential health services in Ethiopia during COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A national mixed-methods cross-sectional survey was conducted. It was undertaken in Amhara (10 districts), Oromia (eight districts), Sidama (six districts), Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (16 districts), and Dire Dawa City Administration. A total of 452 health facilities were surveyed. Data were collected using face-to-face interview. Descriptive analysis was undertaken. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The woredas (districts) and health facilities which adopted essential health services before the COVID-19 pandemic were 81.4% and 51.2%, respectively. Nearly all health centers provided antenatal care services. Blood pressure measuring apparatus and delivery set were available in all health centers. However, only 50% of health centers had radiant warmer. Malnutrition services were provided by 47% of rural health centers. Moreover, a functional incinerator was available in only 41% of health centers. The provision of cardiovascular disease management was at 27.2%. Furthermore, HIV/AIDS treatment was provided by 43.5% of health facilities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The adoption of lists of essential health services was optimal. The status of delivery of essential health services was high for maternal healthcare. Neonatal care at birth, malnutrition treatment, and cardiovascular disease management were low. The district health system should strive more to maintain essential health services.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859741/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Obstetric care has been at the center of both global and national agendas. More than 50% of pregnant mothers are still preferring to give birth at home with some even after having full antenatal care. However, a few literatures looked at contributing factors for this problem but they are not conclusive and do not consider different sociocultural context of Ethiopia and different health service related barriers. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore barriers to obstetric care service utilization in Ethiopia using the socio-ecological model.
Methods: Explorative qualitative study was employed involving key-informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions between October and December 2021; Individual, community, health system, and contextual barriers were explored. Atlas ti. Version 9 was used for analysis.
Result: Lack of awareness, unfavorable perception, lack of partner involvement, cultural barrier, shortage of supplies, poor infrastructure, provider-related factors, poor monitoring, and evaluation system, challenging topography, and conflict were the major barriers that hinder mothers from receiving obstetrics service in Ethiopia.
Conclusion: Lack of awareness, unfavorable perception, conflict, problems with health system structure and process, and cultural and geographical conditions were major barriers in Ethiopia. Therefore, packages of intervention is important to avail essential equipment, strengthening follow up system, create awareness, and increase access to health facilities is very important for service improvement by the government and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, implementing conflict resolution mechanism is important for addressing better obstetric service.
{"title":"Barriers Towards Obstetric Care Service Utilization in Ethiopia: An Explorative Qualitative Study.","authors":"Alemu Tamiso, Meskerem Jisso, Netsanet Abera, Akalewold Alemayehu, Anteneh Gadisa, Abdurezak Umer, Mesfin Kebede, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Habtamu Sime Gizaw, Biru Abdissa Mizana, Elias Ali Yesuf, Binyam Tilahun, Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, Tajebew Zayede Gonete, Kassahun Dessie Gashu, Dessie Abebew Angaw, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Rekiku Fikre","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.4S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.4S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obstetric care has been at the center of both global and national agendas. More than 50% of pregnant mothers are still preferring to give birth at home with some even after having full antenatal care. However, a few literatures looked at contributing factors for this problem but they are not conclusive and do not consider different sociocultural context of Ethiopia and different health service related barriers. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore barriers to obstetric care service utilization in Ethiopia using the socio-ecological model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Explorative qualitative study was employed involving key-informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions between October and December 2021; Individual, community, health system, and contextual barriers were explored. Atlas ti. Version 9 was used for analysis.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Lack of awareness, unfavorable perception, lack of partner involvement, cultural barrier, shortage of supplies, poor infrastructure, provider-related factors, poor monitoring, and evaluation system, challenging topography, and conflict were the major barriers that hinder mothers from receiving obstetrics service in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lack of awareness, unfavorable perception, conflict, problems with health system structure and process, and cultural and geographical conditions were major barriers in Ethiopia. Therefore, packages of intervention is important to avail essential equipment, strengthening follow up system, create awareness, and increase access to health facilities is very important for service improvement by the government and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, implementing conflict resolution mechanism is important for addressing better obstetric service.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859740/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: COVID-19 as pandemic declared by WHO on March 11, 2020 and first case detected in Ethiopia on March 13/2020. The COVID-19 caused a global crisis, including millions of lives lost, public health systems in shock and economic and social disruption. Strategies depend on how an existing health system is organized. Even though public health emergency operation centers of the Ethiopia switched to emergency response, there is no national evidence about infection prevention and control. Therefore, this project aimed to assess the level of infection prevention and control and management of COVID- 19 in Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted at four regions and one city (Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Sidama Region, and Dire Dawa). Being with zonal health departments and woredas health offices, primary health care units were selected. The data were collected electronically through Kobocollect software from November 08-28/2021. Descriptive analysis like frequency and percentage was conducted by SPSS software version 25 and the results were presented by tables, figures and narration.
Results: Data were collected from 16 hospitals, 92 health centers, and 344 health posts. All hospitals have designated COVID-19 focal person. There were significant number of woredas and PHCUs who didn't have IPC guidelines and protocols. About 11 woredas had no any type of diagnostic tests for COVID-19.
Conclusions: The study revealed that there were significant gaps on Infection prevention and control practice, shortage of personal protective equipment, isolation and specimen transportation problem, lack of call centers. We recommend concerned bodies to fill the identified gaps.
{"title":"COVID-19 Infection Prevention Preparedness, Practices and Case Management in the Primary Health Care Units in Ethiopia.","authors":"Habtamu Sime Gizaw, Biru Abdissa Mizana, Muluemebet Abera, Mohammed Mecha, Meskerem Jisso, Netsanet Abera, Akalewold Alemayehu, Anteneh Gadisa, Rekiku Fikre, Binyam Tilahun, Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, Tajebew Zayede Gonete, Kassahun Dessie Gashu, Dessie Abebew Angaw, Alemu Tamiso, Abdurezak Umer, Mesfin Kebede, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Elias Ali Yesuf","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.6S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.6S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>COVID-19 as pandemic declared by WHO on March 11, 2020 and first case detected in Ethiopia on March 13/2020. The COVID-19 caused a global crisis, including millions of lives lost, public health systems in shock and economic and social disruption. Strategies depend on how an existing health system is organized. Even though public health emergency operation centers of the Ethiopia switched to emergency response, there is no national evidence about infection prevention and control. Therefore, this project aimed to assess the level of infection prevention and control and management of COVID- 19 in Ethiopia, 2021.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cross-sectional study conducted at four regions and one city (Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Sidama Region, and Dire Dawa). Being with zonal health departments and woredas health offices, primary health care units were selected. The data were collected electronically through Kobocollect software from November 08-28/2021. Descriptive analysis like frequency and percentage was conducted by SPSS software version 25 and the results were presented by tables, figures and narration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were collected from 16 hospitals, 92 health centers, and 344 health posts. All hospitals have designated COVID-19 focal person. There were significant number of woredas and PHCUs who didn't have IPC guidelines and protocols. About 11 woredas had no any type of diagnostic tests for COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study revealed that there were significant gaps on Infection prevention and control practice, shortage of personal protective equipment, isolation and specimen transportation problem, lack of call centers. We recommend concerned bodies to fill the identified gaps.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859735/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Monitoring Essential Health Services During COVID-19 Among Public Primary Healthcare Units in Ethiopia: Existing Capacities and Capacity Gaps.","authors":"Kassu Ketema Gurmu","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.1S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.1S","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859736/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The unmet need for family planning (FP) is a major impediment to achieving the sustainable development goal The COVID-19 pandemic and other contextual, individual, and hospital-related problems are major barriers that reduce FP service uptake. However, most of the studies are quantitative and give due focus to individual and community-level barriers. Therefore, this study tends to explore barriers to the utilization of FP in Ethiopia including health care and contextual barriers.
Methods: A multiple explorative case study design was employed from October to December 2021 and a total of 41 Key-informant interviews, 32 in-depth interviews, and 13 focus group discussions were performed by using the purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed with a thematic content analysis approach using NVivo software.
Result: This study explored barriers to FP in four major teams; individual, community-related, health system, and contextual barriers. It reviled that the community's misconception, fear of side effects, lack of women's decision-making autonomy, existing socio-cultural norms, religious conditions, topography, covid 19 pandemic, and conflict were the major barriers to FP service utilization.
Conclusion: Using the four teams mentioned above, this study identified different poor health professional skills, misconceptions, pandemics, functional, and structurally related barriers. As a result, it is recommended that health education for the community and training for health professionals are important. Collaboration between government and non-government organizations is also mandatory for strengthening mentorship and supervision systems and establishing resilient health care that can avoid future pandemics.
{"title":"Barriers to Family Planning Service Utilization in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Meskerem Jisso, Netsanet Abera Assefa, Akalewold Alemayehu, Anteneh Gadisa, Rekiku Fikre, Abdurezak Umer, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Habtamu Sime Gizaw, Biru Abdissa Mizana, Elias Ali Yesuf, Binyamm Tilahun, Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, Tajebew Zayede Gonete, Kassahun Dessie Gashu, Dessie Abebew Angaw, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Alemu Tamiso","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.8S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.8S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The unmet need for family planning (FP) is a major impediment to achieving the sustainable development goal The COVID-19 pandemic and other contextual, individual, and hospital-related problems are major barriers that reduce FP service uptake. However, most of the studies are quantitative and give due focus to individual and community-level barriers. Therefore, this study tends to explore barriers to the utilization of FP in Ethiopia including health care and contextual barriers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multiple explorative case study design was employed from October to December 2021 and a total of 41 Key-informant interviews, 32 in-depth interviews, and 13 focus group discussions were performed by using the purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed with a thematic content analysis approach using NVivo software.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>This study explored barriers to FP in four major teams; individual, community-related, health system, and contextual barriers. It reviled that the community's misconception, fear of side effects, lack of women's decision-making autonomy, existing socio-cultural norms, religious conditions, topography, covid 19 pandemic, and conflict were the major barriers to FP service utilization.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Using the four teams mentioned above, this study identified different poor health professional skills, misconceptions, pandemics, functional, and structurally related barriers. As a result, it is recommended that health education for the community and training for health professionals are important. Collaboration between government and non-government organizations is also mandatory for strengthening mentorship and supervision systems and establishing resilient health care that can avoid future pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859738/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a pressure on global health systems. The disruption of essential health services (EHS) has an impact on the health of mothers, neonate and children in developing countries. Therefore, the main aim of this study was assessing the availability of Maternal, Newborn care and Child health (MNCHS) services at primary health care unit during COVID-19 outbreak.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five regions of Ethiopia in 2021. Descriptive analyses were undertaken using STATA 16 software and the results presented using tables and different graphs. A continuity of EHS assessment tool adopted from WHO was used for data collection.
Result: During COVID -19 pandemic, 30 (69.8%) of woreda health offices, 52 (56.5%) of health centers (HCs), 7 (44.4%) of hospitals, and 165 (48%) of health posts (HPs) had a defined list of EHS. In comparison with other EHS, family planning is the least available service in all regions. At HPs level care for sick children and antenatal care (ANC) were available at 59.1 and 58.82% respectively. Except immunization services at SNNP, all other maternal, newborn, and child health EHS were not available to all HPs at full scale.
Conclusion: Immunization services were most available, while ANC and care for sick children were least available during COVID-19 at the HPs level. There was regional variation in MNCH EHS service availability at all levels.
{"title":"Availability of Maternal, Newborn care and Child Health Services at Primary Health Care Unit during COVID-19 Outbreak in Ethiopia.","authors":"Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, Dessie Abebaw Angaw, Tajebew Zayede Gonete, Meskerem Jisso, Netsanet Abera, Akalewold Alemayehu, Rekiku Fikre, Biru Abdissa, Abdurezak Umer, Mesfin Kebede, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Kassahun Dessie, Alemu Tamiso, Habtamu Sime, Elias Ali Yesuf, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Binyam Tilahun","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.5S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.5S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a pressure on global health systems. The disruption of essential health services (EHS) has an impact on the health of mothers, neonate and children in developing countries. Therefore, the main aim of this study was assessing the availability of Maternal, Newborn care and Child health (MNCHS) services at primary health care unit during COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five regions of Ethiopia in 2021. Descriptive analyses were undertaken using STATA 16 software and the results presented using tables and different graphs. A continuity of EHS assessment tool adopted from WHO was used for data collection.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>During COVID -19 pandemic, 30 (69.8%) of woreda health offices, 52 (56.5%) of health centers (HCs), 7 (44.4%) of hospitals, and 165 (48%) of health posts (HPs) had a defined list of EHS. In comparison with other EHS, family planning is the least available service in all regions. At HPs level care for sick children and antenatal care (ANC) were available at 59.1 and 58.82% respectively. Except immunization services at SNNP, all other maternal, newborn, and child health EHS were not available to all HPs at full scale.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Immunization services were most available, while ANC and care for sick children were least available during COVID-19 at the HPs level. There was regional variation in MNCH EHS service availability at all levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chain and stock of medicines and drugs across the globe. Tracer drugs are essential medicines that address the population's priority health problems. Thus, this study aimed to assess availability of tracer drugs and basic diagnostics at public primary health care facilities in Ethiopia.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was employed in four regions and one city administration. The primary health care units (PHCUs) were purposively selected in consultation with respective regional health bureaus. Finally, 16 hospitals, 92 health centers and 344 health posts were included. This study adopted WHO's tool that was being used to rapidly assess the capacity of health facilities to maintain the provision of essential health services during the COVID-19. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency and percentage, and results were presented.
Results: The overall mean availability of tracer drugs in PHCUs was 77.6%. Only 2.8% of PHCUs have all tracer drugs. The mean availability of basic diagnostic at national level was 86.6% in PHUs except health posts where it was less. Health facilities with all basic diagnostic services was 53.7%. Of the total 344 health posts assessed, 71% were providing diagnostic testing for malaria using either laboratory equipment or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) while 43% provide urine test for the pregnancy.
Conclusion: This study shows availability of all tracer drugs in PHCUs in Ethiopia was extremely low. There was regional variation in availability of tracer drugs and basic diagnostics. It is very crucial to increase availability of tracer drugs and diagnostics. Drugs and diagnostic materials should be supplied according to the capacity and location of health facilities.
{"title":"Assessment of Availability of Tracer Drugs and Basic Diagnostics at Public Primary Health Care Facilities in Ethiopia During COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Abdurezak Umer, Hussen Mohammed, Bekele Yazie, Dessie Abebaw Angaw, Tajebew Zayede Gonete, Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, Binyam Tilahun, Meskerem Jisso, Alemu Tamiso, Netsanet Abera Assesfa, Akalewold Alemayehu, Rekiku Fikre, Biru Abdissa Mizana, Kassahun Dessie, Habtamu Sime, Muluemebet Abera, Mohammed Mecha, Elias Ali Yesuf, Kassu Ketema Gurmu, Mesfin Kebede","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.7S","DOIUrl":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.7S","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chain and stock of medicines and drugs across the globe. Tracer drugs are essential medicines that address the population's priority health problems. Thus, this study aimed to assess availability of tracer drugs and basic diagnostics at public primary health care facilities in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Facility based cross-sectional study was employed in four regions and one city administration. The primary health care units (PHCUs) were purposively selected in consultation with respective regional health bureaus. Finally, 16 hospitals, 92 health centers and 344 health posts were included. This study adopted WHO's tool that was being used to rapidly assess the capacity of health facilities to maintain the provision of essential health services during the COVID-19. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency and percentage, and results were presented.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall mean availability of tracer drugs in PHCUs was 77.6%. Only 2.8% of PHCUs have all tracer drugs. The mean availability of basic diagnostic at national level was 86.6% in PHUs except health posts where it was less. Health facilities with all basic diagnostic services was 53.7%. Of the total 344 health posts assessed, 71% were providing diagnostic testing for malaria using either laboratory equipment or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) while 43% provide urine test for the pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study shows availability of all tracer drugs in PHCUs in Ethiopia was extremely low. There was regional variation in availability of tracer drugs and basic diagnostics. It is very crucial to increase availability of tracer drugs and diagnostics. Drugs and diagnostic materials should be supplied according to the capacity and location of health facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859737/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139729337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for bloodstream infections (BSIs), especially with the emergence of multidrug- resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we aimed to assess the pattern of colistin susceptibility using the colistin broth disc elution (CBDE) method among carbapenem-resistant gram-negative clinical isolates from blood cultures in a high burden tertiary healthcare setting in East Delhi.
Methods: A total of 106 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative clinical isolates were tested. The most common isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter species, and Klebsiella oxytoca by CBDE method.
Results: All the carbapenem resistant gram- negative bacterial blood culture isolates showed intermediate colistin susceptibility. This was statistically significant by chi-square test (p<0.5).
Conclusion: This study highlights the need to monitor colistin resistance trends in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Accurate surveillance of emerging colistin resistance is crucial for effective management of BSIs caused by carbapenem- resistant gram-negative bacteria.
{"title":"Colistin Susceptibility Testing by Colistin Broth Disk Elution MIC Method among Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative Blood Culture Clinical Isolates in a Tertiary Care Setting, East Delhi, India","authors":"Kirti Nirmal, Narendra Pal Singh, Krishna Sarkar, Nisha Goyal, Seema Gangar, Aditya Nath Dwivedi","doi":"10.4314/ejhs.v33i5.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v33i5.4","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for bloodstream infections (BSIs), especially with the emergence of multidrug- resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we aimed to assess the pattern of colistin susceptibility using the colistin broth disc elution (CBDE) method among carbapenem-resistant gram-negative clinical isolates from blood cultures in a high burden tertiary healthcare setting in East Delhi.
 Methods: A total of 106 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative clinical isolates were tested. The most common isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter species, and Klebsiella oxytoca by CBDE method.
 Results: All the carbapenem resistant gram- negative bacterial blood culture isolates showed intermediate colistin susceptibility. This was statistically significant by chi-square test (p<0.5).
 Conclusion: This study highlights the need to monitor colistin resistance trends in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Accurate surveillance of emerging colistin resistance is crucial for effective management of BSIs caused by carbapenem- resistant gram-negative bacteria.","PeriodicalId":12003,"journal":{"name":"Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136238112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}