Conectar
by Addisu Mandefro, Getnet Yitayih, Girmay Aragaw
Chickpea (Cice rarietinum L.) is one of the important grain legume crops in Ethiopia, which serves as a source of both foreign exchange and food. However, the crop production and productivity are currently challenged by ascochyta blight disease caused by Ascochyta rabiei in the study areas.A total of 120 chickpea fields were assessed from five districts in two zonesduring the 2022 main cropping season to assess the distribution, prevalence, and intensity of ascochyta blight of chickpea and its association with agro-ecological factors in northwestern Ethiopia.The results confirmed a 100% prevalence of ascochytablight disease across districts. The highest disease incidence (46.32%) and severity (32.90%) were assessed from Fogera and GondarZuria districts, respectively. The associations between disease parameters and biophysical factors were performed using a binary logistic regression model.High incidence (>40%) and severity (>25%) were strongly associated with mixed cropping, Fogera and Gondar Zuria districts, ≤ two times land preparation, Vertisol soil type, desi chickpea type, and broadleaf weed type in the model. Lower disease incidence (≤ 40%) and severity (≤ 25%) had a strong association with sole cropping, more than two times land preparation, Nitisolsoil type, and growing of kabuli chickpea type. Thus, planting chickpea in sole cropping, more than two times land preparation, growing chickpea in Nitisol soil and use of kabuli chickpea typecould be used as management options to reduce the impact of the disease in northwestern Ethiopia and other similar ecological areas of the country.by Tamrat Endebu Gebre, Girma Taye, Wakgari Deressa
Loss to follow-up (LTFU) remains a major challenge in HIV care, particularly in resource-limited settings. While several studies have identified its predictors, many have neglected the competing risks of transfer out and death, as well as the dynamic influence of these predictors over time. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adult HIV patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2019 and 2024. LTFU was a primary outcome, whereas transfer out and death were competing risks. A Fine‒Gray subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) regression analysis identified LTFU predictors within a competing risk framework. An extended SHR model with a time‒covariate interaction term was used to examine the predictors’ time‒varying effects on LTFU risk. Data analysis was performed via STATA 17 and Python 3.9. In a cohort of 4,135 HIV patients (8,521.54 person-years of follow-up), the overall incidence of LTFU was 13.10 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 12.35–13.89), with cumulative risks of 15%, 25%, and 35% at 1, 3, and 5 years post-ART, respectively. The predictors of LTFU included younger age (15–24 years: aSHR = 1.51), male sex (aSHR = 1.24), incomplete address details (aSHR = 1.72), noninitiation/noncompletion of TPT (aSHR = 2.16), poor adherence (aSHR = 2.54), and undernutrition (aSHR = 2.03). While younger age (e.g., 15–24 years) was associated with an increased risk of LTFU at baseline (baseline aSHR = 1.36, p = 0.014), this association diminished over time (interaction aSHR = 0.54, p = 0.001). Undernutrition consistently predicted LTFU (baseline aSHR = 1.64, pTo estimate the mortality rate and identify predictors of mortality among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted to therapeutic feeding units (TFUs) in Ethiopia.
We searched PubMed, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar and African Journals Online from 1 March to 30 May 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to appraise the included studies. Heterogeneity was identified using I2 statistics. Funnel plots and Egger’s tests were used to determine publication bias.
Out of 1085 studies, 15 were included in this analysis. The pooled mortality rate among under-five children with SAM admitted to TFUs in Ethiopia was 8.32 per 1000 person-days of observation (95% CI: 6.25 to 11.06). The mortality rate has not changed over time. HIV infection (HR: 2.84; 95% CI: 1.25 to 6.42), tuberculosis (HR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.56), intravenous fluid use (HR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.39 to 4.75), altered body temperature (HR: 4.47; 95% CI: 1.90 to 10.51), impaired consciousness (HR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.94 to 4.37), not receiving F-100 supplementation (HR: 4.51; 95% CI: 3.25 to 6.26), shock (HR: 4.20; 95% CI: 2.92 to 6.04), and nasogastric tube feeding (HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.67 to 2.44) were predictors of mortality.
The pooled mortality rate in Ethiopia was 8.32 per 1000 person-days, and it has not decreased over time. Most of the identified factors are related to comorbidities and complications of SAM, as well as nutritional therapy. Thus, it is essential to strengthen nutrition policies, programme implementation and healthcare services, which focus on the timely management of SAM complications, integrated care for comorbidities and improved F-100 supplementation.
CRD42024555014.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive global issue that transcends cultural, economic and educational boundaries, with an exceptionally high prevalence among refugees. Despite extensive research on GBV in Ethiopia, evidence of its occurrence in refugee settings remains limited.
To examine the prevalence and contributing factors of GBV among reproductive-age women in the Okugu Refugee Camp, Gambella, Ethiopia.
A facility-based cross-sectional study.
This study analysed 416 reproductive-age women living in Okugu Refugee Camp.
The study was conducted in the Okugu Refugee Camp from 15 March to 30 May 2023.
The study’s primary outcome was gender-based violence, while the secondary outcome focused on the factors influencing it.
A total of 422 reproductive-age women participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.6%. The prevalence of gender-based violence was 64.4% (95% CI: 59% to 69%). Among the participants, 51.9% experienced physical violence, while 34.9% had a history of sexual violence. Factors, illiterate women (AOR=2.73, 95% CI: 1.509 to 4.942), those who had lived in the camp for more than 4 years (AOR=3.24, 95% CI: 1.964 to 5.372), women who did not discuss sexual intercourse with their family or intimate partner (AOR=4.7, 95% CI: 2.83 to 7.80) and women who consumed alcohol (AOR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.30 to 3.69) were at significantly higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence in the study area was highly prevalent. Key determinants included illiteracy, alcohol consumption, lack of discussion and prolonged stay in the camp. Stakeholders should prioritise interventions such as promoting female education, fostering open discussions and addressing substance use to mitigate gender-based violence in the refugee camp.
Non-adherence to antidiabetic medication remains a major barrier to achieve optimal health outcomes among individuals with diabetes, particularly in developing countries. This issue exacerbates poor health outcomes and leads to the wastage of limited healthcare resources.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of non-adherence to antidiabetic medications and identify associated factors among adult type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in the North Wollo zone.
An institutional-based cross-sectional study.
The study was conducted in three randomly selected public hospitals in the North Wollo zone: Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Lalibela General Hospital and Mersa Primary Hospital.
A total of 327 adult type 2 DM patients receiving follow-up care were included. Participants were selected proportionally from each hospital using consecutive sampling. Inclusion criteria included individuals aged ≥18 years, on antidiabetic treatment for at least 6 months and actively on follow-up care during the study period. Patients with hearing impairment, severe illness or incomplete medical records were excluded.
Adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8, a validated eight-item, self-reported questionnaire. Scores ranged from 0 to 8, with adherence levels classified as high (≥8), medium (6–7.75) and low (
Data were analysed using SPSS V.27. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with non-adherence. A p value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The overall prevalence of medication non-adherence was 24.5%. Factors significantly associated with non-adherence included living with diabetes for less than 3 years (adjusted OR (AOR) 3.37, 95% CI 1.91 to 5.95), residing in rural areas (AOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.49 to 4.79), having comorbidities (AOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.67 to 5.34) and having no formal education (AOR 3.26, 95% CI 1.49 to 7.00).
The prevalence of non-adherence to antidiabetic medications (24.5%) exceeded the widely accepted benchmark of ≤20%. Key factors such as rural residence, comorbidities, lower education levels and shorter duration since diagnosis were significantly associated with non-adherence. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including patient education, improved rural healthcare access and integrated care models, to enhance adherence and diabetes management outcomes.
FreshRSS 