Conectar
by Abebe Fenta, Tebelay Dilnessa, Destaw Kebede, Mekuriaw Belayneh, Zigale Hibstu Teffera, Bewket Mesganaw, Adane Adugna, Wubetu Yihunie Belay, Habtamu Belew, Desalegn Abebaw, Bantayehu Addis Tegegne, Zelalem Dejazmach, Fassikaw Kebede, Gashaw Azanaw Amare
BackgroundCo-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) is a primary cause of death and morbidity. The rate of morbidity and death from TB-HIV is still Ethiopia’s top health issue.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of mortality among TB-HIV co-infected individuals on anti-TB and anti-retroviral dual Therapy at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital among 436 TB-HIV co-infected individuals. A computer-generated random sampling technique was used to select patient charts registered from September 1st, 2011, and August 31st, 2020. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used for data entry, and STATA version 13 was used for the analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was applied to estimate the cumulative survival time of the TB-HIV patients. Log-rank tests were utilized to compare the survival time across various categories of explanatory variables. Bi-variable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to find predictors of TB-HIV mortality.
ResultsThe mortality rate of TB-HIV co-infected individuals was 15.6%, with a median survival time of 42 months. Being male (Adjusted hazard Ratio (AHR)1.914;95%CI: 1.022–3.584), having CD4 count Conclusion and recommendation
The mortality rate among TB-HIV co-infected patients at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital was high. Being male gender, having a CD4 count below 50 cells/mm³, being ambulatory and bedridden, having low baseline weight, and having low hemoglobin were the important predictors of mortality. To reduce mortality, it is crucial to focus on the early identification and management of high-risk patients, particularly those with low CD4 counts, poor functional status, and low hemoglobin. Strengthening integrated TB and HIV care services is recommended to improve patient survival outcomes.
This study aims to assess parents’ knowledge and attitude towards the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of their daughters and the associated factors in Debre Tabor town, northwest Ethiopia.
A community-based cross-sectional study.
Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia.
A total of 702 participants were included in the study, with a response rate of 98.2%. Three out of the six kebeles in the town were randomly selected, and participants within the selected kebeles were recruited through a cluster sampling technique. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 15 December 2021 to 15 February 2022.
Parents’ level of knowledge and attitude towards the HPV vaccination of their daughters, and the associated factors.
In the study, parents’ knowledge and attitude towards HPV vaccination were found to be 46.4% (95% CI 42.7% to 50.1%) and 61.5% (95% CI 58.0% to 65.2%), respectively. Parents with a higher level of education (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.27; 95% CI 1.39 to 3.69), media exposure (AOR=3.36; 95% CI 1.21 to 9.33) and a good attitude towards the HPV vaccine (AOR=8.81; 95% CI 5.78 to 13.44) were significantly associated factors that affect parents’ level of knowledge. Positive subjective norms (AOR=1.53; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.31) and perceived behavioural control towards the HPV vaccine (AOR=3.48; 95% CI 2.37 to 5.10) had statistically significant associations with parents’ attitude.
In this study, more than half of parents had poor knowledge of the HPV and its vaccination, while the majority of the participants showed a favourable attitude to the vaccine. Educational attainment, media exposure and a positive attitude were significantly associated with parental knowledge, and parents’ attitude was positively influenced by subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. This suggests a need to increase the parents’ level of awareness through educational interventions, particularly via media and community engagement. To improve the acceptance and uptake of the HPV vaccination, it is important to address negative attitudes and common misconceptions among parents on the safety, efficacy and necessity of the vaccine for their daughters.
To assess the time to first optimal glycaemic control and its predictors among adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia.
A retrospective cohort study.
University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northwest, Ethiopia.
We recruited 423 adult diabetic patients who were diagnosed between 1 January 2018 and 30 December 2022 at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.
The primary outcome was the time from diagnosis to the achievement of the first optimal glycaemic control, measured in months. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was fitted to identify predictors of time to first optimal glycaemic control. Data were collected with KoboToolbox from patient medical charts and exported to Stata V.17. The log-rank test was used to determine the survival difference between subgroups of participants.
Median time to first optimal glycaemic control was 10.6 months. Among 423 adult diabetic patients, 301 (71.16%) achieved the first optimal glycaemic control during the study period. Age category (middle age (adjusted HR (AHR)=0.56, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.76), older age (AHR=0.52, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.82)), comorbidity (AHR=0.52, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.76), therapeutic inertia (AHR=0.20, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.30) and medication non-compliance (AHR=0.49, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.89) were significant predictors of time to optimal glycaemic control.
The median time to first optimal glycaemic control was prolonged. Diabetic care should focus on controlling the identified predictors to achieve optimal glycaemic control early after diagnosis.
FreshRSS 