RESUMEN

Background: Mobile health has become widely used within the healthcare system, and there is an increasing worldwide trend toward employing this innovation for behavior management, disease monitoring, the control and prevention of various health issues, and rising enrollment in healthcare services. Although mHealth is becoming more widely available, there is no evidence about the attitude of healthcare professionals toward mHealth in southwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the attitude of healthcare professionals to using mHealth technology and associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 healthcare professionals. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire, and the study was conducted from January 08 to February 10, 2023. EpiData Version 4.6 for entering the data and STATA Version 14 for analyzing the data were used. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with healthcare professionals' attitudes to using mobile health technology. Results: A total of 415 study participants were included in the study. About 180 (43.4%) respondents had a favorable attitude toward mHealth technology in southwest public hospitals. Master's degree and above (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.22, 4.10), good knowledge of mobile health technology (AOR: 4.08; 95% CI: 1.35, 5.31), more than 5 years of work experience (AOR: 3.09; 95% CI: 1.76, 5.60), had ICT infrastructure (AOR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.38, 5.31), had own smart mobile (AOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 3.20, 4.31), and had taken computer-related training (AOR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.03, 3.73) were positively associated with healthcare professionals' attitude to using mobile health technologies in southwest Ethiopia. Conclusions: Overall, healthcare professionals' attitude to using mobile health technologies in southwest Ethiopia was relatively low. Education level, good knowledge, years of work experience, ICT infrastructure, having a smart mobile, and having taken computer-related training were significant factors of attitude to using mobile health technologies. Considering these factors could provide insight into developing and adopting mobile health technologies in Ethiopia.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: Even though podoconiosis can cause physical, financial, and social impairments, it is commonly overlooked by organizations, and one-fourth of the predicted worldwide burden will fall on Ethiopia. In spite of this, there are only a few attempts for prevention and control in certain areas in Ethiopia. Updated statistics on prevalence and contributing factors could make local efforts at prevention, control, and rehabilitation more effective. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of podoconiosis and its associated factors among Ilu Aba Bor zone residents, South West Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 491 participants from March 25 to April 25, 2022. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6.0, then exported to SPSS version 25 for final analysis. In the bi-variable regression, variables with P-values less than 0.25 were included in the multivariable model. Finally, multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with podoconiosis at a 5% level of significance. Results: In this study area, podoconiosis prevalence was found to be 5.7% [3.6-7.2]. In multivariable regression model, lower tertile wealth status [AOR=2.09; (95% CI (1.384, 5.343)], no formal education [AOR=2.23; (95% CI; 1.179-3.820)] and average distance to reach water source to home [AOR=2.061; (95% CI: 1.78-7.35)] were significantly associated podoconiosis. Conclusion and Recommendation: According to this study, one in every seventeen individuals had podoconiosis, which is a significant prevalence when compared to earlier studies. Podoconiosis was observed to be associated with factors like wealth status, educational attainment, and distance from water source. To address this public health issue, strong preventive and therapeutic treatments should be used.

RESUMEN

Background: Diabetes mellitus has become a huge global public health and economic issue. The shortcomings of current medicines, as well as their serious side effects, prompted a focused quest for natural medicinal agents. In Ethiopia, the leaf of Discopodium penninervum Hoschst has been utilized in the traditional health system to treat diabetes. The goal of this study was to confirm the anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemia, and anti-oxidant activity of Discopodium penninervum Hoschst leaf in both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: In the normoglycemic, glucose-loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse models, the blood glucose-lowering effects of extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of Discopodium penninervum Hoschst were tested. The weight and lipid profile of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were assessed after treatment with leaf extract and solvent fractions for 14 days. The DPPH test was used to assess the antioxidant activity of the plant leaf extract. Results: In the normoglycemic model and glucose loaded test, the leaf extract of Discopodium penninervum Hoschst demonstrated significant blood glucose decrease (34.1%, p<0.001) and 44.5%, p<0.001, respectively, when compared to the normal control. When compared to a diabetic control group, extract and solvent fractions significantly (p<0.001) reduced blood glucose levels on the 14th day in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. In addition, serum TC, STG, TG, LDL, and VLDL levels were reduced significantly (p<0.001). IC50 values of leaf extract and a standard medication (ascorbic acid) in the antioxidant activity test were 4.1g/mL and 10.23g/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic leaf extract and solvent fractions of Discopodium penninervum Hoschst leaves have demonstrated blood glucose-lowering effect, which justify ethnobotanical use, and can therefore be used as a good insight for new anti-diabetic medication source with a call for additional studies.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess health management information utilisation and associated factors among health professionals working at public health facilities in North Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia. SETTING: The study was conducted at public health facilities in the North Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 664 (56.3% male and 43.7% female) health professionals participated in the study. All health professionals permanently working in North Wollo Zone were included in this study. However, health professionals who were not present during the data collection period by any means and who had less than 6 months of experience were not included in this study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was health management information utilisation. RESULT: About 58.4% (n=388) (95% CI: 54.4% to 62.0%) of the study participants use health management information. The multivariable logistic regression model indicated that participants who had managerial positions are more likely to use health management information with an adjusted OR (AOR) of 3.11 and 95% CI 1.84 to 5.24. Similarly, having a good motivation level (AOR=4.42 (95% CI: 2.82 to 6.93)), perceived good culture of health information (AOR=6.17 (95% CI: 3.35 to 11.36)), a standard set of indicators (AOR=4.11 (95% CI: 2.65 to 6.38)), having good governance of health information system (AOR=1.75 (95% CI:1.13 to 2.72)) and health management information system (HMIS) training (AOR=3.10 (95% CI: 1.89 to 5.07)) were the predictors positively associated with higher utilisation of health management information. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that utilisation of health management information was still inadequate. Enhancing motivation, building a culture of information use, having standardised indicators, strengthening the governance of health information systems and comprehensive HMIS training were measures to be taken to improve utilisation of health management information in this study setting.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has prompted rapid restructuring of the health-care system in an effort to stop the spread of the pandemic. Thus, telemedicine is more preferable in order to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic when face to face meeting is forbidden, allowing provision of health service over a distance. This study aimed to assess willingness to use telemedicine and factors that will determine their extent of willingness during COIVID-19 among healthcare providers working in south west of Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was applied to assess willingness to use telemedicine among healthcare providers working at public health hospitals in south west of Ethiopia. Self-administered questionnaires were used. We have used Epi-info for data entry and Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) for analysis. A structural equation modeling was performed to identify factors associated with willingness to use telemedicine at 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULT: In this study, less than half of respondents had high willingness to use telemedicine. Ease of use (ß = 0.79, 95% CI: [0.72, 0.86], p < 0.01), attitude (ß = 0.91, 95% CI: [0.87, 0.95], p < 0.01) and patient-physician relationships (ß = 0.67, 95% CI: [0.54, 0.70], p < 0.01) were variables associated with willingness to use telemedicine. Anxiety towards technology (ß = 0.74, 95% CI: [0.69, 0.79], p < 0.01) and patient-physician relationships (ß = 0.87, 95% CI: [0.81, 0.92], p < 0.01) were determinant factors of attitude to use telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS: The overall willingness to use telemedicine during COVID-19 in this setting is 46.5%. Addressing the problem related with ease of use, attitude and patient-physician relationships will help to increase the overall willingness to use telemedicine during COVID-19. An attempt to improving patient-physician relationship, provision of technical training for ease of use and working on healthcare providers' attitude will help to improve the willingness to use telemedicine.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Several vaccines have been approved in a lot of countries to combat coronavirus disease and distributed throughout the world. Health professional's knowledge and attitude towards a second COVID-19 vaccine dose were poorly implemented and understood in Ethiopia's health facilities. The main purpose of conducting this study was to investigate health professionals' knowledge and attitude towards the second COVID-19 vaccine dose at public hospitals in Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from January to March, 2021 to assess the knowledge and attitude towards second COVID-19 vaccine dose among health professionals working at public health facilities in Ethiopia. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors that correlate with knowledge and attitude towards a second COVID-19 vaccine dose with a P-value<0.05 as a cut-off point for statistical significance at 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Four hundred and nine study subjects participated, with a response rate of 96.7%. In this study, more than half of the respondents had high knowledge towards second COVID-19 vaccine doses. Similarly, 95.6% of respondents had a favorable attitude towards second COVID-19 vaccine doses. Educational status (AOR=1.82, 95% CI=1.1-2.2), age (AOR=2.01, 95% CI=1.76-3.01), and profession (AOR=2.32, 95% CI=1.42-3.01) were variables associated with knowledge towards second COVID-19 vaccine doses. Educational status (AOR=5.42, 95% CI=4.1-6.7), age (AOR=12.4, 95% CI=10.54-15.8), professionals (AOR=4.33, 95% CI=2.32-6.87), working experience (AOR=4.33, 95% CI=2.32-6.87), marital status (AOR=2.47, 95% CI=1.33-5.95), risk degree (AOR=2.33, 95% CI=1.31-4.11) and gender (AOR=3.42, 95% CI=2.91-4.98) were determinant factors of attitude towards the second COVID-19 vaccine dose. CONCLUSION: Addressing problems related with risk degree, educational status, and socio-demographic factors will help to increase the overall knowledge and attitude towards second COVID-19 vaccine doses.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To assess utilisation of district health information system and its associated factors among health professionals in the southwest of Ethiopia, 2020. SETTING: Public health facilities in the southwest of Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 260 participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was utilisation of the district health information system. RESULTS: Overall, 149 (57.3%) of study participants had good utilisation of district health information systems (95% CI 50 to 64.2). Sufficient skills (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.83, 95% CI 1.92 to 7.64), being trained (AOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.95 to 7.79), high motivation (AOR 3.93, 95% CI 1.99 to 7.76), feedback provided (AOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.53 to 5.77) and regular supervision (AOR 3.06, 95% CI 1.56 to 6.01) were associated with utilisation of district health information systems. CONCLUSIONS: In general, more than half of the respondents had good utilisation of district health information systems. Providing regular supportive supervision and feedback, having good skills on district health information system use, high motivation and being trained on district health information system will help to bring good utilisation of district health information system for decision making.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Transcultural self-efficacy is a nurse's perception of his or her own ability to accomplish activities effectively for culturally diverse clients. This self-efficacy may be affected by different factors, either positively or negatively. Quality care can be improved significantly when nurses provide patient-centered care that considers cultural background of the patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess perceived transcultural self-efficacy and its associated factors among nurses working at Jimma Medical Center. METHODS: Facility-based cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was conducted among 244 nurses and 10 key informants from 20 May to 20 June 2020. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with transcultural self-efficacy. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically. Quantitative results were integrated with qualitative results. RESULTS: A total of 236 nurses participated in the study making the response rate 96.7%. The mean transcultural self-efficacy score was 2.89 ± 0.59. Sex, work experience, intercultural communication, cultural sensitivity, interpersonal communication, and cultural motivation were significantly associated with transcultural self-efficacy. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted and the findings of qualitative data yielded four major themes. CONCLUSION: The level of perceived transcultural self-efficacy was moderate among nurses. Transcultural self-efficacy of nurses varies with several factors including sex, experience, intercultural communication, cultural sensitivity, interpersonal communication, and cultural motivation. This calls for the need to offer transcultural nursing training for nurses.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUNDS: Health professionals are among the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic exposure and identified as a priority target group that need to receive COVID-19 vaccines. However, intention to receive vaccine is still matters the extent of COVID-19 vaccinations among health professionals. This study aimed to assess intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine and the factors that will determine their intention among health professionals working at public hospitals of Illu Aba Bora and Buno Bedelle zone hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was applied to assess the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines among health professionals working in public health hospitals of Illu Aba Bora and Buno Bedelle zone hospitals. Self-administered questionnaire were used for assessing intention to receive COVID-19 Vaccine. Multiple linear regressions were performed to identify factors associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine with p-value< 0.05 as cutoff point for statistical significance at 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULT: In this study, almost half of respondents 217(53.1% [95.0%: CI 49.3-58.9]) of study participants scored above the mean. Attitude (ß = 0.54, 95% CI: [0.49, 0.63], p<0.01), knowledge (ß = 0.27, 95% CI: [0.21, 0.35], p<0.01, perception (ß = 0.43, 95% CI: [0.39, 0.56], p = 0.02 and age (ß = 0.64, 95% CI: [0.51, 0.72], p<0.01 were variables associated with intention to receive vaccine against COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: This study result indicated that the overall magnitude of intention to receive COVID-19 is low. increasing attitudes, knowledge and perception among health professionals related to COVID-19 vaccine will helps to increase the overall intention to receive vaccine against COVID-19.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and disability among people with diabetes in the world and it is proving to be a major barrier to sustainable human development. Despite CVD continuing to devastate human survival, few studies in Ethiopia have focused on its prevalence which alone are insufficient to assess the risk of incident cardiovascular events. Therefore, we determined the incidence and predictors of cardiovascular disease among diabetic patients in a selected tertiary healthcare setting of Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using secondary data was conducted on 399 randomly selected diabetes patients. Data were entered using Epi-Data and analyzed using Stata version 14. Multivariable Weibull proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of CVDs (namely, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)) at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5.9 years, the overall incidence rate of CVD per 100 person-years (PY) was 2.71 (95% CI=16.9-17.6). The multivariable Weibull proportional hazard regression analysis showed a significant association of chronic kidney disease (CKD); (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) [95% CI]=2.53 [1.36-4.72]), systolic blood pressure (SBP)≥140; (AHR [95% CI]=4.30 [2.12-8.73]) and triglyceride (TG)≥200 mg/dL; (AHR [95% CI[=5.10 [2.02-12.89]) with risk of incident CVD. CONCLUSION: CVD is a public health problem among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. SBP≥140, chronic kidney disease, and high triglyceride were independent predictors of new CVD among diabetic patients. These findings emphasize the need of attention for CVD patients with CKD and hypertension (HTN) comorbidities and a longer follow-up period using a prospective study design to determine the long-term effects of predictors of CVD among diabetic patients.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: With an increasing number of diabetes patients in developing countries, the burden of diabetes-related blindness is undoubtedly posing a massive challenge to the sustainable health care system due to the cost of care. Despite this fact, to date, most of the epidemiological research on diabetic retinopathy (DR) in eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, has been limited to survey studies. Thus, we determined the incidence of retinopathy and its predictors among diabetic patients in Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study was conducted on 402 randomly selected diabetic patients of aged ≥15 years. A preliminary reviewed checklist was used to obtain information on the demographics, clinical and physiological attributes. Data were entered using EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using Stata version 14. All variables at P-values less than 0.2 in bivariable analysis were exported to multivariable analysis. Multivariable accelerated failure time (AFT) regression analyses using Weibull distribution were used to examine the predictors of DR at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Throughout a median follow-up period of 5.9 years, the cumulative incidence of DR was 20.15% (95%CI: 16.50-24.37) and the incidence rate was 36.9 per 1000 person years (PY) (95%CI: 29.7-45.9). Multivariable Weibull AFT regression analyses showed that type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (adjusted time ratio (ATR) 0.4095%CI: 0.20-0.78), hypertension (HTN) (ATR 0.54; 95%CI: [0.35, 0.82]), low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (ATR 0.51; 95%CI: 0.36-0.73), and borderline high total cholesterol (TC) (ATR 0.63; 95%CI: 0.42-0.94) were a predictor of time to DR. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of DR among patients with diabetes mellitus was estimated to be 20.15% and is becoming a public health burden in Ethiopia. Our results indicate that T2DM, HTN, low HDL-C and borderline high TC independently predicts an increased incidence/decreased survival time of retinopathy among diabetes patients. The low HDL-C, HTN, and high TC are modifiable risk factors that should be managed along with diabetes.