Ethiopian Medical Journal

BACKGROUND: Different anti-infective drugs have been proposed for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. We carried out a network meta-analysis to assess their relative efficacy and safety. METHODS: We searched relevant databases for all randomized controlled trials that reported the efficacy and or safety of any anti-infective drugs published up to April 30, 2022 for different outcomes. We did both pairwise and network meta-analysis with 95% confidence intervals using a fixed-effect model...

INTRODUCTION: Despite major advances in Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine development, vaccine hesitancy threatens the progress made to curb the disease. We aimed to assess the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the underlying determinants in Ethiopia. METHODS: A pilot mobile phone survey of adults in Ethiopia with mobile phones selected randomly. RESULTS: The pilot survey included 614 participants who were predominantly male (71...

INTRODUCTION: The Ethiopian Ministry of Health strongly recommends that anyone, regardless of vaccination status, wears a standard face mask consistently when in public. This study aimed to assess the self-reported use and predictors of wearing face masks in the general population in Ethiopia. METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study using a telephone survey. Adults living in Ethiopia were randomly selected from the Ethio Telecom list of mobile phone numbers and interviewed about their mask-wearing practice and individual and household-level factors that could impact on the use of face masking...

INTRODUCTION: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic substantially disrupts population health and wellbeing globally, while little is known about the effect on mental wellbeing in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on mental wellbeing of individuals and households in Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional, national pilot survey was conducted through phone interviews from September to November 2021. Mental wellbeing and disability were assessed using a questionnaire adapted from the 5-item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index (WHO-5), the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), and the WHO Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS 2...

INTRODUCTION: The COVD-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented global health and economic crisis, particularly in countries struggling with poverty. We conducted a national survey to understand the economic and health impacts of COVID-19 in Ethiopia. METHODS: A pilot, population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults randomly selected from the Ethio Telecom list of mobile phone numbers. Participants underwent a comprehensive phone interview about the impact of COVID-19 on their economic well-being and the health-related risks associated with COVID-19...

We describe a 63 year old Romanian female patient admitted to our institution with complaints of typical angina and a diagnosis of non ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography unveiled anomalous origin of a left circumflex coronary artery from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva near the right coronary ostium and a hyperdominant left anterior descending coronary artery giving off a posterior descending coronary artery with small distal-posterolateral left ventricular branch. The co-existence of a left circumflex coronary artery originating ectopically from the right sinus of Valsalva together with a posterior descending coronary artery originating from the distal end of the anterior descending artery is important to keep in mind especially by those doing coronary angiography in the cardiac catheterization laboratory...

Ganglioneuroma (GN) is benign tumor arising from sympathetic ganglion which commonly occurs at posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum and adrenal gland. Rarely, it may also present in cervical region as slow growing painless neck mass. Here we present a 7 years old female child with 4 years duration of slow growing left lateral neck mass. After proper investigations the patient was prepared & taken to the operation room for complete excision of the mass. Post operation biopsy settled the definitive diagnosis as Ganglioneuroma...

Background: Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in people younger than 40 years of age worldwide. Objective: The study primarily aims at assessing the short-term outcome of patients operated for traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Patients and Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional study on patients with traumatic brain injury at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between February 2013 and February 2014...

Introduction: Institutional delivery is very low in Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia where less than one-third of antenatal care attendees utilize the services. This study assessed the magnitude of institutional delivery and associated factors in South West Showa Zone of Oromia. Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted in 2010. A stratified cluster sampling technique used to select study districts, villages and households. Four hundred thirty childbearing women with at least one birth in the past 5 years preceding the survey were interviewed...

Background: Cancer treatment is associated with variable degrees of myelosupression. Infection is often a life-threatening complication of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and it is also considered an oncologic emergency. Febrile neutropenia is a common, costly and potentially fatal complication in oncology. Objective: To assess factors affecting treatment outcome of cancer patients with chemotherapy induced febrile neutropenia. Method: We conducted a review of records of pediatric patients hospitalized and treated for chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 and met the selection criteria...

Introduction: There are good pointers from literature to the detrimental impacts of psychoactive substance use in HIV/AIDS patients. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence, types and demographic correlates of psychoactive substance use among people living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: The study participants consisted of 295 adults with HIV/AIDS and were interviewed with a designed questionnaire that consisted of two parts. The first part contained questions to elicit socio-demographic and treatment related information of the participants, while the second part focused on psychoactive substance use...

Introduction: Myoma is the most common pelvic tumor and an enormous healthcare concern in women. Complications occur in approximately 10-40% of pregnancies with myomatous uterus. This study is conducted to determine the prevalence and obstetric outcome of grossly visible and/or palpable myoma among women who gave birth by caesarean section. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in three teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data was collected using a pre-tested questioner...

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients admitted to Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) helps with identification of priorities and the resources required to improve care. The objective of this study was to examine admission patterns and outcomes in MICU at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. MATERIALS: A retrospective review of 1256 patients’ case notes who were admitted to the MICU at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College from 2007 to 2012 was carried out...

Objectives: To assess labor, delivery and postpartum complications in nulliparous women with FGM/C and evaluate the attitude of mothers towards elimination of FGM. Methods: A prospective hospital based study using structured questionnaire was conducted between January to March 2015 at Karamara hospital, Jijiga, Ethiopia. All nulliparous women admitted for labor and delivery were included. Data were collected regarding circumcision status, events of labor, delivery; postpartum and neonatal outcomes as well as attitude of mothers towards elimination of FGM/C...

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease has been identified as emerging epidemic in developing world and Sub-saharan Africa. The prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease is not clearly established in our country. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease associated risk factors in Jimma town. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in sampled adults in Jimma town. Multi-stage sampling was used by combining simple random sampling to select kebeles of Jimma town and then systematic random sampling to select the house hold ...

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Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes are among seventeen WHO prioritized neglected tropical diseases that infect humans. These parasitic infections can be treated using single-dose and safe drugs. Ethiopia successfully mapped the distribution of these infections nationwide. According to the mapping there are an estimated 37.3 million people living in schistosomiasis endemic areas, and 79 million in schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes endemic areas. The Federal Ministry of Health successfully scaled up Schistosomiasis and schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes intervention in endemic areas and treated over 19 million individuals in 2015...

Podoconiosis is a geochemical disease occurring in individuals exposed to red clay soil of volcanic origin. This Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) is highly prevalent in Ethiopia. According to the nationwide mapping in 2013, the disease is endemic in 345 districts, where an estimated 35 million people live. The government of Ethiopia prioritized podoconiosis as one of eight priority NTDs and included it in the national integrated master plan for NTDs. An integrated lymphoedema management guideline has been developed...

Onchocerciasis is a severe parasitic infection which causes disabling skin and subcutaneous tissue changes. The disease is endemic in many African countries including Ethiopia. In 2013, Ethiopia launched Onchocerciasis elimination program with the goal of attaining interruption of onchocerciasis transmission nationwide by 2020. The country has successfully scaled up interventions and achieved 100% geographic coverage in all known endemic districts. The main strategy for interrupting the disease is mass drug administration (MDA) delivered two times per year...

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most debilitating and disfiguring diseases common in Ethiopia and is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. Mapping for LF has shown that 70 woredas (districts) are endemic and 5.9 million people are estimated to be at risk. The national government's LF elimination programme commenced in 2009 in 5 districts integrated with the onchocerciasis programme. The programme developed gradually and has shown significant progress over the past 6 years, reaching 100% geographical coverage for mass drug administration (MDA) by 2016...