Amhara National Regional State Public Health Institute

Abstract Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) is a multidisciplinary staffed and specially equipped area of a hospital dedicated to providing quality care for patients with life-threatening conditions. The provision of intensive care services to critically ill patients is a global issue. Though care is advancing globally, the quality of available ICUs in Ethiopia is still lagging far from the standard. Objective: This study aimed to assess ICU mortality and its associated factors among patients at Tibebe Ghion specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021. Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from February 24th, 2019 to January 24th, 2021. Data were collected from medical records by using pretested structured data retrieval checklist. The collected data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using R version 4.0 software. Descriptive statistics computed. A simple logistic analysis was run (at 95% CI and p-value < 0.05) to identify the determinants for ICU mortality. Results: A total of 568 study participants’ charts were reviewed. The median length of ICU stay was 4 days. The overall mortality rate of the ICU-admitted patients was 29.6% (95% CI: 26%, 33%). Admitted in 2020 (AOR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.31, 0.85), having altered mentation (AOR=13.44; 95%CI: 5.77, 31.27), mechanical ventilator used (AOR = 4.11; 95%CI: 2.63, 6.43), and stayed < 5 days in the ICU (AOR = 3.74; 95%CI: 2.31, 6.06) were significantly associated with ICU mortality. Conclusion: The ICU mortality rate was 29.6%. Years of admission, altered mentation, mechanical ventilator use and days of stay in the ICU were the predictors for ICU mortality. Improvement efforts led by the Ministry of Health with input from the acute care workforce are an urgent priority.

Abstract Introduction: Mental health disorders during pregnancy are of public health concern because of the implications for the mother and child's health. Mental health issues during pregnancy must, therefore, be diagnosed and addressed. And interventions to improve maternal mental health during pregnancy are critical preventive strategies against adverse health and developmental outcomes in newborns and children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of common maternal mental disorders and associated factors among pregnant women in North Wollo, Northwest Ethiopia. Objective: The study aimed to assess the magnitude of common mental disorders and associated factors among pregnant women in North Wollo, 2022 Method: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in North Wollo zone public health facilities from February to April 2022. A total of 777 samples were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Women were assessed for the risk of common mental disorders using a pretested, structured, self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 software and analyzed using R version 4.0 software. Descriptive statistics were computed. A simple logistic regression model was fit to identify the association and strength of exploratory variables and common mental disorders at a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05. Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of common mental disorders during pregnancy was 18.1% (95%CI: 15.5, 21.0). Educational status of participants (AOR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.48), husband educational status (AOR=11.13, 95%: 4.18, 29.66), unplanned pregnancy (AOR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.26, 5.09), self-reported complication on the current pregnancy (AOR=0.11, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.21), self-reported complication during the previous delivery (AOR=3.38, 95% CI: 1.39, 8.18), nutritional status (AOR=2.19, 95%: 1.26, 3.81), psychosocial risk (AOR=20.55, 95% CI: 9.69, 43.59), legal problem (AOR=2.06, 95%: 1.12, 3.79) and relationship problem (AOR=7.22, 95% CI: 3.59, 14.53) were showed statistical significant association. Conclusions: The prevalence of common mental disorders among pregnant women was high. Educational status of the participants and their spouse, unplanned pregnancy, self-reported complication during current pregnancy and previous delivery, nutritional status, psychosocial risk, and legal and relationship problem were the main determinants of CMD.

In 1999, an insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution project was started in several malaria-endemic villages in Lao P.D.R., namely Vientiane, Bolikhamxay and Khammouanne Provinces. After the completion of the project, it was found that the ITNs were effective for malaria control based on the analysis of the slide positivity rate for malaria parasites between 1999 and 2000 [6]. We conducted malariometric, entomological and KAP surveys in 2005-06 to confirm the status of malaria and to determine the effectiveness of ITNs in three different socioepidemiological areas (near city, rural and remote), represented by the Xebangfay and Boualapha districts, Khammouanne Province. A marked decrease in the annual malaria incidence and slide positivity rate was noted from 1999 to 2006 in the two districts. The malaria prevalence was significantly reduced in near city areas (5.6%-10.7% in 1999 to 0% in 2005-06) and rural areas (21.4%-50.9% in 1999 to 0%-1% in 2005-06). Twelve positive cases were recorded in remote areas (3.4 - 7.7% in 2006). The illiteracy rate was significantly higher among the respondents in the remote (83.9%) than among those in the near city (32.7%) and rural (54%) areas. In all areas, more than 50% of the villagers indicated that they were not aware of malaria. Similarly, about 60% of the respondents were found to have incorrect knowledge concerning malaria transmission. In remote, 40.9% of the respondents were aware of the methods to prevent malaria infection and 49.5% used mosquito nets throughout the year, rates significantly lower than the corresponding rates in near city and rural. The density of persons per net in remote (3.1-5.9) was considerably higher than that in near city (1.8-2.1) and rural (1.2-2.7). Malaria vector mosquitoes, such as An. minimus and An. nivipes were collected by human-baited adult collection, and cow-baited and CDC light traps. The results of the analysis suggested that the lower the number of persons per net the more effective the reduction of malaria morbidity in these areas. It is imperative that ITN distribution and health education regarding malaria be strengthened, especially in remote, but also in other areas.