Tikur Anbessa Hospital

Although radiotherapy is an essential part of comprehensive cancer care, access is heavily limited in most sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Patients' barriers to care can be grouped as availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability. We aimed to assess cancer patient- and caregiver-reported barriers in nine SSAn countries (Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe). We conducted a telephone-based survey among 553 randomly selected patients with breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer, Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed between 2018 and 2019 registered in population-based registries of the African Cancer Registry Network. We inquired about receipt of radiotherapy and barriers irrespective of recalling a recommendation. Among all categories, 21.6% (Use of alternative medicine) to 39.6% (Cost of treatment) of patients reported severe barriers. Most common was problematic Cost of treatment (69.0% overall). A high share of patients from Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania reported barriers. Higher education and wealth were associated with reduced problems in all categories except increased problems with Fear and Use of alternative medicine. Receipt of radiotherapy was associated with fewer problems with Availability of transport (odds ratio [OR]: 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.88) and Trust in healthcare workers (OR: 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.8), and increased Fear (OR: 2.33; 95% CI, 1.33-4.05). Seeing that one-third of the patients reported severe problems in all dimensions, shortage of radiotherapy units is not the only problematic aspect of access to radiotherapy. Improvements in affordability, patient-healthcare worker communication, and psychosocial support are needed.

Introduction: Neonatal care in low-resource settings is hindered by shortages of trained staff, inadequate infrastructure, and limited equipment and medications that compromise the management of common neonatal conditions and reduce the quality of care. Our aim was to describe the collaborative efforts between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS), Doctors with Africa Collegio Universitario Aspiranti Medici Missionari (CUAMM), the Ethiopian Pediatrics Society (EPS), and the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to assess resuscitation and respiratory care practices in Ethiopian neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)s, identify gaps, and guide targeted interventions. Methods: A 50-item survey was distributed to 48 Ethiopian NICUs. Based on the survey results, a national workshop in Addis Ababa and a neonatal resuscitation “Train the Trainers” course were scheduled. In parallel, funds were allocated to initiate renovations and equipment upgrade at two selected sites. Results: The survey showed that most units lacked essential resuscitation equipment. Noninvasive respiratory support mainly relied on homemade continuous positive airway pressure systems; mechanical ventilators were available in <40% of units. Caffeine was rarely used, and surfactant was unavailable. The national workshop led to a document shared with the FMoH outlining priorities for subsequent training and resource strengthening. Newly trained instructors conducted four local neonatal resuscitation courses, training 150 healthcare providers. Facility upgrades addressed water, power, medical gas systems, and refurbishment of deteriorated areas. Conclusions: The survey revealed major gaps in neonatal care in Ethiopia. Collaborative efforts by AICS, UENPS, CUAMM, EPS, and FMoH helped reinforce key infrastructures and promote delivery room and respiratory care.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the diagnostic precision of the Alvarado and RIPASA scoring systems in detecting acute appendicitis. This will be done by comparing their outcomes with histopathology, which is considered the most reliable benchmark for comparison. Accurate and prompt identification of acute appendicitis is crucial in order to avoid complications such as perforation and peritonitis. Over the years, several clinical scoring systems have been developed to aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The RIPASA (Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis) and Alvarado scoring systems are well recognised in the medical field. It is essential to do a comparison examination of these two scoring systems because to the possible changes in sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy.This study included 145 male and female patients who presented with right iliac fossa discomfort and were thought to have acute appendicitis. Two diagnostic grading systems were used to guide surgical choices. Alvarado Score: Patients having a score of 7 or above were subjected to an appendectomy. RIPASA Score: Patients with a score less than 12 also had an appendectomy. 145 individuals included between the ages of 13 and 60, the Alvarado score was found to have a sensitivity of 34.4%, specificity of 75.8%, diagnostic accuracy of 51%, positive predictive value of 68.2%, and negative predictive value of 43.5% for diagnosing acute appendicitis. On the other hand, the RIPASA score performed better, with a sensitivity of 94.2%, specificity of 94.8%, diagnostic accuracy of 94%, positive predictive value of 96.5%, and negative predictive value of 91.6%. In the adult Pakistani population, the RIPASA scoring system demonstrates superior accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV compared to the Alvarado score, with a lower rate of negative appendectomies.

BackgroundAdverse neonatal outcomes (ANOs), including preterm birth, low birth weight, low Apgar scores, congenital malformations, and early neonatal death, remain a leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality worldwide. Pregnancy at advanced maternal age (> 35 years) increases the risk of ANOs, even in the absence of other socio-economic or medical risk factors. In developing countries such as Ethiopia, where neonatal mortality is high, evidence on the impact of advanced maternal age on neonatal outcomes is limited. This highlights the need for context-specific research to inform maternal and neonatal health interventions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare adverse neonatal outcomes and associated factors among adult and advanced-aged pregnant mothers at the public hospitals of Addis Ababa City.MethodsA hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at public hospitals in Addis Ababa from April 29 to June 30, 2024, among 707 mothers (471 adults and 236 advanced-age). Data were collected using a systematic random sampling technique and the Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect Android application. Analyses were performed with SPSS version 26.0. Independent t-tests were used to compare continuous outcome variables between groups and estimate mean differences, while binary logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate COR and AOR with a CI of 95%. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe overall response rate was 98.6%. Nearly half of advanced-aged mothers (51.5%; 95% CI: 44.7–57.9) experienced at least one ANO, compared to 40.2% (95% CI: 35.7–44.6) among adult-aged mothers, yielding a proportion difference of 11.3% (95% CI: 3.5–19.1). Overall, 44.0% (95% CI: 40.2–47.6) of neonates experienced at least one ANO. Advanced maternal age was significantly associated with unfavorable neonatal outcomes [AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.02–2.25]. Specifically, advanced age was linked to increased risks of preterm birth [AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18–2.85] and large for gestational age [AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.31–5.49], while it was inversely associated with post-term birth [AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08–0.83].ConclusionsAdvanced maternal age was significantly associated with increased ANOs, particularly preterm birth, and large for gestational age. To mitigate these risks, there is a need for strategy development that creates awareness on the advantages of achieving the desired number of children during early adulthood, alongside strengthening risk-based antenatal care in Ethiopia.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-025-08316-2.

The 2025 ACC/AHA hypertension guideline reaffirms < 130/80 mmHg as the treatment target and elevates home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) as the diagnostic gold standard. While this represents progress in hypertension management, it risks widening inequities in Africa, where validated HBPM devices are scarce, unaffordable, and largely excluded from public health systems. Fewer than 10% of households in sub-Saharan Africa own a validated monitor, compared with more than 60% in high-income countries, and retail prices often exceed a week's income. Without deliberate policy action, accurate diagnosis and follow-up may become privileges reserved for wealthier populations, while most patients continue to rely on single clinic readings. Evidence from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia highlights systemic barriers, including device shortages, weak procurement systems, financing gaps, and limited awareness, that undermine hypertension care. To align with international standards, African health systems must recognize HBPM as an essential health technology, add validated devices to national essential lists, and mobilize sustainable financing for procurement. Regional pooled purchasing, local manufacturing, and donor support could reduce costs and improve supply security. Embedding HBPM into hypertension pathways is not only a technical priority but also an equity imperative to close the global treatment gap.

Chorioamnionitis is a medical illness marked by maternal fever, leukocytosis, tachycardia, uterine discomfort, and preterm membrane rupture. Chorioamnionitis affects approximately 4% of full-term deliveries worldwide, but it is more common in preterm pregnancies and early membrane rupture. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of chorioamnionitis among mothers in public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among maternity patients at Zewditu Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, and Abebech Gobena MCH Hospitals from June 15 to July 15, 2024. A simple random sampling technique with proportional size allocation was used to select a total sample of 379 patients. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26.Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. Significance was set at p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval, and data were presented in tables and graphs.A total number of 356 patient's data were analysed and the proportion of patients with Chorioamnionitis was found to be 21.3%. After adjustment for possible confounders on multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis age < 25 years [AOR = 0.26, 95% CI (0.09-0.72)], having premature rupture of membrane [AOR = 2.24, 95% CI (1.05-4.78)], duration of labor < 12 hour [AOR = 0.10, 95% CI (0.04-0.24)], and having urinary tract infection [AOR = 3.54, 95% CI (1.72-7.27)] were the significant variable associated with Chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis is a common complication in maternity patients. The magnitude of Chorioamnionitis in the selected public hospital was 21.3%. Age, premature rupture of membrane, duration of labor and urinary tract infection were the factors that had significant association with Chorioamnionitis. The Ministry of Health should focus on creating strategies to prevent and intervene in Chorioamnionitis for patients with premature rupture of membranes and prolonged labor.

10567 Background: Breast cancer incidence is rapidly increasing in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to care is limited and survival outcome is poor. Young women and men are overrepresented among breast cancer (BC) patients diagnosed in LMICs in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), for reasons not yet fully understood. As hereditary cancer is more common in young women and men with BC, genetic factors may play a significant role. Even though carriers of germline pathogenic variants (PV) in the genes BRCA1 , BRCA2 , and PALB2 have a very high risk of BC, studies of PV in these genes are very limited in SSA. In order to increase knowledge, this study investigated the prevalence of PV in high-risk BC susceptibility genes in young women and men diagnosed with BC in Ethiopia. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. One-hundred young women (age 18-39) and men (all ages) diagnosed with invasive BC were included from Departments of Oncology and Surgery at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Potential participants were given oral and written information by a trained physician, and those consenting were included in the study. Basic patient- and tumor characteristic as well as information about family history was collected. DNA was extracted from blood samples, before shipment to BRCAlab, Lund University, Sweden for genetic analysis of genes BRCA1 , BRCA2 and PALB2 , using a gene panel and next generation sequencing on an Illumina platform. Results: Genetic analysis results were available for 89 study patients. There was a high proportion (21.3%) of PV in tested genes. In total, 19 PV were found in BRCA1 (n = 7), BRCA2 (n = 8) and PALB2 (n = 4). One of the PV was in a male. There were five individuals with an identical PV in BRCA1 (c.4524G &gt; A, NM_007294.3), three individuals with identical PV in BRCA2 (c.5159C &gt; A, NM_000059.3), and two individuals with identical PV in PALB2 (c.1216delG, NM_024675.4). Two novel PV not previously reported in literature were found, BRCA1 c.5278-864_5332+621del, NM_007294.3 and PALB2 c.1169_1170del, NM_024675.4. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that germline PV in BRCA1 , BRCA2 and PALB2 are common among young women and men diagnosed with BC in Ethiopia, with over 1 out of 5 patients carrying a PV. Genetic predisposition appears to play an important role in the tumor genesis in the studied group. Multiple patients carried identical PV, which could indicate that the detected PV are founder variants. Since the majority of the patients in Ethiopia are young, and male BC seem more prevalent compared to in western countries, efforts directed to these groups and development of services for genetic testing and follow-up programs for carriers of PV should be further emphasized. This approach has the potential to reduce BC incidence, morbidity and mortality through increased awareness, risk-reducing procedures and earlier cancer detection.