The role of community pharmacy professionals has been expanded to patient care and health promotion service globally. However, in Ethiopia, there is a scanty of data on the issue, although the ...country is dealing with a double burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases.
This study aimed to assess community pharmacy professionals' willingness, involvement, beliefs, and barriers to offer extended services for health promotion in Injibara town, Amhara, Ethiopia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among licensed and registered community pharmacy professionals working in Injibara town from June 25 to July 10, 2022. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were presented using descriptive statistics. The data were analyzed using STATA version 16 software.
A total of 24 community pharmacy professionals were involved in the study, with a response rate of 92.3%. Approximately 91.7% of them were involved in health promotional services. Of them, 54.1% were willing and strongly believed that their involvement in health promotion services would have a positive impact on promoting health. A total of 60.9% of the community pharmacy professionals reported that they were very involved in family planning and alcohol consumption counseling. Different barriers to not providing health promotion services were also cited.
Majority of community pharmacy professionals in this study is involved in health promotional services but there are also barriers on their involvement. Therefore, governmental strategies to overcome the barriers that hamper their involvement should be designed.
Background Healthcare systems in both developing and developed countries were not free from prescription errors. One of the effects of prescription errors is irrational prescribing. According to the ...estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO), greater than 50% of medicines are prescribed and dispensed irrationally. On the other hand, research on drug use patterns in the private healthcare sector is scarce. This study aimed to assess prescription Completeness and Drug use Pattern using WHO prescribing indicators in Private Community Pharmacies in Lemi-Kura sub-city. Methods Based on the WHO prescribing indicators, a retrospective cross-sectional technique was employed to examine the completeness and drug-prescription patterns. The study was conducted from April to May 2021. Prescriptions, kept for 1 year that was prescribed from March 2020 to March 2021, by private healthcare sectors, were analyzed. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select prescriptions obtained from private health facilities. Data were analyzed using SPSS.sup.R version 26.0 software. Results Of a total of 1000 prescriptions, 1770 drugs were prescribed and the average number of drugs per prescription was 1.77. Prescriptions for two drugs account for 38% of these, while prescriptions for three drugs account for 15%. Age, sex, and card number were written on 99.0%, 99.2%, and 41.8% of prescriptions, respectively. The patient's name was written on every prescription. Even though the availability of other therapeutic information on the prescription made it appear greater, only 44.2% of prescriptions included the dosage form of medications. The generic name was used for the majority of the medications (67.8%). Furthermore, assuming that each prescription was for a single patient, 71% of patients received antibiotics, and 2% received injectable medicines. The National List of Essential Medicines-Ethiopia was used in 99.6% of the prescriptions. Conclusions On the basis of the finding of this study, the prescribing and prescription completeness indicator showed deviation from the standard recommended by WHO. This situation could be critical since a similar pattern is reported from public healthcare sectors, which might imply the extent of non-adherence to WHO core drug use standards. Consequently, it could play a considerable role in increasing prescription errors in Ethiopia. Hence, in-service training for prescribers should be provided to improve adherence to basic prescription writing. Keywords: Essential medicines list, Prescribing pattern, Rational drug use, WHO core drug use indicators, Ethiopia
Globally, adequate asthma control is not yet achieved. The main cause of uncontrollability is nonadherence to prescribed medications.
The objective of this study is to assess asthmatic patients' ...non-adherence to anti-asthmatic medications and the predictors associated with non-adherence.
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three governmental hospitals in Bahir Dar city from September 5 to December 12, 2021. The data was collected using the Adherence Starts with Knowledge-12 tool (ASK-12). Systematic random sampling was applied to select study participants. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of non-adherence. All statistical tests were analyzed using STATA version 16. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
A total of 422 asthmatic patients were included in the study. Most of the study participants (55.4%) did not adhere to their prescribed anti-asthmatic medicines. The educational status of the study participants (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.00-0.05), family history of asthma (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.04-0.21), and disease duration that the patients were living with (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.00-0.01) were the predictors of non-adherence to anti-asthmatic medications.
The level of nonadherence to treatment among patients with asthma was high. Religion, educational status of study participants, family history of asthma, and duration of the disease were the predictors of non-adherence of asthmatic patients to their antiasthmatic medications. Therefore, the Ministry of health, health policy makers, clinicians, and other healthcare providers should pay attention to strengthening the adherence level to antiasthmatic medications, and country-based interventions should be developed to reduce the burden of non-adherence to anti-asthmatic medications.
Abstract
Objectives
In Africa, antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) is increasing due to a high antipsychotic dose prescribing, repeated psychiatric hospitalization, uncontrolled psychotic symptoms, and ...greater side effect burden. Therefore, the aim of this review and meta-analysis is to assess the prevalence and correlates of APP among patients with schizophrenia in Africa.
Methods
A systematic search was performed from August 1 to 31, 2020, on PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases to select articles based on the inclusion criteria. Meta-Analysis of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines were employed. Cross-sectional observational studies that reported APP and/or its correlates in schizophrenia patients in English language published in peer-reviewed journals without time limits were included in the review. The quality of included articles was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool. Prevalence and correlates of APP were the outcome measures of this review and meta-analysis. Open Meta Analyst and RevMan version 5.3 software were used for meta-analysis. A random effect model was used to synthesize data based on the heterogeneity test.
Results
Six studies that involved 2154 schizophrenia patients met the inclusion criteria in this review and meta-analysis. The quality of included studies ranges from 6.5 to 10 based on the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool. The pooled prevalence of APP among patients with schizophrenia was 40.6% with 95% confidence interval: 27.6% to 53.7%. Depot first-generation antipsychotics and oral first-generation antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed APP combinations. Socio-demographic, clinical, and antipsychotic treatment characteristics were significantly associated with APP. There was a wide variation in the correlates of APP assessed by studies and the way that association/correlations was determined and reported.
Conclusions
APP is common and highly prevalent. Advanced age, male gender, longer duration of schizophrenia, hospital admission, and longer antipsychotic treatment were correlates of APP in Africa.
Leather is made from animal hides and skins that have passed through several stages of processing, from soaking to finishing. Unhairing is a crucial processing stage in which hair is removed from the ...animal hide or skin through open up the hair and it facilitates subsequent operations. The conventional sodium sulfide-based unhairing process generates a high volume of effluent, which accounts for 50 to 70% of the total biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) load in the tanneries’ effluent. This study aimed to investigate the potential of unhairing agents prepared from locally available plants. The research employed qualitative methods. Plant materials are collected, dried, and ground. In different proportions, unhairing extracts were obtained from Phytolacca dodecandra leaves, Cucurbita foetidissima fruits, and Solanum incanum fruits. In the conventional soaking process, plant extracts were applied in various concentrations to sheepskin. The physical parameters of conventionally processed (control) and experimentally treated leather were examined using FTIR, SEM, tear strength, percentage of elongation, and organoleptic tests. The unhairing solution was prepared from a mixture of 0.5% S. incanum extract, 0.5% P. dodecandra extract, 0.6% C. foetidissima extract, and 260 g/L lime powder lime, and this solution effectively removed the hair from the sheepskin in both hairs saving and hair burning unhairing process. The study revealed that the sheepskin treated with the plant extracts based on an unhairing agent and the conventional unhairing agent showed a comparable tensile strength (42.3 kg/cm and 45.2 kg/cm), tear strength (140.1 kg/cm2 and 143.5 kg/cm2), and percent elongation at break (40.2 and 42.3), respectively, which were above the permissible limit for leather production making. According to the study findings, the plant extracts have a good potential for removing hair from sheepskin, and they are eco-friendly and cost-effective compared to unhairing chemicals such as sodium sulfide.
Land suitability assessment for irrigation is critical to inform as well as manage current and future irrigated agriculture production systems. Land suitability analysis determines whether a given ...land area could potentially be used for specific crop production. The objective of this study was to identify the availability of suitable land for surface irrigation systems for the production of millet, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat production in the Lower Omo Gibe plain, Southern Ethiopia. Land suitability analysis was performed by a parametric method using factors such as soil texture, effective soil depth, Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), soil electrical conductivity (ECe), drainage class, and slope. Five land suitability classes were identified that include highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), currently not suitable (N1), and permanently not suitable (N2). Results showed that 6.6, 7.5, 6.6, and 6.6% of the study area mostly located in the western part of the basin, were highly suitable (S1) for irrigated millets, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat crops production, respectively. However, the mountainous areas in the central part of the basin were classified as N2 due to the steep slope and shallow soil depth. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the use of various suitability analysis techniques could assist in identifying suitable land for irrigated agriculture.
Abstract
Ethiopia is a multiethnic nation with a wide range of cultural traditions, as well as ancient indigenous culinary skills that have made a significant contribution to national and religious ...holidays, family get-togethers, community celebrations, funeral rites, and economical progress. The most extensively produced and consumed traditional meals in various regions of Ethiopia are Shiro flour and Berbere powder. The significance and reputation of Shiro flour and Berbere powder in Ethiopian culture cannot be overstated. Shiro flour and Berbere powder are consistently the most well-liked and essential components in Ethiopian cuisine. However, research on Shiro flour and Berbere powder was limited, and there was no scientifically compiled data on these food products. As a result, this study was undertaken to collect indigenous knowledge, practices, mode of preparations, and skills, as well as to generate baseline data on Shiro flour and Berbere powder at the national level by examining the physicochemical qualities, this study was conducted. A cross-sectional study design was used, and 220 respondents with prior experience preparing Spicy Shiro flour and Berbere powder took part. The findings of this study will use for interventions such as food supplementation, importing to international markets for revenue generation, setting national and international standards, formulating products, providing students and researchers with reference material, and creating jobs, particularly for young people and women. The bioavailability and recommended amount/dosage of herbs and spices to be added during Shiro flour and Berbere powder preparation, however, has not been studied in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the current study did not address the analysis of antioxidants, aflatoxins content from Berbere powder, amino acid profiles, value addition, and shelf life of both products.
Background: Rheumatic heart disease is a preventable cardiovascular disease that affects over forty million people worldwide. Poor adherence to secondary prophylaxis increases the risk of recurrent ...acute rheumatic fever. Studies on adherence to secondary prophylaxis in Ethiopia are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to determine adherence to secondary prophylaxis and risk factors among patients with rheumatic heart disease. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed to conduct this study from December 25/2021 to January 22/2022. The study was performed among rheumatic heart disease patients in randomly selected four public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire from follow-up patients after using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI info version 7.2 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in bi-variable logistic regression analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was estimated to determine the strength of association with poor adherence. Statistical significance multivariable logistic regression analysis was declared when the p-value is <0.05. Results: Three hundred and eighty-one study participants completed the study with a response rate of 95%. The mean age of the respondents was 26.45 + or -10.5 years. The overall poor level of adherence was 29.1% (95% CI: 24.7-33.8%). Rural residency (AOR = 2.637, 95% CI: 1.068-6.513), living with > family members (AOR = 2.879, 1.282-6.465), living more than 30 km from health clinic (AOR = 3.247, 95% CI: 1.051-10.033), lack of penicillin V (AOR = 6.772, 95% CI: 3.234-14.177) and fear of catching Covid-19 (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.014-0.114) were independently associated with risk factors for poor adherence. Conclusion: Considerable proportion of patients with rheumatic heart disease in Addis Ababa had a poor level of adherence to secondary prophylaxis. Stakeholder's better supply penicillin regularly and administers them at primary health-care facilities. Keywords: rheumatic heart disease, secondary prophylaxis, adherence
Erosion of soil refers to the process of detaching and transporting topsoil from the land surface by natural forces such as water, wind, and other factors. As a result of this process, soil fertility ...is lost, water bodies’ depth is reduced, water turbidity rises, and flood hazard problems, etc. Using a numerical model of erosion rates and erosion risks in the Jejebe watershed of the Baro Akobo basin in western Ethiopia, this study mapped erosion risks to prioritize conservation measures. In this study, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model was used, which was adapted to Ethiopian conditions. To estimate soil loss with RUSLE, the rainfall erosivity (
R
) factor was generated by interpolating rainfall data, the soil erodibility (
K
) factor was derived from the soil map, the topography (LS) factor was determined from the digital elevation model (DEM), cover and management (C) factor derived from the land use/cover data, and conservation practices (P) factor generated from digital elevation model (DEM) and land use/cover data were integrated with remote sensing data and the GIS 10.5 environment. The findings indicated that the watershed annual soil loss varies from nearly 0 on a gentle slope of forest lands to 265.8 t ha
−1
year
−1
in the very steep slope upper part of the watershed, with a mean annual soil loss of 36.2 t ha
−1
year
−1
. The total annual soil loss in the watershed is estimated to be around 919,886.5 tons per year. To minimize the amount of soil erosion in the watershed that had been most severely affected, we identified eight conservation strategies that could be implemented. These strategies were based on the participatory watershed development (PWD) principles established by the Ethiopian government and the severity of the erosion in the watershed. The study’s findings showed that a GIS-based RUSLE soil erosion assessment model can provide a realistic prediction of the amount of soil loss that will occur in the watershed. This tool can also help identify the priority areas for implementing effective erosion control measures.
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world, including Ethiopia. Over seven million people die annually due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ...secondary to CAD. Despite this fact, studies are scant in Ethiopia. Objective: To determine recovery rate and predictors of time to recovery among ACS patients in St. Peter's Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from October 2017 to October 2019. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among ACS patients. Patient charts were reviewed using a structured checklist. The Kaplan--Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival time. Log-log plots were used to check proportional hazard assumption among categorical predictors. Bivariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of time to recovery. In bivariable analysis, variables with P less than or equal to0.25 were fitted for multivariable Cox regression. Factors with P <0.05 in the multivariable Cox regression were independent predictors of time to recovery. Results: A total of 471 patient charts with a diagnosis of ACS were reviewed. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.98 + or -1.30 days with a total follow-up time of 1397 person-days. The recovery rate was 61.8%. The incidence density rate of recovery was found to be 20.5 per 100 person-days. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (AHR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.57, 2.74) and absence of major bleeding (AHR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.87) were predictors of time to recovery. Conclusion: In the current study, a considerable number of patients recovered within the first few days of admission. Absence of major bleeding and PCI were found to enhance early recovery of patients. Hence, early implementation of PCI and treatment of major bleeding may be vital to augment early recovery of patients with ACS. This can be achieved through involving case managers who can enhance the quality of treatment. Keywords: acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery disease, recovery, survival rate
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