Parental khat use and early childhood growth status in Eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Adult chewing of the stimulant plant khat (Catha edulis) has an unclear relationship with child growth outcomes. Contradictory study conclusions because habitual khat chewing covary with increased household income from khat production.

AIM

Disentangling the association of parental khat use, household khat production, and child nutritional status and growth markers.

METHODS

Bayesian analysis was applied to survey data for 2340 households containing 2760 children aged 24-60 months in a population-representative geographic sampling of two districts in Eastern Ethiopia, a khat chewing and producing region.

RESULTS

Stunting effects were more evident than wasting; the negative child growth effect of khat chewing persisted regardless of household khat production; maternal chewing particularly mattered for child growth delays.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory analysis suggests that future studies should target the interactions of khat chewing practices with gendered performances of child care/feeding responsibilities.

Magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients attending public health facilities in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis is one of the top ten causes of illness, death, and disability throughout the world. Undernutrition reduces immunity, which makes latent tuberculosis more likely to become active tuberculosis. Tuberculosis makes these conditions worse. The body of a person suffering from TB has an increased demand for energy, which often causes a TB patient to lose a significant amount of weight and this can worsen acute undernutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and its associated factors among adult TB patients in public health facilities in Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 adult tuberculosis patients on follow-up in public health facility of Haramaya District, eastern Ethiopia from January 10, 2021 to February 20, 2021. An anthropometric assessment was done after a face-to-face interview using a pretested structured questionnaire. SPSS 24 was used to analyze the data. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with undernutrition.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 43.6% (95% CI 38.2-49.1%). Proportion of severe, moderate and mild undernutrition was 11.8%, 12.4%, and 19.4%, respectively. Age group of 18-24 years (AOR = 4.12; 95% CI 1.36-12.51), not have formal education (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.01-3.08), having large family size (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI 1.43-4.82), low dietary diversity (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI 1.75-4.99), lack of latrine (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.26-3.65), history of TB treatment (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI 1.19-5.54) and taking intensive phase of anti-TB drugs (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI 1.62-6.25) were factors found significantly associated with under nutrition.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of undernutrition was high. Age, educational status, family size, dietary diversity, toilet facility, history of tuberculosis medication and intensive phase of anti-TB drugs were found significantly associated with undernutrition. The nutritional derangement could call for fast nutritional intervention in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

In vitro Antibacterial Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers for Treating Urinary Tract Infection in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia

Background

Despite the presence of antibacterial agents for urinary tract infection treatment, most of the uropathogenic bacteria reveal multi-drug resistance. Health and economic loss due to these represent a rising burden worldwide which necessitates serious action at regional, national and global levels. Thus, alternative approaches to overcome this problem by using bioactive compounds from traditional medicinal plants are required. This study was designed to evaluate the in-vitro antibacterial activity of Punica granatum fruit peels, Nigella sativa seeds, and Echinops kebericho used in the traditional treatment of urinary tract infections.

Methods

An experimental study was employed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of methanol and ethanol crude extract of Punica granatum fruit peels, Nigella sativa seeds, and Echinops kebericho roots of six dilutions (25, 50, 100, 125, 250, and 500) mg/mL. Disc diffusion and macro broth dilution methods were used to determine antimicrobial activity test and minimum inhibitory concentration respectively against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, and S. aureus bacterias.

Results

Antibacterial activities of ethanol and methanol crude extract of Punica granatum fruit peels against E. coli ATCC25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC27853, S. aureus ATCC25923, K. pneumoniae UK5099 and P. mirabilis UK5999 had highest inhibition zones among tested plants. All tested bacteria were highly sensitive to Punica granatum extract. The second most active plant extract in inhibiting the growth of tested bacteria was Nigella sativa while Echinops kebericho showed the smallest efficacy against tested bacteria. The inhibition zone diameter produced by the methanol extract of each screened plant had higher inhibition zones than ethanol extract.

Conclusion

The crude extracts of Punica granatum fruit peels, Nigella sativa seeds, and Echinops kebericho roots have promising antibacterial activity against tested uropathogenic bacteria.

Food taboos among pregnant women and associated factors in eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this study was to assess food taboos and associated factors among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 422 pregnant women at Haramaya Demographic Surveillance System from Haramaya District, eastern Ethiopia. Data on sociodemographic conditions, the presence of food taboos, and perceived reasons were collected using the face-to-face interview method by trained data collectors through arranged home visits. Collected data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and exported to statistical package for social sciences version 23 for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive, binary, and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the relationship between explanatory and outcome variables. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) at p value less than 0.05 was used to declare significant association.

RESULTS

Approximately half (48%, 95% CI: 43%, 52%) of the pregnant women reported the presence of pregnancy-related food taboos. Pregnant women who have heard about food taboos (AOR: 3.58; 95% CI: 1.89, 6.83), pregnant women had friends who avoided food (AOR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.99), women's monthly income ⩽840 ETB (AOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.73), and pregnant women who had not attended formal education (AOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.23) were more likely to report food taboos. The odds of pregnant women who had attended uptake of immunization services were less likely to have food taboos (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.58).

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy-related food taboos among pregnant women are unacceptably high. Therefore, awareness creation and nutritional counseling at health service delivery points are imperative actions for pregnant women to avoid food taboos norms. Further research should be done to understand the social and cultural ground of food taboos during pregnancy.

Partial vaccination and associated factors among children aged 12-23 months in eastern Ethiopia

Background

Vaccine prevents about 2–3 million deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. However, immunization coverage in Ethiopia is lower than the herd immunity level required to prevent the spread of all vaccine-preventable diseases. Thus, this study aimed to assess the partial immunization and associated factors among 12–23-month-old children in Eastern Ethiopia.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study design was carried out among 874 randomly selected mothers/caregivers of children aged 12–23 months. A structured questionnaire was adapted and data were collected through face-to-face interviews and review of vaccination cards. Data were coded and analyzed using the Stata version 14 software. A binary logistic regression model was utilized to identify the determinant factors. The predictor of partial immunization was presented by an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. A p-value of < 0.05 was used to establish statistical significance.

Result

The prevalence of partial immunization was 31.4% (95% CI: 28–35). The dropout rate between the first and third pentavalent vaccine was 17%. Being female child [AOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52–0.95], 18–20 month child [AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1- 2.4], the child born to mothers who heard about vaccination [AOR = 3.9, 95%CI: 1.92- 8.01], a child born to mother who did not receive immunization counselling [AOR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.15–2.36], and child whose mother walk 15–30 min, 31–60 min, and > 60 min to reach nearby health facilities [AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.1–3.45], [AOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 2.47–8.15], and [AOR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.59- 7.48] respectively were factors significantly associated with partial vaccination.

Conclusions

The prevalence of partial immunization is high compared to other studies. As a result, to decrease the proportion of defaulters and to increase immunization coverage, maternal health care utilization like antenatal care follow-up and mother knowledge about the importance of the vaccine need to be sought cautiously.

Anemia among School Adolescents in Haramaya Town, Eastern Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Anemia is a condition characterized by reduction in the number of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin concentration. It affects 24.8% of the world population. There is little evidence on burden of anemia among adolescents in low income countries like Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of anemia and factors associated with anemia among school adolescents in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

School based cross-sectional study was conducted among 493 school adolescents in Haramaya town during February 1 to 28, 2017. Multi stage cluster sampling technique was used. We collected anthropometric data (weight and height) and hemoglobin level of all study participants. The hemoglobin level was adjusted for altitude. Data were entered into EpiData and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with anemia. Level of statistical significance was declared at P < .05.

Results

In this study, the prevalence of anemia was 29.4% [95% CI: (25.6, 33.5)]. Being female adolescent (AOR = 2.31, 95 % CI: [1.51, 3.54]), adolescents attending grades 9th to 10th (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: [1.004, 2.77]), adolescents born to illiterate mothers [AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: (1.02, 4.89)], and low dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: [1.12, 4.86]) were factors that increased the likelihood of getting anemia.

Conclusion

Anemia among school adolescents was a moderate public health problem in the study area. Being female, lower grade levels (9th to 10th), low dietary diversity score and illiterate maternal educational status increased the likelihood of getting anemia. School based Iron/Folic acid supplementation, nutrition education and promotion of diversified foods consumption should be given attention with particular focus on female adolescents.

Antenatal care utilization increase the odds of women knowledge on neonatal danger sign: a community-based study, eastern Ethiopia

Objective

This study, aimed to determine women knowledge on key neonatal dander sign and associated factors among women recently gave birth in eastern Ethiopia.

Results

Of the 757 women interviewed, fever was reported as a neonatal danger sign by 255 (33.7%) followed by poor sucking (24.8%), difficulty breathing (23.5%), convulsion (16.0%), lethargy (12.9%), a very small baby (11.8%) and hypothermia (2.9%). Overall 9.38% listed four or more danger signs spontaneously. Attending at least one antenatal care visit [AOR = 2.83; 95% CI (1.62, 4.93)], and giving birth at health facilities [AOR = 3.31; 95% CI (1.67, 6.53)] were significantly associated with knowledge of neonatal danger signs.

Contamination of Ethiopian paper currency notes from various food handlers with E. coli

Contamination rate of Ethiopian paper currency notes handled by various food handlers with Escherichia coli and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was assessed. A total of 384 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) notes were randomly sampled from meat handlers at butchers, bread and the related food handlers at cafeteria, fruit and vegetables handlers at supermarket, and milk sellers both at open market and dairy station. Fifty control new currencies were also sampled from Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Both surfaces of the currency were swabbed using wet sterile cotton. The swab was overnight incubated in buffered peptone water. A loop full was streaked on eosin methylene blue agar and followed by biochemical test on presumptive E. coli colonies. Randomly selected isolates were exposed to chloramphenicol (C-30 µg), neomycin (N-30 µg), oxytetracycline (OT-30 µg), polymyxin-B (PB-300 IU) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT-1.25/23.75/µg) susceptibility using disc diffusion techniques. E. coli was not isolated from currency used as control. A total of 288 (75 %) currency notes were found carrying E. coli. E. coli prevalence was ranges from 67.2 % at open market milk sellers to 87.2 % at dairy station milk sellers; from 64.8 % on ETB 100 to 82.9 % on ETB 1. Differences were not observed in E. coli prevalence on currency notes from among almost all food handlers (P > 0.05). Susceptibility of tested isolates to each chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was 100 %, and to polymyxin-B was 97.3 %. High resistance (83.7 %) was observed to neomycin. The finding indicates, contaminated food can be a source of E. coli for further contamination of currency which again transfer through various foods ready for consumption.