Background: Despite the implementation of different COVID-19 prevention measures, the incidence of the disease continues to rise. Hence, vaccines have been taken as the best option for controlling the transmission of the disease. Although the approved COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and effective, multiple beliefs and misconceptions still exist influencing its acceptance. Objective: To assess the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and determinant factors among chronic patients visiting Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was used among patients with chronic diseases visiting Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1 to 20, 2021 using a consecutive sampling technique. Binary logistic regression analysis using crude odd ratio (COR) and adjusted odd ratio (AOR) was performed to assess the association between independent and dependent variables. Variables having p values of less than 0.05 at the 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered as factors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results: A total of 416 respondents participated in the survey, with a response rate of 98.6%. About 59.4% of the respondents were willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants who had health insurance (AOR=1.812; 95% CI: 1.703– 3.059), knew anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 (AOR=2.482; 95% CI: 1.427– 4.317), having good knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR=6.890; 95% CI: 3.900– 120.17), and having a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine (AOR=7.725; 95% CI: 4.024– 14.830) were factors affecting the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was low. Use of health insurance, knowing anyone who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, knowledge, and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine were factors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Healthcare professionals should conduct continuous awareness creation campaigns on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, safety, and its efficacy. Further studies like longitudinal and qualitative studies should be conducted to identify additional barriers to vaccine acceptance particularly in high-risk groups.

Background: Poor menstrual hygiene practices influence school girls’ dignity, well-being and health, school-absenteeism, academic performance, and school dropout in developing countries. Despite this, menstrual hygienic practices are not well understood and have not received proper attention by school WASH programs. Therefore, this study examined the extent of good menstrual hygiene practices and associated factors among high school girls in Dessie City, Amhara Region, northeastern Ethiopia.Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was employed to examine 546 randomly selected high school students in Dessie City, northeastern Ethiopia. Pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires and a school observational checklist were used for data collection. EpiData Version 4.6 and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 25.0 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistics regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with good menstrual hygiene practices. During bivariable analysis, variables withP-values less than 0.25 were retained for multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, variables with aP-value less than 0.05 were declared to be significantly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices.Results: Of the respondents, 53.9% (95% CI [49.6, 58.2]) reported good menstrual hygiene practices. The following factors were found to be significantly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices: age range 16–19 years (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: [1.22–3.06]); school grade level 10 (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: [1.18–3.07]); maternal education (primary) (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: [1.81–7.63]), maternal education (secondary) (AOR = 8.54, 95% CI: [4.18–17.44]), maternal education (college) (AOR = 6.78, 95% CI: [3.28–14.02]) respectively]; having regular menses [AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: (1.03–3.32); good knowledge regarding menstruation (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: [1.32–3.09]); discussing menstrual hygiene with friends (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: [1.12–2.86]), and obtaining money for pads from the family (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: [1.15–3.78]).Conclusion: We found that more than half of high school girls had good menstrual hygiene practices. Factors significantly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices include high school girls age 16–18 years, girls grade level 10, maternal education being completed primary, secondary and college level, having regular menses, good knowledge regarding menstruation, discussing menstrual hygiene with friends and obtaining money for pads from the family. Therefore, educating of high school student mothers about MHP should be a priority intervention area to eliminate the problem of menstrual hygiene among daughters. Furthermore, in order to improve the MHP among high school girls, further attention is needed to improving knowledge regarding menstruation among high school girls, encouraging high school girls’ families to support their daughters by buying sanitary pads and promoting discussions among friends about menstrual hygiene. Schools need to focus on making the school environment conducive to managing menstrual hygiene by increasing awareness of safe MHP and providing adequate water/sanitation facilities.

Background: Needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSIs) are a common problem among healthcare workers (HCWs). Although the factors related to NSSIs for HCWs are well documented by several studies in Ethiopia, no evidence has been reported about the magnitude of and factors related to NSSIs in hospitals in northwestern Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2019 among 318 HCWs in three randomly-selected hospitals of the eight hospitals found in South Gondar Zone. Sample sizes were proportionally allocated to professional categories. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling methods using the monthly salary payroll for each profession as the sampling frame. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome of this study was the presence (injured) or absence of NSSIs during the 12 months prior to data collection. A binary logistic regression model with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for data analysis. Variables from the bi-variable analysis with ap-value ≤ 0.25 were retained into the multivariable analysis. From the multivariable analysis, variables with ap-value less than 0.05 was declared as factors significantly associated with NSSIs.Main findings: The prevalence of NSSIs was 29.5% (95% CI: 24.2–35.5%) during the 12 months prior to the survey. Of these, 46.0% reported that their injuries were moderate, superficial (33.3%) or severe (20.7%). About 41.4% of the injuries were caused by a suture needle. Factors significantly associated with NSSIs were occupation as a nurse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.18–4.26), disposal of sharp materials in places other than in safety boxes (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI: 2.10–5.35), recapping of needles (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13–4.56), and feeling sleepy at work (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.14–4.41).Conclusion: This study showed that almost one-third of HCWs had sustained NSSIs, a proportion that is high. Factors significantly associated with NSSIs were occupation as a nurse, habit of needle recapping, disposal of sharp materials in places other than in safety boxes and feeling sleepy at work. Observing proper and regular universal precautions for nurses during daily clinical activities and providing safety boxes for the disposal of sharp materials, practicing mechanical needle recapping and preventing sleepiness by reducing work overload among HCWs may reduce the incidence of NSSIs.

Background: Intestinal parasitosis is a major public health problem that affects the health of primary school children in low- and middle-income countries where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions are deficient. Since there is a paucity of information on the prevalence and associated factors of this problem among primary school children in Dessie City in Ethiopia, this study was designed to address these gaps.Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 stratified-sampled primary school children in five primary schools at Dessie City from April to June 2018. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, an observation checklist and laboratory analysis of stool samples. Stool specimen from each study participant was collected using clean, properly labeled and leak-proof stool cup. A portion of stool from each study participant collected sample was processed using saline wet mount technique and examined by microscope. The remaining specimens were preserved with 10% formalin and transported to Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital laboratory to be processed by using formol-ether concentration technique. Then, slide smears were prepared from each processed stool specimen and finally, it was microscopically examined with 10x as well as 40x objectives for the presence or absence of intestinal parasites. Factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis were determined using binary logistic regression model at 95% CI (confidence interval). Thus, bivariate (COR [crude odds ratio]) and multivariable (AOR [adjusted odds ratio]) logistic regression analyses were carried out. From the multivariable analysis, variables having ap-value of less than 0.05 were declared as factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among primary school children.Main findings: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was found to be 16.0% (95% CI: 12.5–19.4%), of these, 50.8% were positive for protozoa, 32.2% for helminth infections and 16.9% for double co-infections.Entamoeba histolyticawas the most prevalent parasite (29.2%), followed byGiardia lamblia(21.5%),Ascaris lumbricoides(18.5%),Hymenolepis nana (9.2%) andEnterobius vermicularis(4.6%). Prevalence rates were similar among government (16.3%) and private (15.7%) school children. Water consumption was less than 5 liters per capita per day in 4 of the 5 schools. Thirty-eight (9.3%) of primary school students reported that they practiced open defecation. About two-thirds (285, 70.0%) said they always washed their hands after defecation. Mother’s education (illiterate) (AOR =3.3; 95% CI: 1.20–9.37),father’s education (illiterate) (AOR =3.9;95% CI: 1.40–10.82), fathers who could read and write (AOR =3.3;95% CI:1.25–7.86), handwashing before meal (sometimes) (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.11–4.17) and poor knowledge of WASH (AOR = 9.3; 95% CI: 2.17–16.70) were statistically associated with presence of intestinal parasitic infections.Conclusion: We concluded that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in the study area among Grades 4–8 primary school children had public health significance. Factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among primary school children’s were illiterate mothers and fathers, irregular handwashing of children before meals, and poor knowledge of WASH. Health education to improve students’ WASH knowledge and mass deworming for parasites are recommended as preventive measures; and improvements to the quality of WASH facilities in primary schools are strongly recommended to support these measures.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently the critical health problem of the globe, including Ethiopia. Visitors of healthcare facilities are the high-risk groups due to the presence of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the healthcare setting. Increasing the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards COVID-19 prevention among hospital visitors are very important to prevent transmissions of the pandemic despite the lack of evidence remains a challenge in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the status of knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice towards COVID-19 and associated factors among hospital visitors in South Gondar Zone Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed during August 1 to 30, 2020 from randomly selected 404 adult hospital visitors in South Gondar Zone Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. The data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire. The outcome of this study was good or poor knowledge, positive or negative attitude and good or poor preventive practice towards COVID-19. Three different binary logistic regression models with 95% CI (Confidence interval) was used for data analysis. For each mode, bivariable analysis (crude odds ratio [COR]) and multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]) was used during data analysis. From the bivariable analysis, variables with a p-value <0.25 were retained into the multivariable logistic regression analysis. From the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a significance level of p-value <0.05 were taken as factors independently associated with knowledge, attitude and preventive practices towards COVID-19. Main findings: About 69.3% of the respondents had good knowledge, 62.6% had a positive attitude, and 49.3% had good preventive practice towards the prevention of COVID-19. We found that factors significantly associated with good knowledge about COVID-19 were educational status who can read and write (AOR = 2.78; 95%CI: 1.18–6.56) and college and above (AOR = 6.15; 95%CI: 2.18–17.40), and use of social media (AOR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.46–6.01). Furthermore, factors significantly associated with a positive attitude towards COVID-19 includes the presence of chronic illnesses (AOR = 5.00; 95%CI; 1.71–14.67), training on COVID-19 (AOR = 3.91; 95%CI: 1.96–7.70), and peer/family as a source of information (AOR = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.06–5.63). Being a student (AOR = 7.70; 95%CI: 1.15–15.86) and participants who had a good knowledge on COVID-19 (AOR = 4.49; 95%CI: 2.41–8.39) were factors significantly associated with good practice towards COVID-19. Conclusion: We found that knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards prevention of COVID-19 among adult hospital visitors were low. Therefore, we recommended that different intervention strategies for knowledge, attitude and preventive practices are urgently needed to control the transmission of COVID-19 among adult hospital visitors. Health education of those who could not read and write about COVID-19 knowledge issues and advocating use of social media that transmit messages about COVID-19 are highly encouraged to increase the good knowledge status of adult hospital visitors. Furthermore, providing training about COVID-19 prevention methods and using various sources of information about COVID-19 will help for improving positive attitude towards COVID-19 prevention, whereas for increasing the status of good preventive practices towards COVID-19, improving the good knowledge about COVID-19 of adult hospital visitors are essential.