Background and Aim: Toxoplasmosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease that affects one‐third of the world's population, and imposes a major public health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among patients with neuropsychiatric patients.Methods: Electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Research Gate, and Scopus were thoroughly searched from February to March 2022 to identify all relevant studies. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle−Ottawa quality scale for case‐control and cross‐sectional studies. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 12 software. A random effect model was used to compute the global pooled seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Heterogeneity was quantified by using I² value. Subgroup analysis was done, and publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's test.Result: Of 1250 studies, 49 containing 21,093 participants and conducted in 18 countries were included. The global pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody was 38.27% (95% CI: 32.04−44.9) among neuropsychiatric patients and 25.31% (95% CI: 21.53−29.08) in healthy controls with substantial heterogeneity of 98.3%. The prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody was higher in males (17.52%) than in females (12.35%) neuropsychiatric patients. The highest pooled prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody was in Europe (57%) followed by Africa (45.25%) and Asia (43%). Time based analysis showed the highest pooled prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody in 2012−2016 (41.16%).The global pooled seroprevalence T. gondii IgM antibody among neuropsychiatric patients and healthy controls was 6.78% (95% CI: 4.87−8.69) and 3.13% (95% CI: 2.02−4.24), respectively.Conclusion: The pooled prevalence of chronic and acute T. gondii infection among neuropsychiatric patients was 38.27% and 6.78%, respectively. This showed a high burden of toxoplasmosis among neurological and psychiatric patients and urges routine screening of those patients and providing appropriate treatment. It also indicates the need for different stakeholders to develop targeted prevention and control strategies for T. gondii infection.

Background: Malaria is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among under five children in developing countries. Ethiopia has set targets for controlling and eliminating malaria through at-risk group interventions. However, the disease remains a serious public health concern in endemic areas like in Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine malaria prevalence, risk factors and parasite density among under five children in Ziquala district. Method: A facility—based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ziquala hospital, and Tsitsika, Mishra and Hamusit health centers in Ziquala district, Northeast Ethiopia, from January 2022 to April 2022. The study enrolled a total of 633 under five children using a systematic sampling technique. A capillary blood sample was collected from each child to prepared thin and thick blood smears. Smears were then stained with 10% Giemsa and examined under light microscope. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect on socio-demographic data, parental/caregiver knowledge, and malaria determining factors. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with malaria. Result: The overall prevalence of malaria among children visiting Ziquala district health institutions was 24.6% (156/633). Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infection (both species) accounted for 57.1%, 38.5%, and 4.5% of the cases, respectively. Regarding to parasite load, moderate parasitemia was the most common, followed by low and high parasitemia with the proportion of 53.8%, 31.4% and 14.7% parasite density, respectively. Malaria infection was linked to irregular utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets (AOR = 5.042; 95% CI: 2.321–10.949), staying outside at night (AOR = 2.109; 95% CI: 1.066–4.173), and parents not receiving malaria health education in the past six months (AOR = 4.858; 95% CI: 2.371–9.956). Conclusion: Malaria was prevalent among children under the age of five enrolled in the study. The local government should focus on regular insecticide treated net utilization, reducing the risk of mosquito bites while sleeping outdoors at night and increasing public understanding of malaria prevention and control through health education would also help to minimize the burden of malaria.

Background: Hyperuricemia increases morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetic individuals. It is linked to the expansion of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases indicators, as well as being a significant predictor of coronary artery disease. It also leads to a poor prognosis and increment of diabetic complications including diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Africa. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. To identify relevant articles, we searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journal Online, Science Direct, Embase, ResearchGate, Scopus, and Web of Sciences. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 software. To evaluate heterogeneity, we utilized Cochran’s Q test and I² statistics. Publication bias was assessed through the examination of a funnel plot and Egger’s test. The pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effect model. Furthermore, sub-group and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results: The overall pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetic patients in Africa was 27.28% (95% CI: 23.07, 31.49). The prevalence was highest in Central Africa 33.72% (95% CI: 23.49, 43.95), and lowest in North Africa 24.72% (95% CI: 14.38, 35.07). Regarding sex, the pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia among female and male type 2 diabetic patients was 28.02% (95% CI: 22.92, 33.48) and 28.20% (95% CI: 22.92, 33.48), respectively. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed a high prevalence of hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetic patients. So, regular screening and diagnosis of hyperuricemia required for preventing its pathological effects and contribution to chronic complications of diabetes. Systematic review registration: : PROSPERO (2022: CRD42022331279).

Introduction: Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, identified as a “high priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen” by the World Health Organization, poses a significant threat to human health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Ethiopia. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies that reported VRSA prevalence due to infection or carriage from human clinical specimens were extensively searched in bibliographic databases and grey literatures using entry terms and combination key words. Electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, African Journal Online, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, and ResearchGate were used to find relevant articles. In addition, the Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Stata version 14 software was used for statistical analysis. Forest plots using the random-effect model were used to compute the overall pooled prevalence of VRSA and for the subgroup analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane chi-square (I²) statistics. After publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s test, trim & fill analysis was carried out. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was done to assess the impact of a single study on pooled effect size. Results: Of the 735 studies identified, 31 studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included for meta-analysis consisted of 14,966 study participants and 2,348 S. aureus isolates. The overall pooled prevalence of VRSA was 14.52% (95% CI: 11.59, 17.44). Significantly high level of heterogeneity was observed among studies (I² = 93.0%, p < 0.001). The region-based subgroup analysis depicted highest pooled prevalence of 47.74% (95% CI: 17.79, 77.69) in Sidama region, followed by 14.82% (95% CI: 8.68, 19.88) in Amhara region, while Oromia region had the least pooled prevalence 8.07% (95% CI: 4.09, 12.06). The subgroup analysis based on AST methods depicted a significant variation in pooled prevalence of VRSA (6.3% (95% CI: 3.14, 9.43) for MIC-based methods, and 18.4% (95% CI: 14.03, 22.79) for disk diffusion AST method) which clearly showed that disk diffusion AST method overestimates the pooled VRSA prevalence. The total number of S. aureus isolates was found to be the responsible variable for the existence of heterogeneity among studies (p = 0.033). Conclusion: This study showed an alarmingly high pooled prevalence of VRSA necessitating routine screening, appropriate antibiotic usage, and robust infection prevention measures to manage MRSA infections and control the emergence of drug resistance. Furthermore, mainly attributable to the overestimation of VRSA burden while using disk diffusion method, there is an urgent need to improve the methods to determine vancomycin resistance in Ethiopia and incorporate MIC-based VRSA detection methods in routine clinical laboratory tests, and efforts should be directed at improving it nationally. Trial Registration: PROSPERO registration identification number: CRD42023422043.

Background and Aims: In developing countries, intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition are among the most serious health issues affecting school‐aged children. They have synergetic consequences. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites, undernutrition, and their associated risk factors among school‐age children.Methods: A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from April to June 2021 among school‐age children in Sekota Town, Northeast Ethiopia. Households were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Risk factor variables were collected using pretested questionnaires. Stool samples were collected from study participants and examined using a wet mount, formol‐ether concentration, and modified acid‐fast techniques. The height and weight of children were also measured using a meter and a standard calibrated balance, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 statistical software.Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among school‐age children was 44.3% (178/402). About seven species of intestinal parasites were identified. The predominant parasite identified was E. histolytica/dispar (11.2%), followed by H. nana (9.2%) and G. lamblia (6.7%). The well as a source of drinking water (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.38–14.36), habit of open‐field defecation (AOR = 7.02; 95% CI: 13.05–12.06), and being undernourished (AOR = 5.67; 95% CI: 2.98–10.79) were independent predictors of intestinal parasitic infections. On the other hand, the overall prevalence of undernutrition was 46.3%. Undernutrition was significantly more likely in children with a dietary diversity score (DDS) of 3 (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 2.37–5.88), meal frequency of no more than three times per day (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.71–2.98), intestinal parasite infection (AOR = 5.25, 95% CI: 3.24–8.52), and no access to school‐based feeding (AOR = 3.52, 95% CI: 2.17–7.96).Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and undernutrition was high among school‐age children in Sekota Town. The results imply the need for strengthening integrated strategies for the reduction of intestinal parasitic infections and undernutrition.

Introduction: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are by far the most public health and urgent clinical problems with antibiotic resistance. They cause longer hospital stays, more expensive medical care, and greater mortality rates. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to indicate the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Ethiopia. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Wiley Online Library, African Journal Online, Science Direct, Embase, ResearchGate, Scopus, and the Web of Sciences were used to find relevant articles. In addition, the Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Stata 14.0 was used for statistical analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed by using Cochran’s Q test and I² statistics. In addition, publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. A random effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence. Sub-group and sensitivity analysis were also done. Results: The overall pooled prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Ethiopia was 5.44% (95% CI 3.97, 6.92). The prevalence was highest [6.45% (95% CI 3.88, 9.02)] in Central Ethiopia, and lowest [(1.65% (95% CI 0.66, 2.65)] in the Southern Nations and Nationalities People Region. In terms of publication year, 2017–2018 had the highest pooled prevalence [17.44 (95% CI 8.56, 26.32)] and 2015–2016 had the lowest [2.24% (95% CI 0.87, 3.60)]. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed a high prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. So, to alter the routine use of antibiotics, regular drug susceptibility testing, strengthening the infection prevention approach, and additional national surveillance on the profile of carbapenem resistance and their determining genes among Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates are required. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (2022: CRD42022340181).