Objective: To assess the rate of glycemic control and associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Dilchora Referral Hospital, Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 13 May to 16 August 2019. Type 2 diabetic patients on follow up at Dilchora Referral Hospital who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study were included. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. Data was collected by a face-to-face interview and review of medical records. The primary outcome was the level of blood glucose during three consecutive visits. Poor glycemic control was defined as a blood sugar level of more than 154 mg/dL based on the average of measurements from three consecutive visits. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of glycemic control. Result: A total of 394 participants responded to the interview and were included in the final analysis. The overall prevalence of poor glycemic control was 45.2% (95%CI: 40.6%-50.0%). Patients who were on oral anti-diabetic drug plus insulin had more than two times greater chance of poor glycemic control than patients on oral anti-diabetic drug alone: 2.177(95%CI:1.10–4.29). The odds of poor glycemic control in patients who did not understand the pharmacist’s instructions was two times higher than patients with good understanding of instructions 1.86(95%CI: 1.10–3.13). Patients who had poor level of practice were found to have poor glycemic control: 1.69(95% CI: 1.13–2.55). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of poor glycemic control was high among type 2 diabetes patients. Oral anti-diabetic drugs in combination with insulin, lack of understanding of pharmacist’s advice, and poor practice of diabetic patients were significant factors of poor glycemic control. Pharmacists should reassure the understanding of patients before discharge during counseling. Optimization of the dose of antidiabetic medications and combination of oral hypoglycemic agents should be considered.

Introduction: In Ethiopia, more than four million children are anticipated to live under particularly difficult circumstances. Street children are subject to violence, a lack of health care, and a lack of education. Which denies them the right to live in a secure environment and exposes them to different health problems. Currently, little is known about the prevalence of Streetism, including health conditions. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the health status of street children and determinants of Streetism. Methods: Mixed methods (sequential) were employed from February 1 to 28, 2021. Quantitative cross-sectional study design and phenomenological qualitative designs were applied. Overall, 220 street children were involved in the study. The most common reason that forced the children to resort to a street way of life is to look for a job and quarreled with parents. The data were collected using interviews methods. Chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regression were applied to examine the variations among variables with the health status of street children. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. Results: The study included a total of 220 street children. As to the quantitative study, the majority of study participants (92.73%) drank alcohol regularly. Depression (39.22%) and peer pressure (43.14%) were the most common initiation causes of drinking alcohol. According to a qualitative study report, "Street children are mostly affected by the communicable disease” and… They are addicted to substances like benzene” which had a profound effect on their health.” Furthermore, the study discovered a statistically significant association between respondents’ health status and sociodemographic characteristics (age and educational status), job presence, and drug use. Conclusion: This study identified the factors that drove street children to live on the streets, such as the inability to find work and disagreements with their parents. The majority of the street children were affected by preventable and treatable diseases. Unfortunately, almost all street children reported drinking alcohol, which exposed them to a variety of health problems. In general, the study discovered that street children require immediate attention. Decision-makers and academicians should collaborate to develop a plan for these children’s health and social interventions.

Introduction: Acute poisoning causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is scarce of information on acute poisoning in the study area. Objective: To assess treatment outcome and the associated factors among patients admitted with acute poisoning at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. All acutely poisoned patients who had been admitted at the emergency department of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020 who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study were included. Data were collected by review of medical records. Poor treatment outcome of acute poisoning was defined as the acutely poisoned patient was died, or survived with disability. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with the outcome of acute poisoning. Result: A total of 175 patient’s medical records were reviewed. Of these, 150 patient’s medical records had complete information and were included in the final analysis. The majority of participants 89 (59.3%) were in the age group of 19–37 years. More than half of the participants 86 (57.3%) were females. Organophosphate was the most poisoning agent encountered in 62 cases. Acetaminophen was the predominant drug poisoning agent encountered in 10 participants. Among 30 patients managed with antidote, 18 patients were treated with atropine for organophosphate poisoning. Of all the poisoning cases admitted during the study period, 16.7% died. Participants who were poisoned by themselves were 2.4 times more likely to have poor treatment outcomes than those who were poisoned accidentally: 2.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–5.42). The odd of having poor treatment outcome in participants who were poisoned by drugs was 2.13 more likely: 2.13 (95% confidence interval: 1.21–3.32). Conclusion: Organophosphate was the predominant cause of acute poisoning encountered in 62 cases. The modes of poisoning and drug poisoning were significant risk factors associated with poor treatment outcomes of acute poisoning.

Introduction: Although the Practice of traditional medicine is accorded great importance worldwide, it seems to face a notable challenge. A notable challenge is the lack of a reference standard for determining the appropriate utilization of traditional medicine for patients. There is little evidence about the usual utilized traditional medicine in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess practice of traditional medicine and associated factors among residents in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 20, 2022 to February 20, 2022. About 818 study participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 computer software. The association between an outcome variable and independent variables was assessed using binary logistic regression and the strength of association was presented using Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI). Result: A total of 803 participants were included in the final analysis with a 98.2 % response rate. From the total study participants, 563 (70.1%) [95%CI: 66.8–73.3] had used traditional medicine in the past 6 months. Factors such as being farmer [AOR = 1.06; 95%CI: (1.03–3.7)], having a diploma degree or higher [AOR = 3.2, 95% CI (1.4–7.3)] and having no history of chronic disease [AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: (0.1–0.5)] were significantly associated traditional medicine practice. Conclusion: The proportion of traditional medicine practice was high. The most commonly utilized traditional medicines were Damakase, Tenadam, Zingibil and Erate. A national health policy should give a great emphasize on rational utilization of traditional medicine.

Introductions: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) often cause to poor health outcomes in elderly patients. There is a dearth of information on potentially inappropriate medications prescribing patterns among this population in Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Objective: To assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use and associated factors among elderly patients on follow-up at the chronic care clinic of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive specialized Hospital in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study using medical records of 419 elderly patients was conducted. Elderly patient's aged ≥ 65 years who were treated in the ambulatory care clinic were included. Systematic random sampling technique was used. Potentially inappropriate medications use was identified by using 2023 updated American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria and Screening Tool of Older People's Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions criteria and Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment criteria. The multivariable analysis was employed to identify factors associated with PIMs use. The strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: A total of four hundred nineteen patients’ medical records were reviewed. Of these, four hundred eleven patients’ medical records were fulfilled the inclusion criteria and considered for final analysis. About 234(56.9%) study population were females. The prevalence of PIMs use was 28.5% and 18.5%, according to Beers and STOPP criteria, respectively. In accordance with Beers criteria, male sex (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.10- 2.87), diabetes mellitus (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19- 0.62), and chronic kidney disease (AOR: 6.68, 95% CI: 2.55-9.32) were found to be the determining factors for PIMs use. According to STOPP criteria, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were the primary factors influencing PIM use. Conclusion: Comparative to other study findings from across the world, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications use was low. Based on Beers criteria: male sex, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease were found to be the determinant factors for PIMs use. Deep vein thrombosis, Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were significant factor of PIMs use according STOPP criteria.

Objective: To assess youth friendly services utilization and associated factors among school youths in North Shewa zone, Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study complemented with qualitative inquiry was conducted from 25 February to 20 March 2020. Multistage and purposive sampling technique was used. A total of 605 randomly selected students were recruited. Seven in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted for qualitative study. p-value < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were computed to measure the strength of associations between variables. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, analyzed manually, and presented in narration. Result: One hundred ninety-five (32.7%, 95% confidence interval: 29.0%, 36.6%) respondents had used youth friendly services during the survey. Educational level of father (can read and write) (adjusted odds ratio = 3.12, 95% confidence interval: (1.47, 6.65)), being knowledgeable about reproductive health issues (adjusted odds ratio = 4.84, 95% confidence interval: (2.77, 8.47)), discussion on reproductive health issues (adjusted odds ratio = 2.50, 95% confidence interval: (1.49, 4.19)), having sexual exposure (adjusted odds ratio = 3.37, 95% confidence interval: (1.54, 7.39)), perceiving oneself as risky for acquiring HIV/AIDS (adjusted odds ratio = 4.49, 95% confidence interval: (2.63,7.65)), history of sexually transmitted infections (adjusted odds ratio = 4.40, 95% confidence interval: (1.61, 12.04)), favorable attitude toward service providers (adjusted odds ratio = 2.20, 95% confidence interval: (1.16, 4.17)), and ever supported to use the services (adjusted odds ratio = 4.18, 95% confidence interval: (2.51, 6.97)) were factors associated with youth friendly services utilization. Conclusion: Compared with previous findings, youth friendly services utilization in the study area was relatively low. Knowledge on reproductive health issues, sexual exposure, perceiving as risky of acquiring HIV, history of sexually transmitted infection, ever supported to use the services, and attitude of youth toward youth friendly service providers were among factors associated with youth friendly services utilization. Health facilities and schools should work coordinately to scale up youth friendly services utilization.