Hepatitis B Virus is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2012 alone, over 350 million chronic carriers and 1. 2 million annual deaths were occurred. Hepatitis B Virus causes 60 to 80% of the world’s primary liver cancer and nearly 90% infants infected due to vertical transmission are at higher risk of developing chronic liver disease and cancer. Hence determining the burden of maternal and neonatal Hepatitis B Virus infection is a priority.

Background. Traditional medicine is used by about 80% of the Ethiopian people to meet their healthcare needs. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the community on traditional medicine in Debre Tabor town. Methods. A community‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out from November 1, 2018, to December 30, 2018, with a face‐to‐face interview method and involved 402 participants recruited by systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The association of independent and dependent variables was determined by binary logistic regression. Results. Among the participants, 294 (73.13%) were females and 108 (26.87%) were males. The ages of participants ranged from 18 to 80 (mean age of the participants was 35.73 ± 0.59 years). Above three‐fourths, 322 (80.1%) of the participants had good knowledge. 158 (39.3%) of the participants had a good attitude and 145 (36.1%) of the participants used traditional medicines in their lifetime for different ailments. From all the participants who use traditional medicine, 41 (28.3%) encountered minor adverse effects. Conclusions. The study participants in Debre Tabor have good knowledge but poor attitude and utilization of traditional medicine.

Background: Noroviruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups globally. The problem is magnified in developing countries including Africa. These viruses are highly prevalent with high genetic diversity and fast evolution rates. With this dynamicity, there are no recent review in the past five years in Africa. Therefore, this review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of noroviruses in Africa and tried to address the change in the prevalence and genetic diverisity the virus has been observed in Africa and in the world. Methods: Twenty-one studies for the pooled prevalence, and 11 out of the 21 studies for genetic characterization of norovirus were included. Studies conducted since 2006, among symptomatic cases of all age groups in Africa, conducted with any study design, used molecular diagnostic methods and reported since 2015, were included and considered for the main meta-analysis. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain the studies. The quality the studies was assessed using the JBI assessment tool. Data from studies reporting both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, that did not meet the inclusion criteria were reviewed and included as discussion points. Data was entered to excel and imported to STATA 2011 to compute the prevalence and genetic diversity. Heterogeneity was checked using I² test statistics followed by subgroup and sensitivity analysis. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and eggers test that was followed by trim and fill analysis. Result: The pooled prevalence of norovirus was 20.2% (95% CI: 15.91, 24.4). The highest (36.3%) prevalence was reported in Ghana. Genogroup II noroviruses were dominant and reported as 89.5% (95% CI: 87.8, 96). The highest and lowest prevalence of this genogroup were reported in Ethiopia (98.3%), and in Burkina Faso (72.4%), respectively. Diversified genotypes had been identified with an overall prevalence of GII. 4 NoV (50.8%) which was followed by GII.6, GII.17, GI.3 and GII.2 with a pooled prevalence of 7.7, 5.1, 4.6, and 4.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The overall pooled prevalence of norovirus was high in Africa with the dominance of genogroup II and GII.4 genotype. This prevalence is comparable with some reviews done in the same time frame around the world. However, in Africa, an in increasing trained of pooled prevalence had been reported through time. Likewise, a variable distribution of non-GII.4 norovirus genotypes were reported as compared to those studies done in the world of the same time frame, and those previous reviews done in Africa. Therefore, continuous surveillance is required in Africa to support future interventions and vaccine programs.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the predominant way for children to acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide including Ethiopia. Thus, objective of this study was to determine the status of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services utilization and factors affecting PMTCT utilization in health facilities of Afar region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to April 2015 taking 347 pregnant women and 22 health care providers. Data were collected using a questioner prepared separately for pregnant women and health care providers involved in PMTCT service delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS considering P value <0.05 statistical significant. The study indicated that the PMTCT service utilization was 67.7%. The study also showed that there is statistically significant association in using PMTCT service with women education level, monthly income, and residence around PMTCT site. Though not statistically significant, excess waiting time, limited physical access to PMTCT sites, and transportation problem were identified as barriers for PMTCT service utilization by pregnant women. Though knowledge of mothers on MTCT of HIV and PMTCT service utilization in agropostural community of Afar region was promising, there were also different barriers identified hindering PMTCT utilization. Thus, we recommend “Wored” and zonal health office to create awareness on significance of PMTCT service in the community, enhance accessibility of PMTCT sites, provide up-to-date trainings for health care providers, and ensure constant supply for PMTCT service.

Background: Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and the impact is high in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Moreover, there is a significant and fluctuating global genetic diversity that varies across diverse environments over time. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of data on the genetic diversity of NoV in Ethiopia. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the genetic diversity and distribution of NoVs circulating in the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia, by considering all age groups. Methods: A total of 519 fecal samples were collected from diarrheal patients from May 01/2021 to November 30/ 2021. The fecal samples were screened for the presence of NoVs using real-time RT-PCR by targeting a portion of the major capsid protein coding region. The positive samples were further amplified using conventional RT-PCR, and sequenced. Results: The positivity rate of NoV was (8.9%; 46/519). The detection rate of NoV genogroup II (GII) and genogroup I (GI) was 38 (82.6%) and 8 (17.4%), respectively. Overall, five distinct GII (GII.3, GII.6, GII.10, GII.17, and GII.21) and two GI (GI.3 and GI.5) genotypes were detected. Within the GII types, GII.3 was the predominant (34.2%) followed by GII.21 (15.8%), GII.17 (10.5%), GII.6 and GII.10 each (2.6%). Norovirus GII.21 is reported for the first time in Ethiopia. The genetic diversity and distribution of NoVs were significantly different across the four sampling sits and age groups. The phylogenetic analysis revealed close relatedness of the current strains with published strains from Ethiopia and elsewhere. Conclusion: The distribution and genetic diversity of NoV was considerably high, with predominance of non-GII.4 genotypes. The GII.21 genotype is a new add on the growing evidences on the genetic diversity of NoVs in Ethiopia. Future nationwide surveillance studies are necessary to gain comprehensive data in Ethiopia.

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of diarrheal disease among all age groups worldwide, with an increased burden in developing countries. As there is no surveillance, epidemiological data is limited in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of NoV infection among patients with diarrhea in the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. A prospective health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to November 2021. A total of 550 study participants of all age groups with symptoms of diarrhea were proportionately assigned to the four study areas, area with three health facilities. Study participants were systematically sampled in each health facility. A fecal sample from each case was collected. The RNA was extracted and tested for NoV by one-step RT-PCR. Sociodemographic and other variables were gathered using a pre-tested questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was performed. Both binary and multiple logistic regressions were utilized to identify factors associated with NoV infection. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the final model were considered statistically significant. Five hundred nineteen out of 550 samples were analyzed (94.4% response rate). The overall prevalence of NoV was 8.9% (46/519). The positivity rates were higher among the elderly (33.3%) and under-5 children (12.5%). Both genogroup I and genogroup II (GII) were identified, with GII being the predominant, at 82.6% (38/46). Of all participants, only 20% reported a history of vomiting. Norovirus infection was more prevalent among participants from Debre Tabor (AOR = 4, 95%CI: 1.2–14) and Bahir Dar areas (AOR = 3.6, 95%CI: 1.04–11) compared to Debre Markos. Additionally, older adults (AOR = 7, 95% CI: 2–24) and under-5 children (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 2.8–12) were disproportionately affected compared to adults. The previous history of diarrhea (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.7–7) was a significant factor contributing to NoV infections. Moreover, the odds of NoV infection were higher among individuals with a high frequency of diarrhea (AOR = 15.3, 95%CI: 7.6–43) and vomiting (AOR = 3.5, 95%CI: 1.5-8). The prevalence of NoV was considerably high, with the predominance of NoV-GII. The positivity rate was higher among the extreme age groups and varied across the study areas. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the virus`s epidemiology and its genetic diversity, further research is warranted.