Background: Campylobacter species are the most predominant bacterial agents to cause diarrhea in under-five children. It poses a serious challenge to public health worldwide with ongoing acquisition of resistance to different antimicrobials with multiple patterns. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species, and associated factors among under-five children with diarrhea in selected public health facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among under-five children with diarrhea using convenient sampling. Health facilities were selected using a simple random sampling method. The stool samples collected from 214 study participants were transported and processed following standard microbiological protocols. Campylobacter isolates were identified using Gram staining, biochemical test, serological test, and aerobic growth at 25°C. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of isolates were performed using the Kirby–Bauer method. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 25.0. Association between variables was assessed using Chi-square test and Logistic regression, with P ≤ 0.05. Results: The subject’s mean age was 31.3 (± 3.9) months. Of the 214 samples cultured, 14 (6.5%) of them were positive for Campylobacter species with 95% CI (3.3– 10.3). Out of the isolated species, 12 (85.7%) were Campylobacter jejuni /Campylobacter coli and 2 (14.3%) were other Campylobacter species. Bottle feeding and history of direct contact to domestic animals were associated with Campylobacter species (AOR=5.13, CI=1.21– 21.6, p=0.026 and AOR=4.93, CI=1.33– 18.17, P=0.016), respectively. Campylobacter isolates were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin 5 (35.7%), and tetracycline 3 (21.4%). Conclusion: A higher incidence of Campylobacter species was obtained in children who were bottle-fed and who had a history of direct contact with domestic animals. The isolates were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. These findings indicate that special attention is needed for better management of Campylobacter drug resistance in under-five children. To enhance and support our current findings, further research using molecular techniques is needed to identify the resistant and virulent genes of the bacterial isolates.

Urinary tract infections, a prevalent global infectious disease, are clinical issues not well studied in HIV-positive individuals. UTIs have become a global drug resistance issue, but the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of UTI-causing bacteria among HIV patients in Tigray, Ethiopia, are poorly understood. This study aims to identify the prevalence of UTI-causing bacteria, their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and associated risk factors in HIV patients attending ART clinics at Mekelle General Hospital and Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Clean-catch midstream urine samples (10–15 mL) were collected from HIV patients who are attending ART clinics at Mekelle General Hospital and Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Samples were analyzed based on standard microbiological protocols using cysteine-lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar. Pure colonies of bacterial isolates were obtained by sub-culturing into Mac-Conkey, Manitol Salt agar and blood agar plates. The bacterial isolates were then identified using macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, and Gram staining methods. Gram-negative bacteria were identified using biochemical tests like triple sugar iron agar, Simon’s citrate agar, lysine iron agar, urea, motility test, and indol test, whereas Gram-positive isolates were identified using catalase and coagulase tests. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique was used to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Among the 224 patients, 28 (12.5%) of them had been infected by UTIs-causing bacteria. E. coli was the dominant bacterium (16 (57%)) followed by K. pneumoniae (4 (14%)), and S. aureus (3 (11%)). Of the total bacterial isolates, 22 (78.6%) of them developed multi-drug resistance. All Gram-positive (100%) and 75% of Gram-negative bacterial isolates were found to be resistant to two or more drugs. Patients with a history of UTIs, and with CD4 count < 200 cells/ mm3, were more likely to have significant bacteriuria. Compared to male patients, female patients were more affected by the UTIs-causing bacteria. More than 93% of the UTIs-causing bacterial isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and gentamycin; whereas they are highly resistant to ampicillin (96%), cotrimoxazole (82%) and tetracycline (71%). Most of the bacterial isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, and tetracycline. Female patients were more affected by the UTIs causing bacteria. The highest prevalence (12.5%) of UTIs in HIV patients needs special attention for better management and monitoring. Previous UTI history and immune suppression are predictors of UTIs, highlighting the need for intervention measures involving molecular studies to identify resistant bacteria genes and promote patient immune reconstitution.

Immunization is a crucial public health intervention, and in Ethiopia, a nation characterized by diversity, immunization coverage shows considerable variations. This study aims to assess immunization coverage across various vaccines in Ethiopia and understand the prevalence and factors affecting immunization rates. This study utilized secondary data from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS), a community-based cross-sectional study. A Poisson regression model was used to evaluate the children's immunization coverage: the number of vaccinations a child received across 18 different vaccines. The overall immunization coverage in Ethiopia was found to be 40%, with significant regional disparities. Coverage was highest in Addis Ababa and Harari and lowest in Afar and Somali regions. BCG had the highest coverage (34.42%), while measles-2 vaccination had the lowest (3.7%). The Poisson regression analysis identified several significant predictors of immunization uptake. Children from wealthier households, those born in public health facilities, and those whose mothers attended antenatal care (ANC) visits had higher immunization counts (p < .001). Conversely, children from rural areas, female children, and those born into larger families had lower immunization rates (p < .01). Maternal education, pregnancy counseling, and family planning utilization were positively associated with vaccine uptake. Despite improvements in immunization coverage, Ethiopia's rates remain below the African regional average. Socioeconomic disparities, healthcare access, and maternal education significantly influence vaccination rates. Strengthening community-based outreach, expanding ANC services, improving healthcare infrastructure, and addressing gender-related disparities can enhance immunization coverage.

Viral load monitoring is crucial for identifying treatment failure in HIV/AIDS patients, as low viremia is essential for public health as HIV cannot spread undetectable. This study aimed to assess the sustained virological recovery rate and potential factors affecting HIV patients in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, receiving combination treatment. HIV infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were the subjects of the retrospective, cross-sectional investigation held from July 2018 to December 2020. Using a standardized checklist, data was taken from the Tigray Health Bureau database and aligned with data from the Tigray Health Research Institute (THRI). SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyze the data. Predictors for persistent virological recovery were identified based on baseline viral load, baseline CD4 count, current and baseline age, loss to follow-ups, adherence, and WHO clinical presentations. The correlations between each factor and the categorical outcome variables were evaluated using Pearson’s χ2. To determine the determinants impacting virological recovery, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Significant relationship levels were established at p < 0.05. 7689 HIV infected individuals with a mean age of 43 ± 13 years were recruited on HAART with a female predominance of 64.4% with 95% CI: 58.3–76.3. At enrollment to ART sizable portion of the research participants 43.7%, and 38% were in the productive age ranges of 16–30 and 31–45 years old respectively. The overall virological recovery was 90.9% with significant variations among male and female participants AOR; 4.24; 95% CI, 2.97–6.03) and (P < 0.001). Male participants showed less recovery, with high baseline CD4 count, long therapy stays, and suppressed viral load being key predictors. The virological recovery (90.9%) remains below the global average which is 95%. Regular assessment of treatment response patterns and drug list combinations is crucial for HIV virological recovery to be sustained. Early enrollment in HAART, tailored interventions, baseline viral load monitoring, longitudinal studies, and gene sequencing are crucial for virological recovery and identifying genetic and behavioral factors contributing to treatment resistance.

Dolutegravir (DTG) is endorsed as a preferred option for both first- and second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART); however, comprehensive high-quality evid

There is a significant and rising occurrence of major treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The engagement of teenagers in sexual activities without parental oversight continues to pose a public health threat. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and trends of significant treatable STIs within our region. Methods: 3,500 patients with STI symptoms who were seen in all medical facilities between July 2019 and June 2020 were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study with descriptive statistics analysis to compare prevalence and trend measures by age group, sex, and month. Tables and bar graphs were used to present the results. Result: The data indicated a higher prevalence of STIs among males compared to females. The sexually active adult population exhibited a notable incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, with 52.7% of cases being male and 47.3% female. The specific STIs identified included genital candidiasis at 18.3%, hepatitis B at 16.9%, gonorrhea at 16.3%, hepatitis C at 13.6%, syphilis at 11.8%, genital herpes at 8.8%, genital warts at 7.5%, and Chlamydia at 6.8%. The incidence of syphilis showed an increase from 2.2% to 4.2% in 2020, while the trends for other STIs were more variable. Conclusion: Sexually transmitted diseases predominantly impact adults, with prevalence rates differing by gender and age group, and exhibiting a non-linear trend across most age categories. These findings offer essential insights into the epidemiological landscape of the country, suggesting the need for future prevention strategies that target adults at the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections.