Background: Vaccines constitute a fundamental component of public health interventions, preventing the transmission of numerous diseases. Nevertheless, vaccines remain underutilized in various regions globally, particularly in East African nations, where high mortality rates among children under 5 years of age are predominantly attributable to vaccine‐preventable diseases. Consequently, this investigation is aimed at evaluating children′s vaccination coverage and its associated determinants in East Africa utilizing Bayesian hierarchical modeling based on Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data (2019–2022). Methods: This study analyzed nationally representative data from the DHS, a standardized cross‐sectional household survey program that collects health and population data using stratified two‐stage cluster sampling. Data were drawn from surveys conducted between 2019 and 2022 in five East African countries: Ethiopia (2019), Kenya (2022), Mozambique (2022), Rwanda (2019/20), and Tanzania (2022). A Bayesian hierarchical regression model was applied to identify factors influencing vaccination coverage, evaluating four candidate models using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation to select the best fit. Statistical significance was assessed using 95% posterior credible intervals (CrIs) after confirming model convergence. Results: A total of 15,703 weighted children aged 12–23 months were included, with an overall survey response rate of 97.2%. A substantial proportion of children (73.81%) were only partially immunized, highlighting a critical gap in achieving full vaccination coverage. The Bayesian hierarchical ordinal logistic regression showed that several factors were significantly associated with the odds of being in a higher vaccination category versus a lower one. Children residing in Kenya had 3.10 times higher odds of being in a higher vaccination category compared with those in Ethiopia (AOR = 3.10; 95% CrI: 2.49–3.86). Maternal media exposure (AOR = 1.25, 95% CrI: 1.15, 1.38), maternal education (secondary or above) (AOR = 1.42, 95% CrI: 1.21, 1.67), health facility delivery (AOR = 1.53, 95% CrI: 1.19, 1.96), postnatal care visit (AOR = 1.28, 95% CrI: 1.15, 1.43), skilled birth attendance (AOR = 1.61, 95% CrI: 1.24, 2.079), and antenatal care (ANC) visits (four and above) (AOR = 4.08, 95% CrI: 3.44, 4.84) were all positively associated with higher odds of being in a higher vaccination category. Conclusions: Vaccination coverage remains low across East Africa, with significant regional disparities. These results highlight the need for focused interventions in high‐risk areas and addressing key determinants to improve childhood vaccination rates.

Leptospirosis is a rapidly spreading and neglected zoonotic disease, whose transmission is interlinked between animals, humans and the environment. Even though leptospirosis is an endemic disease in East Africa, there is no updated information regarding the overall seroprevalence in humans, cattle, goats and sheep. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to estimate the pooled seroprevalence of leptospirosis and associated factors among cattle, humans, goats and sheep in East Africa (from 2000 to 2024). Upon literature search from databases and registries, 36 articles reporting the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in humans, cattle, goats and sheep were included for the final meta‐analysis. The pooled seroprevalence was higher in cattle at 23% (95% CI: 17.2–27.01), followed by 19.9% in goats (95% CI: 2.7–68.9) and 12.5% in humans (95% CI: 7.05–211). Regarding countries, there was the highest seroprevalence of leptospirosis in Ethiopia (25.7% [95% CI: 14.3–41.8]) and the lowest in Uganda (13.01% [95% CI: 2.11–50.97]). Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in different diagnostic methods was 16.5 (95% CI: 8.52–29.46) and 16.5 (95% CI: 12.3–23) in ELISA and MAT, respectively. The meta‐regression analysis identified the sample size and study country as significant moderators ( p < 0.1). The model incorporating sample size explained 58.89% of the heterogeneity. The observed high seroprevalence highlights the urgent need for improved diagnostic confirmation, as well as strengthened control and prevention strategies in the region.

Background: Fasciolosis is a parasitic disease caused by liver flukes of the genus Fasciola, predominantly Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. This zoonotic disease significantly impacts both livestock and human populations, particularly in areas with extensive agriculture and poor sanitation. Ethiopia, one of Africa’s leading sheep and goats producers, is highly affected by fasciolosis. However, despite its economic and public health importance, there is a lack of comprehensive and up-to-date evidence on the prevalence and risk factors of small ruminant (sheep and goats) fasciolosis. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) is to estimate pooled prevalence and identify risk factors of fasciolosis among small ruminants in Ethiopia. Methods: This SRMA was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive systematic review was performed across five electronic databases (Google Scholar, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect), with all database searches and registers inquiries finalized on November 26, 2024. A random-effect model was used to determine the pooled prevalence of fasciolosis in sheep and goats. Heterogeneity was assessed, and the source of variation was analyzed using subgroup, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression. Publication bias assessment and sensitivity analysis were also performed to ensure the robustness of the review. Funnel plots and Egger’s asymmetry tests were used to investigate publication bias. Results: A total of 33 studies containing 9,578 small ruminants were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of fasciolosis was 32.25% (95% CI: 25.97–38.86%) with substantially high between-study heterogeneity (inconsistency index (I²)) = 97.3%, p < 0.01). Among the variables analyzed for heterogeneity, species, publication years, season of data collection, and regions of the study were significant predictors of heterogeneity The sub-group analysis showed that the prevalence of fasciolosis among sheep and goats was 37.18% (95% CI; 31.06–43.51%) and 12.76% (95% CI; 4.06–25.19%), respectively. According to the region-based subgroup analysis, studies taken from Amhara region had the highest prevalence of fasciolosis among small ruminants (43.99% (95% CI: 31.83–56.52%)). Conclusion: This study highlights fasciolosis as a significant threat to Ethiopian small ruminants. Policymakers and veterinarians should prioritize evidence-based control programs in regions with high disease burden, through seasonal deworming, pasture rotation to disrupt snail ecology, and improved veterinary access in underserved areas.

Globally, eimeriosis is highly important for the health and productivity of calves. Although eimeriosis is one of the major causes of financial loss in cattle farming, there is inadequate evidence on the epidemiological status of infection in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors, assessing the burden, and identifying Eimeria species in dairy calves. A cross‐sectional investigation of calf eimeriosis among dairy farms in Bishoftu, Central Ethiopia, was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024. A total of 384 calves aged from 3 weeks to 18 months were selected using simple random sampling, and fecal samples were collected rectally. Flotation technique was used to detect Eimeria oocysts, and the McMaster method was used to count OPGs. The prevalence of calf eimeriosis was 18.549% (95% CI: 14.90–22.72). For calves < 6 months (OR = 0.28, p < 0.001) and 12–18 months (OR = 0.31, p = 0.009), good body condition (OR = 0.23, p = 0.001), hygienic status (OR = 0.09, p < 0.001), and diarrheic calf status (OR = 3.24, p = 0.002) were significant ( p < 0.05) factors for eimeriosis. The mean OPG score of the feces was significantly different among different age groups, fecal consistency groups, and housing systems. Eimeria bovis (28.17%), Eimeria zuernii (18.31%), and Eimeria subspherica (16.90%) were the most prevalent Eimeria species in this study. The prevalence of eimeriosis was high in calves; therefore, comprehensive calf management practices are essential to reduce the disease.

Introduction: In recent decades, AIDS–related illnesses have declined due to the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Despite the numerous benefits that HAART provides, it causes significant challenges for users in the form of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Therefore, this systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to explore the pooled incidence of antiretroviral therapy–related adverse drugs in Ethiopia. Methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted on cohort studies conducted among HIV patients living in Ethiopia. The study was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA). A random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to determine the pooled incidence of ADR. Heterogeneity was assessed, and the source of variation was analyzed using subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression tests were used to investigate publication bias. Results: Based on the random effects model from 10 extracted studies, the pooled incidence rate of adverse effects of ART drugs was 5.09 (95% CI: 3.86–6.71) per 100 person‐years, with significant heterogeneity ( I ² = 96.4%, p < 0.0001). It was also observed to be higher in subgroups from multicenter study areas, studies employing both prospective and retrospective designs, and among children. Discussion: The findings of this systematic review and meta‐analysis revealed disparities in ADR incidence rates. In addition, the findings of this review showed that the occurrence of ART–related ADR in people living with HIV is common in the healthcare system. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta‐analysis highlighted the significant incidence of adverse effects among individuals diagnosed with HIV in ART clinics in Ethiopia. A comprehensive strategy and coordinated collaboration among health planners, policymakers, and the community are essential to address this issue and integrate pharmacovigilance into service provision.

Background: Fasciolosis is a parasitic disease caused by liver flukes of the genus Fasciola , predominantly Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. This zoonotic disease significantly impacts both livestock and human populations, particularly in areas with extensive agriculture and poor sanitation. Ethiopia, one of the Africa’s leading ovine and caprine producers, is highly affected by fasciolosis. However, despite its economic and public health importance, there is a lack of comprehensive up-to-date evidence on prevalence and risk factors of small ruminant fasciolosis. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the pooled prevalence of fasciolosis among small ruminants (ovine and caprine) in Ethiopia. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive systematic review was performed across five electronic databases (Google Scholar, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect), with all database searches and registers inquiries finalized on November 26, 2024. A random-effect model was used to determine the pooled prevalence of fasciolosis in ovine and caprine. Heterogeneity was assessed, and the source of variation was analyzed using subgroup and sensitivity analysis. Publication bias assessment and meta-regression analysis were also performed to ensure the robustness of the review. Funnel plots and Egger’s asymmetry tests were used to investigate publication bias. Results: Overall, 33 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the pooled prevalence of fasciolosis in ovine and caprine was 32.25% (95% CI: 25.97–38.86%). This study revealed substantial between-study heterogeneity (inconsistency index (I ² )) = 97.3%, p < 0.0001). Among the variables analyzed for heterogeneity, species, publication years, season of data collection, and regions of the study were the most significant predictors of heterogeneity The sub-group analysis showed that the prevalence of fasciolosis among ovine and caprine was 37.18% (95% CI; 31.06–43.51%) and 12.76% (95% CI; 4.06–25.19%), respectively. According to the region-based subgroup meta-analysis, studies taken from Amhara region had the highest prevalence of fasciolosis among small ruminants (43.99% (95% CI: 31.83–56.52%)). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis emphasize fasciolosis as a pervasive threat to Ethiopian small ruminants. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities should collaborate to integrate robust prevention mechanisms for the disease, establishing standardized protocols for Fasciola monitoring, reporting, and mitigation.