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. Diabetes mellitus has become a major public health and economic problem across the globe. The inadequacies, as well as serious adverse effects associated with conventional medicines, led to a determined search for alternative natural therapeutic agents. The leaf latex extract ofAloe megalacanthahas been used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Ethiopian folk medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the leaf latex extract ofA. megalacanthain streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic model.Methods. The experimental diabetes was induced in Swiss albino mice by the administration of a single dose of STZ (150 mg/kg), intraperitoneally. The leaf latex extract ofA. megalacanthaat three different doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was administered for a period of 14 days. Fasting blood glucose levels (BGLs) were measured by glucose-oxidase and peroxidase reactive strips. After fourteen days, mice from all groups fasted and the blood was collected through puncturing the retroorbit of the eyes under mild anesthetic condition. The collected blood sample was used to determine serum biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The statistical analysis of results was carried out using one-way analysis (ANOVA) followed by post hoc multiple comparison tests.Results. Oral administration ofA. megalacanthaleaf latex extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg daily for 14 days results in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in fasting BGL as compared to negative control STZ-induced diabetic mice. The leaf latex has significantly reduced the level of TC, TG, and LDL, VLDL cholesterol while a significant (p < 0.05) HDL cholesterol increment was observed.Conclusions. The findings of the present investigation indicated that the leaf latex ofA. megalacanthapossessed significant antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potential which may prove the claimed use of the plant in amelioration of diabetes and associated complications in Ethiopian folk medicine.

Background: Leaves of Urtica simensis (U. simensis) have been used traditionally for wound healing in different communities in Ethiopia. In spite of this, there were no scientific data documented regarding the wound healing activity of this plant. There is a need to investigate herbal remedies for the treatment of wounds in order to overcome the limitations of conventional drugs. Aim of the Study: Aim of the study was to evaluate the wound healing activity of extract and solvent fractions of the leaves of U. simensis in mice. Methods: Leaves of U. simensis were washed, dried under shade and ground into coarse powder and then extracted by 80% methanol with three consecutive macerations. Part of the extract was fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform and water. In excision and burn wounds, healing progress was measured by wound contraction, epithelialization period and histopathology investigation whereas incision wound healing was assessed by skin breaking strength. Results: In excision wound model, the 5% and 10% crude extract ointments showed significant (p < 0.001) wound contractions during day 8 to day 16 evaluations. Similarly, in burn wound model, both 5% and 10% crude extract ointments produced significant (p < 0.001) wound contractions starting from day 12 and 10, respectively. In both models, the periods of epithelialization were also significantly reduced and favorable histopathologic changes were produced by the crude extract ointments. The solvent fractions of the crude extract as well produced significant wound contractions as evaluated in excision wound model. The fractions also significantly reduced the period of epithelialization in this model. The aqueous fraction found to be more active than either chloroform or n-hexane fraction in wound healing. Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that methanol extract and aqueous fractions of the leaves of U. simensis possess dose-dependent wound healing activity, thus supporting traditional claims.

Background: Oral health care is the most common unmet need among individuals with a disability. Individuals with a disability may have compromised oral health needs due to neglect from parents, socioeconomic problems, and communication barriers. In Ethiopia, there is a lack of data on oral health status of the hearing-impaired population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the oral health status of hearing-impaired students in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021 on hearing-impaired students in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Data were collected using a pretested interview administered questionnaire and clinical examination. Oral cavity was evaluated using the simplified oral hygiene index, decayed, missed and filled teeth, and community periodontal index. Data analysis was done using SPSS 26.0, and logistic regression analysis was done to identify the risk factors of dental caries and periodontal disease. Results: A total of 149 hearing impaired students with an age range of 7– 30 years were involved in the study. The prevalence of periodontal disease and dental caries was 22.8% (95% CI: 16.8, 30.4) and 38.9% (95% CI; 32.2, 46.9), respectively. Being grade 1– 4 student (AOR = 3.94, 95%: 1.16, 13.38), lack of formal education (AOR = 4.98, 95% CI: 1.00, 24.65), dental caries (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.08) and bleeding on probing (AOR = 9.98, 95% CI: 3.69, 26.64) were statistically significant with periodontal disease. Grade level, parents’ support during brushing, oral health status, and medication intake were independent factors for dental caries. Conclusion: In the present study, a significant number of hearing-impaired students had periodontal disease and dental caries. School oral health programs and caregivers assisted oral hygiene practices are essential to combat oral health problems in hearing-impaired students. Moreover, a nationwide prospective study with a large sample size will be required to reflect the oral health status of hearing-impaired individuals in the country.

Background: Due to the limits of present antidiarrheal medications, it is critical to seek novel, safe, and inexpensive antidiarrheal agents. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol crude extract and solvent fractions of Maesa lanceolata leaves in mice. Methods: Leaf powder was extracted by 80% methanol and then fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. At 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, the effects of the crude extract on castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility tests were investigated. Tween 2% and atropine used as negative and positive controls, respectively. A gastrointestinal motility test was used to explore the anti-motility effects. Data were analyzed with SPSS V. 26, and the significance was established with a one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey’s test. Results: The crude extract delayed the onset of diarrhea and significantly reduced the number of fecal drops at 100 (p< 0.05), 200 and 400 mg/kg (p< 0.001). Similarly, the number and weight of wet feces, as well as total fresh feces, were reduced at 200 (p< 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p< 0.001) compared to Tween 2%. The enteropooling test demonstrated that the extracts significantly reduced the volume and weight of intestine content at 200 (p< 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p< 0.001). The anti-motility activity test revealed that the all extracts decreased gastrointestinal motility significantly (p< 0.001). The ethyl acetate fraction significantly reduced gastrointestinal transit time at all doses (p< 0.001). At 400 mg/kg, the activities of the n-hexane fraction were significant (p< 0.01). The efficacy of the residual aqueous fraction on gastrointestinal motility was significant at 200 (p< 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The 80% methanol extract of Maesa lanceolata Forssk leaf and solvent fractions were shown to exhibit potent antidiarrheal activity in the current study.

Background: Rational use of medicines is patients receiving medicines appropriate to their diagnosis in doses that meet their requirements for an adequate period of time at an affordable price. Irrational prescribing practices result in ineffective, unsafe treatment, prolong prognosis, and increase health-care costs, and this is a common phenomenon in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate medicine-use pattern using World Health Organization core drug-use indicators and completeness of prescription at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods: A retrospective and prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the dispensing pharmacy units of the health facility from March 2019 to May 2019 using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0, and results are presented using tables. Results: A total of 1,128 medicines were covered in the analyzed sample. The response rate, using standard prescription paper was found to be 100%. Mean number of medicines per prescription was 1.88. The proportion of medicines actually dispensed was 74.56%, and 91.4% medicines were prescribed by their generic names. Among prescribed medicines, antibiotics accounted for 37.5%, and 20% of the prescribed medicines were injectable. Prescriptions containing patient name, identification number, age, and sex comprised 99.8%, 99.5%, 91.8%, and 94.5%, respectively of the total. Prescriptions signed by prescribers accounted for 96.2%, however, only 75.8% of prescribers wrote their name. Moreover, only 4.8% of dispensers printed their name, and 32.7% of prescriptions were signed by pharmacists. Patient-care indicators were found to be below standard. Conclusion: Most prescriptions were incomplete, and prescribers by far completed their role than dispensers. The health facility has standard prescription paper and updated pharmaceuticals list. Percentages for encounters with antibiotics, prescribing by generic name, and patient-care indicators deviated from the standard. The dispensing and counseling time also far from the standard, and most medicines were not labeled.