Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are significant causes of liver-associated morbidity and mortality for millions of people globally. Ethiopia is one of the viral hepatitis–endemic countries with no national strategy for surveillance and limited data. As such, this study aimed to investigated the extent and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among community members in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to August 2020. A structured questionnaire was used to collect behavioral and sociodemographic data. Serum samples were collected and assayed for seromarkers of HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs) and HCV (anti-HCV) using ELISAs. In HBsAg-positive samples, HBV DNA was further quantified using RT-PCR. Data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were employed. Results: The study included 693 participants. Seromarkers for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs were found to be 9.5%, 1.4%, 31.1%, and 14.3%, respectively. In 66 HBsAg positives, 57 (86.4%) had quantifiable HBV DNA. Prevalence of current HBV infection (HBsAg⁺, anti-HBc⁺, anti-HBs^–) and lifetime exposure (positive for either HBsAg or anti-HBc) to HBV were 8.7% and 31.9%, respectively, and 63.1% of participants were vulnerable or had no evidence of prior HBV infection (HBsAg^–, anti-HBc^–, anti-HBs^–). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, multiple sexual contacts, family history of hepatitis infection, alcohol consumption, and khat chewing were significantly associated with HBV. The seroprevalence of HBV was relatively high in this study area. Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of HBV infection, but low prevalence of HCV. This indicates that HBV is a major health problem in this community. Population-based surveillance, care, and treatment, as well as behavioral change and education programs, should be enhanced to minimize risk exposure.

Background: The detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in serum remains the mainstay in diagnosing and screening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in most developing countries. The absence of HBsAg in the blood may not indicate the absence of circulating HBV and might be infectious. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the burden and its cryptic transmission risks of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) among HBsAg negative healthy individuals in Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021. Serum samples were collected and assayed for HBsAg and HBV core antibody (anti-HBc) seromarkers using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In anti-HBc positive samples, HBV DNA was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were employed. Statistical significance was decided at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 346 were individuals included in this study; 34 (9.8%) were tested positive for HBsAg. The rest 312 (90.2%) negatively tested were further assayed for anti-HBc, and 115 (36.7%) were found positive implying previous exposure to HBV, and 21 (18.3%) out of 115 anti-HBc positives had HBV DNA signifying OBI. The HBV DNA concentration below 200 IU/mL was 85.7%. A high rate of OBI was observed among individuals who had multiple sexual contacts, a family history of hepatitis, and tattooing. Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of OBI is high. This indicates the burden of HBV is considerable since screening is exclusively dependent on HBsAg which will not eliminate the possibility of residual cryptic transmission through blood donation, organ transplantation, perinatal transmission, and other contacts. Our results demonstrate that nucleic acid-based testing (NAT) should be an essential part of screening to prevent missing OBI.

Background. Healthcare-seeking behavior is referred to as any action taken by individuals who believe they have a health problem or are ill in order to find an appropriate remedy. The aim of this is to assess healthcare-seeking behavior on newborn danger signs and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in the Anlemo district. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Anlemo district from June 15th, 2019 to July 16th, 2019. Data were collected from 421 randomly selected mothers through a face-to-face interview. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1, and then, exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression with values less than 0.25 was entered into a multivariable logistic regression for analysis. Finally, adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals at a value of <0.05 were considered as a statistically significant association with the outcome variable. Results. Among mothers whose newborns faced newborn danger signs, 34.5% (95% CI: 28.7, 40.5%) sought medical attention for newborn danger signs. When mothers were faced with neonatal danger signs, the multivariable logistic regression model identified three independent variables that were associated with their healthcare-seeking behavior. Mothers who had a college degree or above were 6.34 times more likely than mothers who could not read or write to seek medical care (AOR = 6.34, 95% CI: 1.23–32.69). Mothers or healthcare seekers who did not travel a long distance (less than 5 kilometers) to acquire healthcare were 2.53 times more likely than mothers who traveled a long distance (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.05–6.08), which had a significant association with the dependent variable. Conclusions. In this study, the proportion of mothers seeking care for newborn danger signs was low, and the mothers’ education, time to reach the nearest health facility, and place of delivery were factors of statistical significance with the dependent variable.

Background and Aims: Human monkeypox (mpox) is a re‐emerging zoonotic viral disease in Africa. Despite recent reports in Ethiopia, no studies have assessed healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge and attitudes in the Central Ethiopia Region. This study aimed to determine HCWs knowledge and attitudes toward the re‐emergence of mpox in public health facilities. Methods: From June 16 to 28, 2025, 419 HCWs were chosen at random for an online cross‐sectional study. The data were gathered using a self‐administered questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. We used SPSS version 26 for the statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with knowledge and attitudes. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine statistical significance. Results: Of the 419 participants, 46.8% (95% CI: 42.0–51.7) had good knowledge, while 43.4% (95% CI: 39.1–48.0) showed positive attitudes. Good knowledge were significantly positively associated with a master's degree or higher (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.60–7.47), health officer (AOR = 7.00; 95% CI: 3.20–15.32) and pharmacist (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.17–6.13), low (AOR = 5.15; 95% CI: 2.02–13.10) and medium monthly income (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.32–4.20), and positive attitude (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.25–3.59), in contrast significantly negatively associated with work experience (5–10 years) (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.07–0.24). Positive attitudes were significantly positively associated with medical doctor (AOR = 4.78; 95% CI: 2.39–9.55), and information about mpox during medical education (AOR = 3.29; 95% CI: 1.91–5.67), in contrast significantly negatively associated with female sex (AOR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08–0.41), age ≥ 32 years (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.28–0.73), and lack of current information access (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26–0.88). Conclusion: HCWs had low levels of knowledge and positive attitudes toward mpox. To get better at being ready for and responding to mpox in Ethiopia, it is important to strengthen continuing professional education, target training, and raise awareness.

Background and Aims: Neonatal intensive care units are important to save the lives of premature babies. However, the mothers face several stressful situations during the period of admission. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the experience of mothers with premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Hossana, Central Ethiopia. Methods: A phenomenological‐descriptive study was conducted among thirteen mothers who were purposefully selected. Data were coded and transcribed verbatim, translated, and inductive thematic analysis was employed. ATLAS.ti8 software was used to manage data. The findings were presented systematically by stating each major theme and category with the support of the evidence of direct quotes. Results: This study explored the experiences of mothers with preterm newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit. Five major themes and related categories included mothers’ emotional experiences, maternal expectations, healthcare professionals’ needs, factors related to healthcare facilities, and perceived incompetence in the care of premature infants. The study found that mothers experienced negative emotions due to medication shortages, inadequate laboratory tests, a lack of toilets, inadequate water supplies, and a lack of confidence in caring for their infants, despite a range of support from nursing staff, as an important public health issue. Conclusion: This study revealed that mothers of preterm infants in NICUs face significant emotional and practical challenges. Key issues include inadequate medical resources, poor facility conditions, and low maternal confidence. Addressing these gaps is crucial for improving neonatal and maternal care.