Background. This study examined health-related quality of life and associated factors among HIV positive women receiving antiretroviral therapy in health facilities of Jimma town. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and consecutive sampling technique was employed to select 377 HIV positive women who were on antiretroviral therapy. Quality of life was measured using WHOQOL-BREF tool. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. P values < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% of confidence interval were used to determine statistical significance and report associations between the quality of life and independent variables. Results. Among the sampled participants, 344 were interviewed, yielding 91% of response rate. The mean ± standard deviation age of the respondents was 34.07 ± 8.76 years and 80.5% of them were urban dwellers. The proportion of women reporting good health-related quality of life was found to be 46.5%. Specific to each domain, the mean ± standard deviation of level of independence domain was the highest (14.08 ± 3.07) followed by physical (13.46 ± 2.95), social relationships (13.27 ± 3.91), psychological (12.97 ± 2.47), environmental (12.94 ± 3.25), and spiritual (12.39 ± 2.84) domains. Good social support (AOR: 4.99; 95% CI: [2.88, 8.34]), higher wealth status (AOR: 1.85; 95% CI: [1.02, 3.39]), and being on antiretroviral therapy for shorter duration (AOR: 1.85; 95% CI [1.14, 3.03]) were independently associated with better overall health-related quality of life among the participants. Conclusions. The study demonstrated high proportion of HIV positive women on ART had poor health-related quality of life which was affected by wealth index, social support, and duration on antiretroviral therapy.

Review question/objective: The objective of this systematic review is to identify, appraise and synthesize evidence to establish the effectiveness of community-based health insurance (CBHI) schemes in enhancing the utilization of healthcare services among their members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Specifically, the review objective is to determine if individuals or households enrolled in CBHI schemes in LMICs utilize healthcare services (outpatient visits, hospital admissions, emergency visits, maternal and child healthcare services, or any other services involving the schemes) more frequently than those not included in CBHI schemes.

Objectives: This study analyzed the effects of computerization of medical information systems and a hospital payment scheme on medical care outcomes. Specifically, we examined the effects of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and a diagnosis procedure combination/per-diem payment scheme (DPC/PDPS) on the average length of hospital stay (ALOS).Methods: Post-intervention changes in the monthly ALOS were measured using an interrupted time-series analysis.Results: The level changes observed in the monthly ALOS immediately post-DPC/PDPS were –1.942 (95% confidence interval [CI], –2.856 to –1.028), –1.885 (95% CI, –3.176 to –0.593), –1.581 (95% CI, –3.081 to –0.082) and –2.461 (95% CI, –3.817 to 1.105) days in all ages, <50, 50–64, and ≥65 years, respectively. During the post-DPC/PDPS period, trends of 0.107 (95% CI, 0.069 to 0.144), 0.048 (95% CI, –0.006 to 0.101), 0.183 (95% CI, 0.122 to 0.245) and 0.110 (95% CI, 0.054 to 0.167) days/month, respectively, were observed. During the post-EMR period, trends of –0.053 (95% CI, –0.080 to –0.027), –0.093 (95% CI, –0.135 to –0.052), and –0.049 (95% CI, –0.087 to –0.012) days/month were seen for all ages, 50–64 and ≥65 years, respectively.Conclusions: The increasing post-DPC/PDPS trends offset the decline in ALOS observed immediately post-DPC/PDPS, and the observed ALOS was longer than the counterfactual at the end of the DPC/PDPS study periods. Conversely, due to the downward trend seen after EMR introduction, the actual ALOS at the end of the EMR study period was shorter than the counterfactual, suggesting that EMRs might be more effective than the DPC/PDPS in sustainably reducing the LOS.

Aim: To assess the burden of digital eye strain (DES) and associated factors among technology students at public universities in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2024 at three universities—Hawassa, Dilla, and Jinka. Data were collected using pretested self-administered questionnaires, including the Digital Eye Strain Questionnaire and other relevant variables. Results: The survey tool was distributed to the total study population of 788 students, of whom 403 completed the survey, representing 93.5% of the calculated sample size of 431. Participants were predominantly male (74.7%) and enrolled at Hawassa University (57.8%). Daily digital device usage of ≥ 2 hours was reported by 259 (64.3%), and 72.7% had owned digital devices for > 2 years. Few participants reported smoking (0.7%), alcohol use (10.9%), or khat chewing (7.7%), and 13.9% had a history of accidents. Overall, 68.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 64.0%–73.0%] experienced at least one symptom of DES in the past 12 months, with photophobia being the most common. DES was experienced more likely among students from Hawassa University [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.11–5.30; p = 0.026], females (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.25–4.31; p = 0.008), current alcohol consumers (AOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.20–8.08; p = 0.019), and those with a history of accidents (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.17–6.13; p = 0.020). Conclusions: Over two-thirds of final-year technology students in southern Ethiopian universities reported at least one symptom of DES, with higher risk observed among females, alcohol users, and those with prior accidents.

Background The World Health Organization has designed a package of essential non-communicable diseases (PEN) strategy to improve the detection and management of NCDs. However, the implementation of the PEN in Ethiopia is at an early stage and the readiness of rural primary healthcare units (PHCUs) to implement the strategy is unknown. We, therefore, propose to apply the strategy in the catchment areas of Dobe-Toga Health Center, a rural PHCU in Sidama National Regional State (SNRS), Ethiopia, and improve the NCDs care among adults aged≥45 years. Aim We aim to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension, pre-T2DM mellitus, T2DM, and comorbidity of hypertension and T2DM among the older adults in the study areas, apply the WHO-PEN- based care model for the participants diagnosed with T2DM and/or hypertension and evaluate its effectiveness in controlling blood glucose and/or pressure. The readiness of PHCUs to implement the WHO-PEN approach in the region will also be determined. Additionally, we examine the influence of diagnosis with hypertension and/or T2DM on the willingness of the study participants to join and/or renew membership in community-based health insurance (CBHI). Methods The study will be conducted in catchment areas of Dobe-Toga Health Center from April to November 2024. A cross-sectional survey of 41 health centers and 4 primary hospitals, triangulated with qualitative data, will be employed to assess the readiness of the PHCUs to implement the WHO-PEN interventions while the qualitative data for this study has not been collected yet, the quantitative data was collected through observation checklist of inputs. The remaining studies will be conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, cross- sectional surveys will be conducted to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension, T2DM, pre- T2DM, and comorbidity of T2DM and hypertension in a randomly selected sample of 3301 older adults. Additionally, the participants’ willingness to pay (WTP) for HbA1c tests will be assessed, and CBHI-related surveys will be conducted. In the second phase, the cohorts will be linked to the health center and will receive the WHO-PEN-based care model. In phase 2, the effects of the care model in controlling blood pressure and glucose will be examined. Furthermore, the adherence to self-care practices of the cohorts will be determined.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has designed a package of essential non-communicable disease (PEN) strategies to improve the detection and management of non-communicable diseases. However, the implementation of the PEN in rural health facilities in Sidama National Regional State is at an early stage, and the readiness of rural primary healthcare units (PHCUs) to implement the strategy is unknown. We, therefore, propose to apply the strategy in the catchment areas of Dobe-Toga Health Center, a rural PHCU in Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia, and improve non-communicable diseases care among adults aged ≥45 years. Aim: We primarily aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a WHO PEN-based care model, which we will implement in a rural setting, in controlling blood pressure and glucose levels among older adults. It will also determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension, pre-diabetes, and diabetes. Additionally, the study seeks to assess the readiness of rural PHCUs to implement the WHO PEN approach and examine the relationship between NCD diagnoses and community-based health insurance (CBHI) membership. Methods: The study will be conducted in the catchment areas of Dobe-Toga Health Center from April 2024 to February 2025 and includes multiple components. One component is a cross-sectional readiness assessment of PHCUs in Sidama National Regional State, which will be undertaken involving 41 health centers and 4 primary hospitals, triangulated by qualitative data collection. The remaining study components will be conducted exclusively in the catchment areas of Dobe-Toga Health Center in two phases. In Phase 1, cross-sectional surveys will be conducted to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and pre-diabetes in a randomly selected sample of 3,301 older adults. Additionally, the participants’ willingness to pay (WTP) for HbA1c tests will be assessed, and CBHI-related surveys will be conducted. In Phase 2, the individuals diagnosed with these conditions will be linked to the health center and enrolled in a WHO PEN–based care model. The effects of the care model in controlling blood pressure and glucose will be examined. Furthermore, the participants’ adherence to self-care practices will be determined.