Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to decreased quality of life (QOL) by increasing the risk of death during the progression of its pathogenesis. However, many factors can be improved to support QOL. This study aimed to assess QOL among CKD patients in Nepal and to determine the factors associated with their QOL. Method: A cross-sectional study was used for data collection. CKD cases receiving medical attention in the Bir Hospital in Mahaboudh, Kathmandu; Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu; Sumeru Hospital in Dhapakhel, Lalitpur; and Shahid Dharma Bhakta National Transplant Centre in Bhaktapur between August and October 2019 were invited to participate in the study. A validated questionnaire and the kidney disease quality of life short form (KDQOL-SF™ 1.3) were used to assess QOL. A questionnaire was completed by the researcher in face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression was used to detect the associations between variables at the significance level of α = 0.05. Results: A total of 440 participants were recruited into the study: 56.59% were males, 74.32% were aged between 31 and 70 years, 25.68% were illiterate, and 82.95% were unemployed. The prevalence of good QOL among CKD in the domains of the physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and kidney disease component summary (KDCS) with and without hemodialysis were 53.64, 22.05, 21.28, and 13.19%, respectively. After controlling for all potential confounding factors, eight variables were found to be associated with good QOL in the domain of PCS: age, education, stage of CKD, hemodialysis, transporting oneself to a hospital, health insurance, medical expenses, and perceived lack of difficulty in handling medical expenses. Six variables were associated with good QOL in the domain of MCS after controlling for all potential confounding factors: residence, stage of CKD, transporting oneself to a hospital, health insurance, medical expenses, and perceived lack of difficulty in handling medical expenses. Conclusions: Public health interventions should be developed and implemented to improve QOL among CKD patients in Nepal by focusing on older female patients who have low education, live in rural areas and no health insurance.

Background: The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through contaminated blood or bodily fluids. Globally, over 81 million blood units are donated annually, a crucial therapeutic procedure without alternatives. However, blood-borne infections, including HBV, pose a significant hurdle to safe transfusions, especially in HBV-endemic regions like Somalia with limited screening. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and identify risk factors associated with it among blood donors in Mogadishu, Somalia. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2023. Research tools included a 5-ml blood sample and a structured questionnaire. The presence or absence of HB markers was determined using a multi-HB rapid test and CDC’s HB marker interpretation guideline. Logistic regression was used in univariate and multivariate models to identify risk factors associated with HBV infection, with significance set at a p-value < 0.05 in the final model. Result: A total of 494 blood donors were recruited for this study; 93.9% were male, with a mean age of 31.5 (SD = 8.11). The prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among blood donors was 9.7%, with a 95% CI of 7.1–12.3. In multivariable logistic regression, those with a monthly income of less than 200 USD (AOR = 5.20, 95% CI = 1.61–16.79), those with an income between 200 and 400 (AOR = 3.59, 95% CI = 1.38–9.34), Jobless blood donors (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI = 1.17–12.20), those in business occupations (AOR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.24–9.08), those with a history of STDs (AOR = 4.83, 95% CI = 2.03–11.50), those without a history of HB vaccine (AOR = 13.81, 95% CI = 2.46–77.41), those with a history of tooth extraction (AOR = 6.90, 95% CI = 2.66–17.88), and those who shared sharp equipment (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.07–7.82) were more likely to become infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Implementation efforts against HBV infection should specifically focus on low-income individuals, the jobless, and donors with a history of STD to mitigate the burden of HBV infection and promote safer blood donation. In addition, discouraging the sharing of sharp equipment, improving infection control practices during tooth extraction procedures, and enhancing HB vaccination uptake, particularly among individuals lacking a history of HB vaccine, is highly recommended.

Background: In September 2022, a new Ebola outbreak was reported in Uganda, East Africa, and 142 confirmed cases, including 19 Healthcare workers (HCWs) reported. Ebola is not endemic in Somalia, but the country is at a reasonable risk of the virus being introduced due to the direct connection with daily flights from Uganda without border health control and prevention activities. Therefore, evaluating HCWs' Knowledge and attitude is crucial since this is the first time being evaluated in Somalia. The study's objective is to evaluate the HCWs' Knowledge and attitude toward the Ebola virus disease in Somalia.Method: An online self-administrated cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCWs (n = 1103) in all six federal member states of Somalia using a validated, reliable, well-structured questionnaire. Data we analyzed using descriptive statistics and Logistic regression were used to determine sociodemographic characteristics associated with poor Knowledge and negative attitude.Result: Over one-third (37.3%) of HCWs had poor Knowledge; the mean knowledge score was 7.97 SD ± 2.15. Almost 40.1% of the HCWs had a negative attitude; the mean attitude was 27.81 SD ± 8.06. Low-income HCWs (AOR = 2.06, 95%CI:1.01–4.19), Married HCWs (AOR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.110–1.963), Midwives (AOR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.74–4.39), Lab technicians (AOR = 2.43, 95%CI: 1.43–4.14), HCWs work in Jubaland state of Somalia (AOR = 3.69, 95%CI: 2.39–5.70), Galmudug state (AOR = 8.50, 95%CI: 4.59–15.77), Hirshabelle state (AOR = 3.18, 95%CI: 2.15–4.71) were more likely to have poor Knowledge compared to their counterparts. HCWs who work in Hirshabelle state (AOR = 5.44,95%CI: 3.58–8.27), Jubaland state (AOR = 8.47, 95%CI: 4.69–15.29), and Galmudug state (AOR = 4.43, 95%CI: 3.03–6.48) was more likely to have a negative attitude than those working in the Banadir region administration.Conclusion: Most Somali healthcare workers showed good Knowledge and a positive attitude toward the Ebola virus. The implementation to enhance Knowledge and attitude must specifically focus on low-income HCWs, Midwives, Lab technicalities, and those who work in Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and Galmudug states of Somalia.

Introduction: Neonatal mortality is a significant public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Somalia, where limited data exists about this. Mogadishu, the densely populated capital, faces a high rate of neonatal mortality, but this has not been widely studied on a national level. Healthcare providers and policymakers are working to reduce newborn deaths, but a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors is crucial for effective strategies. Therefore, this study aims to determine the magnitude of neonatal death and identify factors associated with it in Mogadishu, Somalia. Method: A multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from participants at 5 purposively selected hospitals in Mogadishu, Somalia. A well-structured, reliable, self-developed, validated questionnaire containing socio-demographic, maternal, and neonatal characteristics was used as a research tool. Descriptive statistics were used for categorical and continuous variables presented. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with neonatal mortality at a significant level of α = 0.05. Results: A total of 513 participants were recruited for the study. The prevalence of neonatal mortality was 26.5% [95%CI = 22.6–30.2]. In a multivariable model, 9 variables were found: female newborns (AOR = 1.98, 95%CI = 1.22–3.19), those their mothers who did not attend ANC visits (AOR = 2.59, 95%CI = 1.05–6.45), those their mothers who did not take tetanus toxoid vaccination (AOR = 1.82, 95%CI = 1.01–3.28), those their mothers who delivered in instrumental assistant mode (AOR = 3.01, 95%CI = 1.38–6.56), those who had neonatal sepsis (AOR = 2.24, (95%CI = 1.26–3.98), neonatal tetanus (AOR = 16.03, 95%CI = 3.69–69.49), and pneumonia (AOR = 4.06, 95%CI = 1.60–10.31) diseases during hospitalization, premature (AOR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.00–3.94) and postmature (AOR = 4.82, 95%CI = 1.64–14.16) neonates, those with a birth weight of less than 2500 gr (AOR = 4.82, 95%CI = 2.34–9.95), those who needed resuscitation after delivery (AOR = 2.78, 95%CI = 1.51–5.13), and those who did not initiate early breastfeeding (AOR = 2.28, 95%CI = 1.12–4.66), were significantly associated with neonatal mortality compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: In this study, neonatal mortality was high prevalence. Therefore, the intervention efforts should focus on strategies to reduce maternal and neonatal factors related to neonatal mortality. Healthcare workers and health institutions should provide appropriate antenatal, postnatal, and newborn care.

A concurrent mixed-methods study was conducted to examine the factors influencing COVID-19 prevention and control behaviors and to describe the management model implemented in Mae Sai District, a Thai–Myanmar border community, from June 2022 to May 2023. Mae Sai reported 21,890 confirmed cases and 12 deaths during the pandemic, underscoring the severity of the outbreak and the need for an effective local management model. Quantitative results indicated that attitudes, social support, participation, and service accessibility significantly influenced preventive behaviors among the general public. Among volunteers, perception and attitude were also significant, whereas only social support and participation were influential among government officials. The management model identified in this study demonstrated effectiveness through its coordinated multisectoral operations, high community compliance, and rapid cross-border communication. The model consisted of five components: emergency preparedness drills, organizational management through district and subdistrict disease control centers, a unified incident command system led by the district chief, coordinated domestic and international operations, and enforcement of control measures at formal checkpoints, natural crossings, and within communities. Successful implementation depended on strong collaboration among government agencies, volunteers, private organizations, local communities, and partners in Myanmar. This framework may serve as a practical guideline for managing other communicable diseases and enhancing preparedness for future health threats.

Background: Children of Myanmar migrants in Thailand have lower immunization coverage compared to Thai counterparts, leaving them at risk of vaccine preventable diseases. Evidence remains limited regarding immunization among Myanmar children in Chiang Rai Province, an important migration corridor between Northern Thailand and Myanmar. Objective: this study aimed to estimate the immunization status and identify its associated factors among children of Myanmar migrants in Chiang Rai province, Northern Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Myanmar migrant caregivers and their children aged under 7 years, who are residing in Chiang Rai Province, using a validated questionnaire by face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize participant characteristics, while chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors with statistical significance set at α< 0.05. Results: Among 423 children, 91 children (21.5%) were found as having incomplete immunization and six factors were significantly associated with it, including lacking Thai birth registration (aOR = 9.52; 95% CI: 3.74–24.27), lacking child’s health insurance (aOR = 14.03; 95% CI: 6.45–30.54), history of return migration (aOR = 19.05; 95% CI: 8.48–44.13), negative peer practices (aOR = 8.09, 95% CI: 1.47–44.54), time barrier (aOR = 4.09, 95% CI: 1.20–13.94) and financial barrier (aOR = 7.07, 95% CI: 1.67–29.91). Conclusions: A moderate prevalence of incomplete immunization was strongly associated with factors across the levels of the modified socio-ecological model: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional. Interventions addressing legal access, health insurance, community outreach, healthcare system responsiveness and cross-border continuity of care are recommended.