Background: Various factors may determine the duration of viral shedding (the time from infection to viral RNA-negative conversion or recovery) in COVID-19 patients. Understanding the average duration of recovery and its predictors is crucial in formulating preventive measures and optimizing treatment options. Therefore, evidence showing the duration of recovery from COVID-19 in different contexts and settings is necessary for tailoring appropriate treatment and prevention measures. This study aimed to investigate the average duration and the predictors of recovery from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among COVID-19 patients. Method: A hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Center from March 18 to June 27, 2020. The Center was the first hospital designated to manage COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia. The study participants were all COVID-19 adult patients who were admitted to the center during the study period. Follow up was done for the participants from the first date of diagnosis to the date of recovery (negative Real-time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCT) test of throat swab). Result: A total of 306 COVID-19 cases were followed up to observe the duration of viral clearance by rRT-PCR. Participants’ mean age was 34 years (18–84 years) and 69% were male. The median duration of viral clearance from each participant’s body was 19 days, but the range was wide: 2 to 71 days. Cough followed by headache was the leading sign of illness among the 67 symptomatic COVID-19 patients; and nearly half of those with comorbidities were known cancer and HIV/AIDS patients on clinical follow up. The median duration of recovery from COVID-19 was different for those with and without previous medical conditions or comorbidities. The rate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection was 36% higher in males than in females (p = 0.043, CI: 1.01, 1.85). The rate of recovery was 93% higher in those with at least one comorbidity than in those without any comorbidity. The risk of delayed recovery was not influenced by blood type, BMI and presence of signs or symptoms. The findings showed that study participants without comorbidities recovered more quickly than those with at least one comorbidity. Therefore, isolation and treatment centers should be prepared to manage the delayed stay of patients having comorbidity.

Purpose: To assess the non-prescription use of antibiotics and associated factors in Ambo Town, West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design supported with the qualitative study was conducted in Ambo Town from February 1 to March 1, 2020. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide questions. Simple random sampling was used to select retail outlets and systematic random sampling to select study participants. The data analysis was done using SPSS and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with non-prescription use of antibiotics. Thematic framework analysis was applied for the qualitative data. Results: From the 421 study sample, a total of 399 participants were interviewed with a 94.8% response rate. Among the study participants, 214 (53.6) were males, 228 (57.1%) were married, 191 (47.9%) were orthodox by religion, and 343 (86%) were Oromo by ethnicity. One hundred seventy-two (43.1%; 95% CI: 38.6, 48.1) of the participants had used non-prescribed antibiotics. Being male [AOR=2.21 95% CI: 1.276, 3.835], residing in rural area [AOR=3.659, 95% CI: 1.479, 9.054], holding diploma [AOR=0.120, 95% CI: 0.025, 0.591], and hold BSC degree [AOR=0.050, 95% CI: 0.007, 0.378], and being farmer [AOR=0.034, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.285] showed significant association with the non-prescription use of antibiotics. Conclusion: This study concluded that the non-prescription use of antibiotics 172 (43.1%) was relatively high. Being male, residing in a rural area, holding a diploma, BSc degree, and being a farmer were significantly associated with non-prescription use of antibiotics. So, West Shoa Zone regulatory body should actively focus on the prevention of non-prescription use of antibiotics through health communication and public awareness on the demerits of non-prescription use of antibiotics.

Continuum of care (CoC) has been recognized as a crucial strategy for minimizing maternal, neonatal, and child mortality. CoC promotes integrated Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) services by linking together three aspects of maternal health care antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care. The study aimed to assess continuation of maternal healthcare services utilization and its associated factors among reproductive age women at pregnancy, delivery and postnatal stages in Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study design conducted using Ethiopian 2016 Demographic and Health Survey data. All women with the most recent live birth in the last five years preceding the 2016 survey were the study population. The sample size was 7590, 2415, and 1342 at service entry (ANC use), COC at a delivery level, and CoC at Postpartum level respectively. COC was measured at three levels of maternal health care (during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum). The CoC is constructed from four or more antenatal care visits (ANC4+), skilled birth attendance (SBA), and postnatal care (PNC). About 9.1% of women received all components of CoC. Educational attainment, wealth quintile, and media exposure were associated with four or more antenatal care visits and COC at the delivery level. Perception of getting money for healthcare, having blood pressure measured and urine sample taken during ANC was associated with continuity of care at the delivery level and continuity of care at a postpartum level. Birth order, residence, and region were common factors associated with each outcome of interest. The proportion of women who received all ANC4+, SBA, and PNC across the CoC was low in Ethiopia. Effort needed to increase CoC at each stage. The study shows that focusing on place of residence and regional state variation is necessary to improve CoC at each level. Thus, contextualizing the strategies and further research are critical.

Background and Aims: Early identification and treatment of hypertension could lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases; which share the largest proportion of death. The findings of previous studies done in Ethiopia on undiagnosed hypertension were inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed hypertension among adults in Ethiopia.Methods: A protocol with registration number CRD42023395445 was registered to Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A comprehensive search of observational studies done on undiagnosed hypertension was identified in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Hinari databases, and other sources available until January 10, 2023. The quality of the identified studies using the set criteria and necessary data was extracted and exported to R version 4.2.3 and STATA version 15.0 for analysis. The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors were identified. The risk of bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's test. The findings were presented using tables, figures, and statements. This study was not funded by any organization.Results: Eleven studies having 6132 participants were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16–27). In subanalysis, according to the American Heart Association ( ≥ 130/80 mmHg), the pooled prevalence was 29% (95% CI: 18–40). However, according to the International Society of Hypertension ( ≥ 140/90), the pooled prevalence was 16% (95% CI: 13–20).Sex (AOR = 2.49, 1.48–3.49), age ≥55 years (AOR = 2.68, 1.16–4.21), alcohol drinking (AOR = 2.68, 1.68–3.69), body mass index ≥25 kg/m² (AOR = 2.62, 1.77–3.48), and high triglyceride levels (AOR = 1.87, 1.22–2.51) were significantly associated with it.Conclusion: In Ethiopia, about one in five adults ≥ 18 years has undiagnosed hypertension; therefore raising public awareness for medical checkups, early hypertension detection, and treatment is suggested. However, these findings cannot be generalized to pediatrics.

Introduction: The pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 has fundamentally changed the physician–patient relationship due to health care workers’ being at high risk of getting COVID-19 infection from their patients. Therefore, healthcare workers are a priority to be protected and prevent transmission within a healthcare setting. Objective: To assess the actual and perceived personal safety of healthcare workers practicing in public hospitals. Methods and Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was done among 361 health professionals in West Shoa. A simple random sampling technique was used to select representative respondents. Data was collected by a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. The collected data was entered into EPI-Info and exported to STATA for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Results: A total of 361 healthcare workers responded to the question with a 97% response rate. The median age of the study participants was 29. Of the total participants, access to personal protective equipment was: hand sanitizer 322 (89.2%), disposable gloves 285 (78.9%), face mask 280 (77.6%), KN95 face mask 163 (45.2%) and facial protective shields 112 (31%). One hundred sixty-nine (46.8%) of the study participants reported that their hospital has personal safety policies and procedures. One hundred sixty-one (44%) reported that they perceived no support, while only 35 (9.7%) participants reported that they perceived full support from their hospital. Furthermore, the participants perceived that their local concerned bodies took fewer necessary measurements to defend physical integrity in the workplace (mean 2.86 SD = 3.34). Conclusion: There are many healthcare workers who have limited access to the majority of essential PPE. The majority of study participants perceived limited support from their health facilities, hospitals and local concerned bodies. Therefore, hospitals and local public health authorities should increase access to PPE to protect healthcare workers.