African Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Computer User Workers of Ethiopian Roads Authority in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Belay Negassa Gondol, Adane Tesfaye Anbese — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Background: Computer related health problems and ergonomic disorders are resulted from prolonged computer usage in a maladaptive manner. At least 10 million new cases of computer related human health risks occur each year; posing in reduced life quality and work productivity. This study aims to describe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder symptoms among computer user workers of Ethiopian Roads Authority.

Methods: Two hundred thirty three workers were requested for the study from all ten districts of Ethiopian Roads Authority from January 2018 to February 2018. A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires to collect socio-demographic data, symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, information regarding ergonomic and computer work station conditions. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the variables. The odds ratio was calculated using binary logistic regressions. The researcher declared the level of

statistical significance at p-value <0.05

Result: A total of 233 workers were included in this study from Ethiopian Roads Authority; 61% of the respondents were males, whereas; 39% were females. The 12-months prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder symptoms among computer users in this study population was 71.2%. The most frequently self-reported symptoms were back pain (46.4%), headache (39.9%), neck pain (31.3%), and wrist pain (12%) among Ethiopian Roads Authority workers (p <0.05). Computing hours per day was significantly associated with the presence of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms.

Conclusion: Ethiopian Roads Authority computer user workers had a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Daily computer using hours was the most single statistically significant risk factor in this study. There is a need to increase the corrective measures that to be implemented to reduce the impact of computer related symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.

Magnitude and associated factors of Utero-vaginal Prolapse among women’s visiting gynecology ward from 2016-2019 at Dilla Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia

Kassahun Alehegn, Chalachew Kassaw — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Background: Utero-vaginal prolapse (UVP) is the herniation of the uterus and all vaginal segments wall. It is a major women’s health concern throughout the world. Globally, 2-20% of all women are affected by utero-vaginal prolapse. The prevalence of utero-vaginal prolapse in Ethiopia is 18.55% among all gynecological operations. Despite the fact, there is no enough study conducted in southern Ethiopia, therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated

factors of utero-vaginal prolapse among patients admitted at gynecological ward in Dilla University Referral Hospital, Dilla town, southern Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods: This study was an institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional conducted in Dilla University Referral Hospital from records. We included 257 gynecologic ward admitted patients chart which were selected, using systematic sampling from 1864 charts from September 2016 to June 2019. The study was conducted from December 2019 to September 2020 at Dilla University referral Hospital (DURH). We used SPSS version 22 for data entry and analysis. A bi variable and multi-variable logistic regression (95% CI, p<0.05) were conducted to identify the factors associated with Utero-vaginal prolapse. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentage, and tables were used to display the result.

Result: This study found that 27 (10.5%) of the participants had utero-vaginal prolapse. The predictor variables for utero-vaginal prolapse were absence of perianal tear [AOR= 0.016; 95% CI (0.001, 0.506)], absence of chronic constipation [AOR= 0.015; 95% CI (0.001, 0.528)], absence of chronic cough [AOR= 0.020; 95% CI (0.001, 0.749)], and having no family history of UVP [AOR= 0.031; 95% CI (0.004, 0.230)] decreased the risk of UVP.

Conclusion: This study identified that one-fourth of the participants had Utero vaginal prolapse. This study also identified modifiable factors related with the outcome variable. Therefore, giving special attention, creating awareness, and working on those risk factors is crucial for the prevention and management of utero-vaginal prolapse.

Keywords: Gynecology ward, South Ethiopia, Utero-vaginal prolapse, Women

Knowledge and practice towards Cervical Cancer prevention, and its associated factors among female students of Mizan-Tepi University, southwest Ethiopia

Daniel Shiferaw, Abiy Tadesse — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Background: Cervical cancer is preventable and often curable when detected early. Awareness and preventive practices among young women, including university students, are essential. Yet, few studies have examined knowledge and practices related to cervical cancer prevention among Ethiopian women, particularly in this setting. This study aimed to assess knowledge, preventive practices, and associated factors towards cervical cancer.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Mizan-Tepi University, southwest Ethiopia, between January and February 2020. Using a two-stage cluster sampling method, to select 715 female students. Data were collected through a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify factors influencing knowledge and practices related to cervical cancer prevention. Associations were determined by using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals, and statistical significance was declared at p <0.05.

Result: The study found that 31.4% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, while 13.5% reported good practice in cervical cancer prevention. Knowledge was strongly influenced by the college attended (AOR = 34.91; 95% CI: 21.03–57.96) and prior screening experience (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.52–8.01). Good practice was linked to awareness of HPV transmission (AOR = 3.68; 95% CI: 1.60–8.47), understanding the recommended age for screening (AOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01–0.34), and knowledge of screening frequency (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.03–6.70).

Conclusion: Most study participants had poor knowledge and practice towards cervical cancer prevention. Colleges, previous cervical cancer screening experience were found to be associated with student’s knowledge. Knowing how HPV infection is acquired and knowing the age and frequency of cervical cancer screening were found predictors of overall cervical cancer prevention practice.

Essential newborn care practice and associated factors among Health professionals at rural Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia: Cross sectional study

Moges Mareg, Yohannes Addisu, Getachew Nenko — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Background: The neonatal mortality (NM) accounts 43% of child mortality under 5 year in the globe, and 42% in Ethiopia. There is inadequate evidence concerning the new born care practice of health workers in rural Gedeo zone of southern Ethiopia. The main objective of this study was to assess the essential newborn care practice and associated factors among health workers at rural Gedeo zone.

Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 233 health workers (using systematic random selection method) were participated. The EPI-info Version 3.5 for data entry and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 software was used for data analysis. Significant association was declared by P-value of < 0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval.

Result: a total of 233 medical professionals took part, with a 100% response rate. Of the 233 medical professionals, 24% had good essential newborn care practices at 95% CI (19.3, 28.9), and more than half, 76.0%, missed one or more crucial steps in the care of a new born. Essential newborn care practices were significantly correlated with older age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.18; 95% CI (0.03, 1.12)], female sex [AOR = 3.08; 95% CI (1.07, 8.81)], supportive supervision [AOR =2.17; 95% CI (1.12, 4.19)], attending in-service training [AOR = 4.85; 95% CI (2.33, 10.10)], and being aware of the newborn’s complications [AOR = 1.98; 95% CI (1.01, 3.89)].

Conclusion: over three-fourths of medical personnel failed to perform at least one crucial newborn care technique. The results suggested that in order to improve the critical newborn care provided by the medical staff at rural health institutions in Gedeo Zone, supportive supervision, in-service training, and awareness of newborn complications should be strengthened.

Travelers’ knowledge, attitude, practice towards COVID-19 and as sociated factors at the bus station of Mizan-Aman town, southwest Ethiopia, 2021

Daniel Shiferaw — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Background: Overcrowded situations; such as mass transport, can highly expose people to the novel coronavirus infection unless strictly adhered to preventive measures recommended by the health authorities. This study aimed to assess traveler’s knowledge, attitude, practices towards COVID-19, and associated factors at the bus station of Mizan-Aman town, southwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among travelers who were found at the bus station of Mizan-Aman town from January 1-15, 2021. A consecutive sampling method was employed to collect data from travelers. Knowledge and attitude data were collected by interviewer-administered questioner, whereas the face-mask wearing practice was assessed by observation.

Result: A total of 406 travelers were interviewed with a 96.2% response rate. All the travelers had heard about COVID-19. 216(53.2%) had good knowledge, 208(51.2%) had a positive attitude while only 45(11.1%) had worn face-mask. Poor knowledge was significantly associated with illiterates (AOR=7.5, CI: 3.0 19.1), primary school (AOR=6.6, CI: 3.0-14.8), and urban residents (AOR=0.21, CI: 0.12-0.37). The negative attitude was significantly associated with a good attitude (AOR=0.32, CI: 0.21-0.48), and not wearing a face-mask was significantly associated with marital status (AOR=3.5, CI: 1.43- 8.81).

Conclusion: All travelers had awareness about COVID-19. More than half had good knowledge and a positive attitude while very few had a good practice. Level of education and residence were found determinants of the level of knowledge while the level of knowledge itself was a significant predictor of the level of attitude. Face-mask wearing practice was associated with marital status.

Keywords: Attitude, Bus station, COVID-19, Knowledge, Mizan-Aman town, Practice, Traveler, Southwest Ethiopia