The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development

Exposure to Mass Media and Maternal Healthcare Utilization in Zimbabwe

Ronald Musizvingoza

Abstract
Background: Maternal mortality remains a public health challenge in most developing countries. Adequate utilisation of maternal health care services could be an effective means of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. Mass media has the potential to promote maternal healthcare utilisation because it has been used successfully in several health programs.
Objective: This study is aimed at exploring associations between exposure to different types of mass media and maternal healthcare utilisation among women in Zimbabwe.
Methods: The study used a -cross-sectional study design to conduct a secondary analysis of data collected in the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). Women who had given birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey were included in this study. Women with missing information about their maternal healthcare and media exposure were excluded, leaving 4988 women in the final analytical sample. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between exposure to different types of mass media and maternal healthcare utilisation.
Result: Overall, our study showed that exposure to any type of mass media was positively associated with making at least four ANC visits and PNC in two days. Women who listened to the radio at least once a week had higher odds of 4+ ANC visits (AOR 1.26, 95% CI: (1.07-1.49)), and receiving PNC in 48 hours (AOR 1.26, 95% CI: (1.01-1.57) than women who did not.
Conclusion: Exposure to mass media is associated with maternal healthcare use in Zimbabwe. Mass media can potentially reach women in low-resource settings and encourage them to utilise maternal health services. The study recommends the development of mass media interventions and programs to increase awareness of maternal healthcare services. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: Mass media, maternal health, women, utilisation, Zimbabwe.

Direct costs of treating COVID-19 Cases Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital in Ankara, Türkiye

Mehmet Enes Gökler

Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study is to estimate the direct treatment cost of COVID-19 cases in ICU and Ward, and the average length of stay during the pandemic period.
Material and methods: The cost study was carried out from the provider’s perspective in a tertiary hospital in Ankara. Only direct costs during hospitalization were analyzed excluding medication costs. The Average Length of Stay (LOS) was determined. The cost was estimated for COVID-19 patients that were admitted to the ward and intensive care unit (ICU) by gender and age group. Patient medical records were reviewed retrospectively in a period of 1 month (April 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020) for clinical data and patient hospital bills were used for costing data.
Result: A total of 525 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the hospital. Slightly more than half of the COVID-19 patients were male (52.1% overall) and the mean age was 47.5±18.6 years for males and 51.0±19.4 for females. Overall, 4.4% of COVID-19 cases were among children and adolescents (≥18 years), 72.8% were among adults (19–64 years), and 22.9% were among elderly adults (≥ 65 years). The direct cost estimated for COVID-19 ranged from 3,781.77 Turkish liras (TL) to 32,494.98 TL. The average LOS for ICU TL patients and ward patients were 4, 5, and 6 days, respectively.
Conclusion: The cost of treating COVID-19 in ICU is high compared to the treatment costs in the ward. The average length of stay for COVID-19 cases in ICU was longer among elderly patients. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: Covid-19, Direct cost, Pandemic, Treatment cost, Türkiye

Comparative analysis of enteric bacteria in groundwater near poultry farm environments in Ijebu north, Ogun state, Nigeria

Egberongbe, H.O.

Abstract
Background: Water-borne diseases are becoming more common because of inadequate water treatment procedures and unsanitary conditions.
Aim: This study involved performing comparative microbial analyses at five different sites to assess the presence of enteric bacteria in the soil and groundwater used by poultry farms.
Methods: Groundwater and soil samples obtained from four rural communities in Ijebu North region, Nigeria, were investigated using physicochemical and bacteriological analysis. Following the dilution plating method, enteric bacteria species were identified and characterized with the aid of colonial characteristics, gram-stain reaction, and biochemical tests
Results: The findings demonstrated high contamination of groundwater sources in these communities, the presence of enteric bacteria including Salmonella species (38%), Escherichia coli (27%), Klebsiella species (9%), Staphylococcus species (4%) and Shigella species (22%) were reported in water samples, soil sample analysis also revealed the presence of Enteric bacteria including Salmonella species (47%), Escherichia coli (24%), Klebsiella species (5%), Staphylococcus species (5%) and Shigella species (19%).
Conclusion: The analysis of water and soil samples provided strong evidence that soil can contaminate groundwater on poultry farms with enteric bacteria. To reduce the risk of enteric bacteria present, appropriate precautions such as proper poultry water treatment should be followed. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):00-00]
Keywords: Groundwater, Enteric Bacteria, Poultry

Analysis of the quality of the water and affectation on the health of the inhabitants of Guamachito, Colombia

Ingris Meléndrez-Polo

Abstract
Background: The study focuses on the evidence of the relationship between water quality and the health of populations. Colombia, a country with high levels of economic, social, and environmental vulnerability, does not have a population that has full access to drinking water. The study analyzes this relationship in Guamachito, Zona Bananera, Colombia.
Objective: Analyze the water quality and the effect on the health of the population of Guamachito, Zona Bananera, Colombia.
Method: Cross-sectional quantitative study, which was carried out in phases: First, an analysis of secondary data was carried out through a review of the web pages of the government institutions of public health in the region and the country; subsequently, a survey was applied to contrast the results of the documentary review to 450 inhabitants of Guamachito, Colombia, corresponding to members of a rural educational institution in the municipality, with 24 teachers and 426 students.
Results: The results suggest that the microbiological characteristics are above the reference limits, as well as poor procedures for collecting and cleaning water in the houses, likewise, high rates of water-borne diseases are identified.
Conclusion: It is inferred that there is an incidence of water quality on the health of the inhabitants of the Guamachito municipality. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: health, water quality, diseases, Colombia.

Trends of radiology caseload and report turnaround time before and after COVID-19 pandemic at the tertiary teaching hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tesfaye Kebede Legesse

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus pandemic has drastically change health institutions due to modifications to the health service delivery system. In line with this, patients visiting health institutions have markedly reduced numbers resulting in a reduced caseload of practicing physicians.
Objective: This paper assessed the caseload in the radiology department of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and reported turnaround times before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary teaching hospital.
Methods: Institution-based Cross-sectional study design was employed for the radiology caseload. All patients’ groups seen in radiology department in all the modalities 6 months before and after the announcement of the COVID-19 in Ethiopia. For the evaluation of radiology report turnaround time, simple random sampling was employed using the source population as those 6 months before in 6 months after the declaration of Covid in Ethiopia. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS version 16 statistical software. Time series analysis with 95% CI was used to determine the association between different variables for radiology caseloads.
Result: The trend of patient load showed a marked decrease after the COVID-19 pandemic in the radiology department. The turnaround time from study time to residents’ report time (ST-RT) - after COVID-19 for MRI was increased by 17 hours. But resident report time to consultant verification time (RRT-CVT) was decreased by 1 day after the COVID-19 pandemic. For computed tomography [CT], ST-RT has decreased by 1 day and 4 hours but RRT-CVT time showed a slight increment by 1 hour and 30 min as compared to before COVID-19. This resulted in reduced exposure of residents and delays of verified patient reports.
Conclusion: there is a decrease in patient load and an increase in turnaround time of radiology case reports after the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the trend before the pandemic. This will affect patient care and resident teaching. The department should look for ways of improving patient care and resident teaching through different innovative methods like the introduction of virtual education and teleradiology. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):00-00]
Keywords: Patient load, Turnaround time, COVID-19

Development and psychometric testing of determining the Attitudes of Immigrants towards Utilization Health Care Services (DAIUHCS) Scale: A Validation and Reliability Study

Korkmaz M

Abstract Background: Factors affecting immigrants' use of health services have been examined in many studies, some of them in nursing. However, no measurement tool determines immigrants‟ attitudes towards utilization health services and provides standard and psychometric characteristics. Objectives: This study aims to develop a scale, “Determining the Attitudes of Immigrants towards Utilization Health Care Services” (DAIUHCS), considering the factors that affect their utilization health services and evaluate its validity and internal reliability. Methods: This is a methodological study that evaluated the psychometric properties of the scale. Haphazard sampling, one of the non-probability sampling methods, was used. The data was collected from 416 immigrants. After the data was collected, the validity and reliability of the scale were evaluated through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the internal reliability test (Cronbach's alpha). Results: As a result of the PCA, the scale questions with an acceptable internal consistency level were grouped under four sub-dimensions. The DAIUHCS scale includes four sub-dimensions and 18 questions in its final version. The total Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.72. Discussion: The scale was developed to determine and understand the attitudes of immigrants towards utilization health care services. It is suitable for the widespread use of nursing researchers working in the field of immigrant health. Conclusion: The scale was developed to determine and understand the attitudes of immigrants towards utilization health services and it is suitable for the widespread use of researchers working in the field of immigrant health. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000] Keywords: Immigrant Health, the Attitude towards Utilization Health Services, Developing Scale, Validation and Reliability.

Does preclinical first-time simulation-based arterial blood pressure training increase psychomotor skills in nursing students?

EDA ERGİN — 2023-09-06

Abstract
Background: Blood pressure (BP) measurement, which is frequently used in clinical practice and is known to have a significant place in determining the patient’s clinical picture, is performed by nurses.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of providing arterial BP instruction via simulation on the nursing students’ psychomotor skill levels.
Methods: The quasi-experimental study was conducted with a single-group pretest-posttest design between September and December 2019 at the Faculty of Nursing of a university to examine the effect of teaching with a simulator on students’ psychomotor skill levels, self-esteem and satisfaction. After signing the informed consent form, students who agreed to participate in the study were asked to fill in the Individual Information Form and Arterial BP Academic Achievement Test. The Arterial BP Academic Achievement Test (pretest) and Arterial BP Measurement Skill Performance Test (pretest) were administered to students after traditional BP training. After the initial demonstration, students were allowed to repeat this procedure on the virtual simulator for 21 days. After 21 days, students were evaluated using the Arterial BP Academic Achievement Test (posttest), Arterial BP Measurement Skill Performance Test (posttest) and Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale.
Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the pretest and posttest scores of the Arterial BP Measurement Achievement Test (p > 0.005); however, the mean posttest score of the Arterial BP Measurement Skill Performance Test was found to be statistically significantly higher than the mean pretest score (p < 0.001). A significant difference was found in students’ self-confidence and satisfaction mean score regarding using simulators (Z = −0.720, p = 0.472).
Conclusion: Simulation-based arterial blood pressure training is recommended for nursing students to gain psychomotor skills in preclinical blood pressure teaching for the first time. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: arterial blood pressure, nursing students, psychomotor skills

Factors in bread preference: A cross-sectional study of the comparison of anthropometric measurements and macronutrient differences according to bread type preferences

Havvanur Yoldas Ilktac — 2023-09-06

Abstract
Background: Bread is one of the most consumed foods by humankind throughout history. It is important to evaluate the factors affecting the food preferences of individuals and to examine the effect of frequently consumed food on anthropometric measurements and daily energy and macronutrient intake in order to improve public health and develop nutrition policies of society.
Objective: The aim of the current study was two-fold: (1) to determine the factors affecting the bread type preferences of individuals (2) to compare anthropometric measurements and macronutrient differences according to bread type preferences.
Methods: The study was conducted cross-sectional from January to October 2018 with randomly selected 1554 volunteer individuals aged between 18-65 years in Istanbul Province of Turkey. The data of the study were collected through a questionnaire form applied by the face-to-face interview method. Demographic information, anthropometric measurements, the most consumed bread types, and dietary records were examined in the questionnaire form.
Results: It was determined that the preference for white bread was high (%66.3). White bread and whole-grain bread were consumed 159.4±94 g/day and 131.2±89.2 g/day, respectively. BMI and waist circumference were lower, while the difference was not significant. It was determined that the group who preferred whole-grain bread had fewer carbohydrates, higher fiber, higher protein, higher fat, higher saturated fat, and higher cholesterol intakes in their daily diets. Women, having high education status and old-age popularity increased the preference of whole-grain bread 1.73, 3.39, and 1.03 times compared to the preference of white bread (p<0.001).
Conclusion: It has been determined that white bread is preferred more in society. Bread type preference was not associated with anthropometric measurements. It has been determined that the distribution of daily macronutrients of individuals who prefer whole-grain bread is more unbalanced. It was found that gender, educational status, and age were the factors affecting the preference of bread type. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: Bread; white bread; nutrition; body mass index; waist circumferences

A comprehensive review of therapeutic options for COVID-19

Mohammad Darvishi — 2023-09-06

Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease that is induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS). Its viral infection is spread swiftly around the world and causes many restrictions, health problems, and expensive treatment costs worldwide. Due to its high prevalence and mortality rate, there is a global challenge to find an effective therapeutic protocol for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. No one could disclaim the immediate need for a standardized protocol for COVID-19 treatment.
Methods: Aiming to prepare a comprehensive review of introducing appropriate remedial options for COVID-19, a wide range of investigation on relevant articles established in the English language published through different publications such as PubMed, Medline, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, and COVID-Evidence . all researchers and clinicians should try to make more precise knowledge about the viral behavior and treatment of COVID-19 to find an effective vaccine to prevent and treatment of this virus. The main objective of the present study is to review and investigate the available evidence for achieving a more precise preventive and treatment protocol to deal with COVID-19.
Findings: many available drugs have been reviewed that include Azithromycin, Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), Remdesivir, Corticosteroids, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine sulfate, Immunoglobulin, Ivermectin, Ribavirin, Favipiravir, Interferon. On the other hand, it is recommended to conduct precise clinical trials on current antimicrobial and antiviral agents that are administered for a long time to find an expeditious and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although disappointing, it should be noted that there is no effective drug regimen or vaccine against the novel coronavirus. In this regard, using other available antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 may be effective to some extent. In this study, by investigating some available antimicrobial medicines that may diminish COVID-19 infection, we are trying to introduce a general protocol for controlling this disease. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: SARS, COVID-19, Pandemic, Antimicrobial drugs, Treatment protocol