Millennium Journal of Health

Emergency department crowdedness level and its determinants at selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Menbeu Sultan — 2026-01-20

Background: Emergency department overcrowding is a critical public health concern,
negatively impacting patient care, safety, and hospital efficiency in Ethiopia and many other countries. It contributes to longer lengths of stay, increased mortality rates, staff burnout, and higher healthcare costs. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of emergency department overcrowding in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul’s Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Scale (NEDOCS)

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 20 to 27, 2023, enrolling all
patients presenting to the emergency departments during this period. Data were collected
using a standardized checklist adapted from previous studies with adjustments. Hourly
observations were recorded for seven days and analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Results: Over seven-day period, emergency department crowding was assessed every hour
during the daytime, resulting in 84 sampling times. The median NEDOCS score, indicating
crowding severity, was 476.5 (IQR: 363-595), with a mean score of 455.7 (SD ±74.2) and a
range of 287 to 581. The primary factors contributing to overcrowding were prolonged patient
lengths of stay and high patient flow. Nearly 60% (393 patients) stayed beyond 24 hours,
with an average length of stay of 4 days (SD ±2.8), reaching up to 16 days in some cases.
The most frequent reason for extended ED stays was bed scarcity (77.9%).
Conclusion: Emergency departments in the selected hospitals are experiencing critically
high patient volumes, leading to dangerously long wait times. This overcrowding requires
immediate, coordinated action to mitigate its impact on patient care delivery.

The magnitude of stroke and associated risk factors among young adults at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia

Sisay Gizaw Geberemichael — 2026-01-20

Background: Stroke in young adults is becoming a significant global public health
concern, with variations observed in different regions. But, there is a lack of reliable
epidemiological data on stroke among young adults in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was
to determine the magnitude and risk factors of stroke among adults at a tertiary university
hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we determined a minimum sample
size of 236 to estimate the frequency of stroke in adults aged 18-49 years among all adult
stroke admissions. Demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data were collected from
medical records using structured data abstraction form. Data were analyzed using the
Statistical Package for Social Science V.26.0 software.
Results: There were 399 adults with stroke admissions during the study period. Out of the
399 adults stroke admissions, 111 (27.8%) were classified as stroke-in-young. Among the
stroke-in-young patients, 64.9% (72) were males. The mean (SD) age of the patients was
39.0 (±7.9) years, with an age range of 21-49 years. Ischemic stroke accounted for 64.9%
(72) of stroke-in-adult cases while intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral venous sinus
thrombosis and subarachnoid hemorrhage accounted for 27.0%, 7.2% and 0.9%,
respectively. In cases of ischemic stroke, hypertension was prevalent (61.5%), often
accompanied by diabetes mellitus (33.3%), alcohol use (15.6%), and cigarette smoking
(8.9%). In young adults with intracerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, and alcohol and
recreational drug abuse occurred in 86.7%, 20.0%, and 13.3% of cases, respectively.
Conclusions: In our study, stroke-in-young accounted for 27.8% of adult admissions with
stroke. Cardio-metabolic and lifestyle-related risk factors were common among stroke-inyoung.
Further research is needed for better understanding of stroke-in-young individuals.

Common clinical presentations and isolated bacteria profile among burn patients, at Addis Ababa Burn and Emergency Trauma Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abeje Brhanu Menjeta — 2026-01-20

Background: A burn is a devastating form of trauma, responsible for a significant
percentage of morbidity and mortality caused by injuries and accidents worldwide.
Thermal injury destroys the skin barrier that normally prevents the invasion of
microorganisms and makes burn wounds susceptible site for colonization by
microorganisms of endogenous and exogenous origin.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was held at Addis Ababa Burn,
Emergency and Trauma (AaBET) Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from December 01,
2020, to November 30, 2021. Data was collected using structured and pretested
questionnaires through face-to-face interviews. Wound swabs were collected from all
consented participants and evaluated for possible microbial isolates. The extracted data
were analyzed using SPSS 20.1. This study was conducted following approval of the
Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Institutional Review Board.
Results: From a total of 75 patients who consented to the study, males accounted for
53.3% (n=42), and ages ranged from 6 months to 76 years, with the median age being 19
years. Children less than 15 years old account for 42.7% (n=32). Flame burn was the
leading cause (n=30, 40%) followed by a scald burn (n=22, 29.3%) and high voltage
electric burn (n=21, 28%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the commonest isolate (42
isolates; 61.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18 isolates; 26.4%). A significant
percentage of the positive swab results were monomicrobial (84.7%).
Conclusion: Flame was the leading cause of burn wound. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is
the most common bacteria causing burn wound infection among the study participants.

Computed Tomography patterns of traumatic spine injury and their association with neurologic deficit at Addis Ababa burn emergency and trauma hospital

Hawi Faris Muleta — 2026-01-20

Background: The annual incidence of traumatic spine injury (TSI) is 10.5 cases per 100,000
persons, primarily caused by road traffic accidents (RTA) and falls. TSI can lead to lifelong
paralysis, making early diagnosis with CT scans crucial. This study assesses CT scan
patterns of TSI and their association with neurologic deficits from May 1, 2020, to June 1,
2021, at Addis Ababa Burn Emergency and Trauma (AaBET) hospital, Ethiopia.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on all identified cases
at AaBET hospital. Data were collected by trained general practitioners and senior radiology
residents and analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Chi-square test was used to determine
associations, with a p-value of <0.05 considered significant.
Results: Among 167 patients (82.6% male, mean age 31.8 ± 10.4 years), the most common
causes of TSI were RTA (52.8%) and falls (28.1%). The thoracolumbar spine (T10-L2) was
the most affected area (35.3%). Most patients (67.1%) had compression (type A) injuries,
followed by rotational (type C) injuries (21%) and distraction (type B) injuries (12%).
Neurologic deficits were present in 44.9% of patients, with incomplete deficits in 27.5% and
complete deficits in 17.4%. Type C injuries had the highest likelihood of neurologic deficits
(82.86%) compared to type A (28.57%) and type B (70%) injuries, with a statistically
significant association (P = 0.001, Chi2 = 38.03).
Conclusion: Young men were the most common victims of spine injury, primarily due to
RTA. The thoracolumbar spine was the most frequently injured level. Compression (type A)
injuries were the most common, and the type of fracture according to AO classification
predicted the likelihood of neurologic deficits.

Nutritional Status and associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study

Henok Ketema — 2026-01-20

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS remained a significant health
burden particularly in developing countries. It has been continued as one of a global health
crisis with 1.5 million [1.0 million–2.0 million] new HIV infections and 680 000 [480 000–
1 000 000] deaths from AIDS-related causes that occurred in 2020. Poor nutrition resulting in
weight loss, muscle wasting, weakness, nutrient deficiencies leads to impaired immune
system which could facilitate HIV disease progression or increase the risk of infection.
Objective: This study aimed to asses’ nutritional status and associated factors among adults
living with HIV/ AIDS at ART clinic of Yekatit12 Hospital Addis Ababa.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among all adults attending
ART follow up services at Yekatit 12 hospital from May 2024 to July 2024.
Results: A total of 393 participants were included in the study. The mean age of the
participants was 33.74 (SD ±5.29) years. The prevalence of malnutrition with
(BMI<18.5kg/m2) in this study was 37.15%. Opportunistic infections (AOR=3.12,95% CI:
1.77-5.46), Clinical stage four (AOR=6.39,95% CI: 1.73-23.65), Clinical stage three (AOR=
4.69, 95% CI: 1.02 -6.05), receiving nutritional support and care (AOR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.27-
1.14), high meal frequency (AOR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.13-0.95), and, food insecure (AOR= 2.99,
95% CI:1.56-5.73) were significantly associated with under nutrition.
Conclusion: Malnutrition associated with advanced clinical stages of HIV diseases,
opportunistic infection and food insecurity is significant problem among peoples living with
HIV/AIDS.