Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background. Preconception healthcare is promising to improve the reproductive health status of women and couples if they receive care three months to two years before conception. In the current context of Ethiopia, however, preconception healthcare is overlooked in the continuum of care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of preconception healthcare and associated factors: a study among mothers in Jinka town, southern region, Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 522 randomly selected women of childbearing age who are living in Jinka town from March to April 2018. The study considers all the kebeles in the town. Study subjects were determined using proportionate-to-population size allocation. Then, a systematic random sampling technique was applied. Data were collected using a semistructured and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive summary data and binary logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify factors with the 95% confidence level and a p value of less than 0.05. Results. A total of 513 study subjects participated in this study. The overall preconception healthcare knowledge score of women in Jinka town was 51.1%. In the multivariable analysis, housewives (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.38–6.19), an education level of at least college (AOR = 3.79; 95% CI: 1.75–8.23), no history of neonatal death (AOR = 4.13; 95% CI = 1.39–12.25), and the use of family planning methods (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.49–3.79) increased the probability of preconception healthcare knowledge compared to the counterparts. Conclusion. In this study, women’s knowledge of preconception healthcare was found borderline. The identified factors were housewife, education level of at least college, no history of neonatal death, and using family planning methods. Therefore, emphasizing these factors for the enhancement of women’s knowledge of preconception healthcare is a necessary step.

ObjectiveTo determine the associations of WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Service Ladder service levels and sociodemographic factors with diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study.SettingBishoftu town, Ethiopia, January–February 2022.ParticipantsA total of 1807 mothers with at least one child under 5 years were included. Sociodemographic and WASH variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. 378 drinking water samples were collected.OutcomeThe response variable was diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years.ResultsThe 2-week prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years was 14.8%. Illiteracy (adjusted OR 3.15; 95% CI 1.54 to 6.47), occupation (0.35; 0.20 to 0.62), mother’s age (1.63; 1.15 to 2.31), family size (2.38; 1.68 to 3.39), wealth index (5.91; 3.01 to 11.59), residence type (1.98; 1.35 to 2.90), sex of the child (1.62; 1.17 to 2.24), child’s age (3.52; 2.51 to 4.93), breastfeeding status (2.83; 1.74 to 4.59), food storage practice (3.49; 1.74 to 8.26), unimproved drinking water source (8.16; 1.69 to 39.46), limited drinking water service (4.68; 1.47 to 14.95), open defecation practice (5.17; 1.95 to 13.70), unimproved sanitation service (2.74; 1.60 to 4.67), limited sanitation service (1.71; 1.10 to 2.65), no hygiene service (3.43; 1.91 to 6.16) and limited hygiene service (2.13; 1.17 to 3.86) were significantly associated with diarrhoeal disease.ConclusionIn this study, diarrhoea among children is a significant health issue. Child’s age, drinking water service, residence type and hygiene service were the largest contributors with respect to the prevalence of diarrhoeal disease. This investigation provides information that could help to inform interventions to reduce childhood diarrhoea. The findings suggest that state authorities should initiate robust WASH strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 agenda.

Symptomatic dry eye disease is a growing public health challenge especially among those who are visual display unit (VDU) users and other long-time near activity workers. Globally, computer user adults experience a surge in the prevalence of dry eye. Data is insufficient on the prevalence of dry eye disease among postgraduate students in Ethiopia. Therefore, the present was aimed to assess the prevalence of dry eye and its associated factors among postgraduate students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 423 postgraduate students who were selected based on a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through online symptom-based ocular surface disease index questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to test the association and p-value of <0.05 was considered to determine the significance of the association. From the total postgraduate students, 404 completed the study with a response rate of 95.5%. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease was 50.5% (95% CI, 45.1%-54.9%). Average continuous visual display unit use for 2-4hours per day[AOR = 2.57 (95% CI, 1.27-5.21)] and for> 4hours per day[AOR = 3.77 (95% CI 1.87-7.59)], duration of visual display unit use for 3-5 years [AOR = 2.24 (95% CI, 1.17-4.31)], 6-8 years [AOR = 2.46 (95% CI,1.31-4.62)] and > 8 years [AOR = 3.25 (95% CI, 1.63-6.48)], average sleeping hour < 7 hours/day within last week [AOR = 2.17 (95% CI, 1.35-3.49)] and current known allergic conjunctivitis [AOR = 5.42 (95% CI, 2.43-12.10)] were significantly associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. In this study, about half of postgraduate students faced symptomatic dry eye disease. Significant association was observed between symptomatic dry eye disease and average continuous hours of visual display unit use, duration of visual display unit use in years, shortage of sleep and current known allergic conjunctivitis. It is advisable for postgraduate students to limit screen exposure hour and establish regular breaking time along their exposure. It is also advisable to have optimum sleep as possible. It is also important to explore dry eye disease on a large sample incorporating clinical tests.

Strabismus is a visual disorder where the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. Untreated strabismus can lead to amblyopia, loss of binocular vision, and social stigma due to its appearance. Since it is assumed that knowledge is pertinent for early screening and prevention of strabismus, the main objective of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes toward strabismus in Woreta town, Northwest Ethiopia. Providing data in this area is important for planning health policies. A community-based cross-sectional study was done in Woreta town from April-May 2020 with a sample size of 424. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to achieve the required sample size. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered using epi-data version 3.1, then processed and analyzed via SPSS version 20. Descriptive and analytical statistics were employed to summarize the data. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. A total of 401 individuals aged over 18 years participated, with a response rate of 94.5%. Of those who responded, 56.6% were males. Of all the participants, 36.9% were illiterate. The proportion of people with poor knowledge of strabismus was 45.1%. It was shown that 53.9% of the respondents had a favorable attitude. Older age, higher educational level, having a history of eye examination, and a having a family history of strabismus were significantly associated with good knowledge of strabismus. A higher educational level, older age, and hearing about strabismus were significantly associated with a favorable attitude toward strabismus. The proportion of good knowledge and favorable attitude towards strabismus were lower than previously reported in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia. There is a need to provide health education and promotion campaigns on strabismus to the community: what strabismus is, its' possible treatments and the need to bring children to the eye care center for early diagnosis and treatment.

Background and Aims Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene is a fundamental human right and essential to control infectious diseases. However, many countries, including Ethiopia, do not have adequate data to report on basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Although contaminated drinking water spreads diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, and dysentery, studies on drinking water contamination risk levels in households are limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, closing this gap needs investigation. Methods A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted. A total of 5350 households were included. A systematic, simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants. The information was gathered through in‐person interviews using a standardized questionnaire. Furthermore, 1070 drinking water samples were collected from household water storage. Results This investigation revealed that 9.8%, 83.9%, and 4.9% of households used limited, basic, and safely managed drinking water services, respectively. Besides, 10.2%, 15.7% and 59.3% of households used safely managed, basic and limited sanitation services, respectively. Yet, 10.6% and 4.2% of households used unimproved sanitation facilities and open defecation practices. Also, 40.5% and 19.4% of households used limited and basic hygiene services. On the other hand, 40.1% of households lacked functional handwashing facilities. In this study, 12.1%, 26.3%, and 42% of households’ drinking water samples were positive for Escherichia coli, fecal coliforms, and total coliforms, respectively. Also, 5.1% and 4.5% of households’ drinking water samples had very high and high contamination risk levels for E. coli, respectively. We found that 2.5% and 11.5% of households and water distributors had unacceptable fluoride concentrations, respectively. Conclusion The majority of households in Bishoftu town lack access to safely managed sanitation, drinking water, and basic hygiene services. Many households’ water samples had very high and high health risk levels. Hence, the government and partner organizations should implement water and sanitation safety plans.

Background Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivation is highly challenged by faba bean black root rot disease (Fusarium solani) in high lands of Ethiopia. To ensure sustainable production of faba beans, searching for eco-friendly disease management options is necessary to curb the progress of the disease timely. The indigenous biocontrol agents that suit local environments may effectively strive with in-situ microorganisms and suppress local pathogen strains. This study aimed to screen antagonistic indigenous compatible Trichoderma and Pseudomonas strains against Fusarium solani. In the pathogenicity test, soil-filled pots were arranged in complete random block design and sown with health faba bean seeds. The effect of some fungicides was evaluated against Fusarium by food poisoning methods to compare with the biocontrol agents . The antagonistic efficacy of biocontrol agents and their compatibility was investigated on Potato dextrose agar medium. Results Fusarium solani AAUF51 strain caused an intense root rotting in faba bean plant. The effect of Mancozeb 80% WP at 300 ppm was comparable with Trichoderma and Pseudomonas strains against Fusarium. The mycelial growth of test the pathogen was significantly ( P  ≤ 0.05) reduced to 86.67 and 85.19% by Trichoderma harzianum AAUW1 and Trichoderma viridae AAUC22 strains in dual culture, respectively. The volatile metabolites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AAUS31 (77.78%) found the most efficient in reducing mycelial growth of Fusarium followed by Pseudomonas fluorescens AAUPF62 (71.11%) strains. The cell-free culture filtrates of Pseudomonas fluorescens AAUPF62 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa AAUS31 were more efficient than the Trichoderma strain in reducing the growth of Fusarium isolates. There was no zone of inhibition recorded between Trichoderma harzianum AAUW1 , Trichoderma viridae AAUC22 , Pseudomonas aeruginosa AAUS31 , and Pseudomonas fluorescens AAUPF62 strains, hence they were mutually compatible. Conclusions The compatible Trichoderma and Pseudomonas strains showed antagonistic potentiality that could be explored for faba bean protection against black root rot disease and might have a future dual application as biocontrol agents.

Human health and environmental risks are increasing following air pollution associated with vehicular and industrial emissions in which particulate matter is a constituent. The purpose of this review was to assess studies on the health effects and mortality induced by particles published for the last 15 years. The literature survey indicated the existence of strong positive associations between fine and ultrafine particles’ exposure and cardiovascular, hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer health risks, and mortality. Its exposure is also associated with increased odds of hypertensive and diabetes disorders of pregnancy and premature deaths. The ever increasing hospital admission and mortality due to heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer could be due to long-term exposure to particles in different countries. Therefore, its effect should be communicated for legal and scientific actions to minimize emissions mainly from traffic sources.

Persistence of high-risk Human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) infection increases the risk of precancerous lesions development. The aim of this study was to assess the persistence and clearance rate of HPV infection. A prospective cohort study was conducted between January and December 2023 among patients attending gynecology unit of FHCSH in Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia. Out of 297 study participants, 95 women with HPV infected and cytological abnormalities were followed; of these 93.7% were HPV positive at the baseline study. Of which, 46.1% did not receive treatment, the rest 53.9% were treated. Among the women without treatment, HPV persistence and clearance rates were 65.9% and 34.1% respectively while persistence rate of 46.3% and clearance rate of 53.7% were observed in 12-month follow up period. Among women who received treatment, HPV persistence rate of 45.8% and clearance rate of 54.2% were recorded in six while persistence rate of 33.3% and clearance rate of 66.7% were observed in 12- month follow up period. The findings of our study indicated that the high persistence rate and low clearance rate of HPV infection. Detection of persistent HPV infection without treatment or after treatment should be considered as the main risk factor for the development or recurrence of cervical neoplasia.

Nonlinear time-fractional partial differential equations (NTFPDEs) play a great role in the mathematical modeling of real-world phenomena like traffic models, the design of earthquakes, fractional stochastic systems, diffusion processes, and control processing. Solving such problems is reasonably challenging, and the nonlinear part and fractional operator make them more problematic. Thus, developing suitable numerical methods is an active area of research. In this paper, we develop a new numerical method called Yang transform Adomian decomposition method (YTADM) by mixing the Yang transform and the Adomian decomposition method for solving NTFPDEs. The derivative of the problem is considered in sense of Caputo fractional order. The stability and convergence of the developed method are discussed in the Banach space sense. The effectiveness, validity, and practicability of the method are demonstrated by solving four examples of NTFPEs. The findings suggest that the proposed method gives a better solution than other compared numerical methods. Additionally, the proposed scheme achieves an accurate solution with a few numbers of iteration, and thus the method is suitable for handling a wide class of NTFPDEs arising in the application of nonlinear phenomena.