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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in the use of telemedicine as a means of delivering healthcare services remotely. Healthcare providers play a key role in the adoption and implementation of telemedicine for its effectiveness. Despite its benefits, there have been unclear concerns about its effectiveness and acceptance in the process of implementing telemedicine. The objective of the study was to assess health professionals’ perceptions towards the implementation of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted among eight hundred forty-five study participants from December 2020 to February 2021. A pre-test was performed on 5% of the total sample size, and the quality of the data was ensured by checking its completeness and consistency. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used. The Variables with a P -value equal to or less than 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression, and model fitness was assessed. Result The study revealed that 60.9% of professionals had a good perception toward telemedicine implementation, with an 87.2% response rate. Health professionals with IT support staff, ICT training, who use social media platforms regularly, and availability of computer or smartphone within/outside their health facility were 4.7, 3.3, 3.7, and 13.2 times more likely to have a positive association towards telemedicine implementation respectively. Conclusion More than half of the health professionals had a good perception of telemedicine. Social media use, ICT training, computer accessibility, and the presence of IT support staff were all found to have positive associations with the telemedicine perception. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government should take the initiative to strengthen opportunities for health professionals to learn and apply telemedicine in their medical practice by providing ICT training, IT infrastructure and support staff, improving computer access, and recommending health professionals’ positive use of social media in the health facility.

Digital health data hubs contribute significantly to finding the right solutions to health problems, which forms the basis for achieving sustainable development goals. However, in Ethiopia, the health system has been coming to one central hub for all data, there is limited evidence of health professionals' intentions to use these systems. Understanding their intentions is crucial, as this can significantly improve the advancement of digital health in healthcare organizations. This study assessed health professionals' intention to use digital health data hubs in hospitals in East Gojjam, northwest Ethiopia, in 2024. A cross-sectional study design was used to conduct the study. Eleven hospitals were included in the study area. Using an a priori structural equation modeling sample size calculator, the total sample size was 616. Stratified proportional allocation sampling was performed. The study participants were selected using a systematic sample. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for the analysis. Because it is a more powerful multivariate technique for testing and evaluating multivariate causal relationships. The assumptions of SEM-like normality, average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability (CR), Cronbach's alpha, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and model specifications were checked using Amos and Stata version 16. This study was conducted with a sample size of 616 healthcare professionals; 591 (95.94%) responded to the survey. The results showed that 57.69% (n = 341) of the healthcare professionals intended to use the digital health data hub. Further analysis showed that perceived usefulness (PU: β = 0.576, p = 0.000), perceived trust (PT: β = 0.116, p = 0.022), and attitude (β = 0.143, p = 0.043) significantly and positively influenced health professionals' intention to use digital health data hubs. Overall, the findings showed that 42.31% of health professionals have low intention to use digital health data hubs. These shall be needed to improve their intentions to use digital health data hubs through targeted interventions. Therefore, focusing on critical factors, such as perceived usefulness, trust, and attitude are crucial factors to reinforce their intention to use the system. Additionally, overcoming implementation challenges and building trust is critical to the successful integration and use of digital health data hubs.

Background Severe acute malnutrition affects more than 20 million children. Africa is pointed out as a region where the problem is highly prevalent. There were individual studies on the recovery rate and its determinants among children with severe acute malnutrition in Ethiopia. But, there is no national pooled estimate. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the recovery rate and determinants among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to the therapeutic feeding unit in Ethiopia. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline was followed in this study. Studies were accessed through electronic web-based search from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. The statistical analysis was conducted using STATA version-11 software. The pooled prevalence was estimated with 95% confidence intervals using a random-effects model. Result A total of 12 studies were included with 2658 participants in the analysis. The overall pooled estimated recovery rate among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to the inpatient therapeutic feeding unit in Ethiopia was 72.02 % (CI, 64.83, 79.22%). In the subgroup analysis, the highest estimate (80.29%) was observed in studies conducted in Oromia regional state, while 68.63% was observed in studies Southern Nation Nationality of people region 68.63%. Children who had no congestive heart failure were 4.88 times (OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 2.246, 10.586) more likely to recover than their counterparts. Conclusion The recovery rate among severe acute malnourished children on the therapeutic feeding unit in Ethiopia lied within the international minimum sphere. Hence, health care providers shall strengthen the management of severe acute malnutrition and management other co-morbidities like congestive heart failure. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019119124

A cross sectional study was conducted on Borana plateau and Guji highlands of southern Ethiopia to determine the prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in bovine species. Seroprevalence investigation was performed using 3ABC- ELISA technique. The result indicated that the overall prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease was 24.6 %(113/460). Significantly higher prevalence was recorded in Borana 53.6 % ( 82/153) compared to Guji 10.1 %( 31/307). From the various risk factors, geographical distribution (÷²=104.26, P<0.05) and age (÷²=6.68, P<0.05) were seen to be significantly associated with the seroprevalence. The result of this study indicated that FMD is highly prevalent in lowland area (Borana) than highland (Guji) due to contact of different origin cattle in search of feed and water. The presence of higher prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease in pastoralists\\\\\' cattle of the area warrants further investigation and characterization of the circulating virus serotype to apply effective control and prevention measures.

Workplace stress is an ongoing global and local challenge in healthcare, driven by high demands, long hours, and emotional strain, requiring urgent attention to safeguard workers' well-being and ensure quality care. This study assessed workplace stress, support systems, and coping strategies among healthcare professionals in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. A facility based cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, in August 2023. A total of 496 healthcare professionals from five different hospitals were randomly selected to participate in the study. Various validated scales, including the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS), Workplace Support for Health Scale (WSHS), and Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3) were used to assess the participants' stress levels, social support systems, and their utilization of coping strategies. The data analysis involved descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression techniques. Results showed that 53% of healthcare workers experienced stress, with 25% reporting low, 16% moderate, and 12% severe stress. Positive workplace support for a healthier life was reported by 54% of respondents. Stress levels were significantly linked to factors like qualifications, facility type, and salary level (p < 0.05). Female workers had slightly lower stress odds than males. Workers aged 30-39 and 50-59 had lower odds of stress compared to those under 30. Higher income and working in primary hospitals were associated with reduced stress odds compared to lower income and referral hospitals. This study found considerable workplace stress driven by individual, organizational, and external factors, calling for targeted interventions like stress management training and resilience building programs to enhance health workers' coping skill and improve healthcare environments in Ethiopia.

Measles is a major public health problem in under-five children, leading to lifelong complications. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the magnitude of measles second-dose vaccine uptake and its determinants among children aged 24–35 months in Northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 children aged 24–35 months in Northwest Ethiopia between January 2022 and February 2022. A simple random sampling technique was used to access study subjects. A binary logistic regression model was employed. An adjusted odd ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a p-value < 0.05 was used to declare significant predictors of measles second dose vaccine uptake. The magnitude of the measles second dose vaccine uptake among children aged 24–35 months was 41.39%. Postnatal care visits (AOR: 4.78, CI 1.49, 15.34), child vaccination status of other scheduled vaccines (AOR: 3.88, CI 2.23, 6.73), awareness of the measles second dose vaccine and its schedule (AOR: 8.924, CI 5.27, 15.09), and distance from the vaccination center (AOR: 0.21, CI 0.06, 0.77) were significantly associated with measles second dose vaccine uptake. The uptake of measles second dose vaccine in the study area was low. Therefore, health workers and other partners should initiate awareness creation programs for mothers/caretaker to improve the uptake of measles second dose vaccine.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome can affect any age group, and it is the major cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide; challenges persist in identifying and linking all HIV-exposed infants to early infant diagnosis and care. Methods A cross-sectional study was done using secondary data extracted from the medical records of 244 HIV-exposed children from HIV-infected mothers who were on follow-up from January 2018 to December 2023 and enrolled in four public hospitals. Data were collected and imported into Epi-Data and exported to SPSS version 26.0 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to fit each variable. Results Among 244 HIV-exposed infants, 10 (4.1%) were diagnosed as HIV positive. Children who received cotrimoxazole preventive therapy {AOR 0.89 = 95% CI (0.02-0.79)} and children born at a health facility 91.2% {AOR 0.088 = 95% CI (0.01-0.58)} were associated with positive HIV sero-status. Conclusion The level of HIV infection among infants was relatively high compared with the global goal of less than 2% for 2030.

Nowadays, malnutrition among the advanced age (60 years and older) population is becoming a public health problem worldwide, especially in low-income countries including Africa. Hence, the prevalence in Africa is still not known. So, this review aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition among the advanced age population in Africa. A study search was carried out using databases (such as African Journals Online, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, Embess, and PubMed) and gray literature following PRISMA guidelines from April 20, 2022, to May 30, 2022, with no restriction on date of publication. We used a standardized extraction format to compile eligible studies as per the inclusion criteria. Then, systematic review and meta-analysis were employed using a random effect model to obtain the pooled prevalence of malnutrition among aged population living in Africa. The counter-funnel plot and at the 5% significance level, Egger's test and Begg's test were used to check for publication bias. Furthermore, a meta-regression analysis was carried out to identify the relationship between the outcome of interest and different predictors. A total of 731 studies were identified and 28 met the inclusion criteria, which were conducted in 17 African countries. The pooled prevalence of under-nutrition in Africa was 17% (95%CI; 13.5-20.6). The prevalence of malnutrition among the elderly varied significantly across countries, ranging from 1.8% (95% CI; 0.96-2.63) in South Africa to 39.47% (95% CI; 31.70-47.24) in Kenya. According to meta-regression analysis, the likelihood of a malnutrition problem would be reduced by a factor of 9.84 (β = -9.84, 95 percent CI; _-14.97, -4.70, P = 0.00) in upper-middle income countries. In addition, based on the publication year, malnutrition has decreased by a factor of 0.75 (β = -0.75, 95%CI:-1.49, -0.01, P = 0.04) from 1998 to 2021. There is a high prevalence of malnutrition among the aged population. So, this underserved population should be targeted for intervention programs and/or integrated into maternal and child nutrition programs.

PurposeEcotourism has emerged as a new hope of the tourism sector and is expected to overcome past pitfalls of mass tourism. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the potentials and challenges of ecotourism development in the historic and sacred sites of North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through interview, household questionnaire, field observation and focused group discussion. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23) and Excel.FindingsBased on household’s perception, churches and monasteries were mentioned as the main (17.58%) ecotourism attractions that have crucial role in ecotourism development in the area followed by biodiversity resources (17.23%) and Holy Water (16.01%). These existing ecotourism potentials and opportunities were discussed on the basis of five dimensions, i.e. historical and sacred attractions, biological attractions, cultural attractions, infrastructures and institutional potentials. The mean score values of a five-point Likert scale level of agreement or disagreement of respondents were between 2 and 4.5, implying overall responses of respondents spread between agree and strongly agree.Originality/valueThe findings reveal that although the historic and sacred sites of the area have potential ecotourism opportunities, different anthropogenic activities are affecting its development. The researchers recommended awareness creation programs, promotion of sites, development of infrastructures, employments of well-trained professionals and allocation of sufficient budgets as a mechanism to use the ecotourism potential and solving the existing challenges.

Background Nowadays, malnutrition among the advanced age (60 years and older) population is becoming a public health problem worldwide, especially in low-income countries including Africa. Hence, the prevalence in Africa is still not known. So, this review aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition among the advanced age population in Africa. Methods A study search was carried out using databases (such as African Journals Online, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, Embess, and PubMed) and gray literature following PRISMA guidelines from April 20, 2022, to May 30, 2022, with no restriction on date of publication. We used a standardized extraction format to compile eligible studies as per the inclusion criteria. Then, systematic review and meta-analysis were employed using a random effect model to obtain the pooled prevalence of malnutrition among aged population living in Africa. The counter-funnel plot and at the 5% significance level, Egger’s test and Begg’s test were used to check for publication bias. Furthermore, a meta-regression analysis was carried out to identify the relationship between the outcome of interest and different predictors. Results A total of 731 studies were identified and 28 met the inclusion criteria, which were conducted in 17 African countries. The pooled prevalence of under-nutrition in Africa was 17% (95%CI; 13.5–20.6). The prevalence of malnutrition among the elderly varied significantly across countries, ranging from 1.8% (95% CI; 0.96–2.63) in South Africa to 39.47% (95% CI; 31.70–47.24) in Kenya. According to meta-regression analysis, the likelihood of a malnutrition problem would be reduced by a factor of 9.84 (β = -9.84, 95 percent CI; _-14.97, -4.70, P = 0.00) in upper-middle income countries. In addition, based on the publication year, malnutrition has decreased by a factor of 0.75 (β = -0.75, 95%CI:-1.49, -0.01, P = 0.04) from 1998 to 2021. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of malnutrition among the aged population. So, this underserved population should be targeted for intervention programs and/or integrated into maternal and child nutrition programs.