Ambo University

Land degradation poses a signifcant environmental challenge, leading to reduced soil fertility, agricultural production, and overall land productivity. To combat this issue, the Ethiopian government has implemented various soil and water conservation (SWC) strategies in rural areas over the last few decades. Tis study assessed the impact of these SWC structures on selected soil physicochemical properties in Wali micro-watershed. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the study district and watershed, and a systematic randomized complete block design was used to collect soil samples. Samples were taken from both farmlands conserved with various SWC practices, like soil bund, stone bund, terraces, fanyajuu, and bench terrace, all from nonconserved lands along the lower, middle, slope classes using an "X" sampling design. Eighteen composite soil samples for all three slope classes were collected in triplicate from topsoil (0-30-cm depth) for analysis. Tese samples were processed and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures in the Ambo University Chemistry Department. Te study assessed soil bulk density, moisture, pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and other basic cations (sodium, calcium, and magnesium). Te results showed that conserved farmlands had mean values of 1.26 g/cm 3 for bulk density, 6.72% for moisture, 6.29 for pH, 4.32% for organic matter, 2.24% for organic carbon, 0.30% for total nitrogen, 53.02 cmol/kg for CEC, 37.28 dS/cm for electrical conductivity, 25.80 mg/kg for available phosphorus, and 0.91 mg/kg for available potassium. In contrast, nonconserved farmlands exhibited 1.37 g/cm 3 for bulk density, 6.07% for moisture, 5.86 for pH, 3.12% for organic matter, 1.84% for organic carbon, 0.21% for total nitrogen, 46.6 cmol/kg for CEC, 37.23 dS/cm for electrical conductivity, 21.06 mg/kg for available phosphorus, and 0.63 mg/kg for available potassium. Te study concluded that SWC practices signifcantly improved soil bulk density, moisture content, pH, organic carbon, organic matter; cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, sodium, available phosphorus, and potassium. However, electrical conductivity, calcium, and magnesium showed no signifcant improvement (p < 0.05). Tese fndings highlight the positive efects of SWC structures on soil quality, underscoring the importance of maintaining these practices for sustainable land management and advocating for their expansion to other watersheds.

Background SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused a continuing health crisis affecting the public health system globally. Population-based serological surveys are a highly valuable and recommended method to measure population exposure and spread of pandemic, given the existence of asymptomatic cases and little access to diagnostic testing. This national population-based study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in all parts of Ethiopia and determine potential risk factors and burden of infection. Methods A nationwide seroprevalence survey was done among 12,756 households (HHs) across the country using three-stage stratified sampling technique from April 15, 2021 to May 16, 2021 among population of Ethiopia above 15 years of age. One member of each of the selected HHs, who fulfilled the eligibility criteria, was randomly selected. We captured data using interviews and finger prick blood samples to test for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using high specificity rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). A questionnaire was used to capture all necessary data on demographics, social exposure, and history of vaccination for SARS-CoV-2, symptoms compatible with SARS-CoV-2, and any known medical conditions. The data were collected using an open data kits (ODK) software and imported into STATA version 17 for analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and proportions) were used to summarize data on the study variables. Forest plots and maps were used to visualize the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 across various individual and environmental factors. The study sample was weighted, and the survey set command in Stata (svy) was used in the analyses to account for the survey design. Adjusted Odd ratio (AOR) was used to determine higher risk factors of having been infected at least once, 95% confidence interval to assess precision of the estimates, and a P value ≤ 0.05 to determine statistically significant. Result and discussion This study indicated the overall national prevalence of seropositivity was 9.3% that suggests nearly one in ten individuals in Ethiopia was exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection by May 2021. All regional states in the country are affected with SARS-CoV-2 infection although infection was more common in densely populated regions. Seroprevalence was significantly higher among, individual, aged 35–44, 55–64 and 65 and over years had more odds of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 compared with those aged 15–24 years. The seroprevalence is also high among professional/technical occupations, and among those having at least one comorbidity. The participants who had seven and more members had higher odds of infection compared with those who had two or less members. The odds of infection among respondents, who reported having ever tested for COVID-19 and being sick since March 2020, were higher compared with their counterparts. Among the environmental factors, the odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection in urban residents were higher than in the rural setting. In relation to geographic administration boundaries, participants from Harari Region, Addis Ababa, and Benishangul Gumuz had higher odds of infection compared to those from Afar Regions respective. Conclusion and recommendations This study reveals the overall seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 antibodies in Ethiopia was 10.0% as of May 2021. The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against COVID-19 is higher than that of IgM antibodies, indicating a past infection. SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was varied by regional state, sex, residence area, age, and occupational status. It also suggests that the majority of Ethiopia’s have inadequate knowledge of understanding about SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, we recommend strengthening public health and social measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 diseases, including increased vaccination coverage and testing capability. All responsible authorities and stakeholders working locally, nationally, and globally need to support strengthening health systems and be prepared to combat morbidity and mortality and to encourage ongoing vaccination efforts. Periodic seroprevalence surveys will aid in monitoring the status and progress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background Despite the importance of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) communication in increasing accessibility to SRH care, its prevalence is not significant. In Ethiopia, communication between parents and young people is restricted, similar to the situation in other developing nations, as demonstrated by various studies. Aim To assess communication between parents and young people on SRH issues and their associated factors in Holeta and Bako Towns, Oromia, West Ethiopia, 2020. Methods A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among 558 study subjects selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer‐administered structured questionnaires, entered into Epi Data version 4.6, and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were conducted for common variables. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with SRH communication using a 95% confidence interval and a p‐value less than 0.05. Results This study revealed that 38.5% of young people had ever discussed SRH topics with their parents. Factors associated with this communication included being male (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: [1.42, 3.44]), having a family size of less than six (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: [1.14, 2.61]), being aged 20–24 years (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: [1.06, 3.25]), having ever heard about SRH (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: [1.45, 3.67]), having a positive attitude (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: [1.48, 3.45]), having knowledge about SRH (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: [2.20, 5.49]), and having a higher family monthly income (AOR = 3.09, 95% CI: [1.58, 6.04). Conclusion Parental engagement in SRH discussions with young people is low and inconsistent, varying across different age groups. This lack of communication may be influenced by cultural barriers, such as feelings of embarrassment. Therefore, there is a crucial need to address the limited involvement of parents in programs aimed at providing SRH services to young people.

Background During the past 20 years, there have been 48 million stillbirths worldwide. One of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes in developing nations, such as Ethiopia, is stillbirth. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the factors that contribute to stillbirths among babies born in Ethiopia's Southwest Shoa Zone. Methods Three hundred and two research participants were included in the hospital‐based unmatched case‐control study. The data extraction checklist was used to collect data from the medical records. To identify the determinants of stillbirth, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The determinants of the stillbirth were identified in the multivariate logistic regression analysis with a p‐value of less than 0.05% and 95% CI. Results A total of 302 maternal charts were reviewed, yielding a 100% response rate. Pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.2–9.2), antepartum hemorrhage (AOR: 5.8, 95% CI: 2.1–15.9), a referral from other health facilities (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4–5.3), obstructed labor (AOR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.9–7.8), duration of labor > 24 h. (AOR: 4.7, 95% CI: 2.3–9.6), gestational age < 37 weeks (AOR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.7–7.4) and congenital defect (AOR: 6.9, 95% CI: 2.4–19.7) were determinants of still birth. Conclusion This study highlights that obstetric complications, gestational age, congenital abnormalities, and low birth weight were determinants of stillbirth. Addressing these challenges requires early identification and management of high‐risk pregnancies through enhanced prenatal screening, strengthening antenatal care services, promoting facility‐based deliveries, and equipping healthcare providers with skills to manage complications.

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is the leading cause of hospital admissions and continues to be the leading cause of death in pediatric wards for children under five (25–30% of deaths), particularly in developing nations. Even if Ethiopia implements SAM treatment guidelines and protocols, the study area needs to have up-to-date data on the recovery rate. This study aimed to assess the recovery rate of severe acute malnutrition and its determinants among under-five children admitted to a therapeutic feeding unit. An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted admitted severely malnourished children from January 1, 2021 to December 30, 2022 in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Data from all 209 study participants were collected using SAM registration logbooks and medical record charts with structured questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported into SPSS version 25 for further analysis. The Kaplan–Meier curve and life table were used to describe the variable. To identify predictors, a Cox proportional hazard analysis was computed. The hazard ratio with a 95% CI was calculated, and a P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. A review of 209 records of children diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was included in this study. Among these 75.1% recovered from SAM and the median survival time of recovery for children admitted in DTCSH was 15.42 days. Appetite status at admission and HIV status were significantly influenced recovery rates, with children showing poor appetite [Adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 2.32, 95% CI 1.1–4.95] and HIV-positive status [AHR 2.55, 95% CI 1.001–6.5] at higher risk of delayed recovery rate. In this study, the overall nutritional recovery time was within an acceptable level of the Sphere standards. The main determinants of time to recovery in severely malnourished children were appetite status and HIV status during admission. Therefore, prompt checking of the appetite status of children and screening and intervention accordingly for their HIV status during admission are highly recommended for good nutritional recovery.

Background In today’s digital age, virtual Communities of Practice allow pharmacists to connect and collaborate across geographical and professional boundaries. These platforms create opportunities for shared learning and knowledge exchange, fostering innovation and helping pharmacists stay informed about evolving practices. Aim This study aimed to explore the factors that drive engagement in virtual Communities of Practice among Australian pharmacists. Method A qualitative study was conducted with 24 Australian pharmacists recruited via social media, professional networks, and conferences. Five online focus groups (each with 3–4 participants) were conducted, lasting 45–60 min. Discussions were transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed thematically using the Framework Method. Rigor was ensured through convenience sampling, maintenance of an audit trail, and the use of independent coding and thematic analysis to enhance credibility and confirmability. Results Four major themes emerged from the analysis: ‘access to information’, ‘sense of community’, ‘active facilitation’, and ‘platform usability’. Participants appreciated peer-shared knowledge and staying informed about current practices. A strong sense of community was cultivated as participants supported by others within the virtual community of practice. Active facilitation, such as moderators filtering content and engaging participants, was essential for maintaining a constructive environment. Additionally, platform usability, characterised by user-friendly features, the ability to keep personal and professional boundaries, and flexibility in accessing activities, significantly enhanced participant engagement. Conclusion The study identified four key drivers of engagement in virtual Communities of Practice including accessible information, community support, active facilitation, and platform usability. These findings inform the design of virtual Communities of Practice to enhance professional collaboration and practice. Addressing these factors can enhance virtual Communities of Practice effectiveness in supporting professional collaboration, reducing isolation, and fostering continuous learning, particularly in evolving pharmacy roles.

Fatality resulting from violent conflicts poses a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, straining healthcare systems, disrupting resource allocation, and necessitating targeted interventions to curb the prevalence and strengthen community resilience. According to the Global Organized Crime and Terrorism Indices, Nigeria is ranked among the top countries most impacted by terrorism in 2020. Despite numerous studies on crimes in Nigeria, adequate attention has not been given to quantifying the patterns of fatalities due to conflict events. This work aims to unveil the subtle spatio-temporal pattern of fatality resulting from violent events in Nigeria over a quarter-century. A spatio-temporal mixed model within a Bayesian framework was adopted, and data was sourced from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The study found existing temperate seasonality in the pattern of fatalities, with a high fatality impact in Autumn and Winter. Among all the events, sexual violence was the leading cause of fatality in the country. Findings identified spatial and temporal disparities in fatality, with the North-East geopolitical zone being the most exposed region over the years, and uneducated members of poorest households are relatively more at risk of these events. The identified factors and patterns could be relevant for designing sustainable intervention programs or response policies to mitigate violent events in Nigeria.

Land use and land cover (LULC) change represents a critical environmental challenge that significantly impacts the Earth’s systems and ecosystem services and leads to environmental degradation and economic loss. The main objective of this study was to investigate the trend of LULC change, drivers, and its impacts on ecosystem services in the Burayu sub-city, Shager City, Ethiopia. The study used satellite images from four time periods, Landsat Series sensors’ 4, 5, and 8, at 10-year intervals to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of LULC by using the integration of GIS and RS techniques under a supervised classification system. Respondent interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and field observations were employed. In addition, to address the drivers of LULC changes in the study area, a multifaceted method was followed using field observations. A modified benefit transfer method was used to evaluate ecosystem service value (ESV) changes in response to LULC change. The study revealed that population growth, urbanization, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development were driving the change in the LULC composition of the study area over the past 30 years. Croplands have decreased from 51.2% to 30.3%, forest cover has dropped from 32.9% to 15%, and grassland has fallen from 12.7% to 6.1%. On the other hand, settlement areas have expanded from 2.5% to 46.9%, and the total natural capital value has decreased from $368.7million to$227.0 million per year. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that a significant change in LULC and declining ecosystem service values has occurred in the study area. The local government should develop a comprehensive land use plan, balance urban development with ecosystem service preservation, strengthen law enforcement, and increase public awareness to minimize the significant impacts of urbanization on ecosystem services.

Mastitis is the most economically significant disease affecting lactating dairy cows worldwide. From November 2023 to April 2024, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Maya City, eastern Hararghe zone, to assess the prevalence of mastitis in lactating dairy cows, identify related risk factors, and examine the antibiogram profiles of Escherichia coli from raw cow milk. Mastitic animals were detected by physical examination of udders and the California Mastitis Test. Then, bacterial culture and biochemical tests were employed to isolate E. coli. And antibiogram pattern of E. coli was assessed by the disk diffusion method. A simple random sampling was used to choose 353 lactating dairy cows. Of the 353 dairy cows examined for bovine mastitis, 137 were positive, with an overall prevalence of 38.8% (95% CI 33.8–44.1). Out of these, 7.1% (95% CI 4.8–10.3) and 31.7% (95% CI 27.1–36.8) had clinical and subclinical mastitis, respectively. Mastitis had a quarter-level prevalence of 19.4% (95% CI 15.6–23.9), with clinical cases accounting for 4.3% and subclinical for 15.1%. Furthermore, 3.6% (95% CI 1.9–5.6) of the teats were blind. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between the prevalence of mastitis in lactating dairy cows and risk factors: lactation stage, body condition score, previous mastitis history, teat lesion, farm size, milking mastitic cow at the end, and cow hygiene. Accordingly, cows with teat lesions were four times more likely to have mastitis than cows without teat lesions (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.36–13.35). Of the 274 milk samples tested, 22.6% were positive for E. coli . All 62 E. coli isolates were 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. This study revealed that bovine mastitis was moderately prevalent in the study area. Thus, mastitis control measures should be developed with a focus on subclinical mastitis while considering the related risk factors.

In the face of rapid infrastructure expansion and escalating anthropogenic activities, it becomes imperative to prioritize the examination of long-term transformations in land cover and ecological quality within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). We developed an ecological evaluation system integrating the land cover data assimilation framework (LCDAF) with the InVEST model to accomplish this goal. The LCDAF compensates for the disadvantages of weather interference, difficulty in recognizing complex scenes, and poor generalization in remote sensing image classification, and also adds temporal continuity that other fusion methods do not have. The synthesized land cover dataset demonstrates superior overall accuracy compared to five existing global products. This enhanced dataset provides a robust foundation for comprehensive analysis and decision making within the ecological evaluation system. We implemented a rigorous and quantitative assessment of changes in land cover and habitat quality spanning 1980 to 2020. The land cover analysis unveiled a noteworthy trend that surfaced in the dynamic interplay between forested areas and croplands, highlighting simultaneous processes of forest restoration and agricultural expansion, albeit at varying rates. Further analysis of habitat quality showed that the GMS generally sustained a moderate level with a slight downward trend observed over the period. Significantly, Laos attained the highest ranking in habitat quality, succeeded by Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. In human factors, land use intensity and landscape fragmentation emerge as contributors with detrimental effects on habitat quality. Substantial progress was achieved in implementing forestland conservation measures, exemplified in regions such as Cambodia and Guangxi Province of China, where these endeavors proved effective in mitigating habitat degradation. Despite these positive endeavors, the GMS’s overall habitat quality did not significantly improve. It emphasizes the enduring challenges confronted by the region in terms of ecological management and habitat conservation.

Background Existing malaria control strategies for Plasmodium vivax are challenging due to its dormant and relapsing liver stages, as well as the early onset of gametocytogenesis. Primaquine (PQ) effectively eliminates dormant stages and can kill gametocytes; however, it necessitates repeated dosing. In this study, the effectiveness of chloroquine (CQ) plus low-dose of PQ on recurrence and its transmission-blocking activity was evaluated. Methods Between September 2019 and July 2022, a prospective cohort study was conducted in the Jimma-Arjo and Dabo-Hanna districts of the Oromia region in Ethiopia. A total of 214 uncomplicated cases of P. vivax malaria were enrolled in the study. Participants were treated with either CQ alone (106) or CQ + PQ (108), based on whether their district was targeted for P. vivax elimination by the national malaria programme or not. After enrolment, participants were followed for clinical illness and parasitaemia on days 28, 42, and monthly for one year. To assess the effect of different treatment regimens on transmission-blocking activity, Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes were used in direct membrane-feeding assays (DMFA) at baseline (pre-treatment) and on day 42 (post-treatment). Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity, the time to the first recurrence was estimated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Cox regression models were employed to assess risk factors for recurrence. Results Of 3,590 individuals screened for malaria, 323 tested positive for P. vivax, and 214 were enrolled. Of these, 98.6% (211/214) completed the day 28 follow-up, and 67.3% (144/214) completed the one-year follow-up. Between days 28 and 42, 24% (95% CI 15.8–32.2%) of those individuals receiving CQ alone were PCR positive, and 10.3% (95% CI 4.5–16.0%) in those receiving CQ plus PQ. This represented a 57.3% reduction P. vivax recurrence in the CQ + PQ treatment group compared to CQ alone (risk ratio = 0.427, 95% CI 0.222–0.824, p = 0.008). During the year of follow-up at least one recurrence occurred in 70% (95% CI 59.1–80.2%) of the CQ alone and 46% (95% CI 35.5–58.1%) in the CQ + PQ treatment group (p < 0.001). Treatment regimen, high baseline parasitaemia and presence of gametocytaemia were risk factors for P. vivax recurrence. Compared to baseline DMFA at day 42, individuals showed an inhibition intensity of 39.0% in the CQ alone versus 77.8% in the CQ + PQ treatment group (p = 0.016), while inhibition prevalence was 35.2% in the CQ alone and 70.1% in the CQ + PQ treatment group (p = 0.021). Conclusions This study demonstrate that with limited supervision of CQ + PQ treatment significantly lowers the risk of P. vivax recurrence in health clinics of southwest Ethiopia compared to CQ alone. Adding PQ to CQ also reduced P. vivax transmission to mosquito vectors relative to CQ alone but did not result in a complete transmission-blocking effect by day 42 post-treatment. Therefore, improved health education on treatment adherence and bed net use could enhance the effectiveness of PQ plus CQ. Higher doses of PQ for a shorter duration may be necessary to enhance treatment adherence, reduce recurrence rates, and decrease the risk of transmission.

Ethiopia faces severe challenges from soil degradation primarily caused by soil erosion. To address this issue, the Ethiopian government has implemented various interventions, including physical soil and water conservation (PSWC) measures. These measures play a crucial role in mitigating soil erosion and nutrient loss, thereby safeguarding agricultural productivity and sustainability. This study assesses the technical suitability of PSWC structures implemented through mass community mobilization in the Ijara watershed, located in Nonno District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The evaluation employed a topographic transect walk method to examine existing PSWC structures across fields with varying slope gradients (upper, medium, and lower slopes). Measurements of key parameters, including stone bund length, height, top width, bottom width, and spacing, were carefully conducted in three fields. The recorded dimensions of the stone bunds were compared against the recommended standards outlined in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Soil and Water Conservation Guidelines. The findings revealed that the majority of the implemented stone bunds exceeded the recommended specifications value for dimensions such as length, spacing, and height. However, deviations were observed in certain areas, such as the top width on the upper slope, which measured 0.48 m compared to the standard of 0.5 m. On the lower slope, the bund spacing (20 m) adhered to the prescribed standards. The study attributes these deviations to gaps in the knowledge and skills of farmers, which hinder the consistent achievement of technical standards in the study area. To address these shortcomings, greater emphasis should be placed on the quality and design of SWC structures rather than their spatial coverage. More consideration should be given to the technical quality and layout of SWC structures rather than the coverage area to reduce the observed technical errors on the established stone bund and continued technical support, regular follow-ups, and targeted training programs are essential to ensure the effective and sustainable use of these conservation structures in the study area.

Background: Disclosing HIV serostatus to a partner is essential for HIV prevention and care. It encourages safer sexual practices, lowers the risk of transmission, and helps individual’s access to treatment and support. However, the choice to share one’s HIV status can be affected by a range of personal and societal influences. Ethiopia has a diverse population where traditional norms and health challenges intersect which might negatively influence HIV disclosure. Therefore, this study aims to explore HIV disclosure patterns to sexual partners and associated factors among HIV-positive adults in Sheger City, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 people living with HIV attending the ART clinic in Sheger City from August 1 to September 30, 2023. Study participants were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected through a pretested, interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Multicollinearity was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF). To evaluate the goodness of fit of the logistic regression model, we calculated the pseudo-R2 values and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with HIV disclosure status. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and statistical significance was determined at a p-value of < 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of HIV serostatus disclosure to sexual partners was 67.9% (95% CI: 63.5%, 72.5%). Factors significantly associated with HIV disclosure included pretest counseling (AOR = 7.86; 95% CI: 3.61, 17.08), marital status (AOR = 9.32; 95% CI: 2.62, 33.19), presence of initiating factors (AOR = 7.18; 95% CI: 3.41, 15.01), type of testing (AOR = 6.44; 95% CI: 2.43, 17.07), perception of HIV-related stigma (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.47), and having clinical symptoms at the time of HIV testing (AOR = 22.12; 95% CI: 8.74, 56.20). Conclusion: This study found that 67.9% of people living with HIV disclosed their serostatus to their sexual partners. Pretest counseling, being married, the presence of initiating factors, self-initiated testing, and experiencing clinical symptoms during testing were found to be positively associated with HIV status disclosure. In contrast to this, the perception of HIV-related stigma was associated with lower rate of disclosure. Thus, enhancing pretest counseling, launching community-based initiatives and offering extra support for symptomatic individuals are essential strategies to increase disclosure rates.

Background Obstetric complications are a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low-resource settings such as many countries in Africa. Intensive care units offer specialized care for women with severe obstetric complications, which require advanced monitoring and therapeutic interventions. Despite the critical importance of ICU care, there is a paucity of comprehensive data on obstetric ICU admissions and outcomes in Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the proportion of obstetric admissions and maternal mortality in the intensive care unit in Africa. Objective To assess the proportion of obstetric admissions and maternal mortality in the intensive care unit in Africa. Methodology The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2020) guidelines were followed in reporting the study’s findings. Articles searched; from PubMed, HINARI, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Repository, and African Journals Online were systematically searched for reports of obstetric admission in the intensive care unit, either pregnant or up to 6 weeks postpartum. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal tool was used to evaluate each article’s quality. The Stata 17 software was used to compute the analysis. The heterogeneity of the studies was detected using the Cochran Q test and I² test statistics, which were considered significant at p < 0.05. The random effect model of analysis was used with evidence of heterogeneity. Egger’s test at p < 0.05 was used to check the evidence of publication bias within the studies. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were done. Result Eleven studies were included in this study with a total of 10,190 mothers admitted to the intensive care unit. The overall pooled proportion of obstetric intensive care unit admissions in Africa was 17.22% (95% CI; 12.97–21.47; I² = 97.63%). This translates to roughly 17 out of every 100 ICU admissions being for obstetric complications. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy 42.96% (95% CI: 27.3, 58.56) and obstetric hemorrhage 24.15% (95% CI: 18.12, 30.18) were the common indications for obstetric admission in the intensive care unit.. Maternal mortality among ICU-admitted patients reached a concerning 30.69% (95% CI: 23.16, 38.22; I²= 93.34%). This means that, nearly one in three women admitted to the ICU for obstetric complications died. Conclusion In Africa, the proportion of obstetric admissions and maternal mortality in the intensive care unit is significant. This high percentage of obstetric admissions and maternal mortality in the ICU highlights the necessity to enhance emergency obstetric care services and invest in the development of well-equipped obstetric ICUs to reduce maternal mortality. Registration CRD42024516612.

Background Dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy has established itself as a key component for treating individuals with HIV. In reality, clinical settings in resource-poor areas like Ethiopia often face difficulties when using dolutegravir-based treatment due to neuropsychiatric side effects, which can not only reduce the therapy’s effectiveness but also lead to non-adherence, switching, diminished therapeutic outcomes and discontinuation. This research aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to neuropsychiatric side effects among people living with HIV who recently began receiving Dolutegravir-based Antiretroviral Therapy in real-life clinical settings in Ethiopia. Method A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1, 2023, to August 30, 2023, peoples with HIV who were initiating a Dolutegravir-based regimen for the first time. Data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire designed to gather sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and neuropsychiatric adverse effects from patient interviews and medical records. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify variables significantly associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events, with P-value of ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 620 participants were included in the analysis, revealing a 28.3% prevalence of neuropsychiatric adverse events. The most commonly reported events were depression, insomnia, and aggressive mood. Being female [AOR = 1.72], age between 47 and 54 years [AOR = 3.8] and 55–75 years [AOR = 1.27], unemployment status [AOR = 1.35], lack of physical activity [AOR = 3.6], and minimal of physical activity [AOR = 2.4], duration since DTG-based regimen initiation, 6–12 months[AOR = 3.35], and 13–24 months [AOR = 2.67], WHO clinical stage II [AOR = 3.65], III and IV [AOR = 4.21], Detectable viral load level at the start therapy [AOR = 1.24 (1.97.6–2.05)] were significantly associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events. Conclusion Being female, aged 47–75 years, unemployed, engaged in minimal or no physical activity, having a treatment duration of 6–24 months, advanced disease stage (WHO stage II-IV) and had a detectable viral load at the start of therapy. Monitoring these groups for neuropsychiatric adverse events is essential to facilitate timely interventions and improve patient outcomes.

Lutembacher's syndrome is characterized by an atrial septal defect (ASD) combined with mitral stenosis (MS) of variable severity, both of which can be either congenital or acquired with or without the presence of varying grades of mitral regurgitation. Appropriate diagnosis with the optimal therapy depends on knowing the syndrome. Furthermore, optimal medical therapy with or without surgical closure of the atrial septal defect is the standard of care for better patient outcomes.

Sorghum is an economically important crop for human consumption, animal feed and biomass production. However, its productivity is affected by abiotic and biotic stresses. Drought is one of the major global problems due to alarming global climate change. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) help crops improve their resilience and survival in water-scarce environments. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the growth-promoting potential of rhizobacterial isolates to improve sorghum tolerance to drought and other abiotic stress. The bacterial sample from different soil roots of sorghum genotype was isolated from different locations in Ethiopia using serial dilution techniques. The biochemical properties of these isolates were evaluated. The potential of these PGPR traits to improve abiotic tolerance in sorghum was analysed under different temperatures, pH, salinity and drought stress. Furthermore, the potential of the rhizobacterial isolates' performance to improve sorghum drought tolerance was evaluated using four different concentrations of PEG (6000): (10%, 15%, 25% and 32.6%), which induces osmotic stress by reducing water availability, thus mimicking the effects of drought in sorghum. PCR detection of genes associated with abiotic stress, such as phosphate solubilisation, nitrogen fixation, ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase and phy-tohormone production was performed using the designed primers. In addition, identification and molecular characterisation of PGPRs was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene-specific primers. Serial dilution techniques of soil from different sorghum genotype roots resulted in the identification of 210 rhizobacterial isolates. Biochemical analysis revealed that 68 isolates exhibited their potential for nitrogen fixation, while 50 isolates showed their ability to solubilise phosphate. PCR amplification identified genes involved in phosphate solubilisation, nitrogen fixation, ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase and phytohormone production in several rhizobacterial isolates, suggesting that they have the potential to improve sorghum abiotic stress tolerance. Among the 68 rhizobacterial isolates examined, PCR amplification identified the nifH gene in 16 isolates, the acdS gene in 10 isolates and the pgg gene in 21 isolates. Among these, the Pseudomonas ms22 bacterial isolate showed a high potential to promote sorghum growth under greenhouse performance. Therefore, our findings suggest that harnessing the potential of Pseudomonas ms22 could pave the way for environmentally friendly and efficient agricultural practices under abiotic stress conditions.