Suchergebnisse

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is one aspect of self-care that has been shown to benefit primary health care. When done correctly, it provides significant benefits to customers, such as self-reliance and cost savings. Inappropriate methods, on the other hand, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and therapy selection, can be disastrous. The COVID-19 pandemic context may benefit the community in easing the burden on the health system. There have been no studies conducted on this possibility in the context of COVID-19 in a selected area, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of and factors associated with self-medication among clients visiting community pharmacies in west Harerghe, Ethiopia from June 1 to 30, 2020. METHODS: This institution-based cross-sectional study used a systemic random sample of 416 community-pharmacy clients. To collect data, face-to-face interviews were conducted using pretested semistructured questionnaires modified from established techniques. EpiData 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS 24 for analysis. To determine factors associated with self-medications, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. AORs with 95% CIs are used to report associations, and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of people self-medicating was 73.6% (95% CI 69.2%–77.9%). Self-medications were significantly associated with age 18–24 years (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.56–24.21) and 25–34 years (AOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.35–9.27), Amhara ethnicity (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01–2.94), current single status (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15–0.51), government employment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12–0.82), and limited knowledge (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40–3.79). CONCLUSION: Three in four participants practiced self-medication in the era of COVID-19. Repetition was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, current marital status, type of occupation, and knowledge about self-medications. An alternative medical care–delivery system by all health-care providers and increasing community ...

Aklilu Tekeba,1 Yohanes Ayele,2 Belay Negash,3 Tigist Gashaw4 1Micheta Community Pharmacy, Daro Lebu Health Office, West Harerghe, Ethiopia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tigist GashawDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, PO Box 235, Harar, EthiopiaTel +251-91-202-7244Fax +256668081Email yekalabel@gmail.comBackground: Self-medication is one aspect of self-care that has been shown to benefit primary health care. When done correctly, it provides significant benefits to customers, such as self-reliance and cost savings. Inappropriate methods, on the other hand, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and therapy selection, can be disastrous. The COVID-19 pandemic context may benefit the community in easing the burden on the health system. There have been no studies conducted on this possibility in the context of COVID-19 in a selected area, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of and factors associated with self-medication among clients visiting community pharmacies in west Harerghe, Ethiopia from June 1 to 30, 2020.Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study used a systemic random sample of 416 community-pharmacy clients. To collect data, face-to-face interviews were conducted using pretested semistructured questionnaires modified from established techniques. EpiData 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS 24 for analysis. To determine factors associated with self-medications, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. AORs with 95% CIs are used to report associations, and the level of significance was set at P< 0.05.Results: The proportion of people self-medicating was 73.6% (95% CI 69.2%– 77.9%). Self-medications were significantly associated with age 18– 24 years (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.56– 24.21) and 25– 34 years (AOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.35– 9.27), Amhara ethnicity (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01– 2.94), current single status (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15– 0.51), government employment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12– 0.82), and limited knowledge (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40– 3.79).Conclusion: Three in four participants practiced self-medication in the era of COVID-19. Repetition was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, current marital status, type of occupation, and knowledge about self-medications. An alternative medical care–delivery system by all health-care providers and increasing community awareness should be promoted.Keywords: self-medication, community pharmacy, COVID-19, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Health-care workers (HCWs) are among the highest risk groups for COVID-19 infection. The vaccine is found to be vital for HCWs, their household contacts, and their patients to protect against COVID-19 infection and maintain the safety of health systems. The actual willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors remain uncertain among health-care workers in Ethiopia. Therefore, studying health-care workers' willingness to pay (WTP) for COVID-19 vaccination helps to have an insight on valuation of the vaccine. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 randomly selected health-care workers working in health facilities in eastern Ethiopia from February 3 to March 20, 2021. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis was fitted to test the associations between outcome and explanatory variables. A p-value of 7000 ETB, AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.51), affordability (AOR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.35), fear of side effects (AOR = 3.75; 95% CI: 2.13, 6.60), support vaccinations (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.65, 5.35), the likelihood of getting COVID-19 infection (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.52) were independent determinants of WTP for a COVID-19 vaccine. CONCLUSION: Health-care workers' willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination was found to be low. Detailed health education and training about COVID-19 vaccines are required regarding their side effects, and efficacy to make an informed decision to enhance the willingness to pay for the vaccine. Moreover, the government should consider providing COVID vaccines free of charge for low-income groups and at an affordable price for those who could pay.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a significant public health issue, accounting for 20–40% of maternal deaths. Despite the government's commitment and the interventions of various stakeholders, the magnitude and major risk factors of anemia remain unabated. Though there are few documented studies on anemia among pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia in general, in the study area in particular, some of the variables such as helminthics and history of caesarian section in relation to anemia need to be studied. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in University Hospital in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 456 clients who were attending antenatal care in Hiwot Fana specialized university hospital from 01 to 30 June 2021. Systematic sampling was used to select the study participants. A pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and sample collection were used to collect the data. The data were coded, double-entered to Epi data version 3.1, cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present frequency distributions. Variables with p-value < 0.25 during bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariate logistic regression models to control for all possible confounders to identify the factors associated with a magnitude of anemia. Odds ratio along with 95% CI were estimated to measure the strength of the association. The level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05. RESULT: A total of 456 participants were interviewed, with a response rate of 96.9%. The magnitude of anemia among pregnant women was 112 [(25.3%) 95%CI: (21.5–29.2%)], of which, 27 (6.10%), 36 (8.13%), and 49 (11.08%) had mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively. Birth interval < 2 years [AOR: 3.24, (95% CI: (1.88, 4.32)], number of children ≥2 [AOR: 2.54, (95% CI: (1.12, 4.64)], monthly ...