https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts <p>Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences is an open access, peer-reviewed scientific journal scholarly published by APHI. EJTS will thrive to disseminate scientific knowledge relevant to human health through its open access policy. The journal contents are available as an electronic and hard copies. The electronic contents are available to all readers for free and the hard copies are available on subscription.</p> <p>EJTS accepts scientific reports within the broader scope of health sciences, including health promotion, prevention of diseases, epidemiology, health systems and policies, laboratory medicine and biomedical sciences. The scientific reports need to be relevant to human health. The journal publishes original articles, review articles, brief communications, commentaries and cases or events as reports.</p> <p>The costs associated with the processing of accepted manuscripts are covered by APHI unless otherwise the editorial policy of the journal is changed. Hence, authors publishing with EJTS are not required to make any payments for submission and publication.</p> Amhara Public Health Institute - APHI en-US Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences 2958-9916 https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts/article/view/2 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Essential medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems. It should be selected based on disease prevalence, public health relevance as well as evidence of efficacy and safety and cost-effectiveness. There had been major armed conflict resulting in large-scale displacement and impending the availability of essential medicines and supplies in Northern Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the availability of essential medicines and supplies in war-affected zones in the Amhara region. <br /><strong>Methods</strong>: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 151 health care facilities from May 16-29, 2022. Data were <br />collected using service availability and readiness assessment tool and a key informant guide. Finally, data was <br />exported from ODK to excel and then to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 for analysis. <br />Descriptive statistics were computed, and presented in tables and Thematic analysis was used to analyze the <br />qualitative data. <br /><strong>Results:</strong> About 128 (84.8%) of health facilities were health centers among with 45% and 77.5% of them had <br />procurement plan and ordered essential medicine, respectively. Vaccine availability ranges from 0% for measles to 88.7% Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis B, Homophiles influenza type B, and Polio vaccines. The availability of combined oral contraceptives was 65 (43%) whereas Coartem was 100 (66.2%), Anti Retroviral Therapy adult 52 (34.4%), Antiretroviral pediatrics 25(17.2%), Anti- Tuberculosis drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol 74 (49%), rifampicin, isoniazid adult 72 (47.7%), and rifampicin, isoniazid Pediatrics 53 (35.1%) were available in the health facilities and for non-communicable diseases or essential drugs were very limited which was less than 50% for all essential drugs. <br /><strong>Conclusion and Recommendation</strong>: In this study health facilities in war affected area did not have adequate <br />essential medicines and supplies to provide health services. So strengthening collaborative efforts of the national and regional government, and other stakeholders to restore essential drugs in health facilities is urgently needed.</p> Taye Zeru Asrat Agalu Melashu Balew Desalew Salew Molalign Tarekegn Girum Meseret Ayenew Betelihem Belete Zena Ameha Birhanu Taye Mezigebu Yitayal Seid Legese Hassen Simeneh Ayalew Getu Degu Alene Belay Bezabih Gizachew Yismaw Copyright (c) 2023 Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2023-12-09 2023-12-09 1 1 https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts/article/view/6 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Hyperthyroidism is a pathologic syndrome in which excess thyroid hormone is synthesized and secreted by the thyroid gland, resulting in the hyper metabolic state of thyrotoxicosis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine hyperthyroidism among students aged 6 to 14 years in the city of Dessie, Amhara region, Ethiopia, from April to June 2019. <br /><strong>Methods</strong>: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was used, and a systematic random sampling technique was applied to select study participants. Socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using a pretested questionnaire, and Blood samples were collected to measure serum thyroid stimulating hormone), free tetraiodothyronine levels, and tri-iodothyronine levels determined via chemiluminescence immunoassays run on an automated Maglumi 800 Hormone Analyzer. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered Epi Info Data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 21 software for statistical testing. <br /><strong>Results</strong>: A total of 564 school-aged children were included in the study. Of 564 students, only 22 (3.9%) had <br />hyperthyroidism, and 542 did not have hypothyroidism (96.1%), The most common age group was 6–8 years with hyperthyroidism (15.2%), and the female sex was more prevalent (54.5%) than male (45.5%). <br />Conclusions and Recommendations: In this study, the prevalence of hyperthyroidism among students aged 6 to 14 years was 3.9. It was more prevalent in female students in the age group of 6–8 years old. In such cases, more determinant explanatory studies are advised.</p> Birtukan Shiferaw Ayalew Minwyelet Maru Temesgen Seid Legese Hassen Tefera Alemu Marefiaw Mohammed Seid Copyright (c) 2023 Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2023-12-09 2023-12-09 1 1 https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts/article/view/4 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Anemia is a significant global public health problem that particularly affects pregnant women. <br />According to the World Health Organization, 40% of pregnant women are anemic worldwide. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and identifying determinants of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia. <br /><strong>Methods</strong>: Ethiopian demography and health survey of 2016 data were used for the analysis. A total of 1,122 <br />pregnant women were included in the analysis. A multi-level proportional odds model was used to identify the determinant factors of anemia among pregnant women. <br /><strong>Result</strong>: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 41.35%. The random effect model <br />revealed that 89.06% of the variability of anemia among pregnant women explained by individual and community level factors. The multilevel proportional odds model revealed that level of education, consumption of iron folate tablets, income and birth interval were significantly associated with lower prevalence of anemia. However, number of living children, latrine facilities and region of residency were associated with the higher prevalence of anemia. Pregnant women living in Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, SNNPR and Dire Dawa regions had higher prevalence of anemia. <br /><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia was high. Anemia prevention strategies need to be targeted on women with low educational level, low economic status, areas with poor latrine facilities, larger number of living children’s women and short birth spacing women.</p> Girum Meseret Ayenew Setegn Muche Fenta Betelihem Belete Akenie Haile Makonnen Fenta Seid Legesse Hassen Netsanet Fentahun Copyright (c) 2023 Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2023-12-09 2023-12-09 1 1 https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts/article/view/8 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Health service delivery strategies such as the continuum of care (Antenatal care, delivery and Postnatal care services) are recommended as important components of strong health systems, needed to prevent and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. The Amhara region has been struggling to improve the continuum of care to the utmost of its ability. Sadly, the ongoing efforts were disrupted as a result of the armed conflict that started in July 2021 in North Wollo and Wag Hemira zones. When the armed conflict was expanded up to north Shewa in December 2021, the damage on the health delivery system and other infrastructures was enormous and inconceivable. In relation to the disruption of health services in Amhara region, there was no study of this kind that attempted to explore the lived experiences of the mothers, health workers and the population at large.<br /><strong>Objectives</strong>: The aims of this study were to compare the Antenatal care, delivery and Postnatal care services provided before and during the war periods and to explore the impact of the war on the lives of women that desperately needed maternal health services during the war period.<br /><strong>Methods</strong>: The present study included two sources of data: primary and secondary. The primary data which consisted of 22 key informant interviews were collected through the application of purposive sampling. Twenty-four data collectors with at least a first degree in public health or related fields were involved in data collection. On the other hand, the secondary (quantitative) data were obtained from the regional health bureau and the zonal health departments of the war affected zones. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Tabular and graphical representations were used to present the findings from the quantitative data. Moreover, in relation to the delivery services, a 95% confidence interval and a P-value were used to declare statistical significance. <br /><strong>Results</strong>: The overall continuum of care has shown a significant difference between the pre and during war periods. Before the onset of the war, all Antenatal care, delivery and Postnatal care services were given in all health facilities of the Amhara region. However, only 53 (46.9%) health facilities remained to provide these services in the war affected areas of the Amhara region. Before the armed conflict, the monthly average number of women who used Antenatal care services at least once in the last six months prior to the eruption of the war was 28,891. However, following the armed conflict, the monthly average of Antenatal Care users was reduced to 10,895 (i.e., a reduction by 62.3%). Similarly, the monthly average number of births attended by skilled health personnel before the armed conflict was 18,527. However, at the climax of the war, this figure was reduced to 5,062 resulting in a reduction of the delivery service by 72.7%. This reduction was statistically significant, (95% C.I. 9828, 17101; P = 0.002). By the same token, the monthly average number of women who received Postnatal care services within seven days of delivery in war affected zones of Amhara region had substantially reduced during the period of the war (a 71.8% reduction). <br /><strong>Conclusion</strong>: The damage that the armed conflict brought on the health delivery system of the war-affected zones of the Amhara region was very huge. The armed conflict had terribly affected the delivery of the continuum of care living aside thousands of innocent mothers without any medical assistance. The restoration of the health delivery system and the replacement of the looted and destroyed items should be a priority agenda for the concerned bodies. Furthermore, a mechanism should be developed to give psychosocial support to the needy population.</p> Getu Degu Alene Girum Meseret Ayenew Getasew Mulat Bantie Taye Zeru Gizachew Yismaw Copyright (c) 2023 Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2023-12-09 2023-12-09 1 1 https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts/article/view/7 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Appropriate and adequate feeding practice is a pre-requisite to good nutritional status in any given <br />time of human life. Globally, around 136 million people needed assistance due to armed conflict, while more than <br />52 million children suffer from acute malnutrition. Armed conflict triggers food insecurity and affects child nutrition <br />through disrupting crop production, destroying food stores and livestock, forcing people to eat foods with lower <br />nutritional value, affecting market food supply and price inflation. This study aimed to determine dietary diversity <br />practice and nutrition status of children age 6-59 months in the armed conflict affected areas of Amhara region, <br />Ethiopia. <br /><strong>Methods</strong>: Community based Cross sectional study design was employed among children age 6-59 months in armed <br />conflict affected areas of Amhara region from March 13, 2022-April 13, 2022. A Multi-stage cluster sampling <br />procedure was used to select households. The total sample size was 2571 children of age 6-59 months. Data was <br />collected using interviewer administered questionnaire adapted from Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance and <br />food and agriculture organization. A 24-h recall method was used to assess dietary diversity practices of children. <br />Anthropometric measurements were done to get height and weight of children. The collected data using Open Data <br />Kit was extracted from the server to excel version 2016 and were cleaned and coded for further analysis using SPSS <br />version 25. <br /><strong>Result</strong>: About 2582 children were included in the present study. The prevalence of adequate dietary diversity practice <br />was 7.6 % in the study area. The food groups eaten by most (90.9%) of the children in the past 24 hours were grains, <br />roots and tubers whereas the least (1.9%) food groups were flesh foods. The study showed that 13.6%, 27.7% and <br />41.6% children were wasted, underweight and stunted respectively. About 5.3%, 8.9% and 21.1% of them were <br />severely wasted, underweighted and stunted respectively. About 2.3% of index children had illness in the past two <br />weeks. <br /><strong>Conclusion and recommendation</strong>: the level of adequate dietary diversity practice for children age 6-59 month in the <br />study area was very low. The level of acute malnutrition, underweight and stunting in the study areas were very high. <br />This evidence indicates the urgent need of providing emergency nutrition service to manage children with acute <br />malnutrition. Micronutrient supplements should be given for children in regular pattern.</p> Hailu Ayalew Adgeh Netsanet Fentahun Betelehem Belete Akine Abraham Amsalu Belay Bezabih Mulat Tirfie Yosef Beyene Girum Meseret Ayenew Copyright (c) 2023 Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2023-12-09 2023-12-09 1 1 https://ejts.aphi.gov.et/index.php/ejts/article/view/11 Gizachew Yismaw Belay Bezabih Seid Legese Hassen Desalew Salew Simeneh Ayalew Betelihem Belete Melashu Balew Molalign Tarekegn Girum Meseret Ayenew Taye Zeru Copyright (c) 2023 Ethiopian Journal of Translational Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2023-12-09 2023-12-09 1 1