Background Low back pain (LBP) is well known as the most common musculoskeletal disorder with the lifetime prevalence of eighty percent. Worldwide, 37% of low back pain was attributable to occupational risk factors. Truck driving is one among the jobs causing occupational LBP. Even though these drivers in Ethiopia run the high risk of occupational injuries and illnesses like drivers elsewhere, the evidence that shows the magnitude and factors that contribute to LBP is a significant shortcoming. Objective To assess the magnitude and contributing factors of low back pain among long-distance truck drivers at Modjo Dry Port, Ethiopia, 2018. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among systematically selected 422 long-distance truck drivers at Modjo Dry Port, Ethiopia, from February to March 2018. Data were collected through face-to-face individual interview using a structured questionnaire adapted from the standardized Nordic questionnaire for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. The data were entered using EPI-DATA version 4.2.0.0 and cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software for windows. Binary logistic regression was computed to determine the association using crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals. Independent variables with a P value less than 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model were considered as significant. Results Of 400 truck drivers interviewed, the prevalence of LBP was found to be 65%. The study also found smoking cigarette (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI (1.25–4.01), and P=0.007), physical inactivity (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI (1.28–3.51), and P=0.003), chronic diseases other than LBP (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI (1.32–3.61), and P=0.002), frequent lifting or carrying heavy objects (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI (1.75–5.22), and P ≤ 0.001), perceived improper sitting posture while driving (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.35–3.60), and P=0.002), and perceived job stress (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI (1.20–3.57), and P=0.009) were contributing factors of low back pain. Conclusion This finding shows the public health importance of low back pain among long-distance truck drivers in Ethiopia. Individual factors largely accounted for the development of low back pain; hence, orientation on these modifiable risk factors and regular follow-up on safety procedures should be considered to mitigate the problem.

BackgroundPolyneuropathy is one of the commonest complications of long-standing diabetes. Progressive sensory loss can predispose patients to foot ulcer and the neuropathy oftentimes causes pain. The pain can significantly affect the quality of life of patients.ObjectivesTo describes the health-related quality of life of patients with type II diabetes mellitus suffering from painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy at two referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017.MethodsAn institution based cross sectional study with internal comparison was conducted among a sample of 220 type II diabetes mellitus patients in a 1:1 matched ratio of those with and without diabetes associated peripheral neuropathic pain. All were having regular follow up at two hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Short Form (SF-36) health-related quality of life instrument was used to collect data on quality of life while basic socio-demographic and other disease specific features were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to examine the mean scores of health related quality of life. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were applied to estimate the internal consistency, and the level of agreement between the different domains of SF-36, respectively. To measure association between health related quality of life domains and explanatory variables, independent T-test and ANOVA were performed followed by multiple linear regression analyses.ResultsThe health related quality of life of type II diabetes mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathic pain was poorer than those without pain in all the eight domains and the two summary scores by SF-36 (p < 0.001). Higher mean score difference was observed in Mental Component Summary Score (MCS) (14.6) compared to Physical Component Score (PCS) (9.3). Among the eight domains, the largest mean difference was found with the physical one (39.1) followed by mental health (38.2) and physical functioning (30). Pain intensity had a statistically significant negative correlation with all domains as well as the two summary scores. Younger age, a higher level of education, being single, a higher monthly income, normal body mass index, HbA1c less than seven mmo/L, absence of other diabetic complications and taking only oral hypoglycemic agents were found to predict better health related quality of life.ConclusionThe presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain was found to negatively influence the health-related quality of life of type II diabetic patients; the greatest impact being on the ‘role physical’ and ‘mental health’ domains. Older age, presence of diabetes related complications, longer duration of illness negatively influenced the health-related quality of life.

BackgroundLong-acting and permanent contraceptive methods have clear advantages over short-acting methods of contraception that benefit both clients and health systems. Despite this importance, studies show that the proportion of women currently using long acting and permanent contraceptive methods are significantly lower than the proportion using short-acting methods.ObjectiveThe main aim of the study was to assess the level of utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods and associated factors among married women in Adama town.MethodologyCommunity Based Cross-Sectional Study was conducted in four kebeles of Adama town from April 15–30, 2015. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. The collected data was cleaned and entered using Epi info 3.5.3 and analyzed using statistical package for social science version 20.0. Factors associated with utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods were identified using logistic regression model.ResultIn this study, the magnitude of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods was 20.9%. Implant, Intra-Uterine devices (IUDs) and tubal ligation accounted for 16.1, 4.6, and 0.2% respectively. Current use of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods was higher among women who had high knowledge (AOR = 5.26, 95% CI = 1.90–14.69), positive attitude (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.60–6.58) and women who had 3–4 children (AOR [95%CI] =2.3[1.14–4.63]) compared to those who had no child.ConclusionCurrent use of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods in Adama town was low. Level of knowledge, attitude about the methods, and number of children were factors affecting utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods. Targeted Information Education Communication Intervention should be intensified to improve the utilization of these methods.

Background: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are being increasingly used for sero-epidemiological purposes to provide better understanding of the extent of the infection in the community, and monitoring the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic. We conducted sero-prevalence study to estimate prior infection with with SARS-CoV-2 in Addis Ababa.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from April 23 to 28, 2020 among 301 randomly selected residents of Addis Ababa; with no known history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 person. Interviews on socio demographic and behavioural risk factor followed by serological tests were performed for SARS-CoV-2 IgM, and IgG antibodies, using COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. The test has sensitivity of 87·9% and specificity of 100% for lgM; and a sensitivity of 97·2% and specificity of 100% for IgG. RT-PCR test was also done on combined nasopharyngeal and oropharengeal swabs as an important public health consideration. Findings: The unadjusted antibody-based crude SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 7·6% and the adjusted true SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was estimated at 8·8% (95% CI 5·5%-11·6%) for the study population. Higher sero-prevalence were observed for males (9.0%), age below 50 years (8.2%), students and unemployed (15.6%), those with primary education (12.1%), smokers (7.8%), alcohol consumers (8.6%), chatt-chewers (13.6%) and shish smokers (18.8%). Seroprevalence was not significantly associated neither with socio-demographic not behavioral characteristics. According to the findings, possibly more individuals had been infected in Addis Ababa than what was being detected and reported by RT-PCR test suggestive of community transmission. The use of serological test for epidemiological estimation of the extent of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic gives a more precise estimate of magnitude which would be used for further monitoring and surveillance of the magnitude of the SARS CoV-2 infection.

23Background 24 Ethiopia is a traditional country with a pluralistic health care system where people use the 25 traditional health care systems in combination with the modern health care. In view of this, we 26 assessed the profile of faith and traditional healers and their experience in treating people with 27 mental illness in rural district Ethiopia so that inform the health minister to consider working 28 towards integration with modern biomedical care to improve access. .30 Methods 31 We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 173 traditional healers in Sodo district 32 of Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews by trained enumerators using 33 pretested structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20. 35 Result36 The median age of traditional and faith based healers was 55 (IQR= 48.5, 67 years), about a third 37 (29.5%) of them were female and 54(31.2%) earned their living exclusively from traditional 38 healing practice. Eighty six (48.6%) healers didn't attend formal education. Four types of healers 39 were identified-herbalists accounted for 59% (n=102), faith healers were 36 (20.8%) mixed 40 herbal and faith practitioners were 19(11.0%) and 16 (9.2%) were diviners. Most, 119(69%) had 41 been practicing for an average of 15 years. Half of healers entered into the healing practice due 42 to family kinship, whereas 26(15%) because of ancestral spirit. 43 44 Seventy one (41%) of the healers reported that they have ever treated patients with mental illness 45 in their lifetime. Sixty three(36.4%) reported that they had treated mental illness within the past 46 one year, of which 30(47%) treat only mental illness while 33(52%) treat both mental and 47 physical illnesses. All faith healers and divine healers reported treating mental illness while 48 11(57.9%) of mixed healers, and no herbalists reported treating mental illness. Only 58(33.5%) 49 believed that mental illness can be cured completely. 50 51 Conclusion 52 53 Significant proportion of traditional healers manages mental illness and remains an important 54 part of the healthcare system in the rural setting of Ethiopia. Herbalists believed that biomedical 55 treatments are preferable for mental illnesses, while faith healers and diviners believed 56 traditional practices alone or in combination with biomedical practices is the treatment of choice. 57 58 Key words: Ethiopia, Traditional and faith healers, Traditional practice, mental health care, 59 mental illness. 60 61 Background 62 Mental disorders are common health conditions and are associated with severe disability, cost 63 and mortality. The burden of mental disorders in low income countries is compounded by the 64 huge treatment gap, where in some countries, the lifetime treatment gap reaches 90% [1]. In 65 these low income settings, 60%-80% of the population rely on traditional form of health care [2, 66 3]. A one year prevalence of use of traditional healers services was found to be 61% among 67 South Africans [4]. In Ghana, 71% had consulted tra...