Background Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids is a major risk factor for the transmission of blood-borne infections to healthcare workers. There are several primary studies in Ethiopia yet they might not be at the national level to quantify the extent of occupational blood and body fluid exposures (splash of blood or other body fluids into the eyes, nose, or mouth) or blood contact with non-intact skin among the healthcare workers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of occupational blood and body fluid exposure of healthcare workers in Ethiopia. Methods PubMed, Science Direct, Hinari, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched; withal, the references of appended articles were also checked for further possible sources. The Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 tests were used to assess the heterogeneity of the included studies. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among healthcare workers in Ethiopia. Results Of the 641 articles identified through the database search, 36 studies were included in the final analysis. The estimated pooled lifetime and 12-month prevalence on occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among healthcare workers were found to be at 54.95% (95% confidence interval (CI), 48.25–61.65) and 44.24% (95% CI, 36.98-51.51), respectively. The study identified a variation in healthcare workers who were exposed to blood and body fluids across Ethiopian regions. Conclusion The finding of the present study revealed that there was a high level of annual and lifetime exposures to blood and body fluids among healthcare workers in Ethiopia.

ObjectivesIn order to maximise the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance, data on the incidence of HAIs are crucial. In Ethiopia, data about the occurrence of HAIs among hospitalised paediatric patients are lacking. We aim to determine the incidence and risk factors of HAIs among paediatric patients in Ethiopia.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingA teaching hospital in southeast Ethiopia.Participants448 hospitalised paediatric patients admitted between 1 November 2018 and 30 June 2019.Primary and secondary outcome measuresIncidence and risk factors of hospital-acquired infections.ResultsA total of 448 paediatric patients were followed for 3227 patient days. The median age of the patients was 8 months (IQR: 2–26 months). The incidence rate of HAIs was 17.7 per 1000 paediatric days of follow-up; while the overall cumulative incidence was 12.7% (95% CI 9.8% to 15.8%) over 8 months. Children who stayed greater than 6 days in the hospital (median day) (adjusted risk ratio (RR): 2.58, 95% CI 1.52 to 4.38), and children with underlying disease conditions of severe acute malnutrition (adjusted RR: 2.83, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.97) had higher risks of developing HAIs.ConclusionsThe overall cumulative incidence of HAIs was about 13 per 100 admitted children. Length of stay in the hospital and underlying conditions of severe acute malnutrition were found to be important factors associated with increased risk of HAIs.

Background: Hand washing remains a key measure for intercepting the dispatch of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, hand washing must be perpetuated properly using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, various hospitals have imposed mandatory hand washing to everyone prior entering the facilities, and when leaving. This study aimed to assess the hand washing compliance among visitors of a university referral hospital. Methods: A non-participatory observational study was conducted in the main entrance of the hospital from April 27 to May 3, 2020, to measure hand washing compliance of its visitors. The quality of hand washing was assessed via direct observation for compliance with the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) core steps. Data were collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) mobile application. Results: A total of 1,282 hospital visitors were observed, of which 874(68.2%) were males. Full hand washing compliances were observed among 0.9% (95% CI: 0.4-1.4) of the visitors. Withal, there was no difference in the compliances between genders (0.9% vs 0.7%, P = 0.745). Conclusion: Despite the fact that proper hand washing with soap and water is proven to be one of the effective ways in preventing the spread of COVID-19, a significant number of hospital visitors did not practice standard hand washing procedures. Improvements in this measure are urgently needed in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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INTRODUCTIONEarly initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is introducing a newborn to breast milk within the first hour from birth. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding among births at home and in the health facilities, and the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding. METHODS This study used data from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). Descriptive and analytic methods were employed to compare the status of EIBF among home and health facilities. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to check for significant associations. A p<0.05 in multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to declare statistical significance. RESULTS The overall prevalence of EIBF is not affected by the place of delivery. Mothers who gave birth in the health facilities (AOR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.06-1.61), children who received prelacteal feedings (AOR=0.25; 95% CI: 0.20-0.3), second/third birth orders (AOR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.17-1.88) and fourth and above birth orders (AOR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.25-2.24), large child size at birth (AOR=13.4; 95% CI: 1.09-1.65), and average birth size (AOR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.14-1.65) and the administrative regions of the respondents, were significantly associated with early initiation of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of EIBF among births at home and in the health facilities were the same. Statistically, children who were born in the health facilities were more likely to receive breast milk earlier. Not giving prelacteal feedings, birth orders two or more, average and large birth sizes, and respondents living in the administrative regions, were also associated with early initiation of breastfeeding.