BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Ethiopia with increasing burden, and chemotherapy treatment produces a detrimental effect on individual wellbeing. Since last few years quality of life has been the primary goal of cancer treatment, yet little research has been conducted on quality of life of breast cancer patients under chemotherapy.ObjectiveTo determine the quality of life and associated factors among patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 404 patients with breast cancer, who took at least one cycle of chemotherapy treatment using face to face interview at oncology unit of Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital day care center from February to April 2018. The validated Amharic version of European organization for research and treatment of cancer core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and quality of life questionnaire specific to breast (QLQ-BR23) was used to measure health related quality of life. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. For the purpose of interpretation quality of life score was dichotomized in to two using the calculated mean score, which is 53 as a cutoff point, then, bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was used to describe association between dependent and independent variables. Hence, patients who score above 53 for quality of life were considered to have good quality of life.ResultOf the total sample, overall response rate was 99.77%. The average quality of life score of patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy treatment was 52.98 (SD = 25.61). Majority of patients had scored poor in emotional functioning, sexual functioning, and financial difficulties. Educational status of college and above, being divorced, higher household income, higher scores of physical and social functioning were associated with significantly improved (better) quality of life. Lower scores of fatigue, insomnia, financial difficulties and systemic therapy side effects all were associated with better scores of quality of life of breast cancer patients. Whereas, patients receiving < = 2 cycles of chemotherapy had significantly lower scores of quality of life.Conclusion and recommendationQuality of life of breast cancer patients under chemotherapy treatment is poor in comparison with the reference data and international findings. Therefore, quality of life assessment should be incorporated in patient’s treatment protocol. And financial aids may significantly improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients under chemotherapy treatment.

Background: Female breast cancer is becoming an emerging public health problem which accounts for 33% of all cancers in women and 23% of all cancer cases in Ethiopia. The majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at later stages due to delayed presentation to seek treatment. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with patient delay at presentation among breast cancer patients at Dessie Referral Hospital, the only oncology center in North East Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study among 204 female patients with pathology-confirmed breast cancer at the only oncology center of North East Ethiopia from January to June 2020. An interviewer administered questionnaire and a medical record data extraction tool were used to address the objective of the study. Patients were said to be delayed for diagnosis if the time duration between first clinical presentations to first clinical consultation was more than 3 months. Then, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: Among a total of 209 eligible participants, 5 refused to participate with a response rate of 97.6%. The proportion of patients with delayed presentation was 103 (50.5%), with the median time taken to visit a healthcare provider after recognition of the first symptom was 4 months. Age above 40 years (AOR=4.81; 95% CI=1.26-18.65) P<0.024, college and above educational status (AOR=0.05; 95% CI=0.01-0.77) p<0.036, government employee (AOR=0.19, 95% CI=0.03-0.91) P<0.002, urban residence (AOR= 0.21; 95% CI=0.01-0.82) p<0.001, visit traditional healer (AOR=0.38; 95% CI=0.2-0.69) P<0.0037, and no lump in under armpit (AOR= 9.05; 95% CI=1.14-22.69) P<0.002 were associated with delayed presentation. Conclusion: Delays to seek treatment is generally high in our study. Age, educational status, occupation, residence, visiting traditional healer, and absence of lump in under armpit were significant factors for delayed presentation. Intervention programs focusing on reducing delayed presentation should be employed.

Introduction. Globally, anemia among under-five children is a serious public health problem. Even if there are pocket studies here and there, there is limited evidence on the pooled prevalence of anemia among under-five children in Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence and determinants of anemia. Methods and Analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was made in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, HINARI, and Ethiopian Journal of Health Development for studies published since 2009. It was supplemented with Google Scholar search. Study selection, data extraction, and quality of studies were assessed by eight reviewers. The Cochrane Q test and I2 test statistic were used to test the heterogeneity of studies. A random-effects model of DerSimonian-Laird method was used. Result. A total of 37 articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of anemia among under-five children in Africa was 59% (95% CI: 55, 63). Being female (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.87), maternal education (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.66), residence (AOR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.95), and family size (AOR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.98) were the determinants of anemia among African under-five children. Conclusion and Recommendation. This pooled study revealed that anemia was a severe public health problem. Sex, maternal education, residence, and family size were the determinants of anemia. Therefore, anemia prevention strategy should include sex consideration, educating mothers through youth education, area specific intervention, and encouraging birth spacing.

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated mortality are rising in low-and middleincome countries. In Ethiopia, colorectal cancer is among the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in both sexes. Although some studies provided estimations on the national burden and regional distribution, the histological characteristics, survival pattern and determinants among colorectal cancer patients are not welldocumented.Aim: This study aimed to describe the histological characteristics, to determine the patterns of survival, and identify factors that determine mortality rate among CRC patients in Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among CRC patients registered at cancer treatment center of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, from January 2012 to December 2016. Data were extracted from a total of 161 patient medical records using a pretested abstraction form and supplemented by phone calls with the patients/caregivers. To determine colorectal cancer specific survival overtime, we performed a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and significance of variation in survival across covariates and treatment categories was tested using log-rank test. A multivariable Cox proportional-hazards model was performed to identify determinants of survival after diagnosis with colorectal cancer. Results: Overall, the median survival time was 21 months [95%CI: 16-35], with two-, three-and five-year CRCspecific survival rates of 46.8%, 39.5% and 28.7% respectively. In the multivariable Cox regression model, the rate of death due to CRC is significantly higher for patients with elevated baseline carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) ¼ 2.31, 95%CI: 1.27-4.19), stage IV at diagnosis (AHR ¼ 2.66, 95%CI: 1.44-4.91), and mucinous or signet-ring cell carcinoma histology type (AHR ¼ 4.92,). Moreover, patients who underwent surgery showed a better survival than those who did not (AHR ¼ 0.35, 95%CI: 0.14-0.88). Conclusion:In Ethiopia, patients diagnosed with CRC showed a low rate of cancer-specific survival. Histology type, stage of cancer and CEA level at diagnosis, and the type of treatment a patient received significantly determine mortality rate. Hence, cancer screening programs could help to detect the disease at an earlier stage and to initiate available treatments timely so as to extend the lifespan of CRC patients.

Lathyrism is an incurable neurological disorder, resulting from excessive consumption of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), which clinically manifests as paralysis of lower limbs. Because of the high production of grass peas, a large number of people are expected to be affected by the disease in Northeast Ethiopia. However, there is no comprehensive study that quantified the magnitude of the problem. Therefore, in this study, we determined the prevalence of lathyrism and socioeconomic disparities in Northeast Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was used which used a quantitative method of data collection from January to February 2019. Data were collected from a total of 2,307 inhabitants in the study area using structured questionnaires. Lathyrism cases were identified using a case definition of symmetrical spastic leg weakness, and subacute or insidious onset, with no sensory deficit, and with a history of grass pea consumption before and at the onset of paralysis. The majority (56.8%) of participants were male, and 34.7% were aged 45 years or older. Overall, the prevalence of lathyrism was 5.5%, and it was higher in males (7.9%) than in females (2.5%). Moreover, the prevalence was higher among farmers (7.0%), very poor economic status (7.2%), those who produce grass pea (9.6%), and those who use clay pottery for cooking (6.2%) than their counterparts. The prevalence of lathyrism in Northeast Ethiopia is remarkably high. Therefore, we recommend lathyrism to be among the list of reportable health problems and incorporated in the national routine surveillance system.