BackgroundGlobally there is a rapid increase in prison population, and one out of nine inmates suffers from mental disorders like depression. In Ethiopia, although a mental health strategy is in place, little attention is given to prisoners and studies which focus on depression among prisoners are still scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it among prisoners.MethodAcross-sectional study was conducted from October 5 to 28, 2016 in Bahir Dar city. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 402 prisoners. Depression was measured using Patient Health Questionnaire, nine item version (PHQ-9) at a cut point of five. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral factors, perceived general health, and prison situation variables were collected using structured questionnaire. The data were collected by trained interviewers. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of depression.ResultThe prevalence of depression was 45.5% (95%CI: 40.5–50.5%). In the final model, having children [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.48; 95%CI: 1.60–3.83], health satisfaction rated as moderate [AOR = 3.20; 95%CI: 1.12–9.00] or dissatisfied [AOR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.02–2.62] compared to satisfied, being sentenced for more than 5 years [AOR = 2.31; 95%CI: 1.01–5.25] or 1–5 years [AOR = 3.04; 95%CI: 1.2–7.71] were positively associated with depression.ConclusionHigh prevalence of depression was found among prisoners. Those with poor general health, long years of imprisonment, and concerns of children were the most vulnerable. Strengthening mental health services of prisons is critically required.

Background. Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide. Adolescent girls are the most vulnerable group of population due to different reasons. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among school adolescent girls in rural towns of Bahir Dar City Administration, North West Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 5 to April 15, 2017, on 443 randomly selected school adolescent girls. Data were collected using pretested structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Blood sample was also collected to assess the hemoglobin (Hgb) value of study participants. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the associated factors with the outcome variable. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to identify the variables significantly associated with the outcome variable. Result. The prevalence of anemia was 11.1%. Household family size [AOR=3.2, 95%CI (1.29-7.89)], average household monthly income <500 ETB [AOR=10; 95%CI (2.49-41.26)], 501-1000 ETB [AOR=6, 95%CI (2.54-14.33)], history of intestinal parasitic infection [AOR=2.7; 95% CI (1.19-6.21)], duration of menstruation flow [AOR=2.4; 95%CI (1.08- 5.44)], and BMI for age [AOR-3.2; 95% CI (1.43-7.05)] were the predictors of anemia. Conclusion and Recommendation. Anemia was a mild public health problem among school adolescent girls in the study area. Household monthly income, family size, intestinal parasite infections, duration of menstruation, and BMI for age are predictors of anemia. Thus, intervention strategies should focus on prevention and early treatment of intestinal parasite, nutritional education, screening, and iron supplementation programs to prevent anemia among school adolescent girls.

ObjectiveDiabetes mellitus is a chronic non-communicable disease with considerable impact on health status and quality of life. It has a profound effect on quality of life in terms of social and psychological as well as physical well-being. This study was conducted to assess health related quality of life among patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes.ResultA cross-sectional study design was conducted from April to May, 2015. World Health Organization quality of life-BREF tool was used for collecting the data. A total of 344 patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes were involved in the study. The overall health related quality of life mean score of the study participants was 52.6 ± 12.1 SD. Social domain has higher mean score (57.8 ± 14.8 SD). Educational status, marital status, occupation, duration of the diabetes and diabetes related complications had statistically significant association with health-related quality of life. An intervention that give special attention to the breaking of the cycle of low occupational status and literacy; and which encourage patients with type 2 DM to have good control of their diabetes and prevent complication should be implemented to improve their quality of life.

BackgroundEvaluation of a surveillance system should be conducted on regular bases to ensure that the system is working as envisioned or not. Therefore, we evaluated Dangila district’s public health surveillance system performance in line with its objectives.MethodsIn August 2017, a concurrent embedded mixed quantitative/qualitative, facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dangila district among 12 health facilities/sites. The qualitative part involved 12 purposively selected key stakeholders interview. A semi-structured questionnaire adapted from updated CDC guideline for evaluating public health surveillance system was used for data collection through face to face interview and record review. The major qualitative findings were narrated and summarized based on thematic areas to supplement the quantitative findings. The quantitative findings were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007.ResultsAll necessary surveillance guidelines, registers and reporting formats were distributed adequately to health facilities. Only the district health office has Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP), but not supported by the budget required to respond in case an emergency occurred. There were no regular data analysis and interpretations in terms of time, place and person. Weekly report completeness and timeliness were 100 and 94.6% respectively. The information collected was considered relevant by its users to detect outbreaks early with high acceptability. All stakeholders agreed that the system is simple, easy to understand, representative and can accommodate modifications. Written feedbacks were not obtained in all health facilities. The supervision checklist obtained in the district was not adequate to assess surveillance activities in detail. The calculated positive predictive value for malaria was 11%.ConclusionsThe surveillance system was simple, useful, flexible, acceptable and representative. Report completeness and timelines were above the national and international targets. However, the overall implementation of the system in the district was not satisfactory to achieve the intended objective of surveillance for public health action due to the lack of regular data analysis and feedback dissemination. To create a well-performing surveillance system, regular supervision and epidemiologically analyzed and interpreted feedback system is mandatory.

Background. Although it is largely preventable, type 2 diabetes is the most common type and accounts for the vast majority of diabetes cases worldwide. Objective. To assess the validity and reliability of the Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument for measuring quality of life in people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Methods. The Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument was administered to 344 patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital. Contribution of domain scores to QOL facets was assessed using multiple linear regression. Reliability assessment was done by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Construct validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Result. The Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument has acceptable internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis has shown acceptable goodness of fit for 4 domain models. The physical, psychological, and environmental domains have a statistically significant contribution in explaining overall quality of life, while only physical and psychological domains have significant contribution in explaining the general health facet. Conclusion. The Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument is appropriate for patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The overall finding of analysis implies that the Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument has internal consistency and validity to investigate quality of life among patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and it can be used for studies which are going to be conducted in Ethiopia.