Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of uncontrolled hypertension and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 415 hypertensive patients in Eastern Ethiopia from June 15 to July 15, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and reviewing patients’ charts. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Results: This study revealed that magnitude of uncontrolled hypertension was 48% (95% confidence interval = 43.1%−52.8%). Being male (adjusted odds ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval = 1.29–3.26), age ⩾55 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.16, 95% confidence interval = 1.96–5.08), non-adherence to medication (adjusted odds ratio = 1.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–2.94), low diet quality (adjusted odds ratio = 4.04, 95% confidence interval = 2.44–8.44), physically inactive (adjusted odds ratio = 3.20, 95% confidence interval = 1.84–5.56), and having comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio = 3.04, 95% confidence interval = 1.90–4.85) were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Conclusions: In our sample of hypertensive patients on follow-up at public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia, half had uncontrolled hypertension. Older age, male sex, non-adherence to antihypertensive medication, low diet quality, physically inactive, and having comorbidity were found to be predictors of uncontrolled hypertension. Therefore, sustained health education on self-care practices with special emphasis on older, males, and patients with comorbid conditions.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a viral-borne infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Aside from the morbidity and mortality effects, it leaves the majority of hypertensive patients untreated and vulnerable to uncontrolled hypertension.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess follow-up conditions of care and its associated factors among adult hypertensive patients during COVID-19 in public health facilities of West Arsi, Southeastern Ethiopia.MethodsA health facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 adult hypertensive patients in the West Arsi public health facilities from July 5 to August 6, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. A pretested structured face-to-face interviewer and medical records were used to collect sociodemographic variables, basic clinical features, and follow-up data. The follow-up conditions of care were assessed using 12 items with “yes or no” questions. Then, based on the mean value of the items, the follow-up conditions of care were dichotomized into good and poor. As a result, the follow-up condition was good if the score was greater or equal to the mean, and poor unless otherwise. To investigate parameters related with follow-up conditions of care, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05 were used to indicate a significant association.ResultsThe rate of poor follow-up conditions of care during COVID-19 was 29% (95% confidence interval: 24.9–33.4%), according to this study. Age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 2.09–6.03), transportation problem (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.28–4.61), fear of COVID-19 (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.59–7.01), co-morbidity (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.14–3.26) and physical distancing (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.44–4.12) were significantly associated with poor follow-up conditions of care.ConclusionsIn our study, 29% of the participants had poor follow-up care conditions. When compared to WHO recommendations, the findings of this study may explain poor follow-up care conditions. To enhance patients' follow-up treatment, evidence-based target interventions should be designed and executed, taking into account individuals at high risks, such as those over the age of 60 and those with comorbidities, and identifying additional risk factors.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess factors associated with poor medication adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic among hypertensive patients visiting public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.SettingHospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Harari regional state and Dire Dawa Administration from 1 January to 30 February 2022. Both settings are found in Eastern Ethiopia.ParticipantsA total of 402 adult hypertensive patients who visited the chronic diseases clinic for follow-up were included in the study.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measure was poor medication adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThe level of poor antihypetensive medication adherence was 63% (95% CI 48.1 to 67.9). Patients who had no formal education (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.56, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.30), existing comorbid conditions (AOR=1.98, 95% CI 1.35 to 4.35), self-funded for medication cost (AOR=2.05, 95% CI 1.34 to 4.73), poor knowledge about hypertension (HTN) and its treatment (AOR=2.67, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.99), poor patient–physician relationship (AOR=1.22, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.34) and unavailability of medication (AOR=5.05, 95% CI 2.78 to 12.04) showed significant association with poor medication adherence during the pandemic of COVID-19.ConclusionThe level of poor antihypertensive medication adherence was high in this study. No formal education, comorbidity, self-funded medication cost, poor knowledge about HTN and its treatment, poor patient–physician relationship, and unavailability of medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were factors significantly associated with poor adherence to antihypertensive medication. All stakeholders should take into account and create strategies to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medication adherence of chronic diseases.

Background: Despite the availability of prophylactic antibiotics prior to skin incisions, surgical site infection (SSI) following cesarean section (CS) remains an unresolved health issue. As a result, this study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of SSI after a CS. Methods: The authors conducted a prospective cohort study in eastern Ethiopia. The women were serially enrolled until the desired sample size was reached. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Women were followed at the hospital during their weekly visits. Culture-based microbiological methods were used to identify causal agents. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the predictors of SSI after CS. Results: Among serially enrolled women, 336 were followed for 30 days. The incidence of SSI was 7.74% (95% CI: 7.68–7.80). Rupture of the membrane before operation [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.75, 95% CI: 1.85–16.6], labor duration greater than 24 h (AOR=4.04, 95% CI: 1.52–10.79), and postoperative hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl (AOR=3.42, 95% CI: 1.32–8.87) were all significantly associated with SSI. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus , followed by Escherichia coli . Conclusions: Nearly one-tenth of the women developed SSIs. Factors such as rupture of the membrane before the operation, absence of antenatal care, labor duration greater than 24 h, a midline skin incision, and postoperative hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl were the predictors of SSI. To reduce the incidence of SSI, policymakers should consider the importance of high-quality antenatal care, shorten the duration of labor, and maintain women’s hemodynamics in future SSI prevention bundles.

BackgroundPeople with hypertension have a high risk of developing mental disorders, such as depression and/or anxiety. However, there is a paucity of data regarding comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms among people with hypertension in study settings.ObjectiveThe study determined the prevalence and associated factors of depression, and anxiety symptoms among people with hypertension on follow-up at public hospitals, in Eastern Ethiopia.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 471 people with hypertension who were randomly chosen from four public hospitals in Harar town and the Dire Dawa Administration. The data were collected by interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. A validated nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scales were used to assess depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. A logistic regression model was used to identify the association among depression, anxiety, and their predictors. An adjusted odds ratio and a 95% confidence interval were used to report the association. The statistical significance was set at a p-value of < 0.05.ResultsDepression and anxiety symptoms were present in 27.2 and 32.7% of people with hypertension, respectively. Being women (AOR = 1.74, 1.09–2.78), having no formal education (AOR = 2.19, 1.19–4.81), presence of other medical illnesses (AOR = 2.23, 1.39–3.56), having a family history of depression (AOR = 2.01, 1.25–3.19), and poor social support (AOR = 2.80, 1.60–5.22) were statistically associated with depressive symptoms, whereas being women (AOR = 1.54, 1.01–2.35), widowed and divorced (AOR = 2.22, 1.41–3.52), presence of other medical illnesses (AOR = 1.64, 1.06–2.53), and poor social support (AOR = 3.54, 2.09–6.01) were statistically associated with anxiety symptoms.ConclusionMore than a quarter of people with hypertension reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Findings demonstrated that being a woman, having an additional medical illness and having poor social support were statistically associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Regular screening, early detection, and offering the proper intervention should be on top priorities for healthcare professionals.