Objective The aim of this study was to determine hematological reference ranges for apparently healthy blood donors in Debre Markos, North West Ethiopia. Result A total of 250 adults with the median age of 20 (range 18 to 48) years were recruited. The mean ± standard deviation of hematological values were white blood cells (WBC) count 6.34±1.82×103/µl (males) and 6.96±1.89×103/µl (females); absolute neutrophil count 3.57±1.47×103/µl (male) and 3.99±1.38×103/µl (females); absolute lymphocyte count, 2.09±0.64×103/µl (males) and 2.27±0.68×103/µl (females); absolute mid-sized cell count 0.68±0.36× 103/µl (males) and 0.70±0.37×103/µl (females); red blood cell (RBC) count 5.13±0.49×106/µL (males) and 4.57±0.36×106/µL (females) platelets, 255.86±65.96 × 103/µl (male) and 280.67±65.71× 103/µl (female).

BACKGROUND፡ Malaria is the leading vector-borne parasitic disease that is causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. So far huge efforts to control and eliminate malaria are hindered by the occurrence of asymptomatic carriers that are a potential source of infection. Yet, there is a scarcity of data nationally and in the current study area as well. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in Northeast Ethiopia.METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 involving a total of 270 study participants recruited via purposive non-probability sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, individual and household factors related to asymptomatic malaria. Data were entered in Epi Data 3.1 version and analyzed by using SPSS version 20, and p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 7.0%, with 3.0%, 5.2%, and 12.0%, respectively by Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), Microscopy and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The majority of infections (73.7%) were identified from index households. Previous malaria history (AOR: 4.030, 95% CI: 1.021-15.903), living with index cases (AOR: 3.880, 95% CI: 1.275-11.806) and family size > 6 members (AOR: 4.820, 95% CI: 1.260-18.437) were significant predictors of asymptomatic malaria.CONCLUSION: Reactive case detection had identified considerably higher asymptomatic malaria cases in the community. Therefore, active case investigation should be established in the community by tracking the symptomatic cases at the health facilities.

Objective Respiratory disorders are the most common occupational diseases. Occupational exposures to dust, fumes, chemicals and gases are associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Although cleaning represents a significant part of the working population worldwide, it is a relatively understudied occupation and respiratory health of professional cleaners in hospitals have not been significantly addressed in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the respiratory symptoms of cleaners working in hospital setting. A comparative cross sectional study design was employed on 140 study participants. The study was composed of 70 cleaners and 70 control subjects. Respiratory symptoms were assessed using standardized questionnaire. The data was coded, entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results Prevalence of dry cough, productive cough, wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain for cleaners was higher than the control group. Cleaners had odds of wheezing 2.05 times (OR 2.05, 95% CI: 0.77-5.50) than the controls. The odds of dry cough among cleaners was 4.7 times than among non-cleaners which was the most prevalent respiratory symptom. Based on the study the risk of developing respiratory symptoms were higher among cleaners than controls (p<0.05 to dry cough and breathlessness).