Ethiopian Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch
<p>The Ethiopian Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health (Ethiop J Pediatr Child Health) is an official organ of the Ethiopian Pediatric Society and regularly publishes merited scientific contributions in the broader field of pediatrics, child health, and related areas having pragmatic significance to science and people’s health in Ethiopia and the World at large. Its broader mission is the advancement of evidence-based Pediatrics and Child Health academics, policy guidance, and care service standards. EJPCH publishes bi-annual regular issues as January and July issues and special supplemental issues also form the standard publications of the Journal. Conditional to merit and timeliness, the Journal will accept Editorial, Policy Brief, Original Articles, Review Article, Brief Communication, Case Studies, Teaching Articles, Letters, etc. Review and Teaching Articles will get published upon specific invitation and recommendation by the Editorial Board</p>Ethiopian Pediatric Societyen-USEthiopian Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health2413-2640Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/184
Kamran AbbasiParveen AliVirginia BarbourThomas BenfieldKirsten Bibbins-DomingoStephen HancocksRichard HortonLaurie Laybourn-LangtonRobert MashPeush SahniWadeia Mohammad ShariefPaul YongaGregory E. ErhaborChris Zielinski
Copyright (c) 2023 Kamran Abbasi, Parveen Ali, Virginia Barbour, Thomas Benfield, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Stephen Hancocks, Richard Horton, Laurie Laybourn-Langton, Robert Mash, Peush Sahni, Wadeia Mohammad Sharief, Paul Yonga, Gregory E. Erhabor, Chris Zielinski
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Policy, health facility and community implications of the findings of the study of illnesses in preterm (SIP project): summary recommendations from a dissemination workshop
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/165
<p><em>The Study of Illness in Preterm (SIP) was designed in 2015 to identify the major causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm babies. Preterm complications are the commonest cause of neonatal mortality. The SIP study investigators in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health-Ethiopia (FMOH) organized a dissemination workshop during the world prematurity day between Nov 17-18, 2021.</em></p> <p><em>The objective of the SIP dissemination workshop was to conduct a policy dialogue with policy makers and program implementers to support policy and practice changes. Five publications that have immediate policy and practice implications were selected and discussed in a dissemination workshop. These were hypothermia, preterm nutrition, bacterial isolates and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antenatal corticosteroid utilization and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).</em></p> <p><em>For each topic, the workshop assessed and documented the magnitude of the burden of disease, operationally feasible recommendations at policy, facility and community levels and potential implementation research ideas that could help facilitate rapid scale up of interventions.</em></p>Lulu M. MuheAmha MekashaBogale WorkuBeza EshetuNestanet WorknehMahlet AbaynehGesit MetaferiaAsrat DemtseSolomon GebeyehuYared TadesseMeles SolomonAbebe NegessoMeseret ZelalemAssaye K Nigussie6
Copyright (c) 2023 Lulu M. Muhe, Amha Mekasha, Bogale Worku, Beza Eshetu, Nestanet Workneh, Mahlet Abayneh, Gesit Metaferia, Asrat Demtse, Solomon Gebeyehu, Yared Tadesse, Meles Solomon, Abebe Negesso, Meseret Zelalem, Assaye K Nigussie6
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Quality of compassionate care among children with chronic heart failure at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: a cross-sectional analysis
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/171
<p><strong><em>Background</em></strong><em>: Compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. Heart failure/HF is a progressive clinical and pathophysiological condition caused by cardiovascular and noncardiovascular abnormalities. The study aimed to assess compassionate care among children with chronic HF at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: This observational cross-sectional study employed an Amharic 12-item Schwartz Center Compassionate Scale (SCCS) to assess compassionate care. Children aged 7years and above were included in the study. Logistic regression models were used to assess predictors. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: The study included 155 chronic HF subjects, females 56.1% (87). Majority of the respondents,75.5% (117), lived in an urban setting within 100-kilometers from health facility, 58.7% (91). The mean age at diagnosis and duration of follow-up was 5.2±3.8years and 5±3.5years, respectively. Congenital heart diseases, 55.5% (86) and rheumatic heart disease, 36.1% (56) were common causes for chronic HF. Successful compassionate care was reported in 25.2% (39) (95% CI: 18.5-32.8) of study subjects. Study subjects who lived within 100-kilometers from the follow up health facility had two times higher odds of reporting successful compassionate care, [AOR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.06-4.75, P 0.035)].</em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><em>: In this study, only one fourth of study subjects with chronic heart failure had received compassionate care. Distance from the follow up health facility predicted successful compassionate care. Modalities to improve access including decentralization of clinical services for children with chronic heart failure and further mixed studies are recommended to assess how distance from a health facility relate to compassionate care.</em></p>Henok TadeleTamirat Moges
Copyright (c) 2023 Henok Tadele, Tamirat Moges
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Knowledge and practices on diabetic care among the caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/161
<p><strong><em>Background</em></strong><em>: Diabetes mellitus care in children requires parental support and involvement as young children cannot independently handle all of their diabetes cares; the diabetic cares given to these children entirely depend on the knowledge and skills of the care givers. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge and practices on diabetic care and associated factors among the caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending the follow-up clinic at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: Institution-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July 10 to October 10, 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical packages for social sciences software Version 25.0. Bivariate and stepwise multivariate analysis was performed to test associations between the dependent and independent variables. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: One hundred fifty-eight caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus participated in the study; over half of the participants (93, 58.9%) were females. Over half of caregivers have a poor level of knowledge (56.3%) and practice (58.6%) about diabetes cares. Participants residing in the urban area are found to have better knowledge (p<0.001; 95%CI:1.81-6.86), whereas being female caregiver (p=0.03; 95%CI:1.04-4.22), attending diabetic education sessions (p=0.035; 95%CI:1.17-79.66) and, those who had good diabetes knowledge (p=0.04; 95%CI:1.03-4.04 ) were found to have a better practice. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><em>: The knowledge and practices of caregivers regarding diabetic care among caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were found to be low. Structured diabetes care education should be given to all caregivers to improve their knowledge and practices.</em></p>Bonsa GirmaMelkamu Arefayine
Copyright (c) 2023 Bonsa Girma, Berhane
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Vitamin D levels in pediatric epilepsy patients on the anti-epileptic drugs at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/154
<p><strong><em>Background</em></strong><em>: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of childhood repeatedly necessitating prolonged use of anticonvulsants. This study was done to evaluate the status of vitamin D in epileptic children. We targeted to describe the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency among children with epilepsy.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study design with prospective data collection was used among children with epilepsy on anti-epileptic drugs attending the Pediatric Neurology Clinic and their primary caretakers. For this study, a sample of 226 children and adolescents were included in the study and a blood sample for the determination of serum vitamin D was taken. The participants were interviewed, and medical records were thoroughly reviewed. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis was done to assess determinants of vitamin D deficiency. . </em></p> <p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: In this study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found to be 42%. Children on polytherapy (AOR = 4.3 (1.2 - 16)), 3 or more AEDs (AOR = 0.1 (0.0 - 0.8)), female sex (AOR = 1.8 (1.7 - 2.6)), age >15 years (AOR = 2.12 (1.0 - 1.5)), 4 months of exclusive breastfeeding (AOR = 5.6 (4.9 - 36)), family diet (AOR = 0.3 (0.1 - 0.8)) and non-ambulation (AOR = 1.7 (1.8 - 3.6)) were factors associated with being in the vitamin D deficiency group.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><em>: According to this study patients who take Anti-Epilepsy drugs are at a higher risk of a poor vitamin D status. Based on this finding, the need for timely and appropriate vitamin D supplementation and periodic follow-up seems to be very evident.</em></p> <p> </p>Mohammed MiftahMuluwork DinberuMohammed LegasAyalew Moges
Copyright (c) 2023 Mohammed Miftah, muluwork Dinberu, Mohammed Legas, Ayalew Moges
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Discharge against medical advice in pediatric wards at tertiary center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional survey
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/179
<p><strong><em>Background: Children</em></strong><em> are at high risk of problems related to discharge against medical advice (DAMA). Because they are not part of the decisions their best interests may be violated. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical outcomes, and factors associated with discharge against medical advice. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: We cross-sectionally described 123 admissions in which caretakers decided to discharge against medical advice. A mixed data collection method from the patient's charts and telephone interviews was employed. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire tool was used. The data was manually cleaned and analyzed using SPSS software version 25, USA. The frequency and percentage of categorical data were calculated, as well as the mean, median, SD, and IQR of the continuous variable. A multivariate regression analysis was performed, with an adjusted odds ratio of 95% CI and a statistical significance of 0.05. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: Hospital prevalence of DAMA was 1.42%. The median age was 11(±59) months—eighty-one percent of the caretakers signed before leaving the hospital. The median hospitalization was 7 days (IQR=13 days). The majority of the caretakers were discharged during working hours (71%). Discharge was registered in all seasons: winter (31%), spring (28%), summer (23%), and autumn (18 %). Hemato-oncologic conditions, infectious, and neonatal problems were common. Most of the cases were reported from pediatric emergency and neonatology wards. Patients’ poor clinical response and the caretaker's financial constraints were the main reasons for signing DAMA. Death was significant when the DAMA occurred in fast-improving cases and infants; (AOR=6.909, 95% CI-2.191-21.782), and AOR=1.3, 95% CI -0.48-3.3) respectively.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><em>: DAMA in the Pediatric wards of Tikur-Anbessa Specialized Hospital was similar to the reported data elsewhere. However, death was very high which could be due to insufficient follow-up after DAMA.</em></p>Helen FelekeTamirat Aklilu
Copyright (c) 2023 Helen, Tamirat Aklilu
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Competence of pediatric residents and nurses in metered-dose inhaler techniques for asthma patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/183
<p><strong><em>Introduction</em></strong><em>: A Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is a device containing dissolved or suspended drugs to deliver drugs for pulmonary diseases efficiently. However, studies in Ethiopia show low competency among health professionals. Thus, we assessed the competency of residents and nurses working in a tertiary hospital.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: From June to September 2022, 181 pediatrics and child health department residents and nurses participated in a pretested questionnaire and MDI technique practice. The knowledge score for residents and nurses was determined based on correct answers to questions from 0 to 6 for residents and 0 to 5 for nurses. Good knowledge was defined as a score of 80–100%, moderate knowledge from 60–79%, and poor knowledge from <60% of the total score. The good practice was ≥7 from 11 and all essential steps, while the poor practice was <7 of the total score and skipped essential steps. The chi-square or Fisher exact test was employed to compare groups as appropriate. The 95% confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05 were used to determine statistical significance. . </em></p> <p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: Of the 181 study participants, 103 (56.9%) were residents. The participants' mean age was 32. MDI technique knowledge was poor for more than half of the residents (52.4%) and 46.4% of the nurses. Twenty-six (14.4%) of participants practiced the MDI technique steps, scoring 7 out of 11 steps. However, only 3.3% practiced the technique correctly. Whereas only 5.8% of residents and 0% of nurses practiced the essential steps of the MDI technique. When using a new inhaler drug, nearly half of the participants (47%) did not assess the patients' practice. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusion: </em></strong><em>Healthcare</em><em> professionals' competency in performing the MDI technique is low. Appropriate training programs are needed to enhance their ability to use inhaled devices and ensure successful drug delivery.</em></p> <p> </p>Getu TafaEyob Kebede Etissa Rahel Argaw
Copyright (c) 2023 Rahel Argaw
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2023-12-292023-12-29182Post-Mumps vaccination parotitis
https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/162
<p><em>Mumps is a common communicable disease among children. It is one of 31 vaccine-preventable diseases at present. The presentation of a two and half year old boy who developed parotitis for the first time three weeks after taking a Mumps vaccine is outlined. Potential adverse events following administration of similar vaccines are discussed. Pediatricians and child health workers in Africa are less experienced in Mumps vaccines due to the absence of Mumps-containing vaccines from their national immunization programs. This description of a child with post-Mumps vaccine parotitis (a comparatively common adverse reaction) serves as learning point on performance and reactions to expect after Mumps-vaccine containing immunizations.</em></p>Tinsae Alemayehu
Copyright (c) 2023 Tinsae Alemayehu
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2023-12-292023-12-29182