Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogenic bacterium associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. It exhibits resistance to multiple antibiotics, complicating treatment options. Despite its clinical significance, there is limited data on the prevalence of S. aureus infections and the patterns of methicillin and inducible clindamycin resistance, particularly in Ethiopia. Understanding these resistance trends is essential for guiding appropriate therapy and improving patient outcomes.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of S. aureus, methicillin and inducible clindamycin resistance patterns, and associated factors among patients with suspected bacterial infection at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients suspected of bacterial infections from 10 June 2023 to 28 February 2024. Blood, wound swab, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, eye swab, synovial fluid, ear swab, and pleural fluid were collected aseptically and inoculated onto appropriate media. S. aureus was identified based on colony morphology, Gram staining, DNase test and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on the isolates using the disk diffusion and the D-test techniques based on CLSI guideline. Data were entered into SPSS version 26 for analysis. Logistic regression was applied to assess the relationship between predictors and the outcome variable. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 with a 95% CI was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among the 339 study participants, 38 (11.2%) (95% CI: 8-15) tested positive for S. aureus. Of these isolates, 14/38 (36.9%) were resistant to methicillin, 5/38 (13.1%) isolates were resistance to clindamycin by routine disk diffusion test whereas 10/38 (26.3%) isolates exhibited inducible clindamycin resistance using the D-test. The level of multidrug resistance was noted in 10/38 (26.3%) of the isolates. Significant factors associated with S. aureus infection included illiteracy (AOR = 13.51; 95% CI: 3.56-21.90; P = 0.018), having larger family size (AOR = 12.14; 95% CI: 2.38-20.43; P = 0.024), and income level of less than 3,000 ETB (AOR = 6.20; 95% CI: 1.03-30.09; P = 0.046).
Conclusion: The study revealed an 11.2% occurrence of S. aureus among the study participants, with a substantial proportion exhibiting methicillin resistance (36.9%) and inducible clindamycin resistance (26.3%). These findings highlight a higher burden of clindamycin resistance in MRSA, underscoring the need for routine D-test screening to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy. Additionally, factors such illiteracy, low income and residing in rural areas were associated with S. aureus infection. Targeted health education initiatives should be implemented, especially in rural areas and among populations with low literacy levels, to improve hygiene practices and reduce transmission.

Keywords:  Ethiopia; S. aureus; antimicrobial resistance; inducible clindamycin resistance; methicillin resistance; prevalence.

Background: Informed consent (IC) is a principle in medical ethics and medical law that a patient must have adequate information and understanding before making decisions about their medical care. It is very essential for both clinician and patient in surgery and should be seen as a usual activity. Knowledge is one of the main intervention tools to improve patient comprehension in informed consent for surgical patients. In Ethiopia, little is known about the knowledge level and its determinant factors toward obstetric and gynecologic surgical informed consent. Due to this reason, this study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and associated factors of surgical informed consent among patients who underwent obstetric and gynecologic surgery at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 28 November to 30 December 2023, among 298 postoperative women admitted to Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Data were collected using a pretested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire by using a systematic random sampling technique. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS statistical software version 25 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the effect of independent variables on the outcome variable. An adjusted odds ratio [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)] with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to report the presence of association between the dependent and independent variables. Statistical significance was determined at a P-value of

Introduction: Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy is a crucial health promotion strategy that could reduce pregnancy-related complications that may harm women and their fetuses. However, very few studies have assessed the prevalence of health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the extent and associated factors of health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among pregnant women in public health institutions in Debre Markos, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 pregnant women who were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique from 19 April to 19 May 2021. A face-to-face interview-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable. adjusted odds ratio (AOR), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to measure the strength of the associations at a p-value

Male involvement in infant care is an effective intervention to improve infant health outcomes. However, evidence regarding male involvement in infant care and its associated factors is limited in Ethiopia. To assess the male involvement in infant care and associated factors among infants less than one year in Bibugn district of Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 606 participants from April 1-30/2023. A systematic sampling technique was used to select each study participant. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi data 4.6 and analyzed using statistical Product Service and Solution (SPSS) version 2 5. Both descriptives, mean, frequency and analytical statistics were employed. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in bivariate logistic regression were entered into a multivariate logistic regression to identify associated factors. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. The prevalence of male involvement in infant care was 42.2% with a 95% CI (38.26-46.12). Male who did not attend formal education (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.14-0.43), having one child (AOR = 5.66, 95%CI = 2.94-10.88), having male infants (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.60-3.95), first infant order (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.36-5.39), having adequate knowledge towards infant care (AOR = 5.56,95% CI = 0.12-0.28), and having favorable attitude towards infant care (AOR = 1.70,95% CI = 0.34-0.99) were factors associated with male involvement in infant care. Less than 50% ( 50%) of males are involved in their infant care. Educational status of males, number of infants, male infants, male knowledge, and attitude towards infant care were significantly associated with involvement in infant care. Therefore, efforts should be directed at improving males' educational status, knowledge, and attitude to improve their engagement in caring for their infants.

Keywords:  Bibugn district; Ethiopia; Infant care; Male involvement.

Improving maternal and perinatal outcomes can be achieved by identifying factors affecting successful vaginal delivery following induction of labor, particularly in developing countries with low rates of induction. Besides this, evidence regarding the magnitude of successful vaginal delivery following induction and associated factors is limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of vaginal delivery following induction and associated factors among laboring women at South Wollo Zone Public Hospitals of Ethiopia, 2023. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 from April 1 to June 15, 2023. A systematic random sampling method was used to select each participant. A pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data. Epi-Data version 4.6 and SPSS version 26 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors and an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to identify significant variables. Model fitness was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test. The study reported that 75.6% of participants gave vaginal delivery following induction with a 95% CI (71.00-79.80). Mid-upper arm circumstance 23-28 cm (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.19-5.47), multiparty (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.430-6.33), favorable bishop (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.74-8.26), oxytocin with cervical ripening method (AOR = 3.74, 95% CI: 1.99-7.04), and birth weight less than 4000gram (AOR = 5.40, 95% CI: 1.54-18.91) were factors significantly associated with successful vaginal delivery following induction. Therefore, obstetric caregivers should consider pre-induction assessments such as bishop score of the cervix and fetal weight estimation and improving the nutritional status of pregnant women.

Keywords:  Associated factors; Ethiopia; Induction of labor; Vaginal delivery.

Background: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen associated nephrotoxicity is a significantadverse effect that restricts the standard dose of cisplatin by impairing renal function. There is alack of data on cisplatin-based chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) in Ethiopian patientswith gynecological cancer. This study evaluated the factors associated with CIN and its impact onthe survival status of patients with gynecological cancer at Northwest Ethiopia oncology centers.Methods: This institutional-based retrospective cohort study included patients with gynecologicalcancer who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy between 2020 and 2021 at NorthwestEthiopia oncology centers. CIN was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria forAdverse Events (CTCAE) version 4 criteria and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO) Guideline. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated withCIN. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the impact of CINonpatients survival. The cutoff point was a P value of < 0.05 for declaring statistical significance.Results: A total of 394 patients with gynecological cancer were included in the final analysis. Theincidence of CIN was 27.9 % (95 % CI 23.4,32.7). Old age (≥60 years) [adjusted odds ratio(AOR)=1.7,95 % confidence interval (CI) (1.1–2.9); P=0.039],low serum albumin (50 mg/m2) [AOR=2.6,95% CI (1.4–4.7), P=0.002]were significantly associated with CIN.CIN[(adjusted hazard ratio(AHR)=3.2,95 % CI (2.7–9.5), P=0.004]and cisplatin dose reduction [AHR=2.7,95 % CI(1.7–4.3) P=0.021] were significant factors of death among patients with gynecological cancer.Conclusion: More than a quarter of patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy developedCIN, which negatively affected their survival. This study recommends that prescribers pay specialattention to patients with older age, lower serum albumin levels, and high-dose cisplatin toimprove renal function and survival. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicitysignificantly affects the survival of gynecological cancer patients.
Keywords: Gynecological cancer, Cisplatin, Nephrotoxicity, Factors, Impact, Ethiopia

Background: An edible oil factory is a labor-intensive and technologically complex industry, with workers potentially exposed to a variety of dangers associated with such industries. Personal protective equipment is a universal, legal requirement, and an important strategy for preventing occupational injuries and illnesses caused by workplace hazards. However, such industries receive little attention, especially in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess personal protective equipment utilization and its associated factors among workers in the PhiBela edible oil factory in Burie, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among the PhiBela edible oil factory workers in Burie. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 389 PhiBela edible oil factory workers. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data on workers' protective equipment utilization practice, socio-demographic, work-related, environmental, and organizational factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The logistic regression method was used to see factors associated with workers' protective equipment utilization. The strength of the association was calculated using an odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Of the total workers, 216, 55.52% (48.33-57.78) workers utilize personal protective equipment in the factory. The study showed safety training [AOR (4.68, 95%CI (2.76-7.45)], availability of personal protective equipment [AOR = 4.86; 95%CI: 2.23-6.98], regular health and safety supervision [AOR = 2.751; 95%CI: 1.806-3.801], availability of safety guideline at workplace [AOR = 3.798; 95%CI: 1.248-6.173], having work experience 3 years and above [AOR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.18], not using alcohol [AOR = 3.07; 95%CI: 2.11-4.76], and not smoking cigarette [AOR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.55-3.11] were predictors of personal protective equipment utilization.
Conclusion: The level of personal protective equipment utilization among Phibela edible oil factory workers is 55.52%, which is moderate when compared to other studies done in developing countries. The presence of Safety training, availability of personal protective equipment, regular health and safety supervision, availability of guidelines at workplaces, having work experiences, not using alcohol, and cigarrete smoking were factors found to be a significant predictors of personal protective equipment utilization. As a result, close workplace supervision, safety training, and availing guidelines are the recommendations to be in place.

Keywords:  Ethiopia; Utilization; factory worker; personal protective equipment.

Background: An edible oil factory is a labor-intensive and technologically complex industry, with workers potentially exposed to a variety of dangers associated with such industries. Personal protective equipment is a universal, legal requirement, and an important strategy for preventing occupational injuries and illnesses caused by workplace hazards. However, such industries receive little attention, especially in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess personal protective equipment utilization and its associated factors among workers in the PhiBela edible oil factory in Burie, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among the PhiBela edible oil factory workers in Burie. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 389 PhiBela edible oil factory workers. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data on workers' protective equipment utilization practice, socio-demographic, work-related, environmental, and organizational factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The logistic regression method was used to see factors associated with workers' protective equipment utilization. The strength of the association was calculated using an odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Of the total workers, 216, 55.52% (48.33-57.78) workers utilize personal protective equipment in the factory. The study showed safety training [AOR (4.68, 95%CI (2.76-7.45)], availability of personal protective equipment [AOR = 4.86; 95%CI: 2.23-6.98], regular health and safety supervision [AOR = 2.751; 95%CI: 1.806-3.801], availability of safety guideline at workplace [AOR = 3.798; 95%CI: 1.248-6.173], having work experience 3 years and above [AOR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.18], not using alcohol [AOR = 3.07; 95%CI: 2.11-4.76], and not smoking cigarette [AOR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.55-3.11] were predictors of personal protective equipment utilization.
Conclusion: The level of personal protective equipment utilization among Phibela edible oil factory workers is 55.52%, which is moderate when compared to other studies done in developing countries. The presence of Safety training, availability of personal protective equipment, regular health and safety supervision, availability of guidelines at workplaces, having work experiences, not using alcohol, and cigarrete smoking were factors found to be a significant predictors of personal protective equipment utilization. As a result, close workplace supervision, safety training, and availing guidelines are the recommendations to be in place.

Keywords:  Ethiopia; Utilization; factory worker; personal protective equipment.

Background: Edible oil manufacturing is a labor-intensive sector with significanttechnological demands, where employees face various occupational hazards.The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is not only a legal obligationbut also a key measure for safeguarding workers against job-related injuriesand health risks. Despite these challenges, this industry often remainsunder-researched and overlooked.Objective: To assess utilization of personal protective equipment and its keyfactors among workers in the WA edible oil factory in Debre Markos town,Ethiopia, in 2024.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of theWA Edible Oil Factory in Debre Markos. Using a simple random samplingmethod, 387 workers were selected to participate. Data were collectedthrough an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, focusing on theuse of protective equipment, as well as socio-demographic, work-related,environmental, and organizational characteristics. The data were analyzed usingSPSS version 26. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factorsinfluencing the use of protective equipment, with the strength of associationsexpressed as odds ratios at a 95% confidence level.Results: Out of the total workforce, 214 individuals (55.3%) reportedusing personal protective equipment while on duty. The study identifiedseveral significant factors influencing personal protective equipment utilization,including receiving safety training, having access to protective equipment,regular occupational health and safety inspections, the presence of workplacesafety protocols, having three or more years of work experience, and abstainingfrom alcohol consumption and smoking.Conclusion: The utilization level of personal protective equipment amongworkers at the WA edible oil factory was found to be moderate when comparedto findings from other developing countries. Key factors influencing personalprotective equipment usage included access to safety training, availability ofprotective gear, workplace supervision, the presence of safety protocols, workexperience, and lifestyle behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco use. To improvepersonal protective equipment utilization, it is recommended to strengthenworkplace supervision, offer comprehensive safety training, and ensure theconsistent availability of safety guidelines.KEYWORDSutilization, personal protective equipment, edible oil factory, factory worker, Ethiopia

Flooding exacerbates health challenges by spreading waterborne diseases like diarrhea throughthe destruction of sanitation infrastructure and contamination of drinking water sources. However,evidence on the prevalence and contributing factors of diarrheal diseases among under-five childrenin the Dasenech district is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of acute diarrhea andits determinants among under-five children in flood-affected areas of the South Ethiopia region. Acommunity-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2024, in flood-affectedareas of the Dasenech district, involving 696 under-five children. Five kebeles were purposivelyselected, followed by the proportional allocation of households, after which a systematic samplingtechnique was applied to identify study participants. Data were collected using a pretested andstructured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. Multivariable logistic regressionanalysis was performed to identify factors associated with acute diarrhea, with statistical significanceset at p < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of acute diarrhea was 31.6% (95%CI: 28.7–34.3%). Significant predictors of acute diarrhea included non-adherence to exclusivebreastfeeding (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.65–3.98), lack of latrines (AOR: 12.08, 95% CI: 9.77–13.13), unsafedisposal of child excreta (AOR: 3.86, 95% CI: 2.38–6.26), home delivery (AOR: 6.02, 95% CI: 5.53–8.82),and a recent history of diarrhea among mothers or caregivers (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.33–5.66). Acutediarrhea is highly prevalent among under-five children in the Dasenech district. The findings underscorethe need for targeted public health measures, such as improving waste management, promotingexclusive breastfeeding, constructing and utilizing latrines, and addressing maternal and caregiverhealth, to mitigate the burden of diarrheal diseases in this vulnerable population.Keywords Acute diarrhea, Dasenech district, Ethiopia, Flood-affected, Under-five childrenDiarrhea is defined as an increase in bowel movement frequency or a change in stool consistency, commonlyidentified as the passage of three or more loose or watery stools within a 24-h period1. This condition oftenresults from intestinal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, which are closely associated withlimited access to safe water and inadequate sanitation facilities2. Inadequate water and sanitation contributeto over 94% of the four billion annual cases of diarrhea worldwide3,4. This condition claims approximately twomillion lives each year, representing 4% of global mortality. Alarmingly, 1.3 million of these deaths occur amongchildren annually5.