Biology subjects

Negera, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Negera, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Inadequate level of knowledge, mixed outlook and poor adherence to COVID-19 prevention guideline among Ethiopians

COVID-19 has a potential to cause chaos in Ethiopia due to the countrys already daunting economic and social challenges. Living and working conditions are highly conducive for transmission, as people live in crowded inter-generational households that often lack running water and other basic sanitary facilities. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Ethiopians toward COVID-19 following the introduction of state of emergency by the Ethiopian government to curb the spread of the disease. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in nine reginal states and two chartered cities. Data for demographic, Knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 were collected through telephone interview from 1570 participants. Descriptive and bivariate analyses using chi-square test, t-test or analysis of variance were performed as appropriate. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to measure the relationship between the categorical dependent variables and one or more socio-demographic independent variables with two-tailed at =0.05 significance level and 95% of confidence interval. The level of good knowledge, favourable attitude and good practice among the respondents were 42%, 53.8% and 24.3% respectively. Being rural resident, older than 50 years, having at least primary education, being resident of Amhara and Oromia regions were independent predictors of knowledge level. While being rural resident, married, employed, having at least basic education, being residents of Afar, Amhara, Gambela, Oromia and Somali regions were found to be the best predictors of the attitude, being rural resident, government employee, having at least basic education, and living outside of the capital were the independent predictors of practice level of the respondents. The finding revealed that Ethiopians have inadequate level of knowledge and are generally have a mixed outlook on overcoming the pandemic with poor adherence to COVID-19 prevention practice. reinforcing preventive measures and intensifying sensitization campaigns to fill the knowledge gap and persuading people to follow the preventive measures set by the government with concurrent evaluation of the impacts of these measures on knowledge and practice is highly recommended to mitigate the disease.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2018

Experimental Human Challenge Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Acquisition or Protection Against Pneumococcal Colonization

Colonization of the upper respiratory tract with Streptococcus pneumoniae is the precursor of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease. Following exposure, however, it is unclear which human immune mechanisms determine whether a pathogen will colonize. We used a human challenge model to investigate host-pathogen interactions in the first hours and days following intranasal exposure to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using a novel home sampling method, we measured early immune responses and bacterial density dynamics in the nose and saliva after pneumococcal exposure. We found that nasal colonization can take up to 24 hours to become established. Also, two distinct bacterial clearance profiles were associated with protection: nasal clearers with immediate clearance of bacteria in the nose by the activity of pre-existent mucosal neutrophils and saliva clearers with detectable pneumococcus in saliva at one-hour post challenge and delayed clearance mediated by an inflammatory response and increased neutrophil activity 24 hours post bacterial encounter.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2018

Knowledge and self-care practice of leprosy patients at ALERT Hospital, Ethiopia

BackgroundLeprosy is a chronic infectious disease of public health importance and one of the leading causes of permanent physical disability. The integration of leprosy service to the general health system in Ethiopia made leprosy patients to be seen by non-leprosy specialists which could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. In addition to the multi-drug treatment, patient self - care practice is crucial for the successful treatment of the disease. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and self-care practices of leprosy patients and associated factors at ALERT leprosy referral Hospital in Ethiopia.\n\nMethodA cross-sectional study was conducted ALERT leprosy referral Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 424 leprosy patients were interviewed using pre-tested structured questionnaires. The questionnaires included core points such as socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of leprosy and self-care practices. Blooms cut off point was used to describe the knowledge and self-care practice of the respondents and statistical significance was assessed at 95% confidence interval with 5% of level of significance.\n\nResultThe knowledge score of the respondents was poor for 276 (65.1%) and good for 148 (34.9%). The level of knowledge was significantly varied within age groups (P= 000), sex (P=000), marital status (p=0.003), educational status (p=000) and income (p-000). More than three-fourth (77.4%) of interviewed patients had poor self-care practice and only less than a quarter (22.6%) of patients had good self-care practice score (P=000). Age (p=0.002), Previous disability due to leprosy (P=000), Knowledge of leprosy (p=0.038) and income (P=0.028) significantly associated with poor self-care practice. On the other hand, educational status, sex, marital status and health education did not associated with leprosy self-care practice.\n\nConclusionAlthough, leprosy treatment, disability prevention and rehabilitation program run in the country under general public health care service for decades, poor leprosy self-care practice and poor leprosy knowledge had been confirmed in this study. Therefore, the leprosy service program should re-visit its strategy and mode of delivery to improve the leprosy knowledge and leprosy self-care practices of patients.\n\nAuthor summaryLeprosy is an infectious bacterial disease. It is a curable disease if treated early before disability occurs with the correct regimen. However, treatment cannot reverse disability once occurred. in addition to chemotherapeutic treatment, lack of social and psychological treatment may expose patients to disability as they may not adhere to treatment. To prevent disability it is vital to empower leprosy patients through promoting self-confidence, providing knowledge and self-care skills. In the present study, we investigated the knowledge and self-care practice of 424 leprosy patients at ALERT hospital through face-to face guided interview. It was found that majority of patients had poor knowledge about leprosy. Some factors such as sex, income status, age and educational status of the patient significantly affected the level of leprosy knowledge. Similarly, it was found that 77% of patients had poor self-care practice which significantly varied with income status, knowledge of leprosy, age and having previous disability. Therefore, it is very important to improve the leprosy knowledge and self-care skills of patients. This can be achieved through dealing with issues such as the physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of the patients in addition to the chemotherapeutic treatment.

epidemiology↗