Harla Journal of Health and Medical Science

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and Associated Factors Among Mothers Attending Maternal and Child Health Care of Public Health Centers at Dire Dawa City Administration, Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia

2025-09-04T07:27:42-08:00

Magnitude and Associated Factors of Congenital Anomalies Among Newborns Delivered at Public Hospitals in Dire Dawa:

2025-09-04T07:35:39-08:00

Magnitude of Substance Use & Associated Factors Among Adult Psychiatric Patients in Dilchora Referral Hospital and Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia

2025-09-04T07:44:29-08:00

Background: Substance use is one of the most serious and expanding public health issues in Ethiopia. People who suffer from psychiatric disorders are more likely than the general population to have substance use problems. Substance use has a negative effect on psychological health, leading to higher levels of addiction-related problems and poorer outcomes. The aim of the study was to assess the magnitude of substance use & associated factors among adult psychiatric patients in Dilchora Referral Hospital and Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia.

Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023 in Dilchora Referral Hospital and Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 408 study participants. The data collection tool is adopted from previous studies and a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and from standard tools. The collected data was entered into EpiData and then exported into SPSS version 23 statistical software for Windows for analysis. Then, binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the association between dependent and independent variables at a CI of 95% and a significance level of P- value < 0.05. All variables with a P value < 0.25.

Results: A total of 408 psychiatric patients participated in the study, with a 100% response rate. The prevalence of substance use among the participants was 61% (249 individuals). Several factors were found to be significantly associated with substance use. These included being male (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 4.649; 95% CI: 2.352, 9.188), having a diagnosis of schizophrenia (AOR = 3.057; 95% CI: 1.372, 6.812), having a family history of substance use (AOR = 1.994; 95% CI: 1.075, 3.697), having friends who use substances (AOR = 5.995; 95% CI: 3.318, 10.834), and experiencing a relapse of mental illness (AOR = 3.694; 95% CI: 1.552, 8.795). These findings indicate that both individual and social factors play a significant role in substance use among psychiatric patients.

Conclusion: According to this study, the prevalence of substance use is high among facility-based surveys of psychiatric patients, suggesting the necessity of routine screening of substances for patients with psychiatric disorders.

Drug Use Evaluation of Cefepime in Ambo University Referral Hospital, West Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia

2025-09-04T07:51:26-08:00

Background: Cefepime is a fourth-generation class, broad-spectrum cephalosporin. In contrast to older cephalosporins, cefepime penetrates the gram-negative cell more rapidly, targets multiple essential penicillin-binding proteins, and escapes the effects of many beta-lactamases due to the enzyme’s low affinity for the drug. However, it should be used judiciously because unnecessary, improper, and prolonged use may lead to the emergence of cefepime-insensitive bacteria and risk decline in its efficacy. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the use of cefepime and its efficacy, dose, duration, frequency, contraindication, and drug interaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of cefepime in AURH from January 1 to 25, 2024.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in AURH by using a questionnaire to collect data from patients’ medical history records from January 1 to 25, 2024, to evaluate cefepime use as per the standard treatment guideline.
Results: From a total of 64 patient medical cards on follow-up, 55 were found to have complete information. Cefepime was correctly indicated for 87.3% of cases, and 23.7% were incorrectly indicated. For 31 (56.45%) patients cefepime was dosed as 50 mg/kg BID or TID; for 21 (38.1%) patients it was 2 mg TID, and for 3 patients it was 1 gm TID per day. About 36 (65.5%) of cefepime was given for the period of 7-10 days, followed by 9 (16.4%) for 10-14, 5 (9.1%) for greater than 15 days, 3 (5.5%) for 2-7 days, and 2 (3.6%) for 1-2 days. Among the drugs co-administered with cefepime, vancomycin was the most commonly used (27 (14.1%)). Among interacting drugs, furosemide 5 (2.6%) took the highest frequency, followed by aspirin 3 (1.6%) and warfarin 2 (1.1%).

Conclusion: In this study the use of cefepime for most patients was correctly indicated for 48 (87.3%) cases, and 7 (23.7%) were incorrectly indicated based on the STG of Ethiopia. The majority of inappropriateness was seen with the duration of therapy.

Non-Communicable Disease Screening Behavior and Determinants Among Bank Employees in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia

2025-09-04T07:58:35-08:00

Background: The significance of non-communicable disease screening behavior lies in its potential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. Early detection through screening can lead to more effective treatment and better health outcomes and can also play a crucial role in preventing the progression of the disease. The purpose of this study is to assess chronic disease screening practice and its predictors among overweight employees of the Bank of Dire Dawa using the health belief model.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 349 government and private bank employees in Dire Dawa city administration. A stratified sampling technique was used to recruit study respondents who provided information on socio-demographic, clinical-demographic, behavioral, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the chronic disease screening practice and its associated risk factors, January 2024.

Result: From 349 study participants, 156 (44.7%) have been screened for chronic disease. Female participants were 46.6% less likely to engage in screening compared to males (AOR = 0.534; 95% CI: 0.296, 0.964; p < 0.038). Job position was also a strong predictor; with each increase in office rank, the odds of screening rose significantly (AOR = 12.634, 95% CI: 1.300, 122.776, p = 0.029). Specifically, cashiers were 22.950 times (AOR = 22.950, 95% CI: 2.243, 234.845, p = 0.008) and clerks were 78.268 times (AOR = 78.268, 95% CI: 6.708, 913.254, p = 0.001) more likely to practice screening compared to lower-tier roles such as drivers, runners, and cleaners. Additionally, those who perceived a moderate benefit from screening were more than twice as likely to undergo screening compared to those with a high perceived benefit (AOR = 2.207, 95% CI: 1.147, 4.244, p < 0.018).

Conclusion: This study found that 44.7% of respondents had ever been screened. Older age groups and those with higher job positions were more likely to be screened. The study suggests a link between healthy lifestyle choices and lower stress around blood pressure screenings. The findings highlight the complex factors influencing chronic disease screening practices and the need for targeted interventions to improve screening rates across all demographics.