To determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), potential prescription omission (PPO), potentially harmful drug–drug interactions (PDDI) and identify associated factors among older Ethiopians.

Systematic review and meta-analysis

We searched PubMed, HINARI, Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify eligible studies published up to 31 October 2025.

Observational studies reported the prevalence of PIP, PIM, PPO and PDDI among older adults from any healthcare settings were screened.

Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. The quality and risk of bias of the studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Hoy risk of bias tool, respectively, while the certainty of evidence of outcomes was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation based on Cochrane recommendations. We used a random-effects model for analyses to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors. All data analyses were done using Stata V.17 software.

The national prevalence of PIP, PIM, PPO and PDDI was estimated as main outcomes. Variations were estimated based on regions, age groups, outcome evaluation tool, disease type and healthcare setting.

The review included 25 studies (n=5662 participants) for PIP or PIM, 14 studies (n=2706 participants) for PDDI and 6 studies (n=1342 participants) for PPO. The pooled prevalence estimate was 41% (95% CI 33% to 48%), I²=96.87% for PIP, 37% (95% CI 31% to 44%), I²=96.33% for PIM, 55% (95% CI 36% to 73%), I²=99.00% for PDDI and 14% (95% CI 6% to 24%), I²=95.07% for PPO. The majority of the studies have very good quality (very good=13, good=1, satisfactory=11 for PIP and PIM; very good=11, satisfactory=3 for PDDI; very good=6 for PPO) and low risk of bias (low risk=18, moderate risk=7 for PIP and PIM; low risk=12, moderate risk=2 for PDDI and low risk=6 for PPO), while all studies for each outcome have low certainty of evidence. Subgroup analyses revealed significant regional and contextual variations. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with PIP (OR=3.72, 95% CI 2.53 to 5.46, p2=69.56%), PIM (OR=4.20, 95% CI 2.91 to 6.06, p2=57.83%) and PDDI (OR=4.51, 95% CI 3.05 to 6.69, p2=0.00%), while hypertension (OR=2.46, 95% CI 1.38 to 4.36, p2=0.00%) was associated with PIP.

This review found a high prevalence of PIP, PIM, PDDI and PPO among older adults in Ethiopia, with notable heterogeneity across regions. Polypharmacy was associated with PIP, PIM and PDDI, while hypertension showed association with PIP. Despite generally good study quality, the certainty of evidence was low for the included studies due to the cross-sectional design nature, with high heterogeneity. Therefore, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. This study indicates a high burden of inappropriate medication prescribing and its associated factors, underscoring the importance of further robust studies to clarify prescribing practices and associated factors.

CRD42024556744.

To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), treatment satisfaction and associated factors among older adults with acute heart failure in Northwest Ethiopia.

Prospective, multicentre observational study.

Three tertiary hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia provide secondary and tertiary care services.

A total of 422 patients aged ≥60 years with a confirmed diagnosis of acute heart failure were consecutively enrolled between December 2024 and April 2025. Patients with unstable psychiatric conditions or advanced kidney disease were excluded.

HRQoL was assessed using the WHO Quality of Life – Brief Version questionnaire, and treatment satisfaction was measured using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). Multiple linear regression identified factors associated with HRQoL and treatment satisfaction.

95% of participants reported moderate HRQoL, and 3% reported poor HRQoL. Weight loss was positively associated with HRQoL (β=1.52; 95% CI 0.04 to 3.07; p=0.021), whereas asthma was negatively associated with HRQoL (β = –3.28; 95% CI 6.94 to 0.37; p=0.001). Regarding treatment satisfaction, 65% of patients were moderately satisfied, with notable concerns regarding medication safety and overall experience. Rural residents reported lower satisfaction than urban residents (β = –0.20; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.05; p=0.007). Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III had higher satisfaction (β=0.25; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.45; p=0.016). Effective hypertension management was linked to increased satisfaction (β=0.20; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.37; p=0.026), whereas coronary heart disease was associated with lower satisfaction (β = –0.40; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88; p=0.012).

Among older adults with heart failure in Northwest Ethiopia, 98% reported moderate to low HRQoL. Asthma and polypharmacy negatively affected HRQoL, whereas weight loss was positively associated with HRQoL. An NYHA class III status and well-managed hypertension improved treatment satisfaction, whereas rural residency and coronary heart disease were associated with lower satisfaction. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance outcomes and QoL in this vulnerable population.

To assess the magnitude and associated factors of suicidal behaviour and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among youth of the Gurage Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Regional, Ethiopia, 2024.

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted.

This research was carried out in the Gurage Zone.

This study was conducted among 719 Gurage Zone youths from 1 January 2024 to 1 February 2024.

Suicidal behaviours and non-suicidal self-injury were assessed using a pretested, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Data were entered in EpiData V,3.1 and exported to SPSS V.25 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify significant factors associated with suicidal behaviours and NSSI. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 and adjusted ORs with 95% CI were used to declare association with the outcome variable in the final model.

Out of the total 820 study participants, 719 participants participated in the study, giving a response rate of 88%. Among 719 respondents 465 (64.7%) were males. The prevalence of high risk of suicidal behaviours was 11.7% (95% CI 8.14 to 14.30) and it is significantly associated with substance use in the last 3 months (adjusted OR (AOR)=6.84; 95% CI 3.48 to 13.47), having moderate insomnia (AOR=3.09; 95% CI 1.30 to 7.31) and having depression (AOR=6.84; 95% CI 3.48 to 13.47).

The prevalence of NSSI among youths was 38% (95% CI 34.52 to 41.86). Substance use in the last 3 months (AOR=2.459; 95% CI 1.59 to 3.81), youths having depression (AOR=3.348; 95% CI 2.29 to 4.91), youths who were exposed to stressful life events (AOR=9.86; 95% CI 6.46 to 15.07) were significantly associated with NSSI.

Nearly 1 in 10 youths in the Gurage Zone exhibited high-risk suicidal behaviour, and over one-third reported NSSI. Suicidal behaviour was significantly associated with substance use, depression and moderate insomnia, while NSSI was significantly associated with substance use, depression and exposure to stressful life events. These findings highlight the prevalence of self-harm and the key factors associated with these behaviours among youth in this region.

Gestational trophoblastic disease, characterised by abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue in the placenta during pregnancy, contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and histopathological patterns of gestational trophoblastic disease in Africa, where previous studies have reported inconsistent findings.

Systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines.

We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Hinari and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2000 and January 2024.

Institution-based observational studies from African countries reporting the prevalence and/or histopathological patterns of gestational trophoblastic disease, using total deliveries as the denominator.

Data were extracted into Excel and analysed using Stata V.17. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model with Knapp-Hartung adjustment. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q test and the I² statistic, and study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool.

Of the 2252 studies identified, 33 were included, comprising 2885 gestational trophoblastic disease cases from eight countries. The pooled prevalence of gestational trophoblastic disease in Africa was 4.35 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 3.26 to 5.45, I²=99.8%). The pooled prevalence of hydatidiform mole, invasive mole and choriocarcinoma in Africa was 3.49 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 2.45 to 4.52, I²=99.7%), 0.47 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 0.14 to 0.79, I²=72.2%) and 0.97 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 0.54 to 1.40, I²=99.1%), respectively.

This review indicated the prevalence of gestational trophoblastic disease was high. Hydatidiform mole was the predominant histopathological pattern observed. Routine antenatal screening is needed for early detection. Further research should be conducted to identify risk factors and evaluate strategies for the prevention and management of the disease.

CRD42024504268.