Conectar
by Kindu Alem, Mucheye Gizachew, Mulat Dagnew, Worku Ferede, Solomon Belay, Baye Gelaw, Feleke Moges
BackgroundKlebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are priority pathogens identified by the World Health Organization that have emerged as major causes of healthcare-associated infections. Their increasing resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents poses significant challenges to clinical management and infection control efforts.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence, associated risk factors, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and carbapenemase production of K. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp., and P. aeruginosa among hospitalized patients with suspected bloodstream, urinary tract, and surgical site healthcare-associated infections at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2024 to June 2025 among 477 patients suspected of bloodstream, urinary tract, or surgical site healthcare-associated infections. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Blood, urine, and wound/pus specimens were aseptically collected and inoculated on MacConkey, blood, and cysteine lactose electrolyte-deficient agar following standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes were used to identify factors associated with healthcare-associated infections. P value Results
Among the 477 patients, 118 (24.7%) developed healthcare-associated infections caused by K. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp., and P. aeruginosa, with culture positivity rates of 14.9%, 4.8%, and 5%, respectively. Significant associated factors included age under five (AOR = 13.260, p K. pneumoniae, 69.6% of Acinetobacter spp., and 58.3% of P. aeruginosa isolates. Carbapenemase production occurred in 92%, 77.8%, and 57.1% of these carbapenem-resistant isolates, respectively. Amikacin, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antimicrobials, whereas chloramphenicol was effective only against K. pneumoniae.
ConclusionThis study showed high prevalence of multidrug resistance and carbapenemase production among K. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp., and P. aeruginosa in the study area, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen infection prevention and control measures and to promote antimicrobial stewardship programs.
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.
FreshRSS 