To assess the incidence of delirium and its predictors among adult patients admitted to the intensive care units of comprehensive specialised hospitals in the Amhara region of northwest Ethiopia from 18 October 2024 to 20 February 2025.
A multicentre prospective observational study was conducted.
Four comprehensive specialised hospitals in the Amhara region of northwest Ethiopia, from 18 October 2024 to 20 February 2025.
A total of 351 patients were included in the final analysis during the study period.
The primary outcome measure of this study was the incidence of delirium. Additionally, the study investigated the factors associated with delirium incidence among adult patients admitted to intensive care units.
The incidence of delirium among adult patients in intensive care units was 42.17% (95% CI: 37.08 to 47.42). Pain (adjusted HR (AHR) = 4.74; 95% CI: 2.38 to 9.44), mechanical ventilation (AHR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.56 to 5.63), age 65 years or older (AHR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.48 to 3.21) and agitation (Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) ≥1) (AHR = 3.26; 95% CI: 2.09 to 5.09) were statistically significant factors associated with delirium.
In the present study, more than one-third of patients developed delirium. Pain, mechanical ventilation, age 65 or older and agitation (RASS≥1) were significantly associated with delirium occurrence. To reduce the incidence of delirium, the current study recommends treating or preventing pain and agitation. Additionally, special attention should be given to patients receiving mechanical ventilation and those aged 65 or older during care.
The involvement of male partners in the care and treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women is essential for improving health outcomes and ensuring optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although ART has been shown to be effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, maintaining adherence to the prescribed triple ART regimen remains a significant challenge. However, there has been a lack of research on the role of male partners in supporting ART adherence during pregnancy.
To assess male partner involvement in triple ART drug adherence and associated factors among HIV-positive pregnant women in government hospitals of the North Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted.
The study was carried out in hospitals located in the North Gojjam Zone of Northwest Ethiopia.
The study was conducted among 410 male partners of HIV-positive pregnant women from 1 April 2023 to 30 May 2023.
The primary outcome was to assess the involvement of male partners in triple ART adherence, while the secondary outcome was to identify factors associated with the involvement of male partners on triple ART adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women. The association between variables was assessed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models, and a p value
A total of 410 participants were included, with a response rate of 97.2%. The prevalence of male partner involvement in triple ART drug adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women was 21.2%. Multivariable logistic regression showed that educational status (AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio)=2.5, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.96), place of residence (AOR=4.8, 95% CI 3.17 to 7.27), and the time taken to travel from home to the facility (AOR=3.1, 95% CI 1.51 to 6.36) were significantly associated with male partner involvement.
This study demonstrates that compared with a study conducted in Malawi, male partner involvement in triple ART drug adherence was lower. Male partner involvement in triple ART adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women was strongly associated with educational status, place of residence and the time taken to travel from home to the health facility. Empowering men to actively participate in healthcare decisions and treatment plans for their partners can foster a sense of responsibility and enhance commitment to adherence.
This study aims to synthesise evidence on the pooled level of exit knowledge among outpatients served in public hospital pharmacies and private pharmacies in Ethiopia and to identify the associated factors associated with medication knowledge by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of primary articles focused on this area.
This systematic review and meta-analysis study employed the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.
Three electronic databases—MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar—were searched for all English-language articles published from 2010 until 18 December 2024.
The review exclusively included studies that reported original data, were freely accessible in full text and were written in English, as well as those investigating the level of knowledge among outpatients and associated factors, irrespective of study design. Studies lacking abstracts and full texts, reports, qualitative research, and conference summaries were excluded from the analysis.
Data from selected studies were extracted by three independent reviewers using a standardised data extraction format created using Microsoft Excel. Their results were cross-checked by two additional reviewers for consistency.
Of the 521 identified studies, 9 met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled knowledge level was 45%. Factors associated with knowledge included residence (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.71), adequacy of information provided (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.90), education level (OR=0.70 CI: 0.39 to 0.89), clarity of instructions (OR=0.80 CI: 0.14 to 0.99) and pharmacist politeness (OR=0.72 CI: 0.46 to 0.77).
The systematic review and meta-analysis showed that pooled patient knowledge regarding their dispensed medications in Ethiopia is about 45%. Key determinant factors of knowledge included education level, quality of pharmacist communication, urban versus rural residence and pharmacist politeness. Recommendations for improvement include enhancing pharmacist training, developing educational materials in local languages, outreach programmes for rural areas and implementing patient-centred care policies.
PROSPERO number: CRD42024560816