Lidia Dagne Mario

Cholera remains a significant public health threat in Ethiopia, where recurrent outbreaks disproportionately affect urban populations. Despite the critical role of primary healthcare centers in outbreak response, their level of preparedness (long-term planning, including protocols, training, and resource allocation) and readiness (immediate operational capacity for response) in Addis Ababa is not well understood. An Institutional-based, cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted from August to September 2024 across all 101 public health centers in Addis Ababa. Quantitative data were collected using a standardized 14-point WHO checklist (adapted from the Ethiopian national cholera preparedness guideline), which assessed preparedness and readiness and analyzed using binary logistic regression in SPSS version 25. Qualitative data from five key informant interviews and two focus group discussions with health administrators and providers were analyzed thematically to explore barriers.. A total of 101 health centers data found in Addis Ababa were analyzed. Preparedness was measured as meeting ≥75% of indicators (11/14), combining both structural preparedness and operational readiness components. From the total 101 health centers 56 (55.4%) with 95% CI (45.2-65.3) of them were prepared for cholera outbreak response. Having emergency preparedness response plan had significant association with cholera outbreak response preparedness in multivariable analysis at 95% CI (p < 0.05). (AOR = 6.88, 95% CI= (1.39-9.89)). The main themes that emerged were financial barriers, lack of cooperation and multi sectorial involvement, and lack of motivation from the health care workers. Cholera outbreak preparedness in health centers of Addis Ababa was found to be 56.7%. Having emergency preparedness response plan in health centers had significant association with cholera outbreak response preparedness. Lack of multi sectorial involvement, financial barrier and lack of motivation from healthcare providers were the main identified barriers towards cholera outbreak response preparedness. The government should develop and implement a comprehensive emergency preparedness response plan specifically addressing cholera outbreaks.

Chorioamnionitis is a medical illness marked by maternal fever, leukocytosis, tachycardia, uterine discomfort, and preterm membrane rupture. Chorioamnionitis affects approximately 4% of full-term deliveries worldwide, but it is more common in preterm pregnancies and early membrane rupture. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of chorioamnionitis among mothers in public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among maternity patients at Zewditu Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, and Abebech Gobena MCH Hospitals from June 15 to July 15, 2024. A simple random sampling technique with proportional size allocation was used to select a total sample of 379 patients. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26.Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. Significance was set at p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval, and data were presented in tables and graphs.A total number of 356 patient's data were analysed and the proportion of patients with Chorioamnionitis was found to be 21.3%. After adjustment for possible confounders on multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis age < 25 years [AOR = 0.26, 95% CI (0.09-0.72)], having premature rupture of membrane [AOR = 2.24, 95% CI (1.05-4.78)], duration of labor < 12 hour [AOR = 0.10, 95% CI (0.04-0.24)], and having urinary tract infection [AOR = 3.54, 95% CI (1.72-7.27)] were the significant variable associated with Chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis is a common complication in maternity patients. The magnitude of Chorioamnionitis in the selected public hospital was 21.3%. Age, premature rupture of membrane, duration of labor and urinary tract infection were the factors that had significant association with Chorioamnionitis. The Ministry of Health should focus on creating strategies to prevent and intervene in Chorioamnionitis for patients with premature rupture of membranes and prolonged labor.

Introduction: Essential medications, supplies, and equipment are crucial for emergency care; however, significant resource shortages in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, hinder the delivery of safe services. Although research on emergency capacity analysis has been conducted at the hospital level, data from lower levels, such as health centers, are lacking, despite numerous studies recommending the development of emergency services at the primary healthcare level to reduce the burden on hospital emergency departments. Therefore, this study primarily aims to assess the availability of emergency equipment and drugs and barriers to availability in health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed method design study was conducted in Addis Ababa, in September 2025. Quantitative data were collected from the six health centers selected through convenience and random sampling. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select key informants for the qualitative interviews, and thematic content analysis was conducted to develop items that emerged from the transcribed information. Results: The survey revealed a significant gap in availability of emergency equipment and drugs. While oxygen delivery devices and infection control materials were widely available, critical equipment and essential medications like crash carts, defibrillators, digoxin, and sodium bicarbonate were largely absent. Qualitative analysis identified the barriers to be ineffective management, disjointed logistics and health system, shortage of human resource and patients' financial constraint. Discussion: The readiness of health centers to provide emergency care in Addis Ababa is inadequate, largely due to resource shortages and systemic barriers. Urgent interventions are needed to improve emergency preparedness at the primary care level, including provision of crash carts, investment in staff training, and revision of procurement and policy frameworks.