Evaluating digital literacy of health professionals in Ethiopian health sectors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Digital literacy refers to the capacity to critically assess digital content, use digital tools in professional settings, and operate digital devices with proficiency. The healthcare sector has rapidly digitized in the last few decades. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the digital literacy level of health professionals in the Ethiopian health sector and identify associated factors. The study reviewed relevant literature and analyzed the data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of digital literacy among health professionals in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The study was examined by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Evidence was gathered from the databases of Google Scholar, Pub Med, Cochrane Library, Hinari, CINAHL, and Global Health. Consequently, five articles met the eligible criteria for inclusion. The analysis was carried out using STATA version 11. The heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test, while the funnel plot and Egger's regression test statistic were used to examine for potential publication bias. The pooled effect size of each trial is evaluated using a random effect model meta-analysis, which provides a 95% confidence interval.

RESULT

A total of five articles were included in this meta-analysis and the overall pooled prevalence of this study was 49.85% (95% CI: 37.22-62.47). six variables, Monthly incomes AOR = 3.89 (95% CI: 1.03-14.66), computer literacy 2.93 (95% CI: 1.27-6.74), perceived usefulness 1.68 (95% CI: 1.59-4.52), educational status 2.56 (95% CI: 1.59-4.13), attitude 2.23 (95% CI: 1.49-3.35), perceived ease of use 2.22 (95% CI: 1.52-3.23) were significantly associated with the outcome variable.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study revealed that the overall digital literacy level among health professionals in Ethiopia was relatively low. The study highlights the importance of addressing the digital literacy gap among health professionals in Ethiopia. It suggests the need for targeted interventions, such as increasing monthly incomes, giving computer training, creating a positive attitude, and educational initiatives, to enhance digital literacy skills among health professionals. By improving digital literacy, health professionals can effectively utilize digital technologies and contribute to the advancement of healthcare services in Ethiopia.

Birth preparedness and pregnancy complication readiness and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis

Maternal and child deaths occur during pregnancy and delivery. Timely information on signs of pregnancy complications and ways to plan for normal birth is a strategy to reduce maternal and child deaths. The purpose of this study was to assess birth preparedness, and pregnancy complications readiness and identify associated factors in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 1635 weighted samples of pregnant women were included for analysis from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data set. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of potential variables on birth preparedness and complication readiness. STATA version 15 software was used for data processing and analysis. A variable with a p-value < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered a significant factor. Pregnant women were informed about convulsions (8.02%), fever (35.95%), abdominal pain (28.92%), leaking fluid from the vagina (28.21%), and blurred vision (17.98%). Pregnant women prepared for supplies needed for birth (38.70%), transportation (20.04%), money (18.97%), people's support for birth (5.03%), and blood donors (3.11%). Only 56% and 44.91% of pregnant women had good birth preparedness and were informed about pregnancy complications respectively. Educational status, antenatal care visits, and region were significant factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. Distance to health facility and residency were significantly associated with birth and complication readiness, respectively. Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women were low in Ethiopia. Empowering women with education, installing safe roads, building accessible health facilities, and emphasizing pregnancy complications and birth preparedness plans during antenatal care visits are important interventions to enhance birth preparedness and pregnancy complication readiness.

Exploring spatial patterns, and identifying factors associated with insufficient cash or food received from a productive safety net program among eligible households in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis as an input for international food aid programmers

BACKGROUND

In low-income countries, households' food insecurity and the undernutrition of children are the main health problems. Ethiopia is vulnerable to food insecurity and undernutrition among children because its agricultural production system is traditional. Hence, the productive safety net program (PSNP) is implemented as a social protection system to combat food insecurity and enhance agricultural productivity by providing cash or food assistance to eligible households. So, this study aimed to explore spatial patterns of households' insufficient cash or food receiving from PSNP, and identify its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey dataset was used. A total of 8595 households were included in this study. Data management and descriptive analysis were done using STATA version 15 software and Microsoft Office Excel. ArcMap version 10.7 software was used for spatial exploration and visualization. SaTScan version 9.5 software was used for spatial scan statistics reports. In the multilevel mixed effect logistic regression analysis, explanatory variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered significant factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 13.5% (95% CI: 12.81-14.27%) of the households' level beneficiaries received cash or food from PSNP. The spatial distribution of households' benficiaries received cash or food from PSNP was not random, and good access to cash or food from PSNP was detected in Addis Ababa, SNNPR, Amhara, and Oromia regions. Households' heads aged 25-34 (AOR:1.43, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.00), 35-44 (AOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.72, 3.37), and > 34 (AOR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.83, 3.51) years, being female (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.27,1.79), poor households (AOR: 1.91, 95% CI:1.52, 2.39), Amhara (AOR:.14, 95% CI: .06, .39) and Oromia (AOR:.36, 95% CI:.12, 0.91) regions, being rural residents (AOR:2.18, 95% CI: 1.21,3.94), and enrollment in CBHS (AOR: 3.34, 95% CI:2.69,4.16) are statistically significant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Households have limited access to cash or food from the PSNP. Households in Addis Ababa, SNNPR, Amhara, and Oromia regions are more likely to receive benefits from PSNP. Encouraging poor and rural households to receive benefits from the PSNP and raise awareness among beneficiaries to use the benefits they received for productivity purposes. Stakeholders would ensure the eligibility criteria and pay close attention to the hotspot areas.

Health professionals' routine practice documentation and its associated factors in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Documenting routine practice is significant for better diagnosis, treatment, continuity of care and medicolegal issues. However, health professionals' routine practice documentation is poorly practised. Therefore, this study aimed to assess health professionals' routine practice documentation and associated factors in a resource-limited setting.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study design was used from 24 March up to 19 April 2022. Stratified random sampling and a pretested self-administered questionnaire were used among 423 samples. Epi Info V.7.1 and STATA V.15 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were employed to describe the study subjects and to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables, respectively. A variable with a p value of <0.2 in bivariate logistic regression was considered for multivariable logistic regression. In multivariable logistic regression, ORs with 95% CIs and a p value of <0.05 were considered to determine the strength of association between dependent and independent variables.

RESULTS

Health professionals' documentation practice was 51.1% (95% CI: 48.64 to 53.1). Lack of motivation (adjusted OR (AOR): 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.76), good knowledge (AOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.72 to 2.97), taking training (AOR: 4.18, 95% CI: 2.99 to 8.28), using electronic systems (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.36 to 3.28), availability of standard documentation tools (AOR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.35 to 4.43) were statistically associated factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Health professionals' documentation practice is good. Lack of motivation, good knowledge, taking training, using electronic systems and the availability of documentation tools were significant factors. Stakeholders should provide additional training, and encourage professionals to use an electronic system for documentation practices.

Spatial and multilevel analysis of sanitation service access and related factors among households in Ethiopia: Using 2019 Ethiopian national dataset

BACKGROUND

Billions of people have faced the problem of accessing appropriate sanitation services. This study aimed to explore the spatial distribution of households' access to sanitation services and identify associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey data was used with a total of 6261 weighted samples. A cross-sectional study design with a two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Global Moran's I statistic measure, Getis-Ord Gi*, and the ordinary Kriging Gaussian interpolation were used for spatial autocorrelation, hot spot analysis, and interpolation of unsampled areas, respectively. A purely spatial Bernoulli-based model was employed to determine the geographical locations of the most likely clusters. A multilevel logistic regression model was used, and predictors with a P value of less than 0.05 with a 95% CI were considered significant factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 19.7% of households had access to improved sanitation services in Ethiopia. Poor sanitation service access was significantly clustered, with hotspots of poor access identified in the South Nations Nationality and People's Region (SNNPR), Oromia, Amhara, and Benishangul Gumuz regions. A total of 275 significant clusters were identified. Households in the circled area were more vulnerable to poor sanitation service access. Rural households, on-premises water access, media exposure, and rich wealth status were statistically significant factors for access to sanitation services.

CONCLUSIONS

Access to sanitation services among households in Ethiopia is insufficient. The majority of the households had no access to sanitation services. Stakeholders are recommended to raise household members' awareness of sanitation services, give priority to the hotspot areas, and encourage poor households to have access to toilet facilities. Household members recommended using the available sanitation service and keeping the sanitation service clean. Households are recommended to construct clean shared sanitation facilities.

Prevalence of Diabetes Related Distress and Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients Attending Hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia, 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes related distress is the most common psychological co-morbid condition among type 2 diabetes patients. However, although the number of people living with diabetes has continued to increase over the last 10 years, information regarding diabetes related distress is limited in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes related distress and associated factors among type 2 diabetes patients attending hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was employed on 360 type 2 diabetes patients attending hospitals from January 1 to March 30, 2020. Convenient sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were entered into EpiData manager version 4.2.2 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Out of a total 360 patients recruited, 321 (89.2%) patients (201 male and 120 female) were involved in the study. The mean age of the participants was 41.3 (SD = 12.8) years. The prevalence of diabetes related distress was 118 (36.8%) in which emotional distress was the most prevalent (43.6%) domain. Level of education [AOR 4.55; 95% CI: 1.28-16.19], family or social support [AOR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.33-1.06], duration of diabetes [AOR 0.75; 95% CI: 0.35-1.55], having diabetes complications [AOR 1.98; 95% CI: 1.0-3.86], smoking status [AOR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.12-2.97] and alcohol consumption status [AOR 1.4; 95% CI: 1.07-2.53] were the identified factors of diabetes related distress.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes related distress was highly prevalent in type 2 diabetes patients. Healthcare providers need to address this through integrating psychosocial care with collaborative medical care.