AAU Institutional Repository (AAU-ETD)
Addis Ababa University Institutional repository is an open access repository that collects,preserves, and disseminates scholarly outputs of the university. AAU-ETD archives' collection of master's theses, doctoral dissertations and preprints showcase the wide range of academic research undertaken by AAU students over the course of the University's long history.
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The repository contains scholarly work, both unpublished and published, by current or former AAU faculty, staff, and students, including Works by AAU students as part of their masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral research
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Recent Submissions
Evaluation of Hematological Parameters among Gas station Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2025-06) Mesfin, Abigail; Tsegaye, Aster (PhD); Negash, Mikias (PhD)
Background: Chronic exposure of gas station workers to hydrocarbons of gasoline particularly benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene were reported to induce bone marrow failure and impaired hematopoietic system. However hematological profile of gas station workers is not well documented in resource limited settings like Ethiopia in particular in the study area Addis Ababa.
Objective: To evaluate hematological parameters of gas station workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January to March 2025.
Methods: Comparative cross sectional study was conducted on 302 (151 exposed and 151 apparently healthy control) study subjects enrolled using convenient sampling technique. Complete blood count was performed using Unicel®DxH800 Beckman-coulter automated hematology analyzer and peripheral morphology using wright stain were used to diagnose any hematological changes in participants. Socio-demographic and duration of exposure was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and observational checklist. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 30 was used to enter and analyze the data.
Result: From the total participants 13.2% (20/151) from exposed and 13.2% (20/151) from control group of the participants were women. Median age of participants was 36.23±9.41 and 36.08±9.41, respectively. Hemoglobin (16.39±1.43 vs 15.54±1.85; p<0.001), Mean platelet volume (9.3±1.24 vs 9.0±1.2; p=0.031), lymphocyte percentage (28.39±9.13 vs 25.40±8.8; p=0.004), absolute lymphocyte (1.69±0.59 vs 1.39±0.41; p<0.001) were significantly higher in gas station workers as compared with the control group. The highest number of exposed group, 66 (43.7%), had worked in the gas station for 2 and less years.
Conclusion; Overall, the current study findings have revealed that occupational exposure to gasoline have significant alteration on selected hematological parameters. The increased lymphocyte count and decrease hemoglobin with long term exposure suggest varied effect on different cell lineages. Decreased neutrophil and monocyte count observed were also implication of early stage hematological disturbance due to chronic benzene exposure.
Wastage rate, management practices, and contributing factors of medical laboratory reagents and consumables in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
(Addis Ababa University, 2025-10) Kefyalew, Birhanetinsae; Sisay, Abay (PhD); Nigatu, Alemayehu (MPH); Teshome, Dawit
Background: Medical laboratory reagents and consumables are unusable due to expiration, damage or loss. Wastage have negative impact on both operational efficacy and financial sustainability. Identifying and addressing major challenged faced in managing stock available help to reduce waste and improve patient health care.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the wastage rate of medical laboratory reagents and consumables, along with their management practices and contributing factors, in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during 2024/25
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Retrospective one-year data and prospective data was collected during the study period. Checklist and a structured questioner was developed from assessment tools. After verifying the completeness, data were coded and entered into EPI info and exported to SPSS software for analysis. The association between the dependent and independent variables was also analyzed using a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed using the open code 4.03 software. The data was then taken for thorough reading and a codebook was developed for analysis. Narrative approached was used to illustrate the finding.Result: A total of 993 item Laboratory reagent and commodities expired in the study hospitals. The overall laboratory reagent and consumable wastage rate was 11.25%. Acceptable storage requirement were fulfilled in 85% of storeroom in the study hospital. In the study hospitals, items were purchased using the program and Revolving Drug Fund system. Inventory was managed using Bin Card, Internal facility report and resupply, Report and requisition form, and Model 22. computer based Logistic information management system, Item received near expiration and equipment breakdown were associated factor for wastage. In qualitative finding equipment breakdown, prolong shipment, receiving near expiration and push system were stated as cause of wastage.
Conclusion: The wastage rate of laboratory reagent and consumable in selected hospital was 11.25%. Model 22, internal facility report and resupply, Report and requisition form and bin card were used to manage inventory. Wastage is statistically associated with computer based Logistic information management system AOR=0.029; 95% CI (0.08, 0.11), item received close expiration AOR=3.24; 95% CI (1.09, 9.57) and equipment breakdown AOR=4.36; 95% CI (1.29, 14.77). To reduce waste, public hospitals should work to address inventory management challenge and cause of wastage
Bacterial Profile and Drug Susceptibility Patterns of Isolates from Surgical Site Infections, Healthcare workers’ Hands and the Surrounding Environment at Surgical wards of Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2025-10) Melaku, Gelila; Desta, Kassu (Ass. Prof.); Asmamaw, Asegedech (PhD fellow); Gebreyohannes, Zenebe
Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are infections affecting wounds from invasive surgery. Hospitals harbor many bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, on frequently touched surfaces like work areas, medical equipment, and even furniture, which pose a significant risk for the development of SSIs.
Objective: To assess the bacterial profile and drug susceptibility patterns of isolates from SSIs, health care workers’(HCWs’) hands and the surrounding environment at surgical wards of Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study, was conducted from June to October, 2024, and collected a total of 327 samples. All samples were inoculated on MacConkey and Blood agar. Gram staining and biochemical assays were used for identification of the bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done on Muller-Hinton agar by using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique and data analysis, was performed using SPSS version 26.
Results: The study revealed that out of total 327 samples 90.2 % were harboring bacterial growth. Only 9.8 % samples showed no bacterial growth. Mixed bacterial growth seen in 22.4%. A total of 368 bacterial isolates were identified. Gram-positive bacteria comprised 57.6 % (212) of the isolates, while Gram-negative bacteria accounted for the remaining 42.4% (156). High resistance rates were observed among Gram-negative isolates, including ceftriaxone resistant rate of 91.1%.Whereas, Gram-positive isolates showed high resistance against penicillin 89.7%. This study revealed a high prevalence of MDR, affecting 82.7% (177/214) of the isolates.
Conclusion and recommendation: This study highlights a high prevalence of bacterial contamination in SSIs, HCWs' hands, and surgical ward environment. Klebsiella species, S.aureus, and E.coli were identified as the major contributors to postoperative SSIs. It exposes critical concerns regarding antibiotic resistance in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These findings emphasize the urgent need for effective infection control measures and antibiotic stewardship.
Magnitude of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Malaria and Associated Factors among Military Personnel in the Bilate Commando and Airborne Training Center, Southern Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2025-05) Geremew, Efrem; Hailu, Asrat (PhD); Solomon, Gezahegn (PhD); Alemu, Yonas
Background: Malaria remains a significant global challenge in terms of health and economic impact, particularly in Ethiopia, where it poses serious risks to military personnel. The disease significantly affects soldiers, leading to illness and fatalities that impede military operations, recognizing the role of both asymptomatic and symptomatic soldiers in malaria-prone military settings is essential for effective control and prevention of disease transmission. Objective: To assess the magnitude of asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria and contributing factors among military personnel in the Bilate Commando and Airborne training center.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in May and June 2024, involving 403 military personnel. Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires, along with finger prick blood samples for parasite detection through microscopy, RDTs, and qPCR analysis. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi Info 3.1 and SPSS version 27. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was utilized to explore the relationship between outcome and predictor variables, supported by descriptive statistics. A p-value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.
Result: The study involved 403 soldiers, and identified an overall magnitude rate of 37% (149/403), with nearly equal distribution of P. falciparum at 45.6% (68/149) and P. vivax accounted for 44.3% (66/149). Among the 293 asymptomatic soldiers, prevalence rates were 18.1%, 17.7%, and 45.1% using microscopy, RDTs, and qPCR respectively. In contrast, the 110 symptomatic soldiers showed higher prevalence rates of 64.5%, 60.9%, and 87.2% by microscopy, RDTs, and qPCR respectively. The geometric mean parasite density was 101,531 copies/μl by qPCR and 24,378 asexual parasites/μl by microscopy. Significant risk factors for malaria infection included a previous history of malaria (AOR=0.508, 95% CI=0.317-0.813) and receiving educational messages regarding malaria (AOR=3.385, 95% CI: 1.433-7.995), both statistically significant at P < 0.05. Additionally, there was almost perfect concordance between RDT and microscopy results.
Conclusion: The study identified high malaria rates among soldiers in military camps, suggesting these sites as transmission hotspots. It recommends including military camps in the national surveillance system to enhance tracking of infection trends
Evaluation and Professional Perspectives toward Implementation of Six Sigma Metrics in Clinical Chemistry Tests at selected hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2025-10) Eshetu, Selam; Sisay, Abay (PhD, Ass. Prof.); Hassen, Fatuma (Ass. Prof.); Benti, Haile (PhD cand)
Background: Laboratory errors have potential to cause harm and be fatal so reduction of errors, which is the idea of Six Sigma, is essential. From internal quality control and external quality control data coefficient of variance, bias and total allowable error will be extracted and calculate sigma metrics. There is lack of sufficient knowledge about methodology, process and implementation of Six Sigma.
Objective: The study aim to evaluate and assess professional perspectives toward implementation of Six Sigma metrics in Clinical Chemistry Tests at selected hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2024/2025
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2025. A judgmental sampling method was used to select hospitals and laboratory tests were included in the study. In depth interview was used for qualitative method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude of the participants. After verifying the completeness, data were coded, entered into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Microsoft Excel record sheet was used to collect daily IQC and recent EQA data for 10 tests and analysis done on excel for quantitative method Descriptive statistics were computed.Result: sigma metrics was evaluated for 10 tests in Hospital A and 9 tests in Hospital B. Totally 12(60%) at Hospital A and 18(100%) at Hospital B tests had unacceptable/ poor sigma metrics. Cobas 6000 have better sigma metrics than Beckman coulter DXC 700 based on six common tests. A total of 37 staffs was participated. Majority of participants 13(68.4%) at Hospital B and 13(72.2%) at Hospital B have first degree. Only 12(32.4%) of professionals answer above mean. We obtained 18 (48.6%) professionals have positive attitude toward six sigma method.
Conclusion: Continuous process improvement was required for majority of tests. Manager commitment, formal training program, adequate staff with good knowledge and attitude, self-motivation and financial issues were challenges for not implementing of six sigma method.