Browsing by Author "Berhanu Demeke"

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    Assessment of Hazards, Vulnerability, and Capacity for Disaster Prevention and Emergency Preparedness in Addis Ababa.
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 1997-12) Mulugeta Abreha; Berhanu Demeke
    This community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa to assess hazards, vulnerability, and capacities for disaster prevention and emergency preparedness. The study was conducted in 720 households selected by multiple stage sampling from 30 Kebeles of which 647(90%) responded, and in 66 institutions of which 55(83.3 %) responded. The most frequent and most worrying hazards identified were flood, tire, outbreak of diseases and car accidents. These four hazards had caused significant number of injuries, deaths, and a large amount of property losses in the past live years. The main factors of vulnerability identified were: unemployment, monthly income below the minimum government wage salary, illiteracy, and housing crowdedness with difficult road access. The capacities for preparedness, as measured by awareness of causes and prevention methods, availability of resources, and presence of a preparedness plan were as follows: the majority of the respondents were aware of the causes and prevention methods for the identified hazards, but the prioritization of concerns did not correspond to the extent of damage that the different hazards had caused. The Majority of the organizations claimed having various shortages of resources for response. Although most of the organizations had no written preparedness plans, minority did have a written preparedness plan which can be a good example to the rest. Overall, much needs to be done on disaster prevention and emergency preparedness as most organizations lack the capacities for preparedness. A number of measures can contribute to disaster prevention and emergency preparedness. These measures include: Public education through mass media on prevention and preparedness; strict traffic regulations enforced by traffic police; strict license issuance system; construction of flood protection walls; and strength ening the capacities of specific service organizations for response and encouraging them to have a written preparedness plan.
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    The Challenges of Home Based Care for Aids Patients in Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 1993-05) Berhanu Demeke; George Olwit
    This is a descriptive cross sectional study to determine factors which can influence and pose challenges for Home Based Care for AIDS Patients. The setting was Entoto Awraja North of Addis Ababa Ethiopia .Four hundred eighty five persons from the community members of Entoto Awrajai 37 AIDS patients attending counselling and follow up clinic i and 12 family members who were informed about their patients disease , were interviewed by structured questionnaires, while 127 health institution workers involved in the care of AIDS patients in different health institutions were given self administered questionnaires .The community's', patients, families and health institution workers ,Knowledge , attitude, beliefs and practices on AIDS , hospital care and home based care of patients was assessed More than 60% of respondents had good knowledge about transmission routes and means of preventions , although 70% of them mentioned non specific symptoms of the disease . 61% and 81% of the community and health institution workers respectively did not think the hospital would meet all the needs of AIDS patients , and 57% of the community prefrred Home Care compared to 40% of the patients , 25% of the family members and 43% of health institution workers. Majority of the the patients and families were afraid of social consequences by being exposed due to vests by home care team. 60% of the community responded they will be volunteers for home care team if asked while only 35% of the health institution workers responded similarly. The study reveals considerably good knowledge among the respondents on AIDS ,with bias towards clinical care and lees emphasis on the psychological support . The community displays less fear for AIDS and more positive attitude towards home care than health institution workers. Promotional and educational efforts are recommended , with emphasis on health workers for the success of Home Based Care.
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    Emerging Challenge of HIV/ AlDS Care to Health Institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2000-12) Afework Mebratu; Berhanu Demeke
    This is a cross-sectional survey conducted to describe the challenges and needs of Region 14 HCWs and health institutions towards HIY/AIDS patient care. Self administered questionnaire was used to describe HCW's attitude, risk perception , practice and perceived needs & sources of Information knowledge on HIV/AIDS care and three other survey instruments were also used to assess the availability of diagnostic facilities and pharmaceutical supplies for HIV/AIDS patient care. The study was conducted in all the five hospital and half of the health centers under the Region 14 Health Bureau from August 1999 to 2000. Three hundred and one HCWs completed self administered questionnaires. Forty-two percent (127) of the study participants were physicians, while, 57.8 % (175) were nurses. Data were entered into and analyzed using EPI-info statistical software program. The majority of the HCWs perceive themselves to be at great risk of acquiring HIV-infection. But significant proportion of the staff working at the high-r isk zones reported not practicing the universal precaution. The majority of the HeWs were found to have favorable attitude towards patients with HIV\AIDS. But HCWs also expressed their discomfor1 in the different types of contact with HTV\AIDS patients care activities. Significant percentage of treating HCWs showed perceived needs & sources of informationl knowledge on HIV/AIDS .Tests for fungal infection were the least available and drugs for fungal infection, skin diseases and CNS conditions were also fowld to be scarce. Potent analgesics like codeine and other related drugs needed for terminally sick patients were also found to be low. In-service training of the HCWs and improving their access to sources of information/knowledge on HlV\AIDS care especially on areas of universal precaution, care is critically recommended. Improving the provision of equipment's and supplies for HIY-infection control especially protective clothing and the availability of anti fungal drugs, potent analgesics, drugs for skin diseases &CNS drugs needed for HIYIAIDS cases is also recommended,
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    Factors Related Voluntary HIV and Counseling and Testing in an Urban Community of Ethiopia.
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2000-12) Fahmi Mohammed; Berhanu Demeke
    A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2000 to Apr il 2000 among the age group of 15-49 year populmion of Harar town. to determine the factors related with intention of Voluntary HIV counse ling and testing (VCT). A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 720 stud y subjects fl'Om residents of Harar town. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were utilized. More than three-fourth (85,4%) of the study subjects claimed to have intention of having VCT; and about three-fourth (73.9%) had intention of asking partner(s) to seek for VCT. On multi-variate analysis condom use (OR=2J), not initiating sexual practice (OR=2,4), positive attitude (OR= 104) and salient belief(OR=1.2) towards VCT were positive predictors of intention of having VCT. Being never married(OR= 1.9), positive attitude (OR= 1.2), subjective norm (OR= I J) and salient belief (OR= 13) towards VCT were positive predictors of intention of asking partner(s) to get VCT. On gender based multi-variate analys is being never married (OR=23) was significant predictor only among male subjects and not initiating sexual practice (OR=4. 7) was significant predictor only among female subjects. Confidential HIV testing and face-to-face counseling by physicians, trained persons and religious leaders were found to be the most preferred method of service delivery. Majority of subjects could afford to pay less than 10 birr for the VCT service. The major reasons identified for not having intention of VCT were fear of positive result and stigma attached to AIDS.As cultural norms and attitude towards VCT have significant impact on acceptance of VCT, program implementers should address the issue by involving community leaders and using community and cultural gatherings to advocate benefits of VCT, to reduce fear of positive result and stigma attached to AIDS. To expand the service to the community at large cost issue should be well addressed.