Browsing by Author "Mekonnen Abebe"

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    Assessment of Appropriateness of Head CT SCAN done at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital,Radiology Department,Adiss Abeba ,Ethiopia,2019G.C.
    (Addis Ababa University, 2019-09) Demeke Etsehiwot; Mekonnen Abebe
    Background: The use of advanced diagnostic imaging modalities is significantly increasing throughout the world. Overutilization of these modalities is straining the health care system and exposing patients to medical and economical sequel. There are various evidence-based guidelines to determine the appropriateness of a certain imaging modality. One such guideline is the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria (ACR –AC). In our institution, there is no clear data showing how many of these investigations are truly indicated. Objective: The main aim of this study is to objectively determine the magnitude of inappropriate head CT scans done at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Radiology Department and to assess the factors associated with inappropriate scans. Methodology: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) among patients getting head CT examinations at the department of radiology in the period of August 2018- November 2018. All head CT scans done in the study duration, with complete requests and available medical records were included in this study. Data was collected from the CT requests and the Medical records as well as the radiology reports. Appropriateness of each scan was assessed using the ACR-AC and finally, data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 software and results were displayed using descriptive, univariate, bivariate and multivariate regression models. Results: Of the 443 Head CT scans assessed, the majority were done for male patients (61.6%) and the mean age of patients scanned is 35.185 with minimum age 1 month and a maximum of 90years and standard deviation of 20.84. 17.2% were done for children younger than 14yrs of age. 63.9% of the scans were non-contrast head CTs and 64.3% were initial imagings with no prior study for similar indication. This study showed that there is a significantly large number of inappropriate head CT scans being done (11.7%). The most frequent indications for requesting inappropriate head CT included Headache, seizure and head trauma. The Central triage, EOPD sand pediatric departments requested the largest number of inappropriate head CT scans. Residents requested the majority of inappropriate scans. Inappropriate head CT scans were associated with young age, use of IV contrast agent, qualification of requesting physician and an incidental outcome. Scans done for cerebrovascular diseases were more likely to be appropriate. Conclusion: This study showed a high magnitude of inappropriate head CT scans and it should serve as a gateway for future studies to evaluate the appropriateness of all other imaging modalities in the department and motivate implementation of control mechanisms aimed at appropriate utilization of medical imaging. One such mechanism we recommend is preauthorization by radiologists. Medical students, physicians as well as radiology residents and radiologists need to be aware of the ACR appropriateness criteria and incorporate it into their daily practice to provide better quality care for patients. It should also be planned to prepare a local customized imaging appropriateness guideline taking the financial status of the country into consideration; as the ACR-AC assumes an ideal setup and moreover, doesn’t address most clinical indications.
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    Assessment of the Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors with Pediatric Hydrocephalus in Selected Diagnostic Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba University, 2020-09) Mulugeta Blein; Seyoum Girma ; Mekonnen Abebe
    Background: Hydrocephalus (HCP) is defined as pathophysiology with disturbed CSF. Neitherqualitatively nor quantitatively are there adequate data to determine the prevalence and incidenceof HCP in the developing world. HCP is a treatable condition that when left untreated, has fatal consequences. Objective: The objective of this study, therefore, was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors in pediatric HCP in selected diagnostic centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional facility-based study was conducted over a retrospective and prospective data collection periods. Children aged 5 years and below who came to the four selected diagnostic centers for MRI and CT examination were studied. The collected data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Result: The retrospective study included 639(58%) males, 432 (42%) females, and 753 (68.4%)infants were aged younger than 24 months. The mean age calculated was 22.3 months. Children diagnosed with HCP were 245 (22.3%); of these HCP cases, 153(62.4%) were classified as noncommunicating HCP. Aqueductal stenosis, 17.9% was found to be the most common cause associated with congenital HCP. This study identified infants aged younger than 24 months to be significantly associated with HCP (P<0.05). Regarding the gender and age distribution of the prospective study, 57(57.6%) males, 42 (42.4%) females, mean age of 24.9 months, and 60 (60.6%) infants aged younger than 24 months were included. Children diagnosed with HCP were 23 (23.2%); of these HCP cases, 13(56.5%) were classified as non-communicating HCP. This study also found Aqueductal stenosis 26.1% as the most common cause associated with congenital HCP. Inadequate consumption of folic acid, usage of the folic acid supplement after conceiving,and familial association of HCP were all found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the high prevalence of HCP was due to the high prevalence of Aqueductal stenosis and NTD; with a small contribution of post-infectious causes. The majority of infants who present with HCP are aged younger than 24months.
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    Computed Tomography Patterns of Cervical Spine Injury among Traumatic Patient Who Underwent Computed Tomography for Cervical Spine at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
    (Addis Abeba University, 2020-11) Feleke Israel; Debebe Tequam ; Mekonnen Abebe
    Introduction- Cervical spine injury was defined as a fracture or subluxation of any of cervicalvertebrae which are frequently seen in association mostly with injuries secondary to blunttrauma (motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries). The overall impact of SCI on theindividual, and also on society at large, therefore depends on a range of factors. However thereis shortage information regarding computed tomography pattern of cervical spine injury. Objective: The study was aimed to assess computed tomography pattern of cervical spine injuryamong traumatic patients who underwent computed tomography for cervical spine injury fromMarch 2019 to March 2020 in Tikur Ambesa Specialized Hospital. Methods: Institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted. The sample sizefor the study was 209 patient record. A structured data extraction sheet was used for datacollection. The collected data was checked for completeness, edited, coded and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.00 for analysis. Descriptive analyses was done by computing proportions and summary statistics. The information was presented by usingtable and figures. Result: 209 patient recording was included making response rate of 98.1%. Out of 209 included patient record 164(78.5%) were male. Incidence of cervical spine fracture was 27 (12.9 %%).Incidence of cervical spine fracture is significantly more in male patients when compared tofemales patients (7:2). The maximum number 13, (48.1%) of fracture is observed in the 16-30 age group. Road traffic accident was the most common mode of trauma 116(55.5%) cases. Conclusion: This study showed numbers of cervical spine fracture cases in the one year. Thisdata demonstrated that most victims in our study are young’s. A male predominance was observed, and car accident were the most frequent trauma mechanism leading to cervical spinefracture. Budget: The total budget which was employed for this study is around 28,000.00 ETB.
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    Correlating Plain Radiographic Finding with Magnetic Resonance Imaging among Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Abeba ,Ethiopia.
    (Addis Abeba University, 2019-11) Fikru Fitsum; Mekonnen Abebe
    Background:Osteoarthirtis (OA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disorder in the world. It results in joint pain, tenderness and significant disability. OA of hip and knee is very important in terms of its public health significance. Significant morbidity and disability usually results from OA ofthese sites. Although OA is common, the radiologic and socio demographic patterns varyamong different studies. Information obtained from studies of the radiologic and sociodemographic pattern of the disease in different regions can help in interventional programsaimed at prevention and control. It will also help as source of reference for radiologists,orthopedists, rheumatologists, resident and medical students. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of hip and Knee OA among patientsbeing treated in TASH. Materials and Methods:Hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 204 Hip and KneeOsteoarthritis patients in TASH to determine the pattern of hip and knee OA. Intervieweradministered structured question erwasused in data collection .Data was cleaned for complet eness and the din to SPSS version 25 manually then analysis was done. Results:A total of 204 patients with Hip and Knee osteoarthritis were studied. 68% of the participants were female and 32% were male. Of these patients 150 had isolated knee OA and 42 hadisolated Hip OA and 12 had combined Hip and Knee OA.. The mean age was 54.6years. Among Knee OA Obese participants were 35.2% and 43.2 were overweight. Among Hip OA Obese Participants were 13% and 51.9% were overweight. There were 90 ( 80.3%) participants with bilateral knee disease while27 (73%)had bilateral hip disease. Obesity was more common in participants with knee than in Hip arthritis with P value - 0.046. Conclusion: The study showed that Knee OA was more common than Hip OA, and MTF compartment involvement was more common followed by PTF compartment involvement. Females and middle aged were more commonly affected by OA. Majority of patients were obese and overweight. Obesity is modifiable risk factor for knee OA so it can be made valid target for preventing OA.
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    Development of Solid Waste Management Strategy for Hossana Town
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2012-10) Mekonnen Abebe; Worku Hailu
    Solid waste, which is a result of day-to-day activities of human kind, needs to be managed in a proper manner. Hossana town, like other towns in Ethiopia, faces serious problems associated with poorly solid waste management system. This study is conducted with the objectiveto develop the solid waste management strategy in Hossana town. Different sampling methods were employed to select the study units like clustered sampling, systematic random sampling, and purposive sampling. Even thoughmost of the collected data from the interviewed households were qualitative in nature, it was also supported by quantitative information collected through survey and secondary sources. The study identified that the existing solid waste management problems are highly pronounced due to: no system is introduced for sorting wastes, no community bins (shared containers) for collecting household wastes, piles of solid wastes are often found everywhere (along roadsides, underneath bridges, in drainage channels and in other open spaces), weak implementation of government policy, laws, regulations and legislations, the general public has not been motivated to participate actively in solid waste management system, there are no formal and informal as well as private sectors involved in the operation, insufficient financial resources or inappropriate allocation of available resources, and poor institutional arrangements. The solid waste management strategies developed for the Hossana town have a number of importance for minimizing the problems that faced the current municipality’s proper solid waste management system.Finally, the study forwarded some important recommendations towards implementing the developed strategies to mitigate the existing solid waste management problems. Key words: Waste, Solid Waste, Solid waste management, solid waste management strategies
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    Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients Referred for the Evaluation of Acute Headache to Wudassie Diagnostic Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba University, 2021-10) Solomon Naomi; Mekonnen Abebe; Kebede Tesfaye; Bedilu Wubalem
    Background: There is a lack of research done on imaging findings of acute headache inEthiopia. Most studies available for cross-reference are done in developed countries and do not take into consideration clinical and epidemiologic factors unique to developing countries. Objective: To determine the most frequent imaging findings in patients presenting with acuteheadache and understand the association with sociodemographic and clinical factors in Ethiopia. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was adopted in this study. The brain MRI reports and files of 497 patients who were referred for the evaluation of acute headache (less than or equal to one month duration) to Wudassie Diagnostic Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia fromJanuary 2016 to September 2018 were analyzed. The demographic variables and the clinical dataof the patients were correlated to the imaging findings. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Results: An analysis of the neurological signs and symptoms showed 38.8% of the patients referred for the evaluation of acute headache had a neurological deficit. 60% of the patients had abnormal MRI findings. Non-specific white matter lesions,(which neither explain the reason for acute headache nor alter patient outcome and management) was the most frequently observedradiologic diagnosis (16%) followed by neoplasms (11%) and infections (8%). Tuberculoma wasthe most frequently diagnosed infectious cause. The majority of patients with Comorbid illnesses(hypertension and HIV) had abnormal imaging findings. Age had a weak but significant positive correlation with abnormal imaging findings. Conclusions: The majority of patients who presented with acute headache had normal or minorMRI findings. The most frequent clinically significant brain MRI findings were neoplasms andinfections. Older age is associated with an increased rate of abnormal imaging findings. Themost common infectious cause of acute headache is found to be Tuberculoma. Recommendations: A more detailed clinical history and physical examination should be implemented to properly identify patients who are candidates for neuroimaging. Future large scale studies should be done on the imaging of acute headache in Ethiopia.
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    Students' Perception and the Significance of Feedback in the Writing Class: A Case Study of Bole Senior and Preparatory School
    (Addis Ababa University, 2009-06) Mekonnen Abebe ; Amanuel Gebru
    The main purpose of the study was to explore students' perception and significance of feedback in the writing class. The specific objectives were to: a) investigate factors responsible in affecting students' perception of the significance of feedback on their writing. b) examine how students handle the feedback they receive and the strategies they use to apply to their subsequent writings. c) asses if students have problems in interpreting the teacher's responses, and d) examine whether or not teachers encourage their learners to act onl reinforce the comments provided. In order to achieve the above objectives, data was collected using questionnaire and collected data was verified using interviews. Out of the total population of grade 11 students of the Bole Senior Secondary and Preparatory School, 114 (12%) students were taken to be subjects of the study. The interview of those 30 students was audio recorded and transcription was done later. The result of the study revealed that students feel that the feedback is useful and it helps them improve their writing, to be aware of their mistakes, identify their errors, and correct their weak points. Regarding students' strategies of handling teachers' comments, it was found that students reread their essays to refresh their memories enough to give the teacher's comments a meaningful context for interpretation and give considerable attention to it when they get their paper back. It was also found that students have difficulties in understanding teachers' feedback out of which comments provided in the form of phrases are the most common ones. Besides, the data analysis and discussions showed that students are encouraged to incorporate the comments provided in various ways such as class work and home work writing tasks, and in the essay examinations. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that teachers should be able to provide adequate, clear and easily understandable feedbacks so as to enable students to use it appropriately and convey the intended message.