Browsing by Author "Sofonias Getachew"

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    Assessment of Use of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets and Factors Affecting it in Serbo Town
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2005-04) Sofonias Getachew; Ahmed Ali
    Background: Among malaria control measures, use of mosquito nets is the one that is getting more acceptance and is being used in large scale world wide. Despite on going distribution and use of nets in Ethiopia, the household level situation in utilizing them is by and large unknown. Objective: Assess utilization of mosquito nets in Serbo Town and clarify socio demographic, organizational, economical, behavioral and other factors related. Method: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. In the Quantitative part, interviewer administered questionnaire with a checklist was used for a household. Qualitative section included focus group discussion of community members and in depth interview of important stake holders. Result: Malaria was recognized as a major problem. Children were said to be more effected groups, but did not intentionally get protection. Half of the households possess at least one net. Nets however, were not always used for the intended purpose. Common malpractices were selling, use as curtain and leave the nets in package. Main reasons were economical and unfavorable health belief. Factors that were independently associated with use were: possession of a radio, being knowledgeable, getting health education, number of persons per room and number of beds. Predictors of purchasing were occupation, possession of a radio and being knowledgeable. Discussion, Conclusions and Recommendations: Reasons for improper use were economical, housing condition, health belief, organizational effort and possibly biological. Selection of control measures, should take into consideration local situation. Once chosen as methods of prevention, mosquito net distribution should have proper guideline and local capacities for doing so should be strengthened. Education messages should focus on the need for prioritizing young children, possible use over sleeping floors and mending holes on nets using local material. Color and design of nets should take into consideration housing condition, and the trend of using for other purposes.
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    Compiled Body of Works in Field Epidemiology
    (Addis Abeba University, 2019-06) Mulugeta Worku; Ahmed Ali ; Sofonias Getachew
    Introduction : Measles is a highly contagious, acute, viral illness caused by a member of the genus morbilli virus of the Paramyxoviridae.. In Africa, 450 000 cases were reported and in SubSaharan Africa with 250, 000 deaths in 2009. In Ethiopia, measles cases usually come late to health facilities and often after they have developed complications. Investigation was done to verify the existence of an outbreak, to determine the magnitude and identify associated risk factors contributing for the occurrence of the outbreak. Methods :A cross-sectional descriptive study followed by a one to two unmatched case control study was conducted from January 7 to February 3, 2019. Interview using structured questionnaire was used to collect data from cases and controls. Data were managed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 and Epi-Info 7.2.1.0. Results :Over the period of the outbreak, 23 measles cases were identified. The age of cases ranged from 1 to 12 years old, with median age of 5 years. Of the total cases, 13(57%) were under five years and 10(43 %) of them were above five years. The overall attack rate of the disease was 7 per 1000 inhabitants of the kebele, with no death. Having contact with a person suspected to have measles during the last weeks OR: 6.4 (95% CI, 12. 6 – 44.3) and presence of measles case in the family OR: 6.5 (95% CI, 4.4 – 13.22) were significantly associated with contracting measles. Moreover, absence of measles vaccination was a risk factor for developing measles (OR: 2.53, (95% CI 1.7 – 14.67). Conclusion and Recommendations: The outbreak occurred in a remote pocket Kebele of the Sewena District with extremely low immunization coverage. Multiple factors contributed for the occurrence of the outbreak. We recommend enhanced routine immunization service, and awareness creation to the community on mode of transmission, prevention and health seeking behavior.
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    Compiled Body of Works in Field Epidemiology
    (Addis Ababa Uinverstiy, 2025) Mesfin Tilaye; Alemayehu Worku; Sofonias Getachew; Getaneh Abrha; Habtamu Timer
    Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and continues to be one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable illness and death globally. In 2021 alone, an estimated nine million cases and 128,000 deaths were record, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the greatest burden. The objective of the study was to investigate the measles outbreak in Lemi Kura sub-city of Addis Ababa. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conduct in Lemi-Kura Sub-City, Addis Ababa, from 29 March to 7 May 2025. Data were obtain through structured face-to-face interviews, review of health facility records, and examination of line lists from the sub-city health office. After data cleaning, analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS (version 26), and findings were described by person, place, and time; using tables and figures. Results: A total of 81 measles cases were report with no deaths. Females accounted for 50.6% of cases, and the median age was 5 years. Among the 81 reported measles cases, the majority 77.78% occurred in children aged 1–5 years, indicating that this age group was the most affected compared to those above 5 years 19.75% and under 1 year 2.47%.The overall attack rate was two per 10,000 population, with the highest in Summit 7/10,000 and Yeka Abado 6/10,000 health centers. Schools accounted for 45.7% of cases, mainly among children aged 3–5 years. Rash (100%), fever (96.3%), and conjunctivitis (63.4%) were the most common symptoms. The epidemic curve showed the first case on March 29, 2025, the number of cases increased across different health centers, reaching its peak on April 20, 2025. The epidemic began to decline after April 21, 2025, and subsequently. Conclusion and Recommendation: The measles outbreak in Lemi-Kura Sub-City underscores the need to strengthen routine immunization, improve vaccination monitoring, and address immunity gaps, particularly among children aged 1–5 years. Overcrowded living conditions and school-based transmission further emphasize the importance of targeted catch up vaccination, school-based checks, and intensified community outreach.