Fetal macrosomia (birth weight ≥4000g) poses significant maternal and neonatal risks, particularly in low-resource settings. In Ethiopia, factors associated with macrosomia may extend beyond traditional risks. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate underrecognized factors associated with macrosomia. We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 1 to December 30, 2020, involving 467 postpartum women. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and medical record review. Analyses in SPSS 25 included descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 with 95% confidence intervals. Macrosomia prevalence was 15.8% across 467 deliveries. Three factors were significantly associated with macrosomia: male fetal sex (AOR=2.71, 95%CI:1.22–5.98), prior macrosomic delivery (AOR=8.53, 95%CI:2.64–27.62), and history of family planning (AOR=3.57, 95%CI:1.30–9.79). Injectable contraceptives accounted for 54% of family planning methods among mothers of macrosomic infants. However, these findings are hypothesis-generating. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporality.
Despite significant improvement in the use of antiretroviral therapy, HIV/AIDS remains to be one of the major public health challenges in Sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. The main objective of the study was to identify factors associated with progression of CD4+ cell counts of HIV patients on ART. A longitudinal data was extracted from SMARTCARE of patients on ART from September 2009 to January 2016 in Yekatit 12 referral Hospital. The data was analyzed using linear mixed model taking correlation between CD4+ counts of patients into account. We included 217 patients of whom 65% were females and only 51.61% of patients were followed until the last follow up time. The missingness in the data was handled using direct likelihood and multiple imputation approaches. Results from the two methods were found to be comparable. Thus, baseline WHO clinical stage, time on treatment and the interaction effects of sex, age, baseline CD4+ count and regimen class with time were found significantly associated with progression of CD4+ count. We concluded that HIV/AIDS patients should be put on ART at early stages despite their baseline CD4+ cell count and treatments should be taken continuously to improve the progression of CD4+ count.
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. We analyzed long-term trends in CVD mortality and disease burden in Albania between 1990 and 2023, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023, and compared Albania’s profile with six other Southeastern European (SEE) countries. Crude CVD mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) rates in Albania increased markedly over the study period, reflecting demographic ageing, whereas age-standardized rates declined substantially, indicating improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The proportion of deaths and DALYs attributable to CVDs increased significantly, highlighting the growing dominance of these chronic conditions within the Albanian national health profile. Comparative analysis revealed persistent disparities across SEE countries: Slovenia achieved the lowest age-standardized mortality and DALY rates by 2023, whereas Serbia continued to exhibit the highest burden. Albania ranked intermediate, with reductions evident but still above global averages. Overall, findings from this analysis emphasize the urgent need for coordinated regional strategies to reduce CVD risk factors, strengthen preventive services, and improve equity in healthcare outcomes across SEE countries.
Substance use among university students has emerged as a key public health concern, especially among health science students who are expected to be future healthcare providers and role models. Despite their expected role in health promotion and counseling, they may also be exposed to substance use due to academic pressure, social influences, and easy accessibility. However, recent and comprehensive evidence on their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) toward substance use in Ethiopian universities remains limited. An institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 300 health science students from September 10 to October 20, 2025. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling with proportional allocation by department. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Binary logistic regression identified factors associated with substance use, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Among 300 students, 84.7% had good knowledge of substance use and 72.0% had positive attitudes toward its prevention, while 32.3% reported engaging in substance use practice. Female students were less likely to practice substance use than males (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR = 0.51). Pharmacy (AOR=0.34) and midwifery students (AOR=0.30) had lower odds of substance use than medicine students. Fourth year (AOR=0.22) and sixth year students (AOR=0.03) were less likely to engage in substance use than second-year students. Good knowledge (AOR=0.44) and positive attitudes toward prevention (AOR=0.53) were reduce substance use practice. Male, early years of study, poorer knowledge, and negative attitudes were associated with increased substance use practice. Strengthening university-based health education programs that improve knowledge and foster positive attitudes, particularly targeting male and junior students, may help reduce substance use among future healthcare professionals.
Dear Editor, We read with interest the recent article on the cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Urdu version of Generalised Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7).1 Psychometric validation is rarely completed in a single study. Each subsequent investigation strengthens the evidence by evaluating different populations, methods, or measurement properties, and expands the instrument’s clinical applicability. Against this background, we wish to highlight the development of the Urdu GAD-7. Ahmad et al. (2017) reported one of the earliest structured translation and validation studies of the GAD-7, using a formal six-step translation methodology in a national sample spanning four provinces of Pakistan, capturing diverse regional dialects of Urdu.2,3 The study established a unidimensional factor structure (EFA eigenvalue=5.18, accounting for 64.8% of variance), high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.92), and split-half reliability (r=0.82), alongside convergent and discriminant validity. Our study followed a structured multistep translation process involving forward translations, reconciliation, back-translation, multidisciplinary expert review, language expert evaluation, pilot testing, and psychometric validation in a multicentre Pakistani sample.3-6[...]
