Wolkite University Institutional Repository (WKU-Repo)
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PREVALENCE OF PRETERM PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ADMITTED TO WOLKITE UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, WOLKITE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
(wolkite University, 2026-06) DR. KEFELE DESTA
Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a common obstetric complication associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of PPROM among 199 pregnant mothers admitted to Wolkite University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Central Ethiopia, from December 2025 to January 2026. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling. Data collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires and chart reviews were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The overall prevalence of PPROM was 11.6% (95% CI: 7.1–16.1). Factors significantly associated with PPROM included a history of abortions (AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.725–18.921), urinary tract infection (AOR=4.3, 95% CI: 1.074–17.4), a history of vaginal bleeding in the current pregnancy (AOR=18.07, 95% CI: 3.7–87), and residing in rural areas (AOR=3.54, 95% CI: 1.18–10.61). The prevalence of PPROM in this setting is high. To mitigate this burden, the hospital should transition toward universal, laboratorybased screening for infections and provide intensified surveillance for mothers with high-risk obstetric histories.
CLINICAL OUTCOME OF COMPLICATED MALARIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN LESS THAN 5 YEARS DIAGNOSED WITH MALARIA AT WOLKITE UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALISED TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.
(wolkite University, 2026-06) Dr.ABDULFETAH NUREDIN
Background: Malaria is a major public health problem and a life-threatening parasitic infection, particularly among immunologically naive children who are highly vulnerable to severe complications. Objective: This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes and factors associated with severe malaria among children under five diagnosed at WUCSRH in a retrospective study. Methods: An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing medical records and logbooks of children under five diagnosed with malaria. A total of 427 children were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, cleaned, coded, entered into SPSS, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results were presented in narrative form and tables. Results: Of the 427 children, 190 (44.5%) had severe malaria. The most frequent complications were severe anemia 114 (26.7%), seizures 40 (9.4%), prostration 20 (4.7%), cerebral malaria 10 (2.3%), acute kidney injury 4 (0.9%), and hypoglycemia 2 (0.5%). Treatment outcomes showed that 177 (41.9%) were discharged improved, 1 (0.2%) referred, 7 (1.6%) left against medical advice, and 3 (0.7%) died. Season of presentation, duration of illness, and patient residence were independently associated with severe malaria. Children presenting in spring had lower odds of severe malaria compared to summer (AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.10–0.55). Delayed presentation of 2–7 days increased the risk of severe malaria (AOR = 44.62; 95% CI: 23.01–86.53; p < 0.001), while children living near the health acility had lower odds (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11–0.57; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Severe malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five. Early healthcare seeking, improved access to health facilities, and preventive measures are essential to reduce its burden and improve outcomes in endemic areas
TIME TO DISCHARGE AND ITS PREDICTORS AMONGCHILDRENAGED 6 - 59 MONTHS WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITIONADMITTED TO THE THERAPEUTIC FEEDINGCENTERATWOLKITE UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZED HOSPITALINSTITUITIONBASED RETROSPECTIVE FOLLOW-UP STUDY, 2026
(wolkite University, 2026-06) D/r SHEMSU WORKU
BACKGROUND: Under nutrition is a major public health concern, especially in low-incomesettings. It includes wasting and nutritional edema, stunting and underweight and micronutrient deficiency. Undernourished children, particularly those with severe acute malnutrition, haveahigher risk of death from common childhood illness. Children with severe acute malnutritionhave a nine-fold risk of mortality compared to well-nourished children hence the need for appropriate management. While the treatment of severe acute malnutrition is well established, achieving desired outcomes has proven to be challenging. OBJECTIVES: To assess the time to discharge and its predictors among children aged 6- 59months with SAM admitted to the therapeutic feeding center at Wolkite University Specialized Hospital (WUSH) ,Wolkite, Central Ethiopia from June 1, 2020 - May 31,2025. METHOD: Institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted in Wolkite University Specialized Hospital among children aged 6 - 59 months admitted to inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Center from June 1, 2020 - May 31, 2025. Participants were selected using computer generated random numbers. Time to discharge from inpatient treatment was estimated usingKaplan-Meier procedure and Log rank test was used to test observed difference between covariates. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis model was used to identify predictor of time to discharge. RESULTS: The discharge rate was 75.8% and the median time to discharge from stabilizationcenter was 14.00 days with 95%: CI (13.35,14.65). Children who were transferred-in fromother health facilities and return from default, Hospital acquired infections, presence of de hydrationand who had vaccinated fully were predictors of time to discharge from stabilization center. CONCLUSIONS: The median time to discharge and the discharge rate fromstabilizationcenterwere within the SPHERE of standards.Transferred-in from other facilities ,return fromdefault , Hospital acquired infections , dehydration were significant predictors of time to discharge.
PREVALENCE OF MINIMUM DIETARY DIVERSITY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6-23 MONTHS, IN WOLKITE, ETHIOPIA, 2026
(wolkite University, 2026-06) DR. BINIYAM GESSESE
Background: Dietary diversity is a key of high-quality diets and an important indicator of appropriate complementary feeding. Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) is defined as the consumption of foods from at least five of the eight recommended food groups within a 24- hour period. Globally, only a small proportion of children receive nutritionally adequate and diversified diets, and more than two-thirds of malnutrition-related child deaths are linked to inappropriate feeding practices during the first two years of life. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of minimum dietary diversity practice and identify associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Wolkite Town, Ethiopia. Objective: To determine the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity and identify associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Wolkite Town, Ethiopia, 2026. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to January 30/ 2026 among 192 children aged 6–23 months selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on World Health Organization infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators by google forms. Data were cleaned in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Bivariable logistic regression identified candidate variables (p < 0.25) for multivariable analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of minimum dietary diversity was 26.6%. The most commonly consumed food groups were grains, roots, tubers, and plantains (90.6%) and legumes, nuts, and seeds (72.9%). Maternal postnatal care attendance (AOR = 9.96; 95% CI: 4.74–20.93) and adequate maternal knowledge of IYCF (AOR = 6.07; 95% CI: 2.06–17.83) were significantly associated with achieving minimum dietary diversity. Children born with a birth interval of less than two years were significantly less likely to receive diversified diets (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.03–0.66). Conclusion: Minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months in Wolkite Town remains low. Maternal knowledge of IYCF, postnatal care utilization, and optimal birth spacing play critical roles in improving dietary diversity.
ASTHMA CONTROL STATUS AND ASSSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA ON FOLLOW-UP AT PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN GURAGHE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA, 2025.
(wolkite University, 2026-06) DR. AKMEL MOHAMED
Background: Asthma is a major health challenge globally where majority of the patients have uncontrolled disease status. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, one of the goals of asthma management is to achieve clinical control. Despite good understanding of therapeutic regimens, there is evidence for suboptimal asthma control in many patients. However, there is limited local evidence on the magnitude of uncontrolled asthma and its associated factors in our setting. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess level of poor asthma control and associated factors among asthmatic patients attending public hospitals in Gurage zone, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among clinically diagnosed asthmatic patients who were consecutively enrolled from follow up clinic at public hospital in Gurage zone. Data were collected using a interviewer-administered questionnaire and asthma control was assessed based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. Data were entered into Epi-data 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between independent factors and uncontrolled asthma. A variables with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.05 declared as having significant association. Result: Among the 283 study participants, the mean age was 53 ± 14 years, and the median duration of asthma was 9 ± 7 years. Out of total participants,74.9% (212/283) had uncontrolled asthma. Uncontrolled asthma was significantly associated with variables including salbutamol use as rescue medication (AOR = 5.18; 95% CI: 2.21–12.18), poor pMDI technique (AOR = 12.35; 95% CI: 3.54–43.06), presence of comorbid disease (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.41–7.26), longer asthma duration (>6–30 years) (AOR = 11.3; 95% CI: 6.2–20.6), illiteracy (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.12–5.62)and lack of regular physician follow-up (AOR 11.65 (2.97– 45.79)) were significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma. Conclusion and recommendation: Nearly three fourth of asthma patient at follow up had uncontrolled asthma. Poor inhaler technique, inadequate follow-up, longer disease duration, comorbid conditions, and lower educational status were factors associated with it. Therefore, promoting regular follow up, strengthening patient centered counseling particularly for patients with comorbidities and low educational status would help control asthma