Mirgissa Kaba | Addis Ababa University (original) (raw)

Papers by Mirgissa Kaba

BMJ Open, Aug 1, 2022

Objective The role of the community in the research process in Ethiopia has not been documented. ... more Objective The role of the community in the research process in Ethiopia has not been documented. This study aims to explore the existing practices and challenges of community engagement in health research in Ethiopia. Design A qualitative study with a narrative approach was conducted. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, inductively coded and analysed thematically. Setting Participants were recruited from members of institutional review boards, academic and research staff of Addis Ababa and Jimma universities, research institutions and key development partners. Participants Thirty-six participants were involved in the study. They were purposively selected on the basis of their diverse research experiences and disciplinary profiles with clinical, biomedical and public health representation. Data collection Twenty-two key informant interviews were conducted with members of the institutional review board, community representatives in the institutional review board, community engagement officers, and research focal persons of the universities, research intuitions and key development partners. Fourteen participants who were senior PhD students or senior researchers in academic and research institutions were involved in the in-depth interviews. Results Despite differences of justification, all participants believed in the importance of the participating research community not only to own the research outcome but also contribute to the research planning, sharing of evidence, managing the research process and dissemination of findings. However, it was argued that lack of guidance, skills and experience on how to engage the community at different levels of the research process and limitation of resources affect community engagement in research. Conclusion As an important component of the research process, community engagement facilitates the research process and ensures community ownership of the outcome. Nevertheless, lack of experience and limitation of resources affect operationalisation of community engagement in health research. This calls for building capacity and advocacy to consider community engagement as an integral component of the research process.

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Background Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is known to cause disability and disfigurement. A delay in... more Background Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is known to cause disability and disfigurement. A delay in case detection of leprosy patients can lead to severe outcomes. In Ethiopia, the disability rates caused by leprosy among new cases are relatively high compared to other endemic countries. This suggests the existence of hidden leprosy cases in the community and a delay in timely detection. To reduce disability rates, it is crucial to identify the factors associated with this delay. This study aimed to determine the extent of delay in case detection among leprosy cases in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods This cross-sectional explorative study was conducted in January and February 2019 among 100 leprosy patients diagnosed ≤6 months prior to inclusion. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, including the initial onset of symptoms, and the reasons for delayed diagnosis. Descriptive statistics, including percentages and medians, were used to describe the case detection delay. Logistic...

Frontiers in Psychiatry

BackgroundPatients with breast cancer are assumed to be susceptible to anxiety and depression, wh... more BackgroundPatients with breast cancer are assumed to be susceptible to anxiety and depression, while there is a lack of evidence about the epidemiology and underlying factors in Ethiopia. Hence, we aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression among patients with breast cancer in Ethiopia.MethodAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with breast cancer who were attending treatment at the Oncology Center of the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the largest referral teaching hospital in Ethiopia. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HDAS) was used to evaluate the anxiety and depression status of the participants, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data from the participants. Medical records of the participants were reviewed to collect and correlate information about the grade and stage of cancer. An analysis was done using STATA 15.1.ResultsThe study includ...

Pan African Medical Journal, 2021

Introduction the World Health Organization has identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten... more Introduction the World Health Organization has identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health. The purpose of this study was to explore factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers, their perspectives regarding vaccine uptake by the public and their recommendations to improve vaccine uptake in Ethiopia. Methods a phenomenological qualitative study was conducted among purposively selected healthcare providers working in the Ministry of Health (MoH), regulatory authority, public and private hospitals and health centres who hesitated to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in June 2021. A total of twenty in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured open-ended interview guide. Participants included nurses, physicians, pharmacists, health officers, Medical Laboratory technologists and midwives. A qualitative content analysis approach was chosen to analyse the data. Results all the participants agreed (n=20) that lack of consistent information and inadequate evidence about COVID-19 vaccine safety, efficacy and quality were the main reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. History of perceived and confirmed COVID-19 infection history, misinformation, religious views, unknown short and long-term effects of the vaccine and undefined length of time of vaccine´s protection were also other reasons mentioned by the participants. Conclusion healthcare providers were hesitant toward COVID-19 vaccine mainly due to lack of clear evidence regarding the vaccine´s short and long-term safety, efficacy and quality profiles. Hence, the long-term safety and efficacy of the vaccine should be extensively studied and evidence dissemination and communication should be clear and transparent.

Journal of Bioethical Inquiry

Vulnerability and politics are among the relevant and key topics of discussion in the Ethiopian h... more Vulnerability and politics are among the relevant and key topics of discussion in the Ethiopian healthcare context. Attempts by the formal bioethics structure in Ethiopia to deliberate on ethical issues relating to vulnerability and politics in healthcare have been limited, even though the informal analysis of bioethical issues has been present in traditional Ethiopian communities. This is reflected in religion, social values, and local moral underpinnings. Thus, the aim of this paper is to discuss the bioethical implications of vulnerability and politics for healthcare in Ethiopia and to suggest possible ways forward. First, we will briefly introduce what has been done to develop bioethics as a field in Ethiopia and what gaps remain concerning its implementation in healthcare practice. This will give a context for our second and main task – analyzing the healthcare challenges in relation to vulnerability and politics and discussing their bioethical implications. In doing so, and si...

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2015

Introduction: Over the last decade, a lot of advocacy work has been done to increase long acting ... more Introduction: Over the last decade, a lot of advocacy work has been done to increase long acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs) use in Ethiopia. However, LAPMs uptake is very low compared to short acting ones where eventual disinterest and subsequent removal of the method is observed. Objective: This study was carried out to explore reasons behind implanon removal within unreasonably short time after insertion. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was employed to apply class room qualitative research method training organized by the School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University. Research participants were purposively selected women in Bido and Diram kebeles of rural Butajira, which is a research site of the School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University's. Nine women who had recently removed implanon and two health extension workers (one from each kebele) were interviewed. Data analysis was facilitated using ATLAS.ti qualitative software and presented using ...

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2020

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2017

In 2014, global estimate shows that 54% of the world population resides in urban setting (3). Thi... more In 2014, global estimate shows that 54% of the world population resides in urban setting (3). This proportion is projected to expand to 66% by 2050. The pace at which urbanization grows is unprecedented especially in developing countries. It is projected that population in urban areas of low income countries will grow from 1.9 billion in 2000 to 3.9 billion in 2030 (4). Urbanization is recognized to offer opportunities as well as bring challenges to human health and wellbeing. By offering opportunities, urbanization is considered as a hub of economic and social transformations with better literacy and education, life expectancy, improved housing and sanitation, access to services, participation in public affairs, better living conditions, better food security and better health indicators (5). Nonetheless, such narrative appears to mask the realities of disadvantaged urban poor who do not share the same level of joy regarding access to opportunities (6).

Background : HIV continues to be the major public health challenge in Ethiopia. Despite positive ... more Background : HIV continues to be the major public health challenge in Ethiopia. Despite positive developments in prevention efforts during the last three decades, the pandemic has continued to spread further expanding to remote pastoral communities. Objective : The objective of this study is to determine the current state of awareness on modes of prevention, transmission and ‘misconceptions’ about HIV among the Borana pastoralist community in Ethiopia. Methods : A cross-sectional survey of 502 households, 69 in-depth interviews and nine Focus Group Discussion sessions with 68 participants were carried out to generate data. STATA Version 10 was applied to analyze the survey data while MAXQDA 10 qualitative data analysis software was used to summarize and code qualitative data for further analysis and interpretation. Results : The survey data revealed that only 10% of the respondents identified all modes of HIV prevention. Logistic regression analysis showed that those over 41 years o...

Reproductive Health

Ethiopia has the second-largest youth population in Africa with about 37.4 million people aged 10... more Ethiopia has the second-largest youth population in Africa with about 37.4 million people aged 10–24 years. To meet the needs of this population group, adolescent, and youth health (AYH) programs, including those focused on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and youth development, have gained traction in Ethiopia in the last two decades, especially following the 2005 election in Ethiopia. However, adolescents and youths in Ethiopia continue to face a high burden of morbidity and mortality from multiple factors including, teenage pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, compromised nutrition, HIV and STIs, unsafe abortion, early and child marriage, and unmet needs for family planning. To date, adolescents and youth-related interventions in Ethiopia are fragmented under various ministries, uncoordinated, underfunded, project-oriented, lack effective policy implementation, and lack meaningful participation of young people. Addressing adolescents and youth health and development issues require...

Background: Management of menstruation as a biological occurrence for women of reproductive age a... more Background: Management of menstruation as a biological occurrence for women of reproductive age and men’s role is determined by socio-cultural factors. There is dearth of evidence on men in general and boys support on menstrual hygiene and management. This study aims to identify school based menstrual hygiene and management interventions and the role of boys in Oromia region, Ethiopia.Method: The study was carried out in 2017-18 academic year in eight Oromia Development Association (ODA) supported public schools with sport for life interventions. Schoolboys and girls aged 12-15, parents and school teachers participated in the study. Focus Group Discussion with boys, girls, and key informant interviews with parents were completed. Data were transcribed and translated into English and themes were developed following the objectives. Interpretation and presentation of the findings were substantiated with quoted shared opinions. Result: Finding shows that after two years of school based ...

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 1999

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 1997 to determine hygienic behaviour and practice... more A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 1997 to determine hygienic behaviour and practices among the inhabitants of Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia. From the three Weredas of Jimma Town, a systematic sampling technique was employed to select a total of 278 households for the study. Of these 123 households were selected on the basis of set criterion for more in-depth observation on their hygienic behaviour. The result shows that 53.2% of the respondents own houses while the rest live in a rented house or live with other people. It was found that within the household, people complain of vermin. Specific complaints show that, 77.8% complain of rats, 67.5% of fleas, 56.5% of mosquitos, 50.2% of flies, and 42.4% of bedbugs. The majority of respondents (97.8%) believe in the importance of latrines, and a substantial number of them (71.9%) have got latrines. However, it was observed that, of those who have got latrines, 21.5% were found to be either unsanitary or partially non-functional. Observation data has shown that even those who get it from safe source get it contaminated in the house. As concerns energy use, it was found out that most people use unprocessed energy source such as wood (96.3%), charcoal (54.4%), leaves (33.8), and dung-cake (11.8%) in the household. The result in general shows that the hygienic and sanitary practices and behaviours are unhealthy, based on standard hygiene and sanitary parameters. Most parameters have positive correlation with income and education, which may take some time to change so that a concerted effort needs to be made to educate the public on personal and group hygiene and sanitation. [Ethiop.

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2018

Background: Community-Based Education (CBE) is an educational process aiming to ensure educationa... more Background: Community-Based Education (CBE) is an educational process aiming to ensure educational relevance to community needs, thereby contributing to improved community health needs. Addis Ababa University runs a six-week long Rural Community Health Training Program at Adami Tulu District, East Shoa Zone. In the program, the final year medical students are attached to the community to apply their theoretical training and address the community's health problems. This study explored views of the local community about the program. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was carried out in Adami Tulu District of East Shoa Zonethe district is the site of the training program. Data was collected from community members, local administrators, health extension workers, school principals and opinion leaders selected from three kebeles within the attachment area. A total of five FGDs and six key informant interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The audio-taped data was later transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Themes were developed guided by the objective of the study with the application of Open Code Version 4.02. Results: The finding of the study revealed that the local community, beyond recognizing the participants as some kind of medical professionals from Addis Ababa University, knew very little about the program and its objectives. For example, the only benefit all the participants rightly mentioned in common, as evidence of their knowledge the program is free treatment for sick children by the students. Lack of communication between the university and local administration; absence of community involvement in the planning, execution and evaluation of the program; and problems related to language were identified as key areas for improvement. Conclusion: The Rural Community Health Training Program (RCHTP) is an important resource for both the university and the local community. It is therefore important that the university take proactive measures and optimize the involvement of local leaders and community members to enhance their sense of ownership of the program. [Ethiop.

Household air pollution is now recognized as the single largest environmental health risk factor ... more Household air pollution is now recognized as the single largest environmental health risk factor worldwide contributing to the global burden of disease, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that close to 4million people per year die prematurely as a result(1,2).This form of pollution is widespread in resource-poor countries mainly due to the use of biomass fuels, derived from crop residues, animal dung, wood or charcoal, as a source of household energy. It has been linked with an increased frequency of lower respiratory infection, cataract, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer (2). Vulnerable groups, such as the rural poor or women and children, appear to be disproportionately affected, the former as they are forced by economic circumstances to use more polluting fuel sources and the latter as a consequence of carrying out common domestic task...

Northeast African Studies, 2000

... A victim is believed to have contracted it because he/she broke Allah's guidelines [zina... more ... A victim is believed to have contracted it because he/she broke Allah's guidelines [zina]. Helping a patient could be justifying his/her acts." In addition, AIDS was said to be communicable. ... 7-12 July, Vancouver, Canada. Larson, C.; M. Assefa; F. Aboud; et al. 1991. ...

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2000

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2001

To examine the possibility that there is an early sensitive period for the effects of malnutritio... more To examine the possibility that there is an early sensitive period for the effects of malnutrition on cognitive development, three groups of children (N = 197) were recruited from a birth cohort with known growth characteristics in south-west Ethiopia (N = 1,563). All had initial weights > or = 2,500 g. Early growth falterers dropped in weight below the third centile (z < -1.88) of the NCHS/WHO reference population in the first 4 months. Late growth falterers were children not in the first group whose weights were below the third centile at 10 and 12 months. Controls were a stratified random sample with weights above the third centile throughout the first year. All children were tested blind at 2 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, adapted for use in Ethiopia. Mean (SD) scores on the psychomotor scale were 10.2 (3.7) in the controls, 6.6 (4.2) in the early growth falterers, and 8.5 (4.3) in the late growth falterers. For the mental scale they were 28.9 (5.8), 22.6 (6.2), and 26.6 (6.1) respectively. Both overall differences were statistically significant at p < .001, and planned comparisons between the control and the combined growth faltering groups, and between the early and later growth faltering groups, showed that each difference was statistically significant for both scales. However, early weight faltering was associated with weight at the time of testing (r = .33), which was associated with scores both on the psychomotor (r = .53) and the mental scale (r = .49). After taking weight at the time of testing into account there was no additional effect attributable to the timing of growth faltering. In this population, therefore, early malnutrition does not have specific adverse effect beyond the contribution that it makes to enduring malnutrition over the first 2 years.

Introduction: Across the globe, for a variety of socio-economic and health related reasons, peopl... more Introduction: Across the globe, for a variety of socio-economic and health related reasons, people are choosing to reside in urban as opposed to rural areas. However, there is limited evidence on the profiles of people living in vulnerable sections of urban settings. Objective: This paper aims to examine vulnerable sections and their residents in selected urban centers in Ethiopia in terms of access to selected facilities and services. More specifically, the study aims to develop profiles of vulnerable people in selected sections of urban centers. Methods: A mixed study method was used to address the objectives of the study. The study was carried out in 46 urban centers of five regions (Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ (SNNP) and Harari) and two city administrations (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa) in Ethiopia. Among vulnerable sections identified in each urban center, one, two, or three sections were selected at random based on the status of the urba...

Additional file 1. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire.