Mekele

Researchers are evaluating whether involving family members as active partners in the care of preterm and low-birth-weight newborns can improve health outcomes in neonatal care units (NCUs) in resource-limited settings of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. This quasi-experimental study aims to determine if the Family Integrated Newborn Care (FINC) intervention affects neonatal outcomes, specifically focusing on the length of hospital stay for these vulnerable infants compared to standard care. The study includes 1020 family-neonate pairs across three hospitals with level-2 neonatal care units. The intervention involves modifying the NCU environment to better support family involvement, providing bedside training for families, and supplying audio-visual materials in the local Tigrigna language to guide families on caring activities for their neonates. Families in the intervention group will be trained and mentored to integrate actively in their newborn's care, while the control group will receive the usual medical treatment without special family integration. The study compares outcomes between these two groups to assess the impact of the FINC approach. Participants include neonates aged 0 to 28 days who require at least a 48-hour hospital stay and have at least one parent willing to spend up to 8 hours daily with the infant. Researchers will monitor hospital stay duration and assess neonatal and parental outcomes. The study also includes infection prevention measures and will evaluate the acceptability of the FINC intervention. Safety and follow-up details are managed within the hospital stay period and the immediate neonatal phase.

Researchers are investigating the prevalence and associated factors of complications occurring in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) among surgical patients. The study focuses on understanding these complications in tertiary hospitals in Ethiopia and comparing findings with a tertiary hospital in Spain. The goal is to identify risk factors like female sex, longer anesthesia duration, and intraoperative complications to improve patient safety and healthcare quality in the perioperative setting. This observational, multicenter prospective cohort study will take place from February 15, 2025, to June 30, 2025, at four hospitals: three in Ethiopia and one in Spain. Surgical patients admitted to the PACU after procedures under general, regional, or monitored anesthesia will be included. Patients will be monitored for complications such as pulmonary issues, hemodynamic instability, temperature disturbances, and pain using questionnaires and physical examinations. Participants will be followed closely in the PACU to identify any postoperative complications within the first 8 hours after anesthesia. Data collected will help assess the rate of patients experiencing these complications. The study will provide valuable insights for hospital administrators and policymakers to enhance PACU organization and care. Participants' consent and clinical information will be recorded, with outcomes focused on improving postoperative care and patient safety.

Researchers are conducting a Phase 3, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial to assess whether azithromycin taken as a preventive treatment can reduce death rates in adults with advanced HIV disease. Participants eligible for the study must have confirmed HIV infection with low CD4 counts or specific treatment histories, reflecting advanced immunosuppression. The trial aims to better understand mortality outcomes related to this preventive approach in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either azithromycin tablets or placebo tablets for 28 days. All participants will be followed for 24 weeks after randomization to measure the main outcome of death from any cause, with total follow-up lasting 48 weeks. The study compares the effects of azithromycin prophylaxis against an inactive placebo to evaluate its impact on survival. During the study, participants will be monitored regularly to track health outcomes, particularly mortality. They must be able to start or adjust antiretroviral therapy within four weeks of joining the trial. Researchers will closely observe for any adverse effects, treatment adherence, and overall health status throughout the follow-up period to assess the safety and effectiveness of the intervention.