Background: Maternal mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, influencing both mothers and their children. In Ethiopia, maternal mental health disorders are prevalent but remain under-addressed due to limited healthcare infrastructure, social stigma, and a shortage of trained mental health professionals. Community-based interventions (CBIs) have shown promise in improving maternal mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of CBIs in improving maternal mental health outcomes in Ethiopia, identifying key intervention strategies and challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, and qualitative research on CBIs targeting maternal mental health in Ethiopia. A total of 65 studies were screened, with 29 meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized narratively to highlight key themes. Results: CBIs included peer-support groups, health extension worker (HEW)-led home visits, integrated maternal health services, and community awareness programs. Peer-support groups reduced depressive symptoms by 40% to 50% by fostering emotional resilience and reducing social isolation. HEW-led interventions improved mental health literacy and increased help-seeking behaviors by 25%. Integrating mental health care into routine maternal services enhanced screening rates by 60%. However, key barriers included stigma, lack of HEW mental health training, and resource constraints. Conclusions CBIs are effective in improving maternal mental health in Ethiopia. Scaling up successful programs requires enhanced HEW training, community engagement, and integration into existing healthcare frameworks. Addressing social stigma and sustainability challenges is crucial for long-term impact.

Background: Maternal mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, influencing both mothers and their children. In Ethiopia, maternal mental health disorders are prevalent but remain under-addressed due to limited healthcare infrastructure, social stigma, and a shortage of trained mental health professionals. Community-based interventions (CBIs) have shown promise in improving maternal mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of CBIs in improving maternal mental health outcomes in Ethiopia, identifying key intervention strategies and challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, and qualitative research on CBIs targeting maternal mental health in Ethiopia. A total of 65 studies were screened, with 29 meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized narratively to highlight key themes. Results: CBIs included peer-support groups, health extension worker (HEW)-led home visits, integrated maternal health services, and community awareness programs. Peer-support groups reduced depressive symptoms by 40% to 50% by fostering emotional resilience and reducing social isolation. HEW-led interventions improved mental health literacy and increased help-seeking behaviors by 25%. Integrating mental health care into routine maternal services enhanced screening rates by 60%. However, key barriers included stigma, lack of HEW mental health training, and resource constraints. Conclusions CBIs are effective in improving maternal mental health in Ethiopia. Scaling up successful programs requires enhanced HEW training, community engagement, and integration into existing healthcare frameworks. Addressing social stigma and sustainability challenges is crucial for long-term impact.

Background: Maternal mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, influencing both mothers and their children. In Ethiopia, maternal mental health disorders are prevalent but remain under-addressed due to limited healthcare infrastructure, social stigma, and a shortage of trained mental health professionals. Community-based interventions (CBIs) have shown promise in improving maternal mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of CBIs in improving maternal mental health outcomes in Ethiopia, identifying key intervention strategies and challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, and qualitative research on CBIs targeting maternal mental health in Ethiopia. A total of 65 studies were screened, with 29 meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized narratively to highlight key themes. Results: CBIs included peer-support groups, health extension worker (HEW)-led home visits, integrated maternal health services, and community awareness programs. Peer-support groups reduced depressive symptoms by 40% to 50% by fostering emotional resilience and reducing social isolation. HEW-led interventions improved mental health literacy and increased help-seeking behaviors by 25%. Integrating mental health care into routine maternal services enhanced screening rates by 60%. However, key barriers included stigma, lack of HEW mental health training, and resource constraints. Conclusions CBIs are effective in improving maternal mental health in Ethiopia. Scaling up successful programs requires enhanced HEW training, community engagement, and integration into existing healthcare frameworks. Addressing social stigma and sustainability challenges is crucial for long-term impact.

Background: Maternal mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, influencing both mothers and their children. In Ethiopia, maternal mental health disorders are prevalent but remain under-addressed due to limited healthcare infrastructure, social stigma, and a shortage of trained mental health professionals. Community-based interventions (CBIs) have shown promise in improving maternal mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of CBIs in improving maternal mental health outcomes in Ethiopia, identifying key intervention strategies and challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, and qualitative research on CBIs targeting maternal mental health in Ethiopia. A total of 65 studies were screened, with 29 meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized narratively to highlight key themes. Results: CBIs included peer-support groups, health extension worker (HEW)-led home visits, integrated maternal health services, and community awareness programs. Peer-support groups reduced depressive symptoms by 40% to 50% by fostering emotional resilience and reducing social isolation. HEW-led interventions improved mental health literacy and increased help-seeking behaviors by 25%. Integrating mental health care into routine maternal services enhanced screening rates by 60%. However, key barriers included stigma, lack of HEW mental health training, and resource constraints. Conclusions CBIs are effective in improving maternal mental health in Ethiopia. Scaling up successful programs requires enhanced HEW training, community engagement, and integration into existing healthcare frameworks. Addressing social stigma and sustainability challenges is crucial for long-term impact.

The antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) seropositivity rate after 3 doses of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination during infancy period is known to be higher than 90%. However, a considerable number of vaccines do not form protective anti-HBs or chronologic decrease of anti-HBs. We retrospectively collected data of HBV serologic test results in 20,738 individuals from 2000 to 2015. After exclusion criteria were applied, 19,072 individuals were included. We analyzed the anti-HBs seropositivity rate, anti-HBs disappearance rate, anti-HBs positive seroconversion rate after receiving a booster vaccine, and the difference in anti-HBs positivity between the 2 groups; group A (born before 2005, while both recombinant vaccines and plasma-derived vaccines were used) and group B (born after 2005, when only recombinant vaccines were used by national regulation). The anti-HBs seropositivity rate was 55.8%, but there was a significant difference in the rate of seropositivity for anti-HBs between the group A and B (53.0% vs. 78.1%, P < 0.001). There was no significant age-adjusted difference in the mean seropositivity rate between the 2 groups (P = 0.058). In addition, the anti-HBs positivity rate was significantly lower in the group A as compared with the group B during infancy (83.1% vs. 92.1%, P < 0.001). A total of 1,106 anti-HBs-positive subjects underwent serologic tests more than twice. Of these, 217 subjects (19.6%) showed anti-HBs disappearance. After booster vaccinations, 87.4% (83/95) achieved seroconversion from seronegative to seropositive. Our results highlight the importance of lifelong protection against HBV and the possible necessity of booster vaccination after adolescent period.
Adolescent ; Child ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroconversion ; Serologic Tests ; Vaccination* ; Vaccines ; Vaccines, Synthetic

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in managing fatigue in Korean patients with rheumatic diseases Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to KRG (2 g/day, n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) groups for 12 weeks of blind phase and then open-label KRG from weeks 12 to 24 (placebo-KRG, continuous-KRG). The primary outcome was the improvement rate in fatigue, defined by an increase in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scores at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in FACIT-Fatigue and fatigue visual analog scale (VAS) between 0 and 12 weeks and those changes in both indices at 24 weeks. Results: The study enrolled 120 patients (Sjogren syndrome [n = 53], rheumatoid arthritis [n = 43], or both diseases [n = 24]). The mean age was 50.9 ± 11.6 years, with 97.5% being female. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The improvement rate in FACIT-Fatigue after 12 weeks was higher in the KRG group than in the placebo group, but the difference was statistically insignificant (38.3% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.242). Improvement in fatigue was observed in both groups by increases in FACIT-F (4.6 vs. 4.0) and reductions in fatigue VAS (-16.0 vs. -12.2) scores at 12 weeks. The most frequently reported adverse events during KRG use were pruritus and urticarial, with no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions Both KRG and placebo groups showed significant reductions in fatigue. KRG treatment for 24 weeks did not reduce fatigue symptoms more than the placebo in patients with rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and associated comorbidities in Korea from 2006 to 2015. METHODS: IIM between 2004 to 2015 were identified using the Korean National Health Insurance Service medical claim database. The case definition required more than one visit based on diagnostic codes including juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), dermatomyositis (DM), or polymyositis (PM) and registration in the Individual Copayment Beneficiaries Program (ICBP) for rare and intractable diseases. IIM patients with a disease-free period of 24 months before the index date were defined as incident cases. The Elixhauser comorbidity score was calculated. RESULTS: Using the base case definition, 1,150 prevalent patients with IIM (117 JDM, 521 DM, 512 PM) were recorded in 2006 and 2,210 (130 JDM, 1,101 DM, 869 PM) in 2015. The prevalence was estimated at 2.3–4.0 (0.9–1.2 for JDM, 1.2–2.7 for DM, 1.4–2.1 for PM)/100,000 person-year (PY). We identified 218 incident cases of IIM in 2006 (18 JDM, 98 DM, 102 PM) and 191 cases (7 JDM, 83 DM, 101 PM) in 2015. The incidence was estimated at 2.9–5.2 (0.7–1.9 for JDM, 1.8–4.0 for DM, 1.6–3.0 for PM)/1,000,000 PY. The mean age (± standard deviation) of prevalent patients with IIM was 51.2 (± 16.9) years, and the percentage of women was 72.1%. More than two-thirds of patients (70.7%) had more than two comorbidities. Twenty percent of patients had interstitial lung diseases. CONCLUSION: In Korea, the incidence and prevalence of IIM were 2.9–5.2/1,000,000 PY and 2.3–4.0/100,000 PY, respectively.
Comorbidity ; Dermatomyositis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Myositis ; National Health Programs ; Polymyositis ; Prevalence

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing targeted therapy have a higher risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). This requires diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We aimed to evaluate whether diagnosis and treatment of LTBI in RA are effective in Korea, and to estimate the risk of TB development by calculating the incidence rate of active TB among RA patients receiving targeted therapy. Methods: We analyzed data from two prospective cohort studies of RA patients who received biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) or Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.We selected new starters of targeted therapy and classified them into three groups receiving tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, non-TNF inhibitor, and JAK inhibitor, respectively. We then compared LTBI prevalence, treatments, and active TB incidence during first-line therapy in each group. Results: A total of 765 RA patients (574 TNF inhibitor users, 132 non-TNF inhibitor users, and 59 JAK inhibitor users) were included in this study. Observation periods were 1,255.2 personyears (PYs), 264.7 PYs, and 53.3 PYs, respectively. All 765 patients underwent LTBI screening, and the positivity rate was 26.5% (n = 203). Of the 203 LTBI-positive patients, 189 (93.1%) received treatment. Only one patient, who was in the TNF inhibitor group, and was negative for the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), did not receive LTBI treatment and developed active TB during follow-up. Conclusion Although the prevalence of LTBI in RA patients who started targeted therapy was slightly elevated, the Korean guidelines specifying LTBI screening and treatment were effective in preventing latent TB from becoming active.

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing targeted therapy have a higher risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). This requires diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We aimed to evaluate whether diagnosis and treatment of LTBI in RA are effective in Korea, and to estimate the risk of TB development by calculating the incidence rate of active TB among RA patients receiving targeted therapy. Methods: We analyzed data from two prospective cohort studies of RA patients who received biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) or Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.We selected new starters of targeted therapy and classified them into three groups receiving tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, non-TNF inhibitor, and JAK inhibitor, respectively. We then compared LTBI prevalence, treatments, and active TB incidence during first-line therapy in each group. Results: A total of 765 RA patients (574 TNF inhibitor users, 132 non-TNF inhibitor users, and 59 JAK inhibitor users) were included in this study. Observation periods were 1,255.2 personyears (PYs), 264.7 PYs, and 53.3 PYs, respectively. All 765 patients underwent LTBI screening, and the positivity rate was 26.5% (n = 203). Of the 203 LTBI-positive patients, 189 (93.1%) received treatment. Only one patient, who was in the TNF inhibitor group, and was negative for the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), did not receive LTBI treatment and developed active TB during follow-up. Conclusion Although the prevalence of LTBI in RA patients who started targeted therapy was slightly elevated, the Korean guidelines specifying LTBI screening and treatment were effective in preventing latent TB from becoming active.

BACKGROUND: We compared the yields of mobilized PBSCs from single day of normal volume leukapheresis (NVL) in children and adults, and factors affecting the yields, to understand differences in mobilization efficiency between adults and small children with healthy marrows.METHODS: This study involved 18 adult volunteer donors and 47 small children weighing less than 20 kg who participated in a clinical trial of cell therapy in children with cerebral palsy. Donor factors analyzed to identify predictors of the yield of apheresis included age, gender, weight and complete blood cell count (CBC) with differential counts as well as equipment parameters.RESULTS: The yields of total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34⁺cells in the apheresis products of the children were significantly lower than in those from healthy adults. However, the efficiency of recovery of PBSCs (total CD34⁺ cell counts/TNCs) was significantly higher in small children (0.48±0.30%) than in adults (0.10±0.05%) (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis of adult donor factors showed that the processed volume and flow rate of apheresis were significantly associated with the yield of TNCs (P < 0.05, for both), but not of CD34⁺cells. However, in multivariable analysis of child donor factors, body weight and circulating WBC count on the day of apheresis were significantly associated with the yield of TNCs (P < 0.05, for both) and of CD34⁺cells (P < 0.05, for both).CONCLUSION: The predictors of PBSC yields from a single day of NVL in adults and small children are different. Also mobilization is more effective in small children than in adults.
Adult ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Component Removal ; Body Weight ; Bone Marrow ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Humans ; Leukapheresis ; Tissue Donors ; Volunteers