A decade after introduction: survey of training and expansion of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction is an effective non-operative treatment for pediatric intussusception, yet its adoption in low-resource settings remains variable. In Ethiopia, ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception was introduced in 2014 through a collaborative effort with an international outreach program in pediatric radiology.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to assess the trends in training, implementation, and sustained practice of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception among Ethiopian radiology graduates and the facilities represented in this survey. MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A survey was conducted targeting all radiology graduates in Ethiopia from 2015 to 2024 (N = 365), representing the entire decade following the introduction of the procedure in the country. The questionnaire assessed multiple aspects of practice: exposure during residency, post-graduation practice, current institutional availability, personal confidence, and perspectives regarding its effectiveness.

RESULTS

We received 184 responses (50.4% response rate); 178 respondents from 75 different facilities provided complete data. Most respondents (150, 84.3%) had training during residency, and 87 (48.9%) reported performing the procedure in their current clinical practice. Of the 75 facilities represented, ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction was available in 46, yielding an institutional adoption rate of 61.3%. Confidence was high, with 133 (74.7%) graduates expressing readiness to independently perform the procedure. Graduates practicing outside Ethiopia reported introducing ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction in institutions across six African countries (Angola, Lesotho, Liberia, Namibia, Tanzania, and Somalia) highlighting potential cross-border dissemination of training.

CONCLUSION

A decade after its introduction, ultrasound-guided reduction of intussusception has become widely taught and increasingly practiced among Ethiopian radiologists. Our findings highlight the impact of radiology educational initiatives and international collaborations.