ABSTRACT
Objectives: · To find achievements and gaps in the existing policy, program and practices in reference to Infant and Young Child Feeding in Ethiopia. · To build a consensus among all partners on the way forward to improve the existing IYCF practice. Methods: National publications, guidelines and reports were collected and assessed based on the 15 indicators modified by International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) to identify the current situations in the country in reference to the infant and young child feeding policy, program and practices. Participants from government and non-government reviewed and compiled the report. There was an elaborate discussion on each indicator before consensus was reached. The document was also validated by participants from different organizations on February 13, 2013. Results: In this assessment gaps were identified and recommendations were also forwarded. The main gaps include the absence of National Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Idequate maternity leave conditions , lack of knowledge and experience by mothers about optimal complementary feeding practiceand the risk of bottle feeding. Conclusions: Key recommendations are the need of Implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes and capacitating of ealth workers in giving IYCF support skills for mothers. There is the needto review labour regulations s. This calls for the attention of policy makers and partners to promote optimal breastfeeding for the well being of infants and children in the country.
ABSTRACT
Aims: In Ethiopia, AIDS has become the leading cause of mortality in the 15-49 years age group, accounting for an estimated 43% of all young adult deaths. Though the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), improved survival and quality of life, early data from those treated, raised concerns about a possible increase in both peripheral and coronary arterial disease through lipodystrophy, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Hence an attempt was made in this study to understand risk factors of HIV positive subjects and prevalence of lipodystrophy, type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension in subjects receiving HAART. Study Design: Institution based cross sectional and retrospective study was conducted. Place and Duration of Study and Sample: Study participants were men and women who were HIV/AIDS patients receiving HAART from Sodo government hospital, Southern Ethiopia from December 1st, 2009 - January 30th, 2010. Methodology: By using the subjects’ electronic database as sampling frame, a total of 176 subjects were recruited for the study using simple random sampling method. Data was collected on socio demographic characteristics, HAART use, CD4 count, subjects’ status at the start of treatment, measure of body fat distribution, physical activity, blood pressure and blood glucose. Results: Prevalence of Diabetes mellitus was seen in 8% of the subjects. Hypertension was seen in 15.9% of the subjects. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age and duration of HAART both lipoatrophy and lipohypertrophy were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus while only lipohypertrophy (adjusted for age) remained to be significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: Since lipoatrophy (adjusted for age and duration of HAART) was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus and lipohypertrophy (adjusted for age and duration of HAART) was associated with diabetes mellitus and (adjusted for age) was associated with hypertension, there is a need to investigate types of HAART regimens which do not lead to lipodystrophy and associated diabetes mellitus or hypertension in AIDS/HIV subjects.