ABSTRACT
Background: Women's undernutrition is a major concern in many sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia; however, little information exists on its spatial and temporal variation within a single national context. This paper examines spatial and temporal variations in women's undernutrition and its determinants in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2016. Data source and methods: We use data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys from 2000 to 2016. We used multilevel logistic regression models with region-level random effects to estimate determinants of undernutrition. Results: The results show substantial regional variations in women's undernutrition in Ethiopia, which show mixed patterns over time. Also, the regional variations are significantly affected by age, education level, marital status, wealth, occupational status and type of residence as well as some aggregate factors. Undernutrition risks are considerably higher for teenage women, no education, never-married, unemployed, and rural women, as well as women from poor households than their counterparts. Additionally, in regions with lower levels of women's education, the risk of undernutrition was higher. Conclusions: Regional variations in women's undernutrition in Ethiopia are significantly determined by individual sociodemographic, economic and community levelcharacteristics. Policy decisions should focus on bridging the regional disparities in the country, especially in areas that have made little progress in reducing women's undernutrition
Subject(s)
Ethiopia , WomenABSTRACT
Background: Women's undernutrition is a major concern in many sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia; however, little information exists on its spatial and temporal variation within a single national context. This paper examines spatial and temporal variations in women's undernutrition and its determinants in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2016. Data source and methods: We use data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys from 2000 to 2016. We used multilevel logistic regression models with region-level random effects to estimate determinants of undernutrition. Results: The results show substantial regional variations in women's undernutrition in Ethiopia, which show mixed patterns over time. Also, the regional variations are significantly affected by age, education level, marital status, wealth, occupational status and type of residence as well as some aggregate factors. Undernutrition risks are considerably higher for teenage women, no education, never-married, unemployed, and rural women, as well as women from poor households than their counterparts. Additionally, in regions with lower levels of women's education, the risk of undernutrition was higher. Conclusions: Regional variations in women's undernutrition in Ethiopia are significantly determined by individual sociodemographic, economic and community levelcharacteristics. Policy decisions should focus on bridging the regional disparities in the country, especially in areas that have made little progress in reducing women's undernutrition
Subject(s)
Ethiopia , Malnutrition , WomenABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the recent evidence that marijuana and other cannabinoids have therapeutic potential. METHODS: Literature published since 1997 was searched using the following terms: cannabinoid, marijuana, THC, analgesia, cachexia, glaucoma, movement, multiple sclerosis, neurological, pain, Parkinson, trial, vomiting. Qualifying clinical studies were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Selected open-label studies and surveys are also discussed. RESULTS: A total of 15 independent, qualifying clinical trials were identified, of which only three had more than 100 patients each. Two large trials found that cannabinoids were significantly better than placebo in managing spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Patients self-reported greater sense of motor improvement in multiple sclerosis than could be confirmed objectively. In smaller qualifying trials, cannabinoids produced significant objective improvement of tics in Tourette's disease, and neuropathic pain. A new, non-psychotropic cannabinoid also has analgesic activity in neuropathic pain. No significant improvement was found in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease or post-operative pain. No difference from active placebo was found for management of cachexia in a large trial. Some immune system parameters changed in HIV-1 and multiple sclerosis patients treated with cannabinoids, but the clinical significance is unknown. Quality of life assessments were made in only three of 15 qualifying clinical trials. CONCLUSION: Cannabinoids may be useful for conditions that currently lack effective treatment, such as spasticity, tics and neuropathic pain. New delivery systems for cannabinoids and cannabis-based medicinal extracts, as well as new cannabinoid derivatives expand the options for cannabinoid therapy. More well-controlled, large clinical tests are needed, especially with active placebo.