Association between antenatal common mental disorders symptoms, and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes: A community-based prospective cohort study in Eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Maternal common mental disorders have broad implications for maternal and child mental and physical health that may have a long-lasting social and economic impact. This study aimed to assess the association between symptoms of antenatal common mental disorders and obstetric and perinatal outcomes in Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted and a total of 1011 randomly selected pregnant women were followed up from February 1, 2021, to January 30, 2022. The modified Poisson regression model with a robust variance was fitted to examine the effect of the symptoms of antenatal common mental disorders on obstetric and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Antenatal common mental disorders (SRQ ≥ 6) were presented among 390 (38.58 %) pregnant women. In the final multivariate Poisson regression model, women with antenatal common mental disorders symptoms had an increased risk of some pregnancy complications (ARR = 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.59, 1.84). In the current study, symptoms of antenatal common mental disorders increased also the risk of preterm birth (ARR = 1.71; 95 % CI: 1.20, 2.42) and low birth weight (ARR = 1.93; 95 % CI: 1.36, 2.74). LIMITATION: The indirect effects of some potential mediators and moderators were not assessed in this study. CONCLUSION: The study found a high rate of symptoms of antenatal common mental disorders and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Antenatal common mental disorders symptoms may have considerable effects on individual and combined pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and associated factors among adults, in the Eastern part of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorder is one of the severe and common mental illnesses in the general population. Bipolar disorder is a severe, persistent mental illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, there is a paucity of data on the prevalence of depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder in our study area. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and bipolar disorders among adults in Kersa, Haramaya, and Harar Health and Demographic Surveillance Sites in Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,416 participants. A multi-stage sampling was employed to select the participants. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria was used to assess depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Data was collected using a standard questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Both binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done. Those with a p-value < 0.05 in the final model were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depressive and bipolar disorders among our study participants was 6.7% (95% CI: 5.40, 8.20) and 2.1% (95% CI: (1.40, 3.00), respectively. The independent predictors of depressive disorder included a family history of mental illness, chronic medical illnesses, unemployment, low educational status, divorced or widowed, poor social support, and current alcohol use or khat chewing. Single, males, divorced or widowed, and current consumers of alcohol were independent predictors for bipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION: The results of our investigation showed that bipolar illness and depression were significant public health issues. It was shown that although bipolar disorder is highly prevalent in the society, depression is a widespread concern. As a result, it is imperative that the relevant body grow and enhance the provision of mental health services. Furthermore, research on the effects and burdens of bipolar disorder in the community is required.

Suicidal and aggressive behavior among populations within institutional quarantine and isolation centers of COVID-19 in eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease is still not under the control globally and has caused various mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, suicide, and aggressive behavior in different populations. The pandemic-related issues which are applied to control the pandemic such as protection measures against COVID-19, social distancing, isolation, and quarantine can also trigger mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess suicidal behavior and aggression, and its correlates during COVID-19 among populations within institutional quarantine and isolation centers in Ethiopia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 392 participants. The convenience sampling method was used to select the study participants. Suicide Behavioral Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)were applied to determine the suicide and aggressive behavior of study participants respectively. Epi-data 3.1 and SPSS 20.0were used to enter and analyze the data respectively. Logistic and linear regressions were fitted to explore correlates associated with suicidal behavior and aggression respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal behavior was 8.7% (95% CI: 6.1, 11.5) whereas the mean total score of behavioral aggression was 2.45±5.90 (95% CI: 1.84, 3.08). Being female (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.09, 6.32), having common mental disorders (AOR = 6.08, 95% CI: 2.32, 15.93), manifesting the symptoms of COVID-19 (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.48, 2.86), and poor social support (AOR = 7.30, 95% CI: 1.44, 37.10) were significantly associated with suicidal behavior, whereas male gender (ß coefficient = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.35, 4.70), low level of knowledge about COVID-19 (ß coefficient = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.41), and substance use (ß coefficient = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.23, 6.47) were positively associated with mean overt aggression score. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that suicidal and aggressive behaviors were prevalent with significant correlates. Therefore, it is important and required to provide focused mental health and psycho-social services for the selected and high-risk populations such as those in quarantine and isolation centers for being suspected.

Impact of hepatitis C virus point-of-care RNA viral load testing compared with laboratory-based testing on uptake of RNA testing and treatment, and turnaround times: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care (POC) hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA nucleic acid test viral load assays are being used increasingly as an alternative to centralised, laboratory-based standard-of-care (SOC) viral load assays to reduce loss to follow-up. We aimed to evaluate the impact of using POC compared with SOC approaches on uptake of HCV RNA viral load testing and treatment, and turnaround times from testing to treatment along the HCV care cascade. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published in English between Jan 1, 2016, and April 13, 2022. We additionally searched for accepted conference abstracts (2016-20) not identified in the main search. The contacts directory of the WHO Global Hepatitis Programme was also used to solicit additional studies on use of POC RNA assays. We included studies if they evaluated use of POC HCV RNA viral load with or without a comparator laboratory-based SOC assay, and had data on uptake of viral load testing and treatment, and turnaround times between these steps in cascade. We excluded studies with a sample size of ten or fewer participants. The POC studies were categorised according to whether the POC assay was based onsite at the clinic, in a mobile unit, or in a laboratory. Studies using the POC assay or comparator SOC assays were further stratified according to four models of care: whether HCV testing and treatment initiation were performed in the same or different site, and on the same or a different visit. The comparator was centralised, laboratory-based HCV RNA SOC assays. For turnaround times, we calculated the weighted median of medians with 95% CIs. We analysed viral load testing and treatment uptake using random-effects meta-analysis. The quality of evidence was rated using the GRADE framework. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020218239. FINDINGS: We included 45 studies with 64 within-study arms: 28 studies were in people who inject drugs, were homeless, or both; four were in people incarcerated in prison; nine were in the general or mixed (ie, includes high-risk groups) populations; and four were in people living with HIV. All were observational studies. The pooled median turnaround times between HCV antibody test and treatment initiation was shorter with onsite POC assays (19 days [95% CI 14-53], ten arms) than with either laboratory-based POC assays (64 days [64-64], one arm) or laboratory-based SOC assays (67 days [50-67], two arms). Treatment uptake was higher with onsite POC assays (77% [95% CI 72-83], 34 arms) or mobile POC assays (81% [60-97], five arms) than with SOC assays (53% [31-75], 12 arms); onsite and mobile POC assay vs SOC assay p=0·029). For POC and SOC arms, higher RNA viral load testing uptake was seen with the same-site models for testing and treatment than with different-site models (all within-category p≤0·0001). For onsite and mobile POC arms, there was higher treatment uptake for same-site than different-site models (within-category p<0·0001). Four studies had direct within-study POC versus SOC comparisons for RNA viral load testing uptake (pooled relative risk 1·11 [95% CI 0·89-1·38]), and there were ten studies on treatment uptake (1·32 [1·06-1·64]). Overall, the quality of evidence was rated as low. INTERPRETATION: Compared with use of laboratory-based SOC HCV viral load testing, the use of POC assays was associated with reduced time from antibody test to treatment initiation and increased treatment uptake. The effect of POC viral load testing is greatest when positioned within a simplified care model in which testing and treatment are provided at the same site, and, where possible, on the same day. POC HCV RNA viral load testing is now recommended in WHO guidelines as an alternative strategy to laboratory-based viral load testing. FUNDING: Unitaid.

Khat use and associated factors during pregnancy in eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Women of reproductive age are increasingly using khat. The use of khat is associated with prelabor rupture of membranes, anemia among pregnant women, and other problems related to motherhood and infanthood. Most of the previous studies performed at the facility level revealed that different factors were associated with khat use among pregnant women. Lower educational status, low wealth index, and the age of the mother were the factors significantly associated with maternal khat use. Partner substance use also has a significant association with maternal khat use. However, there is limited information about khat use and its associated factors among pregnant women in the study area. Objective: This study aims at assessing the prevalence of khat use and associated factors among pregnant women in Kersa and Haramaya Health and Demographic Surveillance System Sites, eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among randomly selected 1,015 pregnant women from an open cohort from Kersa and Haramaya Health and Demographic Surveillance System Sites in Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews from January 30 to April 30, 2021, using Open Data Kit (ODK) software and analyzed using SPSS v-26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of pregnant women. Factors associated with khat use were identified by bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses; an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of khat use among pregnant women was 15.5% (95% CI, 13.3-17.7). Age of the pregnant women; being in the age group between 25 and 35 years (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI, 1.33-4.89) and 35 years and greater (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI, 1.29-4.20); having a chronic medical illness (AOR = 3.28, 95% CI, 1.27-8.48); and having a history of abortion (AOR = 2.87 95% CI, 1.73-4.76) significantly increased the likelihood of khat use among pregnant women. Conclusion: The current study revealed a relatively high magnitude of khat use in pregnant women as compared with previous studies. The age of the pregnant women, history of medical illness, and history of abortion were significantly associated with khat use during pregnancy.

Intimate Partner Violence and Its Predictors among Pregnant Women in Eastern Ethiopia: Generalized Structural Equation Modeling.

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a negative impact on women's physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Identifying the determinant factors of IPV among pregnant women is of paramount importance to overcome its negative consequences thereby increasing the performance of women in all activities. Thus, this study applied a generalized structural equation model (GSEM) to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence among pregnant women and its predictors in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS), Eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected form a sample of 1051 pregnant women using structured questionnaires. Descript findings were presented in percentage with 95% confidence interval. The generalized structural equation model was used to determine factors associated with each domain of IPV (physical, emotional, and social violence). Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI were used to declare significant factors associated with intimate partner violence. Results: The overall prevalence of IPV in the Eastern Ethiopia was 48.57% (95% CI: 45.45, 51.69). The highest intimate partner violence was observed in the sexual domain of IPV (31.6%, 95% CI: (28.8, 34.58)). In GSEM, being a farmer (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.91) was significantly associated with psychological domain of IPV. Age (AOR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99) and educational status (neither read nor write) (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.61, 3.89) were significantly associated with physical domain of IPV. Being in medium (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.90) and rich (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.78), wealth quintiles were significantly associated with sexual domain of IPV, whereas husband controlling behavior was significantly associated with all domains of IPV. Conclusions: The magnitude of IPV among pregnant women was relatively high in Eastern Ethiopia. This finding pin a light to pay special consideration to pregnant women at each point of service delivery to alleviate consequence of IPV. Being a farmer, older ages and being in higher wealth quintiles were protective factor, whereas being uneducated increase the risk of IPV. Improving socioeconomic status and promoting legal rights of women is needed to alleviate the problem, and younger women require special attention.

Undernutrition and associated factors among rural pregnant women in Eastern Ethiopia.

Objectives: Maternal undernutrition is a burning issue in Ethiopia. However, updated evidence is limited in the eastern part of the country; particularly the mental health-related factors of undernutrition. The study, hence, aimed at assessing the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among rural pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional research was carried out at a community level among 1015 randomly selected pregnant women. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data through face-to-face interviews. The characteristics of participants were described and summarized by frequencies, percentages, and summary measures. Logistic regression was performed to find out factors related to undernutrition. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition was 43.8% (95% confidence interval: 40.8, 47.0). Early marriage (adjusted odds ratio = 2.63, confidence interval: 2.00, 3.47), no antenatal care follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = 1.73, 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.29), inadequately diversified diet (adjusted odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.77, 3.48), current substance use (adjusted odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 2.19), history of mental illness (adjusted odds ratio = 2.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 5.82), and common mental disorders (adjusted odds ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.34, 2.43) were the significant predictors of undernutrition among pregnant women. Conclusions: Undernutrition was a significant public health issue among rural pregnant women. Age at first marriage, antenatal care follow-up, dietary diversity, current substance use, history of mental illness, and common mental disorder were the independent predictors of undernutrition. Therefore, the health offices of Kersa and Haramaya districts should invest their efforts to prevent undernutrition among pregnant women through nutrition counselling and education, and mental health and psychosocial support.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Common Mental Disorders Among Pregnant Mothers in Rural Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: Antenatal common mental disorder is a significant public health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries with an extensive treatment gap. Common mental disorders have multifaceted implications on maternal and fetal health outcomes during pregnancy with long-running economic and social sequels. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of common mental disorder and associated factors among pregnant mothers in eastern Ethiopia, Kersa and Haramaya Health, and Demographic surveillance sites. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Kersa and Haramaya health and demographic surveillance sites from January 30 to April 30, 2021. World Health Organization Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to measure common mental disorder among 1,015 randomly selected pregnant women. Data were collected face-to-face using open data kit software. Logistic regression was fitted to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. Results: The overall prevalence of common mental disorders (SRQ > 6) among pregnant women was 37.5% (95% CI: 34.5, 40.5). Current substance use (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.37, 2.88), intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI 2.02, 3.53), null parity (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.65, 5.84), gestational age [first trimester (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.01, 4.93) and third trimester (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.31, 2.31)], history of abortion (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.27, 3.24), and absence of antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.08, 1.89) were significantly associated with common mental disorder during pregnancy. Conclusion: Common mental disorders are prevalent among pregnant women in the study area with significant correlates. Administration of regular screening programs for maternal mental health conditions in rural, low-income communities, integrating into primary health care settings is imperative to reduce the risk.

Common mental disorders amongst frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: A novel coronavirus had a profound physiological and psychological burden with regards to contracting the disease or uncertainties in the care of infected patients. Especially, at risk are frontline healthcare workers who are participating in the care of such patients. Aim: This study investigated the burden of mental health problems amongst the frontline health workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Ethiopia. Setting: East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region and Harari Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three selected hospitals of COVID-19 treatment centers. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 423 participants from each hospital. The self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess the presence of common mental disorders. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of common mental disorders amongst frontline healthcare workers was 22.6%. Being female, married, having had direct contact with COVID-19 patients, working in COVID-19 treatment centers and ICU, having any symptoms of COVID-19, current three-month use of any substances, and poor social support were found to be strong predictors of common mental disorders in frontline health workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. Conclusion: The considerable proportions of frontline health care workers have common mental health problems. Strategies need to address COVID-19 related mental health problems, and integrate psychosocial intervention to support the frontline health workers is paramount.

Health status of street children and reasons for being forced to live on the streets in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Using mixed methods.

INTRODUCTION: In Ethiopia, more than four million children are anticipated to live under particularly difficult circumstances. Street children are subject to violence, a lack of health care, and a lack of education. Which denies them the right to live in a secure environment and exposes them to different health problems. Currently, little is known about the prevalence of Streetism, including health conditions. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the health status of street children and determinants of Streetism. METHODS: Mixed methods (sequential) were employed from February 1 to 28, 2021. Quantitative cross-sectional study design and phenomenological qualitative designs were applied. Overall, 220 street children were involved in the study. The most common reason that forced the children to resort to a street way of life is to look for a job and quarreled with parents. The data were collected using interviews methods. Chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regression were applied to examine the variations among variables with the health status of street children. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. RESULTS: The study included a total of 220 street children. As to the quantitative study, the majority of study participants (92.73%) drank alcohol regularly. Depression (39.22%) and peer pressure (43.14%) were the most common initiation causes of drinking alcohol. According to a qualitative study report, "Street children are mostly affected by the communicable disease" and… They are addicted to substances like benzene" which had a profound effect on their health." Furthermore, the study discovered a statistically significant association between respondents' health status and sociodemographic characteristics (age and educational status), job presence, and drug use. CONCLUSION: This study identified the factors that drove street children to live on the streets, such as the inability to find work and disagreements with their parents. The majority of the street children were affected by preventable and treatable diseases. Unfortunately, almost all street children reported drinking alcohol, which exposed them to a variety of health problems. In general, the study discovered that street children require immediate attention. Decision-makers and academicians should collaborate to develop a plan for these children's health and social interventions.

Community risk perception and health-seeking behavior in the era of COVID-19 among adult residents of Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 brought significant challenges to public health. It changed the view of global health and safety, trust in the healthcare system, and clients' willingness to seek healthcare. To contain the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and its detrimental effects, understanding peoples' health behavior, especially healthcare-seeking, and determining the community risk perception is very important. Thus, this study aimed to determine the health-seeking behavior, community's risk perception to COVID-19 pandemics, and factors influencing the community risk perception in Harari regional state, Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 5 to 30 February 2021. A total of 1320 adult (>18 years) participants were selected using systematic random sampling. The data were collected using an online kobo collect toolbox and analyzed using descriptive statistical tests. Chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regression were applied to examine the difference between variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be of statistical significance. RESULTS: The study included 1296 respondents >18 years old. The overall prevalence of willingness to seek healthcare in the study area was 35.6% (95% CI: 33%-38.3.0%). The mean cumulative score of risk perception was 30.5 (SD ± 7.25) with the minimum and maximum score of 13 and 63, respectively. A total of 656 (50.6%) of the participants had low-risk perceptions concerning COVID-19. The study found a statistically significant association between risk perception and sociodemographic characteristics (age, educational status, and income), and knowledge of the respondents. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of willingness to seek healthcare was 35.6%. Healthcare intervention aimed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic should consider the factors associated with the study area. Similarly, the study found a low-risk perception among the community that needs critical action to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the community as a whole. Thus, it is necessary to improve community risk perception through health education.

Psychological Burden and Associated Factors of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People in Quarantine and Isolation Centers in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Globally, a lot of countries put into practice early quarantine measures as an essential COVID-19 prevention mechanism. Other than physical effects, quarantine has a major result on mental health and well-being at both the individual as well as the community level at large. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the psychological burden of COVID-19 on the people in quarantine and isolation centers and to identify associated factors for early and effective psychosocial intervention during the pandemic and beyond. Method: A cross-sectional study was done among 392 suspected cases of COVID-19 that were in quarantine and isolation centers found in Eastern Ethiopia in 2020. Participants were selected by the convenience sampling method. The common mental disorder was measured by the Self Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20). Logistic regression was done to identify predictive factors, and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The common mental disorder among suspected cases of COVID-19 in Ethiopia was found to be 13.5% (95% CI: 10.2, 17.1%). Female (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.92), known chronic medical illness (AOR = 7.0, 95% CI: 2.2, 21.8), inadequate accessibility of personal protective equipment (AOR = 6.1, 95% CI: 2.8, 13.3), poor awareness about the pandemic (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 2.71, 7.54), presence of symptoms of the disease (AOR = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.57, 11.1), and substance use (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.1) were found to be associated with a common mental disorder. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the common mental disorder was relatively high among suspected cases of COVID-19 in quarantine and isolation centers as compared with the general population. The results of the present study demonstrate that some subpopulations are more vulnerable to the pandemic's deleterious effects on mental health. Therefore, providing appropriate psychosocial intervention for the populations at risk is important to decrease the effect of common mental disorders among suspected cases of COVID-19.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Factors Among Jimma University Undergraduate Students.

PURPOSE: Harmful alcohol use among University students is a problem throughout the world. However, little is known about alcohol use disorders among JFD university students in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of alcohol use disorder (AUD) among Jimma University undergraduate students. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Jimma university students. Data were collected from 741 sampled students who were selected through a multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), Oslo 3 items social support scale (OSS-3), and Kessler-6 (K6) tools were used to assess alcohol use disorders, social support, and psychological distress, respectively. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine the independently associated factors of AUD. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AUD among Jimma University undergraduate students was 26.5%. There was a positive and independent association between AUDs and being single AOR= 1.98, 95% CI [1.21, 3.22], having a history of mental illness AOR= 1.98, 95% CI [1.04, 3.75], having a history of suicidal attempt AOR= 3.63, 95% CI [1.18, 11.11], smoking cigarette AOR= 5.04, 95% CI [2.02, 12.57], having peer pressure to drink alcohol AOR= 2.72, 95% CI [1.76, 4.19] and presence of mental distress AOR= 2.81, 95% CI [1.83, 4.32]. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of AUD was high in the sampled undergraduate students of Jimma University. AUD was positively associated with mental, substance, and behavioral risk factors. Therefore, concerted actions needed to emplace to increase the student's awareness of the effect of harmful alcohol use. Moreover, it is recommended that further studies need to be conducted to develop strategies for evidence-based interventions.

Prevalence and associated factors of depression among Jimma University students. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common health problem among university students. It is debilitating and has a detrimental impact on students psychosocial, emotional, interpersonal functioning and academic performance, However, there is a scarcity of information on this regard in higher education institutions in Ethiopia, so the current study was conducted to assess the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among Jimma University students. METHODS: An institution-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 556 sampled students selected by a multistage stratified sampling technique. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to screen depression severity. Data was collected through a pretested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were checked manually for completeness and entered into Epidata manager Version 2.0.8.56 data entry software then exported to SPSS version 20 Statistical software for analysis. The obtained data were described using descriptive statistics as well as logistic regression analysis was done to determine the independent predictors of the outcome variable. First bivariate analysis was done and variables significant at p value ≤ 0.25 were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for confounders. The significance of association was determined at a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05. RESULT: The prevalence of depression among the students was 28.2%. Having a mentally ill family member (OR = 2.307, 95%CI 1.055-5.049), being from the college of Social science and humanity (OR = 2.582, 95%CI 1.332-5.008), having sex after drinking (OR = 3.722, 95%CI 1.818-7.619), being hit by sexual partner (OR = 3.132, 95%CI 1.561-6.283), having childhood emotional abuse (OR = 2.167, 95%CI 1.169-4.017), having monthly pocket money between 500-999 ETB (OR = 0.450, 95% CI 0.204-0.995), and promoted academic performance (OR = 2.912, 95% CI 1.063-7.975) were significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression among Jimma University students was high and positively associated with being from the college of social science and humanity, history of a hit by a sexual partner, having a mentally ill family member, having more monthly pocket money, promoted academic performance, having sex after drinking and childhood emotional abuse. Therefore, establishing depression screening services on the campus and designing proper mental health intervention programs is recommended to tackle the problem.

Is There Association between Risky Sexual Behaviors and Depression Symptoms among Youth? A Case of Jimma University Students, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Risky Sexual Behaviors (RSB) and Depression symptoms expose young people to various reproductive health problems including sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. To date the link between these two major public health problems lacks empirical evidence in the context of higher education institutions in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess association between risky sexual behavior and depression symptoms among Jimma University main campus students, Jimma, Ethiopia, 2016. METHODS: An institution based quantitative cross sectional study was conducted. A pre-tested questionnaire and modified Beck Depression Inventory II were administered to 700 students, selected by multi-stage stratified sampling, from the main campus of Jimma University. Descriptive statistics, simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze possible confounders. Presence of crude association between the dependent and independent variables was detected by bivariate logistic regression analysis. Variables with p value < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression to exclude the confounders. Adjusted odd ratios with 95%CI were computed to examine depression symptoms and other independent variables as predictors of RSB. RESULTS: RSB were reported by 30.2% students. Out of 222 (33.6%) students with depression symptoms 105 (47.3%) reported RSB. Students with moderate depression symptoms are nearly two times more likely to experience risky sexual behavior than students with no depression symptoms (AOR 1.9, 95% CI: 1-3.1). Students with severe depression symptoms are nearly two and half times more likely to experience RSB than students with no depression symptoms counterparts (AOR 2.6, 95%CI: 1.3- 5.1). CONCLUSION: RSB were high among students with depression symptoms in the main campus of Jimma University. To help students overcome the challenges, recommendation was given for concerted action from the University, governmental and NGO, and the surrounding community to establish support services and various reproductive and mental health awareness programs within the campus.