Women Health Literacy and Associated Factors on Women and Child Health Care in Ilu Ababor Public Health Facilities, Ethiopia.

Background: Maternal health literacy (MHL) is the ability of mothers to obtain, interpret, appraise, and apply women and child health information that contributes to a reduction in mortality among mothers and children. This is an important concern since a woman's health during pregnancy may be her first interaction with the healthcare system, and a woman's comprehension of health information has a direct impact on her unborn child's growth throughout the process of conception. Aim: Assess the degree of maternal health literacy and related factors in women's and children's health care among mothers whose children have received basic immunizations at the public healthcare facilities in Ilu Abba Boor. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the facility between December 2021 and January 2022. Investigators trained supervisors and data collectors for five days before data collection. Through basic random sampling, 411 mothers whose children had received the minimum set of vaccinations from health facilities in the Ilu Ababor zone of Oromia, Ethiopia, were chosen. Face-to-face interviews were used to gather the data, which were then imported into Epidata 4.1 and exported to SPSS. The factors associated with maternal health literacy in maternal and child healthcare were identified through the application of descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The findings are displayed in the form of graphs, tables, and figures. Results: This study had a 100% response rate when 411 participants were invited to participate. The mean maternal health literacy score was 28.5±10.3. Most of the women (293 [71.3%]) had inadequate health literacy levels while 118 (28.7%) had adequate. The multivariate analysis's findings indicated that the rate of adequate maternal health literacy was 12.2 times higher among urban women than among rural ones (AOR=12.2 [5.34, 24.48]). Women who gave birth vaginally were 0.24 times less likely to have adequate maternal health literacy than women who had a caesarean section (AOR=0.24 [0.112, 0.503]). Mothers who had four or more prenatal care follow-ups were found to have sufficient maternal health literacy higher than those who had just one (AOR=0.23[0.095, 0.556]), two (AOR=0.26[0.138, 0.307]), and three times (0.14{0.108, 0.167]) antenatal care contacts. Discussion and Recommendation: This study shows that inadequate maternal health literacy affects the healthcare of mothers and children. Given the significance of health literacy for women's health, national health authorities ought to develop more educational initiatives aimed at raising health literacy rates and empowering women who are of reproductive age.

Determinants of wasting among children aged 6-59 months in Wonago woreda, south Ethiopia. A facility-based unmatched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Wasting continued to threaten the lives of 52 million (7.7%) under-five children globally. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for one-third of all wasted children globally, and Ethiopia is among the countries with the highest magnitude of Wasting in the region. Despite, the little decrement in the prevalence of other forms of malnutrition (stunting and underweight), the burden of wasting remains the same in the country. Gedeo zone is among those with a high prevalence of under-five wasting. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of wasting among children aged 6-59 months in Wonago Woreda, 2018. METHODS: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from May 11 to July 21/2018. A total of 356 (119 cases and 237 controls) mothers/caregivers of under-five children who visited the Wonago woreda public health facilities were included in the study using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement. Descriptive analysis was used to describe data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify determinants of wasting among children aged 6-59 months. Variables with p-value < 0.25 in bi-variate analysis entered to multivariate analysis. Those variables with a p-value less than 0.05 during the multivariate regression were considered significant. RESULTS: Determinants which found to have an association with wasting in this study were; maternal illiteracy [AOR = 2.48, 95% CI (1.11, 5.53)] family size <3 [AOR = 0.16, 95% CI (0.05, 0.50)] wealth index [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.07, 5.46)] exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months [AOR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.15, 6.40)] dietary diversity [AOR = 5.52, 95% CI (2.06, 14.76)] and children been sick in the last 2 weeks [AOR = 4.36, 95% CI (2.21, 8.61)]. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Determinants identified were maternal education, family size, wealth index, and exclusive breastfeeding, dietary diversity, and morbidity history of a child in the last 2 weeks. To reduce childhood wasting, due emphasis should be given to empowering women and improving the knowledge and practice of parents on appropriate infant and young child-caring practices.

Suicidal behavior and associated factors among prisoners in Dilla town, Dilla, Ethiopia 2020: An institutional based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a serious cause of mortality worldwide and is a psychiatric emergency. Among prisoners, it is the leading cause of death compared to the general population. However, suicide in prison is a neglected public health issue especially in middle- and low-income countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behavior among prisoners in Dilla Town Correctional Center, South Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross- sectional study was conducted from May13- June 13, 2020 in the Dilla Town Correctional Center. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 650 prisoners. Data were collected by face-to-to-face interview. Suicidal ideation and attempts were assessed by using the suicidality module of World Mental Health survey initiative version of the World Health Organization composite International diagnostic interview. Data were coded, entered with EP-data version 3.1, and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significant association between explanatory variables and outcome variables at 95% CI. THE RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt among prisoners were 21.9% (95%CI, 18.4-25.2) and 13.1% (95%CI, 10.6-15.8), respectively. Female sex [(AOR) = 2.6, 95%CI, (1.39, 8.2)], divorced/widowed [AOR = 3.67, 95%CI, (2.05, 6.58)], family history of mental illness [AOR = 2.49, 95%CI, (1.41, 4.38)], common mental disorder [AOR = 1.98, 95%CI, (1.25, 3.16)] and poor social support [AOR = 2.68, 95%CI, (1.42, 5.06)] were statistically associated with suicidal ideation. Whereas, female sex [AOR = 3.24, 95%CI, (1.89, 9.4)], previous incarceration [AOR = 2.38, 95%CI, (1.2, 5.16)], and family history of mental illness [AOR = 2.08, 95%CI, (1.11, 3.9)] were associated with suicide attempt. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among prisoners were high. The special attention in early screening and treatment of suicide among prisoners and collaborating with health institutions is important for better management and prevention.

Prevalence of tobacco dependence and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia attending their treatments at southwest Ethiopia; hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is the most typically employed in patients with mental disorders; among them, patients with schizophrenia are the very best users. The rate of smoking among patients with schizophrenia is between two and three times greater than the general population in western countries. However, there is a scarcity of studies on the magnitude and associated factors of tobacco dependence among patients with schizophrenia in Ethiopia. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of tobacco dependence and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia at Mettu Karl referral, Bedelle, and Agaro hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia. METHOD: Hospital-based the multistage stratified cross-sectional study design was conducted among 524 patients with schizophrenia who are on treatment. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to screen the prevalence of tobacco dependence. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 24. RESULT: The prevalence of tobacco dependence among study participants was 22.3% (95% CI) (18.6, 26). Concerning the severity of tobacco dependence, 3.5%, 13.8%, and 5% of the respondents report moderate, high, and very high levels of tobacco dependence respectively. The proportions of tobacco dependence among male schizophrenic patients 88 (25.8%) were higher compared to their counterparts 27 (15.5%). After controlling the effects of cofounders in the final regression analysis, male gender (AOR 2.19, 95% CI = 1.25, 3.83), being on treatment for more than 5years (AOR 4.37, 95% CI = 2.11, 9.02), having a history of admission (AOR 4.01, 95% CI = 1.99, 8.11), and family history of mental illness (AOR 1.90, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.48) were shown to have a significant positive association with tobacco dependence. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: A study show a significant proportion of tobacco dependence among people living with schizophrenia. Factors like, being male gender, being on treatment for more than 5 years, having a history of admission, and family history of mental illness was found to have a significant positive association with tobacco dependence. Hence, there is a need for coordinated and comprehensive management clinically to manage tobacco dependence along with identified risk factors in patients with schizophrenia. Also the finding call for the clinicians, managers, ministry of health and other stakeholders on the substance use prevention strategies that target personal and environmental control.

Common Mental Disorders Among Informal Primary Caregivers of Adults With Mental Illness During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic in Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are emerging respiratory viruses and cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Informal primary caregivers of individuals with mental illness were special populations suffering from both the burden of caring for mentally ill individuals and the danger of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) epidemic. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of common mental disorders (CMDs) among the informal primary caregivers of adults with mental illness during the Covid-19 epidemic. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from July 1 to 30, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to get samples of informal primary caregivers. Data were analyzed by bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the final model, variables having a p-value < 0.05 were declared as associated with CMDs. Result: Out of a total of 218 informal primary caregivers, 215 responded to this study. The prevalence of CMDs was 40.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 36.66, 44.3%] among informal primary caregivers. Being female informal primary caregivers [adjusted odds ratios (AOR) 1.98, 95% CI = 1.05, 3.76], being student informal primary caregivers (AOR 5.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 28.4), caring patients with psychosis (AOR 3.33, 95% CI: 1.12, 9.92) and caring patients with bipolar disorder (AOR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.35, 7.23) were significantly associated with CMDs. Conclusion: Our study cannot show the causal relationship due to its cross-sectional study design nature. However, this study showed relatively higher prevalence of CMDs among informal primary caregivers of adults with any mental illness during the Covid-19 epidemics relative to pre-Covid-19 times. Being a female caregiver, being a student caregiver, and caring for adults with psychosis and bipolar disorder were factors associated with CMDs. Attention should be given, and essential psychosocial care should be provided, to maintain the mental health of informal primary caregivers of individuals with mental illness especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers in Health Facilities of Mettu Town During COVID-19 Outbreak, South West Ethiopia, 2020.

Background: During any of the infectious disease outbreak, health care workers were at increased risk of being infected, and psychological distress was a common phenomenon. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the psychological distress related to COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Mettu town. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May 1-15, 2020 using convenient sampling techniques among 127 health care providers during COVID-19 pandemic in the Mettu town. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Depression and anxiety were evaluated as subscales from the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Psychological distress related to COVID-19 was measured using the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). Data analysis were done using SPSS version 24. Chi-square test was used to find the association between the outcome and demographic variables. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the significance of the association at P-value < 0.05. Result: Using IES-R scale, 40.2% of the participants reported to have the symptoms of psychological distress. The majority of the participants reported mild psychological distress (37%) followed by moderate psychological distress (29%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of psychological distress were found to be higher among health care providers who reported to have depressive symptoms, and those who used alcohol, khat and tobacco in the past 3 months shows a significant association with psychological distress. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had exerted major psychological distress on health care providers. So the findings, seek attention for early psychological intervention needed to manage psychological distress in health care providers regarding identified factors.

Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Patients with Schizophrenia Attending Follow-Up Treatment at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is one of the most severe, chronic, and disabling mental disorders found globally. The chronic nature of the illness significantly interferes with functioning and results in a poor quality of life, but little is known about the quality of life among schizophrenia patients, in particular in low-income countries. Therefore, we assessed the quality of life and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia attending Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: The hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 352 study participants using a systematic random sampling technique from June to July 2018. Patients' sociodemographic characteristic, quality of life, psychopathology, medication adherence, comorbid physical illness, and substance use disorder were assessed. Data entry and analysis were done using EpiData version 3.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, respectively. Variables with a P value < 0.05 in the final multiple regression models were declared to be associated with the outcome variable. The Results. The response rate of the study was 99.7%. The mean (±standard deviation) score of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Short Version Scale was 74.34 ± 15.83. Positive symptoms, negative symptoms, general psychopathologies, comorbid physical illness, khat use disorder, tobacco use disorder, and medication nonadherence were negatively associated with patient quality of life. However, monthly income was found to be positively associated with quality of life. Conclusion and Recommendation. The mean and standard deviation of the quality of life of people with schizophrenia is found to be 74.34 ± 15.83 in this study. The social relationship domain was found with the lowest mean score. Therefore, priority interventions need to be implemented to improve the social deficits.

Quality of life and its association with current substance use, medication non-adherence and clinical factors of people with schizophrenia in Southwest Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia was ranked as one of the top ten illnesses contributing to the global burden of disease. But little is known about the quality of life among people with schizophrenia, in particular in low-income countries. This study was aimed to examine the association of quality of life with current substance use, medication non-adherence and clinical factors of people with schizophrenia at Jimma University Medical Center, psychiatry clinic, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study design was employed. Study participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling method and a sample fraction of two was used after the first person was identified by the lottery method. we used the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief version (WHOQoL-BREF) and 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) to assess the quality of life and medication non-adherence respectively. Data about current substance use was assessed by yes/no questions. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency, mean and standard deviations were computed to describe the characteristics of the study population. Data entry was done using EpiData version 3.1 then exported to SPSS statistics version 25 for analysis and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The assumption for linear regression analysis including the presence of a linear relationship between the outcome and predictor variable, the test of normality, collinearity statistics, auto-correlation and homoscedasticity were checked. Un-standardized Beta (ß) coefficients with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-value < 0.05 were computed to assess the level of association and statistical significance in the final multiple linear regression analysis. RESULT: In this study 31.65% of participants were medication non-adherent and total mean scores of quality of life showed a lower level of satisfaction in social relationship domain (10.14 ± 3.12). Our study showed 152(43.3%), 248(70.7%) and 97(27.6%) of respondents had used tobacco, Khat and alcohol atleast once during the past 3 months respectively. Final adjusted multiple regression model showed medication non-adherence has significant negative association with physical domain (beta = - 4.42, p < 0.001), psychological (beta = - 4.49, p < 0.001), social relationships (beta = - 2.29, p < 0.001) and environmental domains (beta = - 4.95, p < 0.001). Treatment duration has significant negative association with psychological domain (beta = - 0.17, p < 0.04), social relationship (beta = - 0.14, p < 0.005), environmental domain (beta = - 0.24, p < 0.02) and overall quality of life (beta = - 0.67, p < 0.02). Having comorbid physical illness has significant negative association with physical domain (beta = - 2.74, p < 0.001), psychological (beta = - 2.13, p < 0.004), social relationships (beta = - 1.25, p < 0.007), environmental domain (beta = - 3.39, p < 0.001) and overall quality of life (beta = - 9.9, p < 0.001). Current tobacco use has significant negative association with physical domain (beta = - 1.16, p < 0.004), psychological (beta = - 1.23, p < 0.001), social relationships (beta = - 0.88, p < 0.001), environmental domains (beta = - 1.98, p < 0.001) and overall quality of life (beta = - 5.73, p < 0.001). Also, current chewing khat has significant negative association with physical domain (beta = - 1.15, p < 0.003), psychological (beta = - 1.58, p < 0.001), environmental domains (beta = - 2.63, p < 0.001) and overall quality of life (beta = - 6.22, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The social relationship domain of quality of life has the lowest mean score. Medication non-adherence, treatment duration, having a comorbid physical illness, current tobacco use and current chewing khat were found to have a statistically significant association with the overall quality of life. Therefore, treatments aimed to improve social deficits, medication non-adherence, comorbid physical illness and decrease substance abuse is imperative.

Suicidal Behavior and Associated Factors Among Students in Mettu University, South West Ethiopia, 2019: An Institutional Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior is a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. It is a public health issue that is estimated to contribute more than 2.4% to the global burden of disease by the year 2020. University and college students are among groups affected more than the general population. However, there is a scarcity of studies on the magnitude and associated factors of suicidal behavior among University students in Ethiopia, particularly in Mettu University. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of suicidal behavior and associated factors among Mettu University students. METHODS: Institution-based multistage stratified cross-sectional study design was conducted among 523 regular main campus students of Mettu University. The Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire Revised (SBQ-R) was used to screen the presence of suicidal behavior symptoms. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt was 58.3%, 37.3%, and 4.4%, respectively, with one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation at 34%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of suicidal ideation were higher among female gender, students who had poor social support, family history of suicide attempt, lifetime alcohol use, rural residence, and less frequently engaging in religious practice; these factors were significantly associated with suicidality. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-fourth of respondents report suicidal behavior. Prevalence of suicide was found to be higher. Prevention and coping actions regarding identified factors to reduce burden of suicide are needed.

Quality of life and its association with psychiatric symptoms and socio-demographic characteristics among people with schizophrenia: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify sociodemographic and illness-related factors associated with quality of life among people with Schizophrenia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 351 people with schizophrenia and attending the followup service at Jimma University Medical Center, psychiatric clinic during the study period. Participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling method and a sample fraction of two was used after the first person was identified by a lottery method. Data entry was done using EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the statistically significant association between quality of life and independent variables. RESULTS: Among the four domains of quality of life, respondents scored the lowest mean in the social relationships domain (10.14 ± 3.12). Final adjusted multiple regression model revealed, being divorced was negatively associated with the physical domain (ß = -0.72, p = 0.02), having no formal education was negatively associated with physical health domain (ß = -0.69, p = 0.001) and age was positively associated with the psychological domain (ß = 0.371, p = 0.071). Being rural resident was negatively associated with physical domain (ß = -0.48, p = 0.01), with environmental domain (ß = -0.64, p = 0.03), with social relationships domain (ß = -0.45, p = 0.04), and with overall quality of life (ß = -1.93, p = 0.006). Positive symptoms (ß = -0.22, p = 0.001), negative symptoms (ß = -0.36, p = 0.001), and general psychopathology (ß = -0.098, p = 0.006) were inversely associated with overall quality of life. CONCLUSION: In this study, the social relationship domain of quality of life among people with schizophrenia has the lowest mean score. Some socio-demographic variables and psychiatric symptoms were found to be key significant associated factors of quality of life. Priority interventions to improve the social deficits and addressing psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia is essential to improve their quality of life.