Prevalence of Trachoma from 66 Impact Surveys in 52 Woredas of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' and Sidama Regions of Ethiopia, 2017-2019.

PURPOSE: Trachoma is endemic in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' (SNNP) and Sidama regions of Ethiopia. We aimed to measure the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) among children aged 1 - 9 years and the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) unknown to the health system among people aged ≥15 years following interventions for trachoma in 52 woredas of SNNP and Sidama regions. METHODS: From 2017 - 2019, 66 two-stage cluster sampling cross-sectional population-based surveys were carried out in 52 woredas (third-level administrative divisions) using a standardized World Health Organization-recommended survey methodology. This included one impact survey in 40 woredas, two consecutive impact surveys in 10 woredas and three consecutive impact surveys in two woredas. Water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) access was assessed using a modified version of the United Nations Children's Fund/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme questionnaire. RESULTS: By the end of this survey series, 15 (23%) of the woredas had met the active trachoma elimination threshold (TF prevalence <5%) and 12 (18%) had met the TT threshold (TT ≤ 0.2%). Regarding WASH coverage, 20% of households had access to an improved drinking water source within a 30-min journey and 3% had an improved latrine. There was strong evidence that TF was less common in 4 - 6-year-olds and 7 - 9-year-olds than 1 - 3-year-olds. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, further antibiotic mass drug administration is required in 37 woredas and active TT case finding is needed in 40 woredas. In these surveys, access to WASH facilities was very low; WASH improvements are required.

The prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among youth center reproductive health clinics users and non-users in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Risky sexual behaviors adversely affect the health of youth and young adults exposing them to sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy to females that in turn lead to deleterious health, social and economic consequences. Youth centers inform their clients on sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, high risk abortion, and other reproductive health problems. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among youth center reproductive health clinic users and non-users in Addis Ababa. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study design was carried out among 524 youth in Addis Ababa from March to April, 2016. The data was entered in EPI-INFO 7 software; and cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. The prevalence was computed. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was done to determine the strength, direction and significance of association between youth center reproductive health clinic utilization and risky sexual behavior and to control confounder variables respectively. RESULTS: A total of 524 youth with the response rate of 92% participated in the study. The overall prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 226 (43.1%) (With statistically significant difference in prevalence among users 101 (38.5%) and non-users 125 (47.7%) of youth center clinics, (p-value = 0.04). The odds of reporting risky sexual behavior was 60% higher among volunteers who did not use the reproductive health clinic, relative to those who did (AOR = 1.60; 95%CI = 1.08, 2.37). Teenagers aged 15-19 years were (AOR = 0.08; 95%CI = 0.05, 0.15) 92% less likely to practice risky sexual behavior compared to those aged 25-29 years old. CONCLUSION: Risky sexual behavior was statistically significantly higher among non-users of the youth center reproductive health clinic compared with the users. In addition, a substantial proportion of the youth engaged in different risky sexual behaviors that are evidenced by the existence of multiple sexual partners, sexual practice without condom and early sexual debut that might predispose youth to STIs including HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy. The ministry of health and its partners should strengthen youth center reproductive health clinics in urban, semi-urban and rural parts of Ethiopia.