Explore the practice and barriers of collaborative health policy and system research-priority setting exercise in Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Collaboration is gaining prominence in the priority setting of Health Policy And System Research (HPSR). However, its practice and challenges are not well explored in Ethiopia. Understanding the practice and barriers of collaborative Health Policy and System Research will help design approaches and platforms for setting inclusive and participatory policy and system-level health research topics. This paper explores the practice and barriers of collaborative HPSR-priority setting exercise in Ethiopia. METHODS: This study investigates the practice and barriers of collaborative health policy and system research priority-setting exercises in Ethiopia. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and an online self-administered survey with open-ended questionnaires to capture diverse perspectives from stakeholders involved in the research priority-setting process. Through conventional content analysis, we identified key contents related to current practices, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing collaboration in health policy and system research prioritization. RESULTS: Our findings reveal a complex landscape characterized by varying levels of stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity constraints, and competing priorities within the health research ecosystem. Despite notable efforts to foster collaboration, stakeholders identified persistent challenges such as limited resources, institutional fragmentation, and inadequate coordination mechanisms as barriers to effective priority-setting processes. The implications of our research extend beyond academic discourse, with direct relevance to health policy and system research practice in Ethiopia. By shedding light on the dynamics of collaborative priority-setting exercises, our findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of health research prioritization processes. Addressing the identified barriers and leveraging existing strengths in the research ecosystem can contribute to more evidence-informed health policies and programs, ultimately improving health outcomes for Ethiopian populations. CONCLUSIONS: Most institutions do not apply health policy and system research-priority setting to conduct informed decision-making. The barriers explored were weak integration, lack of knowledge, system, and platforms for the priority setting of Health Policy and System Resreach. So, it is recommended to build skills of different actors in the Health Policy and System Research-priority setting exercise and design a system and platform to integrate different stakeholders for collaborative research topics priority setting.

Oral hygiene practices and associated factors among rural communities in northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral hygiene affects the overall health and quality of life. However, the oral hygiene practice in rural communities and contributing factors are not well documented. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess oral hygiene practices and associated factors among rural communities in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1190 households. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire, prepared based on a review of relevant literature. The questionnaire comprises socio-demographic information, access to health and hygiene messages, oral hygiene practices, and water quality. We assessed oral hygiene practices with these criteria: mouth wash with clean water in every morning, mouth wash with clean water after eating, brushing teeth regularly, and avoiding gum pricking. Gum pricking in this study is defined as sticking needles or wires into gums to make the gums black for beauty. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with oral hygiene practices. Significant associations were declared on the basis of adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-values < 0.05. RESULTS: Results showed that all the family members usually washed their mouth with clean water in everyday morning and after eating in 65.2% and 49.6% of the households, respectively. Furthermore, 29.9% of the households reported that all the family members regularly brushed their teeth using toothbrush sticks and one or more of the family members in 14.5% of the households had gum pricking. Overall, 42.9% (95% CI: 39.9, 45.6%) of the households had good oral hygiene practices. Health and/or hygiene education was associated with good oral hygiene practices in the area (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.21). CONCLUSION: More than half of the households had poor oral hygiene practices in the area and cleaning of teeth with toothpastes is not practiced in the area, where as gum pricking is practiced in more than one-tenth of the households. The local health department needs provide community-level oral health education/interventions, such as washing mouth with clean water at least twice a day, teeth brushing using indigenous methods such as toothbrush sticks or modern methods such as toothpastes, and avoiding gum pricking to promote oral health.

Building a resilient health system for universal health coverage and health security: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Resilient health system (RHS) is crucial to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and health security. However, little is known about strategies towards RHS to improve UHC and health security. This systematic review aims to synthesise the literature to understand approaches to build RHS toward UHC and health security. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted including studies published from 01 January 2000 to 31 December 2021. Studies were searched in three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) using search terms under four domains: resilience, health system, universal health coverage, and health security. We critically appraised articles using Rees and colleagues' quality appraisal checklist to assess the quality of papers. A systematic narrative synthesis was conducted to analyse and synthesise the data using the World Health Organization's health systems building block framework. RESULTS: A total of 57 articles were included in the final review. Context-based redistribution of health workers, task-shifting policy, and results-based health financing policy helped to build RHS. High political commitment, community-based response planning, and multi-sectorial collaboration were critical to realising UHC and health security. On the contrary, lack of access, non-responsive, inequitable healthcare services, poor surveillance, weak leadership, and income inequalities were the constraints to achieving UHC and health security. In addition, the lack of basic healthcare infrastructures, inadequately skilled health workforces, absence of clear government policy, lack of clarity of stakeholder roles, and uneven distribution of health facilities and health workers were the challenges to achieving UHC and health security. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced healthcare infrastructures and adequate number of healthcare workers are essential to achieving UHC and health security. However, they are not alone adequate to protect the health system from potential failure. Context-specific redistribution of health workers, task-shifting, result-based health financing policies, and integrated and multi-sectoral approaches, based on the principles of primary health care, are necessary for building RHS toward UHC and health security.

Improving cervical cancer continuum of care towards elimination in Ethiopia: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second-leading cause of death among all cancers in Ethiopia. Ethiopia plans to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, following the World Health Organization's call for action. A scoping review was conducted on the status of the cervical cancer continuum towards elimination in Ethiopia. METHODS: We searched articles in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. All studies conducted on cervical cancer in Ethiopia, from first date of publication to March 15, 2023, type of article, or language of publication, were included. However, conference abstracts, commentaries, and letters to the editors were excluded. We used EndNote X9 software to merge articles from different databases and automatically remove duplicates. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts was performed independently by two co-authors. The cancer care continuum was employed as a framework to guide data synthesis and present the findings. RESULTS: Of the 569 retrieved articles, 159 were included in the review. They found that most of the articles focused on knowledge, attitude, and practice. However, there were few studies on health-seeking behavior, perception and acceptability of cervical cancer services, as well as the availability and readiness of a screening program. The review identified inadequate knowledge, attitude, and perception about cervical cancer, and highlighted that screening for cervical cancer is not widely utilized in Ethiopia. Knowledge, attitude, education status, and income were repeatedly reported as precursors influencing cervical cancer screening. Most studies concluded that there is a high prevalence of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer, as well as high mortality rates or short survival times. The review also identified significant heterogeneity in findings across time and geographic settings within each component of the cancer care continuum. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there is inadequate knowledge, perception, health-seeking behavior, screening, and treatment services, indicating that the country is falling behind its targets in eliminating cervical cancer, despite the availability of effective interventions and tools. We argue that implementation research is necessary to identify implementation issues, challenges, and strategies to scale up both primary and secondary prevention services. By doing so, Ethiopia can address cervical cancer as a public health problem and work towards its elimination.

Improving cervical cancer continuum of care towards elimination in Ethiopia: a scoping review.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second-leading cause of death among all cancers in Ethiopia. Ethiopia plans to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, following the World Health Organization's call for action. A scoping review was conducted on the status of the cervical cancer continuum towards elimination in Ethiopia. Methods: We searched articles in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. All studies conducted on cervical cancer in Ethiopia, irrespective of date of publication, type of article, or language of publication were included. However, conference abstracts, commentaries, and letters to the editors were excluded. We used EndNote x9 software to merge articles from different databases and automatically remove duplicates. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts was performed by two co-authors independently. The cancer care continuum was employed as a framework to guide data synthesis and present the findings. Results: Of the 569 retrieved articles, 159 were included in the review. The found most of articles were about knowledge, attitude, and practice. There were few studies on health-seeking behaviour, perception and acceptability to cervical cancer services and availability and readiness of a screening programme. The review identified that there was inadequate knowledge, attitude and perception about cervical cancer. Screening for cervical cancer is not widely used in Ethiopia. Knowledge and attitude, education status, and income were repeatedly reported as precursors for cervical cancer screening. Most studies concluded a high prevalence of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer, as well as high mortality rates or short survival times. The review also identified that there is huge heterogeneity in findings under each component of the cancer care continuum across time and geographic settings. Conclusions: Overall, there is inadequate knowledge, perception, health seeking behaviour, screening and treatment services. This implies that the country is lagging behind the targets towards eliminating cervical cancer despite the availability of effective interventions and tools. We argue that an implementation research is needed to identify implementation issues, challenges and strategies to scale up both primary and secondary prevention services so that cervical cancer will not anymore be a public health problem.

Hand hygiene practice and associated factors among rural communities in northwest Ethiopia.

This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1190 randomly selected rural households in northwest Ethiopia to assess hand hygiene practice and associated factors. Frequent handwashing with rubbing agents, drying mechanisms; and condition of fingernails were used to assess hand hygiene practice. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with hand hygiene and statistically significant association was declared on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-values < 0.05. Results showed that 28.8% (95% CI 26.2, 31.4%) of the households had good hand hygiene practice. Good hand hygiene practice was significantly associated with formal education attended household heads (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.33, 2.40), family discussion on sanitation (AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.08, 2.26), provision of health education (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.62, 3.06), and availability of water (AOR 3.51, 95% CI 1.02, 12.05). In conclusion, about one-third of the rural households had good hand hygiene practice and more than two-third had poor hand hygiene practice in the study area, and this may imply that hands in the area may play roles in spreading infections in the community. Therefore, people need to be informed to always keep their hand hygiene good.

Enteric infections and management practices among communities in a rural setting of northwest Ethiopia.

Infections with enteric pathogens have a high mortality and morbidity burden, as well as significant social and economic costs. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions are the leading risk factors for enteric infections, and prevention in low-income countries is still primarily focused on initiatives to improve access to improved WASH facilities. Rural communities in developing countries, on the other hand, have limited access to improved WASH services, which may result in a high burden of enteric infections. Limited information also exists about the prevalence of enteric infections and management practices among rural communities. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess enteric infections and management practices among communities in a rural setting of northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1190 randomly selected households in a rural setting of northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured and pretested interviewers-administered questionnaire and spot-check observations. We used self-reports and medication history audit to assess the occurrence of enteric infections among one or more of the family members in the rural households. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with enteric infections. Statistically significant association was declared on the basis of adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p value < 0.05. Out of a total of 1190 households, 17.4% (95% CI: 15.1, 19.7%) of the households reported that one or more of the family members acquired one or more enteric infections in 12 months period prior to the survey and 470 of 6089 (7.7%) surveyed individuals had one or more enteric infections. The common enteric infections reported at household-level were diarrhea (8.2%), amoebiasis (4.1%), and ascariasis (3.9%). Visiting healthcare facilities (71.7%), taking medications without prescriptions (21.1%), and herbal medicine (4.5%) are the common disease management practices among rural households in the studied region. The occurrence of one or more enteric infections among one or more of the family members in rural households in 12 months period prior to the survey was statistically associated with presence of livestock (AOR: 2.24, 95% CI:1.06, 4.75) and households headed by uneducated mothers (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: (1.18, 2.23). About one-fifth of the rural households in the studied region reported that one or more of the family members had one or more enteric infections. Households in the study area might acquire enteric infections from different risk factors, mainly poor WASH conditions and insufficient separation of animals including their feces from human domestic environments. It is therefore important to implement community-level interventions such as utilization of improved latrine, protecting water sources from contamination, source-based water treatment, containment of domestic animals including their waste, community-driven sanitation, and community health champion.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal and Child Health Services and Strategies for Effective Service Implementation in Ethiopia.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global burden to the Health sector of developing countries. However, the effect of COVID-19 on maternal and child health services is scarce and no evidence was documented in the Ethiopian context. Hence, this particular study aimed to examine the effect of the pAndemic and to identify effective strategies in Ethiopia. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied. For the qualitative, 74 study participants were considered. Study participants were selected purposively and interview guide was used to collect data. Finally audio records were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed thematically. For the quantitative, data were extracted from the DHIS2 reports to assess the trend over time. Results: The qualitative findings indicated that the pandemic affected the MNCH services to be inaccessible and low quality. The trend analysis also showed that the COVID-19 has disrupted MNCH services particularly in the first two months Of the pandemic. Health workers also faced a scarcity of personal protective equipment, work overload and shortage Of resources during the pandemic. As a cope up strategy, the Health system at all levels has established a COVID-19 task force supported by a working guideline. There is also a media prevention program, establishment of quarantine at home, resource mobilization, active surveillance, availing extra ambulances and strong follow-up. Conclusion: Multiple interventions applied to curb the pandemic have lowered MNCH service utilization. The low commitment of health workers, resources shortage and movement restrictions had a an impact on the uptake of MCH services. There should be a balance in resource utilization to COVID and other essential Health services and the government should avail the necessary supplies during the COVID era. Regionally tailored adaptive interventions are also required to improve MNCH service uptake. Extensive media advocacy and HEWs active involvement for community mobilization are also recommended.

Access to basic drinking water services, safe water storage, and household water treatment practice in rural communities of northwest Ethiopia.

Protecting water from cross contamination at source and point of use is an important strategy to improve water quality. However, water safety measures at the source and point of use may not be implemented in the rural communities. This community-based cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted among 1190 randomly selected households in a rural setting of northwest Ethiopia to assess access to basic drinking water services, safe water storage, and household water treatment practices. Water service level was determined using JMP criteria and practices that prevent cross contamination of water at point of use were used to determine safe water storage. Results showed that 23.0% of the households had access to basic water services; 37.0% practiced safe water storage; and 15.4% practiced one or more household water treatment methods. Public taps (54.5%) and protected spring (25.1%) were the common water sources to rural communities in northwest Ethiopia. Boiling (43.2%), chlorination or water guard (26.8%), and plain sedimentation (23.0%) were among the household water treatment methods commonly practiced in the area. In conclusion, rural households in the studied region has low access to basic water services. Safe water storage practice was also low in the area and household water treatment is not commonly practiced.

The impact of perception on institutional delivery service utilization in Northwest Ethiopia: the health belief model.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has been striving to promote institutional delivery through community wide programs. However, home is still the preferred place of delivery for most women encouraged by the community`s perception that delivery is a normal process and home is the ideal environment. The proportion of women using institutional delivery service is below the expected level. Therefore, we examined the impact of perception on institutional delivery service use by using the health belief model. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,394 women who gave birth during the past 1 year from September to December 2019. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by using health belief model constructs, and structured and pretested questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Institutional delivery service was used by 58.17% (95% CI: 55.57- 60.77%) of women. The study showed that high perceived susceptibility (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.19-2.92), high cues to action (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.04-2.36), husbands with primary school education (AOR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.06-1.94), multiparty(5 or more) (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI 1.85-4.72), discussion on institutional delivery at home (AOR = 4.25; 95% CI 2.85-6.35), no close follow-up by health workers (AOR = 0.59;95% CI 0.39-0.88), regular antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 1.77;95% CI 1.23,2.58), health professionals lack of respect to clients (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI 1.45-3.79), and lack of health workers (AOR = 0.43;95% CI 0.29-0.61) were significantly associated with the utilization health behavior of institutional delivery service. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of institutional delivery in the study area was low. The current study revealed that among the health belief model construct perceived susceptibility and cues to action were significantly associated with the utilization behavior of institutional delivery service. On top of that strong follow-up of the community and home based discussion was a significant factor for the utilization behavior of institutional delivery service.

Intention to shift from short-acting to long-acting methods of contraceptives and its associated factors in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia: Using the theory of planned behavior.

Background: Despite its effectiveness, the intention, and utilization of long-acting contraceptive methods are very low in many developing countries, and the use of long-acting contraceptive methods has not kept pace with that of short-acting methods such as oral contraceptives and injectables. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the intention of using long-acting contraceptive methods and associated factors among women currently using short-acting contraceptive methods. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 19 to April 19, 2017. The study included 515 short-acting contraceptive users found in Gondar city who were selected from the study population using a systematic random sampling technique. A structured pre-tested questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior was used to collect data. Both descriptive and analytical statistical procedures were used. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were carried out. SPSS version 20 was used for the analysis of the data. Multiple linear regression was carried out to see the association between intention and sociodemographic variables, past contraception experience, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, and with 95% CI and a p-value of <0.05 was used to detect statistical significance. Results: The magnitude of intention to use long-acting contraceptive methods was 39.8%. Intention to use long-acting contraceptive methods was higher for women whose husbands were farmers when compared to women whose husbands were government employees (ß =0.49, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.72). Number of children wanted (ß = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.28, -0.1), attitude (ß = 0.34, CI: 0.23, 0.46), subjective norm (ß = 19, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.27) and perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.3) were factors significantly associated with intention to use long-acting contraceptive methods. Conclusions: Intention to use long-acting contraceptive methods was low. Interventions that focus on women's attitudes toward long-acting contraceptive methods and support groups, peer education, social mobilization, and persuasive communication could promote the intention to use long-acting contraceptive methods.

Community perception of barriers and facilitators to institutional delivery care-seeking behavior in Northwest Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Institutional delivery care-seeking behavior is considered a crucial step in preventing maternal and child death. However, the barriers and facilitators related to institutional delivery care-seeking behavior in the study area were not studied very in-depth. Hence, the current study aimed to explore barriers and enablers of institutional delivery care-seeking behavior in Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative inquiry was used. The data was collected by using a piloted interview guide. We collected data using in-depth interviews among women and men; and key informant interviews from the Female health development army and health extension workers in November and December 2019. Framework analysis was utilized for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: This study found out the potential factors which hinder and facilitate institutional delivery. The barriers to institutional delivery included the belief that pregnancy and childbirth are normal and business of women's, women's preference of home delivery with traditional attendants, family influence, fear of bad behavior of health care workers, and lack of resources. The facilitators were free maternal services (ambulance services and maternity services), having the experience of safe childbirth at health facilities, and women's health development army linkage with health extension workers. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that low-risk perception of home delivery, socio-cultural influences, service provision modalities, and financial factors were the determinants of institutional delivery service use. Therefore, a stage-matched intervention shall be designed to improve the uptake of institutional delivery service use.

Institutional delivery plays a critical role in the prevention of maternal death and improves newborn health. Although most of maternal health services were free of charge in Ethiopia, institutional delivery is low in the rural Central Gondar zone of Wogera and East Dembiya districts. Low institutional delivery was the major contributors to high maternal deaths in Ethiopia. This low utilization of institutional delivery in the study area could also affect the health status of the newborn.This study was conducted to explore the community perceptions of the socio-cultural and health service factors influencing institutional delivery. Overall, 30 interviews (18 In-depth and 12 Key-informants) were conducted in the selected rural kebeles of Wogera and East Dembiya districts to collect data from women and their husbands for in-depth interview; and key informant interviews from the female health development army and health extension workers.The facilitators of institutional delivery categorized into three themes; namely, free maternal services (ambulance services and maternity services), having the experience of safe childbirth at health facilities, and women's health development army linkage with health extension workers.The socio-cultural factors impeding institutional delivery categorized into five themes; namely, the belief that pregnancy and childbirth are normal and business of women's, women's preference of home delivery with traditional attendants, family influence, fear of bad behavior of health care workers, and lack of resources.Conducting a stage-matched intervention shall be designed to improve the uptake of institutional delivery service use in Wogera and East dembiya districts.

Understanding the risk perception of visceral leishmaniasis exposure and the acceptability of sandfly protection measures among migrant workers in the lowlands of Northwest Ethiopia: a health belief model perspective.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the leading cause of health concerns among Ethiopian migrant workers. Understanding risk perception and health-protective behavior are significant challenges in the prevention and eradication of the disease. As a result, studies are required to assess these important epidemiological factors, which will provide guidance on how to assist migrant workers in taking preventive measures against VL. METHOD: We conducted qualitative research among migrant workers on seasonal agricultural farms in Northwest Ethiopia between June and November 2019 to assess their perception of the risk of contracting VL and their willingness to use protective measures against the disease. Seventeen focus group discussions and 16 key informant interviews were conducted to study migrant workers' risk perception in relation to sandfly bite exposure and use of sandfly control measures. For analysis, all interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated. ATLASti was used to perform qualitative content analysis on the data. RESULT: Migrant workers are fearful of VL because of previous exposure and the disease's prevalence in the area. They believe, however, that VL is a minor illness that is easily treated. While Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) are widely accepted as a protective measure, there are still reservations about using them due to the seasonality of the transmission, difficulties in hanging them on farm areas, and a preference for alternative traditional practices. Regardless of perceived self-efficacy, the central cues were the message delivered by the health workers and an increase in sandfly bite irritation. Based on the findings, three levels of intervention modalities are suggested: 1) increasing pre-arrival awareness through outdoor media (posters, stickers, billboards), 2) encouraging proper use of protective measures upon arrival at farm camps, and 3) informing departing workers on disease recognition and best practices for health-seeking continuous use of protective measures at home. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that VL prevention interventions should focus on individuals' perceptions in order to promote consistent use of protective measures. The findings are highly useful in planning effective interventions against VL.

Status of Compassionate, Respectful, and Caring Health Service Delivery: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: A compassionate, respectful, and caring (CRC) health professional is very important for human-centered care, serving clients ethically and with respect, adhering to the professional oath, and serving as a model for young professionals. As countries try to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), quality delivery of health services is crucial. CRC health care is an initiative around the need to provide quality care services to clients and patients. However, there is an evidence gap on the status of CRC health care service delivery. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to map global evidence on the status of CRC health service delivery practice. METHODS: An exhaustive literature review and Delphi technique were used to answer the 2 research questions: "What is the current status of CRC health care practices among health workers?" and "Is it possible for health professionals, health managers, administrators, and policy makers to incorporate it into their activity while designing strategies that could improve the humanistic and holistic approach to health care provision?" The studies were searched from the year 2014 to September 2020 using electronic databases such as MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Hinari, and the World Health Organization (WHO) library. Additionally, grey literature such as Google, Google Scholar, and WorldWideScience were scrutinized. Studies that applied any study design and data collection and analysis methods related to CRC care were included. Two authors extracted the data and compared the results. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion, or the third reviewer made the decision. Findings from the existing literature were presented using thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1193 potentially relevant studies were generated from the initial search, and 20 studies were included in the final review. From this review, we identified 5 thematic areas: the status of CRC implementation, facilitators for CRC health care service delivery, barriers to CRC health care delivery, disrespectful and abusive care encountered by patients, and perspectives on CRC. The findings of this review indicated that improving the mechanisms for monitoring health facilities, improving accountability, and becoming aware of the consequences of maltreatment within facilities are critical steps to improving health care delivery practices. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review identified that there is limited CRC service provision. Lack of training, patient flow volume, and bed shortages were found to be the main contributors of CRC health care delivery. Therefore, the health care system should consider the components of CRC in health care delivery during in-service training, pre-service training, monitoring and evaluation, community engagement, workload division, and performance appraisal.

Help-seeking behaviour and associated factors among women who experienced physical and sexual violence in Ethiopia: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Violence against women remains devastatingly pervasive and remained unchanged over the past decade. Violence against women is preventable and help-seeking of women subjected to violence is an entry point. So, this study assessed help-seeking behaviour and associated factors among women who experienced physical and sexual violence in Ethiopia. METHOD: Using the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS), this paper analyzes the determinants of help-seeking behavior of women subjected to violence in Ethiopia. EDHS used a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. From 642 communities, a total of 1540 (weighted) reproductive age women were included in the analysis. Simple descriptive, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05. RESULTS: Only 22.5% of the women who experienced violence sought help. Being aged 30 and above, working in sales, or an agricultural job, being in the richest wealth quintile, and experiencing severe violence were associated with increased help-seeking behaviour. Living in a rural area, having a husband who attended primary, secondary, and higher education, having a husband working in a professional job and agriculture were factors associated with lower odds of help-seeking behaviour. CONCLUSION: In Ethiopia below one-fourth of women who were subject to violence sought help. Socio-demographic factors and severity of the violence were associated with help-seeking. Preventing child marriages and reducing poverty as well as increased employment and education for women enhance help-seeking behaviour by the women. Interventions could include creating awareness, law enforcement, and support for victims.

Vector-Borne Diseases and Associated Factors in the Rural Communities of Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses, and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors are called vector-borne diseases. Vector-borne diseases usually affect the poorest populations, particularly where there is a lack of access to adequate housing, safe drinking water, and sanitation. This community-based cross-sectional study was, conducted to assess the prevalence of self-reported vector-borne diseases and associated factors in the rural communities of northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design with structured observation was conducted among 1191 randomly selected rural households in northwest Ethiopia from April to June 2017. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire; and observation checklist. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with the prevalence of self-reported vector-borne diseases on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-values <.05. RESULTS: In the current study, 216 (18.1%) of the rural households reported one or more vector-borne diseases. Scabies (9.5%) were the most reported vector-borne disease followed by Malaria (6.9%). The prevalence of self-reported vector-borne diseases was statistically associated with the head of the family (mother) (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.72), regular cleaning of the living environment (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.36-0.74), poor cleanness of the living rooms (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.03-3.03), and moderate cleanness of the floor (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.06-2.52). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-reported vector-borne diseases was high in the rural communities of northwest Ethiopia. The low prevalence was associated with family head; regular cleaning of living environment and cleanness of the floor. Designing and strengthening an intervention strategy for environmental sanitation, regular cleaning of living house, and keeping personal hygiene shall be considered.

Human Ectoparasites Are Highly Prevalent in the Rural Communities of Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Ectoparasites are organisms which inhabit the skin or outgrowths of the skin of another organism (the host). Many ectoparasites are known to be vectors of pathogens, which the parasites typically transmit to hosts. Though, ectoparasites are common in the vulnerable groups and economically disadvantaged communities, there is limited evidence on its magnitude in Ethiopia. This community-based cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of ectoparasites in the rural communities of northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design with structured observation was conducted among 1191 randomly selected rural households in northwest Ethiopia in May 2016. Data were collected using structured interviewer administered interview questionnaire and structured observation checklist. Prevalence of human ectoparasites in the rural communities was defined as the presence of one or more lice, fleas, bed bugs, mites, and ticks and the presence of these ectoparasites were observed by trained environmental health experts. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with prevalence of ectoparasites on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P values <.05. RESULTS: Of a total of 1191 rural households, human or hair lice were observed in one or more of the family members in 186 (15.6%) rural households. Similarly, fleas were observed in more than half, 609 (51.1%) of rural households and bed bugs were observed in 441 (37%) rural households. Furthermore, mites and ticks were reported in 113 (9.5%) and 130 (10.9%) of the households respectively. Accordingly, one or more ectoparasites were observed in 865 of 1191 rural households. The presence of one or more ectoparasites was, therefore, found to be 72.6% (95% CI = 70%-75.1%). The prevalence of ectoparasites was statistically associated with educational status of the female head being not educated (AOR = 1.476, 95% CI = 1.001, 2.177) and absence close supervision by health extension workers (AOR = 2.151, 95% CI = 1.205, 3.843). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of one or more ectoparasites was high in the rural communities of northwest Ethiopia. The high prevalence was associated with education status of the female head and close supervision of households by health extension workers. Disseminating health information about intervention strategies of ectoparasites and closely supervising the rural households need to be considered.

Institutional delivery and associated factors in rural communities of Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Institutional delivery has been considered as one of the important strategies to improve maternal and child health and significantly reduces birth-related complications. However, it is still low in developing countries though there are some improvements. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of institutional delivery and associated factors in the study area. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A multistage systematic sampling technique was used to select 1,394 study participants. We collected data from 18-48 years old women by using a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 30 (±0.15). The wealth status of 33.48% respondents was poor and 33.33% rich. The prevalence of institutional delivery was 58.17% (95% CI: 55.57%, 60.77%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that demographic factors: women age (≥35years) (AOR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.04, 1.96), having a family size of less than five (AOR = 4.61; 95% CI 3.34, 6.34), having family discussion (AOR = 4.05; 95% CI 2.74, 5.97), distance from the nearby clinic (≤30min) (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI 1.53, 5.58) and decision power about place of delivery (AOR = 2.50; 95% CI 1.56, 4.01); socio-economic factors: husband's educational status of primary school (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.19, 2.24), middle level household wealth index (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.25, 2.54) and rich level household wealth index (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.42, 2.86); and programmatic factors: antenatal care visit during their recent pregnancy (AOR = 1.86;95% CI 1.16, 2.97) were affects institutional delivery positively. Whereas bad behavior of health workers (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.19, 0.39) negatively affects institutional delivery. CONCLUSION: Institutional delivery was low in the study area. This study implies that strengthening family discussion and up taking antenatal care services in regular ways are a few of the suggested recommendations.

Low level of community readiness prevails in rural northwest Ethiopia for the promotion of institutional delivery.

INTRODUCTION: the health benefits of institutional delivery with the support of skilled professional are one of the indicators of maternal health status which have an impact on the health of women and new coming generation. Despite these benefits, many pregnant women in Ethiopia are not actively bringing delivery at health facility. This study was aimed at determining the readiness level of community for promoting child birth at health facility. METHODS: a population-based cross-sectional study was conducted. We interviewed 96 key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the community readiness assessment model and translated to Amharic language. The key informants were purposively selected in consultation with the district health office to represent the community. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and survey scores were matched with the readiness stage of 1 of the 9 for the five dimensions using the assessment guidelines. RESULTS: this study placed nine kebeles at stage 3 (vague awareness), which indicates the need for more institutional delivery service strategy programming; efforts of the community were not focused and low leadership concern and one kebele was in stage 2 (denial/resistance). Six kebeles were placed at high level of readiness i.e. in stage 7 (stabilization), indicating actions are sustained by the local managers or opinion leaders. CONCLUSION: evidence derived from the present study can be used to match intervention tactics for promoting health facility child birth service utilization to communities based on their level of readiness.

Smoking Intensity and Associated Factors among Male Smokers in Ethiopia: Further Analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Smoking invariably has health, social, economic, and environmental consequences in Ethiopia. Reducing and quitting cigarette smoking improves individual health and increases available household funds for food, education, and better economic productivity. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing cigarette smoking intensity and associated factors among male smokers in Ethiopia. METHODS: The data were extracted from the 2016 national cross-sectional Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Our study used data from the standardized and adapted men's questionnaire. The study included a total of 391 (weighted) smokers who at least smoked one manufactured cigarette per day. The data were collected using a two-stage cluster design which includes selection of enumeration areas and then selection of households. The number of manufactured cigarettes smokers smoked per day was used to measure smoking intensity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the study findings. Bivariable and multivariable truncated negative binomial Poisson regression models were employed to determine smoking intensity. RESULTS: The finding showed that on average men smoked weighted nine cigarettes per day. One in every five of the smokers (21.2%) smoked 10 cigarettes per day. Smokers living in rural areas (IRR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.244, 0.756), currently married (IRR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.91), formerly married (IRR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.96), richer men (IRR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.90), and richest men (IRR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.87) were associated with lower smoking intensity. Smokers in the Somali (IRR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.29, 6.11), Harari (IRR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.14, 10.51), and Dire Dawa (IRR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.23, 7.80) regions; older age (IRR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.40); affiliated with Protestant religion (IRR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.92); poorer men (IRR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.27); watched television (IRR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.35); drunk alcohol (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.82); and completed primary (IRR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 0.317) and higher education (IRR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.88, 4.67) were positively associated with smoking intensity. CONCLUSION: Male smokers in Ethiopia smoked intensively with an average of nine manufactured cigarettes per day. Tobacco control interventions should target the following: Eastern Ethiopia regions, older aged, affiliated with Protestant religion, poorer men, watched television, drunk alcohol, and primary and higher educational level.