Cervical Cancer Screening Practice Among Women: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study Design.

Early detection of cervical cancer through screening practice in developing countries is still low. The study is aimed to determine cervical cancer screening practice and associated factors among women of age 25 to 59 years old. Community-based study design was employed and systematic sampling was used to get 458 samples. The data were entered into Epi info version 7.2.1.0 and exported to SPSS version 20 for cleaning and analysis. Binary and Multivariable Logistic regression was used and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI at P-value <.05 was reported as significant value. Cervical screening practice among the study participants was 15.5%. Women's age 40 to 49 (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI = 0.94, 9.28), educational status (AOR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.31, 13.37), employed women (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.01, 6.68), parity above 4 (AOR = 3.09, CI = 1.03, 9.31), sexual partners 2 to 3 (AOR = 5.32, CI = 2.33, 12.14), good knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR = 3.88; 95% CI = 1.83, 8.23) and positive attitude toward cervical cancer (AOR = 5.92, CI = 2.53, 13.87) were independently associated with cervical cancer screening practices. The study revealed that the utilization of cervical cancer screening was very low. Educational status, Women's age, number of sexual partners, knowledge, and attitude were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening practice. Therefore, intervention programs intended at improving cervical cancer screening practice among women should focus on the significant factors.

Assessment of Magnitude of Consistent Condom Use and Associated Factors Among Police Force at Riot Control, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Police officers are grouped among the most at-risk population for HIV. Most police officers who are mobile related to work behavior might be at risk of HIV for themselves and/or the main source of infection in transmitting the disease to the police members. So the basic aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of condom use and associated factors among police force riot control in Addis Ababa in September 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among a sample of 400 police officers. The sample size was calculated using a single size proportion formula by considering 52% prevalence of multiple sexual partners. A systematic random sampling technique was used to get study subjects from the institution. A pretested structured questionnaire was employed to obtain the necessary information after getting both written and verbal consent from the concerned body and study subjects. The collected data were checked for completeness and consistency and was coded before data entry. Data were entered and cleaned analyzed using SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: Some 379 individuals provided data. Most of the respondents 348 (95.3%) had been sexually active during the past 12 months and 280 (84.1%) of them had more than one sexual partner. Seventy-five (19.8%) of the sexually active respondents used condoms consistently in the last 12 months. Had sex after drinking alcohol (adjusted OR=2.23; 95% CI (1.08, 4.61)),ever used substance (adjusted OR=4.37; 95% CI (1.18, 16.27)), had sex after consuming substance (Adjusted OR=4.37; 95% CI (1.18, 16.27)) and less education status (adjusted OR=0.38; 95% CI (0.16, 0.93)) were significantly associated with inconsistent condom use. CONCLUSION: There is a high inconsistency of condom use among federal police riot control. This indicates that the study populations are at higher risk of acquiring HIV infection. Substance use like khat, consuming alcohol, and low educational status was the significant predictor of inconsistent condom use among federal police riot control.

Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal employment among mothers of infants from three to five months old in the Fafan zone, Somali regional state of Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Lack of exclusive breastfeeding is the most important risk factor for infant and young child morbidity and mortality. A better understanding of the factors that influence EBF is important in order to promote appropriate infant feeding practices. The return to work due to short maternity leave time may hinder employed mothers from breastfeeding their infants exclusively for the recommended six months duration. METHODS: A community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2016 in the Fafan zone, of the Somali Regional State, of Ethiopia. A total of 558 mothers with infants from ages 3-5 months, living in the five districts (Jigjiga city, Kebribeyah town, Aubere town, Bombas town and Babile) were included in the analysis. Logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of maternal employment on EBF practice. RESULTS: This study has demonstrated a 24.8 and 82.9% prevalence of EBF practices among employed and unemployed mothers of index infants of 3-5 months respectively in the 24 h preceding the survey. Unemployed mothers were accounted for thusly: [Adjusted OR = 26.5; 95% CI (13.6, 51.6). Other adjustments included monthly income of 500-2000 birr [Adjusted OR = 2.7; 95% CI (1.4, 5.2)]; monthly income of 2001-3500 birr [Adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 4.0)]; timely initiation of breastfeeding [Adjusted OR = 2.6; 95% CI (1.4, 4.8)]; maternal education (secondary and higher) [Adjusted OR = 3.8; 95% CI (1.5, 9.5)]; having an index infant aged 3 months [Adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 4.1)], and having an index infant aged 4 months [Adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 3.8)] were found to be significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. CONCLUSION: Exclusive breastfeeding practices were very low among mothers employed in governmental and non-governmental organizations in the study area. Therefore, maternal employment may be hindering Exclusive breastfeeding practices. Thus, establishing breastfeeding-friendly working environment; and Information, Education and Communication programs should be provided, particularly for working mothers to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices.

Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia. It is a silent killer and most patients are detected to have it incidentally when they are admitted to hospital for unrelated disease or subjected to pre-employment or preoperative medical checkups. Information on the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors is to be considered vital to focus and improve prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. The study design was a cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of adults aged 25-65 years who lived in Jigjiga city of eastern Ethiopia for at least 6 months. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, and blood pressure was measured using standardized instruments by trained clinical nurses. Hypertension was defined as having Systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or Diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or reported use of regular anti-hypertensive medications prescribed by professionals for raised BP. Data were entered into a computer using Epi Info Version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 16.0 for analysis. Multiple logistic regressions were fitted and Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to identify independently associated factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 28.3%. Family history of Hypertension [Adjusted OR 5.7; 95% CI (2.9, 10.9)], having high level of income [Adjusted OR 3.1; 95% CI (1.5, 6.3)], being male [Adjusted OR 2.4; 95% CI (1.3, 4.3)], being above grade 12 [Adjusted OR 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 3.9)], and having BMI ≥ 25 [Adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI (1.1, 3.5)] were significantly associated with hypertension. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the literatures, the prevalence of hypertension was high and may show a hidden epidemic in this population. If established with more robust and nationally representative studies, the finding calls for efficient health screening and regular checkups as well as interventions promoting healthy lifestyles. Accordingly, health promotion regarding hypertension should be provided in the population as means of primary prevention.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of malaria among adults in East Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is prevalent in over 75% of the country's area making it the leading public health problems in the country. Information on the prevalence of malaria and its associated factors is vital to focus and improve malaria interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to November 2012 in East Shewa zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Adults aged 16 or more years with suspected malaria attending five health centers were eligible for the study. Logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of each independent variable on risk of subsequent diagnosis of malaria. RESULTS: Of 810 suspected adult malaria patients who participated in the study, 204 (25%) had microscopically confirmed malaria parasites. The dominant Plasmodium species were P. vivax (54%) and P. falciparum (45%), with mixed infection of both species in one patient. A positive microscopic result was significantly associated with being in the age group of 16 to 24 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio aOR 6.7; 95% CI: 2.3 to 19.5], 25 to 34 years [aOR 4.2; 95% CI: 1.4 to 12.4], and 35 to 44 years [aOR 3.7; 95% CI: 1.2-11.4] compared to 45 years or older; being treated at Meki health center [aOR 4.1; 95% CI: 2.4 to 7.1], being in Shashemene health center [aOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.5], and living in a rural area compared to an urban area [aOR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.6)]. CONCLUSION: Malaria is an important public health problem among adults in the study area with a predominance of P. vivax and P. falciparum infection. Thus, appropriate health interventions should be implemented to prevent and control the disease.

Concerns about covert HIV testing are associated with delayed presentation in Ethiopian adults with suspected malaria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important in preventing mortality from malaria, presentation of symptomatic individuals is often relatively late. One possible contributing factor is that fear of covert human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing delays presentation in adults. We aimed to survey the magnitude of such concerns and their association with delayed presentation with suspected malaria. METHODS: The study design was a health facility-based cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of adults with suspected malaria who presented to health centres in central Ethiopia. Data were collected on attitudes to HIV testing and the duration between onset of symptoms and treatment seeking for suspected malaria. RESULTS: Eight hundred and ten individuals provided data. Of these, 406 (50 %) perceived that HIV testing was routinely done on blood donated for malaria diagnosis, and 327 (40 %) considered that community members delayed seeking medical advice because of these concerns. Concerns about HIV testing were associated with delays in attending for malaria diagnosis and treatment, with 117 individuals (29 %) of those with concerns about covert HIV testing waiting for 4 days or more, compared to 89 (22 %) of those who did not have any such concerns (p = 0.03). One hundred and twenty nine (16 %) individuals stated that concern about HIV testing was the main reason for the delay in seeking treatment, and 46 % of these individuals presented after experiencing symptoms of malaria infection for three days or more compared to 22 % of the 681 individuals who had no such concerns (p < 0.001). Analysis stratified by health centre demonstrated that these associations were a consequence of Meki health centre (odds ratio for duration of symptoms greater than 3 days if patient has concerns about HIV testing was 8.72; 95 % confidence intervals 3.63 to 20.97). CONCLUSIONS: In adults living in central Ethiopia, the perception that HIV testing accompanied the investigation of suspected malaria was common. This is likely to impede presentation for early medical treatment in some areas and represents a reversible risk factor that deserves further study.