Investigating factors associated to HBV/HIV co-infected patients in antiretroviral treatment clinic, in Northeast Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Existing research in Ethiopia has primarily focused on the individual epidemiology of HIV and HBV, often overlooking the intricate dynamics of co-infection. This study aims to address this gap by comprehensively exploring the prevalence of HBV and HIV co-infection and the associated factors influencing co-infection rates within the specific context of ART clinics. The existing study provides limited insights into the unique challenges posed by this dual infection in the Ethiopian population receiving ART. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among people living with HIV aged 18 years and above attending ART clinics in northeast Ethiopia from April to May 2022. A sample size of 350(97% response rate) participants was selected by using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Epi Data version software and was exported to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Descriptive statistics using Frequency, proportion, and summary measures were done. Binary logistic regressions were done to identify independent variables associated with HBV infection among HIV patients. A P-value less than 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval non-inclusive of one was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) was identified constituting 7.14% of the study population. Females [AOR] 0.14; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [0.041-0.478]). Participants with an educational status of only reading and writing (AOR 8.7; 95% CI [1.143-66.5]). Single individuals (AOR 2.04; 95% CI [1.346-28.6]) were associated factors. Moreover, participants with a viral load exceeding 1000 copies/ml were 6.5 times more likely to be infected with HBV compared to those with undetectable viral loads (AOR 6.53, 95% CI [1.87-22.72]). Additionally, individuals with a CD4 count ranging from 351 to 500 cells/ml were 1.2 times more likely to be infected with HBV compared to those with a CD4 count of 500 cells/ml or above (AOR 10.4, 95% CI [1.28-85]). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV infection was found to be intermediate in HIV-infected patients in the study area. Being male, marital status of single and divorced, educational level was only read and written, current viral load of > 1000 copies/ml &<1000 copies/ml, and current CD4 < 250 cells/ml were found statistically associated factors for HBV infection. Thus, we recommend the provision of routine screening for HBsAg and appropriate treatment with accurate information on risk factors for HBV to improve quality of life and reduce morbidity.

Early initiation of complementary feeding practice and its associated factors among children aged 6 to 24 months in Northeast Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Even if there is currently no research on food integration practices, there is an unreliable hole in the data for the first motives, especially 6 to 24 months, research at ages varies in different ways, always, but the child's development affects an important part of both the child and the parents. This gap limits our comprehensive knowledge of strategic choices and-their potential impact on children's overall health and well-being. Therefore, the aim of this study was factors shaping complementary feeding for 6 to 24-Month-Olds in Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based survey was conducted in northeastern Ethiopia from June to July 2022. A sample of 409 mothers with infants aged 6 to 24 months was selected using a simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was adopted and data were collected by an interviewer. Collected data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and subsequently converted to SPSS version 21 for further analysis. Variables with a P-value < = 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariable logistic regression analyses aimed at identifying independent associations between early initiation of supplement feeding and determinants-adjusted odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of associations. P-values less than or equal to 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 409 mothers with their children were included in the analysis, revealing a prevalence of 38.1% for early initiation of complementary feeding among children aged 6-24 months. Factors associated with -early initiation included place of residence (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.63, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.1-11.95), husband's educational status (AOR 16.83, 95% CI 1.98-24.8), maternal occupation (AOR 21.2, 95% CI 1.11-46.9), number of antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR 25.94, 95% CI 22.7-85.67), initial breastfeeding time (AOR 4.98, 95% CI 1.22-14.9), and medical illness (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.12-3.6. CONCLUSION: Significant associations with Complementary Feeding were identified with the number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, postnatal care (PNC) check-ups, current residency, breastfeeding initiation time, maternal medical illness, and occupational status. To mitigate the early initiation of complementary feeding, it is recommended to enhance ANC/PNC services and educate mothers about the precise timing for introducing complementary foods to their infants.

Male involvement in family planning and its association with knowledge and spouse discussion in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of male involvement in family planning (FP) and its association with knowledge and spouse discussion in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. DATA SOURCES: The study was conducted by the articles searched from different databases: (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, HINARI and Google Scholar). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: This research encompassed investigations carried out within married couples in Ethiopia, specifically focusing on studies where male involvement in FP was the primary outcome. The inclusion criteria comprised studies with an observational study design, encompassing both published and unpublished works, conducted in the English language, with no restrictions on data collection and publication year. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Following a systematic search of the articles, two independent authors assessed the quality of the studies, and data extraction was conducted using Microsoft Excel. The data analysis was performed by using STATA V.17. The overall level of male involvement in FP in Ethiopia was calculated using DerSimonian and Liard's random-effect model, with a significance level set at a p<0.05. Heterogeneity was examined using the I2 test, and Egger's test was employed to assess publication bias. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of male involvement in FP in Ethiopia was 59.71% (95% CI (47.68% to 71.73%)). Good knowledge regarding FP (AOR 6.63, 95% CI (2.58 to 17.03)) and spouse discussion on FP (AOR 4.36, 95% CI (2.50 to 7.59)) were significantly associated with male involvement in FP. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of male involvement in FP in Ethiopia was low as compared with other literature conducted outside Ethiopia. Both good knowledge and spouse discussion regarding FP were significantly associated with male involvement in FP. So, the government and healthcare providers should focus on interventions that could increase their knowledge through different media. In addition, encouraging couples to have a discussion regarding FP could be a recalled intervention for healthcare providers.

Factors influencing delay in malaria treatment seeking at selected public health facilities in South Gonder, Ethiopia.

Early and prompt treatment-seeking for malaria is necessary to reduce the progression of the disease to its severe forms and the associated mortality. Various studies have indicated that treatments sought for malaria were not always within the recommended timeframe. Therefore, this study aims to assess factors influencing delay in malaria treatment seeking at public health facilities in South Gonder, Ethiopia. An unmatched case-control study was conducted among 322 individuals, comprising 161 cases and 161 controls, who were randomly selected malaria patients visiting public health facilities in South Gonder District, Ethiopia, from May 20/2022 to June 25/2022. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which were subsequently cleaned and entered into Epi data. Descriptive statistics were performed, and variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.25 from the bivariate analysis were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Significant variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were retained in the multivariable model. Patients who were unable to read and write [AOR = 3.47 (1.01-11.9)], fear of side effects of malaria treatment drugs [AOR = 1.89 (1.04-3.42)], lack of access to health education malaria disease and its treatment [AOR = 1.93 (1.02-3.65)], lack of transportation access [AOR = 4.70 (1.73-12.7)], not membership of community-based health insurance [AOR = 2.5 (1.3-4.82)] and lack of confidence on malaria care health facility providing [AOR = 2.14 (1.06-4.29)], were found to be determinants of treatment-seeking delay among malaria patients. In Summary, this study revealed significant associations between delays in seeking malaria treatment and factors such as educational status (those who were unable to read and write), malaria drug side effects, health education on malaria, transportation access, CBHI membership, and confidence in health malaria care. it is recommended that targeted interventions and awareness campaigns be implemented to address these determinants, promoting prompt and effective malaria treatment-seeking behavior in the studied population.

Individual and community level factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among married women in the emerging region of Ethiopia: a multilevel mixed effects analysis of the 2019 Ethiopia Mini-Demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: A demonstrated technique to enhance reproductive health and economic progress is through ensuring that family planning services are accessible universally. Those studies that used Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data did not assess individual and community-level factors in contraceptive utilization. Thus, the study employs a multilevel mixed effects analysis approach, which allows for the examination of individual and community-level factors that influence contraceptive utilization. METHODS: This study analyzed the 2019 Ethiopia Min Demographic and Health Survey datasets. A total of 1916 married women in the 2019 surveys were included in the analysis. The data were analyzed using Stata version 17.0. The data were analyzed using Multi-level mixed-effect logistic regression to identify the individual and community-level factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to. Show the strength and direction of the association and statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05. RESULTS: Factors significantly associated with modern contraceptive utilization were; Muslim and protestant followers [AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: (0.134, 0.714)] and [AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: (0.173, 0.691)] respectively, women with no education (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.293, 0.710), those women who belong to the poor and middle wealth of household [AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: (0.237, 0.527)] and [AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: (0.347, 0.919)] respectively, women who had one to five and greater than or equal to six living children [AOR = 11.36, 95% CI:(2.119, 60.918)] and [AOR = 7.44, 95% CI:(1.437, 38.547)]respectively, Women in clusters poor wealth status [AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: (0.183, 0.875)] and women who belong to the Somali region [AOR = 0.20, 95% CI: (0.0.070, 0.506)]. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that both individual and community-level factors determined modern contraceptive utilization. At the individual level, the religion of women, educational status, the wealth of the household, and the total number of living children were significantly associated with modern contraceptive utilization. At community-level factors, community wealth status and belonging to the Somali region were significantly associated with modern contraceptive utilization. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at increasing modern contraceptive utilization should target women with lower levels of education, those living in households with lower wealth, and those with larger families. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve access to modern contraceptives in communities with lower wealth status and in regions where traditional beliefs may hinder their use.

A multivariate decomposition analysis of modern contraceptive utilization among married women in the emerging region of Ethiopia (2000-2019).

Ensuring universal access to family planning services is a proven strategy to improve reproductive health as well as economic development. Assessing the trend and identifying the factors for the change in modern contraceptive utilization is crucial to design effective measures, but trend analysis was not conducted previously. Thus, this study aimed to assess the trend and determinants of modern contraceptive utilization change among married women in emerging regions of Ethiopia. This study used the 2000 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey and the 2019 Ethiopia Min Demographic and Health Survey datasets for analysis. A total of 2555 and 1916 married women in the 2000 and 2019 surveys were included in the analysis, respectively. The data were analyzed using Stata version 17.0. Logit-based decomposition analysis was executed to identify factors for modern contraceptive utilization change. Statistical significance was declared at a P value of less than 0.05. The trend of contraceptive utilization change increased from 6.26% in 2000 to 21.97% in 2019. About - 65.87% and 165.87% of the change in contraceptive utilization was due to changes in composition and behavior, respectively. The change in composition was due to the change in the composition of women according to religion, educational status, region, and the number of living children. The change in behaviors of not educated women, rural women, Muslim women, and those who resided in the afar region was the source of change in modern contraceptive utilization. Modern contraceptive utilization has increased in the last two decades. The change in modern contraceptive utilization is due to changes in population composition and behavior. Interventions targeting uneducated and rural women are vital to increasing contraceptive utilization. Strategic interventions are also required for the Somali regions of Ethiopia.

Time to postpartum family planning initiation and its predictors among mothers coming for first measles vaccination at Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia, Dessie Model Clinic, Northeast Ethiopia: cox-regression model.

BACKGROUND: Timing of initiation of family planning is an important determinant for the health status of the mother and her child. One-fourths of mothers in developing countries who wanted to space or limit their children were not using family planning methods at right time after delivery. Despite, the existence of many literatures about postpartum family planning, the timing of it is not yet studied. Thus, this study aimed to assess time to postpartum family planning and its predictors among mothers coming for first measles vaccination in Dessie city, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among mothers coming for infant vaccination at Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia, Dessie Model Clinic in Dessie City. A systematic sampling technique was used. The data were entered and analyzed using Epi Data version 3.1 and STATA version 14.0, respectively. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model were used to test the time and predictors of postpartum family planning initiation. Adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CI was used to test the strength of association at a p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: The rate of postpartum FP initiation was 0.6% with 95% CI (0.0056, 0.0069). Keeping the effect of confounder constant, age of the women 20-24 [AHR = 2.63, 95% CI (1.65,4.19)], 25-29 [AHR = 3.66, 95% CI (2.35,5.73)], 30-34 [AHR = 2.79, 95% CI (1.75,4.46)], getting family planning counseling [AHR = 1.78, 95% CI (1.26, 2.52)], want more child [AHR = 0.47, 95% CI (0.34, 0.66)], having history of abortion [AHR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.36,0.81)] and wanted last pregnancy [AHR = 0.69, 95% CI (0.49, 0.97) were significantly associated with postpartum family planning initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Age, history of abortion, counseling about family planning, the status of last pregnancy and want more child were significantly associated with postpartum family planning use. Continuous emphasis should be given for health care providers to encourage their counseling services for their customers at different age groups with special attention given for elders.

Individual and contextual-level factors associated with iron-folic acid supplement intake during pregnancy in Ethiopia: a multi-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is still one of the major public health problems in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess individual and contextual-level factors associated with iron-folic acid supplement intake during pregnancy in Ethiopia. METHODS: A secondary analysis was done on the 2019 mini-Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) dataset. A total of 3,927 pregnant women who gave birth five years before the survey were included in the analysis. Multi-level mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was done by STATA/SE version 14.0 to identify individual and contextual-level factors. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to show the strength and direction of the association. The level of statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05. RESULTS: Those primary educated [AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: (1.24, 2.74)], secondary educated [AOR = 2.75, 95% CI: (1.57, 4.824)], women who had greater than 5 living children [AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: (1.25, 3.27)], women who had ANC visit [AOR = 21.26, 95% CI: (13.56, 33.32)] and women who lived in a cluster with high proportion of women had ANC visit [AOR = 1.72, 95% CI: (1.17, 2.54)] and women who lived in Somali [AOR = 0.44 0.73, 95% CI: (0.22, 0.87)] were significantly associated with iron-folic acid intake during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Both individual and contextual-level factors were significantly associated with iron-folic acid intake during pregnancy. From individual-level factors: education status of women, the total numbers of living children, and ANC follow-up are significant and from contextual-level factors: region and living in a high proportion of women who had ANC follow-up were found to have a statistically significant association. Promoting women's education and maternal health services like ANC and intervention targeting the Somali region would be the recalled area of the government.

Induced abortion among female students in higher education institutions in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Female students in institutions of higher education are at higher risk of abortion and its consequences. There is no nationally representative data on induced abortion among students in higher education institutions in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of induced abortion among female students in institutions of higher education in Ethiopia. METHODS: This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2022, in Ethiopia. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Hinari, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Global Health electronic databases were searched. The analysis was performed using STATA 14 software. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I2 statistics and Egger's test, respectively. Duval and Tweedie's 'trim and fill' method was also performed to adjust the pooled estimate. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of meta-analysis using the random effect model. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 10 studies and 4656 study participants. The pooled prevalence of induced abortion among female students in institutions of higher education in Ethiopia was 5.06% (95%CI: 2.16, 7.96). The rate of induced abortion was 51 per 1000 women. CONCLUSIONS: The pooled prevalence of induced abortion among female students in institutions of higher education in Ethiopia was high. Thus, concerned bodies should design and implement an effective strategy to realize friendly and non-judgmental family planning and comprehensive abortion care service to curb the problem.

Gender-based violence and associated factors among private college female students in Dessie City, Ethiopia: mixed method study.

INTRODUCTION: Violence against girls and young women, mostly those in educational settings, has been gaining increasing attention. School-based gender-based violence represents a serious obstacle. As a result, it would be a threat to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, strive for gender equality in all our programs, right from the planning stages, to make sure we are as equitable as possible. Little was studied to explore reasons, opinions, and perceptions towards gender-based violence. Also, studies that are conducted on private college female students are limited. Important evidence about underlining reasons for gender-based violence against private college students will be explored. Therefore, to assess the prevalence of gender-based violence and associated factors among Private college female students in Dessie City, Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: A facility-based mixed method concurrent triangulation study design was conducted among 435 randomly selected Private college female students in Dessie City. Self-administered questionnaire and an in-depth interview were used to collect the data. The collected data were cleaned and entered into Epi data and analyzed using a statistical package for social science. Descriptive statistics were conducted and the results were reported using frequency, and percentile. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and p values < 0.05 were used to explain statistically significant associations. Qualitative data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed manually using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The study showed the prevalence of gender-based violence was 251 (62.6%) (CI 0.512-0.683) Private college female students in Dessie city Administration. age less than 20 years and 20-24 years, [AOR = 0.19, 95% CI (0.03-0.92)] and [AOR = 0.106, 95% CI (0.02-0.44)], tight family control, [AOR = 6.14, 95% CI (1.38-7.1)], family discussion on RH and related personal issue [AOR = 0.091, 95% CI (0.03-0.27)], Witnessed father abuse mother at childhood; [AOR = 4.04, 95% CI (1.36-12.1)], had drunkenness female or boyfriend; [AOR = 5.12, 95% CI (1.58-16.5)] had significant association with gender-based violence. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the high prevalence of gender-based violence among Private college female students is higher as compared to others. This is because the life of young girls is being abandoned as a result of gender-based violence, such as dropout from their education, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, and psychological disturbance, which decreases the productivity of girls. This is totally against the strategy and consensus of universal education for women and girls and adolescent health stated in the sustainable development goal.

Uptake of cervical cancer screening and its predictors among women of reproductive age in Gomma district, South West Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a public health challenge despite the available free screening service in Ethiopia. Early screening for cervical cancer significantly improves the chances of successful treatment of pre-cancers and cancers among women of reproductive age. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the uptake of screening and identify the factors among women of reproductive age. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gomma Woreda, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, from 1st to the 30th of August, 2019. The total sample size was 422. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, entered in epidata, and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software packages. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses with 95% CI for odds ratio (OR) were performed to declare a significant predictors. RESULT: A total of 382 study participants were involved with a response rate of 90.5%. The mean age of the study participants was 26.45 ± 4.76 SD. One hundred forty-eight (38.7%) of participants had been screened for CC. Marital status (AOR = 10.74, 95%, CI = 5.02-22.96), residence (AOR = 4.45, 95%, CI = 2.85-6.96), educational status (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.12-3.49), government employee (AOR = 2.61, 95%, CI = 1.33-5.15), birth experience (AOR = 8.92, 95% CI = 4.28-19.19), giving birth at health center and government hospitals (AOR = 10.31, 95% CI = 4.99-21.62; AOR = 5.54, 95% CI = 2.25-13.61); distance from health facility (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI = 2.53-9.41), health workers encouragement (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 1.57-6.63), awareness on cervical cancer (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.19-0.72), awareness about CC screening (AOR = 4.52, 95%, CI = 2.71-7.55) and number of health facility visit per year (AOR = 3.63, 95%, CI = 1.86-6.93) were the predictors for the uptake of cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION: The uptake of cervical cancer screening was low. Marital status, residence, occupation, perceived distance from screening health facility, health workers encouragement, number of health facility visits, birth experience, place of birth, and knowledge about cervical cancer screening were the predictors. There is a need to conduct further studies on continuous social and behavioral change communication.

Parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues and its association with sex and perceptions of young people in Ethiopia, 2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is no national representative and conclusive data regarding parent-young communication. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues and its association with sex and perceptions of young people about its importance in Ethiopia, 2020. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) was used during systematic review and meta-analysis. The study included both published and gray literatures which were searched using appropriate key terms. The articles were searched from different databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Global Health, HINARI and Google scholar. Data were extracted in a Microsoft Excel sheet and STATA/SE 14 was used for meta-analysis. I2 and Egger test statistics were used to test heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Ethiopia was 42.96% [95% CI: (36.91, 49.02)]. Positive perception of young people towards parent-young communication [AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: (2.87, 4.86)] and female sex [AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: (1.12, 2.34)] were significantly associated with parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Ethiopia was low as compared to other literatures conducted outside Ethiopia. Both perceptions of young people towards parent-young communication and sex were significantly associated with parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues. Interventions targeting males and young who had negative perceptions regarding parent-young communication should be the primary focus of the government and their parents. REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO International prospective of systematic reviews with a specific registration number: CRD42020161252 .

Determining behavioral intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening among women in Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia: Application of the theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Ethiopian women. Despite many interventions were conducted, there is low uptake of cervical cancer screening services. Also, limited evidence was available on the women's intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the intention and predicators of behavioral intention toward cervical cancer screening. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia from August 1-30, 2019. The total sample sizes were 422 and a systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the samples. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire guide. Data were entered in epidata, and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Descriptive, correlation, and multicollinearity analysis were done. Also, simple and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to identify the predictors for behavioral intention. The p-value<0.05 was used to declare a significant association. RESULT: The response rate was 382 (90.5%). The mean age of the participants was of 26.45 (SD = 4.76). Direct attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control had a mean score of 16.78 (SD = 2.87), 15.61(SD = 1.92), and 12.86 (SD = 4.85), respectively. The intention has a mean score of 14.52 (SD = 4.01). From regression analysis, direct attitude (B = 0.346, p<0.001), direct subjective norm (B = 0.288, p = 0.008), direct perceived behavioral control (B = 0.132, p = 0.002) indirect attitude (B = 0.015, p = 0.019) and the indirect perceived behavioral control (B = 0.132, p = 0.002) were statistically significant with intention. CONCLUSION: From this study, it was understood that women's intention towards cervical cancer screening was low. The predictors were the direct and indirect attitude, direct and indirect subjective norm, direct and indirect perceived behavioral control. This calls a need to develop strategies and take action to improve the attitude of women and their influential peoples and increase sense of control to improve their intention to screen for cervical cancer. Moreover, health care providers should have to conduct social and behavioral change communication to improve women's health seeking behavior towards cervical cancer screening applying the concept of theory of planned behavior.

Availability of adequately iodized salt at household level in Dessie and Combolcha Towns, South Wollo, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorder is the leading cause of mental retardation and poor economic performance in developing countries. Worldwide, universal salt iodization has been implemented to eliminate iodine deficiency. However, the adequacy of iodine in salts needs close monitoring to meet its intended goal and this study was aimed at investigating the adequacy of iodine in dietary salt at household level in Dessie and Combolcha Towns. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed at household level in Dessie and Combolcha towns from January to February, 2017. Data were collected from 753 households using systematic sampling technique. The adequacy of iodine in salt was analyzed using rapid testing kit. Socio-demographic and economic, dietary sources, labeling, packaging, storage and cooking methods of household's characteristics were collected via questionnaire developed using open data kit tool and STATA version 12 was used for further statistical analysis. Ordinal Logistic regression was performed to assess associations between explanatory variables and the response variable. RESULTS: Nearly one-thrid (31.2%) of the households used inadequate iodized salt, which was below the World Health Organization recommendation level (≥15 ppm at the household level). Most of the respondents from Combolcha town (64.6%) were affected by inadequate use of iodized salt as compared to Dessie Town residents (22.2%). Being Dessie resident (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.31-4.90), households with better socioeconomic status (OR = 2.54; 95% CI:1.10-5.87), site of labeling and packing (salt from open market (OR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04-0.23) and no exposure to sunlight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI:1.31-4.91) were the predictors of adequacy of iodized salt at household level. CONCLUSIONS: Availability of adequately iodized salt at the household level in the study area was low. There should be regular quality control and regulatory enforcement of salt iodization at production, labeling and packaging sites of small scale industries and at household level.

Determinants of anemia among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Dessie town health facilities, northern central Ethiopia, unmatched case -control study.

INTRODUCTION: Anemia affects around 38.2% and 22% of pregnant women at a global and national level respectively. In developing countries, women start pregnancy with already depleted body stores of iron and other vitamins with significant variation of anemia within and between regions. OBJECTIVE: To identify the determinants of anemia among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Dessie town health facilities, northern central Ethiopia. METHODS: A health facility based unmatched case control study was conducted among 112 cases and 336 controls from January to March 2016 G.C. The sample size was determined by using Epi Info version 7.1.5.2. Study subjects were selected using consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to see the determinants of anemia. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value<0.05 were used to see the significant association. RESULTS: Failure to take dark green leafy vegetables per two weeks (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI: 2.16, 11.71), didn't take chicken per two weeks (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.22, 5.86), 1st trimester (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.84), 3rd trimester (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.53, 5.72), HIV infection (AOR = 6.78, 95% CI: 2.28, 20.18) and medication (AOR = 3.57 95% CI: 1.60, 7.98) were positively associated with anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate intake of dark green leafy vegetables, inadequate consumption of chicken, trimester of the current pregnancy, HIV infection and medication were the determinants of anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, anemia prevention strategy should include promotion of adequate intake of dark green leafy vegetables and chicken, increase meal pattern during the entire pregnancy and strengthen the prevention of mother to child HIV transmission/antenatal care programs.