Caregivers' knowledge, practice, and associated factors toward oral rehydration salt with zinc to treat diarrhea among under 5 children in Burayu town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022: Cross-sectional study: An implication for action.

Background: Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in under 5 children of Ethiopia. Millions of young lives could be saved if mothers know and practice the three rules of diarrhea management: giving extra fluid (particularly oral rehydration salt [ORS]), zinc, and giving additional food during diarrhea illness. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine mothers'/caregivers' Knowledge, Practice, and associated factors toward ORS with zinc to treat diarrhea among under 5 children in Burayu town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 study participants from September 25 to October 10, 2022; in Burayu town, Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling technique was used to enroll study subjects from two randomly selected kebeles. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered into Epi-info version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS Version 21 for analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with knowledge and practice of ORS with zinc at p < 0.05% and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The findings showed that 59% and 52% of the respondents had good knowledge and practice toward ORS with zinc, respectively. Being housewives (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 0.407, 95% CI: [0.195, 0.848]), primary education (AOR = 3.246, 95% CI: [1.614, 6.530]), income of >4000 (AOR = 5.132, 95% CI: [1.947, 13.524]), health seeking behavior (AOR = 0.369, 95% CI: [0.139, 0.979]), being divorced (AOR = 0.275, 95% CI: [0.09,0.842]) were found to be significantly associated with knowledge toward management of diarrhea with ORS and zinc. Housewives in occupation (AOR = 0.084, 95% CI: [0.029, 0.243]), secondary and above education (AOR = 6.26: 95% CI: [1.51, 25.86]), health seeking behavior (AOR = 6.885, 95% CI: [2.29, 20.67]), having good knowledge of ORS and zinc (AOR = 22.14, 95% CI: [8.44, 58.07]) were found to be significantly associated with practice of managing diarrhea with ORS and zinc. Conclusion: This study revealed low level of knowledge and practice of caregivers toward ORS with zinc. The more mothers/caregivers are knowledgeable, the more they are active to practice the use of ORS with zinc. Thus, health education and awareness creation for the mothers/caregivers on management of diarrhea is very crucial. Special attention should be given to enhancing income for mothers/caregivers.

Evaluation of quality and use of health management information system in primary health care units of east Wollega zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Health care practice relies on evidence-based decisions and needs the use of quality health care data. Health management information system (HMIS) is among the core elements of health system building blocks. In our study setting, there is a lack of adequate information on the quality of health information data. This study aimed at exploring the quality of health management information system data in terms of timeliness, completeness, and accuracy. The specific objectives were to evaluate the quality and use of the health management information system in Primary health care units of East Wollega zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2016 on 316 health professionals/health information technicians. The sample was obtained by simple random sampling technique. Qualitative data were obtained from 16 purposefully selected key informants by Focus group discussion (FGD). We observed 50 selected health facilities using an observation checklist. We analyzed quantitative data by SPSS version 20 using descriptive and logistic regression analysis techniques. we applied a thematic analysis approach to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: Timeliness of report, registration completeness, report completeness, and data accuracy level of the selected facilities were 70, 78.2, 86, and 48%, respectively. All results are below the expected national standards. Commonly reported reasons for the poor practice of data quality were; poor support of management, lack of accountability for the false report, poor supportive supervision, and lack of separate and responsible unit for health information management. CONCLUSION: The Health information management system is poorly coordinated at the primary health units. Accountability should be assured through continuous in-service training, supportive supervision, and concrete feedbacks. Electronic management of health information should be available in primary health care units.

Assessing the Impact of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) on Tuberculosis Incidence and Predictors of Tuberculosis among Adult Patients Enrolled on ART in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Isoniazid preventive therapy is a prophylactic treatment used in the prevention of active tuberculosis. It is known to be most effective in preventing tuberculosis in patients with positive tuberculin skin test. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study centering on two institutions in Nekemte town, Western Ethiopia, was employed. Secondary data of 600 medical records were analyzed by Cox regression. RESULT: Tuberculosis incidence among the Isoniazid treated group was 1.98 per 100 person-years and 4.52 per 100 person-years in the untreated group. CD4 cell count, clinical staging, body mass index (BMI), not using cotrimoxazole, body weight, and functional status were significant predictors of tuberculosis risk. Isoniazid preventive therapy use was associated with 55% reduction of tuberculosis incidence. CONCLUSION: Isoniazid preventive therapy use was associated with significant reduction in tuberculosis incidence, even in the absence of Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Therefore, isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) coverage should be used more widely, with special emphasis given to patients at higher risk of tuberculosis. The study shows that the absence of TST testing should not be a limitation.

Premarital Sex in the Last Twelve Months and Its Predictors among Students of Wollega University, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Premarital sex increases the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV if unprotected and contraception is not used. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess premarital sex in the last twelve months and its predictors among regular undergraduate students of Wollega University. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using pretested, structured questionnaire was conducted on a total of 704 regular undergraduate students of Wollega University from February to March, 2014. We used multistage sampling technique to recruit study participants. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed using SPSS version 20 to assess predictors of premarital sex. Statistical significance was determined through a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Wollega University youths who had premarital sex in the last twelve months were 28.4%; 55.5% of them did not use condom during last sex while 31.3% engaged in multiple sex. Being male [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)(95% Confidence Interval(CI))=2.7(1.58-4.75)], age 20-24 years [AOR(95%CI)=2.8(1.13-7.20)], training on how to use condom [AOR(95%CI)=1.7(1.17-2.46)], being tested for HIV [AOR(95%CI)=2.3(1.48-3.53)], using social media frequently [AOR(95%CI)=1.8(1.14-2.88)], having comprehensive knowledge of HIV [AOR(95% CI)=1.5(1.01-2.10)], alcohol use [AOR (95%CI)=2.2(1.31-3.56)] were associated with increased odds of premarital sex in the last twelve months. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-third of regular undergraduate students of the university were engaged in premarital sex in the last twelve months. Being male, using social media frequently and alcohol use were associated with increased odds of premarital sex in the stated period. Thus, higher institutions have to deliver abstinence messages alongside information about self-protection.

Predictors of early breastfeeding initiation among mothers of children under 24 months of age in rural part of West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after childbirth. In developing countries alone, early initiation of breastfeeding could save as many as 1.45 million lives each year by reducing deaths mainly due to diarrheal disorders and lower respiratory tract infections in children. The current study aimed to determine the rate and the predictors of breastfeeding initiation in East Wollega Zones of West Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2014 among 594 mothers who had children less than 24 months. Multi stage cluster sampling method was used to select the study population. Eligible mothers were invited to interview using pretested questionnaires to gather data regarding sociodemographics, health-related variables, breastfeeding initiation, and current breastfeeding practices. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of early initiation of breastfeeding after controlling for confounding variables. RESULTS: A sample of 593 mothers was included in the study. Breastfeeding was initiated by 83.1 % of mothers within the first hour of childbirth. Being a housewife (AOR (95 % CI) = 2.48 (1.54- 3.99)) and infant received colostrum (AOR (95 % CI) =2.22 (1.08-4.55)) were significant positive predictors for early breastfeeding initiation as revealed by logistic regression. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the mothers who had no radio and/or TV in the household (AOR (95 % CI = 0.55 (0.35-0.88)), were not exposure to health information (AOR (95 % CI) = 0.44 (0.25-0.75)), and infants were provided with prelacteal feeds (AOR (95 % CI)=0.30 (0.14-0.65)) were less likely to initiate breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of timely initiation of breastfeeding was high. Breastfeeding promotion program is essential to encourage the practice of timely initiation of breastfeeding, and reduce the practice of providing prelacteal feeds within three days of life. Thus appropriate health information is vital to boost early initiation of breastfeeding.