Magnitude of wasting and underweight among children 6-59 months of age in Sodo Zuria District, South Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of wasting and underweight, and identify associated factors in Sodo Zuria district in South Ethiopia. RESULTS: The prevalence of wasting and underweight were 11.1% and 14.0%, respectively. Wasting was significantly associated with male gender, diarrheal morbidity 2 weeks prior to the study and early initiation of complementary feeding. Predictors of underweight were diarrheal morbidity 2 weeks prior to the study and paternal illiteracy. The prevalence of wasting and underweight among under-five children is common in the study area. Diarrheal morbidity was associated with both wasting and underweight. Interventions targeting prevention of diarrheal morbidity through hygienic practices and creating awareness on infant feeding practices need to be implemented in the study area.

Spectrum of opportunistic infections and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in the era of highly active anti-retroviral treatment in Dawro Zone hospital: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to elucidate the spectrum, magnitude and determining factors of the major opportunistic infections in PLHIV patients currently receiving HAART. RESULTS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Tercha Hospital from 744 patient cards. The overall all prevalence of opportunistic infection was 658 (88.4%) developed OIs. Pulmonary tuberculosis, 118 (18%), severe community acquired pneumonia 107 (16.3%) and oral candidiasis 103 (15.6%) were the most common opportunistic infections. Disease stage [AOR = 3.22:95% CI 1.76-5.66], CD4 level [AOR = 2.53:95% CI 1.19-5.37], drug adherence [AOR = 3.02:95% CI 1.57-5.77] and hemoglobin [AOR = 2.49:95% CI 1.34-4.62] showed significant association with OIs. Higher magnitude of opportunistic infection with considerable proportion of AIDS defining illness was detected. So empowerment of skilled man power, health education and provision of antimicrobials is mandatory.

Determinants of postnatal care utilization in urban community among women in Debre Birhan Town, Northern Shewa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health care through increased utilization of postnatal care utilization is a global and local priority. However studies that have been carried out in Ethiopia regarding determinants are limited. So This study aims to assess the magnitude of postnatal care utilization and its determinants in Debre Birhan Town, North Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to April 25, 2015, in Debre Birhan Town. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured pre-tested questionnaires. The data were entered and cleaned in Epi Info version 3.5 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used. Variable with p value less than or equal to 0.2 at bivariate analysis were entered into multiple logistic regression. Significance was declared at 0.05 in multiple logistic regressions and considered to be an independent factor. RESULT: From the total respondents, we found that 327 (83.3%) mothers utilized the postnatal care services. Single mothers were less likely to utilize postnatal care services than those mothers who are married and live together [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.06, 95% CI (0.01, 0.45)]. This study revealed that respondent's knowledge about postnatal care services is an important predictor of postnatal care utilization [AOR = 0.03, 95% CI (0.00, 0.44)] and mothers who delivered in a health care facility were more likely to receive PNC than mothers who did not deliver in a health care facility [AOR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.58, 0.94)]. CONCLUSION: The postnatal care utilization rate in Debre Birhan town was 83.3%. Marital status, maternal knowledge, and place of delivery were predictors of postnatal care service utilization. So specific attention should be directed towards the improvement of women's education since the perception of the need for PNC services were positively correlated with the mother's education.