BackgroundEthiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with high fertility and fast population growth rate. It is also one of the countries with high maternal and child mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa Family planning is a crucial strategy to halt the fast population growth, to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health (Millennium Development Goal 4 and 5). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of modern contraceptive utilization among married women of reproductive age group.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 15 to September 1, 2010 among married women aged 15–49 years in Debre Birhan District. Multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 851 study participants. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for gathering data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical package.ResultsModern contraceptive prevalence rate among currently married women was 46.9%. Injectable contraceptives were the most frequently used methods (62.9%), followed by intrauterine device (16.8%), pills (14%), norplant (4.3%), male condom (1.2%) and female sterilization (0.8%). Multiple logistic regression model revealed that the need for more children (AOR 9.27, 95% CI 5.43-15.84), husband approve (AOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.67-4.80), couple’s discussion about family planning issues (AOR 7.32, 95% CI 3.60-14.86). Similarly, monthly family income and number of living children were significantly associated with the use of modern contraceptives.ConclusionModern contraceptive use was high in the district. Couple’s discussion and husband approval of contraceptives use were significantly associated with the use of modern contraceptives. Therefore, district health office and concerned stakeholders should focus on couples to encourage communication and male involvement for family planning.

Despite enormous challenges, Somalia has been successfully implementing accelerated measles control activities since 2005. Through innovative strategies and with the support of local and international partners, the country has shown potentials of implementing measles mortality reduction activities in complex emergencies. Measles incidence has been reduced by >80% after the measles catch-up campaigns of 2005-2007, and national reported measles routine immunization coverage with first dose measles containing vaccine has reached 59% for the first time in 2009. However, the near collapse of the health care system and the ongoing insecurity continue to hamper the implementation of recommended measles control and elimination strategies in some parts of the country, making these achievements fragile. Somalia exemplifies the challenges in meeting measles elimination goals in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean region. As the region is entering its 2010 measles elimination goals, it appears necessary to establish realistic and flexible interim goals for measles control in Somalia that will take into consideration the specificities of the country. Maintaining flexibility in conducting field operations, securing financial resources, multiplying opportunities for measles vaccination, and improving disease monitoring systems will remain vital to sustain and improve current achievements.

Background: Sedentary life style is becoming increasingly common in this industrial age due to changes on the way people manufacture, transport and communicate. Sedentary lifestyle is associated with chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer), depression, obesity and premature mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of sedentary behavior. Methods: School based cross sectional study was conducted among 580 students from April 20 to May 10, 2019 in secondary schools in Debre Berhan City Administration. Sedentary behavior was measured using time spent on four activities (watching TV/Video, listening to music, surfing internet and playing games). Adolescents are considered sedentary if they spend two or more hours in one or all listed activities per day. Data was entered to Epidata version 4.2.2.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Result: A total of 580 (44.3% male and 55.7% female) students participated in this study. The magnitude of sedentary behavior (≥2 h per day) was 65.5% (95% CI = 61.32%-69.08). Family monthly income greater than 8000 birr (AOR: 6.42, 95%CI = 2.18-18.78), maternal education (AOR: 5.12, 95%CI = 1.09-23.83), access to TV (AOR: 4.87, 95%CI = 1.99-11.87), access to mobile internet (AOR: 2.37, 95% CI = 1.14-4.93) and utilization of social media (AOR: 2.98, 95%CI = 1.43-6.17) were positively associated with adolescent sedentary behavior. Conclusion: The prevalence of sedentary behavior was high among adolescents of Debre Berhan town. Therefore, schools in the town should work towards creating awareness on the wise use of screen based entertainments.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in high HIV prevalent population. There are various factors contributing for the occurrence of TB/HIV co-infection that are not well studied in this area. The purpose of this study is to assess determinants of Tuberculosis infection among HIV positive patients attending ART clinics in governmental health facilities at Debre Birhan town North Shoa, Ethiopia. Methods: A case control study design was conducted from February 15, 2017 to April 30, 2017 in governmental health facilities at Debre Birhan town. A total of 276 individuals were to participated in this study (92 cases and 184 controls). Cases were adult patients with TB/HIV who were co-infection and controls were adult HIV patients without TB. A pre- tested interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data on Socio demographic variables, housing characteristics and personal behaviours. Host, clinical and immunological variables were taken from ART card and log books. Result: In this study participants who; earn low monthly income (AOR) 0.024; 95% CI 0.004 to 0.14), smoker (AOR 10.53; 95% CI 1.53 to 72.18), kerosene (AOR 2.49; 95% CI 1.22 to 5.07), alcohol (AOR=5.48; 95% CI 1.29 to 23.56), family history of TB (AOR=2.51; 1.03,6.15) were at high risk of tuberculosis. While patients with opportunistic infections (AOR=3.35; 95% CI 1.62 to 6.91), bronchial asthma (AOR=14.77; 95% CI 6.25 to 34.91), diabetes mellitus (AOR 10.62; 95% CI 2.77 to 40.50) and low CD4 level (AOR=6.03; 95% CI 2.27 to 16.18) were at high risk of TB. Conclusion: HIV patients with risk behaviours, opportunistic infections, diabetes, asthma, low CD4, kerosene user and poor were at risk of TB. To reduce the risk of TB health care providers and government should work to reduce risk behaviours, early screening and initiation of treatment for opportunistic infections, health education for chronic diseases, early staging and initiation of treatment for HIV, working with poor to improve their life were recommended. Key words: Tuberculosis Infection, HIV Patients, Debre Birhan Town, Ethiopia

Background: Most adolescents are insufficiently physically active and it contributes to 3.2 million deaths each year. Environmental and systemic factors influence the level of physical activity. Sedentary work and living environments, socioeconomic status and limited access to facilities are barriers ofphysical activity. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators of physical activity among adolescents of Debre Berhan City Administration. Methodology: School based qualitative study was conducted among 64 adolescents in Debre Berhan City Administration from June 1-20 2019. Data was collected using eight focus group discussions with a focus group guide. Inductive analysis was done using ATLA.ti version 7. Result: A total of eight focus group discussion were conducted from June 1-20/2019. Three out of the sixty-four participants reported that they do physical activity on a regular basis. Social and personal factors (lack of role model, absence of family or friend influence, bad example, shortage of time, lack of interest and financial constraints) and environmental(Lack of access to play ground, lack of access to gymnasium, lack of conducive environment, poor school environment, harsh (polluted) environment, not friendly (girls) environment, poor urban planning and developmental activities) factors were reported to be barriers of physical activity while being member of a club, improving self-image and maintaining fitness are facilitators of physical activity. Conclusion and Recommendation: Lack of social support, lack of access to play ground and poor construction and developmental activities are the main barriers of physical activity. Therefore, Debre Berhan City Administration should work towards improving urban planning and avail girls’ friendly playground and gymnasium for every resident. Key Words Physical activity, Qualitative Study, Barriers, Facilitators