Adequate nutrition during infancy is essential for children's normal development and well-being. However, the duration of breastfeeding has been declining and is being replaced by formula feeding, particularly in the urban communities of developing countries, including Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess formula feeding and its associated factors, as relatively little information is available regarding this problem in Ethiopia, particularly in Mettu Town. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mettu Town from May 17 to July 1, 2021, among 366 mothers with infants 0-6 months old. A simple random sampling technique was used in this study.Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were performed, and variables with a p-value <0.05 in the final model were declared statistically significant with formula feeding found to be 28.4% [95%

BackgroundYoung people are less informed, less experienced, and less at ease when it comes to accessing reproductive health services than adults. Though youth-friendly services are designed to accommodate the unique needs of youth, in developing countries like Ethiopia, studies on the level of utilization of reproductive health services are limited.ObjectivesThis study determined the level of reproductive health (RH) service use and associated factors among youths.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Becho district, Illubabor zone, southwest Ethiopia. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 702 youths, regardless of their marital status. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire includes questions on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual and reproductive health characteristics, knowledge, and components of RH assessment. The data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the utilization of reproductive health services at a p &lt; 0.05.ResultsA total of 647 youths participated in the study, constituting a response rate of 92.1%. Male youths made up 51.5% of the respondents, with an average (±SD) age of 19.38 (±2.69) years. Reproductive health (RH) services were utilized by 43.9% of youths. Knowledge of RH services (AOR = 4.11; 95% CI: 2.77, 6.09), discussion with family (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.38, 3.45), history of sexual exposure (AOR = 2.94; 95% CI: 1.95, 4.43), shorter distance from a health facility (AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.63, 3.57), and history of reproductive health problems (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.34, 4.31) were associated with RH service utilization.ConclusionThe use of reproductive health services among youths is found to be low. Knowledge about reproductive health services, discussion with parents, sexual exposure, distance, and previous experience with reproductive health problems shaped the utilization of RH services by youth. Improving knowledge through information dissemination, creating awareness to increase parent-child intimacy, and expanding health services should be emphasized.

ObjectivesA lack of safe healthcare waste management (HCWM) practice poses a risk to healthcare staff, patients and communities. In low-income countries like Ethiopia, studies on the level of safe HCWM practices in private healthcare facilities are limited. This study was designed to assess the level of good HCWM practice and associated factors among health workers in private health facilities.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ilu Aba Bor zone, South West Ethiopia. A random sample of 282 health workers from 143 private health facilities was included in the study. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare factors, knowledge assessment and an observation checklist adapted from WHO guidelines. The collected data were entered into EpiData V.3.1 and analysed with SPSS V.25.0. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HCWM practice. Variables with a p value of <0.05 at 95% CI were declared significant.ResultsMore than half (58.7%) of private-sector health workers had good HCWM practice. The presence of the HCWM committee (adjusted OR (AOR)=9.6, 95% CI 4.5 to 20.6), designated healthcare waste storage site (AOR=3.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 6.5), reading the HCWM manual (AOR=4.4, 95% CI 2.2 to 9.0) and having good knowledge of HCWM (AOR=2.6, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.15) were factors associated with good HCWM practice.ConclusionAbout three out of five health workers in private healthcare facilities were practising good HCWM. The presence of an HCWM committee, waste management utilities, reading HCWM guidelines and knowledge of health workers were the identified factors. Health workers should read guidelines to improve their knowledge, and the presence of committees and waste management utilities in private clinics should be followed to ensure compliance with safe HCWM practice.

BackgroundGrowth monitoring (GM) is a preventive activity that serves as the core function in an integrated child health and nutrition programme. In most developing nations, including Ethiopia, however, the use of GM service is insufficient. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of GM services and associated characteristics among mothers of infants in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia.ObjectiveTo assess the utilisation of GM service by mothers of infants in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021.MethodA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 randomly selected mothers with children aged 0–23 months old from 25 June to 27 July 2021 in Mettu town. EpiData V.4.6.0 was used to enter data, which were then exported to SPSS V.25 for analysis. Simple binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with GM service utilisation.ResultsA total of 354 study participants were included in the study, yielding a response rate of 95.2%. The proportion of GM service utilisation was 25.2% (95% CI: 20.24% to 29.33%). In multivariable regression analysis, age of index child 0–11 months (AOR (adjusted OR)=1.58; 95% CI: 1.052 to 3.713), early postnatal care (PNC) (AOR=1.72; 95% CI: 1.657 to 6.467), middle tertile wealth status (AOR=0.108; 95% CI: 0.047 to 0.319) and lower tertile wealth status (AOR=0.073; 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.874), utilisation of family health cards (AOR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.384 to 5.343) and taking ≤30 min to reach the nearest health facility (AOR=2.23; 95% CI: 2.061 to 7.350) were significantly associated with GM service utilisation.Conclusion and recommendationIn this study, only one-fourth of mothers with children aged 0–23 months old were using GM services. GM service utilisation was found to be significantly associated with child age, early PNC visit, wealth status, utilisation of family health cards and time taking ≤30 min to reach the nearest health facility. Hence, appropriate strategies that promote and encourage GM service utilisation should be designed.

BackgroundHealth information systems are essential for collecting data for planning, monitoring and evaluating health services. Using reliable information over time is an important aid in improving health outcomes, tackling disparities, enhancing efficiency and encouraging innovation. Studies on the level of health information use among health workers at the health facility level in Ethiopia are limited.ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess the level of health information use and associated factors among healthcare professionals.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 health workers in health centres in the Iluababor zone of Oromia region in southwest Ethiopia, who were chosen using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire and an observation checklist. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting checklist was used to report the summary of the manuscript. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinant factors. Variables with a p value <0.05 at 95% CIs were declared significant.ResultsIt was found that 65.8% of the healthcare professionals had good health information usage. Use of Health Management Information System (HMIS) standard materials (adjusted OR (AOR)=8.10; 95% CI 3.51 to 16.58), training on health information (AOR=8.31; 95% CI 4.34 to 14.90), completeness of report formats (AOR=10.24; 95% CI 5.0 to 15.14) and age (AOR=0.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.77) were found to be significantly associated with health information use.ConclusionMore than three-fifths of healthcare professionals had good health information usage. Completeness of report format, training, use of standard HMIS materials and age were significantly associated with health information usage. Ensuring the availability of standard HMIS materials and report completeness and providing training, particularly for newly recruited health workers are highly recommended to enhance health information usage.