BackgroundDespite the enormous benefits of family planning services, the contraceptive utilization still remains low in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is regional variation in modern contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization and determinants in Dabat demographic and health surveillance system site, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA re-census was carried out in Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site from October to December 2014. Data of 8271 married women collected in the re-census was used. The outcome variable was current utilization of any modern contraceptive methods whereas socio demographic and economic variables were the potential determinants considered. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression along with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to describe the strength of association.ResultsPrevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among married women in Dabat DHSS site was found to be 32.5% (95%CI: 31.5, 33.5%). After adjusting for covariates; the odds of using modern contraceptive were 2.35 times, 1.91 times, and 1.39 times higher among women of secondary and above educational level, urban residents, and women having six and above living children, respectively.ConclusionModern contraceptive utilization was found to be very low. Effort has to be applied to improve women’s educational level that increases their understanding of reproductive health issues. It is also important to give special emphasis for rural residents, those aged 20–40 years, and those with six or more living children while serving for modern contraceptive methods.

BackgroundDelaying the start of breastfeeding and giving prelacteal feeding leads to a significant increase in neonatal and infant deaths, particularly in a resource limited countries, like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess early neonatal feeding practice and its determinants in Dabat HDSS site, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsThe census for the reconciliation of the surveillance of the Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site was conducted from October to December 2014. Data were entered into the Household Registration System (HRS) version 2.1 and analyzed using Stata version 14. A total of 6,761 mother-child pairs were included in the study. Sociodemographic factors, maternal health care and early neonatal feeding practices (early initiation of breastfeeding and prelacteal feeding) were collected by interviewing the mothers. The prevalence of early/timely initiation of breastfeeding was computed as the ratio of children put to the breast within one hour of delivery to the total number of children. Prelacteal feeding was defined as giving anything to drink other than breast milk in the first three days following birth. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify variables which were associated with the dependent variable. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding.ResultsThe prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding was 43.9% (95% CI, 41.6, 46.2). More than half (56%) of the mothers gave prelacteal feeds. An urban residence (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.25. 1.73) and antenatal care (AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.24, 1.59) were correlated with early initiation of breastfeeding. Similarly, increased odds of timely initiation of breastfeeding were observed among mothers who didn’t give prelacteal feeds (AOR 5.72; 95% CI, 5.12, 6.40).ConclusionDelayed initiation of breastfeeding and prelacteal feeding still remain public health concerns in this community. The promotion of improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and the utilization of antenatal care services should be intensified.

Objectives: To identify the determinants and describe the extent of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children in urban Ethiopia. Design: Community based, cross-sectional study. Setting: Jimma, a town in south western Ethiopia, is an urban area with multi-ethnic population. The town is divided into 20 kebelles. Each kebelle has a population of about 5000 people Subjects: Six hundred and five children under the age of five years were selected by random sampling. There were 142 children with diarrhoeal diseases in selected households. All those without diarrhoea were taken as controls. Results: The incidence at diarrhoeal diseases was 5.48 episodes per child per year. The incidence of persistent diarrhoea was 7.75%. About 24.5% of the acute diarrhoeal diseases (ADD) culminated to persistent diarrhoea. Well source of water, lack of complete immunization, attack of measles and acute respiratory infecions (ARI) in the previous two weeks were found to be significantly associated with occurrence of diarrhoeal disease; however, only ARI and well water were retained in the logistic regression analysis. Conclusion:The incidence of diarrhoeal diseases and the progression to persistent diarrhoea are very high. Many of the socio-environmental factors did not appear as significant determinants independently. The implication of this is that in a homogenous and economically deprived society improvement in a single factor does not reduce the problem of diarrhoeal diseases. Hence, an inter-sectoral approach is recommended to control diarrhoeal diseases.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and chronic energy deficiency are bidirectional and multifaceted. HIV can cause or worsen chronic energy deficiency by increasing energy requirements, reducing food intake and nutrient absorption. Chronic energy deficiency weakens the immune system, increase the susceptibility to infections and worsening the disease impact. Studies on the magnitude and factors associated with chronic energy deficiency among adults living with HIV are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency and associated factors among adults living with HIV in Gondar University Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted and systematic random sampling was used to select study subjects. A total of 317 study subjects were enrolled in the study. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, economic and diet related variables. Weight and height measurement were taken and medical charts were reviewed. Laboratory analysis for CD4 count and anemia was done. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effect of different factors on chronic energy deficiency. Results: A total of 317 patients provide complete information with response rate of 99.4%. The overall prevalence of chronic energy deficiency was 18.3% (95%CI: 14.5%-22.7%). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe chronic energy deficiency was 11.4, 3.5 and 3.5% respectively. No formal education (AOR = 2.05,95%CI:1.01,4.21), being in the WHO clinical stage three and four (AOR = 3.84,95%CI:1.39,10.61) and history of diarrhea in the last two weeks prior to the survey (AOR = 4.43,95%CI:1.83,10.72) were significantly associated with chronic energy deficiency. Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency among adults living with HIV was medium public health problem. Educational status, WHO clinical stage, and history of diarrhea in the last two weeks prior to the survey were risks for chronic energy deficiency. Integration of nutritional management with HAART, early diagnosis and treatment of diarrheal disease would be supreme important.

Background: Due to its nature of chronicity and the trend of using more drugs for patients with HIV, antiretroviral toxicity becomes a major challenge of HIV management. Evidences revealed that magnitude of experiencing at least one form of drug toxicity in different setting have been reached up to 90% among patients on antiretroviral therapy. The main aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and predictors of severe adverse drug reactions among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) at Debre Markos Referral Hospital. Methods: Retrospective follow up study with survival analysis was carried out among people living with Human Immunodeficiency virus. Mean survival time of the cohort was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. To model the relationship between explanatory variables and the time to adverse drug reaction, Cox-proportional hazard regression model was fitted. Results: Out of the total 485 participants 67 (13.81%; 95% C.I: 10.7%, 16.8%) had experienced sever adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The incidence rate of severe adverse drug reaction development was 3 per 100-person years. Patients residing out of the catchment area to the facility were 73% at higher risk to develop ADR at any time, compared to those living within the catchment area (AHR=1.73; 95% C.I: 1.04, 2.86). The risk of ADRs among patients with baseline WHO clinical stage of III and IV was 2.59 times higher at any time compared to those with WHO stages I and II (95% C.I: 1.54, 4.36). Conclusion: The incidence of adverse drug reactions was relatively lower than reported in different parts of Ethiopia and other African countries. However, the overall burden in the 10 years period was still high. Health professionals working in the ART clinic need to give special attention for patients coming from outside of catchment areas, commercial sex workers and drivers and patients on advanced WHO clinical stages to prevent ADR development among these groups.