Background. Early detection of breast cancer using breast self-examination (BSE) plays an important role in decreasing its morbidity and mortality. Objective. To identify factors associated with BSE among health extension workers in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Cross-sectional study design was employed from October to November, 2012 in West Gojjam Zone of Amhara region. Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit a total of 390 health extension workers (HEWs). A structured Amharic questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 16.0. Result. This study found that 37% of HEWs had ever practiced BSE and 14.4% practiced it regularly. The three main reasons for not doing regular BSE were no breast problem (53.2%), not knowing the technique of BSE (30.6%), and not knowing the importance of BSE (21.4%). Discussion with families on BSE and history of breast examination by health professionals were found significantly associated with ever practice of BSE. Conclusion. BSE practice was found low in this study. Having information on the importance of BSE was predictor of BSE practice. Therefore, it is important to give training on BSE techniques and its role on breast cancer prevention for HEWs.

BackgroundBehaviors established during adolescence such as risky sexual behaviors have negative effects on future health and well-being. Extant literature indicated that individual attributes such as peer pressure and substance use have impacts on healthy development of young peoples’ sexual behavior. The patterns of relationships (social network structure) and the social network content (members’ norm regarding sexual practice) established by adolescents’ network on adolescents’ risky sexual behaviors are not well investigated.MethodsThis cross-sectional study assessed the roles of social networks on sexual behavior of high school adolescents in Bahir Dar and Mecha district, North West Ethiopia. Data were collected from 806 high school adolescents using a pretested anonymously self administered questionnaire. Hierarchical logistic regression model was used for analysis.ResultsThe results indicated that more than 13% had risky sexual behavior. Taking social networks into account improved the explanation of risky sexual behavior over individual attributes. Adolescents embedded within increasing sexual practice approving norm (AOR 1.61; 95%CI: 1.04 – 2.50), increasing network tie strength (AOR 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06 – 1.19), and homogeneous networks (AOR 1.58; 95% CI: .98 – 2.55) were more likely to had risky sexual behavior. Engaging within increasing number of sexuality discussion networks was found protective of risky sexual behavior (AOR .84; 95% CI: .72 – .97).ConclusionSocial networks better predict adolescent’s risky sexual behavior than individual attributes. The findings indicated the circumstances or contexts that social networks exert risks or protective effects on adolescents’ sexual behavior. Programs designed to reduce school adolescents’ sexual risk behavior should consider their patterns of social relationships.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy among reproductive age women in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia.ResultThe prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 15.8% (95% CI 13.8%–17.7%). Single women (AOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.08–0.40), women living away from their husband (AOR 4.18; 95% CI 2.64–6.61) and women with no access/exposure to mass-media (AOR 1.89; 95% CI 1.13–3.15) were more likely to have unintended pregnancy compared to their counter parts.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-4016-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundSex trafficking is a contemporary issue in both developed and developing countries. The number of trafficked women and young girls has increased globally. Females aged 18–25 are the most targeted group of trafficking. Although the problem is evident in Ethiopia, there are no studies that explored sex trafficking awareness among females. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess sex trafficking awareness and associated factors among youth females in Bahir Dar town, North-West Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from February 1st-30th 2012 from a total of 417 youth females. The participants in the study were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. A structured Amharic questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe data. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with sex trafficking awareness.ResultTwo hundred forty-nine (60%) of the participants reported that they had heard or read about sex trafficking. Television (64%), friends (46%) and radio (39%) were the most frequently mentioned sources of information about sex trafficking. About 87% and 74% of the participants mentioned friends and brokers respectively as mediators of sex trafficking. Having TV at home (AOR = 2. 19, 95% CI: 1.31-3.67), completing grade 10 or more (AOR = 2. 22, 95% CI: 1.18-4.17), taking training on gender issues (AOR = 3. 59, 95% CI: 2.11-6.10) and living together with parents (AOR = 3. 65, 95% CI: 1.68-7.93) were factors found associated with sex trafficking awareness.ConclusionIn this study, sex trafficking awareness was low among youth females. Having TV at home, living together with someone and being trained on gender issues were predictors of sex trafficking awareness. Therefore, providing education about sex trafficking will help to increase sex trafficking awareness among youth females.

Background: Adolescence is a stage of rapid transition of physical, psychological and emotional development. Parent-adolescent communication has great role on the reduction of SRH problem of adolescents. However evidences shows that there is a silence between parent and adolescent because of this adolescent are affected by STIs, HIV, unsafe abortion and unwanted pregnancy. Therefore this study tried to identify factors that hinder communication in Wogdie district North East Ethiopia.Method: A community based cross-sectional study supplemented with qualitative data was conducted. Six hundred fifteen mothers were selected by multi-stage sampling method for quantitative study. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis was executed to assess the association between variables. Participants were selected by purposive sampling method for qualitative part. Fourteen participants were participated in in-depth interview. The qualitative data was transcribed manually using verbatim approach.Results: The magnitude of parent-adolescent communication was 198 (32.8%) with 95% CI (29.1, 36.7). Rural residence of mother [AOR=0.056, 95% CI (0.01, 0.331)], family size of >6 [AOR=0.338, 95% CI (0.13, 0.874)], maternal education status of uneducated [AOR=0.421, 95% CI (0.186, 0.951)], maternal occupational status of housewife [AOR=0.085, 95% CI (0.024, 0.298)], low wealth status [AOR=0.316, 95% CI (0.129, 0.777)], poor maternal knowledge about SRH [AOR=0.063, 95% CI (0.024, 0.164)] and negative maternal attitude towards SRH communication [AOR=0.037, 95% CI (0.008, 0.169)] were have significant negative association with parent-adolescent communication. Cultural taboo, fear and lack of knowledge were reasons that hinder communication.Conclusion: Communication on sexual and reproductive health issue between parent and adolescent was low. Home to home and community health education of mothers is important to create good knowledge and positive attitude about sexual and reproductive communication.