Background: Malnutrition at the early stages of life can lower child resistance to infections, increase child morbidity and mortality, and decrease mental development and cognitive achievement. Adequate nutrition is the keystone of survival, health and development not only of current generations but also of the ones to come. Child malnutrition is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Objectives: To assess the magnitude and factors associated with malnutrition of children 6 to 59 months of age in Dollo Ado district, Somali region. Methods: A community based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 541 mother-child pairs of 6-59 month old children in December 2012. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight of 541 study children were taken with physical examination to identify the severe form of malnutrition and the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects were collected using a questionnaire. Both anthropometric and non anthropometric data were entered using Epi-Info version 3.5.2. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0. Both bivariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression model) was used to identify the determinants of child malnutrition. Results: Result of the study revealed that the overall prevalence of malnutrition in the community was high with 42.3% of the children being wasted, 34.4% for stunting and 47.7% for underweight. All three forms of malnutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight) was more prevalent among boys than girls with a statistically significant of P<0.031. Prevalence of wasting was higher among young children while stunting and underweight were more likely to be observed in older children. Regression analysis shows that the significant determinants of malnutrition were gender and age of child, marital status, maternal education, monthly HH income, decision making, having of livestock, presence of ARI, total number of children ever born, health status during pregnancy, pre-lactation practice, mode of feeding, access to clean water and type of floor in the households. Conclusions: The prevalence of child malnutrition among the under five children was high, indicating that the nutrition situation in study area is very critical. Thus, malnutrition is a major public health problem. Further in-depth studies should also be encouraged to look for improved interventions.

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the best nutrition for the children during the first 6 months of life, yet despite knowing the clear benefits, the practice of EBF is low. The aim of the study is to determine prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors in Addis Ababa.MethodsA facility based cross-sectional study with internal comparison was conducted among 648 mothers attending immunization sessions in all public health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2011. Prevalence of EBF was determined using ‘recall since birth’ method. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding effects while determining the association between exclusive breastfeeding practice and selected factors.ResultsThe prevalence of EBF under six months was 29.3 % (95 % CI 25.9, 32.9). Mothers whose monthly income 500 - 1000birr (US$56 - 113) were more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who earn more than 1000birr (US$113) (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.49; 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] 1.06, 5.88). Mothers who reported having antenatal counseling (AOR = 1.99; 95 % CI 1.16, 3.43) and postnatal counseling were more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who did not have counseling (AOR = 2.12; 95 % CI 1.28, 3.54). Mothers who gave birth vaginally were more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who had a Caesarean section (AOR = 2.40; 95 % CI 1.25, 4.61).ConclusionsThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was low in Addis Ababa. Mothers’ income, antenatal and postnatal counseling and mode of delivery were found to be associated with EBF practices. Recommendations include strengthening nutrition counseling during antenatal and postnatal sessions, further exploring the barriers to EBF for higher income mothers and offering continuous assistance and safe pain relief medication for mothers who gave birth by caesarean section.

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is defined as feeding infants only breast milk, be it directly from breast or expressed, with no addition of any liquid or solids apart from drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, mineral supplements or medicine, and nothing else. Several studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months plays a great role in preventing morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, for example, mortality rates of infant and children younger than five years are high. Understanding the prevalence and predictors that influence exclusive breastfeeding in this is crucial to promoting the practice.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding with in the first six months of life among women in Halaby special woreda, SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region) Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross sectional study was conducted between November 2013 and January 2014 among women with infants aged less than 6 months and the sample size was 422 in Halaba special woreda, SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region) Ethiopia. A random sampling technique was used in sampling the study subjects. Structured questionnaire was developed and adopted from EDHS 2011 and WHO standard and that all the variables to be assessed were incorporated. Data was entered and analyzed through using Epi Info 7 for Dos version 3.5.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software for windows version 20 respectively.ResultsThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was (70.5 %) and awareness of exclusive breastfeeding was (92.4 %). Antenatal follow up (AOR/Adjusted odds ratio = 1.9; 95 % CI, 1.05–3.6), postnatal follow up (AOR/Adjusted odds ratio = 2.2; 95 % CI, 1.25–3.87), initiation of breast feeding immediately within one hour (AOR/Adjusted odds ratio =3.8; 95 % CI, 2.4–6.2), attended formal school (AOR Adjusted odds ratio/=1.9;95 % CI,1.1–3.4), advice about exclusive breastfeeding (AOR Adjusted odds ratio/=6.3;95 % CI,1.3–30.9); and awareness about exclusive breastfeeding (AOR Adjusted odds ratio/= 8.2; 95 % CI 3.34–20), have significant association with exclusive breastfeeding.ConclusionsStrategies that target improving awareness among women at health facility and community level help to improve exclusive breastfeeding. In addition, promotion of EBF for working mothers through working environment recommended.

Background. Ensuring patient satisfaction is an important means of secondary prevention of maternal mortality. This study presents findings from a multidimensional study of client satisfaction from the Gamo Gofa Zone in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods. A facility based cross-sectional study using exit interviews was conducted from 2014. Client satisfaction was measured using a survey adopted from the Donabedian quality assessment framework. Thirteen health institutions were randomly sampled of 66 institutions in Gamo Gofa Zone. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of client satisfaction. Results. The overall satisfaction level of the clients in this study was 79.1% with (95% CI; 75–82). Women attending health centres were more likely satisfied than women attending hospitals (χ 2 = 83.7, df = 12, P < 0.001). The proportion of women who complained about an unfriendly attitude or unresentful care from health workers was higher in the hospitals (χ 2 = 27.4, df = 1, P < 0.001). The presence of support persons during child birth improved client satisfaction (AOR = 6.23 95% CI; 2.75–14.1) and women who delivered with caesarean section are four times more likely satisfied than those who deliver vaginally (AOR 3.6 95% CI; 1.44–9.06). Client satisfaction was reduced if the women had to pay for the services (AOR = 0.27 95% CI; 0.09–81). Conclusions. The study shows that overall satisfaction level is good. More emphasis should be put on giving women friendly care, particularly at the hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Soil transmitted helminth infections are among the most common human infections. They are distributed throughout the world with high prevalence rates in tropical and sub-tropical countries mainly because of lack of adequate sanitary facilities, inappropriate waste disposal systems, lack of safe water supply, and low socio-economic status. METHODS: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted from December 2011 to June 2012 to determine and assess the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths and their associated factors among government and private primary school children. Stool samples were collected from 369 randomly selected children and examined microscopically for eggs of soil transmitted helminth following McMaster techniques. Soil samples were collected from different parts of the school compound and microscopic examination was performed for eggs of the helminths using sodium nitrate flotation technique. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of soil transmitted helminth infections in private and government schools was 20.9% and 53.5% respectively. T. trichiura was the most common soil transmitted helminth in both schools while hookworm infections were identified in government school students only. Type of school and sex were significantly associated with soil transmitted helminth. Soil contamination rate of the school compounds was 11.25% with predominant parasites of A. lumbricoides. CONCLUSION: Higher prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infection was found among government school students. Thus, more focus, on personal hygiene and sanitary facilities, should be given to children going to government schools.