BackgroundPsychoactive substance use has become a major public health problem among students in Ethiopian universities. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the magnitude and determinants of psychoactive substances use (khat chewing, alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking) among undergraduate students of Woldia University, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based quantitative cross-sectional study was employed on Woldia University students in April 2015. 730 students were included in the study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. EpiData version 3.02 was used to enter data. Then, data were exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of alcohol drinking, khat chewing and cigarette smoking among the study students were 33.1, 13 and 7.9%, respectively. Likewise, the current prevalence of alcohol drinking, khat chewing and cigarette smoking was 27.9, 10.4 and 6.4%, respectively. More than half of the surveyed students (59.1%) were introduced to psychoactive substance use by peer pressure. About 66% of the study participants believed that psychoactive substances are important for relaxation, and 19% to relief from stress. Students who were Muslims [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.74, 95% CI (1.57, 8.91)], Oromo ethnic group [AOR 2.63, 95% CI (1.19, 5.81)], ever drunk alcohol [AOR 6.32, 95% CI (2.96, 13.48)] and ever smoked cigarette [AOR: 9.16, 95% CI (4.33, 19.38)] were positively associated with khat chewing. Furthermore, pocket money and ever khat chewing were associated with alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking.ConclusionThis study showed that psychoactive substances use is somewhat prevalent among students in Woldia University. Hence, support of religious institutions in providing education aimed at preventing substance use, establishing and strengthening peer educators in the university are important interventions to tackle psychoactive substances use.

Background. Placenta praevia is a disorder that happens during pregnancy when the placenta is abnormally placed in the lower uterine segment, which at times covers the cervix. The incidence of placenta praevia is 3-5 per 1000 pregnancies worldwide and is still rising because of increasing caesarean section rates. Objective. To assess and identify the risk factors and maternal and neonatal complications associated with placenta praevia. Method and Materials. Target populations for this study were all women diagnosed with placenta praevia transvaginally or transabdominally either during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or intraoperatively in Tikur Anbessa Specialized and Gandhi Memorial Hospitals. The study design was unmatched case-control study. Data was carefully extracted from medical records, reviewed, and analyzed. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results. Pregnancies complicated by placenta praevia were 303. Six neonatal deaths were recorded in this study. The magnitude of placenta praevia observed was 0.7%. Advanced maternal age (≥35) (AOR 6.3; 95% CI: 3.20, 12.51), multiparity (AOR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.46, 3.46), and previous history of caesarean section (AOR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.64, 4.58) had an increased odds of placenta praevia. Postpartum anemia (AOR 14.6; 95% CI: 6.48, 32.87) and blood transfusion 1-3 units (AOR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.10, 6.53) were major maternal complications associated with placenta praevia. Neonates born to women with placenta praevia were at increased risk of respiratory syndrome (AOR 4; 95% CI: 1.24, 13.85), IUGR (AOR 6.3; 95% CI: 1.79, 22.38), and preterm birth (AOR 8; 95% CI: 4.91, 12.90). Conclusion. Advanced maternal age, multiparity, and previous histories of caesarean section were significantly associated risk factors of placenta praevia. Adverse maternal outcomes associated with placenta praevia were postpartum anemia and the need for blood transfusion. Neonates born from placenta praevia women were also at risk of being born preterm, intrauterine growth restriction, and respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction foodborne disease (FBD) is a major public health problem globally. Inadequate food workers' knowledge, attitude, and low level of food handling practices (FHPs) may all contribute to the possibility of FBD outbreaks in public food service establishments. This study aimed to assess FHPs and associated factors among food handlers working in public food and drink service establishments in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods an institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 01 to 29, January 2017. A total of 288 food handlers were recruited through a simple random selection method. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation checklists were used to collect the respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge status on FHPs, and food handling working practices data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed using SPSS version 20 software. Those variables with a p< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results out of 288 participants, 91.7% were female, and 82.3% were single, while 69.8% were literate. One hundred eighty-four (63.9%) of them were under 15-25 years of age, with a median age of 23.3 years. The proportion of good FHP was (n=134, 46.5%) (95% CI: 41.00-52.4%). Advanced age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =12.01, 95% CI: 1.96-73.52), education (participants who attend grades 7-12 (AOR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.14-4.79), and above secondary education (AOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.05-4.61), work experience above six years (AOR=2.43, 95% CI: 2.08-3.17), received formal training (AOR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.68-4.71), and inspection visits by a concerned body (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.05-3.09) were factors positively associated with handling practices. Conclusion the study revealed that FHP in the study area was low. Age, education, service year, training received and sanitary inspection visits by the regulatory personnel were factors significantly associated with FHPs. This finding highlights the importance of employing regular sanitary inspection visits to public food service establishments by the concerned authority to ensure that all food handlers have the knowledge and the skill to provide safe food.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess food handling practice and associated factors among food handlers working in public food and drink establishments in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia.Results: Of the total 288 participated food handlers, 91.7% were females, and 82.3% were single, while 69.8% were literate. Ninety-four (32.6%) of them were under 15-20 years age and the median age was 23.3year. The proportion of good food handling practice was 134 (46.5%)[95% CI (confidence interval): 41.00, 52.40]. Advanced age [AOR (adjusted odds ratio):12.01; 95%CI 1.96-73.52], education (AOR=2.29; 95% CI=1.05-4.61), service year (AOR=2.43; 95% CI=2.08-3.17), received training (AOR=1.79; 95%CI=1.68-4.71), and inspection by regulatory personnel (AOR=2.24; 95%CI=1.05-3.09) were positively associated with food handler's food handling practices. This study showed that the food handling practice was poor. Age, education, service year, training received, and sanitary inspection visit by regulatory personnel were factors significantly associated with food handler's food handling practices. Food handling and safety training to food handlers, establishment owners, and regular sanitary inspection visits of public food service establishments by regulatory authority is compulsory.

Background: The World Health Organization states that every pregnant woman is at risk of complications. Antenatal care is vital to reduce complications and more likely to be effective if women begin receiving care in the first trimester of pregnancy and continue to receive care throughout pregnancy. The maternal mortality ratio in Ethiopia was estimated at 412 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016.Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was used. Data collection was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A systematic sampling technique with proportional allocation was used to get the final 390 study participants. Data was entered, cleared, and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version (SPSS) 20. Descriptive measures were presented with frequencies, tables, and diagrams. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of late antenatal care initiation.Results: The prevalence of late antenatal care initiation was 59.5% with 95% CI [54.6–64.1]. Residence of the mother [AOR = 5; 95% CI:(1.423, 17.86), Paying for health services [AOR = 13.9;95% CI 3.531, 54.86], Planed for pregnancy [AOR = 13.4; 95% CI:4.018, 44.487], Counseled for ANC [AOR = 13.6; 95% CI:6.090, 63.127] and number of lifetime pregnancies (gravidity) [AOR = 5.5; 95% CI:2.077, 14.36] were factors significantly associated with late initiation of ANC.Conclusion: More than 50% of women attended antenatal care follow-up late from the recommended time of initiation. Residence, payment for pregnancy-related health services, plan for pregnancy, counseling, and advice regarding antenatal care follow-up and gravidity were factors significantly associated with late antenatal care initiation.