BackgroundHypertension is one of the most common causes of premature death and morbidity and has a major impact on health care costs. It is an important public health challenge to both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and correlates of hypertension.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2014 among 681 adult residents of Bahir Dar city using multistage sampling techniques. An interview-administrated questionnaire and physical measurements such as blood pressure (BP), weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were employed to collect the data. The data were coded, entered, and analyzed with SPSS version 16 software package.ResultsA total of 678 responses were included in the analysis resulting in a response rate of 99.6%. The findings declared that 17.6%, 19.8%, and 2.2% of respondents were prehypertension, hypertension stage I, and hypertension stage II, respectively, on screening test. The overall prevalence of hypertension (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or known hypertensive patient taking medications) was 25.1%. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age; having ever smoked cigarette; number of hours spent walking/cycling per day; number of hours spent watching TV per day; history of diabetes; adding salt to food in addition to the normal amount that is added to the food during cooking; and body mass index were statistically significant predictors of hypertension.ConclusionOne out of every four respondents of the study had hypertension, and more than one out of three cases of hypertension (38.8%) did not know that they had the hypertension; 17.6% of the respondents were in prehypertension stage, which adds to overall future risk of hypertension. Therefore, mass screening for hypertension, health education to prevent substance use, regular exercise, reducing salt consumption, and life style modifications are recommended.

Background Community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) is an effective program to manage children with acute malnutrition, including both severe and moderate acute malnutrition. However, little is known about continued child nutritional status after discharge from community based management of acute malnutrition programs in Ethiopia. Objective The study aimed to identify factors associated with relapse of acute malnutrition among children 6-59 months after been discharged recovered from community based management program in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A case-control study was conducted in three districts of South Gondar Zone by tracing children age 6-59 months who were reported as recovered from the community based management program. Sample size calculated for the first objective of assessing prevalence of severe acute malnutrition among children following discharge as recovery using Epi-Info version 7.1.3.3 StatCalc taking 95% CL, 17.8% post discharge relapse (Ashraf H, et al. (2012), 3% margin of error, design effect of 2 and adding 5% non-response rate was the largest sample size and used to this study. Children with Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) <12.5cm constituted cases and children with > = 12.5cm served as controls. Data were collected from 10 November 2017 to 30 January 2018 using a survey questionnaire and families were asked to bring children to a health facility for anthropometric measurements, following which data were entered and

Poor mental health, including suicidal thoughts, affects a substantial proportion of surveyed women who are up to 2 years postpartum in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Opportunities for integrating basic psychosocial mental health services into maternal and child health services should be explored.

Background Community-based management of acute malnutrition has been reported effective in terms of recovery rate, but recovered children may be at increased risk of developing acute malnutrition after returning to the same household (HH) environment. Objective Compare the magnitude and factors associated with acute malnutrition among recovered and never treated children in South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Method A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts of South Gondar Zone by tracing 720 recovered and an equal number of age matched children who were never treated for acute malnutrition. Parents were asked to bring children to health post for survey data collection, anthropometric measurements, and edema assessment. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire, entered in to EpiData and analyzed using SPSS v20. Anthropometric indices were generated according to the WHO’s 2006 Child Growth Standards using WHO Anthro software version 3.2.2. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was utilized. Values with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant and Odds Ratio with 95% CI was used to measure strength of association. Result A total of 1,440 parents were invited, of which 1,414 participated (98.2% response rate). Mean age in months of children (±SD) was 23.7 (±10.4) for recovered and 23.3 (±10.8) for comparison group. About 49% of recovered and 46% of comparison children were females. A significant difference was observed on magnitude of acute malnutrition between recovered (34.2% (95% CI [30.9–38.0]) and comparison groups (26.7% (95% CI [23.5–30.2]), P = 0.002. Factors associated with acute malnutrition among recovered were district of Ebnat (AOR = 3.7; 95% CI [1.9–7.2]), Tach-Gayint (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI [1.2–4.7]); male child (AOR = 1.4; 95% CI [1.0–2.0]); prelactal feeding (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI [1.3 –5.1]); not feeding colostrum (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI [1.1–2.3]); not consuming additional food during pregnancy/lactation (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI [1.1–2.3]); not given Vitamin A supplement (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI [1.4–3.2]); and safe child feces disposal practice (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI [1.2–2.5]) while district of Tach-Gayint (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI [1.3–4.8]); male child (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI [1.1–2.1]), not feeding colostrum (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI [1.2–2.5]), poor hand washing practice (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI [1.1–2.2]); food insecure HH (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI [1.1–2.4]), birth interval <24 months (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.2–3.2]), and poor access to health facility (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI [1.2–2.4]) were factors associated with acute malnutrition among comparison group. Conclusion Recovered children were more at risk of acute malnutrition than the comparison group. Nutrition programs should invest in improving nutrition counseling and education; as well as the hygienic practices to protect children against post-discharge relapse of acute malnutrition.

Background: Improved breastfeeding practices can help in preventing diarrheal diseases and malnutrition. In Ethiopia, children are still suffering from diarrheal diseases and malnutrition. Aims & Objective: This study was aimed at assessing mothers' breastfeeding practices in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted by involving of 415 mothers. The study was conducted from April 15 to May 15, 2011. Three kebeles (the smallest administrative level) from Bahir Dar city were selected randomly. The sample was determined by using single population proportion formula and proportionally distributed to the selected kebeles according to population size. To be eligible to participate in the study, mothers had to live in households that had children under five years of age. Households were selected by systematic sampling method. Mothers were interviewed in their homes using a structured questionnaire that had been pre-tested. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Odds ratio was calculated with 95% confidence intervals; P-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: Data were collected from 415 mothers. Breast-feeding was practiced by 400(96.4%) of all respondents. Two hundred seventy eight (69.5%) mothers reported initiating breast-feeding within one hour of delivery. One hundred thirty four (33.5%) of mothers reported feeding colostrum to their infants. The main reasons for not giving colostrum included the belief that colostrum is unclean was reported by 30 (22.4%) mothers, colostrum makes the newborn sick by 58 (43.3%) mothers and that withholding colostrum initiates breast milk production by 46 (34.3%) mothers One hundred and nine (26.3%) of mothers reported giving pre lacteal feeds to their infants. About 325 (78.3%) of mothers reported that they had heard information about exclusive breastfeeding but only 172(41.4%) had appropriate knowledge. One hundred and thirty three (38.1%) mothers substituted breast milk before the child reaching six months of age. Mothers' educational status, Antenatal care (ANC) follow up during pregnancy, availability of television in the household and place of delivery were significantly associated with feeding colostrum to the infant (P<0.05). Conclusion:This study showed that the prevalence of ever breastfeeding was almost universal but still mothers had gaps about early initiation of breastfeeding, giving the first milk for their newborns and exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore information regarding optimal breastfeeding practices should be provided for mothers and local health extension workers. An effort should also be made to increase community awareness about the importance of optimal breastfeeding for the child growth and development.