Back ground: Intestinal parasitic infections are still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children. They are mostly associated with unsafe and low quality of drinking water, poor personal and environmental sanitation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of intestinal parasites among school children. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in March, 2014, among 498 students selected from three governmental elementary schools in Arbaminch-town, Southern Ethiopia using stratified multistage sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and were examined for intestinal parasites using direct smear (mount examination) and Formal-ether concentration techniques. Finally, data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info and SPSS statistical soft ware respectively. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of nine parasites were detected .The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 27.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): (23.8-31.6%)). The predominant parasite was E.histolytica/dispar 64(12.9%) followed by A.lumboricoids 53(10.6%), H.nana 21 (4.2%) and G.lamblia 21 (4.2%). Hand washing practice before meal [AOR = 5.7; 95% CI (3.4, 9.7)], nail hygiene [AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.5, 4.4)], and children's mother educational level [ A OR =3.5; 95% CI (1.01, 11.4)] showed statistically significant association with high rates of intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of intestinal parasites is high in the study area among school children .Thus, it indicates the need of interventions like health education regarding to personal hygiene and mass treatment.

Background: Food borne diseases are common in developing countries including Ethiopia because of the prevailing poor food handling and sanitation Practices. Food handlers play an important role in ensuring food safety throughout the chain of production, processing, storage and preparation.

Background Consumption of unwashed, raw or unhygienically prepared fruits and vegetables act as potential source for the spread of various parasitic diseases. Moreover, the level of contamination and species of contaminant parasites vary from place to place because of variations in environmental and human factors. Therefore local determination of the level of contamination and associated factors is important for efficient intervention of infections acquired via those food items. Methods A Cross-sectional study was conducted among purchased vegetables in selected markets of Arba Minch town from January to March, 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to capture data about factors associated with parasitic contamination of vegetables in the marketing phase. Selected vegetables were purchased and processed for examination of parasitic contamination using direct wet mount, iodine wet mount and modified zeihl Neelson staining following standard protocols. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results Among 347 vegetable samples examined, 87(25.1%) were contaminated with at least one parasite species. Tomato (35.0%) was the most commonly contaminated vegetable while green pepper (10.6%) was the least contaminated one. Entameoba histolytica/dispar (29, 8.4%) was the commonest parasitic contaminant detected followed by Giardia lamblia (24, 6.9%) and oocyst of Cryptosporidium species (5.8%). Vegetable type (X 2 = 13.5; p = 0.009) and source of vegetables (X 2 = 24.1; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with parasitic contamination of vegetables. Conclusion Parasitic contamination rate among marketed vegetables in the present study is significantly considerable. Entameoba histolytica /dispar was the most frequently detected parasite. We recommend to the local public health sector to establish a system for continuous monitoring of contamination of vegetables sold at local markets.

Background Low birthweight (LBW) remains the most important risk factor which attributed to mortality of 15–20% of newborns across the globe. An infant with low birthweight is more likely to have stunting in childhood and develop markers of metabolic risk factors at his later age. Furthermore, LBW is a risk for inter-generational assaults of malnutrition as it is the risk for sub optimal growth until adulthood, affecting women’s and male’s reproductive capabilities. Thus, there is enough concern to study the determinants of LBW across different settings. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess the determinants of low birthweight s in public health facilities of Nekemte town, West Ethiopia. Methods Facility based unmatched case control study was employed from February to April 2017. The data were collected using structured, pretested interviewer administered questionnaire in all public health facilities of Nekemte town. Consecutive live births of less than 2500 g in each of the hospitals and health centres were selected as cases and succeeding babies with weights of at least 2500 g as controls. Data were entered in to Epi-data software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 21 and analyzed using frequency, cross-tabs and percentage. Factors with p -value < 0.25 in Bivariate analysis were entered in to multivariable logistic regression and statistical significance was considered at p -value < 0.05. Result A total 279 (93 cases &186 controls) were included in the study with a mean birthweight of 2138.3 g ± SD 206.87 for cases and 3145.95 g ± SD 415.98 for controls. No iron-folate supplementation (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI, 1.15–7.03), no nutritional counselling (AOR = 4.05, 95%CI, 1.95–8.38), not taking snacks (AOR =3.25, 95%CI, 1.64–6.44), maternal under nutrition (AOR =5.62, 95%CI, 2.64–11.97), anemia (AOR = 3.54, 95%CI, 1.46–8.61) and inadequate minimum dietary diversity score of women MDDS-W (AOR = 6.65, 95%CI, 2.31–19.16) were factors associated with low birthweight . Conclusion Lacking nutrition counselling during pregnancy, lacking iron/folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, not taking snacks during pregnancy, maternal under-nutrition, maternal anemia and inadequate minimum dietary diversity score of women (MDDS-W) were independently associated with LBW. Thus, public health intervention in the field of maternal and child health should address these determinants.

Background: Inadequate and inappropriate complementary feeding are major factors contributing to excess morbidity and mortality in young children in low resource settings. The early introduction of complementary feeds before the age of six months can lead to displacement of breast milk and increased risk of infections such as diarrhea, which further contributes to weight loss and malnutrition. Therefore the objective of this study is to assess early initiation of Complementary feeding and associated factors, in Kamba Woreda, South West Ethiopia. Methods: a community based cross sectional study was conducted in Kamba woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, South West Ethiopia. The study was conducted on 562 mothers who have young child from 6 months to 2 years from December 2013 to January 2014 by using pre tested structured questioners. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted by SPSS version 20. Results: From all respondents 59.6% started complementary feeding before six months. Age of mothers those who are in age group ≥30, AOR 2.60(1.07-6.35) years, Education level those who have no formal education AOR 2.76(1.63-4.69), occupational of mothers those who work as daily worker AOR 3.06(1.03-9.12)and Private work activity(merchant, farmers) AOR 2.39(1.61-3.53), Mothers who have no post natal follow up for their child in Health service AOR(1.64(1.05-2.55) were significantly associated factors for early initiation of complementary feeding in the study area. Conclusion and Recommendation:-A relatively high proportion of mothers start early complementary feeding, despite what is recommended in the national and global infant and young child feeding guidelines. Maternal age, educational statues ,occupational statues, mothers who has no PNC, and mothers who encountered medical illness at post natal period were significant predictors for early initiation of complementary feeding.