Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major public health problem and often it is unnoticed. Undiagnosed HTN may lead to a high burden of cardiovascular diseases and complications such as stroke and heart attack. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed HTN. Methods: From February to June 2019, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 randomly selected adults in Hawela Tulla Sub-city, Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected by pretested questionnaires, and physical measurements of weight, height and blood pressure were collected through standardized procedures adapted from WHO STEPS survey tools. Data entry and analysis were carried out using SPSS version 23 statistical software. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were used to describe the results. Logistic regression analysis results were declared statistically significant if the P-value was below 0.05 and the 95% CI did not cross the null value. Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed HTN among the respondents was 12.3%. Only 152 (39.7%) of the study population knew the symptoms of HTN. Males (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.

Background. The burden of noncommunicable disease (NCD) in Africa is on a remarkable rise exacerbating the poor public health status affected by the existing but yet unsolved communicable disease. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of evidence regarding prevalence and risk factors to NCD. Objective. This study sought to determine the prevalence of risk factors of NCDs, prevalence of DM and HTN, and risk factors associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN). Method. This is an institution based cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 411 clients attending a university-based comprehensive specialized hospital in Southern Ethiopia. The data was collected by using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and observational checklist. Frequency, proportions, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 20. Result. We identified 64.2% of the clients had at least one of the risk factors to the NCDs. One-third (33.3%) had physical inactivity, whereas 20.2% had a BMI of ≥ 25%. The prevalence of DM and HTN was 12.2% and 10.5%, respectively. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≥ 60 years, physical inactivity, higher BMI, and cigarette smoking were risk factors for at least one of the NCDs. Conclusion. The prevalence of DM and prevalence of HTN were high. The magnitudes of risk factors to NCDs among the study population were substantial. Higher BMI, physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol use, khat chewing, and cigarette smoking were among the prevailing risk factors identified.

We found no evidence of an association between the use of biomass fuel and TB. Low statistical power due to the selection of neighbourhood controls might have contributed to this negative finding. We would advise that future protocols should not use neighbourhood controls and that they should include measurements of indoor air pollution and of exposure duration.

Purpose: Studies addressing determinants of home delivery in pastoralist areas are scarce in Ethiopia. In this study, we aimed to assess determinants of home delivery in rural pastoralist communities of Hamar District, Southern Ethiopia. Patients and Methods: In April 2018, we conducted a community-based case-control study. Of 35 rural kebeles (lowest level of administration) in the district, 8 were randomly selected. Ninety-nine randomly selected cases (mothers who gave birth at home) and 193 controls (mothers who gave birth at health facility) were included in the study. We used structured questionnaires to collect data. Through face-to-face interview, data on place of delivery, sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history knowledge and attitude of mothers were collected. We used logistic regression model to measure association between variables. Results: Late initiation of antenatal care (AOR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.2, 17.1), husbands only decision-making (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =7.2, 95% CI = 2.1, 24.5), women's preference for traditional birth attendants (TBAs) (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.2, 12.5), and not involving in women's development army (WDA), (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.0, 10.5) increased the risk of home delivery. Moreover, low maternal knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy (AOR = 6.5, 95% CI = 1.5, 29.0) and negative maternal attitudes towards institutional delivery (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.4, 14.1) were other factors that increased the risk of home delivery. Conclusion: Among our study participants, a number of factors increased the risk of home delivery. Improving women's awareness on the importance of institutional delivery, establishing systems for integration between TBAs and health facilities, empowering women and promoting them to participation in WDA were recommended.

Background. Due to the wide implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWHIV) are now living longer. This increased the risk of developing noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) among them. Objective. We aimed to describe prevalence of NCCDs multimorbidity among PLWHIV at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). Method. In April 2016, institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHIV, aged≥18 years at the ART unit of HUCSH. A nurse working in the ART unit interviewed patients and reviewed medical records. Data on the NCCDs and its risk factors were obtained. List of diseases considered in this study were arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), rheumatic heart diseases (RHD), chronic bronchitis, asthma, and cancer. Results. More than half of the respondents (196) had at least one of the NCCDs and 34 (8.9%) had multimorbidity. The main system of the body affected were the musculoskeletal system, 146 (38.2%) and respiratory system, 46 (12.0%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of individual NCCDs by gender. Patients aged above 44 years, patients with ART duration of at least 6 years, and patients with higher CD4 counts had increased odds of having any one of the NCCDs. Multimorbidity patients with a longer ART duration had an increased risk. Conclusion. The prevalence of NCCD multimorbidity among PLWHIV was high. Monitoring the occurrence of NCCDs among PLWHIV and noncommunicable disease care is recommended.