ObjectiveTo assess knowledge of preconception care and associated factors among pregnant women in Mana district, Jimma zone, Oromia Region, Southwest Ethiopia, in 2019.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2 March to 10 April 2019.SettingThe study was conducted in Mana district. Eight rural Gandas and one urban Ganda were included in the study.ParticipantsOut of 715 pregnant women in the selected rural Gandas, 553 participated in the study, whereas 70 out of 88 were recruited from the urban Ganda. A total of 623 pregnant women participated in the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWomen’s knowledge of preconception care was determined. Descriptive statistics were calculated as necessary. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to identify the association of women’s knowledge of preconception care with explanatory variables.ResultsAmong 623 respondents, 133 (21.3%) of pregnant women had good knowledge of preconception care. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that women who attended secondary and above education (β=3.6; p<0.001) and those for whom their husbands attended secondary and above education (β=2.3; p=0.001), planned pregnancy status (β=1.2; p=0.005), being on follow-up for pre-existing medical illnesses (β=1.5; p=0.014) and having four or more antenatal care visits (β=0.4; p=0.016) were significantly associated with women’s knowledge of preconception care.ConclusionThe findings imply that providing health education and health promotion for women is important to improve their level of knowledge of preconception care.

Background The minimum acceptable diet (MAD) has been used globally as one of the main indicators to assess the adequacy of feeding practices. More than half of the causes of under-five child mortality in developing countries including Ethiopia are attributed to malnutrition. With the exception of anecdotal information on the subject, progress overtime and how it influences the MAD has not been studied or well understood. Thus, this study aimed to determine the trends and determinants of MAD intake among infants and young children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia. Methods A community-based national survey dataset from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) 2019 were to identify predictors of MAD. In addition, the 2011, 2016, and 2019 EDHS data was used for trend analysis. The World Health Organization indicators were used to measure MAD. A weighted sample of 1457 infants and young children aged 6–23 months. A mixed-effects multi-level logistic regression model was employed using STATA version 16.0. Results The proportions of infants and young children who received the MADs in Ethiopia were 4.1%, 7.3%, and 11.3% during the survey periods of 2011, 2016, and 2019, respectively. Having mothers who attended primary education [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =2.33 (95% C.I 1.25 to 4.35)], secondary education [aOR = 2.49 (95% C.I 1.03 to 6.45)], or higher education [aOR = 4.02 (95% C.I 1.53 to 10.54)] compared to those who never attended formal education. Being in a medium househoold wealth [aOR = 4.06 (95% C.I 1.41 to 11.72)], higher-level wealth [aOR = 4.91 (95% C.I 1.49 to 16.13)] compared to those in the lowest househoold wealth. Being in 12–18 months age group [aOR = 2.12 (95% C.I 1.25 to 3.58)] and in 18–23 months age category [aOR = 2.23 (1.29 to 3.82)] compared to 6–11 months age group; and having postnatal check-ups [aOR = 2.16 (95% C.I 1.31 to 3.55)] compared to their counterparts. Moreover, residing in urban [aOR = 3.40 (95% C.I 1.73 to 6.68)]; living in a communities’ where majority had a media exposure [aOR 1.80 (95% C.1.17 to 2.77)] were found to be significantly influenc consumption of the MAD. Conclusions The trends of MAD among children of 6–23 months was steady in Ethiopia. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors such as maternal education, child age, household wealth; and health system related factors such as maternal postnatal check-ups had a significant influence on infants’ and young children’s MAD feeding. Indeed, commnity-level factors such as place of residence, and media exposure affect the MAD of infants and young children. Thus, behavioral change communication interventions are recommended to improve dietary practices in infants and young children.

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are currently the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, posing significant challenges to global healthcare systems. Particularly, the prevalence of NCDs is rising in Ethiopia, resulting in a triple burden of diseases on the health system that disproportionately affects all age groups. Hence, this study aims to determine the level of adequate knowledge of NCDs and associated factors among adult residents of the North Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study with a concurrent mixed-method approach was conducted from April 1, 2021 to May 30, 2021 among 846 residents using the multistage sampling technique. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and a guiding checklist was used to collect qualitative data. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to compute the association between explanatory variables and knowledge of NCDs. Adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence interval with a p-value &lt; 0.05 were used to decree statistical significance in multivariable analysis. Also, a thematic framework analysis was used for qualitative data analysis.ResultsA total of 823 subjects have participated in this study making a response rate of 97.3%. The level of adequate knowledge was 33.9% (95%CI: 30.67, 37.13). Higher-income, receiving information from health professionals, owning a TV, having a family member with NCD(s), and marital status were factors significantly associated with adequate knowledge of NCDs.ConclusionThis study reveals a high level of inadequate knowledge of NCDs despite its foundational ability in tackling the burden of NCDs. As a result, broadening a wider and more comprehensive health promotion strategy for the prevention of triple burden of NCDs would benefit the population. Additionally, special efforts are needed both at the practice and policy levels targeting the disadvantaged groups, such as low-income people, those who do not receive information from health professionals, those who do not own a television, and those who are widowed/divorced, who were found to have less knowledge of NCDs.

Background: Preconception care has the potential to reduce maternal and child morbidities and mortalities. It is a window of opportunity to timely alter or eliminate risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, despite strong evidence on the effectiveness of preconception care in safeguarding maternal and child health, its uptake remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to explore barriers to the uptake of preconception care. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Mana district, Jimma Zone, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia from March 02 to April 10, 2019. A purposive sampling approach was used, and 13 key informant interviews (6 in rural and 7 in urban areas) were held with women of different age groups, health extension workers, and health care providers of different professions. In addition, 4 focused group discussions with women of reproductive age groups (two with rural women only and two with urban women only) were conducted. The data were collected by trained experts using semi-structured guides. An inductive process of thematic analysis was employed and the data were coded, categorized, and thematized using Atlas ti version 7.0.71 software. Results: Four women of reproductive age groups, 1 older woman (grandmother), 2 health extension workers, and 6 health care providers of different professions were interviewed. In addition, a total of 38 women of reproductive age groups participated in the 4 focused group discussions: 20 in the two rural-focused group discussions and 18 in the two urban-focused group discussions. The findings indicated the presence of many barriers affecting the uptake of preconception care and organized into five themes: women-related barriers, husband-related barriers, community-related barriers, health-service-related barriers, and media-related barriers.

Background Road traffic accidents are a major global concern that affects all people regardless of their age, sex, wealth, and ethnicity. Injuries and deaths due to motorcycles are increasing, especially in developing countries. Wearing helmet is effective in reducing deaths and injuries caused by motorcycle accidents. Objectives To assess the magnitude of helmet wearing behavior and its determinants among motorcycle riders in Sawula and Bulky towns, Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April, 15 to May 25, 2020, among 422 motorcycle drivers in Sawula and Bulky towns, where people often drive motorcycles. A stratified sampling technique was used to recruit sampled drivers in a face-to-face interview. Data were entered into EPI-data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 23 software to manage analysis. Descriptive analyses such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were performed as necessary. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify the predictors of helmet wearing behavior. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the magnitude and strength of the association. Results A total of 403 motorcycle drivers participated in the study which gave a 95.5% response rate. Among 403 motorcycle riders, only 12.4% (95% CI, 9.2 to 15.6%) wore helmets while driving motorcycles. Having license [AOR 3.51(95% C.I 1.56–7.89)], driving distance >10Km [AOR 2.53(95% C.I 1.08–5.91)], History of exposure to accident [AOR 2.71(95% C.I 1.32–5.55)], driving experience of ≥10 years [AOR 2.98 (95% C.I 1.25–7.09)] and high perceived susceptibility to accident [AOR 3.10(95% C.I 1.29–7.46)] had statistically significant association with helmet wearing compared to their counterparts. Conclusions This study found that helmet-wearing behavior was very low. Having a license, driving distance, exposure to accidents, driving experience, and accident risk perception were determinants of helmet wearing behavior. These determinants imply the need for interventions that focus on behavioral change communications such as awareness creation campaigns and mandatory helmet wearing laws.