In any country use of health services by elderly could vary according to the cultural, social, economic and demographic situation of the person who may need care. In certain contexts, it particularly varies with age and sex of the potential service user. However; there is paucity of information on the level and associated factors on health service utilization among elderly population in Ethiopia in general and in the study site in particular. To assess Factors Health Service Utilization and associated factors Among Older Adults in Ambo Town, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A community based cross sectional study carried out on 284 elderly populations residing in Ambo town from February- March 2018. The collected data was cleaned, coded and entered into computer and analyzed using SPSS windows version 20.0. Descriptive statistics were done to summarize data. Binary and multiple logistic regression was undertaken to determine the independent predictor of health service utilization.  The following factors were identified as determinants of health service utilization among the elderly in Ambo: a medical history of at least one chronic condition (OR = 1.737; [0.425-2.562]; p < 0.000), who had reported enough money to meet their need were 75% utilize health services when compared to participants who did not have enough money to meet their need 47.3% (OR = 1.587; 95% CI = [1.236 – 2.037], p = 0.004). Age, Income, education, medical history of at least one chronic condition and poor perceived health status were the most pervasive determinants of health service utilization. These factors could help health policy makers and health service providers identify and understand the situation of the elderly and consequently create conducive environment for providing appropriate health services.

Background The time spent between referring and receiving health facilities is an important determinant of the outcome of the referred patients/clients especially among women in low income countries due to poor access to early and appropriate referrals. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the average time spent between referring and service utilization at receiving health facility.Methods A cross-sectional study was employed by using time and motion approach. Structured questionnaire and observation checklist were used for collecting data. SPSS 21 version was used for data analysis and binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify a variable which has a significant association on the basis of OR, 95% CI and a P value of less than 0.05.Result A total of 266 women were participated in the study with the mean age of the study population is 24.65(± 5.03) years. Majority 223(83.8%) of the participants came for maternal health services and more than half 143(53.8%) of the respondents were self-referrals. Amongst the referred cases the main reason for the referral was for further evaluation and management. Women spent a maximum of 540 minutes on the way to arrive at receiving health facility. Residence and distance were the predictor variables for average time spent. More than two fifth of the women wait more than three hours to get the service at receiving health facility. Residence and distance were the determinant variables for average time spent.Conclusion In general, women wait a maximum of one and half hours to contact health care providers for assessment and more than two fifth of the women wait more than three hours to get the service at receiving health facility. Giving due emphasis to referral system as an integral part of maternal health was essential.

BackgroundProstate cancer is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among men aged 40 years and older. Evidence has shown that awareness of prostate cancer plays a greater role in the early detection of prostate cancer. However, there is a paucity of information regarding prostate cancer awareness levels in Ethiopia in general and in Mizan Aman town in particular.ObjectivesTo assess the awareness of prostate cancer and its associated factors among men aged 40 years and older in Mizan Aman, Bench Sheko zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, South West Ethiopia, 2019.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 April 2021 in Mizan Aman town. A total of 322 study subjects were selected from a total population of 1,242 in Mizan Aman town by using the simple random sampling method. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sociodemographic characteristics and personal history. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore further variables that were associated with the level of awareness. Significant associations were declared at a p-value of &lt;0.05. The results were presented in text, tables, and charts.ResultsThe magnitude of prostate cancer awareness was 64%. Participants who were between 40 and 55 years of age (adjusted odd ratio = 6.16, 95% confidence interval = 2.62–14.47), who were government employees (adjusted odd ratio = 4.684, 95% confidence interval = 1.56–13.97), and whose monthly income level is greater than 5,000 birr (adjusted odd ratio = 12.45, 95% confidence interval = 3.2–47.77) were significantly associated with the level of awareness.Conclusion and recommendationThis study revealed that more than half of the men residing in Mizan Aman town had a high level of prostate cancer awareness. First-category age, better economic status, and employment were significantly associated with awareness of prostate cancer. This indicates the need for a collective effort to enhance the awareness of men regarding prostate cancer.