BackgroundPrimary dysmenorrhea (PD) is the most common gynecologic compliant among adolescent females. There is a wide variation in the estimate of PD, which ranges from 50% to 90%, and the disorder is the most common cause of work and school absenteeism in adolescent females.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of PD among female university students and understand its effects on students’ academic performance.MethodsA cross-sectional study was employed in 440 research participants. A multistage stratified sampling technique was employed to select the study units. Structured and pretested self-administered questionnaires were used and weight and height measurements were conducted. The severity of dysmenorrheal pain was assessed by using a verbal multidimensional scoring system and visual analog scale. The data were double entered in Epi Info version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were performed.ResultsA total of 440 students participated in this study. The prevalence of PD was 368 (85.4%). Of these, 123 (28.5%) had mild, 164 (38.1%) moderate, and 81 (18.8%) severe primary dysmenorrheal pain. Among students with PD, 88.3% reported that PD had a negative effect on their academic performance. Of these, 80% reported school absence, 66.8% reported loss of class concentration, 56.3% reported class absence, 47.4% reported loss of class participation, 37.8% reported limited sport participation, 31.7% reported limitation in going out with friends, and 21% reported inability to do homework. Based on the multivariate logistic regression, PD was statistically significant with those who had lower monthly stipends, a history of attempt to lose weight, a history of depression or anxiety, disruption of social network of family, friends or people they love, who consumed more than four glasses of tea per day, who drunk one or more Coca-Cola or Pepsi per day, in nullipara, and students with a family history of dysmenorrhea.ConclusionPD is more prevalent among female students attending university. It has a significant negative impact on students’ academic performance. Thus, it needs medical attention. There are various identified associated risk factors and considering them in the management of the disorder is fundamental. It is also wise to recommend future studies to better identify risk factors for PD and lighten its effect on students’ academic performance at a larger scale in the country.

A theory‐driven evaluation was conducted to assess performance of a trial to deliver micronutrient powder (MNP) through the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. We adapted an approach to coverage assessment, originally developed to identify bottlenecks in health service delivery, to examine sequential program outcomes and their correlates using cross‐sectional survey data of caregivers of children 6–23 months (N = 1915). Separate multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted risk ratios of conceptually relevant determinants of coverage and adherence. Caregivers of children >11 months were more likely to have received MNP than caregivers of younger infants, yet children 12–17 months were 32% (P < 0.001) and children 18–23 months 38% (P < 0.001) less likely to have been fed MNP in the 14 days preceding the survey than children 6–11 months. Among caregivers who initiated feeding MNP, the most frequently reported reasons for discontinuing use were not obtaining additional supply (36.1%) and perceived child rejection of food with MNP (22.9%). For each additional time a caregiver met with frontline workers in the 3 months preceding the survey, they were 13% more likely to have recently fed MNP (P < 0.001). Caregivers' perception that MNP produced positive changes in children was associated with a 14% increase in the likelihood of having recently fed it (P < 0.001). These results emphasize the importance of counselling for MNP and infant and young child feeding for initial use and the importance of multiple contacts with frontline workers for continued use.

Background: Maternal underweight is a challenging public health issues globally affecting women in most developing countries and consequently affect their newborns. Such information however is scantly in the study area and thus we examined the contribution of low dietary diversity score towards underweight among expectant mothers from rural Ethiopia.Methods: This study was based on data extracted from a large data set gathered from three rural villages from September 2017 to June 2018 in a district of North-Shewa Zone of Amhara Regional State which is 220 km north of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Data on socio demographic characteristics food groups consumed and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement were taken for all expectant mothers by trained health extension workers in accordance with relevant ethical guidelines and regulations. The collected data were entered into Epi-data software version 3.02 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Statistical significance was affirmed at a p-value ≤ 0.05. Result: Of the 400 consented participants, 380 of them had adequate information and thus analyzed for their variety of food groups consumption and their MUAC measurement outcomes. The magnitude of underweight was 18.2% and the mean (±SD) dietary diversity score was 4.45(±1.32). interestingly, the relationship between poor dietary diversity score and underweight of the participants was significant (AOR= 2.4; 95% CI=1.05 to 5.3). Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant relationship between low dietary diversity score and underweight of expectant mothers. it is thus, essential to improve the dietary diversity and nutritional status of pregnant women through strengthening the ongoing productive safety net program and empower women to earn more income so that mothers would purchase variety of foods and ultimately break the intergeneration cycle of malnutrition.