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Objective: Several factors appeared to influence the onset of menarche. The current study was aimed to determine the mean age of menarche and the factors influencing its onset among female high school students in Asmara. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2017 among secondary school female students of Asmara city. A 2 stage stratified sampling design was adopted to select the number of schools and students for the study. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data through interview. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Descriptive results were summarized using frequencies and percentages in tables and graphs. Moreover, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to find out the association of earlier onset of menarche and the predictor variables. Results: A total of 300 female students participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 16.1 years (SD=1.3) with majority of them (57.3%) between the ages of 16 and 18 years. The mean age at menarche was 13.8 years (SD=1.2). About 39% of the participants have the onset of their menarche earlier (before 14 y). An earlier onset of menarche was observed among younger age (above 16) respondents {adjusted odds ratio [AOR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.8 (0.96, 4.88), P-value: 0.02}, having higher body mass index [AOR (95% CI): 3.8 (1.92, 7.85), P-value: 0.001] and from richer family. Lack of engaging in any kind of physical activity [AOR (95% CI): 2.56 (1.13, 5.27), P-value: 0.012] and more sleeping hours [AOR (95% CI): 2.2 (0.36, 4.18), P-value: 0.04] were also factors influencing earlier onset of menarche. Conclusion: The mean age at menarche was relatively low. Factors related to higher body mass index, physical inactivity, more sleeping hours, good socioeconomic status, and younger age were associated with earlier onset of menarche. Initiatives on awareness creation are required to increase lifestyle modifications at individual level.

Background: Providing preferred methods of contraceptive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women and avoiding unintended pregnancy is one of the primary means of preventing mother to child transmission of HIV. This study assessed the prevalence of contraceptive use and method preference among HIV-positive women in Halibet Referral Hospital, Asmara, Eritrea. Patients and methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-positive women in Halibet Referral Hospital, Asmara. Data were collected by interviewing HIV-positive women using a pretested and structured questionnaire. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with contraceptive use, and odd ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to measure the strength of association. Results: A total of 196 women living with HIV were interviewed. The mean age of the study participants was 39.1 years (SD±6 y). The prevalence of current contraceptive use was 16.8%. The preferred and most commonly used contraceptive methods were male condom (45.5%) and injectable (36.4%). Younger age [adjusted odds ratio: 1.6 (1.1, 7.8), P=0.04], Married [adjusted odds ratio: 2.1 (1.4, 7.7), P=0.001], having more than 4 child [1.5 (1.1, 9.3), P=0.03], contraception counselling [1.8 (1.1, 5.4), P=0.02] were the only factors influencing contraception use. Conclusion: Utilization of contraceptives among the participants was low (16.8%). Being young, married, regularly counselled about contraceptives, and having more than 4 children were factors facilitating contraceptive use. Policy makers should design counselling programs to increase utilization of contraceptives among HIV positive women.

Objective: Hypertension is a major modifiable cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease affecting more than one billion individuals worldwide. Adherence to recommended antihypertensive medications is central to control hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess medication adherence and its influencing factors among hypertensive patients in Halibet and Hazhaz Hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 hypertensive patients in Halibet and Hazhaz Hospitals of Asmara from February through May 2018. A convenience sampling was used to select study participants. Data related to medication adherence were collected using a structured 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. A bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine independent predictors of medication adherence among hypertensive patients. Adjusted odds ratio (at 95% CI) and p value < 0.05 was used to assert the effect of the independent variables. Results: Out of 360 patients enrolled in the study, two hundred forty nine (69.2%) had good medication adherence and the remaining 30.8% had poor adherence. The study found that Being female (AOR (95% CI): 1.8 (0.63, 4.85), p<0.05), having Monthly income ≥ 1000 nakfa (AOR (95% CI): 2.85 (0.76, 5.61), , p<0.05), having comorbid disease (AOR (95% CI): 2.7 (0.98, 4.23), p<0.05), family history of hypertension (AOR (95% CI): 2.12 (0.78, 5.76), p <0.05), longer duration of hypertension (AOR (95% CI): 1.32 (0.65, 4.89), p< 0.05), BP < 140/90 mmHg (AOR (95% CI): 2.4 (1.41, 8.73), P<0.05), and taking only one pill per day (AOR (95% CI): 2.7 (0.97, 6.84),P<0.05) were factors significantly influenced good medication adherence. Conclusion: Medication adherence among hypertensive patients was relatively high in this study. Increasing adherence counseling and patient education about the disease and its treatment are important measures to scale-up adherence status of patients.