BackgroundImmunization averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year globally. In Ethiopia only quarter of children are fully immunized; the rest are remained at risk for vaccine-preventable mortality. To increase the immunization, its coverage and predictors has to be identified. This study has measured immunization coverage and identified the predictors.MethodsCross-sectional community based study has been conducted within 630 age 12–23 months children in 15 districts of Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district, Southern Ethiopia in March 2013. Census was done to identify eligible children. The 2005 world health organization expanded program of immunization cluster sampling method has been used. Data were collected using semi-structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire by interviewing index children’s mothers/caretakers, copying from vaccine card and observing BCG vaccine scar. Data were processed using SPSS version 16. Associations between dependent and independent variables has been assessed and presented using three consecutive logistic regression models.ResultNearly three fourth (73.2%) of children in Arba Minch Town and Arba Minch Zuria district were fully immunized. The rest 20.3% were partially immunized and 6.5% received no vaccine. Mother education, mothers’ perception to accessibility of vaccines, mothers’ knowledge to vaccine schedule of their site, place of delivery and living altitude were independent predictors of children immunization status.ConclusionExpanded program of immunization (EPI) coverage at Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district is better than the national immunization coverage but still below the goal. Educating mother, promoting institution delivery could help to maintain and enhance current immunization coverage. More emphasis should be given to the highland areas of the area.

Background፡ Maternal morbidity and mortality is a global health challenge and developing countries contribute about 99% of maternal death. In Ethiopia about 30% of all women death is related to pregnancy related causes and current maternal mortality ratio is 676 per 100,000 live births. However, a large proportion of these maternal deaths could be prevented through timely and appropriate interventions including the presence of skilled delivery service utilization at each birth. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess prevalence and associated factors of home delivery at Arbaminch zuria district. Method: A community based cross-sectional study design was applied from July 1 st to July 30 2012 to collect data from reproductive age women who gave birth in the last 2 years in Arbaminch zuria district who was sampled by systematic random sampling method. A single population proportion formula was used to estimate the sample size by using statistical software EPI info 3.5.4 by considering the assumption that the prevalence of home delivery 81.8%, 95% confidence interval, 5% of absolute precision, design effect 2 then adding non response rate of 5% a total sample size of 481 mother who gave birth in the last two years. The data was entered into EPI info version 3.5.4 and exported into SPSS then analysis was made by using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables and multivariate analysis was used to assess the presence and degree of association between home delivery and independent variables. Result: Of the total respondents 157(36%) of the women was age in between 25-29 years, with mean age of 31.4±6.2 years and majority was married and illiterate 396(90.8%) and 234(53.6%)respectively. 346(79.4%) was gave birth at home with unskilled attendants 328(75.2%).Mothers educational status(p< 0.001), parity of the women(p<0.001),and travel time to health facility(p<0.001) was statistically significant association with home delivery. Conclusion: As revealed by this study home delivery attended by un trained personnel was high (75.2%) and the predominant factors associated with home delivery identified by this study were educational status of the women, parity of the women and travel time to health institution.

Introduction In January 2020, World Health Organization declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus a pandemic (global health emergency). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about novel coronavirus and its determinant factors among health science students at Arbaminch Health Sciences College, Southwest Ethiopia.Method A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the level knowledge about novel coronavirus among 304 graduating class students in Arbaminch Health Science College. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data collection tool consisted of 33 items (10 items about demographic and education related and 23 items about knowledge on novel coronavirus). Multivariable logistic regression was performed using SPSS.Results The vast majority of students 228(75%) scored below 50% and were considered to have poor knowledge on COVID-19. Only 7.6% of participants knew that muscle pain is a symptom of 2019-nCoV infection. One hundred forty three (47%) of the participants did not know any symptoms of COVID-19. Only 24.3% of the respondents answered correctly that rubbing hands with alcohol based sanitizers can help in prevention of disease transmission. Sex, residence and social media use were significantly associated with adequate knowledge on novel coronavirus (p < 0.05).Conclusion Health science students had poor knowledge on COVID-19. The health science college and health authorities should re-examine their capability to manage the deadly virus

Background A growing body of evidence demonstrating that individuals with Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) are more likely to have severe forms of COVID-19 and subsequent mortality. Hence, our study aimed to assess the knowledge of vulnerability and preventive practices towards COVID-19 among patients with hypertension or diabetes in Southern Ethiopia. Objective To assess the knowledge and preventive practices towards COVID-19 among patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in three zones of Southern Ethiopia, 2020. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was used with a multi-stage random sampling technique to select 682 patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus from 10th -17th July 2020 at the three zones of Southern Ethiopia. Logistic regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval was fitted to identify independent predictors of knowledge and preventive practices towards COVID-19. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to determine the magnitude of the association between the outcome and independent variables. P-value <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results The Multi-dimensional knowledge (MDK) analysis of COVID-19 revealed that 63% of study subjects had good knowledge about COVID-19. The overall preventive practice towards COVID -19 was 26.4%. Monthly income (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.94) significantly predicted knowledge towards COVID-19. Ninety-five percent of the study subjects knew that the COVID-19 virus spreads via respiratory droplets of infected individuals. One hundred and ten (16.2%) of study subjects correctly responded to the questions that state whether people with the COVID-19 virus who do not have a fever can infect the other. Knowledge about COVID-19 (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.1) became the independent predictor of preventive practice. Conclusions In this study, the knowledge of the respondents towards the COVID-19 pandemic was good. But the preventive practice was very low. There was a significant gap between knowledge and preventive practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic among the study subjects. Monthly income was significantly associated with knowledge of COVID-19. Knowledge of COVID-19 was found to be an independent predictor of preventive practice towards COVID-19. Community mobilization and improving COVID-19- related knowledge and practice are urgently recommended for those patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus.