Background Effective risk communication is one of the critical strategies in the response to COVID-19. This study examined risk perceptions and attitudinal responses to COVID-19 among the educated section of the society in Ethiopia. Methods An internet-based survey was conducted from April 22 to May 04, 2020, in Ethiopia. A questionnaire addressing the perception of health threat-combination of perceived vulnerability (PV) and perceived seriousness (PS), and perceived efficacy-combinations of perceived response efficacy (PRE), perceived self-efficacy (PSE), and perceived collective efficacy (PCE). The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Descriptive statistics were computed after the standardization of the scores. The scores for overall efficacy and threat were split by median value and response classifications were generated through threat by efficacy interactions. For statistical significance, 95% CI and p-value < 0.05 were used. Results A total of 929 respondents submitted their responses. Eight hundred and twenty-eight (89.1%) of the respondents were male and 753 (81.1%) were Christian. The perceived threat to COVID-19 was generally low (median = 58.3). The median score for overall efficacy, PRE, and PSE were 79.8, 87.5, and 80.0, respectively. However, the median value (66.7) for PCE was relatively low. Perceived threat significantly varied by age, education, occupation, and place of residence (p < 0.05). Perceived efficacy significantly differed by gender, residence, and use of some sources of information (p < 0.05). In terms of response to COVID-19, 290 (31.2%), 239 (25.7%), 175 (18.8%) and 225 (24.2%) of the respondents were in the responsive, pro-active, avoidant, and indifferent attitudinal categories, respectively. The avoidant and indifferent groups constituted a fear control response (mal-adaptive motivation towards COVID-19 protective behavior) whereas responsive and pro-active categories formed a danger control response (self-protective motivation). These responses varied significantly by residence, region, religion, and sources of information (p < 0.05). Conclusions Understanding people’s perceived health threat and efficacy is a critical step toward creating risk communication campaigns. Hence, this study provided an insight that has the potential to inform the COVID-19 risk communication campaigns targeting the educated section of the society, by ensuring a balanced combination of threat appeals and efficacy messages for improved self-protective responses.

BackgroundIn spite of the massive spending and extensive family-planning promotion, many poor people in the third world remain reluctant to use modern contraceptive method. Mostly when they use modern contraceptives, their continuation rates are often low. Reproductive health can improve women’s nutrition; in return better nutrition can improve reproductive health. Thus addressing the connection between nutrition and reproductive health is critical to ensure population growth that does not overwhelm world resources.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15–30, 2014 in Soddo Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 651 currently married women of reproductive age group were selected using multistage sampling. Probability proportional to the size allocation method was employed to determine the number of households. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between family planning use and food security status after adjusting for other covariates.ResultsUse of modern contraceptive method was significantly low among food insecure women (29.7 %) compared to those who were food secure (52.0 %), (P < 0.001). Women from food secure households were nearly twice likely to use modern contraceptive methods (AOR: 1.69 (CI: 1.03, 2.66)). Similarly, those who had antenatal care (ANC) visit (AOR: 4.56 (CI: 2.45, 7.05)); exposure to media (AOR: 4.92 (CI: 1.84, 13.79)) and those who discussed about contraceptive methods with their partner (AOR: 3.07 (CI: 1.86, 5.22)) were more likely to use modern contraceptive methods. Conversely, women who delivered their last child at home were less likely to use modern contraceptive methods (AOR: 0.08 (CI: 0.03, 0.13)).ConclusionFood insecurity is negatively associated with modern contraceptive method use. Thus food insecurity should be considered as one of the barriers in designing family planning services and needs special arrangement.

Background: Universal age-specific immunization is one of the areas where preventive public health policy has become successful. Despite the increase in global immunization coverage, however, many children around the world, especially in developing countries, are still left unvaccinated. The study aimed at assessing the determinants of partial immunization among children 12-23 months of age in Yirga Cheffe, Gedeo, Ethiopia. Methodology: A community-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted. Using a simple random sampling technique, 328 samples (164 cases and 164 controls) were selected. Index case was defined as a child aged 12 to 23 months who missed at least one dose of vaccine from the scheduled dose. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to calculate the association, and the level of significance was set at p 0.05. The Result: The study showed that 40% of children were fully vaccinated, and the prevalence of those with partial vaccination was 46%. The likelihood of having incomplete vaccination was 45% higher in children whose mothers had no antenatal coverage (ANC) visit during pregnancy [OR=0.55, (95% CI; 0.297, 1.035)]. Lack of knowledge about the schedule of the vaccination has negatively affected the success of full vaccination (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.01, 5.56). Conclusion:The study revealed that significant numbers of children are not fully vaccinated. Despite appreciable efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health to improve complete immunization coverage, there are still bottlenecks that need to be tackled in enhancing coverage. We recommend the expansion of ANC and providing education on vaccination schedule and importance to minimize the burden of partial vaccinations and its sequelae.

BackgroundEarly treatment seeking for cough is crucial in the prevention and control of Tuberculosis. This study was intended to assess treatment seeking intention of people with cough of more than two weeks, and to identify its predictors.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 763 individuals with cough of more than two weeks in East Wollega Zone from March 10 to April 16, 2011. Study participants were selected from eighteen villages by cluster sampling method. Data collection instruments were developed according to the standard guideline of the theory of planned behavior. The data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors.ResultsMean score of intention was found to be 12.6 (SD=2.8) (range of possible score=3–15). Knowledge (β=0.14, 95%CI: 0.07-0.2), direct attitude (β=0.31, 95%CI: 0.25–0.35), belief-based attitude (β=0.03, 95%CI: 0.02–0.06) and perceived subjective norm (β=0.22, 95%CI: 0.13–0.31) positively predicted treatment seeking intention. However, perceived behavioral control and control belief were not significantly associated with treatment seeking intention (p>0.05). Being smoker (β=−0.97, 95%CI:−1.65 (−0.37)) and higher family income (β=−0.06, 95%CI:−0.07-(−0.01) were significantly associated with lower treatment seeking intention.ConclusionTPB significantly predicted treatment seeking intention among the study participants. Attitude and silent beliefs held by the respondents play an important role and should be given emphasize in prevention and control of Tuberculosis.

Globally, every year, 1.1 million newborns die due to prematurity. In Ethiopia, 320,000 preterm births occur each year; out of these, 24,400 deaths were due to preterm complications. However, there is little evidence about preterm birth in the study area. Therefore, this study provides an important direction for health professionals, health programmers, and researchers. A facility-based unmatched case-control study design was employed among 244 women (61 cases and 183 controls) who gave birth in Dilla University Referral Hospital and were selected with purposive sampling. The bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used to select independent predictors of preterm birth. The multivariate analysis was used, and the results were interpreted using an adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence interval and statistically significant level at a P value less than 0.05. A total of 240 mothers (60 cases and 180 controls) were included in the study with a 98.3% response rate. Factors like attending secondary educational and above [adjusted odd ratio aOR = 0.07 (0.08-0.65)] and attending antenatal care [ aOR = 0.41 (0.18-0.93)] were protective whereas having urinary tract infection [ aOR = 3.6 (1.1-11)], having human immune virus diseases [ aOR = 4.2 (0.9-18)], having a history of abortion [ aOR = 2.3 (1.1-5)], having a history of preterm delivery [ aOR = 5 (1.6-15)], and having hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [ aOR = 5 (1.9-13)] were significantly associated risk factors for preterm birth. The main determinant factors for preterm birth are having antenatal care follow-up, attending secondary education and above, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, having HIV/AIDS, and history of abortion. This shows a need to strengthen female education; screen mothers for HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infection, and hypertension; and strengthen nutritional counseling, during ANC visits.