Background. Adolescents and young adults engage in risky sexual behaviours that may expose them to risk of contracting sexual transmitted diseases. The aim of this study was to assess risky sexual practices and associated factors for HIV/AIDS infection. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2012 among 790 college students. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses with SPSS version 16 software package. Results. About 40.6% of sexually active respondents had risky sexual behaviours. Multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex were reported by 45.3% and 38.4% of sexually active respondents. Having multiple sexual partners was associated with alcohol use (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.02-5.08) and having a close friend who started sex (AOR = 5.99; 95% CI: 3.66-9.81). Unprotected sex was associated with marital status (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.55-4.64), alcohol intake (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.36-3.54), and frequency of visiting night clubs (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12-0.52) for those who visit occasionally and (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: (0.21-0.97) for those who visited at least once a week. Conclusion. Large proportions of students engaged in risky sexual behaviours and various risk factors were associated with risky sexual behaviours. Therefore, interventions targeting on alcohol intake, peer pressure, and attending night clubs are recommended.

Background: Despite the higher risk victimization of young women in Ethiopia, the prevalence of sexual violence and its determinants among college students were scarce, particularly in the study area. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and associated factors of sexual violence among female private college students in Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in April 2012 among 541 female college students in Bahir Dar city using multistage sampling technique. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used. The data were analyzed in bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis with SPSS version 16 soft ware package. Result: The study revealed that the prevalence of sexual violence among female college students was 37.3%. Respondents whose childhood background from rural areas were more than four times likely to have had sexual violence (AOR = 4.51, 95%CI: 1.67 - 12.16). The odds of sexual violence were higher for those respondents who had a close friend who drank alcohol (AOR = 3.13, 95%CI: 1.09 - 8.97). Besides, respondents who had never discussed on reproductive health issues with their parents were more than four times likely to have had sexual violence (AOR = 4.36, 95%CI: 1.40 -13.56). Conclusion: This study shows that sexual violence among female college students is higher. Sexual violence is associated with certain variables such as rural childhood residence, having a close friend who drank alcohol, and not discussing reproductive issues with parents. Therefore, it is recommend ed that sexual violence needs due attention and remedial action from policy makers, college officials, parents, students and other concerned bodies.

Background. In Ethiopia university students are among the most sexually active and high HIV risk young population group but unfortunately VCT uptake was low (35%–38%) among this group. Examining the factors contributing to VCT uptake is vital to facilitate HIV prevention and control efforts. Objective. To assess the prevalence of voluntary counseling and testing utilization and its associated factors among Bahirdar University students in April 2012. Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2012, among Bahirdar University students. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 801 students. Data were collected using pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version-16. Results. 772 students (79.7% males) participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents' was 21.3. From all respondents 37.8% of the study participants had undergone HIV test. Different variables showed significant association with VCT uptake. Conclusion. The major factors identified for increased VCT service utilization were having a friend who got VCT, having discussion about HIV/AIDS with family, origin of residence, year of study, and having boy- or girlfriend. Therefore, actions targeting these predictors are necessary to effectively enhance the use of the VCT services utilization among students.

Background: Men often play dominant role on decisions crucial to reproductive health but still they are at the back seat. In the past family planning programs have focused primarily on women because to free them from excessive child bearing. The aim of the study was to assess the involvement of men in family planning practices among male factory workers in Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in July 2013 among 306 male factory workers using simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested interview questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis with SPSS version 16 soft ware package. Results: The study revealed that 25.5% of male factory workers were involved in family planning practices. The study declared that educational status was a significantly predicts involvement on family planning (AOR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.08-11.14, 1.8= 95% CI: 1.31-9.220, and 2.01= 95% CI: 1.51-7.76). Besides, respondents who stayed in marriage from 4 to 13 years were about 18 times more likely to be involved on family planning compared to respondents stayed more than 22 years (AOR= 18.06, 95% CI: 1.79-58.68). Moreover, number of living children in a family was associated with an outcome of interest (AOR= 11.01, 95% CI: 1.13-106.9 and AOR= 7.40, 95% CI: 1.49-36.64) respectively. Conclusion: Only one out of four respondents involved in family planning. Besides, educational status, number of years in marriage, number of living children, and joint decision on the number of children were statistically significant predictors of male involvement on family planning. Therefore, ministry of health and all sectors concerned on reproductive health issues need to work on male involvement on family planning to regulate fertility and rapid population growth.

Trachoma is a classical disease of poverty. It is still the second leading cause of blindness in Ethiopia. Cognizant of the poor living condition of its people, every effort of the current government of Ethiopia is geared towards eradication of extreme poverty. The main aim of this study was to assess the current status and correlates of active trachoma among elementary school students. A cross sectional school-based study was conducted in Dangla town administration in the month of March 2012. Multistage sampling technique was employed. Pre-tested structured questionnaire and eye examination were data collection tools. The data were collected by health professionals especially trained for eye care. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 for windows. Possible associations, and statistical significance between, and among variables were measured using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval. The study indicated that overall prevalence of active trachoma was 12%. The multivariate analysis revealed that those children with unclean face were seven times more likely to develop active trachoma than those with clean face (AOR = 7.07, 95% CI: 3.36-14.96). Moreover, children who didn't use soap to wash their face were two times more likely to develop active trachoma than those who claimed to use soap to wash their face (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.72-3.01). In short, the prevalence of trachoma is lower than the figures in previous survey reports in the region and at national levels; however, the risk factors remain the same. The struggle to eradicate extreme poverty should continue in a sustainable manner so that diseases of poverty including trachoma could be eliminated altogether.