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Background Mannheimia haemolytica has been recognized as the principal cause of pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats. It is one of the important diseases of small ruminants in Ethiopia. While annual vaccination using a monovalent vaccine (inactivated Pasteurella multocida biotype A) is common, respiratory diseases are still reported in various parts of Ethiopia. This suggests the need for further investigation into the species and strains responsible for the disease, which is vital information for development of a multivalent vaccine. The objective of the current study was to isolate M. heamolytica associated with pneumonic cases of sheep in selected areas of Central Ethiopia, determine its role and the strains/genotypes of the bacterium circulating in the study area. Results Bacteriological analysis of nasal swab samples collected from a total of 76 pneumonic cases of sheep showed that M. haemolytica was isolated from 26 of them while B.trehalosi from two cases . Further molecular analyses of the isolates using M. haemolytica species-specific and M.haemolytica serotype-1 antigen specific PCR assays revealed, 26 of the isolates were identified as M. haemolytica of which 21 of them were M. haemolytica serotype-1. Both M. haemolytica and B.trehalosi isolates were not detected in a PCR assay targeting capsular biosynthesis gene ( capA ) of P.multocida despite the non-specific products observed in M. haemolytica isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of M. haemolytica isolates included in this study in comparison with the reference strains with respect to PHSSA and Rpt2 genes revealed that the Ethiopian M. haemolytica isolates constituted three distinct genotypes consistent with site of origin. Conclusion The study indicated that M.haemolytica is commonly associated with cases of pneumonia in sheep in the study areas of central Ethiopia although the remaining other pathogens responsible for majority of the cases are yet to be determined. Molecular characterization revealed the existence of three genotypes of M. haemolytica circulating in the study areas consistent to the site of isolation. The findings suggest further extensive work to determine all pathogens associated with sheep pneumonia and the strain distribution of M. heamolytica to understand its molecular epidemiology at national level and design cost effective prevention and control methods.

HIV is a worldwide social and health pandemic that poses a significant problem. This study contributes to the 2030 global agenda of reducing HIV prevalence. The study analyzed HIV prevalence using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The study included men aged 15–54 years and women aged 15–49 years who responded to questions about HIV tests. A generalized geo-additive model (GAM) was fitted to HIV data using nonparametric smooth terms for geolocations. Two smoothing techniques were used in GAMs to evaluate spatial disparities and the probable effects of variables on HIV risk. There were certain areas in Ethiopia that were identified as hot spot zones for HIV, including Nuer and Agnuak in Gambella, West Wollega and Illubabor in Oromia, Benchi Maji and Shaka in SNNPR, Awsi, Fantana, Kilbet, and Gabi in the Afar region, Shinilie of the Somalia region, North and South Wollo, Oromia special zones of the Amhara region, Central Ethiopia, and Addis Ababa city. On the other hand, the eastern parts of Ethiopia, particularly most zones in the Somalia region, were identified as cold spot zones with the lowest HIV odds ratio. The odds of HIV+ were higher for those who reside in rural areas than in urban areas. Furthermore, people who have STIs, who used contraceptive methods, and who learned at the secondary level of education were more likely to be infected with HIV. After adjusting for confounding variables, the results indicated that there are substantially significant spatial variations in HIV prevalence across Ethiopian zones. These results provide essential information to strategically target geographic areas to allocate resources and policy interventions at zonal level administrations.

Tetanus is a deadly bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani wound contamination characterized muscular spasms and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Maternal and neonatal tetanus occurs under improper hygiene practices during childbirth. Globally, an estimated 3.3 million newborn deaths occur every year, and about 9,000 babies die every day in the first 28 days of life. This study sought to identify risk factors associated with the immunization of rural women against tetanus in rural areas in ten East African countries. The data used in this study were taken from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of ten East African countries (Ethiopia, Burundi, Comoros, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Ruanda, Tanzania, Uganda and, Zambia). Multivariable binary logistic regression is used to determine the risk factors associated with tetanus-protected women in east Africa. The weighted total samples of 73735 rural women were included in the analysis. The combined prevalence of tetanus immunization among protected rural women in ten East African countries was 50.4%. Those women with age of 24-34 (AOR = 0.778; 95%CI: 0.702-0.861), higher educational level (AOR = 4.010; 95%CI: 2.10-5.670), rich women (AOR = 3.097;95%CI: 2.680-3.583), mass media coverage (AOR = 1.143; 95%CI: 1.030-1.269), having above three antenatal care follow up (AOR = 1.550; 95% CI: 1.424-1.687), big problem of distance to health facility (AOR = 0.676; CI: 0.482-0.978) and place of delivery health facility (AOR = 1.103; 95% CI: 1.005-1.210) had a significant effect on women's protected from tetanus. The coverage of tetanus immunization in East Africa was very low. Public health programs target rural mothers who are uneducated, poor households, longer distances from health facilities, mothers who have the problem of media exposure, and mothers who have not used maternal health care services to promote TT immunization.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265906.].

The most essentially effective approach for decreasing mother and newborn death is thorough treatment at a medical center during and post-pregnancy. This study aims to assess the factors affecting maternal mortality in the South Gondar zone and the prevalence of hospital delivery services. The community-based cross-sectional study design was used from May 2020 to May 2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer, targeting 434 women of reproductive age selected through a two-stage cluster sampling method, and logistic regression analysis was employed for the analysis. The study found that 76% of births in the study region took place at medical facilities. Women who completed primary, secondary, and tertiary education were 4.912 times (AOR = 4.912; 95% CI: [2.287, 10.552]), 7.609 times (AOR = 7.609; 95% CI: [2.215, 12.145]), and 17.533 times (AOR = 17.533; 95% CI: [11.083, 23.294]) more likely to give birth in a healthcare setting, respectively. Additionally, women with road access to healthcare facilities were 2.780 (AOR = 2.780; 95% CI: [1.540, 5.021]) times more likely to deliver in a health institution, while those who did not have media exposure were 57% (AOR = 0.429; 95% CI: [0.258, 0.712]) less likely to do so. In the study area, the use of healthcare facilities is extremely low. Efforts must be made to reduce maternal deaths by establishing a highly effective healthcare system, by providing ambulances that are available in every district and educational initiatives should be expanded. Plain Language Summary This study attempts to find out the major obstetric and maternal factors related to health delivery care because due to delivery care, the infant’s and maternal’s survival is reduced, subsequent growth and development of the child are also reduced, as well as the child’s being exposed to the risk of childhood illnesses. We used the primary data from women between the age ranges of 15 and 49 who were permanent residents of the selected households. The analysis was conducted through a community-based cross-sectional multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Identifying the factors that are related to infant mortality and morbidity in the study area, calculating the prevalence of health facility delivery in the study area, and showing the clinical importance of public health programs and strategies to alleviate maternal and infant mortality related to poor health facility delivery were identified as the top three priorities in this study. As a result, all responsible entities, specifically the regional and zonal health bureaus, in coordination with the federal health minister, should take decisive action to reduce the number of maternal and neonatal deaths that occur due to poor maternal utilization of health facility services.

Introduction Low birth weight is one of the important predictors of perinatal survival, infant morbidity, and mortality, as well as the risk of developmental disabilities and diseases in the future. Objective(s) The study aimed to identify the associated factors of low birth weight among newborns at Debre Tabor referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2021 to October 30, 2021 at Debre Tabor Referral Hospital. A total sample of 420 newborn birth records was considered. The binary logistic regression model was used to assess the associated factors of low birth weight. The results are presented as crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results In this study, 422 participants were included. Rural residence (AOR = 2.01; 95%CI 1.10–3.69), married marital status (AOR = 0.82; 95%CI 0.78–0.86), formal education (AOR = 0.79; 95%CI 0.67–0.92), smoking during pregnancy (AOR = 1.19; 95%CI 1.07–1.33), attended antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 0.57; 95%CI 0.35–0.91), diabetes during pregnancy (AOR = 4.34; 95%CI 3.50–5.39), iron supplementation (AOR = 0.23; 95%CI 0.20–0.25), and maternal history of anemia (AOR = 5.87; 95%CI 2.67–12.89) were significantly associated with low birth weight of newborns. Conclusion This finding showed that residence, marital status, educational status, smoking during pregnancy, ANC visit, diabetes during pregnancy, iron supplementation, and mother's history of anemia were significantly associated with low birth weight. Therefore, policy makers and public health experts/practitioners should plan smoking preventive public health promotion campaigns. Furthermore, it is important that all health professionals properly manage the possible cause of LBW during pregnancy.

Sequencing of the VP2 region was carried out to identify amino acid mismatches between vaccine strains and field isolates of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Viruses were isolated in chicken embryo fibroblast (DF-1) cells using pooled samples of bursa collected from nine outbreaks, which affected 30,250 chickens in five localities, with an overall mortality of 47.87%. Virus strains were identified by comparing the deduced amino acid sequence between positions 232 and 446 of the immunodominant VP2 epitope. All of the pooled samples were positive for IBDV. RT-PCR yielded a 645-bp DNA fragment of the VP2 gene. Phylogenetic analysis of this fragment revealed clustering of these isolates with very virulent IBDV strains. The amino acid sequences of these isolates were identical to those of the European very virulent strains UK 661 and DV 86, except at position 222, but differed from the vaccine strains used in Ethiopia, suggesting the possible introduction of virulent virus strains to Ethiopia from Europe. Our study demonstrates the widespread presence of very virulent strains of IBDV on poultry farms in Ethiopia and demonstrates the need to evaluate the protective level of existing vaccines against circulating field viruses.

Introduction Contraception has a clear impact on the health of women and families in developing countries. This study aims to identify multilevel determinants of nonuse of modern contraceptives among Ethiopian rural married women in their productive age group. Method The study relied on data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. A multilevel logistic regression model was used for analysis. Result In rural areas, nonuse of modern contraceptives is surprising high (81.7%), primarily due to fear of side effects (12.89%) and breastfeeding (8.2%). Among women aged 35 to 49 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.540.81), husbands with secondary and above education levels (AOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.7–1), those in the high wealth index (AOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.51–0.72), and those who have had 1 to 2 children in the past 5 years (AOR  =  0.28; 95% CI: 0.24–0.33), there was a lower chance of not using contraception. Muslims are less likely to want to use modern contraceptives (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.96–1.4). Women living in Afar (AOR  =  20.9; 95% CI: 9.6–44.7), Oromia (AOR =  1.5; 95% CI: 1.01–2.3), Somali (AOR = 71.1; 95% CI: 24.1–209.2), Gambela (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4–3.9), Harari (AOR  =  4.4; 95% CI: 2.24–8.72), and Dire Dawa (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.5–6.9), regional states, were less likely to want to use modern contraceptives as compared to those in Tigray. Conclusion Family planning interventions should target younger women, women living in rural areas, the poor, and Muslim women. In order to maximize the effectiveness of family planning promotion policies, it's important to address the reasons for nonuse of contraceptives identified in each region and contextual differences regarding women of reproductive age.

Background Orf is a contagious disease of sheep, goats and wild ungulates caused by orf virus (ORFV) a member of the genus Parapoxvirus, Poxviridae family. Although orf is endemic in Ethiopia, little attention has been given so far as it is not a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health. In this work, we have investigated orf outbreaks representing five different geographical locations of Ethiopia, in Amba Giorgis, Gondar zuria, Adet, Debre zeit and Adami Tulu, between 2008 and 2013. Results The viral isolation and the sequence analysis of the A32L and the B2L genes of eighteen representative isolates confirmed that sampled animals were infected by ORFVs. The phylogenetic study and the comparative analysis of the deduced amino acid profile suggests that there were two main clusters of ORFV isolates which were responsible for the investigated outbreaks. Additionally the analysis of these two genes showed limited variability to ORFVs encountered elsewhere. This is the first report on the genetic characterization of the ORFV isolates from sheep and goats in Ethiopia. Conclusion The molecular characterization of Ethiopian ORFV isolates highlighted the circulation of two main clusters causing orf disease in sheep and goats. The use of laboratory based methods and a constant monitoring of Ethiopian ORFV isolates is needed to better understand the dynamic of ORFV circulating in the country and facilitate the implementation of control measures.

Background: The poliovirus is mostly transmitted by the fecal–oral route and can cause viremia after replication in the gastrointestinal tract. The current global coverage of polio immunization is 85%, against the 90% target, while the total coverage of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) coverage in sub‐Saharan Africa is 73%. Only 30% of the children living in rural areas of Ethiopia were fully vaccinated at the appropriate ages in 2016 EDHS (Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey) data. This study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with the vaccination status of children aged 12 and 23 months in Ethiopia. Methods: The Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 (Mini EDHS, 2019) was used for this study. The partial proportional ordinal logistic regression model was used to determine the risk factors associated with the polio vaccination status of children aged 12 and 23 months using SAS version 9.40 statistical software at a 5% level of significance. Results: The prevalence of polio vaccination status of children showed that about 33.00% of children never received vaccination, 21.20% were partially vaccinated, and 45.70% were fully vaccinated. The age of mother (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.025, 1.094), age of mother at the first birth (AOR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.909, 0.976), rural residence (AOR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.499, 0.867), higher education (AOR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.241, 1.730), at least four and more ANC (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.845, 2.968), and ANC visits in health facilities (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.902, 2.864) had a significant effect on child polio vaccination. Conclusion: The coverage of full polio vaccination in Ethiopia was below 50%, which is below the global and regional percentage. Policies and programs must be formulated and implemented with a strong focus on women who have not used ANC visits, residents in rural areas, and uneducated women in child vaccination must be considered in Ethiopia.