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Unmet need refers to the gap between women's desires and contraception use to monitor their fertility level. According to the data, unplanned pregnancies are more likely to result in miscarriage and other obstetric difficulties, have poor maternal health care usage, and have a higher risk of having babies who are underweight. Information on the trend of unmet family planning needs in Ethiopia is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the trend and determinants of unmet need for family planning among married or in union women in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2016. Cross-sectional study design from secondary data was performed. Data for the study was obtained from four consecutive Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys 2000 to 2016. The survey employs a nationally representative sample of households using a multistage stratified sampling technique. A descriptive analysis was done to see the trend in unmet need. Multivariable, multilevel logistic regression was performed to assess individual and community-level determinants. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05 were used to declare the level of significance. Unmet need declined by 40.2%, from 37.3% to 22.3%, from 2000 to 2016. Rural (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.27-1.59), number of living children > = 5 (AOR = 1.14 (1.04-1.24), age at first marriage > = 18 years (AOR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.09-1.21), knowing at least one method of Family Planning (FP) (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.43-1.72), and no previous use of FP (1.27 (1.20-1.36) were associated with increased unmet need. While women between the ages of 20 and 24 (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.64-0.79), 25-29 (AOR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.55-0.70), 40-44 (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.39-0.50), 45-49 (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.18-0.24), the richest wealth index (AOR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80-0.96. The level of unmet need has decreased significantly in Ethiopia over the past 16 years. Age, educational level, media exposure, number of living children, age at first marriage, parity, previous use of FP, knowledge of FP, wealth index, regional setting, residence (rural), and survey year all have an association with an unmet need for family planning.

Background. Globally, 1.2 billion people live in trachoma endemic areas, 40.6 million people are suffering from active trachoma, and 48.5% of the global burden of active trachoma is distributed in five countries including Ethiopia. However, there is no evidence or no conducted survey/research data or document regarding trachoma prevalence in Areka Town. We, therefore, did a study to assess the prevalence of active trachoma and associated factors in Areka Town in South Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was employed. A total of 586 children aged 1–9 years were involved. We compiled a structured questionnaire from the relevant literature and pretested before use. A range of data was collected on the sociodemographic, facility, and service-related, and environmental factors. The outcome variable was measured by using frequencies, cross-tabulation, and percent. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to control potential confounders and to identify the predictors. Results. This study revealed that 37.9% of children aged 1–9 years have active trachoma (95% CI: 34%–42%). Households without latrine (AOR = 6.88; 95% CI: 2.13–22.18), openly disposing domestically produced waste (AOR = 4.62; 95% CI: 2.41–8.83), cooking in the same room (AOR = 5.13; 95% CI: 2.21–11.88), and using the cooking room without a window (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.11–4.69) were more likely to have their children develop active trachoma. Similarly, children with caretakers having inadequate knowledge about trachoma (AOR = 8.10; 95% CI: 2.04–32.17) were more likely to develop active trachoma. However, households consuming more than 20 liters of water per day were 82% (AOR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.07–0.44) less likely to have their children develop active trachoma while compared to those consuming less than the figure. Conclusions. The prevalence of active trachoma in the children aged 1–9 years in the study area was found to be high, and it is much higher than the WHO elimination threshold.

Background. Undernutrition in early childhood has irreversible and long-lasting implications. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing risk factors of child undernutrition. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 642 households with mothers to children pairs aged 6–59 months selected by a multistage systematic random sampling method. Child anthropometric measurements on weight were recorded using standardized and calibrated weighing scales. Weight-for-age was compared to the 2007 WHO growth reference by WHO Anthro software. Data were entered using Epi-Info and analyzed using SPSS. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between underweight children and their predictors; both crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were reported. Results. One-fourth (25%) of the children were underweight. Child age (AOR: 2.36), gender (AOR: 1.82), illness (AOR: 0.09), maternal decision making power (AOR: 0.07), maternal education (AOR: 0.19), employment/occupation (AOR: 5.29), and household income (AOR: 4.16) were found to be independent and significant predictors of underweight children. Conclusion. Significant proportion of the children were underweight. Maternal decision-making power persists as a strong predictor of children’s weight. Therefore, intervention programs focusing on improving mothers’ decision-making power on child nutrition would contribute to the efforts towards alleviating the problem.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa pregnant women. HBV Infection has high tendency of vertical transmission and have adverse effect on both the mother and child. However, there is no evidence on prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant women in Wolaita Zone. Therefore, this study aims to determine prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant attending Antenatal clinics of public Hospitals of Wolaita Zone. An institution based cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Wolaita Zone from October-November, 2018. Systematic random sampling was used to get respondents. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and other variables. In addition, 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each study participants and serum was tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen. Data was entered to Epidata 3.1 version and exported Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 20.0 for descriptive and logistic regression analysis. All variables in bivariate analysis with p<0.25 were taken to multivariable analysis. P-value and Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to measure the presence and strength of the association respectively. The prevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigen among pregnant women was 49(7.3%). History of multiple sexual partners (AOR = 2.675, 95%CI = 1.107-6.463), surgical procedure (AOR = 3.218, 95%CI = 1.446-7.163), genital mutilation (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.407-5.263), and tooth extraction (AOR = 2.049, 95%CI = 1.061-3.956) were statistically associated with HBV. Intermediate endemicity of Hepatitis B Virus (7.3%) was observed among mothers attending antenatal clinics of Wolaita Zone. History of tooth extraction, history of surgical procedure, history of genital mutilation and history multiple sexual partners were factors associated with acquisition of Hepatitis B Virus infection. Therefore, we recommend that the health education programs should be done to avoid traditional and non-sterile tooth extraction methods, female genital mutilation and avoiding having multiple sexual partner and its consequences to community and to raise the awareness of mothers attending antenatal clinics. Facilities should strictly follow sterile procedures in every surgical procedure.

Background Child feeding practices are multidimensional, and they change rapidly within short age intervals. Suboptimal complementary feeding practices contribute to a rapid increase in the prevalence of undernutrition in children in the age of 6–23 months. Information on child feeding practices among urban resident is limited in Ethiopia. The aim was to measure minimum meal frequency and dietary diversity and associated factors among children 6–23 months of age in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out to select 623 mothers/caregivers with 6–23 months of children reside in Wolaita Sodo town using systematic sampling from March 02 to 20, 2015. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographic, child feeding practices and health-related characteristics. Data were entered to Epi-Data version 3.02 and transported to SPSS version 21 for further analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to see the association between the outcome variables and explanatory variables, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency. Results The study revealed that the percentage of 6–23 months of children who meet the recommended level of minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency were 27.3 and 68.9%, respectively. Mothers/caregivers who were housewives and government employees feed their children more diversified foods as compared to mothers who were private workers. As compared to children 17–23 months of age, children in the age group of 6–8 and 9–11 months had better probability to meet minimum dietary diversity. Government-employed and illiterate mothers were less likely to feed their children to fulfil the minimum requirement of meal frequency. Children in the age of 9–11 months were also less likely to be fed frequently. Conclusions Even though the study showed better progress as compared to the national prevalence of complementary feeding practices, child feeding practices in the study area were inadequate and not achieving WHO infant and young child feeding recommendations. Strengthening the available strategies and creating new intervention measures to improve socioeconomic status, maternal literacy and occupation opportunity for better practices of child feedings are compulsory actions for the government and policymakers.

Head injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, especially in resource-limited countries including Ethiopia. However, little is known about the mortality rate and its predictors among these patients in Ethiopia. Thus, the study aims to assess the incidence rate of mortality and its predictors among patients with head injury admitted at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Institutional based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 1220 randomly selected head injury patients admitted from July 2017 to July 2019. Bivariable and multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to identify the predictors of mortality. Proportionality assumption was tested by a global test based on the Schoenfeld residuals test. The incidence of the mortality rate was 2.26 (95%CI: 1.9-2.6) per 100-person day observation. The independent predictors of time to death were age above 65 years (AHR:3.49, 95%CI:1.63, 7.48), severe TBI (AHR: 8.8, 95%CI:5.13, 15.0), moderate TBI (AHR:3, 95%CI:1.73,5.31), hypotension (AHR:1.72, 95%CI: 1.11,2.66), hypoxia (AHR:1.92, 95%CI: 1.33,2.76), hyperthermia (AHR:1.8, 95%CI: 1.23,2.63) and hypoglycemic (AHR:1.94, 95%CI: 1.34, 2.81) positively associated with mortality, while underwent neurosurgery was negatively associated with mortality (AHR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11,0.53). The incidence of mortality rate among head injury patients was high. Older age, moderate and severe TBI, hypotension and hypoxia at admission, neurosurgical procedure, and the episode of hyperthermia and hypoglycemia during hospitalization were the independent predictors of mortality among head injury patients. Therefore, intervention to reduce earlier deaths should focus on the prevention of secondary brain insults.

Background Globally, dental caries appears a major public health problem and a widespread non -communicable disease. It is more prevalent among children school-age children (6–12 years), However, there are few studies that correlate dental caries with nutritional status. Thus, this study aims to determine the relation of dental caries with nutritional status among school-age children at resource limited setting of southern Ethiopia. Methodology A community-based cross sectional study was employed on randomly selected 761 school-age children of Areka town. Data were collected by face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical assessment of dental caries. After that, the collected data were entered into Epi data 3.2.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for further analysis. On the other hand, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association of dependent and independent variables. p Value < 0.05 was considered to declare a result as statistically significant. Results Prevalence of dental caries among school-age children was 15.6%  (95% CI 13.0–18.5). In technical senses, 4.3% (95% CI 2.9–5.8%) of children were underweight and 14.2% (95% CI 11.7–16.6%) were overweight. However, it has been unfolded that the relationship between dental caries and nutritional status was not statistically significant with a p value ( p  = 0.32). Factors associated with dental caries were educational status of a mother AOR 3.14, (95% CI 1.03–9.56), not cleaning teeth AOR 7.70, (95% CI 4.00–14.85), sugared coffee drinking AOR 3.22, (95% CI 1.68–6.18.0), sweet food consumption AOR 4.19, (95% CI 1.76–9.96) and non-consuming milk AOR 5.66 ( 95% CI 1.49–21.49). Conclusion and recommendation Dental caries at south Ethiopia were low compared to WHO’s reports on oral health on school-age children. Tooth cleaning habit, parental education, sweet food consumption and milk consumption are associated factors. Therefore, behavioral intervention on dental hygiene and dietary practices are mandatory for school-age children.

Background Pregnancy-induced hypertension is the new onset of high blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation in women with previously normal blood pressure. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted in our country to investigate the association between this pregnancy problem and iron-folic acid supplementation. The aim of this study was to determine the association between iron-folic acid supplementation and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in pregnant women at public hospitals in the Wolaita Sodo zone. Methods An institution-based case–control study was conducted among pregnant women who visited public hospitals in the Wolaita Sodo zone from March 3, 2022, to August 30, 2022. A consecutive sampling method was used to select the study participants. The total sample size was 492, of which 164 were cases and 328 were controls. The data were collected by conducting face-to-face interviews and measurements. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. Those variables with a p -value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios were presented using texts, tables, and figures. Results A total of 471 women participated in this study, yielding a response rate of 96%. The cases had a mean age of 25 ± 4.43, while the controls had a mean age of 25 ± 3.99. The mean age at first pregnancy among cases was 20 ± 2.82 and among controls was 20 ± 2.97. The average number of deliveries for cases and controls was 1.97 ± 1.41 and 1.95 ± 1.38, respectively. There is no significant association between iron-folic acid supplementation and PIH. Pregnant women with high hemoglobin levels had higher odds of PIH as compared to those without it (AOR = 3.65; 95% CI: 1.0–12.9). Eating kocho (AOR = 14.4; 95% CI: 1.2–16.7) was positively associated with PIH. Conclusions There is no association between iron-folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Pregnant women with high hemoglobin levels had higher odds of PIH as compared to those without it. There is an association between kocho consumption and PIH. More research should be done using stronger designs.

Background: Early years of life are period of maximal growth and development of human brain. Development of young child is influenced by biological endowment and health of child, nutritional status of child, relationships with primary caregivers, family, and support systems in the community. This study was aimed to assess childhood development in relation to their nutritional status. Method: Community-based cross-sectional study was employed. Multi-stage systematic random sampling technique was used to select 626 children aged 12-59 months with mother/caregivers' pairs in Wolaita district in 2015. Child development assessment was done using third edition of age and stage questionnaire. Height and weight were measured by trained data collectors then the WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 software was used to convert nutritional data indices. Data were entered into Epi-info version 3.3.5 and was exported and analyzed using STATA version 14. Correlation and multiple logistic regression were used. Result: High risk of developmental problem in children were 19.0% with 95% CI (16.06%, 22.3%), and it is expressed as communication 5.8%, gross motor 6.1%, fine motor 4.0%, personal social 8.8%, and problem solving 4.1%. One-third (34.1%) of the study participants were stunted while 6.9% and 11.9% of them were wasted and underweight respectively. Weight-for-age (WAZ) and height-for-age positively correlated with all five domains of development, i.e., with communication, gross motor, fine motor, personal social, and problem solving (r = 0.1 − 0.23; p < 0.0001, and r = 0.131 − 0.249; p < 0.0001) respectively. Conclusion and recommendation: Overall child development was directly related with nutritional status. So, available resources should be offered to decrease children undernutrition. Further assessment on childhood development of children is necessary

Background Neural tube defects are among the most common birth defects, contributing to miscarriage, infant mortality, severe congenital abnormalities and serious disabilities. It is burdensome to patients, caregivers, healthcare systems and society. It could be reduced if women consume a folic acid supplement before and during the early weeks of pregnancy. This study assesses folic acid usage and associated factors for the prevention of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 417 systematically sampled, consented pregnant women that visited Adama hospital medical college for antenatal care during August to November 2014. Pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, obstetric characteristics and folic acid usage of women. Result About 48.4% of women took a folic acid supplement at different period of pregnancy; but, only 1.92% of women took the supplement at a protective period against neural tube defects. Age, the early timing of antenatal registration, was a preconception consulted, previous unsuccessful pregnancies and level of folic acid awareness were significantly associated with folic acid usage for prevention of neural tube defects. Conclusions Folic acid usage during the protective period against neural tube defects among women in Ethiopia is very low, so healthcare plan to improve intake of folic acid is required.