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Students are vulnerable to various cultural, social, economic and peer burdens that pushes them into pre marriage sexual practices. Thus, the present study aimed to assess pre marriage sexual practices and associated factors among students at Woldia University, North East Ethiopia. Institutional based cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2021 to May 2021. The samples of 324 students was included in the study and selected through multistage sampling technique. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to check the relationship among the dependent and independent variables. Several factors such as being male [(AOR=2.593, 95%CI = (1.262-5.328)], not attending religious education [(AOR = 1.229, 95%CI = (3.581 – 9.528)], living together with parents [(AOR= 0.010, 95%CI = (0.003 - 0.040)] and friends or relatives [(AOR= 0.024, 95%CI = (0.006-0.094)] and inadequate pocket money [AOR = 11.321, 95%CI = (3.672-21.340)], low academic performance [AOR = 5.112, 95%CI = (10.130-24.469)], and no discussion about sex related issues with parents [AOR = 1.310,95%CI = (1.980-14.629)] showed significant associations with pre marriage sexual practices. Pre marriage sexual practice among students’ was higher. Therefore, efforts have to be made on the family and students’ behavioral change; Sex education sessions towards risky sexual behavior and reproductive health matters are imperative to students and the community at large. Further study should also be done to identify the prevalence and risk of pre marriage sexual intercourse among adolescents out of the school or in a larger community.

Background Early initiation of sexual activity affects the sexual and reproductive health of the young population. The youth are at a high risk of risky sexual behaviours, including multiple partners and inconsistent condom use. There has been limited research on the level and determinants of early sexual initiation in Woldia town. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of early sexual initiation and associated factors among preparatory and high school students in Woldia town, northeast Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 723 students selected by the simple random sampling technique on March 7, 2016. A pre-tested and structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were computed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to examine the strength of association. In the multivariable analysis, a p -value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result The prevalence of early sexual initiation among preparatory and high school students in Woldia town was 18.4% (95% CI:15.50,21.30%). Not attending religious programs (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI:1.84,5.44), peer pressure (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI:1.14,3.25), cigarette smoking (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI:1.06,4.85), poor parental monitoring (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI:1.77,4.53), and exposure to pornographic materials (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI:1.68,4.40) were significantly associated with early sexual initiation. Conclusion A large number of students initiated sexual activity at an early age. The practiced is associated with sexual and reproductive health problems. Therefore, raising awareness of students about the risk factors for and implication of early sexual initiation through teachers, religious leaders, and parents is highly recommended.

Intestinal parasites are parasites that can infect the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a major public health concern in developing countries, particularly where hygiene and sanitation standards are poor. Fruits and vegetables are common sources of infection when they are contaminated with fecal matter or handled improperly. In Woldia Town, where local markets are the primary sources of fresh produce, assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasites is essential for identifying contamination routes and designing effective preventive measures. However, there is limited data in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and identify associated factors among fruits and vegetables collected from local markets. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2025. A total of 288 fruit and vegetable samples were randomly collected from selected local markets. Each sample was examined microscopically using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques to detect parasites. Data on hygiene practices, market conditions, and vendors’ handling behaviors was collected through structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 27. Of the 288 samples analyzed, 81 (28.1%) contained at least one parasite species. The most and least commonly contaminated items were lettuce 21 (7.3%) and orange 3 (1.04%), respectively. The most commonly found parasite was cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 29 (10.1%), followed by cysts of Giardia lamblia 16 (5.6%). Produce type (AOR = 8.432; 95%CI: 1.209–9.668), covering fruits and vegetables (AOR = 7.55;CI:3.806–9.305), washing hands after using toilets (AOR = 3.85; 95%CI: 1.487–8.520), wash the fruits and vegetables (AOR = 8.89;95%CI: 9.93–11.56), wash hands before handling the fruits and vegetables (AOR = 7.796; 95%CI:5.650-10.407), and hearing that fruits and vegetables can carry disease-causing parasites (AOR = 7.925; 95%CI: 2.507–8.690) were all significantly associated with parasitic contamination. The study found a significant prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination in fruits and vegetables. To mitigate the risk of parasitic infections, it is essential to promote proper food handling and hygiene practices, including hand washing. Key recommendations include implementing community awareness programs, providing hygiene training for vendors, establishing routine surveillance in local markets, and advocating for policies that enhance sanitation standards in food markets.

Background Virological treatment failure is a problem that a Human Immune Virus patient faces after starting treatment due to different factors. However, there were few studies done on the predictors of virological treatment failure among adult patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia in general, and no study was done in the study area in particular. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify predictors of virological treatment failure among adult patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Woldiya and Dessie Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia. Method Hospital based case–control study was conducted in Woldia and Dessie Hospitals from from 12 August 2016–28 February 2018 on 154 cases and 154 controls among adult patients on first-line antiretroviral treatment. All cases were included and comparable controls were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected by document review using checklists and entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of virological treatment failure. Results In this study, statistically higher odds of virological failure was observed among patients who had current CD4 T-cell count of < 200 mm 3 (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.35, 4, 18) compared withCD4 T-cell count of > 200 mm 3 , current body mass index(BMI) < 16 kg/m 2 (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI:1.85, 9.51) compared with BMI > 18.5 kg/m 2 , BMI between 16 and 18.5 kg/m 2 (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.75, 7.92) versus BMI > 18.5 kg/m 2 , poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (AOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 2.95, 9.97) compared with good adherence. Conclusion This study showed that low current CD4 T-cell count and body mass index, as well as poor adherence for ART treatment predicts virological failure. Therefore, deliberate efforts are urgently needed in HIV care through improving their nutritional status by enhancing nutritional education and support, and by strengthening enhanced adherence counseling.

Migration affects development in both the rural and urban areas. This has been a major challenge in Ethiopia’s development in general and Woldia’s urban growth in particular. Therefore, this study examines the effects of migration on migrant sending and receiving areas of Ethiopia, by considering Woldia town and its surrounding areas as a case study. To achieve the study objectives, data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 395 respondents using questionnaire. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also employed along with the survey. Secondary data sources were also used. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis was employed. The result showed that there was socio-economic development gap between rural and urban areas. The findings also revealed that the majority of migrants were of rural origin, traveled short distances, and they were male in the age group of 25–44. To this end, migrants have faced challenges with social services and employments at destination in one hand, and decline of labour force and productivity at the origin on the other hand. Hence, in order to address the challenges, the study suggests that government interventions should be made to provide jobs, basic social services and infrastructure facilities to both rural and urban areas.

foodborne disease (FBD) is a major public health problem globally. Inadequate food workers' knowledge, attitude, and low level of food handling practices (FHPs) may all contribute to the possibility of FBD outbreaks in public food service establishments. This study aimed to assess FHPs and associated factors among food handlers working in public food and drink service establishments in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia. an institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 01 to 29, January 2017. A total of 288 food handlers were recruited through a simple random selection method. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation checklists were used to collect the respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge status on FHPs, and food handling working practices data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed using SPSS version 20 software. Those variables with a p< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. out of 288 participants, 91.7% were female, and 82.3% were single, while 69.8% were literate. One hundred eighty-four (63.9%) of them were under 15-25 years of age, with a median age of 23.3 years. The proportion of good FHP was (n=134, 46.5%) (95% CI: 41.00-52.4%). Advanced age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =12.01, 95% CI: 1.96-73.52), education (participants who attend grades 7-12 (AOR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.14-4.79), and above secondary education (AOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.05-4.61), work experience above six years (AOR=2.43, 95% CI: 2.08-3.17), received formal training (AOR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.68-4.71), and inspection visits by a concerned body (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.05-3.09) were factors positively associated with handling practices. the study revealed that FHP in the study area was low. Age, education, service year, training received and sanitary inspection visits by the regulatory personnel were factors significantly associated with FHPs. This finding highlights the importance of employing regular sanitary inspection visits to public food service establishments by the concerned authority to ensure that all food handlers have the knowledge and the skill to provide safe food.

This study focused on mechanisms of accessing and securing peri-urban land through informal land markets. The survey employed purposive sampling to select government officials, key informants and focus group discussion (FGD) participants; accidental sampling for Informal/traditional institutions representatives; snowball sampling for land brokers and speculators; and simple random sampling for peri-urban respondents. Some respondents, particularly housing developers and/or homeowners in informal settlements, construct properties for purposes such as rental income, landholding under split family arrangements, or eventual sale. The study integrates theoretical and empirical analyses of informal urban development practices. Theoretically, the land is not subject to sale or transfer against the land law. Thus, from the theoretical perspective of land laws, private sales and transfers are not permitted, and hence, should not happen. This makes sense in theory, but in reality, the system is more permeable. The empirical findings of the study revealed that land transfer outside the realm of the law is very common and widespread. Currently, informal settlements in peri-urban areas of Woldia are getting key features of the town. Farmers often justify fraudulent land sales by claiming they have donated, inherited, or transferred the land within family arrangements. Hence, despite its different geographical scope, the empirical findings in peri-urban areas of Woldia can provide insight into how informal land markets can contribute to broader comparative studies on informal settlements and land markets in other peri-urban areas within Ethiopia or similar contexts globally. Additionally, the study contributes to understanding how peri-urban farming can coexist with urban expansion.

Background Precancerous cervical lesion is a priority public health problem that jeopardizes the life of enormous women. previous studies in Ethiopia were more focused on knowledge, attitude, and practices of Cervical cancer screening. studies on the risk factors of pre-cancerous cervical lesions among the risk population (HIV infected) relative to the general population were limited. This study aimed to identify the determinants of precancerous cervical lesions among HIV Infected Women in Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northeast Ethiopia, 2022. Methods Hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital among HIV-infected women from June to August 2022. Data were collected from 104 cases and 208 controls using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical data from the patient chart using Electronic Medical Record _ Anti-Retroviral Therapy Smart care database checklist. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify the determinants of the precancerous cervical lesion. An odds ratio with a 95% Confidence interval was used to measure the association and p-value < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Women who have two or more lifetime sexual partners (AOR = 3.21,95% CI: 1.71–6.04), history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI: 2.78–8.78), early age at first sexual intercourse (< 18 years) (AOR = 4.35,95% CI: 2.48–7.67) and baseline CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1–3.57) had a higher odd of developing a precancerous cervical lesion. Conclusion This study confirms that having a history of sexually transmitted infection, two or more lifetime sexual Partners, the initiation of sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years, and Baseline CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 were determinants for precancerous cervical lesions. So it should be focused on prevention through early detection and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Background Consuming diversified food during the adolescent period is essential to build a healthy and active mind for their later life. Food prices increased in the local market due to fewer production of crops. Thus, exploring the dietary diversity of adolescents in this area is crucial to estimate diet quality. So the aim of the study was to identify determinant factors of dietary diversity. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent students in Woldia town. A total of four hundred eleven students were included in the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants. The outcome variable was dietary diversity; it was calculated by summing of the number of food group consumed by individuals in the given reference period. Bivariable and multivariable logistic analysis was done. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to measure an association. A variable with a P -value less than 0.05 is considered a significant factor. Results The proportion of inadequate dietary diversity was 49.1% (95% CI 44.5–53.8). Being female (AOR =5.53, 95% CI 3.447–8.859), secondary and above mothers’ education level (AOR=0. 27, 95%CI 0.153–0.477), living in a family size five and above (AOR= 2.09, 95CI% 1.31–3.34), and poor knowledge about nutrition (AOR=4.56, 95% CI 2.727–7.639) were significantly associated with inadequate dietary diversity. Conclusions and recommendations Inadequate dietary diversity was associated with sex, knowledge of nutrition, maternal education level, and family size. It is better to design a nutrition intervention program that focus on nutrition education to scale up diversified food consumption among adolescents.

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder that affects pregnant women. Preeclampsia and its complications are the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Studies conducted in Ethiopia have primarily concentrated on preeclampsia's trends and prevalence rather than its obstetrical and perinatal consequences. Thus, this study aimed to determine the risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes among women with preeclampsia at Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 140 preeclamptic women and 280 normotensive women who gave birth at Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between 30 December 2020 and 29 December 2022. Maternal records were retrieved using data-extraction tools. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6.0.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were used to test the associations between independent and outcome variables. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and -values <0.05 were used to measure the strength of the association and declare the level of statistical significance. The odds of at least one adverse obstetric outcome among preeclamptic women were 2.25 times higher than those among normotensive women [AOR: 2.25, 95% CI: (1.06, 4.77)]. In addition, babies born to preeclamptic women were at a higher risk of perinatal death [AOR: 2.90, 95% CI: (1.10, 8.17)], low birth weight [AOR: 3.11, 95% CI: (1.43, 6.7)], birth asphyxia [AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: (1.15, 5.5)], and preterm birth [AOR: 2.21, 95% CI: (1.02, 4.8)] than babies born to normotensive women. More adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes were observed in women with preeclampsia than those in normotensive women. This study highlights the significantly elevated level of at least one adverse obstetric outcome associated with preeclampsia, low hemoglobin level, and rural residents. Moreover, perinatal death, low birth weight, asphyxia, and preterm birth were significantly associated with preeclampsia.