Introduction Depression is one of the common mental health disorders and predicted to be the second cause of the global health burden by the year 2020. Depression in HIV patients may lead to poor engagement to their HIV care which may finally result in poor treatment outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients on ART at Dessie referral hospital. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 HIV positive adult patients on antiretroviral treatment from November to January 2019. The study participants were selected by using the systematic random sampling technique among patients who visited the antiretroviral (ART) clinic in the hospital and standardized Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure depression. Descriptive statistics like percentage, median with interquartile range (IQR) was computed and presented in the form of text and table. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with depression. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify factors associated with depression. Result The prevalence of depression was found to be 20% with (95% CI 16.2, 23.8). Age group of 25–34 years (AOR = 6.58, 95% CI 1.11, 38.9), widowed marital status (AOR = 7.05, 95% CI 2.32, 21.38), perceived stigma (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.13, 5.21)], had opportunistic infections [AOR = 4.96, 95% CI (1.05, 23.34)], HIV non-disclosed HIV status (AOR = 6.34, 95% CI 1.34–29.65), poor and fair drug adherence (AOR = 7.1, 95% CI 2.06, 24.44), CD4 count ≤ 200 (AOR = 5.38, 95% CI 2.37–12.23) were factors significantly associated with depression. Conclusion The magnitude of depression was relatively lower than the pooled estimates for Ethiopia. Perceived stigma, younger age, widowed, being symptomatic, fair and poor adherence, recent opportunistic infection, low CD4 count, and HIV status not disclosed were positively associated with depression. This finding suggests the integration of mental health care with antiretroviral therapy and the special emphasis ought to be given for those at higher risk of depression.

Background A nutritional problem, especially under nutrition is one of the common public health problems in older population causing greater mortality and economic loss in developing countries. However, evidences on the risk factors for increased nutritional risk among older population is not well stated in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and predictors of malnutrition among older adults (> = 65 years) in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based analytical survey was conducted among randomly selected 592 older people aged above 65 years of age in Harari region. Subjects were selected using multistage sampling pretested Full Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool was used to classify as malnourished (MNA score < 17), at risk of malnutrition (MNA score of 17 to 23.5) and otherwise normal. Validated geriatric depression scale short form (15 items) was employed to screen for depression. Data were presented using statistical tables, frequency, percentage, and graphs. Ordinary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of malnutrition and plum method was used to generate odds ratio. The level of statistical significance was declared at P-value less than 5%. Chi-square test, crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence was reported. Results A total of 592 respondents (93.4%) were interviewed. About 306 (51.7%) and 93 (15.7%) were found to be at risk of malnutrition and malnourished respectively. The predicted log odds of being malnourished was higher among those from rural residents (AOR = 2.08: 1.25–3.45), not on working (AOR = 1.31: 95% CI: 0.87–1.95) and did not have health insurance (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI; 0.97–2.58). Those with chronic pain (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.15–2.51), previous hospitalization (AOR = 1.59: 95% CI: 1.27–2.38) and not able to cover their personal expense (AOR =1.61: 95% CI: 1.12–2.30) were predictors of malnutrition. The relationship between previous hospitalizations with malnutrition among older adults people is moderated significantly by the presence of chronic pain (β = 0.113, p = 0.015). Conclusions Malnutrition among old age is a public health concern that needs attention. Economical vulnerability, residence, depression, presence of chronic disease, and hospitalization were important risk factors for malnutrition among old age.

Background: Approximately 70% of HIV positive people live in Africa where food insecurity and under nutrition are endemic. However the impact of malnutrition on treatment outcome is not clear. This study assessed the effect of under nutrition on Anti-Retroviral Therapy treatment outcome among pediatric age group living with HIV/AIDS in Public Hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia. Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on records of 242 pediatric children in Guraghe zone Public Hospitals. Also median, mean, standard deviation and interquartile range were calculated. Life table, hazard function and survival function were plotted. Log rank test with 95% confidence interval of mean survival time was done. The nutritional status data were managed via WHO Anthros plus and BMI for age Z score was calculated. To assess effects of nutritional status on mortality, both Bivariate and multivariate cox proportional hazard regression was conducted with crude (CHR) and adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) (95% confidence interval and p value). P value of less than 0.05 was used as cut off point to declare statistical significance. Results: A total of 243 records of pediatric ART records with mean age of 11.6 (± 3.8 years) were reviewed. About 178 (73.3%) have got therapeutic feeding on the course of ART treatment. Whereas significant number of children, 163 (67.1%) reported to had eating problems. A total of 13 (5.3%) children were dead with incidence density of 11.2 deaths per 1000 person years. There is significantly higher survival time among well nourished (11.1 years with 95% CI: 10.8 to 11.4) as compared to underweight children (9.76 with 95% CI: 9.19 to 10.32 years). Underweight children had almost three fold increase incidence of death (AHR = 3.01; 95% CI: 0.80-11.4). Similarly children with anemia had higher incidence of death than children without anemia (AHR = 1.55; 95% CI: 0.49-4.84). Conclusions: Low nutritional status at the start of ART evidenced by underweight and anemia were found to be predictors of survival among HIV positive children. There should be improved, sustained and focused nutritional screening, care and treatment for children on ART follow up.

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV is essential and critical way for prevention, care and treatment of HIV. It allows early detection of illness, reducing transmission, morbidity and mortality from it. But youth knowledge and attitude towards HIV testing services is not universal. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, practice and factors associated with VCT for HIV among University Students in Ethiopia. Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among University students in Ethiopia using pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Single proportion formula was used to calculate the sample size (361). Multistage sampling with stratified sampling technique was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 with chi square test, bivariate and multivariate analysis via OR, AOR, p-value and confidence interval. Binary logistic regression was used. Out of 361 sample 93.6% of them responded, with 178 (52.7%) male and most are below 25 years. Majority were single, orthodox in religion, and from urban residence. 86% of them have heard of voluntary testing for HIV and know that having early test will prevent future spread of HIV. Based on the scoring 66% are knowledgeable about VCT. Almost 60% of participants were willing to undergo the test and 80% advices their friends to have test. Also 40.5% had good attitude toward test for HIV and 65.7 and 29.6% were ever tested and tested in the previous year respectively. Fear of HIV test results, stigma, and service related factors were major barriers for testing. Being male (AOR=1.607, CI: (1.01-2.57) p value= 0.047) and first year (AOR= 3.25, 1.33 -8.83) were significantly had lower odds of being knowledgeable than females and seniors respectively. Those who were not knowledgeable have two times odd of poor attitude (AOR=1.901(1.20-3.02) P=0.006)). Students from urban (AOR=2.088, CI: (1.273-3.425) P=0.004), unseparated family (AOR=2.24CI: (1.02-4.92) P=0.045) and with poor attitude (AOR= 1.76 CI: (1.08-2.89) p=0.024) were more likely not to have test than counterparts. Knowledge and attitude towards HIV testing is not satisfactory. Freshman students are the target for behavioral interventions. Improving awareness and attitude of students through peer to peer discussion and other packages is crucial to increase the practice and ultimately combat HIV in higher institutions.

Background: Stimulating care during childhood is the foundation for optimal health, learning, productivity, and social well-being throughout the life course. In addition, malnutrition is a major public health concern affecting up to half of children under-five years in Ethiopia. However, evidence on the causal contribution of malnutrition to delay in child development is poorly understood in Ethiopia. Objective: To identify the relationship between different forms of malnutrition and delay in child development among children in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based survey was conducted among 507 randomly selected mother-child pairs in the Guraghe Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A pretested tool and validated anthropometric measurements were used. Anthropometric indices (WFH, WFA, and HFA) were calculated in Anthros software. The data were summarized in mean, median, standard deviation, tables and charts. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression (stepwise backward regression) models were fitted with nutritional status (wasting, stunting and underweight) and other potential factors associated with delay in child developmental. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and p-values were reported. Results: A total of 507 mother-child (12-59 months) pairs were included in the survey (97% response rate). The mean ASQ-3 score was 150 (± 23.4), with a minimum and maximum score of 45 and 270, respectively. A total of 149 (29.4%; 95% CI: 25.4-33.4) children had developmental delays, where 17.2%, 16.8%, 13.4%, 10.8%, and 10.1% had delays in gross motor, communication, problem-solving, personal-social, and fine motor skills, respectively. Children of working mothers (AOR=2.9; 1.8, 4.8), preterm births (AOR=3.2; 1.4, 7.0), early initiation of complementary feeding (AOR=2.5; 1.37, 4.6), stunting (AOR=3.0; 1.9, 4.7), underweight (AOR= 2.3; 1.1, 4.7) and low dietary diversity score (AOR=3.1; 1.3, 7.5), were predictors of developmental delay. Conclusion: Child development delay is a public health concern and it is strongly associated with stunting, underweight, undiversified dietary consumption, and suboptimal infant and young child feeding practices.