BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is giving only breast milk to an infant from birth up to six months of age, with the exception of medications and vitamins. For the first six months of life, breast milk alone is the ideal nourishment to meet the nutritional demand of the growing child. Although breastfeeding is a universal practice, in Ethiopia only 52% of children aged less than six months old were exclusively breastfed. The study aimed to investigate the predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration among women who had children aged between 6–12 months in Gurage zone, South Ethiopia.MethodsA mixed method cross-sectional study was conducted to assess predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration in south Ethiopia. Eight hundred and twenty eight study participants were recruited using a multistage sampling technique for the quantitative survey. Interviewer administered close ended questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data. Data were entered using Epi Data and analyzed using SPSS version 21. The Kaplan-Meier curve with log rank test was used to compare the survival difference due to the selected covariates. A binary and multivariable Cox regression model was used to identify the independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration. Three focus group discussions were conducted to generate the qualitative data. Qualitative data is transcribed and analyzed by thematic approach using open-code software.ResultsThe median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was six months. About 21.9% of women introduced complementary food before six months of child age. Women with education status of diploma and above (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR]: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.05, 7.97), perceived inadequate breast milk (AHR: 11, 95% CI: 6.7, 18.0) and cesarean section delivery (AHR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.0, 7.2) were more likely to cease exclusive breastfeeding before six months of child age; while women who had infant feeding counseling during postnatal care (AHR: 5.1, 95% CI: 2.5, 10.23) were less likely to cease exclusive breastfeeding before the child was six months of age.ConclusionsA significant proportion of women cease exclusive breastfeeding before the recommended six months duration. Maternal education of diploma and above, perceived inadequacy of breast milk, cesarean section delivery, postnatal counseling on child feeding are factors significantly associated with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Encouraging behavioral change and improving communication regarding the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and increasing the utilization of postnatal counseling about exclusive breastfeeding are recommended.

BackgroundMaternal mortality and morbidity remain unacceptably high in developing countries. Behind every maternal death, many other women suffered from acute and chronic obstetric complications. Women who survive severe acute maternal morbidities/near miss have many characteristics in common with maternal death events particularly on risk factors. Ethiopia is among countries with high maternal mortality and morbidities in sub-Saharan Africa. However there is scarce evidence on risk factors of severe acute maternal morbidities in Ethiopia. Therefore this study aimed to identify predictors of maternal near miss among women admitted in Gurage zone hospitals, south Ethiopia, 2017.MethodsHospital based case control study was conducted to assess predictors of maternal near miss among women admitted in five hospitals of Gurage zone, South Ethiopia. Data of 229 (77 cases and 152 controls) women were included in the analysis. Cases were women admitted due to severe acute maternal morbidity while controls were women admitted for normal labor or women admitted due to mild to moderate obstetric complications. Cases were identified by validated-disease specific criteria. Then, two controls were selected for each verified case using lottery method among eligible women.Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and reviewing patients’ records. Data were entered using Epi Info 7 and analyzed by SPSS 21. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent predictors of maternal near miss.ResultMajority of cases were admitted due to dystocia (57.1%) and obstetric hemorrhage (26%). The median first delay (delay to seek health care) among cases and controls was six and 4 h respectively. Prior history of cesarean section {AOR 7.68, 95%CI, 3.11–18.96}, first delay {AOR 2.79, 95%CI, 1.42–5.50}, and being referred from other health facilities {AOR 7.47, 95% CI, 2.27–24.51} were independent predictors of maternal near miss.ConclusionsPrior history of cesarean section, being referred from other health facilities and first delay were factors associated with maternal near miss. Timely health care seeking behavior of women is uncommon in the study area. Therefore primary health care programs need to enhance the existing efforts to improve timely health care seeking behavior of women.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), youth are young people within 15-24 years old. Studies reported that more than half of all new HIV infections occur among people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Institution based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students in Gondar city. Multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit study participants. Data were collected using pretested structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered in Epi Info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe important variables in relation to the outcome variable, Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of the outcome variable. The overall prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 12.8%. Two out of five sexually active respondents ever had unprotected sexual intercourse.  Ever used alcohol ((AOR, 3.53 95% CI (1.73-7.19)), had no parental monitor (AOR, 12.21 95% CI (6.55-22.78), ever watched pornographic film (AOR, 2.24 95% CI (1.15-4.35), had no parental discussion on sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR, 2.57 95% CI (1.36-4.85) and peer pressure (AOR,2.50, 95%CI (1.20-5.21), were factors which significantly increases the odds of risky sexual behavior among youth. Risky sexual behavior among high school students in Gondar city administration was very high and worrisome; so that collaborated effort is needed from parents, schools, health facilities and health policy makers to bring healthy sexual behavior among school youth.

Background: Ethiopia has made great strides on under-five and maternal mortality reduction as demonstrated by achieving the millennium development target of child mortality reduction by the start of 2015. According to a recent demographic and health survey report, Ethiopia has a 67 per 1000 under-five mortality rate and a 412 per 100,000 live births maternal mortality ratio. The current trend of maternal and child mortality reduction is not enough to meet sustainable development goal three (SDG3) of maternal and child mortality reduction target which is set to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to below 70/100,000 live births in all countries. This paper aimed to model the effect of scaling up family planning on pregnancies, live births, stillbirths, abortions and maternal mortality in Ethiopia. Methods: We used the Spectrum software package to model the impact of family planning on maternal survival and other maternal health metrics. Spectrum has different modules consisting of demproj module (demographic projection), famplan module (family planning), LiST (life saved tool), and AIM (aids impact model). We used Demproj, Famplan and LiST modules for this particular paper. Baseline national data were taken from findings of the Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016, and World Bank and World Health Organization country specific reports. Results: Total fertility rate will decline to 2.3 children per women by the year 2030 when contraceptive prevalence is scaled up by 2% annually from 2016 to 2030. As a result of continuous scaling up of contraceptive use, around 3.17 million unintended pregnancies can be averted. Unmet need for family planning will significantly decline to 11.7% by 2030. Ninety-four thousand unsafe abortions could be averted and 1233 additional maternal lives could be saved by the end of 2030 in Ethiopia. Conclusion: Scaling up family planning has shown a significant effect to meet the SDG3 maternal mortality reduction target. A considerable proportion of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions can be averted by scaling up contraceptive prevalence by 2% annually until 2030. Family planning is effective and a less costly intervention to reduce maternal mortality in countries with high fertility; hence, it is highly recommended to rampup all efforts to scale up contraceptive use for improving maternal health status in Ethiopia.

Introduction Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) means providing only breast milk for infants for up to six months without the addition of solid or liquid matter. Even though EBF had great benefits for infants and mothers, the rate of EBF is so limited below the global target. In Ethiopia, the overall EBF practice is 59%. This low EBF practice had a great unexplained variation among employed and unemployed mothers. Therefore, this study aimed to compare EBF practice and associated factors among employed and unemployed mothers of infants aged 6–12 months in Wolkite town, Southern Ethiopia, 2020. Methods A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020. A total sample of 485 (241 employed and 244 unemployed) study subjects was involved in the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study subjects. A pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of EBF practice for the whole study participants and then for employed and unemployed mothers independently. Results The pooled prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 63.9% [95% CI (59.8–68.2%)]. Exclusive breastfeeding practice was 54.8% [95% CI (48.5–61.4%)] and 73% [95% CI (66.8–78.7%)] among employed and unemployed mothers respectively. Three or more years of a birth interval [AOR = 4.03; 95% CI (1.80–8.99)], three or more ANC visits [AOR = 5.39; 95% CI (1.49–19.45)], and having PNC service [AOR = 4.56; 95% CI (2.0–9.4)] significantly associated to exclusive breastfeeding practice among employed mothers. No history of breastfeeding counseling during ANC visits [AOR = 0.15; 95% CI (0.06–0.41)], had history of breast disease [AOR = 0.28; 95% CI (0.08–0.99)], three or more ANC visits [AOR = 5.11; 95% CI (1.66–15.8)], and having social support [AOR = 3.05; 95% CI (1.23–7.6)] significantly associated to EBF practice among unemployed mothers. Conclusion Employment among mothers was found to discourage EBF practice. The predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice are different for employed and unemployed. Therefore Policymakers and program planners are called to come together and create a conducive environment for lactating employees, and appropriate intervention at respective predictor variables is needed to enhance EBF practice.