Introduction COVID-19 incidence is increasing and different measures have been adopted to control the spread of the pandemic in Ethiopia. Among these measures, enhancing the knowledge, positive attitudes, and proper practices of prevention measures about the disease is a basic strategy to control it. However, community compliance to control measures is largely dependent on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. Objective To assess the current level of KAP towards COVID-19 pandemic and predictors among the rural dwellers in Sidama regional state, Southern Ethiopia; 2020. Methods This community-based prospective cross-sectional study was carried out from May 1–30, 2020 on a sample of 1,278 adult populations in Sidama regional state, Southern Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to choice the study participants. The data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. We have entered data using Epi data version 3.1 and all analyses were done using SPSS version 25. KAPs scores of study participants based on their independent variables were compared using Chi-square test, t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as required. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with KAP. The important assumptions of the logistic regression model were checked to be satisfied. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the existence and strength of associations. Results From a total of 1,214 study participants, the overall attained knowledge, attitude and practice score about COVID-19 were 90%, 82.4% and 65%, respectively. Among these, 43.9%, 37.5%, and 24.4% of the study participants had demonstrated good knowledge, high attitude and proper practice, respectively. The mean knowledge scores were significantly different between sex, categories of marital status, educational levels, main occupation, and the monthly income quintiles of the study participants (p<0.05). Similarly, the mean attitude scores significantly varied across educational levels, main occupations and marital status (p<0.05). Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, main occupation of the government employees, education level of diploma and above, highest and second highest wealth rank were positively associated with COVID-19 prevention and control practice. Conclusions The majority of study participants had showed good knowledge and optimistic attitude toward COVID-19. But, the level of practice lower than that expected to maximize effective control measures. Further public education interventions and community sensitization campaigns are required for rural adult population in the Sidama regional state, Ethiopia.

Background: Despite increased deliverance of antiretroviral therapy (ART), morbidity and mortality from TB are still predominant among HIV/AIDS infected patients in Ethiopia. Thus, current study aimed to determine magnitude and predictors of tuberculosis among cohort of HIV infected patients at Arba Minch General Hospital, Ethiopia, 2015. Methods: Hospital based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among study population which was HIV/AIDS infected individuals registered from September 2007 to 2013. The data were collected using structured data abstraction form and four ART trained nurses were used to abstract the data. The data were checked for completeness, cleaned and entered into Epi Info 7.0 and analyzed using SPSS version (IBM-21). Results were summarized by using table of frequency, graph, and measure of central tendency. Statistical significance was inferred at P-value ≤ 0.05. Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine predictors. Result: Four hundred ninety six patient's charts were abstracted. Cumulative and incidence density of tuberculosis were 21.4% (95% CI: 21.3, 21.44) and 5.36 per 100 person year respectively. Cigarette smokers (AOR: 2.82, 95% CI (1.27 -6.27)), household with family size of 3 -4 (AOR: 2.26, 95% CI (1.14 -4.50)), baseline WHO clinical stage III (AOR: 20.26, 95% CI (7.09 -57.6)) and IV (AOR: 22.9, 95% CI (6.91 -76.4)) and heamoglobin level of <10 (AOR: 2.56, 95% CI (1.22 -5.33)) were important predictors (risk factors) of tuberculosis among HIV infected patients. Conclusion and recommendation: Relatively high incident tuberculosis cases were established among HIV infected patients and history of cigarette smoking; family size; hemoglobin level and base line WHO clinical stage were responsible for this incidence. Therefore; early initiation of HAART as per current guideline should get stressed, and the finding that smoking was important predictors for TB in Ethiopia had obvious TB control implication which required high attention focused on fighting against cigarette smoking among HIV infected cohort.

Abstract:Background: Despite dramatic declines in deaths due to diarrheal disease among infants and children in developing countries, diarrhea remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Even though Rota vaccine is not available to decrease morbidity and mortality due to diarrheal disease, Ethiopian government endorsed health extension program at 2004 and through it, the country was increasing latrine coverage and utilization, creating positive behavioral change in household level regarding personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to decrease the morbidity due to diarrhea, even though diarrhea remains second common cause of under-five mortality in the country. So the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of childhood diarrhea among graduated households in rural area of Shebedino district, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in April 2013. A multi -stage sampling to reach household and systematic random sampling technique was used to select 769 graduated households that had at least one under-five children. Data were collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire by trained nurses. Bivariate and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify determinant of childhood diarrhea. Results: Seven hundred sixty nine households were enrolled in the study making a response rate of 98.8%. The prevalence of childhood diarrhea was found to be 19.6 %,( 95% CI: (16.8, 22.4). The household graduated before 2003 EC ([AOR: 1.83, 95% CI (1.16, 2.89), two or more under five children [AOR: 1.96, 95% CI (1.23,3.12)], history of maternal diarrheal morbidity [AOR: 5.76, 95% CI:(3.50, 9.47)], mode of feeding by cup[AOR:2.13,95%CI:(1.09, 4.13)], and malnutrition [AOR:4.06,95% CI :(2.54-6.50)]were determinants of childhood diarrhea. Conclusion: Prevalence of childhood diarrhea was high. Time of household graduation, kebeles, and maternal diarrheal illness, mode of feeding and nutritional status were determinants of childhood diarrhea. Refreshing the graduated households on minimum of every two years and health extension program should focus on child care practice to prevent and control childhood diarrhea.

Background. Regular utilization of maternal health care services decreases maternal morbidity and mortality. However, major predictors that influence the utilization of the existing maternal health care services are complex and differ from place to place. Therefore, assessing these predictors assists health planners to prioritize promotion strategies and is a fundamental step for intervention. This study assessed the utilization and predictors of maternal health care services among women of the reproductive age in Hawassa Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 682 women of the reproductive age from January to February, in 2019. A two-stage stratified sampling method was utilized. Data were collected using a structured, face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered using Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The variables were entered into the multivariable model using the backward stepwise regression approach. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with utilization of the maternal health care. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to assess the presence and strength of associations. Result. The overall utilization of ANC, institutional delivery, and PNC was 69.1, 52.1, and 32.7%, respectively. The odds of utilizing ANC were 4.72 times higher for women who have a formal education (AOR: 4.72, 95% CI = 2.82–7.90) as compared to those who have no formal education. The odds of utilizing institutional delivery were 5.96 times higher for women who had ANC follow-up (AOR: 5.96; 95% CI = 3.88–9.18) as compared to those who had no ANC follow-up. Presence of information about the PNC (AOR: 3.66; 95% CI = 2.18–6.14) and autonomy of a woman to make decision on health issues (AOR: 6.13, 95% CI = 3.86–9.73) were positively associated with utilization of PNC. Conclusion. The utilization of maternal health care services is far below the national target in the study area. Maternal and paternal education status, autonomy of the woman to make decision on the health issues, wealth status, and having a plan on the current pregnancy were major predictors of the maternal health care service utilization. Providing information and training about the model household to the women about maternal health care service utilization using various methods of health education should be considered.

Despite Hypertension is a global public health challenge and a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death attention was not given in developing countries. Therefore measuring the prevalence and identifying predictors of Hypertension is very important. Institution based cross sectional study design was employed from March-April, 2016 by taking 319 randomly selected civil servants working in in Arba Minch town. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and standardized instruments for physical examination by 5 trained nurses. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Bi-variable and Multivariate logistic regression was employed for analysis of risk factors. The mean SBP and DBP of study participants were 120.87 + 14.15 mmHg and 80.28 + 8.8 mmHg, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 27.8% (95% CI = 22.9-32.7%). Civil servants of age 50 years and above and family history of hypertension [AOR = 5.6] were found to be significantly associated with hypertension. The prevalence indicates that it is hidden epidemic in this population; therefore for screening and risk reduction program are needed.

Effective utilization of family planning services are major contributors of improved maternal health. This, in turn, needs adequate involvement of male partners through direct uptake the services and approval of the spouses’ usage. Yet the family planning method utilization as well as male involvement is indicated to be low in Ethiopia. Qualitative case study was conducted in August 2015 in Arba Minch town to identify barriers to male involvement in uptake of family planning services. Open ended, semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview the participants. Four men and four women are purposively selected. Interviews were conducted in audibly private location after verbal consent was obtained from the recruited individuals. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The narratives were then translated to English and the responses are aggregated in to nine concepts. The final aggregated data were analyzed using OpenCode 3.4 software based on thematic framework analysis. Total of eight participants (four men and four women) were interviewed where seven are married and one is single. Participants identified that, Perception (or opinion) towards family planning as women’s issue, Sex preference for inheritance and considering children as measure of blessing of and Fear of partner sexual promiscuity and to reduce women’s attractiveness were barriers for male involvement in modern family  planning method. Future interventions aimed at improving family planning services and methods utilization in Arba Minch town and similar settings need to consider these bottlenecks for male involvement.

<p>As part of the overall package of maternal and child health services in Ethiopia, all children are provided with free immunization services and it is available in all government health facilities, both in rural and urban areas. But significant number of children was defaulted from Immunization schedule, even after the health extension program was launched. Therefore, the study was assessed predictors of immunization defaulting among children age range of 12-23 months, in Hawassa Zuria district of southern Ethiopia. Unmatched case control study was conducted in six Kebeles which were selected from 26 kebeles by simple random sampling techniques. Cases were children in the age ranges of 12 - 23 months who did not complete the recommended immunization. All cases (105) and controls (209) in the kebeles were identified by using health posts Vaccine registration book. Bivariable and multiple logistic regression model were used to identify important predictor of immunization defaulting. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as the level of significances. The study identified educational status, place of delivery, immunization related knowledge, ANC follow up and household wealth status as significant predictors of defaulting from immunization schedules. Sustained health education on vaccination related knowledge and institutional delivery services utilization will be needed. The household literacy and economic status should also get emphasis so as to decreases defaulting of children from immunization schedule.</p>

Background Maternal health services are affected by complex factors from one setting to another. Consequently, health planners should prioritize different interventions and design appropriate programs to enhance maternal health services utilization. Results of prior studies are conflicting. Furthermore, only few studies were done from antenatal to postnatal continuum of care in Ethiopia. Objectives This study aimed to assess prevalence and predictors of skilled maternal health services utilization at Dale-Wonsho health and demographic surveillance site of the Hawassa University, South Ethiopia, in 2019. Methods A community based cross sectional study was conducted from January 1–30; 2019. A total of 682 women who gave birth in the last twelve months were selected by using a two stage sampling technique. Data were collected through face to face interview. Data were entered into Epidata version 3.1. Then, they were exported and analyzed by SPSS version 22. Bi-variable logistic regression analysis was done and variables with p-value less than 0.05 were considered as candidate for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95% CI were computed, and p-value less than 0.01 was computed to determine the level of significance. Result Prevalence of antenatal care, institutional delivery and postnatal care utilizations were 69.1%, 52.1% and 32.7% respectively. Educated women (AOR = 4.72, 95%CI,2.82,7.9), household training (AOR = 8.52,95%CI = 5.5,13.1), middle wealth quantile(AOR = 0.8,95%CI,0.4–0.7), being richest wealth quantile (AOR = 0.16;95%CI = 0.06,0.41) and pregnancy plan (AOR = 3.65,95%CI,1.67–8.0) were factors positively associated with antenatal care utilization. Husband education (AOR = 4.96,95CI,3.08–8.0), and antenatal care (AOR = 5.9; 95%CI,3.87,9.1) were factors associated with institutional delivery. Maternal education (AOR = 2.5,95CI,1.4–4.4), information about postnatal care service utilization (AOR = 3.6,95CI,2.1,6.2) and women autonomy(AOR = 6.1,95CI,3.8,9.7) were positively associated with postnatal care service. Conclusion Prevalence of antenatal care, institutional delivery and postnatal care services were lower than the targeted plan. Policy makers should focus on capacity building of women both economically and academically. So, women should be more autonomous to utilize health services effectively. Moreover, awareness creation among women should be enhanced about maternal health service.