Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a great threat to the public. University students living in school compound with groups and sharing a common cafeteria are more susceptible to contract and spread the virus. Risk perception multiplies fear and anxiety that triggers precautionary action. However, research is scant in this particular field. Objective: To assess the perceived risk of COVID-19 and its associated factors among University Students in Northeast Ethiopia during school reopening. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 682 Debre Berhan University students from December 1-15, 2020, when students just get back to school. Data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were run to summarize the results. Results: The overall perceived risk of COVID-19 was 296 (43.4%), 95% CI (39.4-47.4). Age (AOR (CI) =3.27 (1.87-5.71), open relationship (AOR (CI) =3.17 (1.73-5.79), fathers' education (AOR (CI) =2.29 (1.31-4.02), having diabetes (AOR (CI) =2.64 (1.15-6.07), and information source from ministry of health (MOH) (AOR (CI) =1.87 (1.27-2.75) had significantly high-risk perception. However, students who use Facebook (AOR (CI) =0.57 (0.39-0.82) and Websites/ articles (AOR (CI) =0.14 (0.06-0.34) had significantly low-risk perception. Television (59.8%) and Telegram (66.6%) were the primary sources of information, while the World Health Organization (68.3%) was the most trusted source of information. Conclusion: University students perceived a low risk towards COVID-19 pandemics at the time of school resumption. It was influenced by students' demographic characteristics, comorbidities, social media, and information sources. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education should properly promote risk communication among university students.

Background Suicidal ideation is thinking about suicide/serving as the agent of one’s own death. Patients with a major depressive disorder are the highest group which are affected by suicidal ideation. It is a pre-condition for suicide attempts and to commit suicide among major depressive patients. Suicidal behavior and major depressive disorder have been becoming the main attention in recent years. In Ethiopia, there is limited knowledge of suicidal ideation among major depressive disorder patients and the factors of suicidal ideation are also limited. Objective This study assessed the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its associated factors among major depressive disorder patients at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1–30, 2019. A total of 337 major depressive disorder patients were successfully interviewed using structured and pre-tested questionnaires. A systematic random sampling technique was applied. Logistic regression was applied to identify factors of suicidal ideation. Statistical significance was considered at P-value < 0.05. Results In this study, the prevalence of suicidal ideation among major depressive disorder patients was 48.4%. Being female (AOR 2.4, 95% CI=1.40, 4.25), family history of suicide (AOR 3.2, 95% CI=1.26, 8.11), and having poor social support (AOR 4.2, 95% CI=2.29, 7.59) were significantly associated with suicidal ideation among patients with major depressive disorder. Conclusion The prevalence of suicidal ideation among major depressive disorder patients was relatively high. Hence, due attention should be given to the screening of suicidal ideation for all patients with major depressive disorder to initiate timely interventions.

Background Birth weight or size at birth is an important indicator of the child’s vulnerability to the risk of childhood illnesses and diseases. Low birth weight is closely associated with fetal and neonatal morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases in life. The study was aimed to assess the birth weight of neonates and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at a public hospital in North Wollo, 2020. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of North Wollo, Ethiopia from January 1st to June 30, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was used to reach the study participants. Data were entered using Epi data 3.1 software and analysis will be done using SPSS 20. Adjusted beta coefficient with 95% confidence interval and p-value ≤ 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results A total of 337 mothers were included with a response rate of 100%. The mean ± SD weight of the child was 2.94 ± 0.65 kilograms. The prevalence of low birth weight was 24% (95% CI= 19.6, 28.8). Maternal nutritional factors correlate with newborn weight. Age of the mother, family average monthly income, being single, alcohol use, education, female sex, had no abortion history and multigravida became statistically significant predictors of birth weight. Conclusion Almost one-fourth of the newborn child had low birth weight. It will be better to give special attention to mothers with associated factors.

Background A board member was an important bridge to accelerate a day-to-day health care quality in a routine clinical activity at health institutions. They are significant in planning and examine integrated governance systems that encourage quality of care and accountability. So, the current research was planned to identify the level of engagement of the board members in health care quality and factors associated. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was implemented among 250 board members and data were collected by self-administered questionnaire at selected governing health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 1 to 30, 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used to reach the study participants. Data were entered using EpiData 3.1 software and analysis was done using SPSS 23. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. The level of board members’ engagement was found to be low which implies that the board members do not give appropriate attention to the quality of care. Results Good level of engagement of board members was (50.9%) [AOR=7.11, 95% CI (3.07–16.47)]. Most of the governing board members did not engage in the quality of health care activities. Uses quality data as a basis for recognition [AOR=7.11, 95% CI (3.07–16.47)], review a quality scorecard or dashboard [AOR=10.83, 95% CI (3.75–31.29)], establishing goals relating to staff satisfaction [AOR=15.42, 95% CI (6.14–38.75)] and receiving formal training [AOR=3.42, 95% CI (1.35 −8.62)], having a strategy relating to communication with clients [AOR= 4.95, 95% CI (2.02–12.15)] and spending more than 20% [AOR=11.96, 95% CI (3.27–43.83)], received training on healthcare disparities [AOR=3.81, 95% CI (1.40–10.36)], and having a plan on quality [AOR=16.38 95% CI (5.39–49.72)] were found to be significant predictors of level of board member engagement. Conclusion Collectively, most of the governing board members did not engage in the quality of health care activities. Stakeholders should work on capacity building for board members using training and further follow-up. Encouraging them to put quality health services at the forefront of their agenda during their involvement at their respective facilities.

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the whole communities, including students. University students are more dynamic and energetic than older ones so that they are more susceptible to contract and spread the virus. Up-to-date information about the disease, preventive methods, its spread, and government-issued advisories are crucial for containing an outbreak. Thus, the study aimed to assess the perception of students towards national efforts at controlling COVID-19 pandemics, the practice of prevention measures, and its associated factors during school reopening, Northeast Ethiopia.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Debre Berhan University students from December 1 to 15/2020, when students just get back to school. Multistage sampling technique was applied to recruit 682 participants. Epi-Data version 4.6 and SPSS version 25 software was used for data entry and analysis, respectively. The perception and practice of the participants were assessed using a scoring system. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to detect significant (p ≤0.05) predictors of COVID-19 prevention practice.Result: The overall high perception and good practice of prevention behaviors were 32%, 95% CI (28.8–35.2), and 37.5%, 95% CI (33.7–41.2), respectively. Being female (AOR (CI) =1.67(1.17-2.37), rural residence (AOR (CI)= 1.56(1.07-2.29), fathers’ education (AOR (CI)= 1.94(1.06-3.56), having respiratory disease (AOR (CI)= 2.81(1.32-5.95), and information source from YouTube (AOR (CI)= 1.87(1.19-2.91) were significant factors of COVID-19 prevention practice. Besides, high perception towards national efforts at controlling COVID-19 (AOR (CI)= 2.94(2.04-4.25) was positively associated with the practice of prevention measures.Conclusion: During school reopening, most students had a low perception towards national efforts at controlling COVID-19 and poor prevention practice. Socio-demographics, having a chronic illness, information source, and perception towards national efforts were factors of COVID-19 prevention practice. Thus, raising the perception about the national efforts, promoting precautionary measures, managing chronic illnesses, and disseminating information through YouTubes are critical to prevent and control COVID-19 among students during school reopening.