Background In Ethiopia, pregnancy, and childbearing begin at an early age. Teenage pregnancy has long-term implications for girls, their families, and communities. However, multilevel predictors of teenage pregnancy are not well studied yet. Several studies are focused only on the effects of individual-level characteristics but ignored the community level effect. This, in turn, could result in biased estimation of predictors of teenage pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the individual and community level factors that determine teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia. Method The data were extracted from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. The study included a sample from 645 clusters of 2679 (weighted) women aged 20–24 years. The data were collected using a two-stage cluster design that includes selection of enumeration areas as a first stage and selection of households as a second stage. A two-level mixed-effect logistic regression model was fitted to determine the individual and community level factors associated with teenage pregnancy. Result The study revealed that 2134(79.6%) of women aged 20–24 years experienced pregnancy during their adolescent stage. Being sexually active before age 15[AOR = 7.9; 95%CI: 4.5, 13.8]; being married before age 15[AOR = 30; 9%CI: 16.7, 53.9] and being a rural dweller [AOR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.4, 3.6] were positively associated with teenage pregnancy. A woman living in a community with a lower proportion of contraceptive users [AOR = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.5, 3.5]; had also a statistically significant association with teenage pregnancy. Conclusions and recommendation Various factors at both the individual and community level determined teenage pregnancy. Therefore, the government should work on the prevention of early marriage, early sexual initiation and on improving the utilization of family planning in the community to protect them from pregnancy that occur at early age.

Background Low birth weight is the leading cause of infant and child mortality and contributes to several poor health outcomes. Proper knowledge of risk factors of low birth weight is important for identifying those mothers at risk and thereby for planning and taking appropriate actions. This study investigates factors predicting occurrence of low birth weight among deliveries at Debreberhan Referral Hospital. Methods Facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among deliveries that took place at Debreberhan Referral Hospital. Birth records and mothers' ANC files were reviewed from April to June 2016. The study participants were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of low birth weight. Result A total of 147 birth records of babies with low birth weight (cases) and 294 birth records of babies with normal birth weight (controls) were reviewed. The birth weight of low birth weight babies (cases) ranged from 1000 grams to 2400 grams with median (±IQR) of 2200 grams (±300 grams), whereas it ranged from 2500 grams to 4500 grams with median (±IQR) of 3100 grams (±525 grams) among controls. Preterm birth (AOR = 5.32; CI = 2.959–9.567), history of any physical trauma experienced during pregnancy (AOR = 13.714; CI = 2.382–78.941), and history of any pregnancy complication (AOR = 2.708; CI = 1.634–4.487) were predictors of low birth weight. On the other hand, cesarean delivery (AOR = 0.415; CI = 0.183–0.941) and instrumental (AOR = 0.574; CI = 0.333–0.987) modes of delivery as well as maternal history of chronic diabetes (AOR = 0.275; CI = 0.090–0.836) had preventive effect of low birth weight. Conclusion Preterm birth, history of experiencing any physical trauma during pregnancy, and history of any pregnancy complication were predictors of low birth weight, whereas cesarean and instrumental delivery had positive effect to preventing low birth weight.

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Background: Goiter is the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. It has been shown that prevalence of goiter was considerably highest in South Ethiopia particularly in Gamogofa zone. The study was aimed to identify factors that determine goiter among Botre Elementary and Junior Secondary school students, Gamogofa zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: Case control study was conducted among Botre Elementary and Junior Secondary School students from February to March, 2014. A total of 298 students; 99 cases and 199 controls, were enrolled in the study. Examination of goiter was performed by Inspection and Palpation techniques. Structured interview guided questionnaire was used to collect data on independent variables. Data were entered using EPI info version 3.5.3 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was also carried out to identify factors that determine the dependent variable.Result: A total of 99 cases and 199 controls participated in the study. Being female [AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.38, 4.44], rural residence [AOR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.86], cassava consumption [AOR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.52, 5.62], cabbage consumption [AOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.13], use of other than tap water source for drinking [AOR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.07, 6.85], and lack of knowledge by parents about prevention of iodine deficiency disorders [AOR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.27] were independent predictors of goiter. Conclusion:More than half of cases use other than tap water source(s) for drinking; either spring, well, river or some form of combination; alone or in addition to tap; which was the strongest independent predictor of goiter. So, access to safe drinking water should be improved for rural residents to reduce the level of goiter and its consequences.

Background: Understanding knowledge level, perception towards and practical behaviors of individuals and communities is crucial to ensure appropriate intervention measures. However, comprehensive knowledge, perception and practice of the community on malaria is not investigated in the study area.

Background: - Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are residential facilities located near a health facility to accommodate women in their final weeks of pregnancy to bridge the geographic gap in obstetric care between rural and urban areas and areas with poor access to a facility. The world health organization adopted it as one component of a comprehensive package to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Yet, there is a shortage of information on the magnitude of intention and utilization of MWH among pregnant women in the study area. The purpose of the study was to assess intention to use MWH and associated factors among pregnant women.