Malnutrition remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children, particularly in Ethiopia. The present study aimed to assess determinants of severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months in the pastoral community of Liban District, Southeastern Ethiopia. A case–control study design was conducted on 89 cases and 177 controls from 1–30 December 2020. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire were used, and anthropometric measurements were done by standardised calibrated instruments to collect data. Data were entered into EPI data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 25.0 software for analysis. All candidate variables with P < 0⋅25 in bivariate analysis were then entered into multivariable logistic regression. Associated factors were identified at P < 0⋅05 and 95 % CI. A total of 266 (89 cases and 177 controls) having a response rate of 96⋅6 % being underweight [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 11⋅8, 95 % CI 3⋅17, 43⋅89], illness previous 2 weeks (AOR = 3⋅47, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1⋅34, 8⋅99), family member with malnutrition (AOR = 4⋅52, 95 % CI 1⋅45, 14⋅01), greater than five family size, (AOR = 5⋅33, 95 % CI 2⋅08, 13⋅66), mothers unable to read and write (AOR = 3⋅66, 95 % CI 1⋅27, 10⋅56), mothers with low decision autonomy (AOR = 5⋅67, 95 % CI 2⋅26, 14⋅27), not handwashing at all critical time (AOR = 7⋅23, 95 % CI 2⋅74, 19⋅07), not feeding child animal source (AOR = 7⋅13, 95 % CI 1⋅98, 25⋅59), bottle feeding (AOR = 7⋅06, 95 % CI 2⋅34, 21⋅28) and being married (AOR = 0⋅05, 95 % CI 0⋅02, 0⋅19) were significantly associated with acute malnutrition. The present study has confirmed the association of acute malnutrition with maternal education, underweight, family size and inappropriate infant caring practices.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be an important public health problem worldwide. It is a leading cause of disability and death in many parts of the world especially in the developing countries. Ethiopia has already a record of history of TB around greater than 58 years. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Harar TB control center. A health institution based cross sectional study was conducted in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia from March 5, 2009 to May 7, 2009. All patients who were above 5 years of age and visited Harar TB control center during the study period were enrolled consecutively. Sputum specimens were collected based on standard operating procedures and processed using hot Ziehl-Neelson staining technique. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographic and associated factors. Data were cleaned, coded and entered using EPIDATA version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. P-values < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. A total of 108 Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) suspected patients were enrolled in the study. The overall prevalence of PTB was 16.7% where 22.8% of males and 9.8% of females were PTB smear positive. The prevalence of PTB was significantly higher among smokers (50%), alcohol drinkers (29.3%) and rural residents (29.3) (P<0.05). The prevalence of PTB in the study area was considerably high. Smoking, drinking alcohol and rural residence (areas nominated by the government as "rural" which lack important infrastructures) were significant predictors of PTB. Therefore; health education, early diagnosis and treatment are vital to combat PTB and further longitudinal studies are recommended.

Rubella is a highly contagious mild viral illness. It is a leading cause of a congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Routine data of Rubella does not exist in Ethiopia. However, laboratory based conformation of Rubella case from measles negative sample which are collected from measles surveillance system. The current study was to analyze the epidemiological distribution of Rubella cases from measles suspected cases in Ethiopia from 2011 to 2015. National based secondary data analysis of Rubella through the measles surveillances based was done. Measles suspected case were investigated using the case investigation form, and a serum sample collected and sent to Ethiopian laboratory for conformation. Sample seen for measles Immunoglobulin M (IgM) were tested for Rubella. The investigation results were entered into an electronic database from which we extracted and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Out of 11,749 samples tested for Rubella Immunoglobulin M from 2011 to 2015, 2295 (19.5%) were positive for rubella Immunoglobulin M and 51% of Rubella-positive cases were female. Five percent of all cases were female aged (15-49). Cases were confirmed from all regions, two administrative town and seasonal variations were observed with peaks in the first and fourth seasonal periods of the years. As fear of congenital abnormality (congenital rubella syndrome), the Ethiopian government should focus on the rubella syndrome surveillance with the aim of starting rubella vaccine.

Background: Dengue fever is a rapidly emerging vector born infectious disease caused by Dengue virus and it is now one of WHO reportable diseases. About 50 -200 million cases, 20,000 deaths occur annually. In Ethiopia the first outbreak of Dengue fever appeared in Dire Dawa city in 2013, where 9441 cases were recorded. The second Dengue fever outbreak occurred in Afar Region. Third and fourth was in Somali Region in Godey town, 2014 and 2015. In Godey town acute febrile illness cases of unknown cause become increased started from May 27, 2015. We investigated to identify risk factors of Dengue fever outbreak and commence control measures. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Godey town, Ethiopia from 8-22 July 2015. Cases were defined according to the WHO guideline and controls were individuals with no sign and symptoms living in the same town with cases. We recruited 50 cases and 100 controls in the study. Medical records and line lists were reviewed. Data were collected at household level using structured questionnaires. Twenty-four serum samples collected from cases. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 software. Result: We identified 223 cases with 0 death, 116 (52%) were male. The mean age of cases was 25.8 years. Ten cases were positive for Dengue fever by PCR at national laboratory. Lack of formal education (AOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.30-7.49), living with ill person (AOR=2.8; 95%CI: 1.22-6.52), open containers in household (AOR=3.6; 95%CI: 1.34-9.38) and presence of larvae in the water containers (AOR=5.4; 95%CI: 2.33-12.44) were risk factors for the outbreak. Conclusion: Poor household water handling, living with ill person and lack of formal education contributes for occurrence of Dengue fever outbreak in Godey town. Health education and all other interventions associated with use of water and sanitation needs to be part of long-term control of Dengue.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a major public health concern. DR-TB patient data from ALERT (All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training Centre) Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who received bedaquiline (BDQ) and/or delamanid (DLM) containing regimens were analysed.RESULTS: From 2017 to 2019, 51 DR-TB patients were enrolled. Of 33 patients, 31 (93.9%) had culture converted at 6 months. Of those with final outcomes, 77% (n = 10) were cured. Thirty (58.8%) developed adverse events, the most frequent of which were gastrointestinal disorders (70%), haematological disorders (16.7%) and QTc prolongation (16.7%). Twenty patients discontinued the offending drug permanently.CONCLUSION: With close monitoring, introduction of new DR-TB regimens brought good early results, which encouraged wider programmatic implementation in Ethiopia.