Ethiopia has taken unprecedented preventive measures, such as confinement to home and closure of schools and offices to halt the spread of Corona virus pandemic in the country. Unfortunately, such orders may have been associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) against women but there is no study conducted to assess the magnitude of IPV during the lock-downs in the country. Thus, this study intended to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of IPV against women during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on sample of 617 married or cohabited women. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to identify and enroll women who are married. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of IPV among women and all statistical analyses were carried out using STATA 14.2. In this study, amongst the 589 married women who were included in the analysis, 22.4% [95% CI: 19.1%, 25.9%] were experienced at least one form of IPV. Additionally, 11.0%, 20.0%, and 13.8% of women also experienced physical, psychological, and sexual IPVs respectively. After adjusting for covariate; being illiterate [AOR=2.37: 95% CI 1.29, 4.35], having illiterate husband [AOR=2.67: 95% CI 1.36, 5.21], having substance user husband (alcohol, chat or cigarettes) [AOR=2.75: 95% CI 1.42, 5.34], and community tolerant attitude to violence [AOR=2.97: 95% CI 1.17, 7.61] were the independent predictors of IPV amongst married women. In conclusion, the prevalence of IPV among married women was comparable to the national pre-COVID figure of IPV. Therefore, national and regional governments should work toward enhancing gender equality, coupled with addressing risk factors at multiple levels, using community- and institution-based approaches to prevent IPV and to specifically achieve SDG5 of eliminating violence against women by 2030.

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ObjectiveThe central aim of this study was to assess the level of psychological problems among college students during school closure due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.DesignInstitution-based, cross-sectional study.SettingColleges in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia.ParticipantsParticipants were college students (N=422, >18 years) who were actively enrolled in the selected colleges preceding the survey.MethodsData entry was done using Epi Info V.7.02 and data analysis was done using SPSS V.24.0. Variables with a p value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model. Model fitness was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow model fitness test. Statistically significant level was declared at p<0.05.OutcomeLevel of psychological problem.ResultsThis study involved 408 students, with a response rate of 96.6%. In this study, 77.2%, 71.8% and 48.5% of students experienced depression, anxiety and stress-related psychological problems during the lockdown, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression model showed that being female (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.68, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.91), inadequate practice of prevention measures (AOR=1.74, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.02) and living in an urban residency (AOR=0.76, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.94) were independent predictors of psychological problems among students.ConclusionsThe study revealed that the level of anxiety, stress and depression disorders is optimally high among college students. Therefore, local governments should develop effective psychological interventions for students. Moreover, it is important to consider the educational enrolment type and the academic year of students.

ObjectiveThe institutional-based cross-sectional study was designed to assess the magnitude of birth trauma and its associated factors in South Wollo, northeast Ethiopia.SettingThis study was conducted in the public hospitals of South Wollo, northeast Ethiopia. South Wollo is one of the 12 zones in the Amhara regional state with a total population of >3 million. There are 13 hospitals in South Wollo, of these 4 hospitals were selected randomly.ParticipantsA total of 612 mother-newborn pairs were selected to conduct the study. However, data were collected from 594 mother-neonate pairs giving a response rate of 97%. The study participants were selected by applying a simple random sampling technique after proportional allocation of the total sample to each study hospital. Live neonates delivered during the study period were included, whereas stillborn, neonates born with major congenital malformation and neonates whose mothers died during the birth process were excluded.ResultA total of 594 mother-newborn pairs were involved with a response rate of 97%. Seventy-eight newborns 13.13% (95% CI: 10.30 to 16.00) had experienced birth trauma. Prolonged labour (AOR: 5.78, 95% CI: 3.00 to 11.15), birth weight >4 kg (AOR: 9.18, 95% CI: 3.92 to 21.50), vacuum delivery (AOR: 6.74, 95% CI: 2.01 to 22.56), forceps delivery (AOR: 7.36, 95% CI: 1.96 to 27.58) and shoulder dystocia (AOR: 9.83, 95% CI: 4.13 to 23.50) were risk factors of birth trauma.ConclusionThe prevalence of birth trauma was higher than the report from most of the African countries. Prolonged labour, instrumental deliveries, large birth weight and shoulder dystocia were the identified risk factors of birth trauma. The ministry of health and the local healthcare system should give attention to the maternal health services.

Background Opportunistic infections are the major causes for morbidity and mortality due to HIV infections. Despite advances in HIV diagnosis and management, the incidence of opportunistic infections remains high. This study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of opportunistic infections among persons living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Methods A retrospective follow-up study was conducted on 354 samples of adults living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy at Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. The data collection format was taken from national antiretroviral intake and follow-up forms. Epi-data Version 4.6.1 and STATA Version 16 software were used for data entry and data analysis respectively. The Cox-proportional hazards regression model was fitted. Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to estimate opportunistic infections-free survival time. Both bi-variable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression analysis were done to identify predictors of opportunistic infections. Results Of the total 354 peoples living with HIV, 114 (32.2%) developed OI, with an incidence rate of 13.5 per 100 person-year (95% CI: 10.8–15.6). Advanced World Health Organization clinical disease stage (IV) (AHR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.16, 3.8)), being bedridden (AHR: 1.66 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.65)), poor adherence (AHR: 1.7 (95% CI: 1.1–2.63), and low CD4 count (AHR: 1.92 95% CI: 1.14–3.22) were significant predictors of OIs. Conclusion Opportunistic infection among HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health concern in Ethiopian health care setting. Our results indicate that the incidence of OI is high. Besides, Stage IV HIV status, being bedridden, low CD4 count and poor adherence independently predicts an increased incidence/decreased survival time of OIs among PLWHIV. Early care-seeking and initiation of HAART and continuous follow-up of patients to take their drug timely are essential to curb the incidence of opportunistic infections and improve overall health. Further research on this area is highly recommended.