Background We examined the perceptions of healthcare workers about the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine and the types of side-effects they experienced in the post-vaccination period. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional survey research design was used in which a semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to collect quantitative data from healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia that were selected on the basis of a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. After inserting the completed cases into SPSS software, descriptive statistical techniques, such as frequencies, percentages, charts and inferential statistical tool, particularly binary logistic regression analysis, were used to analyze and present the data. Results Majority (43.6%) of respondents perceive that COVID-19 vaccine will have muscle pain around the injection site, followed by fever (39.9%), problems of blood clots (37.8%), headache (35.6%), fatigue (33.5%), and aching limbs (16%). And 63.6%) of them reported that they have experienced muscle pain around the injection site after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, followed by fatigue (42%), headache (37.2%), fever (34.2%), redness around the injection site (21.6%), and swelling around the injection site (17.8%). Moreover, 25% reported that the fear of potential side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine inhibited them from taking the vaccine. Above all, it is found that respondents’ expectation of COVID-19 vaccine to have such serious side-effects is significantly associated to their educational status (OR = 0.229; P < 0.01; 95%C.I.: 0.080–0.651). Conclusion While the expectations of most of the healthcare workers regarding the side-effects of the vaccine are parallel to the normal reactions of the vaccine, a significant proportion of the study participants have reported that they perceive COVID-19 vaccine will have life-threatening side-effects. Such fears have also played a role in affecting vaccine uptake. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, and other concerned government bodies should create further awareness on COVID-19 vaccine and related safety issues.

Background The purpose of the study was to identify the choice of mode of delivery and the factors associated with such preferences among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in Southern Ethiopia. Methods Using an institutional-based cross-sectional survey, quantitative data were collected from randomly selected pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to pregnant women who had been attending antenatal healthcare services in purposively selected public and private healthcare facilities in Shashemene town. The completed cases were inserted into SPSS version 26 in which both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. Results It was found that 75.4% of respondents replied that they prefer vaginal delivery while 24.6% had chosen cesarean section. Personal conviction motivated by the need to experience the labor process, the belief in it being a natural method, the perception that it is better for the wellbeing of both the mother and the child, previous experience of delivery by vaginal method, fear or the need to avoid episiotomy, and economic concerns have been mentioned as reasons for the choice of vaginal delivery. Moreover, respondents’ choice of the mode of delivery is significantly associated with religion, age, number of children, pregnancy experience, previous mode of delivery, self-rated social class status, autonomy to decide about mode of delivery, and type of healthcare organization of antenatal care attendance. Conclusion Although vaginal delivery has remained the most preferred mode of delivery among most pregnant women, about a quarter of pregnant women have reported that they prefer to deliver by cesarean section, a prevalence rate which is higher than the national average, indicating that the choice of cesarean section is still increasing among women.

The problem of childhood obesity is often associated with cultural values of body weight which includes the belief that voluptuous body size is a sign of good health status and better parental care. We examined the beliefs and behaviors of parents pertaining to preferred body weight of children, including practices of management of feeding and physical exercise patterns of children in southern Ethiopia. Methods: Using cross-sectional survey study design, a structured questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected parents. Quantitative data were collected from 215 respondents, inserted into SPSS software, and analyzed by frequency and percentage distributions, charts, and multinomial logistic regression techniques. Results: Most (59.1%) respondents want their child's body weight to be normal/neither fat nor thin. In addition, 58.2% of the study participants held the opinion that average body size is an indication of good health status. Furthermore, 72.6% of respondents revealed that they control the amount of food their child consumes with the aim of preventing obesity/overweight. Moreover, 79.5% of respondents encourage their children to sometimes walk on foot, instead of always relying on vehicles while 87% of them replied that they regulate the amount of time their children spend watching TV. Above all, parents' preference of voluptuous body size of children is significantly associated with age (

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The problems of children living in difficult circumstances, including street children, can be better addressed when treated under a policy framework with carefully stipulated strategies. Although a separate policy of street children is lacking, Ethiopia has tried to mainstream the issues of vulnerable children under the two relevant policies of National Children’s Policy and National Social Protection Policy. Whereas the issue of vulnerable children has been slightly discussed under the umbrella of people in need of social protection, detailed discussion along with clearly stipulated implementation strategies for children in difficult circumstances has been issued in the National Children’s Policy of Ethiopia. A critical analysis of the policy has been made in this paper with special focus on policy issues of children in difficult circumstances and implementation strategies designed to improve their situation. The analysis was undertaken using normative policy analysis approach by focusing on the substantive contents of the policy with value neutrality. The paper involves a brief overview of the contents of the policy, and critical examination of the policy from the vantage points of its underlying assumptions, cost-effectiveness, equity, feasibility, acceptability from the public, stakeholders’ participation, and consideration of the situation of children living in diverse contexts. In addition, it includes criticism of the policy and its implementation strategies. Ultimately, the paper ends with suggesting substantive recommendations that would assist the policy to better achieve its objectives and become compatible with changing scenarios at local, national, and global levels.