BackgroundHIV/AIDS is the major problem and an obstacle to both the health and development of people in Ethiopia today. It is also indicated that the use of substances have dramatically increased despite the serious concern about HIV infection.MethodsUnmatched case control study was conducted in South West Ethiopia using a sample of 105 cases and 305 controls. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the degree of association between dependent and independent variables.ResultHIV infection was positively associated with being in the age of 20 – 24 years [OR & (95% CI) = 2.892 (1.266, 6.607)], being female [OR & (95% CI) = 2.013 (1.061, 3.822)], alcohol use [OR & (95% CI) = 5.883 (3.034, 11.408)], having no education [OR & (95% CI) = 3.193 (1.523, 6.695)] and primary education level [OR & (95% CI) = 3.160 (1.351, 7.388)]. Early sexual initiation was also positively associated with being not employed Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 7.372 (1.455, 37.357)], not having comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 8.247 (2.121, 32.067)], alcohol use [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 3.815 (1.315, 11.070)] and khat use [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 7.241 (1.871, 28.016)].ConclusionStrategies should be designed to control the use of alcohol and khat which were found to be predictors of HIV infection and early sexual initiation in this study.

Background Undernutrition during pregnancy is an important public health problem. It is highly prevalent in Ethiopia but not sufficiently addressed yet. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant mothers in Konso district, Ethiopia. Methods Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a qualitative inquiry from December 2018 to January 2019. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to select 527 subjects and quantitative data were collected from these subjects using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and additionally qualitative data were generated through two focus group discussions among purposely selected discussants. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured by standard non-stretchable MUAC tape. Data were entered into Epi-data version3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21. In multivariable binary logistic regression, a statistically significant association was declared at p-value < 0.05 while thematic framework analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Results Among 501 participants, the overall prevalence of undernutrition (MUAC < 23 cm) was 43.1% (95% CI 38.7–47.5%). Household food security (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.1–4.6), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.6–9.2), medium dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.7), absence of latrine (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.6) and having family resource decision making by husband only (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6) were significantly associated factors. Traditional believes to restrict food such as egg, milk, and milk products, avocado for women, weak nutrition education and malnutrition screening program, daily consumption of locally prepared alcoholic drink called “Cheka”, drought-prone nature of this setting, traditional way of farming practices and low socio-economic status were found to be barriers for women’s undernutrition. Conclusions The prevalence of undernutrition was found to be higher than previously reported findings. Household food security, dietary diversity, latrine availability, family resource decision making, food restrictions, weak maternal nutrition education, and malnutrition screening program, the practice of depending on a local alcoholic drink called “Cheka”, drought, traditional way of farming and low socio-economic status were identified factors. Hence, interventions targeting maternal nutrition education, hygiene, and sanitation promotion, household food insecurity improvement strategies should be implemented to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women.

Background: Under nutrition during pregnancy is an important public health problem. It is highly prevalent in Ethiopia but not sufficiently addressed yet. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of under nutrition and its associated factors among pregnant mothers in Konso district, Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted with qualitative inquiry study from December 2018 to January 2019. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to select 527 subjects. Quantitative data were collected using pretested structured questionnaire. The qualitative data were generated through two focus group discussions among purposely selected discussants. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured by standard non stretchable MUAC tape. Data were entered into Epi-data version3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21. In multivariable binary logistic regression statistically significant association was declared at p-value < 0.05 while thematic framework analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Results: Among 501 participants, the overall prevalence of under nutrition was 43.11% (95% CI 38.76%-47.47%). Family food insecurity (AOR = 3.1; 95%CI: 2.1-4.6), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 4.9; 95%CI: 2.6-9.2), medium dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.2-4.7), absence of latrine (AOR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.2-2.6) and having family resource decision making by husband only (AOR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.1-2.6) were significantly associated factors. Traditional believes to restrict food such as egg, milk and milk products, avocado for women, weak nutrition education and malnutrition screening program, daily consumption of locally prepared alcoholic drink called ”Cheka”, draught prone nature of this setting, 2 traditional way of farming practices and low socioeconomic status were found to be barriers for women"s under nutrition. Conclusions: The prevalence of under nutrition was found to be higher than previously reported findings. Food security, dietary diversity, latrine availability, family resource decision making, food restrictions, weak maternal nutrition education and malnutrition screening program, practice of depending on local alcoholic drink called “Cheka”, draught, traditional way of farming and low socioeconomic status were identified factors. Hence, interventions targeting maternal nutrition education, hygiene and sanitation promotion, house hold food insecurity improvement strategies should be implemented to improve nutritional status of pregnant women.