Background: Long acting reversible contraceptives are family planning methods that prevent unwanted pregnancy for at least three years and when removed return of fertility is prompt. It includes the intrauterine device and contraceptive implants. Despite the effectiveness and reversibility of fertility, the acceptance and utilization of long acting reversible contraceptive were very low in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Even though the optimal use of long-acting reversible contraception is a good strategy for reducing unintended pregnancy, acceptability to long acting reversible contraceptive is fundamental to effective and continuous use. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the acceptance of long acting reversible contraceptive methods and factors associated with it among women of reproductive age. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted from February to march 2013. Among 348 family planning users and systematic sampling method was used to select the study participants. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate analysis was employed to determine predictors of acceptability of long acting contraceptives and variables which were found to be significant at P -values < 0.05 in bivariate analysis were taken to multivariate logistic regression to see the independent effects of the factors on the acceptability of long acting contraceptives. Result: The acceptability of long acting reversible contraceptive was 16.4%. The main reasons mentioned for not accepting long acting reversible contraceptive was developing side effects 128 (44.8%), and fear of infertility after use 117(40.9%). More than half 181 (52.9%) of the women had a non-supportive attitude towards long acting contraceptives. Mothers who had a supportive attitude towards long acting reversible contraceptive was the only independent predictors of acceptability of long acting contraceptive (AOR=2, 95% CI (1.084, 3.75). Conclusions: The acceptance of long acting reversible contraceptives was very low. Supportive attitude towards long acting contraceptives was the only factors that affect acceptance of long acting contraceptive.

BackgroundIn the latest report of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2011, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was estimated at 676/100,000 live births, with total fertility rate at 4.8 and contraceptive prevalence rate at 29 %. Knowledge and utilization of long acting contraceptive in the Tigray region are low. This study aims at comparing and identifying factors related to the utilization of long acting contraceptive in urban versus rural settings of Ethiopia.MethodsA comparative community-based cross-sectional study, comprised of quantitative and qualitative methods, was conducted among 1035 married women in Wukro (urban area) and Kilteawlaelo district (rural area) in March, 2013. Stratified sampling technique was employed to approach the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the respective effect of independent predictors on utilization of long acting contraceptive.ResultsThe proportion of long acting contraceptive use among the respondents was 19.9 % in the town of Wukro and 37.8 % in the district of Kilteawlaelo. Implanon was the most common type of contraceptive used in both districts, urban (75 %) and rural (94 %). The odds of using the long acting contraceptive method were three times higher among married women in the rural areas as compared with the urban women [AOR = 3. 30; 95 %, CI:2.17, 5.04]. No or limited support from male partners was an obstacle to using long acting contraceptive method [AOR = 0. 24, 95 of CI: 0.13, 0.44]. Moreover, married women whose partner did not permit them to use long acting contraceptive [AOR = 0. 47, 95 % of CI: 0.24, 0.92] and women who attended primary education [AOR = 0.24, 95 %, CI: 0.13, 0.44] were significantly associated with long acting contraceptive use.ConclusionOverall, the proportion of long acting contraceptive use has found to be low. Rural women were more likely to use long acting contraceptives as compared to urban women. Moreover, educational status and the partner’s permission to use contraception could influence the utilization of long acting contraceptives.

Background: Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) is a biomechanical therapy method using decompressive and compressive stimuli to obtain positive effects in the musculoskeletal, vascular, lymphatic and neurological systems. Application of an elastic tape on the skin will evoke direct therapeutic effect both local and distant by reflex. The application of NMT with an eccentric and decompressive technique rises the skin and dilates the interstitial spaces and consequently improves circulation and absorption of liquids reduces subcutaneous pressure. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Neuromuscular taping on the treatment of Phantom pain in post amputation subjects in Mekelle ortho-physiotherapy centre, Physiotherapy Department, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia, 2015-16. Materials and Methods:The study population consisted of 32 subjects between 10 and 80 years of age. Subjects who underwent lower limb amputation and having phantom pain syndrome in Mekelle-ortho physiotherapy center, Mekelle and meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The 32 subjects were allocated in to two groups of which, one is experimental group (16 subjects who were treated with neuromuscular taping treatment along with conventional physiotherapy) and second control group (16 subjects who were treated with conventional physiotherapy alone). Results:To check the effectiveness of neuromuscular taping, the results of both groups were compared with each other i.e. between the groups it revealed a statistical association, i.e. (df =16, p=0.005 level, group A= 0.059 & group B =0.501). These finding clearly suggested that for lower limb amputation patient conventional physiotherapy is effective in reduction of pain but along with neuromuscular taping it stands to very effective in reducing phantom pain in post amputation subjects and VAS scale parameters reduction resulted in 6-7 treatment sessions that is less than in 8-10 treatment sessions when compared to control group. Conclusion:To conclude the results using the conventional physiotherapy with neuromuscular taping in the management of phantom pain in lower limb amputation subjects were found to be very effective than conventional physiotherapy alone. Hence, it is highly recommended that neuro muscular taping can be included in the treatment protocol for lower limb amputation subjects having phantom pain syndrome along with conventional physiotherapy.

Background The Eastern Zone of the Tigray (Ethiopia) is inhabited by 900,000 people, 34% of whom are adolescents and young people between 10-24 years of age, who are easily influenced by the social and family context and are exposed to significant health risks associated with the earliness of their approach to sexual life. Nonetheless, even if a complete health service is available, the quality is often undermined by the lack of the so-called Youth-Friendly Corners (high confidentiality spaces reserved for young people), promoted internationally by WHO. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the program established in this zone by the Medical Collaboration Committee regarding the creation of friendly health services for adolescent and youth people (AYFHS), especially built for sex education, family planning, abortion, and sexual transmitted infection (STI) prevention. Methods The program “#Youths at the centre!” was implemented in 20 rural health centers in the North-East Tigray on April 2018. Data from these AYFHS were collected monthly in aggregated indicators, separated for gender and age class. Use of AYFHS during 2018 and 2019 was assessed using percentage and 95% confidence interval and the period of implementation of the project and centers' characteristics were analyzed to investigate differences in AYFHS utilization. Results A monthly mean of 6.04% (6.01% - 6.08%) of adolescents and young people utilized an AYHFS for any of its service; 0.03% accessed for counseling, diagnosis, and treatment of STI, 1.31% for family planning, 1.09% for delivery, and 0.05% for legal abortion. Lower level of utilization was observed in more remote health centers, despite a general increase across the study period. Conclusions This project shows the importance of providing friendly facilities dedicated to adolescents and youth in low-income countries, in order to increment the utilization of health services from this population, especially in rural contexts. Key messages In rural areas of Africa the risks associated with poor health information of young people and the earliness of the beginning of sexual life remain a Public Health problem. In low income countries the presence of high confidentially spaces for young people in the Health Services could increase their utilization, especially for sex education and family planning.