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.

Background: Improving infant and young child feeding practices in children aged 6 to 24 months is crucial to improved nutritional status, and growth and development. Ethiopia had practiced infant and young child feeding through health extension package. Nevertheless, the prevalence of malnutrition, particularly stunting, is still notorious for the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers, who had children aged 6 to 24 months old in Woldia town, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 415 mothers who had children aged 6 to 24 months old in Woldia town. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the required sample in house-to-house level. Interview was used to collect data using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The practice was considered using timely introduction, minimum dietary diversity, and meal frequency. The data was entered to EpiData version 4.2.0.0 and imported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. A descriptive statistic to present categorical variables, and bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions to assess the associations were computed. A variable with P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The optimal complementary feeding practice among early children was 49.6% (95%CI: 44.7-54.4%).The educational status of mothers (AOR: 0.37,95%CI: 0.18-0.75), number of children in the family (AOR: 3.50,95%CI: 1.57-7.83), and place of delivery (AOR: 3.24,95%CI: 1.33-8.07) had association with complementary feeding practice. Conclusion: The prevalence of optimum complementary feeding practice is low. Thus, mothers need to consider all components of food diversification like meat/fish/chicken while preparing their infants' and young children's meal. For this purpose, health education should be delivered for mothers to promote utilization of varied food groups, as well as to improve the content of complementary food.

Objective: This study was done to determine the overall estimate of decision-making autonomy on maternal health services and associated factors in low- and middle-income countries. Method: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Ethiopian University online library were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software (version 14). Publication bias was checked by forest plot, Begg’s rank test, and Egger’s regression test. To look for heterogeneity, I2 was computed, and an overall estimated analysis was carried out. Subgroup analysis was done by country, year, and publication. Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool was used to check the quality of each study. We carried out a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. Results: Out of 1305 articles retrieved, 19 studies (with 104,871 study participants) met eligibility criteria and were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of women’s decision-making autonomy on maternal health services in low- and middle-income countries was 55.15% (95% confidence interval: 44.11–66.19; I2 = 98.6%, P < 0.001). Based on subgroup analysis, decision-making autonomy in maternal health services was the highest in Ethiopia at 61.36% (95% confidence interval: 50.58–72.15) and the lowest in Nigeria at 36.16% (95% confidence interval: 12.99–43.39). It was 32.16% (95% confidence interval: 32.72–39.60) and 60.18% (95% confidence interval: 47.92–72.44) before and after 2016, respectively. It was also 54.64% (95% confidence interval: 42.51–66.78) in published studies and 57.91% (95% confidence interval: 54.80–61.02) in unpublished studies. Age (adjusted odds ratio = 2.67; 95% confidence interval: (1.29–5.55), I2 = 90.1%), primary level of education (adjusted odds ratio = 1.75; 95% confidence interval: (1.39–2.21), I2 = 63.8%), secondary education level (adjusted odds ratio = 2.09; 95% confidence interval: (1.32–3.32), I2 = 87.8%), being urban resident (adjusted odds ratio = 1.80; 95% confidence interval: (1.22–2.66), I2 = 73%), and monthly income (adjusted odds ratio = 3.23; 95% confidence interval: (1.85–5.65), I2 = 97%) were positively associated with decision-making autonomy on maternal health service. Conclusion: Decision-making autonomy on maternal health services in low- and middle-income countries was low. Sociodemographic factors also influenced it. Educational accessibility and income generation should have been recommended, enabling women to decide for themselves.

Immunization is cost-effective preventive strategy for child morbidity and mortality. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and online institutional repository homes were searched. Data were extracted by Microsoft excel. Begg’s rank test, and Egger’s regression test was done. A pooled prevalence, Sub-group analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were conducted. A total of 12 articles were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of vaccination dropout was 26.06% (95% CI: 11.59, 30.53), I2 =91.2%. In sub-group analysis, Nigeria had the highest prevalence of immunization dropouts (33.59%). It was 18.01% and 29.25%, respectively, for published and unpublished research. Community-based studies and institutional-based studies also yield a prevalence of dropout 39.04% and 13.73% respectively. Dropout rate was 22.66% for sample sizes under 500 and 18.01% for sample sizes beyond 500. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of vaccination dropout was high. Community education about vaccinations importance should be prioritized.

IntroductionContraception discontinuation is a major public health issue that leads to unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate discontinuation of contraceptives and its determinants in Ethiopia.MethodsPubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and Addis Ababa University online library were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software (v. 14). Publication bias was checked by forest plot, Begg's rank test, and Egger's regression test. To look for heterogeneity, I2 was computed, and an overall estimated analysis was carried out. Subgroup analysis was done by region, study setting, and publication. The pooled odds ratio for associated factors was also computed.ResultsOut of 654 studies assessed, 20 met our criteria and were included in the study. The total number of study participants was 8,780. The pooled prevalence of discontinuation of long acting reversible contraceptive use was 36.94% (95% CI: 28.547–45.326). According to sub-group analysis, Amhara region (45%) and institution-based studies (47.9%) had the highest prevalence. The most common reason for contraceptive discontinuation was negative side effect (42.3%).Women experienced side effects (AOR = 2.833:95% CI:2.005–4.003), didn't receive counseling on side effects (AOR = 2.417; 95% CI: 1.591–3.672), didn't appoint follow up (AOR = 2.820; 95% CI: 2.048–3.881), dissatisfied with the given service (AOR = 5.156; 95% CI: 3.644–7.296), and a desire to be pregnant (AOR = 2.366; 95% CI: 1.760–3.182) were predictors of discontinuation of contraceptives.ConclusionIn Ethiopia, the pooled prevalence of long acting contraceptive discontinuation was high. Side effects, not being informed about side effects, dissatisfaction with the provided service, no insertion follow-up, and a desire to become pregnant were all associated factors. Healthcare professionals should focus on the client's reproductive goals, proper management of side effects, counseling, and post-insertion visits.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022347860, identifier CRD42022347860.