BackgroundMore than one-third of deaths during the first five years of life are attributed to undernutrition, which are mostly preventable through economic development and public health measures. To alleviate this problem, it is necessary to determine the nature, magnitude and determinants of undernutrition. However, there is lack of evidence in agro-pastoralist communities like Bule Hora district. Therefore, this study assessed magnitude and factors associated with undernutrition in children who are 6–59 months of age in agro-pastoral community of Bule Hora District, South Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the magnitude and factors associated with undernutrition in children between 6–59 months. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 796 children paired with their mothers. Anthropometric measurements and determinant factors were collected. SPSS version 16.0 statistical software was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated to nutritional status of the children Statistical association was declared significant if p-value was less than 0.05.ResultsAmong study participants, 47.6%, 29.2% and 13.4% of them were stunted, underweight, and wasted respectively. Presence of diarrhea in the past two weeks, male sex, uneducated fathers and > 4 children ever born to a mother were significantly associated with being underweight. Presence of diarrhea in the past two weeks, male sex and pre–lacteal feeding were significantly associated with stunting. Similarly, presence of diarrhea in the past two weeks, age at complementary feed was started and not using family planning methods were associated to wasting.ConclusionUndernutrition is very common in under-five children of Bule Hora district. Factors associated to nutritional status of children in agro-pastoralist are similar to the agrarian community. Diarrheal morbidity was associated with all forms of Protein energy malnutrition. Family planning utilization decreases the risk of stunting and underweight. Feeding practices (pre-lacteal feeding and complementary feeding practice) were also related to undernutrition. Thus, nutritional intervention program in Bule Hora district in Ethiopia should focus on these factors.

Background Child malnutrition continues to be the leading public health problem in developing countries. In Ethiopia, malnutrition is a leading cause of child illness and death. Recently the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) has been implemented to measure the prevalence of malnutrition. This index presents a more complete picture compared with the previous conventional indices. In this study, CIAF was used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 0–59 months in rural Ethiopia. Methods Data was extracted from the 2014 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS) for this study. A total of 3095 children were included in the analysis. The composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) was used to measure the nutritional status of the children. Logistic regression was fitted, to identify factors associated with malnutrition among children in rural Ethiopia, using STATA 13. Result The prevalence of malnutrition among rural children in Ethiopia was 48.5%. Age of the children, preceding birth interval, educated status of mother, wealth status, and region were factors independently associated with nutritional status of children in rural Ethiopia. Conclusion The prevalence of malnutrition among children in rural Ethiopia was high. A child older than 12 months, having uneducated mother, living in a household with poor wealth status, born with short birth interval, and living in some region of the country are associated with increased odds of being malnourished.

BackgroundStunting is one of the major causes of morbidity among under-five children Knowledge about risk factors of stunting is an important precondition for developing and strengthening nutritional intervention strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with stunting among children of age 24 to 59 months in Meskan District of Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based case-control study was conducted among children of age 24 to 59 months. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Cases were stunted children while controls were not stunted children. A total of 121 cases and 121 controls were studied.. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software.ResultsChildren living in households with eight to ten [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.65, 11.95] and five to seven [AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.41, 6.29] family members were more likely to be stunted than those living in households with two to four family members. Similarly, children living in households with three under-five children [AOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.33, 10.74] were more likely to develop stunting than those living in households with one under-five child. Children whose mothers worked as merchants [AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.60, 10.17] were more likely to be stunted than children whose mothers worked as house wives. Children who breast fed for <2 years [AOR = 5.61, 95% CI: 1.49, 11.08] were more likely to be stunted than those who breast fed ≥2 years. Children who were exclusively breast fed for <6 months [AOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.21, 8.82]were more likely to develop stunting than children who were exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months. Children who bottle fed [AOR =3.30, 95% CI: 1.33, 8.17)] were more likely to be stunted than children who fed their complementary food using spoon/cup.ConclusionsFamily size, number of under-five children in the household, maternal occupation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, duration breast feeding, and method of feeding complementary food were independently associated with stunting. Thus, public health intervention working on improving child nutrition should consider these determinants.

Background Mental disorder is one of the greatest challenges that current and future generations will face. Currently among all people suffering from depression, 85% of them live in low- and middle-income countries. Previous studies reported the global burden/prevalence of depression to be five to ten times higher among prisoners than the general population. However, the prevalence of depression among prisoners in our study area is not known. Objective This study therefore aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among prisoners in Jimma town in 2017. Method A cross-sectional study design was employed on 332 prisoners selected by systematic random sampling method. Data was collected by a face to face interview using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Result The study revealed that 41.9% (n = 139) of participants among prisoners had depression. Having family history of mental illness (AOR = 6.05, 95% CI = 2.6, 13.8), having chronic physical illness (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.29, 6.41), having history of previous incarceration (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.02, 10.64), lack of job in the prison (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI = 2.09, 11.8), lifetime alcohol use (AOR = 3.61, 95% CI = 1.8, 7.26), thinking life to be a difficult one after release from prison (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.2, 3.6), having age between 21 and 25 years (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.06, 3.89), and having poor social support (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.27, 3.82) had significant association with depression in the fully adjusted final regression model. Conclusion This study has shown that the prevalence of depression among prisoners was very high. Having family history of mental illness, having chronic physical illness, having previous incarceration, lack of job in prison, lifetime alcohol use, thinking life to be difficult one after release from prison, having age between 21 and 25 years old, and having poor social support were found to have an impact on the prevalence of depression.

BackgroundKnowledge of danger signs of obstetric complications is first step in the appropriate and timely referral to essential obstetric care. Although women’s knowledge about the obstetric danger signs is important for improving maternal and child health, little is known about the current knowledge and influencing factors in pastoral community of Ethiopia. This study, therefore, aims to fill this gap by assessing the current level of knowledge and associated factors of pregnant women living in Erer district of Somali region, Ethiopia.MethodsA community based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 7 to 21, 2014. The study involved 666 pregnant women residing in the district. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data about women’s socio-demographic information, reproductive history, knowledge of the danger signs, exposure to media and interventions were collected by interviewer administered questionnaires. A respondent who spontaneously mentioned at least two of the danger signs during each of the three periods was considered knowledgeable; otherwise not. Descriptive, bivariate, then multivariable logistic regression were done.ResultsSix hundred thirty two pregnant women were interviewed with a response rate of 94.9 %. Only 98 (15.5 %) respondents were knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs. Urban residence [AOR = 2.43; 95 % CI (1.40, 4.21)], women who had been pregnant five or more times [AOR = 6.65; 95 % CI (2.48, 17.89)] and antenatal care utilization [AOR = 5.44; 95 % CI (3.26, 9.09)] were associated with being knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.ConclusionA significant proportion of pregnant women in Erer district do not have knowledge of obstetric danger signs. The implication is that lack of recognition may lead to delay in seeking care. Area of residence, gravidity and antenatal care service utilization are independently associated with the knowledge of women on obstetric danger signs in Erer district, a pastoralist community. Thus, intervention programs aiming to improve women’s knowledge about obstetric danger signs and symptoms should consider the factors independently associated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-016-0309-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.