BackgroundPeople with mental illness (PWMI) have declining health related quality of life (HRQoL), which is frequently equivalent to or greater than that of medical disorders. Although, HRQoL is rapidly being recognized as an essential treatment outcome indicator in modern psychiatry, research on the identification and significance of factors impacting QoL in PWMI is still in its early stages.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify predictors of HRQoL among people with mental illness who underwent outpatient follow-up in Sidama region, southern Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study from April-1, to May-30, 2022. A total of 412 participants took part in the study, using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The HRQoL was measured using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey-Version 2 (SF-12v2) scale. To describe different variables, descriptive statistics were employed. To find independent HRQoL predictors, we used multivariable linear regression analysis. P-value of <0.05 were declared statistically significant at 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultOut of 412 participants, nearly two-third 261 (63.3%) were male and nearly half 203 (49.3%) were diagnosed as schizophrenia. HRQoL was positively associated with social support (β = 0.321) and being single (β = 2.680). Conversely, functional disability (β = −0.545), being a student (β = −4.645) and jobless (β = −3.279) by occupation, and being diagnosed with depression (β = −2.839) were negatively impacted HRQoL among PWMI.ConclusionHRQoL of people with mental disorders in this study was significantly associated to social support, marital status, occupation, diagnosis and level of functional disability. Therefore, the mental health care system should develop HRQoL promoting measures that enhance PWMI functioning, social support and employment.

Little is known about the relation between the women empowerment in agriculture index, and health and nutrition outcomes among under-five children in Ethiopia. The study's objective was to examine women's empowerment in agriculture and its association with the nutritional status of children (6–59 months) in rural, cash crop producing, and resource-limited settings of Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted employing 422 households; having women of reproductive age group and children under-five. Stratified simple random sampling was used to identify households; a simple random sampling was used to select villages and households. Women empowerment in agriculture was measured by the abbreviated women empowerment in agriculture index. Even if the overall multi-dimensional five domains of empowerment index (5DE) was not a significant predictor of nutritional status in children (P > 0⋅05), sub-indicators had a pivotal role in child nutritional status. Disempowerment in decisions about input into production [AOR = 8⋅85], empowerment on control of income [AOR = 0⋅35] and availability of livestock [AOR = 0⋅38] were predictors of child stunting, whereas women's disempowerment in production decisions seems beneficiary for wasting, disempowered women have 84 % less likely to have wasted child than empowered women [AOR = 0⋅16]. Dietary and agricultural diversity [particularly livestock farming], and women's empowerment in production decisions were predictors of better nutritional outcomes in children. Therefore, a concentrated effort is needed towards strengthening the multi-dimensional empowerment of women in agriculture emphasising women's input into production decisions, dietary and agricultural diversification, mainly livestock farming.

ObjectiveLittle is known about the extent to which Health Extension Programme (HEP) has played its role to increase service uptake among young girls. This study aims to estimate the status of young girls’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services utilisation in rural Ethiopia and to examine the role of health extension workers (HEWs) in this regard.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingA community-based study among all nine regions of Ethiopia.ParticipantsNine hundred and two young girls aged 15–24 years were included in this study.MethodWe used data from the national HEP assessment, collected from March to May 2019. Multilevel binary logistic regression was used to investigate the association between exposure to HEP and SRH services utilisation of young girls and we reported an adjusted OR with a corresponding 95% CI as measure of the degree of associations.ResultOnly 19.18% (95% CI 16.74% to 21.89%) of young girls used SRH services with significant regional variability (intraclass correlation coefficien=17.16%; 95% CI 6.30% to 39.99%). Exposure to HEP (adjusted OR, aOR 3.13, 95% CI 2.03 to 4.85), knowing about the availability of HEP services (aOR 3.06, 95% CI 1.75 to 5.33) and having good trust in HEWs (aOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.10) and other sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with increased SRH services utilisation.OutcomeSRH service utilisation.ConclusionAlthough the overall SRH service utilization of young girls in rural Ethiopia was very low, HEWs have a great contribution to improving service utilization of young girls through strong health education provided during home visits, school visits and at health posts. More investment along this line has the potential to improve service uptake among young girls. Encouraging HEWs to build trust among this segment of the population and creating awareness of SRH-related services is crucial to improv service uptake.

Background Immediate postpartum intra-uterine contraceptive device (IPPIUCD) placement within 10 min after the expulsion of the placenta following vaginal delivery is a safe and effective method when provided after comprehensive counseling. Studies on its acceptance and utilization are scarce in the study area. This study aims to assess the acceptance and utilization of IPPIUCD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1st up to February 31st, 2020, among 392 mothers who delivered at public health facilities in Hawassa city. EPI-Data version 7.2 was used for data entry and STATA 14 for analysis. Data were collected using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire. A binary logistic regression and a multivariable logistic regression model were used to assess association. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Results Of the 392 mothers enrolled, 16.3% (95% CI: 12.7–20.0) of them accepted immediate post-partum IUCD. However, only 10% (95%CI: 7.0, 12.9) utilized immediate post-partum IUCD. Counseling about IPPIUCD, Attitude, plan to have another child, and birth intervals were associated with acceptance of immediate PPIUCD while husband support for family planning use, delivery time, and the number of children had a significant association with utilization of immediate PPIUCD. Conclusions The study found a relatively low proportion of acceptors and utilizers of immediate post-partum IUCD in the study area. To improve the acceptance and utilization of immediate PPIUCD among mothers, all stakeholders concerned with family planning need to mitigate and promote the challenges and facilitating factors, respectively.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced access to and utilization of essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health services. The indirect supply-side and demand-side effects of the coronavirus pandemic has shown moderate service reduction scenarios can lead to a large number of additional maternal deaths Objective: Determine the pooled proportion and contributing factors of sexual and reproductive health care in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic was the primary goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-2020) statement guided the conduct of this systematic review and meta-analysis. Electronic databases like SCOPUS, EMBASE, PubMed, and Science Direct were used to search for the papers. Studies were searched utilizing additional data sources such as Google scholar's advanced search and Google. The COVID 19 period and the latest search dates of June 6, 2022 were used for the primary research. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 and Q-statistics. Wherever possible subgroup analysis was planned by study setting, and overall risk of bias (study quality). To test the small study effect; funnel plot and egger's test were applied in the Meta-analysis Result: A total of six studies with 3848 participants included in this Meta-analysis. the pooled proportion of sexual and reproductive health service utilization reported by 6 studies was 32% (95%CI (18,46%)). In the sub group analysis, the pooled proportion of SRH service utilization for study done at the community level was 26% (95% CI:6-46%) and 38% (95% CI: 26-50%) among institutional based studies. Participants age 20-24 (OR=2.4 95% CI:1.07-5.3) Participate in youth club (OR=2.74; 95% CI:10.07-6.99), Ever had sexual partner (OR=1.65; 95% CI:1.11-2.45), Participated in peer-to-peer education (OR=1.71; 95% CI:1.12-2.62), and having pocket money (OR=2.5;3 95% CI:1.03-6.19) where variables had positively associated with sexual and reproductive health service utilization. Conclusion: The pooled SRH service utilization in Ethiopia during COVID 19 was decreased compared to SRH service utilization before the pandemic. Participants age 20-24, Participate in youth, ever had sexual partner, participated in peer-to-peer education, and having pocket money where variables had positively associated with sexual and reproductive health service utilization.