Background: Visual impairment is one of the major public health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in eight primary schools of Gurage Zone. A total of 1064 pupils, of whom589 boys and 475 girls were selected using multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and visual acuity was measured using Snellen’s chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of visual impairment. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Factors significantly associated with visual impairment were age group of 13-18 years (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI = 3.83 – 23.25), school grade level of 5- 8 (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.23 – 7.17), rural residents (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.22 – 5.54), family’s monthly income of less than 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.08 – 7.61) and visually impaired parents (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.06 – 4.39). Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Keywords: Visual impairment; primary school children; Gurage Zone; Southern Ethiopia.

Background: The non-curable HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a serious health and development problem especially for developing country like Ethiopia despite using ART treatment. The antiretroviral treatment (ART) scale-up service has been a recent development in Ethiopia, but its impact on mortality has not been well investigated. This study aimed to analyze the survival time of HIV-positive patients under antiretroviral therapy (ART) and identifies associated risk factors in Attat Referral Hospital. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to examine the survival of HIV/AIDS patients under ART at Attat Referral Hospitals. Total of 408 HIV/AIDS patients in ART from April 30, 2010 up to March 30, 2017 were included in the study. Cox proportional hazard model was employed to assess the survival of HIV/AIDS patients and the associated factors. Results: A total of 408 patients were followed for a survival mean time of 46 months. In the followed-up period, 121 (29.7%) patients dead and 287 (70.3%) patients were censored. Based on functional status of patients, higher mortality was significantly associated with bedridden (HR: 3.934) and Ambulatory (HR: 1.790). According to WHO stages the patients under ART follow up with stage-IV (HR: 7.277), stage-III (HR: 4.536) and stage-II (HR: 2.213) were high risk of dying than patients in stages-I and male patients are at high risk of death than females. Conclusions: This study found that the survival time of the HIV patient under ART follow-ups in Attat Referral Hospital of Guraghe zone was significantly associated with factors: functional status, Weight, Original Regimen, CD4 count and WHO stage.

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Background: Unintended pregnancy and abortion are stubborn problems in many countries including Ethiopia. Long acting contraceptive methods prevent unintended pregnancy far better than using a short acting method. This research aimed to assess factors that affect long acting reversible contraceptive use among women of reproductive age group in Wolkite town, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Wolkite town Guraghe zone southern Ethiopia. A total of 834 reproductive age group women's, were selected using systematic random sampling. Socio-economic, demographic and health related characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and personal interview. Chi-square test of independency and Logistic regression model was employed to determine the associated factors of long acting reversible contraceptive use.Results: The proportion of long acting reversible contraceptive use in Wolkite town was 0.253(25.3%). Variables Statistically associated with long acting reversible contraceptive use were Age group of women between 30-34 (OR=2.387, 95% CI= 1.011-5.635 ) and 35-39 (OR=4.623 95% CI= 1.512-14.138), Source of information about LAC methods from sex of partner and from other (OR=2.028, 95%, CI=1.373-2.996 and OR=0.457, 95%, CI=0.266-0.786) respectively, Awareness on IUD and DEPO methods (OR=0.562, 95% CI=0.363-0.872 and OR=0.446, 95% CI=0.313=0.635) respectively, awareness on duration of implant usage from 3-5 years (OR=0.238, 95% CI=0.117-0.481), Perception on the removal of LAC methods for possible response (OR=4.483, 95% CI=2.041-9.839)Conclusions: This study found that proportion of long acting reversible contraceptive use was 0.253(25.3%).