BackgroundDespite the global decline in death rates of children younger than five years old, the risk of a child dying before turning five years of age remains highest in the WHO African Region. The problem of child death in Ethiopia is worse, with an Ethiopian child being 30 times more likely to die by his/her fifth birthday than a child in Western Europe. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with diarrhea among children younger than five years old.MethodsA community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with mothers who had children younger than five years old from April to June 2014. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select eligible women. The data were coded, entered, cleaned and analyzed with the SPSS software package, version 16.Resultshe data of 775 mothers were included in the analysis, and 21.5% of the children had diarrhea in the two weeks before the survey. The main factors affecting the occurrence of diarrhea were residence (Odds ratio (AOR) = 11.29, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 3.49-36.52), sex (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI:1.28-4.93), methods of complementary feeding (AOR = 50.88, 95% CI: 23.85- 108.54), types of water storage equipment (AOR = 19.50, 95% CI: 8.11-46.90), and cleansing materials used to wash hands (AOR = 5.53, 95% CI: 2.19-13.99).ConclusionApproximately one-fifth of the children included in the study reported diarrheal disease. Residence, sex of the child, type of water storage container, methods of complementary feeding, and cleansing materials to wash the hands were the most important variables that affected the occurrence of diarrhea in children. Therefore, families, the government and nongovernmental organizations working in the area must cooperate in interventions and prevention to minimize the risk of disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4021-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ethiopia is working hard to increase access to improved sanitation to its rapidly growing population; however, its proper utilization is questioned. Update on its utilization is required. The objective of the study was to assess latrine utilization and associated factors among rural communities in Awabel District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2014. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 575 households. Participants were selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Pre-tested interviewer administered structured questioner and observational checklist was used to collect data. The collected data were coded and entered using Epi-Info 3.5.3 and analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the associated factors for proper utilization of latrine facilities. Possible association and statistical significance were measured using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval. 850 -30.084)]. The most outstanding findings of this study were the following: latrine utilization will be sustainable when the toilet is constructed following proper household based health education, when the toilet is well constructed, and when there is supportive supervision. This implies that health extension workers do have a pivotal role for increasing toilet construction as well as its proper utilization. The current level of proper latrine utilization seems fairly good for rural communities in the district. However, there is a lot to do to make it part of their culture. Its sustainability seems to be achievable via health extension package. Therefore, motivating health extension workers is recommended. * Corresponding author. M. Gedefaw et al.99

Introduction: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases and an important public health problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia. The study was aimed at assessing prevalence of schistosomiasis and associated factors among students attending at elementary schools in Amibera District, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional school based study was carried out on sample of 840 students. First, all elementary schools around Amibera District were grouped in to strata based on their distance from the irrigation site as "Near" or "Far". Then two schools were selected by simple random sampling method from each stratum. Finally, proportional allocation of the sample size was done according to the number of students in each stratum. From each grade level students were selected by simple random sampling techniques. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio demographic characteristics, water contact habit and toilet utilization. Stool and urine examination were done to determine prevalence. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16.0. Result and Conclusions: The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis in this study was 8.2%; among this Schisosoma haematobium was 7.4% and Schisosoma mansoni was 0.8%. Education level (pvalue = 0.047, OR = 1.834), swimming habit (pvalue = 0.0001, OR = 4.979) and source of water for domestic consumption (p-value = 0.0001, OR = 0.334) had shown significant association with the occurrence of S. haematobium infection. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of schistosomiasis was not what to be neglected. It was significantly associated with educational level, swimming habit of children and source of water for domestic consumption. Therefore, provision of safe water supply and health education at school level was recommended.

Background: Diarrhoeal disease in under-five children is a serious public health challenge especially in low income countries including Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, several interventions are going on to reduce morbidity, and mortality of children. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children in the City Administration of Bahir Dar. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of 667 mothers/caregivers having under-five children. Participants were selected through multistage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and observation checklist were used to collect data. It was analyzed using SPSS version 16 for windows. Logistic regression was applied to measure possible associations. Strength of association, and statistical significance was measured using odds ratio and confidence interval at 95% confidence level. Results: A total of 667 mothers/ caregivers with under-five children were included in the study. Two-week prevalence of diarrhoea was 21.6%. Households in rural part of the city (OR: 2.82, 95%CI: 1.66-4.81), monthly income ≤ birr 500 (OR: 2.27, 95%CI: 1.44-3.57, failure to use separate container for storing drinking water (OR: 1.78, 95%CI: 1.17-2.70), presence of human excreta in the compound (OR: 1.88, 95% (1.15-3.06) were found to be predictors of childhood diarrhoea. Conclusion: Diarrhoeal diseases remain serious public health challenge in rural as well as urban set ups in Ethiopia with particular refer-* Corresponding author. # MPH, BSC, formerly student in joint MPH program, Bahir Dar University, and GAMBY College of Medical Sciences. M. Gedefaw et al. 90 ence to Bahir Dar City, despite several interventions over decades. Therefore, interventions, and strategies applied so far to eliminate diseases of poverty including diarrhoeal diseases should be re-visited.

BackgroundFemale commercial sex workers (FCSWs) are considered a high-risk group for acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), yet the reported prevalence varies in studies around the world. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and associated factors of STDs among female sex workers.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among female sex workers in Finote Selam town. A total of 389 sex workers were studied using census method. Data were collected using an interview with structured questionnaires. The data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20 software package.ResultsThe findings of this study showed that the overall prevalence of STDs was 20.6%. The reported prevalence of genital discharge, ulcer, and bubo was 15.9%, 15.2%, and 11.6%, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, respondents who did not use a condom were about four times at higher risk of STDs than those who were using a condom consistently (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.812, 9.139). Respondents who experienced condom breakages were more than 12 times more likely to report STDs than those who never experienced condom breakages (AOR = 12.291, 95% CI: 5.701, 26.495).ConclusionThe findings of this study showed that one in five commercial sex workers in Finote Selam town had STDs. Sex without a condom and condom breakage during sexual intercourse showed a significant association with STDs. Therefore, the Woreda Health Office in collaboration with nongovernmental organizations in the area should work on safe sex promotion to enhance consistent condom use and reduce condom breakage through continuous education among commercial sex workers.

Background: Mothers are dying as a result of abortion associated with preventable unintended pregnancy. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Modern contraceptive use and associated factors among Muslim and orthodox Christian women of reproductive age group in Bahir Dar city. Methods: Comparative Cross-sectional study was carried out on 504 participants selected through Simple random sampling technique from the list of households. Data were collected through a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using logistic regression model to determine odds ratio as a measure of strength off association. Result: The prevalence of modern contraceptive use was higher among Orthodox Christian women by 0.28: 95% for the difference (0.19, 0.36). While 63.9% orthodox Christian women were using modern contraceptives only 36.1% of Muslim women were using Modern contraceptive. Age, Religiosity and education level were found to have a statistical association for modern contraceptive use in Both Orthodox Christian and Muslim women (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of modern contraceptive use among Muslim women was found to significantly lower than that in Orthodox Christian. Recommendation: More efforts should be done to increase the number of Modern Contraceptive users, by focusing on awareness creation on Modern contraceptives with special emphasis on Muslims.

Back ground. Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases and is prevalent in tropics. It causes morbidity and mortality in developing countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and associated risk factors among two schools of Guangua district, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study design was employed. Four hundred twenty-two participants were selected. Data was collected through observation and interview with structured questionnaire. Stool specimens were collected and examined using two-slide Kato-Katz method. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Logistic regression was fitted for analysis. Variables with p value <0.25 in the univariate logistic regression analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model. Those with <0.05 were identified as significantly associated risk factors. To assure the quality of the data, training was given for data collectors and supervisors, and the tools were pretested on 5% of the sample size. Results. 404 (95.7%) school children were enrolled in the study. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni was 12.6%. School children in the age group 5-9 years old (AOR (95% CI): 22.27 (3.70-134.01), p = 0.001 ), age group 10-14 years old (AOR (95% CI): 4.58 (1.14-18.42), p = 0.032 ), grade levels 5-8 (AOR (95% CL): 14.95 (4.297-52.03), p = 0.001 ),who swim frequently (AOR (95% CI): 11.35 (2.33-55.33), p = 0.003 ), and those who cultivate near the irrigation area (AOR (95% CI): 7.10 (2.31-21.80), p = 0.001 ) were significantly associated with high risk of S. mansoni infection. Conclusion and Recommendation. From the finding of the current study, it can be concluded that the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in the study area is relatively high. Age of fourteen and younger years old, swimming in the river, and irrigation practice were the main risk factors of S. mansoni infection. Thus, therapeutic interventions as well as health education are desirable.