Background. Male involvement is an important determinant of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. However, male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Ethiopia is not well known. Objectives. To assess male partners involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and associated factors in Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria woreda. Methods. Community based study was conducted in Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district. Multistage sampling technique was used and data were collected using interviewer administered standard questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the presence of statistically significant associations between the outcome variable and the independent variables. Results. The level of male involvement in PMTCT program in Arba Minch town and Zuria district was 53%. Several factors appear to contribute to male involvement in the PMTCT program including age, residence, education level, knowledge on HIV, knowledge on PMTCT, accessibility of health facility, having weak perception for male involvement in PMTCT, having perception of ANC attendance being females' responsibility, ever use of khat, and ever use of cigarette. Conclusion. Geographical accessibility of health facility and male's knowledge on PMTCT should be improved to increase their involvement in PMTCT.

Background As a means of establishing a sustained and fair health care financing system, Ethiopia has planned and ratified a legal framework to introduce a social health insurance program for employees of the formal sector to protect them against financial and health burdens. However, the implementation has been delayed due to the resistance of public servants to pay the proposed premium. The aim of this study was to estimate the magnitude of willingness to pay the proposed amount of premium set by the government for the social health insurance program and the factors associated with it among public servants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study design was used to conduct the study. Multistage sampling was employed to select a total of 503 from 12 randomly selected public sectors. Data were collected using pretested, interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. A contingent valuation method with an iterative bidding game was used to elicit willingness to pay. Finally, logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of willingness to pay. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05 with adjusted odds ratios calculated at 95% CIs. Results Only 35.4% were willing to pay the proposed premium (3% of their monthly salary). Those who had children from 6–18 years old (AOR = 3.252; 95% CI: 1.15, 9.22), had a history of unaffordable health service costs during the last 12 months (AOR = 9.631; 95% CI: 4.12, 22.52), and had prior information about the social health insurance program (AOR = 11.011, 95% CI. 3.735–32.462) were more likely to pay for the proposed social health insurance program compared to their counterparts. Conclusion The willingness to pay the proposed amount premium for social health insurance among public servants in Addis Ababa was very low that implies the implementation will be challenging. Thus, the government of Ethiopia should consider reviewing the amount of premium contributions expected from employees before implementing the social health insurance scheme.

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Background: Ethiopia conducts influenza sentinel surveillance since 2008 in eight sites through the coordination of Ethiopian Public Health Institute although little is known whether the system meets its objective. Hence, this evaluation is conducted to evaluate the sentinel surveillance attributes, purposes and its operation system. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from February 15-30, 2017 in all eight Sentinel sites. Data were collected using US-CDC updated surveillance guideline and Interview with influenza sentinel surveillance focal persons, regional public health emergency officers and national surveillance officers. Case based reports of influenza like illness and severe acute respiratory illness were also reviewed. Secondary data were collected from the national public health emergency management center based at EPHI. We analyzed and compiled the data. Results: Not all the visited health facilities have posted the ILI and SARI cases definition. None of the sentinel sites have been reporting influenza data to their next higher level but to the national PHEM (NIL). All focal persons have responded that they are expected to do so. Data is only being analyzed by national PHEM. Supportive supervision was done this month (February, 2017) since 2014. Laboratory feedback (test result) has been provided irregularly since May 2016 by the national influenza laboratory to sentinel sites and respective regional PHEM. All of focal persons have taken training on influenza surveillance. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 21.35% (n=4922). Among a total of 5,097 case based reports from 2008-2016, 47 (0.9%) age variable, 385 (7.5%) temperature variable, and 103 (2%) date of specimen collection were not filled. Conclusion: Although focal persons are satisfied with the forms and procedures involved, they are not filling formats properly as expected and reporting regularly as scheduled neither to the national PHEM nor to the next higher level. The influenza sentinel surveillance system has proven to be useful in providing virological data used to characterize and monitor influenza trends in Ethiopia. Continuous supportive supervision should be in placed using checklist to increase the quality of data. Data should be continuously analyzed and feedback should be given periodically to health care provider and partners.