BackgroundPoor awareness and knowledge of mother–to–child transmission (MTCT),that accounts for over 90% of new HIV infections among children, might contribute to the HIV epidemics. In Ethiopia, 898 400 children are orphaned due to HIV and AIDS and 200 300 were living with HIV in 2013. The main objective of this study was to examine the knowledge of MTCT of HIV, its prevention (PMTCT) and associated factors among Ethiopian women.MethodsWe conducted a cross–sectional analysis among 16 515 women from the Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) 2011. Chi–square test, univarate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to examine the associations of socio–demographic variables with women’s correct knowledge of MTCT and PMTCT, assessed through five specific questions.FindingsThe overall correct knowledge of Ethiopian women about MTCT and PMTCT (correct answers to all the five questions) was very low (34.9%). In the multivariable analysis, residing in urban area (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.35–1.79; P < 0.001), having higher education (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI = 2.74–3.86; P < 0.001), belonging to higher wealth household (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.57–2.18; P < 0.001), currently in union (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.12–1.39; P < 0.001), occupation (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.17–1.44; P < 0.001) and being exposed to mass media (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.41–1.70; P < 0.001) were strongly associated with women’s correct knowledge of MTCT and PMTCT.ConclusionStrategies to improve the knowledge of MTCT and PMTCT in Ethiopia should focus on rural women, emerging regions, the poor, illiterate and unemployed women. Efforts are also needed to involve religious leaders and related organization in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.

BackgroundLesotho has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) incidence and TB-HIV co-infection in the world. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards TB in the general population of Lesotho.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis from the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) 2014 was carried out among 9247 respondents. We used the chi-square test as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the associations of socio-demographic variables with respondent knowledge of and attitude towards TB.ResultsThe overall knowledge of TB in the general population of Lesotho was adequate (59.9%). There was a significant difference between female and male respondents regarding knowledge about TB (67.0% vs. 41.8%). Almost 95% of respondents had “heard of an illness called tuberculosis”, and 80.5% knew that TB can be cured. Only 11.5% knew the correct cause of TB (TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Female respondents were relatively aware of TB, knew about the correct cause and mode for transmission of TB and knew that TB is a curable disease compared to male respondents. A higher proportion of respondents (72.8%) had a positive attitude towards TB. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.45, 95% CI: 2.10–2.86; p < 0.001), age (AOR) =1.76, 95% CI: 1.29–2.41; p < 0.001), educational level (AOR = 6.26, 95% CI: 3.90–10.06; p < 0.001), formerly married or cohabitated (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10–1.85; p = 0.008), mass media exposure (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08–1.64; p = 0.008) and occupation (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.00–1.44; p = 0.049) were strongly associated with respondent knowledge of TB. Sex (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41; p = 0.034), educational level (AOR = 1.661, 95% CI: 06–2.60; p = 0.028), mass media exposure (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06–1.62; p = 0.012) and occupation (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04–1.52; p = 0.016) were strongly associated with respondent attitude towards TB.ConclusionStrategies to improve the knowledge of Lesotho’s people about TB should focus on males, young residents, those who are illiterate, those who are unmarried and farmers. Special attention should be given to males, young residents, rural residents, those who are illiterate and farmers to improve their attitude towards TB in Lesotho.

Proactive attitude of hypertensive patients seeking follow-up services (FUS) lies at the core of self-efficacy. However, few evidence have shown the activeness of seeking FUS in the context of blood pressure control among hypertensive patients. Improvements in follow-up visits may not just by services itself cause better control of blood pressure among hypertensive patients, rather due to the patient's pro-active attitude of the patient in seeking FUS.A cross-sectional study was carried out in selected rural regions of China to explore the association between blood pressure control and sociodemographic and economic variables and activeness of hypertensive patients in seeking FUS. The primary clinical outcome for this study was blood pressure control (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg)Out of the total 2321 participants with hypertension aged 35 years or older participated in this survey. Number of proactive FUS seekers were 3.17 times greater than those of passive seekers (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.56–3.93, P < 0.001). In all subgroups, hypertensive patients who were seeking FUS actively were more likely to control blood pressure better than those seeking FUS passively.Proactive attitude of seeking follow-up services can improve blood pressure control among hypertensive patients.

While tobacco use remains the largest single cause of premature death in the industrialized countries, low-and-middle income countries are also experiencing a rising burden of the tobacco epidemic and are making various programmatic efforts to tackle the issue. Evidence-based policy making is critical to the long-term success of tobacco intervention programs and is reliant on regular monitoring of the trends and prevalence rates of tobacco use though population-based surveys, which are sparse for countries in eastern Africa. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to (1) estimate the trends in the prevalence of self-reported smoking status; and (2) explore the sociodemographic factors associated with smoking among adult men in Ethiopia and Kenya. Methods: Subjects were 26,919 adult men aged between 15 and 59 years from Ethiopia and Kenya. Nationally representative cross-sectional data on self-reported smoking and relevant sociodemographic indicators were collected from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in these two countries. Data analysis was performed by descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable methods. Results: In Ethiopia, the prevalence rate of smoking increased from 8.5% in 2005 to 11.7% in 2011. While in Kenya, the rate declined albeit slowly from 22.9% in 2003 to 18.8% in 2008–2009 and 17% in 2014. The prevalence was significantly different in urban and rural areas. In majority of the surveys, prevalence of smoking was highest in the age group of 25–34 years. The prevalence of smoking varied widely across several socioeconomic characteristics. Conclusions: The findings indicate a high rate of smoking among men especially in urban areas, and call for policy actions to address the socioeconomic factors as a part of the policy to strengthen tobacco-control efforts.

Human exposure to animal bites is the most important public health concern in relation to rabies transmission. This study aims to determine the factors associated with human exposure to animal bites in China. A cross-sectional study of visitors to rabies prevention clinics who were seeking treatment because of exposure to animal bites or scratches was conducted in Wuhan, China. Humans exposed to animal bites (n = 1015) were interviewed, and 87% of the bites were attributed to domestic animals. The risk types for animal bites included unprovoked aggression (31.7%), excessive play (27.5%), insufficient preparedness (26.7%), and improper care of animals (14.1%). Children aged 1-15 years (OR = 9.069, 95% CI: 4.572-17.987, P < 0.001) were more likely to be injured because of excessive play. Nonvaccinated people (OR = 2.168, 95% CI: 1.034-4.545, P = 0.040) and people who discontinued the rabies vaccine regimen (OR = 2.600, 95% CI: 1.561-4.331, P < 0.001) were at risk of rabies exposure and were more likely to be injured because of improper care of animals. This study showed that domestic animals were responsible for most animal bites. The associated factors were age, educational attainment, and animal ownership. Community health education with a special attention to schoolchildren and animal owners should be provided.