Background World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life. EBF has sustainable long-term health benefits for both infants and mothers. Despite its benefits, the practice of EBF in Ethiopia is lower than the internationally recommended one. This study aimed at identifying factors influencing EBF practice among under-6 month infants in Ethiopia. Methods This study used data drawn from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (2019 EMDHS) data. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to investigate factors significantly associated with EBF practice among under-6 month infants in Ethiopia. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure the association of factors with EBF practice. Results A total of 566 infants under the age of 6 months were included in the study. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 83% (95% CI: 79.70–86%). Urban residences (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22–0.73), mothers having secondary education (AOR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.29–1.84) and higher education (AOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 0.68–15.02), mothers having ANC visits of 1 to 3 times (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.24–1.88) and ANC visits of 4 and more times (AOR: 4.27, 95% CI: 1.06–17.25), family size of more than 5 (AOR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26–0.88), caesarean births (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42–0.95), and deliveries at health facilities (AOR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.12–5.63) were factors significantly associated with EBF practice among under-6 month infants. Conclusion In this study, EBF practice among under-6 month infants was significantly associated with place of residence, maternal educational level, ANC visits, family size, mode of delivery, and place of delivery. Therefore, encouraging ANC visit and promotion of institutional (health facility) delivery are recommended. Furthermore, special attention has to be given to mothers with no or less education to make them better aware of the EBF and its benefits to enhance exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Background: Children face the highest risk of dying in their first month of life. Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan countries with highest newborn deaths. Afar and Somalia regions in Ethiopia are among the regions with high death rates of newborn children. This study aimed to analyse and identify determinants of neonatal mortality in Afar and Somalia regions, Ethiopia.  Methods: This study used 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data for the analysis. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the significant determinants of neonatal mortality. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association between neonatal mortality and determinants. Results: A total of 2567 newborn children were included in this study. Mortality rate among newborns in the first month was 41 per 1000 live births in Afar and Somalia regions. Health facility delivery (AOR: 0.634; 95% CI: 0.409–0.982), being female (AOR: 0.206; 95% CI: 0.073–0.528), multiple births (AOR: 3.958; 95% CI: 2.293–11.208), small size at birth (AOR: 1.208; 95% CI: 1.003–1.728), secondary and above educational level of mothers (AOR: 0.484; 95% CI: 0.294–0.797) were statistically significant determinants neonatal mortality. Conclusions: In this study, sex of child, place of delivery, birth type, size at birth, mother’s educational level were found to be statistically significant determinants of neonatal death in Afar and Somalia regions, Ethiopia. Mothers with no education should be given health education and institutional delivery should be encouraged to improve the survival of the neonates in Afar and Somalia regions, Ethiopia.

Anaemia in reproductive-aged women is a worldwide health problem. This study was aimed to assess prevalence and determinants of anaemia among reproductive-aged women in Ethiopia. Data for the study were obtained from 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data, which is a national representative cross-sectional data. A Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to identify determinants of anaemia among reproductive-aged women. A total of 14460 women who aged 15 to 49 years were included in the study. Prevalence of anaemia of among reproductive-aged women was 27.08% (95% CI: 22.88, 31.08%). Women living in Afar (AOR=2.439; 95% CI: 2.006, 2.968), Amhara (AOR=1.269; 95% CI: 1.035, 1.556), Somalia (AOR=2.592; 95% CI: 2.142, 3.133), Benshangul-Gumuz (AOR=2.019; 95% CI: 1.666, 2.447), Gambela (AOR=2.465; 95% CI: 2.026, 2.998) were associated with high risk of anaemia. Women with 1 or 2 children (AOR=1.272; 95% CI: 1.103, 1.466), 3 or 4 children (AOR=1.277; 95% CI: 1.059, 1.539) and 5 or more (AOR=1.420; 95% CI: 1.213, 1.662) were associated with high risk of anaemia. Further, pregnant women (AOR=1.408; 95% CI: 1.263, 1.570) were associated with high risk of anaemia. Hence, concerned bodies need to pay special attention to women regarding anaemia based on place of residence and the region.

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Purpose This study aims to examine the differences within individuals and clusters in nutritional status and identify socioeconomic factors in the nutritional status of under-five children in Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach A weighted sub-sample of 5,270 under-five children was drawn from the under-five children data set of the Ethiopian 2019 Mini Demographic and Health Survey. Multilevel modeling was used to look at the association between the nutritional status of children with predictors. Findings The proportion of stunting, underweight and wasting among under-five children were 39.3%, 28.6% and 16.3%, respectively. The observed Global Moran Index’s value for child malnutrition (stunting, wasting and underweight) prevalence in Ethiopia were I = 0.204 for stunting, I = 0.152 for wasting and I = 0.195 for underweight at p = 0.000 was statistically significant indicating that spatial variability of malnutrition of under-five children across survey clusters and regions was observed. Moreover, the result of heterogeneity between clusters obtained for stunting, underweight and wasting was significant providing evidence of variation among regional clusters concerning the status of nutrition of under-five children. Child’s age in months, breastfeeding, family educational level, wealth index, place of residence, media access and region were highly significantly associated with childhood malnutrition. The inclusion of the explanatory variables has shown a significant impact on the variation in malnutrition among regions. Practical implications Enhance education, expanding the activities regarding nutritional and health services using media, health extension workers, and health institutions. Originality/value The study provides the malnutrition situation status of Ethiopian country when the survey carried out.

The aims of this study was to predict COVID-19 new cases using multiple linear regression model based on May to June 2020 data in Ethiopia. The COVID-19 cases data was collected from the Ethiopia Ministry of Health Organization Facebook page. Pearson’s correlation analysis and linear regression model were used in the study. And, the COVID-19 new cases was positively correlated with the number of days, daily laboratory tests, new cases of males, new cases of females, new cases from Addis Ababa city, and new cases from foreign natives. In the multiple linear regression model, COVID-19 new cases was significantly predicted by the number of days at 5%, the number of daily laboratory tests at 10%, and the number of new cases from Addis Ababa city at 1% levels of significance. Then, the researchers recommended that Ethiopian Government, Ministry of Health, and Addis Ababa city administrative should give more awareness and protections for societies, and they should open again more COVID-19 laboratory testing centers. And, this study will help the government and doctors in preparing their plans for the next times.