BackgroundAll countries, irrespective of their developmental stage, face an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases including diabetes mellitus. There is substantial evidence of the existence of the gap in the level of diabetes mellitus and its complications prevention and control measures in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in urban and rural dwellers in a low-income country from both younger and older population and to identify factors related.MethodsThis is a community based comparative cross-sectional study conducted in a low-income country, Ethiopia. The sample size was determined by EPI-Info for two populations; the WHO’s STEP-wise approach for non-communicable diseases surveillance in developing countries was employed for sampling, study variable selection and data collection procedures. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured by finger pricking after overnight fasting. Data entry was done by EPI-data computer program version 3.1 and then processed by SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to assess the associations between diabetes status of individuals and its potential predictor variables. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant level.ResultThe study was conducted on 1405 individuals with age range of 18–97 years old. The mean fasting blood glucose level for study participants was 91.16mg/dl; while it was 94.73mg/dl for urban and 87.71mg/dl for rural dwellers. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 3.3%; while it was 2.0% for rural and (4.6%) for urban dwellers. Both the mean blood glucose level and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus were significantly higher for urban residents than rural. More than three-fourths of diabetic cases were newly diagnosed by this study. Urban dwellers, centrally obese, overweight, and hypertensive individuals have higher odds of getting diabetes mellitus.Conclusions and recommendationsHigh prevalence of diabetes mellitus involving both old and young population was documented. Most diabetic cases were suddenly diagnosed during this survey. The problem is noticeably alarming, attention should be given to the control and prevention of diabetes mellitus and related complications.

BackgroundImmunization averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year globally. In Ethiopia only quarter of children are fully immunized; the rest are remained at risk for vaccine-preventable mortality. To increase the immunization, its coverage and predictors has to be identified. This study has measured immunization coverage and identified the predictors.MethodsCross-sectional community based study has been conducted within 630 age 12–23 months children in 15 districts of Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district, Southern Ethiopia in March 2013. Census was done to identify eligible children. The 2005 world health organization expanded program of immunization cluster sampling method has been used. Data were collected using semi-structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire by interviewing index children’s mothers/caretakers, copying from vaccine card and observing BCG vaccine scar. Data were processed using SPSS version 16. Associations between dependent and independent variables has been assessed and presented using three consecutive logistic regression models.ResultNearly three fourth (73.2%) of children in Arba Minch Town and Arba Minch Zuria district were fully immunized. The rest 20.3% were partially immunized and 6.5% received no vaccine. Mother education, mothers’ perception to accessibility of vaccines, mothers’ knowledge to vaccine schedule of their site, place of delivery and living altitude were independent predictors of children immunization status.ConclusionExpanded program of immunization (EPI) coverage at Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district is better than the national immunization coverage but still below the goal. Educating mother, promoting institution delivery could help to maintain and enhance current immunization coverage. More emphasis should be given to the highland areas of the area.

Background: Birth asphyxia leads to about 4 million neonatal deaths every year around the globe. But, the pooled prevalence of asphyxia was not yet collated in East and Central African countries. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of perinatal asphyxia in Central and East Africa.

Background፡ Maternal morbidity and mortality is a global health challenge and developing countries contribute about 99% of maternal death. In Ethiopia about 30% of all women death is related to pregnancy related causes and current maternal mortality ratio is 676 per 100,000 live births. However, a large proportion of these maternal deaths could be prevented through timely and appropriate interventions including the presence of skilled delivery service utilization at each birth. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess prevalence and associated factors of home delivery at Arbaminch zuria district. Method: A community based cross-sectional study design was applied from July 1 st to July 30 2012 to collect data from reproductive age women who gave birth in the last 2 years in Arbaminch zuria district who was sampled by systematic random sampling method. A single population proportion formula was used to estimate the sample size by using statistical software EPI info 3.5.4 by considering the assumption that the prevalence of home delivery 81.8%, 95% confidence interval, 5% of absolute precision, design effect 2 then adding non response rate of 5% a total sample size of 481 mother who gave birth in the last two years. The data was entered into EPI info version 3.5.4 and exported into SPSS then analysis was made by using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables and multivariate analysis was used to assess the presence and degree of association between home delivery and independent variables. Result: Of the total respondents 157(36%) of the women was age in between 25-29 years, with mean age of 31.4±6.2 years and majority was married and illiterate 396(90.8%) and 234(53.6%)respectively. 346(79.4%) was gave birth at home with unskilled attendants 328(75.2%).Mothers educational status(p< 0.001), parity of the women(p<0.001),and travel time to health facility(p<0.001) was statistically significant association with home delivery. Conclusion: As revealed by this study home delivery attended by un trained personnel was high (75.2%) and the predominant factors associated with home delivery identified by this study were educational status of the women, parity of the women and travel time to health institution.

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