Background:-Khat is a large green shrub that grows at high altitude in the region extending from eastern to southern Africa, as well as on the Arabian Peninsula. Khat is widely consumed among the youth of Ethiopia; especially among high school, College and University students. Khat chewing is the risk of frequently absenteeism from class and poor academic performance of the students. Moreover, it has serious health, social and economic consequence. However, information on prevalence and its associated factor is scarce in the study area. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the prevalence of khat chewing and its associated factor among College students in Bahir Dar town, Ethiopia. Methods:-School based cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2012 among 754 College students in Bahir Dar town, Ethiopia. Data were collected using pre-tested structured facilitator guided self administered questionnaire. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select students for the survey. The collected data were cleaned, coded and entered on to EPi-Info version 3.5.2 Statistical package soft ware. Data were exported to SPSS version 16 program for analysis. The proportion of youth reported khat chewing was computed. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with khat chewing. Result-the overall prevalence of khat chewing in College students was 146 (19.6%). The factors associated with khat chewing were being male [Adjusted OR =5.88, 95% CI = (3.18, 10.87)], having pocket money [Adjusted OR =3.42, 95% CI = (2.04, 5.76)], urban residence [Adjusted OR =4.09, 95% CI =(2.38, 7.01)], peer pressure [Adjusted OR =13.16, 95% CI =(6.89, 25.17)], and parental model [Adjusted OR =4.28, 95% CI =(1.96, 9.35)]. Conclusion-The prevalence of khat chewing was high among College students in the study area. Factors that significantly affect the habit of khat chewing were identified. Colleges and health Bureau should design and implement audience specific behavioral change communication about consequence of khat chewing to prevent and avert students khat chewing practice.

BackgroundPre-marital sexual debut increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy. It may also affect their school performance and completion rate. In spite of this fact, number of unmarried female students who started sexual debut is increasing from time to time. However, information on the extent of pre-marital sexual debut and associated factors were not well studied and documented in the study area where pre-marital sexual debut is largely condemned. Therefore this study was conducted to assess the magnitude and associated factors of pre-marital sexual debut.MethodsSchool based cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 10-13/2012. A total of 1123 unmarried high school female students were selected by multi- stage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured, self administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with pre-marital sexual debut.ResultsAmong unmarried high school female students 30.8% reported pre-marital sexual debut. The major associated factors were frequent watching of pornographic video [AOR = 10.15, 95% CI: (6.63, 15.53)], peer pressure [AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: (1.57, 5.67)] and chewing khat [AOR = 8.99, 95% CI: (3.84, 21.06)].ConclusionSignificant proportion of unmarried high school female students have started pre-marital sexual debut. The finding suggests the need for communicating and supporting school students to help them make informed and safer decisions on their sexual behavior. Therefore, Bahir dar city administration health and education bureau should design persistent and effective health education to decrease pre-marital sexual debut in unmarried female students.

Background: Optimal dietary practice is a critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. These may be due to their poor dietary habits. Identifying factors affecting the dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with a qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. A logistic regression analysis was done. For the qualitative data, three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted. Focus group discussion participants were mothers, husbands and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. Qualitative data were collected using interview and focus group discussion guides. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and favorable attitude [AOR=1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition and knowledge gap of professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption to meet the nutrient requirements during pregnancy.

Background: The optimal dietary practice is a critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. These may be due to their poor dietary habits. Identifying factors affecting the dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with a qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. A logistic regression analysis was done. Three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted for the qualitative data. Focus group discussion participants were mothers, husbands, and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and a favorable attitude [AOR=1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study, lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition, and knowledge gap of the professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption. Keywords: Pregnant women, dietary practice, dietary diversity, food variety score

Background: The optimal dietary practice is critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. This may be due to their poor dietary habit. Identifying factors affecting dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. Logistic regression analysis was done. For qualitative data, three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted. . Focus group discussion participants were mother-in-lows, husbands and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. The tape-recorded interviews and FGDs were transcribed verbatim into Amharic language and then translated from Amharic to English. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and favorable attitude [AOR=1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition and knowledge gap of professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption to meet the nutrient requirements during pregnancy. Keywords: pregnant women, dietary practice, dietary diversity, food variety score

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Background: The optimal dietary practice is critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. This may be due to their poor dietary habit. Identifying factors affecting dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. Logistic regression analysis was done. For qualitative data, three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted. . Focus group discussion participants were mother-in-lows, husbands and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. The tape-recorded interviews and FGDs were transcribed verbatim into Amharic language and then translated from Amharic to English. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and favorable attitude [AOR=1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition and knowledge gap of professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption to meet the nutrient requirements during pregnancy. Keywords: pregnant women, dietary practice, dietary diversity, food variety score