BackgroundPoor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends and deaths observed in developing countries. Evidences have shown that promotion of appropriate complementary feeding practices reduces the incidence of stunting and leads to better health and growth outcome. This study was aimed at assessing practices of complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6–23 months.MethodsA community-based cross sectional study design was conducted among 611 mothers who had children with 6–23 months of age in the ten randomly selected Kebeles (smallest administrative unit). A multistage sampling technique was used to identify study subjects. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were entered in to Epi info version 3.5.1. Data cleaning and analysis were done using SPSS version 16. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were computed to measure the strength of association.ResultsThe response rate was 97.6 % (611/626). The practices of timely initiation of complementary feeding, minimum meal frequency and minimum dietary diversity were 72.5, 67.3 and 18.8 % among mothers of 6–23 months aged children, respectively. The practice of appropriate complementary feeding was 9.5 %. Child’s age (12–17 and 18–23 months) [Adjusted OR: 2.75 (95 % CI: 1.07 7.03), 2.64 (95 % CI: 1.06 6.74)], educational level of mother (primary and secondary and above schools) [AOR: 3.24 (1.28 8.20), 3.21 (1.1.07 9.70)], and smaller family size [AOR: 12.10 (95 % CI: 1.10 139.7)] were found to be independent predictors of appropriate complementary feeding practice of 6–23 months old children.ConclusionLow appropriate complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months was observed. Mothers who are illiterate, children age 6–11 months and families with large size were associated factors for inappropriate feeding practices. Therefore, nutritional counseling on child feeding practices were recommended.

Introduction Scabies is one of the common public health problem but neglected parasitic diseases caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. Methods A community-based unmatched case control (1 : 2 ratios) study was conducted in East Badewacho District, using collected scabies line listed data and face-to-face interview to assess risk factors during October 23–30, 2016. The data were collected using structured questionnaire, and then the data were coded, entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS statistical software, whereas, line listed data was entered into Microsoft excel for descriptive analyses. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to determine associated factors. Results A total of 4,532 scabies cases line listed with overall attack rate of 110/1,000 population. The mean age was 12 years, and most affected age group was 5–14 years. Independent risk factors found to be statistically associated with scabies infestation were age less than 15 years (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.31–5.22), family size greater than 5 members (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.10–6.27), bed sharing with scabies cases (AOR = 12.47, 95% CI: 3.05–50.94), and home being affected by flooding (AOR = 22.32, 95% CI: 8.46–58.90). Conclusion Outbreak of scabies occurred in East Badewacho District. Age less than 15 years, family size greater than five members, sleeping with others, and home being affected by flooding are the risk factors. Providing risk factors related health education on prevention and controls especially, at community level and schools, is recommended.

Objective Scabies is an infection of the skin, which caused by human itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei . It is a common health problem in Ethiopia, especially during disasters, poor sanitation and overcrowded living condition. However, investigation on scabies outbreak and associated factors was absent or scarce in the country in general and in the study area in particular. Hence, this study was intended to investigate scabies outbreak, identify risk factors, and recommend preventive measures in Kechabira district, Kembata Tembaro zone, Southern Ethiopia. Result We identified a total of 243 scabies cases line listed with overall prevalence of 2.5% and attack rate of (AR) 20.5 per 1000 populations and no death was reported. Of the suspected cases 126 (51.9%) were males and 117 (48.1%) were females. The median age was 24 years with inter-quartile range (IQR) of 22 years. The highest cases were seen in children aged 5–14 (50.6%) years. The cases were seen in three villages and the highest incidence was in Burchana, 23.9 per 1000 population. Identified determinant factors for scabies outbreak were sharing clothes with scabies patients (AOR = 6.08, 95% CI [1.54–23.92], and households having greater than six family members AOR = 38.755, 95% CI [8.084–185.787]. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4317-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Background Globally, approximately 15 million babies are born preterm every year. Complications of prematurity are the leading cause of under-five mortality. There is overwhelming evidence from low, middle, and high-income countries supporting kangaroo mother care (KMC) as an effective strategy to prevent mortality in both preterm and low birth weight (LBW) babies. However, implementation and scale-up of KMC remains a challenge, especially in lowincome countries such as Ethiopia. This formative research study, part of a broader KMC implementation project in Southern Ethiopia, aimed to identify the barriers to KMC implementation and to devise a refined model to deliver KMC across the facility to community continuum. Methods A formative research study was conducted in Southern Ethiopia using a qualitative explorative approach that involved both health service providers and community members. Twenty-fourin-depth interviewsand 14 focus group discussions were carried out with 144study participants. The study applied a grounded theory approach to identify,examine, analyse and extract emerging themes, and subsequently develop a model for KMC implementation. Results Barriers to KMC practice included gaps in KMC knowledge, attitude and practices among parents of preterm and LBW babies;socioeconomic, cultural and structural factors; thecommunity’s beliefs and valueswith respect to preterm and LBW babies;health professionals’ acceptance of KMC as well as their motivation to implement practices; and shortage of supplies in health facilities. Conclusions Our study suggests a comprehensive approach with systematic interventions and support at maternal, family, community, facility and health care provider levels. We propose an implementation model that addresses this community to facility continuum.

BackgroundScabies is a neglected tropical disease affecting more than 200 million people worldwide every year. Scabies in school adolescents and young adults could affect their school performance. The current study investigates the factors associated with an outbreak of scabies at primary schools in southern Ethiopia.MethodA team of health professionals investigated an outbreak of scabies that occurred in primary schools from May 1 to 30, 2018. An unmatched case–control study was employed to assess factors which predisposed for the scabies outbreak. Cases of scabies were individuals having a skin lesion compatible with the WHO case definitions of scabies. Controls were from the same locality with no skin lesions. Data on sociodemographic and behavioral variables were collected using questionnaires. Data on clinical presentations of scabies among cases were recorded by two trained and experienced health professionals. Factors associated with scabies were assessed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, and strength of association was described using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsA total of 711 (237 cases and 474 controls) study subjects participated in the study. The mean age of study participants was 17.56±2.66 years. Poor knowledge about scabies, adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.32 (95% CI: 2.93, 6.36); male sex, AOR=2.69 (95% CI: 1.82, 3.96); and parental illiteracy, AOR =3.49 (95% CI: 2.06, 5.94) predicted scabies infestation. Additionally, socioeconomic variables like sharing clothes/beds or contact with others, AOR=3.12 (95% CI: 2.12, 4.59); low household annual income, AOR=2.13 (95% CI: 1.32, 3.44); and family size greater than five, AOR=1.77 (95% CI: 1.04, 3.01) were significantly associated with scabies infestation. Inaccessibility and poor utilization of water, AOR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.40) and poor personal hygiene, AOR=1.69 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.51) were also factors independently associated with scabies.ConclusionModifiable risk factors such as personal hygiene and literacy level were found to be independent predictors of scabies infestation. Access to and utilization of water were also important predictors. Strategies for poverty alleviation and awareness creation on personal hygiene and efficient use of water are recommended for effective prevention of scabies infestation in closed institutions.

Background Universal use of iodized salt is a simple and inexpensive method to prevent and eliminate iodine deficiency disorders like mental retardation. However, little is known about the level of adequately iodized salt consumption in the study area. Therefore, the study was aimed at assessing the proportion of households having adequately iodized salt and associated factors in Wolaita Sodo town and its peripheries, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 10 to 20, 2016, in 441 households in Sodo town and its peripheries. Samples were selected using the systematic sampling technique. An iodometric titration method (AOAC, 2000) was used to analyze the iodine content of the salt samples. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi Info version 3.5.1 and SPSS version 16, respectively. Result The female to male ratio of the respondents was 219. The mean age of the respondents was 30.2 (±7.3 SD). The proportion of households having adequately iodized salt was 37.7%, with 95% CI of 33.2% to 42.2%. Not exposing salt to sunlight with [OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 2.14, 6.57], higher monthly income [OR: 3.71; 95% CI: 1.97–7.01], and formal education of respondents with [OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.70] were found associated with the presence of adequately iodized salt at home. Conclusion This study revealed low levels of households having adequately iodized salt in Wolaita Sodo town and its peripheries. The evidence here shows that there is a need to increase the supply of adequately iodized salt to meet the goal for monitoring progress towards sustainable elimination of IDD.

Background. Malaria is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. The trend of malaria occurrence remains unknown in the study area. This study is aimed at determining the last five years' trend of malaria occurrence from 2008/09 to 2012/13 in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods. A health facility-based retrospective study was conducted in Wolaita Zone from March to August, 2014. Five years' laboratory confirmed malaria record review was made from six health centers. Result. A total of 105,755 laboratory confirmed malaria cases were reported, with total slide positivity rate of 33.27% and mean annual occurrence of 21,151 cases. Malaria occurred with a fluctuating trend in the study area, with its peak occurring at the year 2011/12. Overall, no remarkable decline in the total laboratory confirmed malaria was observed in the last five years. P. falciparum was the predominantly reported species, accounting for 75,929 (71.80%) of cases. The highest slide positivity rate was observed in the age group of 5–14 years (40.5%) followed by 1–4 years (35.5%). Two malaria peak seasons occurred: one from September to December and the other from April to June. Conclusion. No remarkable decline in laboratory confirmed malaria in the last five years was observed.