Utilization of youth friendly reproductive health services and associated factors among secondary school students in Southern Ethiopia, 2019: school-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: youth-friendly services are services that are accessible, acceptable, and appropriate for them. Youths are suffering by unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and its complications and Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) including HIV. However, a little study was done in Ethiopia previously. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the utilization of youth-friendly reproductive health services and associated factors among secondary school students in Areka Town, Sothern Ethiopia. Methods: school-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 600 secondary school students at the Areka Town. A simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. A structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered using Epi data version 3.1 and exported to the SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence interval with p-value < 0.05 was estimated to identify the associated factors on multivariable logistic regression. Results: the magnitude of youth-friendly reproductive health service utilization was 44.2%, with 95% CI: (40.0-48.4). Having sexual experience (AOR: 14.72, 95%CI (2.41-89.79)), parental monitoring (AOR = 7.65, 95% CI (1.19-49.07)) and having good knowledge (AOR: 14.02 95% CI (9.34-21.53)) were factors independently associated with youth-friendly reproductive health service utilization. Conclusion: the study shows the utilization of youth-friendly reproductive health service were low. Having sexual intercourse experience, parental monitoring, and having good knowledge were predictors of youth-friendly reproductive health service utilization. Areka Town educational office in collaboration with multimedia should provide information and create awareness on youth-friendly service.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Factors Among Adults in Areka Town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is an emerging public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. However, there are limited studies and data are scarce in these countries, particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in this study area. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Areka town. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 581 adults. Information on socio-demographic data, behavioral and dietary habits, and family history of hypertension were collected using face-to-face interview. Measurements of weight, height, and blood pressure were taken using digital weighing scale, Stadio-meter, and digital sphygmomanometer respectively. Data were entered and cleaned in Epi-Data version 3.1, and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Binary logistic regressions were done and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to identify associated factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension among the study participants was 19.1% (95% CI: 15.9-22.4). Out of these, more than half (57.3%) of the cases were newly screened for hypertension. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis; history of perceived childhood obesity (AOR:2.8 (95% CI:1.6,5.1)), age 55 years and above (AOR=8.90, 95% CI: 3.77-21.02), family history of hypertension (AOR= 2.57, 95% CI: 1.17-5.64), fatty meat intake (AOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.05-3.65), eating vegetables less than two days per week (AOR=2.81, 95% CI: 1.24-6.37) and being obese (AOR=11.59, 95% CI: 4.7-27.62) were associated factors of developing hypertension. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the prevalence was found to be high among adults indicating the hidden burden of the problem in the area. Therefore, the health systems need to develop strategies for community-based screening, strategies that focus on life cycle-based approach because childhood and adolescence are crucial times for the prevention of NCDs including hypertension. Health education on eating behavior and life style modifications to maintain normal body weight are recommended.

Reversible Long Term Contraceptives Utilization among Married Women of Reproductive Age Group in Areka Town, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In low income countries, bearing many children is the main factor affecting maternal health. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of reversible long term contraceptives utilization and identify factors associated with it among married women of child bearing age in Areka District in South Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey involving systematically recruited 346 married women of reproductive age group. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire on May 2019. We used SPSS version 25 for data entry and analyses. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to select exposure variables with crude association. Multivariate analysis was done to control for potential confounders and identify predictors of the outcome. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported, and statistical significance was declared at p<0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of reversible long term contraceptives utilization among married women of reproductive age group was 134(38.7%). Utilization of Reversible Long Term Contraceptives (RLTCs) was positively associated with being protestant Christian religion follower, advanced educational status, history of abortion, and having a better attitude towards reversible long term contraceptives. In other words, being housewife, being daily laborer, having no radio in the household and making fertility decisions alone were negatively associated. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of RLTCs in the study area was high. Women should be empowered educationally through other alternative opportunities to formal school. In addition to electronic media, different community events and community conversations should be used to convey messages on contraceptives particularly RLTCs. Behavioral change communications would benefit women in shaping their attitudes towards RLTCs.