Factors contributing to the high prevalence of intimate partner violence among south Sudanese refugee women in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence is a universally occurring form of violence against women which is perpetrated by a husband or other intimate partner. It is a common public health problem during humanitarian crisis. Despite this, little is known about the problem among South Sudanese refugee women in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and identify its contributing factors among married refugee women in Pinyudo refugee camp, Gambella, Ethiopia in 2021. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2021. A random sample of 406 refugee women was included in the study. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered into epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was run to identify factors associated with intimate partner violence. Statistical significance was affirmed using Adjusted Odds Ratio with its 95% Confidence Interval at a p-value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 406 married refugee women participated in the study making a response rate of 96.2%. The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence in the past 12 months was 48.3% 95% CI= (43.6-53.2). Low-income contribution [AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-5.5], and attitudinal acceptance [AOR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.2-3.8] were significantly associated with the problem. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of intimate partner violence is alarmingly high as half of participating women reported facing the problem in the year preceding the study. Low-income contribution and attitudinal acceptance were associated with a higher probability of experiencing violence. The government, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders should enable refugee women to generate income. There should be continuous women empowerment and behavioral interventions to improve refugee women's attitudes towards intimate partner violence.

Non-adherence to the World Health Organization's physical activity recommendations and associated factors among healthy adults in urban centers of Southwest Ethiopia.

Physical inactivity is a major risk-factor of non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization has set physical activity recommendations for adults to reduce physical inactivity and its consequences. However, 1.4 billion adults are non-adherent to the recommendation worldwide. The prevalence of non-adherence to this recommendation and its predictors has not been assessed in urban Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of non-adherence to physical activity recommendations and identify its associated factors among healthy adults in urban centers of Southwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was employed from May to June 2021, involving 1191 adults in urban centers of Southwest Ethiopia. Data was collected using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with non-adherence to physical activity recommendations using 95% confidence interval of adjusted odds ratio at P-value of < 0.05.Overall, 61.2% of participants were non-adherent to physical activity recommendations. Older age (AOR = 6.6; 95%CI (2.3-19)), female sex (AOR = 6.1; 95%CI (3.5-10.5)), lower educational status (AOR = 0.5; 95%CI (.28-0.93)), less community engagement (AOR = 2.7;95% CI (1.3-5.5)), lower level of happiness (AOR = 4.7; 95%CI (1.3-16.8)) and physical inactivity of family members (AOR = 2.5; 95%CI (1.4-4.3)) were associated with non-adherence. The prevalence of non-adherence to physical activity recommendations in the study area is high. Age, sex, educational status, community engagement, level of happiness and physical inactivity of family members were predictors of non-adherence to the recommendations. Interventions have to target females and older adults. Community participation and family based physical activity have to be advocated to avert the consequences of physical inactivity.

Self-Medication and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Rural Ethiopia: The Importance of Husband Education in Ensuring a Safe Pregnancy.

Background: Self-medication is the use of drugs without a medical prescription to treat self-identified illnesses; it is also the continued use of drugs without a physician's order for recurring symptoms, either by sharing or purchasing them from unlicensed vendors. It entails substantial risk to pregnant women and fetuses. Magnitude of the problem and its factors among rural pregnant women is not studied in Ethiopia. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication practice and identify its associated factors among pregnant women in rural Southwest Shewa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 585 randomly selected pregnant women in selected rural public health institutions from May to July 2021. Data was collected by using an interviewer-administered pretested structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with self-medication. Variables with p-value <0.05 for the 95% confidence interval of the adjusted odds ratio were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 585 pregnant women participated in the study with a response rate of 92.3%. The prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women was 19.8%. Primigravidity (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.1), lower educational status of husbands (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.02-12.9), living close to health facilities (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09-0.6) and knowing one's own gestational age (AOR = 0.5,95% CI: 0.30-0.9) were significantly associated with self-medication practice. Conclusion and Recommendation: One in five of the pregnant women practiced self-medication during the current pregnancy. Primigravidity and lower educational status of husbands were associated with a higher probability of self-medication. Knowing gestational age and living close to health facilities were associated with a lower likelihood of practicing self-medication. Rational drug use has to be promoted among pregnant women. Maternal and child health interventions should also target husbands. Health education has to be strengthened to help pregnant women have a safe pregnancy.

Metabolic Syndrome and Its Associated Factors among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Southwest Ethiopia, 2021/2022.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is one of the leading global public health and clinical challenges, with increasing prevalence figures ranging from 10% to as high as 84%. There is a 5-fold increase in metabolic syndrome associated with type 2 diabetes and a 2-fold increase associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. The calorie-dense diet and sedentary life patterns are the most important contributory factors that have been established. Objective: This study is aimed at assessing metabolic syndrome and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes attending chronic follow-up units at hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia, in 2020. Methods: This study was conducted at hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia, using an institutional-based cross-sectional study design from September 1, 2020, to August 30, 2021. Data was collected from 422 type 2 diabetics through face-to-face interviews using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi-data version 4.4.1 and exported for analysis to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25. The magnitude of metabolic syndrome was determined by using the National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate associated factors for the outcome variable. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result and Conclusion. Out of the 422 sample sizes, 394 type 2 diabetics participated in this study, giving a response rate of 93.36%. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetics in this study was 68.3%, using the National Cholesterol Education Program and Third Adult Treatment Panel criteria. The associated factors for metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetics are urban residency, old age, physical inactivity, salt intake, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, palm oil, and eating meat.

Parasitological and malacological surveys to identify transmission sites for Schistosoma mansoni in Gomma District, south-western Ethiopia.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects the poorest people in tropical and subtropical countries. It is a major parasitic disease causing considerable morbidity in Ethiopia. Despite significant control efforts, schistosomiasis transmission is still widespread in many rural areas of the country. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal schistosomiasis among schoolchildren, as well as to identify schistosomiasis transmission sites in Gomma District, southwestern Ethiopia. Between October 2018 and September 2019, cross-sectional parasitological and malacological surveys were conducted in the study area. The study comprised 492 school-children aged 6 to 15 years old from four primary schools in Gomma District. To identify and quantify eggs of Schistosoma mansoni from the children, stool specimens were collected and processed using double Kato-Katz thick smears. Water bodies adjacent to human settlements in the study area were surveyed for snail intermediate hosts of S. mansoni. Morphological identification of collected snails was conducted, followed by examining their infection status using a dissecting microscope. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 73.8% (95%CI: 69.9-77.7%) and 41.6% of them had moderate-to-heavy infections. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection differed considerably by age group, with the older age groups (12-15) having a higher prevalence than the younger age groups (6-11) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of infection also varied significantly among schools; Dedo Ureche had the highest prevalence (86.9%) (p = 0.034), while Goga Kilole had relatively the lowest prevalence of S. mansoni infection (59.6%) (p = 0.003). A total of 1463 Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails were collected from 11 survey sites throughout the study area, with 357 (24.4%) of the snails shedding schistosomes cercariae. Despite intensified efforts to scale up mass drug administration in Ethiopia, this study reported high levels of S. mansoni infection among schoolchildren and snail intermediate hosts in rural communities in Gomma. Such a high infection rate warrants pressing needs for targeted and integrated interventions to control the disease in the area.

Determinants of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure among adult patients on treatment in Mettu Karl Specialized Hospital, South West Ethiopia; a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy has dramatically reduced Human Immunodeficiency Virus related morbidity and mortality. It has also transformed HIV infection into a manageable chronic condition. However, first-line antiretroviral treatment failure continues to grow especially in resource limited settings. Despite this, determinants of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure are not well studied in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure among adult patients on antiretroviral therapy in Mettu Karl Specialized Hospital, South West Ethiopia, in 2020. METHODS: A hospital based case-control study was conducted from October to November 2020. Simple random sampling technique was used to select participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire and record review were used for data collection. Data were entered into epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used. At the end, variables with P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence intervals for adjusted odds ratio were considered statistically significant determinants of first line treatment failure. RESULT: A total of 113 cases and 339 controls were included in the study with response rate of 98.6%. Sixty-four (56.6%) of cases and 183 (54.0%) of controls were females. Baseline WHO clinical stage III and IV (AOR = 1.909, 95% CI: (1.103, 3.305), baseline body mass index<18.5kg/m2(AOR = 2.208,95% CI:(1.257,3.877),baseline CD4 cell count <100cells/mm3 (AOR = 3.016, 95% CI: (1.734, 5.246), having history of TB co-infection (AOR = 1.855, 95% CI: (1.027, 3.353), having history of lost to follow up (AOR = 3.235, 95% CI: (1.096, 9.551), poor adherence to medication (AOR = 7.597, 95% CI: (4.059, 14.219) and initiation of treatment after two years of diagnosis with HIV (AOR = 4.979, 95% CI: (2.039, 12.158) were determinants of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure. CONCLUSION: In this study several variables were found to be determinants of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure. Concerned bodies should give more attention to early diagnosis of HIV, early enrollment in chronic HIV care and early initiation of ART before patients develop advanced WHO clinical stages. In addition, focus has to be given for patients with low CD4 count. Regular screening for TB, counseling on optimal adherence to medication and enhancing nutritional status of patients with low body mass index are also crucial to prevent first-line antiretroviral treatment failure.

Co-occurrence of Behavioral Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases and Social Determinants among Adults in Urban Centers of Southwestern Ethiopia in 2020: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases are priority global health problems. Smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet are four behavioral risk factors of these diseases. Studies in Ethiopia have focused on establishing associations between these factors and incommunicable diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, co-occurrence, and social determinants of behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases among adults in urban centers of southwestern Ethiopia. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional design. Multistage sampling and the Kish method were used. The WHO's STEPS instrument was used for data collection. Proportions and other descriptive measures are used to describe the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was run to assess associations. Associations between dependent and independent variables were determined using AORs, 95% CIs, and significance level of P=0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1,191 adults participated in the study for a 93.3% response rate. In sum, 4.8% of participants were smokers and 15.6% indulge in harmful drinking. Prevalence of physical inactivity was 60.45%, and 94.8% consumed insufficient fruit and vegetables. Regarding co-occurrence of these factors, 65.5% of participants had two or more behavioral risk factors. Female sex (AOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.8-5.5), no formal employment (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.02-3.7), greater wealth (AOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.1-5.1), not having a friend who does physical exercise (AOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5-4.7), having friends who do not drink (AOR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09-0.44), and participating in community activities (AOR 2.95, 95% CI 1.4-6.0) were associated with co-occurrence of behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and co-occurrence of behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases in the study area are alarming. Several factors were associated with co-occurrence of these factors. Community-based interventions have to be implemented considering family settings. Special focus has to be given to physical inactivity and fruit and vegetable consumption.