Global burden of 34 cancers among women in 2020 and projections to 2040: Population-based data from 185 countries/territories.

Globally women face inequality in cancer outcomes; for example, smaller improvements in life expectancy due to decreased cancer-related deaths than men (0.5 vs 0.8 years, 1981-2010). However, comprehensive global evidence on the burden of cancer among women (including by reproductive age spectrum) as well as disparities by region, remains limited. This study aimed to address these evidence gaps by considering 34 cancer types in 2020 and their projections for 2040. The cancer burden among women in 2020 was estimated using population-based data from 185 countries/territories sourced from GLOBOCAN. Mortality to Incidence Ratios (MIR), a proxy for survival, were estimated by dividing the age-standardised mortality rates by the age-standardised incidence rates. Demographic projections were performed to 2040. In 2020, there were an estimated 9.3 million cancer cases and 4.4 million cancer deaths globally. Projections showed an increase to 13.3 million (↑44%) and 7.1 million (↑60%) in 2040, respectively, with larger proportional increases in low- and middle-income countries. MIR among women was higher (poorer survival) in rare cancers and with increasing age. Countries with low Human Development Indexes (HDIs) had higher MIRs (69%) than countries with very high HDIs (30%). There was inequality in cancer incidence and mortality worldwide among women in 2020, which will further widen by 2040. Implementing cancer prevention efforts and providing basic cancer treatments by expanding universal health coverage through a human rights approach, expanding early screening opportunities and strengthening medical infrastructure are key to improving and ensuring equity in cancer control and outcomes.

Study protocol for the family empowerment program: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of online Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) on the wellbeing of family members with a relative experiencing substance dependence and mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews consistently show that family-focused interventions are effective at improving substance treatment engagement and outcomes across the lifespan. Yet, Australian substance use treatment services rarely incorporate family members and concerned significant others. Testing of family focussed interventions in the Australian context is required. METHODS: The trial is a randomized wait-list control trial assessing the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of online CRAFT with a parallel group. Participants will be randomised to receive either online CRAFT or to a wait-list control group who are provided with CRAFT related reading material during the waiting period. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and then at 6- and 15-weeks post baseline. The primary outcome will be improved wellbeing of participating family members. The trial reporting will comply with SPIRIT guidelines. DISCUSSION: This study will focus on people living in rural areas. Substance treatment programs are limited in rural Australia. The provision of the Family Empowerment Program (CRAFT) online should make family focused substance treatment support accessible and attainable for the first time in rural areas. The outcomes of this trial could have meaningful implications for the future funding and support of family focused substance treatment services that are inclusive of people with mental health conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR, ACTRN12623000796684p, Registered 26 July 2023. Prospectively registered with protocol version 3.

Interventions to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 years in Ethiopia: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of experimental or quasi-experimental studies that aimed to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsychINFO, and Academic Search Database were used to locate peer-reviewed studies, and Google Scholar and Open Dissertation were used to locate grey literatures. All searches were conducted between 2000 and November 2022. SETTING: Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women and mothers with children aged 0-59 months. RESULTS: Ten cluster randomised controlled trials (RCT), six quasi-experimental studies and two individual RCT were included. Out of the identified eighteen studies, three studies targeted pregnant mothers. Our findings showed that almost two-thirds of published interventions had no impact on childhood stunting and wasting, and more than half had no impact on underweight. Some behaviour change communication (BCC) interventions, food vouchers, micronutrient supplementation and quality protein maize improved stunting. Similarly, BCC and fish oil supplementation showed promise in reducing wasting, while BCC and the provision of quality protein maize reduced underweight. Additionally, water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) interventions provided to pregnant mothers and children under 2 years of age were shown to significantly reduce childhood stunting. CONCLUSION: Future childhood nutritional interventions in Ethiopia should consider adopting an integrated approach that combines the positive effects of interdependent systems such as BCC, food supplemental programmes (e.g. boosting protein and micronutrients), health interventions (e.g. strengthening maternal and childcare), WaSH and financial initiatives (e.g. monetary support and income schemes).

Socio-demographic correlates of unhealthy lifestyle in Ethiopia: a secondary analysis of a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Multiple lifestyle risk factors exhibit a stronger association with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) compared to a single factor, emphasizing the necessity of considering them collectively. By integrating these major lifestyle risk factors, we can identify individuals with an overall unhealthy lifestyle, which facilitates the provision of targeted interventions for those at significant risk of NCDs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the socio-demographic correlates of unhealthy lifestyles among adolescents and adults in Ethiopia. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey, based on the World Health Organization's NCD STEPS instruments, was conducted in Ethiopia. The survey, carried out in 2015, involved a total of 9,800 participants aged between 15 and 69 years. Lifestyle health scores, ranging from 0 (most healthy) to 5 (most unhealthy), were derived considering factors such as daily fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking status, prevalence of overweight/obesity, alcohol intake, and levels of physical activity. An unhealthy lifestyle was defined as the co-occurrence of three or more unhealthy behaviors. To determine the association of socio-demographic factors with unhealthy lifestyles, multivariable logistic regression models were utilized, adjusting for metabolic factors, specifically diabetes and high blood pressure. RESULTS: Approximately one in eight participants (16.7%) exhibited three or more unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, which included low fruit/vegetable consumption (98.2%), tobacco use (5.4%), excessive alcohol intake (15%), inadequate physical activity (66%), and obesity (2.3%). Factors such as male sex, urban residency, older age, being married or in a common-law relationship, and a higher income were associated with these unhealthy lifestyles. On the other hand, a higher educational status was associated with lower odds of these behaviors. CONCLUSION: In our analysis, we observed a higher prevalence of concurrent unhealthy lifestyles. Socio-demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, marital status, residence, income, and education, were found to correlate with individuals' lifestyles. Consequently, tailored interventions are imperative to mitigate the burden of unhealthy lifestyles in Ethiopia.

Early newborn bathing and associated factors among mothers in Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Delaying newborn bathing for 24 h after childbirth protects the baby from hypothermia, infection and hypoglycaemia and provides an opportunity for mother-baby emotional bonding. However, no previously published study has investigated the early newborn bathing practices of pastoral mothers in Ethiopia. This study aims to investigate early newborn bathing and associated factors among mothers in Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit 386 mothers, and the data collection was performed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to examine the association between explanatory variables (including sociodemographic, obstetric, health service and health literacy factors) and early newborn bathing. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of early newborn bathing among postpartum mothers was 73.1% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from 68.4 to 77.5%. Mothers who attained college or higher education [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.21; 95% CI 0.06-0.66], those who were from urban areas (AOR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.09-0.42) and those who gave birth using operational delivery (e.g. caesarean section and instrumental delivery) (AOR = 0.01; 95% CI 0.01-0.04) were less likely to practice early newborn bathing. CONCLUSION: The practice of early newborn bathing was unacceptably high in pastoral communities of the Afar Region. There is a need for interventions specifically targeting at uneducated and rural mothers as part of the implementation to improve the essential newborn care practices of mothers in pastoral communities in Ethiopia.

Trends and determinants of underweight and overweight/obesity among urban Ethiopian women from 2000 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional, epidemiological and demographic transitions have been associated with the emergence of the double burden of malnutrition globally. In Ethiopia, there has been no nationally representative investigation of trends and determinants of both underweight and overweight/obesity among urban women. This study examined the trends and determinants of underweight and overweight/obesity in urban Ethiopian women from 2000 to 2016. METHODS: Trends in the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity were investigated based on a series of the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data for the years 2000 (n = 2559), 2005 (n = 1112), 2011 (n = 3569), and 2016 (n = 3106). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural, and community-level factors with underweight and overweight/obesity. RESULTS: The prevalence of underweight in urban Ethiopian women reduced significantly from 23.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.3, 26.3%) in 2000 to 14.8% (95% CI: 13.1, 16.7%) in 2016, while overweight/obesity increased significantly from 10.9% (95% CI: 9.1, 13.0%) in 2000 to 21.4% (95% CI: 18.2, 25.1%) in 2016. Urban women from rich households and those who had never married were less likely to be underweight. Urban women who were from wealthy households and those who attained at least secondary education were more likely to be overweight/obese. Women who were informally employed and listened to the radio were less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those who were unemployed and did not listen to the radio, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 2000 to 2016, with a concurrent reduction in the prevalence of underweight. Interventions aiming to reduce overweight and obesity should target urban women with higher education, those who resided in wealthier households and those who watched the television.

Trends and factors associated with complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia from 2005 to 2016.

Introducing appropriate complementary feeding at 6 months of age is crucial for the optimal growth and development of an infant. In Ethiopia, however, no previous national-level studies have examined the trends and associated factors of complementary feeding practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the trends and determinants of complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia from 2005 to 2016. The study was conducted using the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data for 2005 (N = 2,520), 2011 (N = 2,850), and 2016 (N = 2,864). Percentage point changes in complementary feeding indicators were estimated to examine the trends over the EDHS years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between socioeconomic, demographic, health service, and community-level factors and (a) the introduction of complementary foods, (b) minimum dietary diversity (MDD), (c) minimum meal frequency (MMF), and (d) minimum acceptable diet (MAD). The proportion of mothers who met MDD increased from 6.3% to 13.5% (p < .001), and MAD increased from 4.1% to 7.1% (p = .003) from 2005 to 2016. Improvements in the introduction of complementary foods (from 50.3% to 59.5%, p = .051) and MMF (from 41.3% to 43.6%, p = .288) were not statistically significant. Maternal education and occupation were associated with the introduction of complementary foods, MDD, MMF, and MAD. Higher partner education and frequent antenatal visits were associated with MDD and MAD. Children whose mothers listened to the radio had higher odds of MDD, MMF, and MAD. Our analysis of the EDHS suggests that the proportion of MDD and MAD were unacceptably low. Interventions aiming to improve complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia should also target mothers with low education, antenatal service usage, and media exposure.

Overweight and obesity and its socio-demographic correlates among urban Ethiopian women: evidence from the 2011 EDHS.

BACKGROUND: Evidences show that the burden of overweight and obesity is increasing in developing countries, particularly among urban women. Despite this worrying trend and the recognition of the emerging problem of chronic diseases in the recently launched Health Sector Transformation Plan of Ethiopia, little efforts are being made to address overweight and obesity. The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of overweight and obesity among urban women. METHODS: This study was based on the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) that used a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. A total of 3602 non-pregnant urban reproductive age women were included in the analysis. Simple descriptive, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed as appropriate. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban Ethiopian women was found to be 435 (12.1 %) and 99 (2.8 %), respectively. Urban women in the age groups from 20-29 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.3 95 % CI: 1.4, 3.9], 30-39 years (AOR = 5.0 95 % CI: 2.9, 8.8) and 40-49 years (AOR = 9.8 95 % CI: 5.1, 13.8) were significantly more likely to have overweight and obesity compared to the youngest age group (15 to 19 years). The odds of being overweight and obese was significantly higher among women in the richest quintile (AOR = 1.8 95 % CI: 1.1, 2.5), those with secondary and above education (AOR = 2.0 95 % CI: (1.3, 3.1) and married women (AOR = 2.0 95 % CI: (1.2, 3.3). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be higher in urban women compared to the national average. Being married, older, belonging to the richest quintile, living in the three metropolises (Addis Ababa, Harari and Dire Dawa), and with secondary and above educational level are independent predictors of overweight and obesity. Programs that target on older, educated and well to do women, and those living in the big cities are expected to cope with this substantial public health concern.

Prevalence and associated factors of occupational injuries among municipal solid waste collectors in four zones of Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Refuse collectors are at a high risk for fatal and non-fatal occupational accidents. This is more intensified in developing countries, like Ethiopia, due to physically demanding nature of the job. However, information on occupational injuries and related factors are almost non-existent in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of occupational injuries and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among municipal solid waste collectors in four zones of Amhara region from February to May 2015. Computer generated simple random sampling technique was used to select the samples. Interviewer administrated questionnaires were used for the data collection process. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between outcome variables and explanatory variables. RESULTS: In this study, the annual prevalence of at least one occupational injury among solid waste workers was 34.3 % (95 % CI: 29.52, 39.10). Of these, 50.7 % of them were visited health facility to receive health care. The independent predictors of at least one occupational injury were shorter service years, low monthly salary, history of job related stress, and sleeping disturbance related to the job. Being illiterate, having lower monthly income, and those who reported sleeping disturbance were significantly and positively associated with severe occupational injuries of solid waste collectors. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of occupational injuries among municipal solid waste collectors is lower than other similar studies conducted in Ethiopia. Based on the finding of this and other studies, job rotation among work components, improvement of employees' income, job specific guideline regarding maximum production limits, and replacement of bags and bins with wheeled containers are an interventions expected to cope with the problem. There is also a need of specific periodic health surveillance (PHS) for refuse collectors to detect early signs of work related complaints and to monitor work ability.

Intimate Partner Violence and its associated factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care. A Bayesian analysis approach.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health problem worldwide. In developing nations, including Ethiopia, the problem is under-reported and under-estimated. Therefore, this study attempts to assess intimate partner violence and its associated factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at public hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia. METHODS: A health facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A sample of 418 pregnant women was selected using random sampling technique from 1st May to 1st June 2021. IPV was measured using the World Health Organization (WHO) Multi-country study of violence against women assessment tool. Data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported into Stata 17 for further analysis. A Bayesian multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out from the posterior distribution, and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% credible interval (CrI) was used to declare statistically significant variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of any IPV among pregnant women was 31.3% [95% CrI 26.6%, 36.1%]. After adjusting a range of covariates, IPV during pregnancy was more likely among women whose husbands used substances [AOR = 4.33: 95% CrI 1.68, 8.95] and household decisions made by husbands only [AOR = 6.45: 95% CI 3.01, 12.64]. Conversely, pregnant women who attended primary [AOR = 0.47: 95% CrI 0.24, 0.81] and secondary [AOR = 0.64: 95% CrI 0.41, 0.92] educational levels, women who had four or more ANC visits antenatal care visits [AOR = 0.43: 95% CrI 0.25, 0.68], and women with no prior history of adverse birth outcomes [AOR = 0.48: 95% CI 0.27, 0.80] were less likely to experience IPV during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a relatively high prevalence of any IPV among pregnant women, with factors such as substance use by husbands and limited decision-making autonomy associated with increased IPV likelihood. Conversely, women with higher education levels, four and above antenatal care attendance, and no history of adverse birth outcomes showed a reduced likelihood of experiencing IPV during pregnancy. Therefore, targeted interventions to address substance use, empower women in decision-making, and promote education and healthcare access to mitigate IPV risk during pregnancy are recommended.

Determinants of tobacco use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model.

INTRODUCTION: Although it is known that maternal tobacco use during pregnancy substantially declined in higher-income countries, information on the magnitude and determinants of tobacco use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains limited. Establishing evidence on maternal tobacco during pregnancy is crucial for guiding targeted interventions in SSA. This study aimed to determine the overall prevalence of tobacco use and its determinants among pregnant women in SSA countries. METHODS: The study used data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 33 countries across SSA from 2010 and 2021. Our analysis included a total weighted sample of 40,291 pregnant women. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with maternal tobacco use during pregnancy. The measure of association between explanatory variables and the outcome was reported using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of tobacco use among pregnant women in SSA was 1.76% (95% CI: 1.41, 2.12). Our findings showed that pregnant women in the age groups of 25-34 years (AOR 1.44; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.82) and 35+ years (AOR 2.18; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.83) had higher odds of tobacco use during pregnancy. Pregnant women who attained primary education (AOR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.70) and secondary or higher education (AOR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.53) were associated with lower odds of tobacco use. Similarly, pregnant women who resided in households with a high wealth index (AOR 0.36; 95% CI: 0.55 0.90) and those with media exposure (AOR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99) were less likely to use tobacco during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the overall prevalence of maternal tobacco use during pregnancy was relatively low in SSA, but some countries exhibited higher estimates. To address this, it is crucial to implement targeted smoking prevention and cessation strategies, particularly for young pregnant women, those facing socioeconomic disadvantages, and those with lower educational status.

Population modifiable risk factors associated with under-5 acute respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea in 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (2014-2021): an analysis of data from demographic and health surveys.

Background: Identifying the critical modifiable risk factors for acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) and diarrhoea is crucial to reduce the burden of disease and mortality among children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and ultimately achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We investigated the modifiable risk factors of ARI and diarrhoea among children under five using nationally representative surveys. Methods: We used the most recent demographic and health survey (DHS) data (2014-2021) from 25 SSA countries, encompassing a total of 253,167 children. Countries were selected based on the availability of recent datasets (e.g., DHS-VII or DHS-VIII) that represent the current socioeconomic situations. Generalised linear latent mixed models were used to compute odds ratios (ORs). Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated using adjusted ORs and prevalence estimates for key modifiable risk factors among ARI and diarrhoeal cases. Findings: This study involved 253,167 children, with a mean age of 28.7 (±17.3) months, and 50.5% were male. The highest PAFs for ARI were attributed to unclean cooking fuel (PAF = 15.7%; 95% CI: 8.1, 23.1), poor maternal education (PAF = 13.4%; 95% CI: 8.7, 18.5), delayed initiation of breastfeeding (PAF = 12.4%; 95% CI: 9.0, 15.3), and poor toilets (PAF = 8.5%; 95% CI: 4.7, 11.9). These four modifiable risk factors contributed to 41.5% (95% CI: 27.2, 52.9) of ARI cases in SSA. The largest PAFs of diarrhoea were observed for unclean cooking fuel (PAF = 17.3%; 95% CI: 13.5, 22.3), delayed initiation of breastfeeding (PAF = 9.2%; 95% CI: 7.5, 10.5), household poverty (PAF = 7.0%; 95% CI: 5.0, 9.1) and poor maternal education (PAF = 5.6%; 95% CI: 2.9, 8.8). These four modifiable risk factors contributed to 34.0% (95% CI: 26.2, 42.3) of cases of diarrhoea in SSA. Interpretation: This cross-sectional study identified four modifiable risk factors for ARI and diarrhoea that should be a priority for policymakers in SSA. Enhancing home-based care and leveraging female community health workers is crucial for accelerating the reduction in under-5 mortality linked to ARI and diarrhoea in SSA. Funding: None.

Population modifiable risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in 35 sub-Saharan Africa countries: analysis of data from demographic and health surveys.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest burden of neonatal mortality in the world. Identifying the most critical modifiable risk factors is imperative for reducing neonatal mortality rates. This study is the first to calculate population-attributable fractions (PAFs) for modifiable risk factors of neonatal mortality in SSA. Methods: We analysed the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys data sets from 35 SSA countries conducted between 2010 and 2022. Generalized linear latent and mixed models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). PAFs adjusted for communality were calculated using ORs and prevalence estimates for key modifiable risk factors. Subregional analyses were conducted to examine variations in modifiable risk factors for neonatal mortality across Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western SSA regions. Findings: In this study, we included 255,891 live births in the five years before the survey. The highest PAFs of neonatal mortality among singleton children were attributed to delayed initiation of breastfeeding (>1 h after birth: PAF = 23.88%; 95% CI: 15.91, 24.86), uncleaned cooking fuel (PAF = 5.27%; 95% CI: 1.41, 8.73), mother's lacking formal education (PAF = 4.34%; 95% CI: 1.15, 6.31), mother's lacking tetanus vaccination (PAF = 3.54%; 95% CI: 1.55, 4.92), and infrequent antenatal care (ANC) visits (PAF = 2.45; 95% CI: 0.76, 3.63). Together, these five modifiable risk factors were associated with 39.49% (95% CI: 21.13, 48.44) of neonatal deaths among singleton children in SSA. Our subregional analyses revealed some variations in modifiable risk factors for neonatal mortality. Notably, delayed initiation of breastfeeding consistently contributed to the highest PAFs of neonatal mortality across all four regions of SSA: Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western SSA. Interpretation: The PAF estimates in the present study indicate that a considerable proportion of neonatal deaths in SSA are preventable. We identified five modifiable risk factors that accounted for approximately 40% of neonatal deaths in SSA. The findings have policy implications. Funding: None.

Growth Monitoring and Promotion Service Utilisation and Associated Factors among Children in Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia.

The use of growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) services in the first two years of life can facilitate the early identification of common childhood health issues such as malnutrition and infections. It also creates an opportunity to promote education and nutritional counselling. This study is the first to investigate the use of GMP and its influencing factors among mothers in Ethiopia's pastoralist regions, including the Afar National and Regional State, where childhood malnutrition is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Between May and June 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted within the Semera-Logia city administration. The study used a random sampling technique to select 396 children under two, and data were gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the influence of explanatory variables, which included socio-demographic, health service, and health literacy factors, on the utilisation of GMP services. The overall utilisation of GMP services was 15.9% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 12.0%, 19.5%). Children whose fathers had college or higher education were more likely to utilise GMP services (adjusted odd ratios [AOR] = 7.75; 95% CI: 3.01, 19.99), whereas children living in households with more children were less likely to utilise GMP services (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.28 for households with 3-4 children and AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.67 for households with 4+ children). Children who received postnatal care had higher odds of GMP service use (AOR = 8.09; 95% CI: 3.19, 20.50). GMP services are not being fully utilised to decrease infant and child morbidity and mortality caused by malnutrition in Ethiopia. We recommend strengthening GMP services in Ethiopia and taking targeted action to address the low attainment of parental education and poor postnatal care utilisation. Public health initiatives such as the implementation of mobile health (mHealth) approaches and education of mothers by female community healthcare workers on the significance of GMP services could be effective in increasing GMP service utilisation.

Trends and Drivers of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Currently Married Tanzanian Women between 1999 and 2016.

The current study investigated the trends and factors associated with the unmet need for family planning (FP) for limiting and spacing births among married Tanzanian women between 1999 and 2016. The study used Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) data for the years 1999 (N = 2653), 2004-2005 (N = 2950), 2010 (N = 6412), and 2015-2016 (N = 8210). Trends in the unmet need for FP were estimated over the study period. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between community-level, predisposing, enabling, and need factors with the unmet need for FP in Tanzania. The results showed no significant change in percentage of married women with an unmet need for birth spacing between 1999 and 2016. The proportion of married women with an unmet need for limiting births decreased from 9.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.9%, 10.6%) in 1999 to 6.6% (95% CI: 5.9%, 7.3%) in 2016. Residing in a rural area, parity between 1-4 and 5+, visiting a health facility for any health services within twelve months, and planning to have more children (after two years and/or undecided) were factors positively associated with the unmet need for FP-spacing. Women with parity of 5+ were more likely to experience an unmet need for FP-limiting. Women's age between 25-34 and 35-49 years, women's employment status, watching television, women's autonomy of not being involved in household decisions, and planning to have more children were factors associated with lower odds of having an unmet need for FP-spacing. Women's age between 25-34 years, watching television, autonomy, and planning to have more children were factors with lower odds of having an unmet need for FP-limiting. Improving FP uptake among married Tanzanian women can reduce the unmet need for FP. Therefore, reducing unmet needs for FP is attainable if government policies and interventions can target women residing in rural areas and other modifiable risk factors, such as parity, health facility visits, planning to having more children, employment, watching television, and women's autonomy.

Reviewing Publicly Available Reports on Child Health Disparities in Indigenous and Remote Communities of Australia.

Developing programs that ensure a safe start to life for Indigenous children can lead to better health outcomes. To create effective strategies, governments must have accurate and up-to-date information. Accordingly, we reviewed the health disparities of Australian children in Indigenous and remote communities using publicly available reports. A thorough search was performed on Australian government and other organisational websites (including the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW]), electronic databases [MEDLINE] and grey literature sites for articles, documents and project reports related to Indigenous child health outcomes. The study showed Indigenous dwellings had higher rates of crowding when compared to non-Indigenous dwellings. Smoking during pregnancy, teenage motherhood, low birth weight and infant and child mortality were higher among Indigenous and remote communities. Childhood obesity (including central obesity) and inadequate fruit consumption rates were also higher in Indigenous children, but Indigenous children from remote and very remote areas had a lower rate of obesity. Indigenous children performed better in physical activity compared to non-Indigenous children. No difference was observed in vegetable consumption rates, substance-use disorders or mental health conditions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Future interventions for Indigenous children should focus on modifiable risk factors, including unhealthy housing, perinatal adverse health outcomes, childhood obesity, poor dietary intake, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours.

Postpartum depression and associated factors in Afar Region, northeast Ethiopia.

Background: To effectively address the burden of postpartum depression (PPD), it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of its magnitude and the factors associated with it in the pastoral and hot region of the Afar Region. This will help identify the progress made thus far and highlight areas that require further attention to accelerate efforts toward reducing the impact of PPD. Notably, no previous study has examined the prevalence and associated factors of PPD specifically in pastoral communities within Ethiopia, including the Afar Region. Accordingly, we investigated the prevalence and associated factors of PPD among postpartum women in the Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Awsi Rasu Zone of Afar Regional State from June to July 2021. The study employed a systematic random sampling method to select a total of 302 postpartum mothers who had visited the Expanded Program of Immunisation (EPI) clinics in public health facilities within the Awsi Rasu Zone of the Afar Region. The measurement of PPD was performed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Multivariable binary logistic regression modelling was used to investigate associations between sociodemographic, obstetric and health service, and psychosocial factors with PPD. Results: The overall prevalence of PPD was 37.4% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from 32.0% to 43.0%. Postpartum women who attained high school education were associated with a lower odds of PPD compared to those who did not attain formal schooling (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.82). Postpartum women with a family history of mental illness (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.41), those who had trouble in infant feeding (AOR = 4.26; 95% CI: 2.32, 7.83), and those who experienced intimate partner violence (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.58, 6.04) were positively associated with PPD. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that the prevalence of PPD in the Awsi Rasu Zone of the Afar Region is higher than both the national and global averages. The findings also highlighted the need for targeted interventions addressing the needs of pastoral postpartum women who experience various stressors, such as feeding difficulties and intimate partner violence.

Mapping Local Variations and the Determinants of Childhood Stunting in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the specific geospatial variations in childhood stunting is essential for aligning appropriate health services to where new and/or additional nutritional interventions are required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national targets. OBJECTIVES: We described local variations in the prevalence of childhood stunting at the second administrative level and its determinants in Nigeria after accounting for the influence of geospatial dependencies. METHODS: This study used the 2018 national Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey datasets (NDHS; N = 12,627). We used a Bayesian geostatistical modelling approach to investigate the prevalence of stunting at the second administrative level and its proximal and contextual determinants among children under five years of age in Nigeria. RESULTS: In 2018, the overall prevalence of childhood stunting in Nigeria was 41.5% (95% credible interval (CrI) from 26.4% to 55.7%). There were striking variations in the prevalence of stunting that ranged from 2.0% in Shomolu in Lagos State, Southern Nigeria to 66.4% in Biriniwa in Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria. Factors positively associated with stunting included being perceived as small at the time of birth and experience of three or more episodes of diarrhoea in the two weeks before the survey. Children whose mothers received a formal education and/or were overweight or obese were less likely to be stunted compared to their counterparts. Children who were from rich households, resided in households with improved cooking fuel, resided in urban centres, and lived in medium-rainfall geographic locations were also less likely to be stunted. CONCLUSION: The study findings showed wide variations in childhood stunting in Nigeria, suggesting the need for a realignment of health services to the poorest regions of Northern Nigeria.

Delays in seeking treatment for fever in children under five years of age in Nigeria: Evidence from the National Demographic Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: In countries with high child mortality rates, such as Nigeria, early intervention for common childhood illnesses (e.g., pneumonia and malaria) is essential for improving clinical outcomes. The timely reporting and treatment of fever is therefore critical in making a differential diagnosis and choosing an appropriate course of treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and major risk factors associated with delays in seeking treatment for fever in children under five years of age in Nigeria. METHODS: This study used a total weighted sample of 7,466 children under five years of age from the 2018 National Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariable binary logistic regression modelling was used to investigate the association between predisposing, enabling, need, health service and community level factors, and delay in treatment-seeking for fever. RESULTS: We report the delays in seeking treatment for childhood fever that was reported by mothers in the last two weeks prior to the national survey. The prevalence for delayed treatment was 62.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 60.1%, 64.1%). Our findings showed that there were fewer delays in seeking treatment in children aged 24-59 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.93), among mothers who were formally employed (aOR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.96), regularly attended antenatal services (aOR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.66, 0.88), and for those who resided in wealthier households (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.89). Children whose mothers resided in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria were less likely to delay seeking treatment for fever (aOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.73). However, mothers who had an unwanted pregnancy had a higher odds of delaying treatment for childhood fever (aOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.39). CONCLUSION: There were significant delays in seeking treatment for childhood fever in poorer homes found in geopolitically unstable zones of Nigeria. Mothers who were poor, unemployed, and with younger children (<12 months) often delayed seeking treatment for their febrile child. Future health promotion strategies and microenterprise schemes should target both rural and urban mothers residing in poor households. Children under 12 months of age should be a priority.

Population-Modifiable Risk Factors Associated With Childhood Stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Importance: Identifying modifiable risk factors associated with childhood stunting in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is imperative for the development of evidence-based interventions and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Objective: To evaluate key modifiable risk factors associated with childhood stunting in SSA. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study examined the most recent (2014-2021) Demographic and Health Surveys data for children younger than 5 years from 25 SSA countries. Exposures: Modifiable risk factors included history of diarrhea within 2 weeks, consumption of dairy products, maternal body mass index, maternal educational level, antenatal care visits, place of birth, wealth index, type of toilet, and type of cooking fuel. Main Outcomes and Measures: Stunting and severe stunting, measured using the height-for-age z score, were the main outcomes. Children who scored below -2.0 SDs or -3.0 SDs were classified as having stunted or severely stunted growth, respectively. Relative risks and 95% CIs were computed using generalized linear latent and mixed models and log-binomial link functions. Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated using adjusted relative risks and prevalence estimates for key modifiable risk factors. Results: This study included 145 900 children from 25 SSA countries. The mean (SD) age of the children was 29.4 (17.3) months, and 50.6% were male. The highest PAFs of severe childhood stunting were observed for mothers lacking a formal education (PAF, 21.9%; 95% CI, 19.0%-24.8%), children lacking consumption of dairy products (PAF, 20.8%; 95% CI, 16.8%-24.9%), unclean cooking fuel (PAF, 9.5%; 95% CI, 2.6%-16.3%), home birth (PAF, 8.3%; 95% CI, 6.3%-10.0%), and low-income household (PAF, 5.8%; 95% CI, 3.4%-8.0%). These 5 modifiable risk factors were associated with 51.6% (95% CI, 40.5%-60.9%) of the severe childhood stunting in SSA. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study identified 5 modifiable risk factors that were associated with 51.6% of severe childhood stunting in SSA. These factors should be a priority for policy makers when considering future child health interventions to address chronic malnutrition in SSA.