Less known but greatly feared: Cervical cancer in Ethiopia community awareness.

To improve a community's awareness and attitude towards cervical cancer, strong evidence is needed to inform contextually appropriate policies. This study aims to explore community awareness about cervical cancer from the perspective of women, men and health extension workers (HEWs). The research was conducted from May to July 2021 in Jimma, Ethiopia. A total of 23 in-depth interviews were conducted. The study included married and unmarried women (15-19 and 25-29 years old), men of similar ages (married and unmarried), and HEWs. Furthermore, eight separate focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with both men and women. Thematic analysis was used to draw findings from the interviews and FGDs. Community awareness about cervical cancer was very limited. However, people who knew of it believed that cancer is fatal. A few participants were aware of cervical cancer through its symptoms, but most people did not know it by name and had never heard about HPV as the cause of cervical cancer. There was little understanding of HPV risk, transmission factors, prevention, vaccination, screening, or treatment. Participants considered their participation in this study as their first chance to learn about the disease. HEWs had limited knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer. Study participants demonstrated favorable attitudes towards HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and treatment after they received basic information about cervical cancer from the data collectors. Participants and HEWs strongly suggested awareness creation programs for the wider community members, including active involvement of men and HEWs in cervical cancer interventions. There is a critical information gap regarding cervical cancer, its cause and risk factors, HPV transmission, cervical screening, and treatment programs. Limited community awareness leads to poor uptake of cervical screening in the few settings where it is available. Therefore, community awareness programs about HPV, cervical cancer, and available services should improve the community's awareness of cervical cancer and HPV.

Association of linear growth velocities between 0 and 6 years with kidney function and size at 10 years: A birth cohort study in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Risk of noncommunicable diseases accrues from fetal life, with early childhood growth having an important role in adult disease risk. There is a need to understand how early-life growth relates to kidney function and size. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the association of linear growth velocities among children between 0 and 6 y with kidney function and size among children aged 10 y. METHODS: The Ethiopian Anthropometric and Body Composition birth cohort recruited infants born at term to mothers living in Jimma with a birth weight of ≥1500 g and without congenital malformations. Participants were followed up with 13 measurements between birth and 6 y of age. The latest follow-up was at ages 7-12 y with measurement of serum cystatin C as a marker of kidney function and ultrasound assessment of kidney dimensions. Kidney volume was computed using an ellipsoid formula. Linear-spline multilevel modeling was used to compute linear growth velocities between 0 and 6 y. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to examine the associations of linear growth velocities in selected age periods with cystatin C and kidney size. RESULTS: Data were captured from 355 children, at a mean age of 10 (range 7-12) y. The linear growth velocity was high between 0 and 3 mo and then decreased with age. There was no evidence of an association of growth velocity ≤24 mo with cystatin C at 10 y. Between 24 and 48 and 48 and 76 mo, serum cystatin C was higher by 2.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6, 4.2] and 2.1% (95% CI: 0.3, 4.0) for 1 SD higher linear growth velocity, respectively. We found a positive association between linear growth velocities at all intervals between 0 and 6 y and kidney volume. CONCLUSIONS: Greater linear growth between 0 and 6 y of development was positively associated with kidney size, and greater growth velocity after 2 y was associated with higher serum cystatin C concentrations.

Social, economic and cultural influences on adolescent nutrition and physical activity in Jimma, Ethiopia: perspectives from adolescents and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore influences on adolescent diet and physical activity, from the perspectives of adolescents and their caregivers, in Jimma, Ethiopia. DESIGN: Qualitative design, using focus group discussions (FGD). SETTING: A low-income setting in Jimma, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Five FGD with adolescents aged 10-12 years and 15-17 years (n 41) and three FGD with parents (n 22) were conducted. RESULTS: Adolescents displayed a holistic understanding of health comprising physical, social and psychological well-being. Social and cultural factors were perceived to be the main drivers of adolescent diet and physical activity. All participants indicated that caregivers dictated adolescents' diet, as families shared food from the same plate. Meals were primarily determined by caregivers, whose choices were driven by food affordability and accessibility. Older adolescents, particularly boys, had opportunities to make independent food choices outside of the home which were driven by taste and appearance, rather than nutritional value. Many felt that adolescent physical activity was heavily influenced by gender. Girls' activities included domestic work and family responsibilities, whereas boys had more free time to participate in outdoor games. Girls' safety was reported to be a concern to caregivers, who were fearful of permitting their daughters to share overcrowded outdoor spaces with strangers. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and caregivers spoke a range of social, economic and cultural influences on adolescent diet and physical activity. Adolescents, parents and the wider community need to be involved in the development and delivery of effective interventions that will take into consideration these social, economic and cultural factors.