HIV preventive practice and its associated factors among street dwellers in Ethiopia: Application of health belief model.

Street dwelling is the use of public space as a place of residence and nourishment for children, adolescents, and young people, revealing a complex and multifactorial situation. Moreover, homelessness facilitates HIV transmission and its progression due to the risky lifestyle of individuals. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study conducted in the study area on HIV preventive practices among street dwellers. The aim of this study was to assess HIV prevention practices and associated factors among street dwellers. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar City from March 12, 2023 to April 30, 2023. By using the simple random sampling technique, 424 street dwellers were recruited. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis. The magnitude of HIV preventive practice among street dwellers was 35.9%. Being male (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.55), educational status (AOR = 7.53, 95% CI: 2.20, 25.6), practice of sex to earn money (AOR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.44), good knowledge about HIV preventive practice (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.46, 5.49), perceived susceptibility for HIV (AOR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81, 0.99), and perceived benefit of using HIV preventive practice (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.17), were factors associated with HIV preventive practice. The magnitude of HIV preventive practice was low. Being male, the ability to read and write, the practice of sex to earn money, good knowledge about HIV preventive practice, perceived susceptibility to HIV, and the perceived benefit of using HIV preventive practice were significantly associated with HIV preventive practice. Therefore, responsible organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, should design inclusive strategies to improve HIV preventive practice among street dwellers by focusing on regular demand creation activities, awareness creation about HIV preventive practice, and sustainable condom distribution in the city.

Micronutrient intake inadequacy and its associated factors among lactating women in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate intake of micronutrients in lactating women was prevalent worldwide. In particular, to our knowledge, there has been little report concerning Ethiopian lactating women regarding their micronutrient intake. Our objective was to assess micronutrient intake inadequacy and its associated factors among lactating women in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15 to March 05, 2021. Four hundred thirteen respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected by interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and a single multiphasic 24 hours dietary recall was used to assess dietary assessment. Data entry and analysis were carried out using EpiData and SPSS respectively. The ESHA food processor, Ethiopian food composition table, and world food composition table have used the calculation of nutrient values of the selected micronutrient. The nutrient intakes were assessed by Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR). Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify the factors of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy. RESULT: The overall prevalence of micronutrient intake inadequacy across 12 nutrients was 39.9% [95% CI (34.9, 45.0)]. The inadequate intake of vitamin A was 98.2%. Similarly, the inadequate intake of B vitamins ranges from 13.4% to 68.5%. The insufficient intakes of calcium, iron, and zinc were 70.9%, 0%, and 4.7%, respectively. Around 36 and 91.6% of the respondents had inadequate intake of selenium and sodium, respectively. On multivariable logistic regression analysis; Being divorced was 2.7 times more likely to have overall micronutrient intake inadequacy than being married [AOR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.01, 7.33)]. The odds of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy were 2.6 higher in merchants than in housewives [AOR = 2.63, 95% CI (1.40, 4.93)]. Lactating women who had poor nutritional knowledge were 2.7 times more likely to have overall micronutrient intake inadequacy than those who had good nutritional knowledge [AOR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.47, 4.99)]. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Overall, the micronutrient intake in lactating women was lower than the recommended levels. Therefore; educating lactating women about appropriate dietary intake is essential.

Determinants of growth monitoring and promotion service utilization among children 0-23 months of age in northern Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: One of the strategies to promote child health and reduce child mortality is growth monitoring and promotion services. But, there is limited information on determinants of Growth Monitoring and Promotion service utilization. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) service utilization among children 0-23 months of age in Legambo district, South Wollo zone, Northern Ethiopia, 2020. METHODS: Community based un-matched case-control study was conducted on 363 (91 cases and 272 controls) study participants from March 15 to April 15, 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed and an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was estimated to identify determinants of GMP service utilization. RESULTS: A total of 358 mothers (89 cases and 269 controls) with 98.6% response rate were included in the study. The mean (±SD) age of child was 11.66(±6.29) months among controls and 15.02 (±6.06) months among cases. Good maternal knowledge (AOR) = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.23, 4.75), favorable attitude (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI; 1.20, 4.98), counseling on GMP (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI; 1.19, 4.56), attending ante natal care services (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.18, 5.16), index child age 12-17 months (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.26, 9.41) and 18-23 months (AOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 1.53, 12.49), and short distance to health facilities (AOR = 4.53; 95% CI; 1.99, 10.28) were determinants of GMP service utilization. CONCLUSION: Index child age, good knowledge, favorable attitude, attending antenatal care services, receiving nutritional counseling, and a short distance to health facility were determinants of GMP service utilization. Nutritional interventions should emphasize nutritional counseling and accessibility of growth monitoring and promotion services.

Prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity among the adult population in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia, 2020: Community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of abdominal obesity has been dramatically increasing both in developed and developing countries, including Ethiopia. It is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and cancer. However, there is inadequate data regarding the prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity among adult population in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of abdominal obesity among the adult population in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia in 2020. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Woldia town from March 20 to April 20, 2020. Data on socio-demographic, dietary history, and anthropometric characteristics were collected from 802 adults using the World Health Organization stepwise technique. Multi-stage sampling was employed to select the study subjects. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered by EPI-info Version 7 and were exported to SPSS Version 20 for further analysis. To indicate the strength of association, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used. RESULT: From a total of 823 respondents 802 were involved with a response rate of 97.4%. The overall prevalence of central obesity based on waist to hip ratio was 16.5% with 95% CI (14.2-19.2). Female sex [AOR = 13.3, 95% CI: 7.01-25.39), high wealth rank (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.21-7.17), single marital status (AOR = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.04-0.58), age from 35 to 55 years (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.22-7.99), age greater than 55 years (AOR = 3.8, 95%CI: 1.36-10.78), secondary educational level (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.05-3.18), eat more protein (AOR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.26-14.22), and consumption of snacks (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.68-4.61) were significantly associated with abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abdominal obesity among adults in Woldia town is high, and has become an emerging nutrition-related problem. Being female, older age, being in a high wealth rank, consuming more meat, having secondary education level, and consuming snacks were the risk factors of abdominal obesity. Nutrition interventions should target adults mainly focusing on the alarmingly increase in nutrition problems, such as abdominal obesity, in Ethiopia with specific attention to females.

Chronic Energy Deficiency and Its Determinant Factors among Adults Aged 18-59 Years in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries is still remarkably high. Undernutrition during adulthood is a greater risk factor for low productivity, poor health, and mortality. There is limited information on the prevalence and determinants of chronic energy deficiency in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and determinants of chronic energy deficiency among adults aged 18-59 years in Ethiopia. METHOD: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the data obtained from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey. Data were collected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique, and the analytic sample consisted of 9,280 adults aged 18-59 years. The chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used, and p value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULT: A total of 9280 adults aged 18-59 years were included in the study and 2911 (28.7%) (95% CI: 27.0%-30.4%) of whom were chronic energy deficient. Adults who have no work (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.72), male adults from Tigray region (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.61, 3.09), Afar region (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 2.04, 4.36), Somali region (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 2.19, 4.52), Gambella region (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.76), Harari region (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.19), Amhara region (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.13), Oromia region (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.19), Dire Dawa (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.05), adults live lonely (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.71), and adults residing in poor wealth index households (AOR = 1.26 : 95% CI: 1.07, 1.49) were significantly associated with chronic energy deficiency. Conclusion and recommendation. Chronic energy deficiency among male adults in Ethiopia was a high public health problem. Marital status, wealth index, occupation, and region were significant predictors of chronic energy deficiency. The Ministry of Health with other partners should strictly monitor and evaluate interventions that are being applied and should give focus to adult men to prevent malnutrition.