Individual and community level factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among men in Tanzania: insights from the Tanzania demographic and health survey of 2022.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections continue to be a significant public health issue on a global scale. Due to their effects on reproductive and child health as well as their role in facilitating the spread of HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections impose a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. In addition, stigma, infertility, cancer, and an increased risk of HIV are the primary impacts of STIs on sexual and reproductive health. While numerous studies have been conducted in Tanzania to address this specific topic in various settings, the majority of them weren't representative. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to use data from the most recent Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey in order to evaluate the individual and community-level factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among Tanzanian men at the national level. METHODS: The most recent datasets from the Tanzania demographic and health survey were used for secondary data analysis. A total of 5763 men participated in this study. The recent Tanzania demographic and health survey provides data for multilevel mixed effect analysis on the variables that contribute to sexually transmitted infections among men in Tanzania. Finally, the percentage and odd ratio were provided, together with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULT: This study includes a total weighted sample of 5763 men from the Tanzania demographic and health survey. Of the total study participants, 7.5% of men had sexually transmitted infections in the last twelve months. Being married [AOR: 0.531, 95% CI (0.9014, 3.429)] was a factor that reduced the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men. On the other hand, being between the age range of 20 and 24 years [AOR: 6.310, 95% CI (3.514, 11.329)] and having more than one union [AOR: 1.861, 95% CI (1.406, 2.463)] were the factors that increased the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men. CONCLUSIONS: Men's sexually transmitted infections have been associated with individual-level factors. So, the Tanzanian governments and the concerned stakeholders should provide special attention for men whose age range is 20-24 years old. Promoting marriages and limiting the number of sexual partners should be the main strategies to lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men in Tanzania.

Epidemiology of an overlapping and parallel infection of Sexually Transmitted Infections among pregnant women in North-east Ethiopia: Its implication for prevention of mother to child transmission.

BACKGROUND: The burden of parallel and overlapping infections of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), particularly HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disproportionately higher among pregnant women globally, leading to unwanted consequences. These infections pose significant public health challenges as they can be transmitted vertically to the offspring. This study aimed to determine the sero-epidemiological patterns and predictors of STIs (HIV, syphilis, HBV, and HCV) among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at ten health facilities in North-eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2022 among 422 pregnant women selected using simple random sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and predictor variables of STIs through face-to-face interviews. Venous blood was collected and it was tested for anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-Treponemal antibodies using immunochromatographic test kits. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors of STIs. Variables with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of STIs was 23.9% (95% CI = 20.08-28.25). The prevalence of parallel infections of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis were 6.4%, 9%, 1.7%, and 6.9%, respectively. The overlapping infections for HIV-HBV was 4% but HIV-HCV overlapping infection wasn't found. Increased age, tattooing, multiple sexual partners, exposure to unsafe sex, and RH status were independent factors of HBV. Likewise, increased age, rural residence, illiteracy, and tattooing were independently associated with HCV. Moreover, rural residence and a history of tattooing were independent predictors for the acquisition of HIV, whereas multiple sexual partners and RH status were found to be significant predictors of syphilis infection among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of overlapping and parallel STD infections is still continued to be a problem among pregnant women. Moreover, there were overlapping infections of HBV-HIV. Therefore, continuous screening of pregnant women for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and C infections should be performed, and special attention should be given to pregnant women who have co-infections.

Factors associated with depression among war-affected population in Northeast, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Depression is the most common mental health outcome of exposure to war-related traumatic stressors. Due to inter-communal conflict, Dessie City residents have experienced prolonged armed conflict in 2021. This conflict leads to widespread violence, negative impact on mental health, and large-scale forced migration. However, the problem is not properly addressed in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of depression in the war-affected area in Dessie City, Ethiopia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 785 participants in 2022. The study subjects were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The outcome measures used in the study were validated with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Data was entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and SPSS version 25 was used to analyze data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were done to identify factors related to depression. In multivariable logistic regression variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered significant and, adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI was used to present the strength of the association. RESULT: The prevalence of depression among participants was found to be 24.5% (95% CI,21.7, 27.5). In multivariable analysis, post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI 1.76-4.43), middle-perceived life threats (AOR = 8.25, 95% CI 2.47-17.49), low social support (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.23-2.96) were variables significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION: This study found a high prevalence of depression among Dessie City residents. post-traumatic stress disorder, middle-perceived life threats, and low social support were associated with depression. Interventional strategies should be implemented to promote healing, resilience, and the overall well-being of individuals and communities. However, the findings underscore the need to address the current lack of mental health care resources in post-conflict populations.

Factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among reproductive age women in Kenya; evidenced by the 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: Globally, sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health issue for women of the reproductive age group. A modern contraceptive method enables individuals and families to manage fertility by reducing unintended pregnancies, abortions, pregnancy-related morbidity, and death. A modern contraceptive method is a drug or medical treatment that prevents sexual activity from leading to pregnancy. However, there is limited reliable and updated data on factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among reproductive-age women at the national level in Kenya. So, the major goal of this study was to evaluate factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among women of reproductive age in Kenya at the national level, as evidenced by the 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey. METHODS: The most recent datasets from the Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey were used for secondary data analysis. In all, 14,987 women of reproductive age participated in the investigation. Data for multivariable analysis on the factors influencing modern contraceptive utilization among Kenyan women of reproductive age can be obtained from the Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey. Finally, the odd ratio and percentages were presented along with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULT: This study includes a total weighted sample of 14,987 reproductive-age women from the Kenyan demographic and health survey. Of the total contraceptive use, 90.1% of the study participants used modern contraceptives. Being married [AOR: 1.593, 95% CI (1.302, 1.948)], living in an urban area [AOR: 1.230, 95% CI (1.060, 1.428)], reading a magazine [1.002, 95% CI (0.921, 1.091)], listening to radio [AOR: 1.265, 95% CI (1.101, 1.454)], not breastfeeding [AOR: 1.296, 95% CI (1.114, 1.507), and having more than two children [AOR: 2.350, 95% CI (1.603, 3.445)] were the factors that promote modern contraceptive utilization. Conversely, having a history of terminated pregnancy [AOR: 0.767, 95% CI (0.657, 0.897), being Muslim [AOR: 0.566, 95% CI (0.418, 0.766)], and being in the 35-39 age range [AOR: 0.766, 95% CI (0.605, 0.971)] were all associated with a lower use of modern contraceptives. CONCLUSION: Certain factors such as marriage, living in urban areas, having more than two children, having a female-led household, belonging to the middle class, reading magazines, listening to the radio, and not breastfeeding have a positive correlation with the use of modern contraceptives. Conversely, being a Muslim, aged between 35 and 39, and having a history of miscarriages are negatively correlated with the use of modern contraceptives. This indicates that addressing socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural barriers could improve the effectiveness of modern contraceptive.