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Abstract Background HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) holds great significance in the fight against the HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It offers a convenient and confidential option for individuals to know their HIV status and seek appropriate care and support. For women in this region, where stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare services are prevalent, HIVST can empower them to take control of their health and make informed decisions. However, no study in the region has been conducted on this topic. Hence, this study aimed to fill the evidence, and population gaps by identifying women’s HIVST knowledge, and utilization, and its associated factors in SSA. Methods The data used were gathered from the most recent demographic and health surveys conducted in SSA nations between 2015 and 2022. We incorporated DHS data from 21 countries into our investigation. For our analysis, we used a weighted sample of 270,241 women overall was utilized. To handle both individual and community level factors, a multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. The adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were then presented, and variables with univariate multilevel regression p-values of ≤ 0.25 and in multivariable multilevel logistic regression

Background: HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) holds great significance in the fight against the HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It offers a convenient and confidential option for individuals to know their HIV status and seek appropriate care and support. For women in this region, where stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare services are prevalent, HIVST can empower them to take control of their health and make informed decisions. However, no study in the region has been conducted on this topic. Hence, this study aimed to fill the evidence, and population gaps by identifying women's HIVST knowledge, and utilization, and its associated factors in SSA. Methods: The data used were gathered from the most recent demographic and health surveys conducted in SSA nations between 2015 and 2022. We incorporated DHS data from 21 countries into our investigation. For our analysis, we used a weighted sample of 270,241 women overall was utilized. To handle both individual and community level factors, a multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. The adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were then presented, and variables with univariate multilevel regression p-values of ≤ 0.25 and in multivariable multilevel logistic regression < 0.05 p value were considered significant factors of HIVST. Results: The overall prevalence of knowledge, and utilization of HIVST among women was about 2.17 (95% CI: 2.12, 2.23) only. Women aged 25–34 years old (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.65,1.92), and 35–49 years old (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22,1.46), primary education(AOR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.38), and secondary/higher education (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI: 2.79, 3.41), poorer (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.38), middle (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.37), richer (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.45, 1.64), and richest (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.59, 2.05), employed (AOR = 1.73 05% CI: 1.62, 1.85), mass media exposure (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.49), knew modern contraception (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.84, 4.13), health facility delivery (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.37), being from urban (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.63, 1.73), divorced or widowed (AOR = 77, 95% CI:1.13, 1.34), have more than one sexual partners (AOR =, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.41), heard about STIs (AOR 7.47 =, 95% CI: 5.16, 10.81), high community ANC coverage (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.63), high community mass media (AOR = 1.37 95% CI: 1.21, 1.56), Central/Southern Africa (AOR = 0.66 95% CI: 0.59,0.74), and East Africa regions (AOR = 0.87 95% CI: 0.81,0.94) were associated with the knowledge and utilization of HIVST. Conclusions: The level of knowledge and utilization of HIVST among women in SSA was very low. To improve this situation, maternal health services can be enhanced. This can be achieved by facilitating institutional delivery, promoting access to modern contraception, increasing ANC coverage, empowering women's associations, creating culturally respectful mass media content, and involving rural and economically disadvantaged women. By implementing these measures, we can enhance women's knowledge and improve their use of HIVST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, accounting for 6.6%of all female cancers, and ranks as the second leading cause of female cancer deaths. Cervical cancer can be avoided if asymptomatic women are screened for precancerous cervical lesions and treated before they progress to invasive disease. Female health workforces are expected to be in a better position to be motivated and initiate society towards the screening by being role models, but there have been few studies done in Ethiopia to assess the utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its associated factors among female health workforces. Objective: To assess utilization of cervical cancer screening service and associated factors among female health workforces in public health institutions Bale zone, Sothern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 266 female health workforces from May 1 st to May 30th, 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered on Epi data 3.1 software and exported to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of cervical cancer screening. Statistical significance for the multivariable logistic regression analysis was set at p

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constitute about 16.6 percent and 8.6 percent of India's population, respectively (Census of India, 2011). This study was purposively conducted in Hisar district of Haryana state. Five villages with predominantly large Scheduled Caste population were selected. 40 women were randomly selected from each village (200 in total). Well-structured pre-tested interview schedules were created for the respondents. The findings also revealed that awareness of various welfare schemes was high among most of the respondents, but utilization of the schemes was low. Most of the respondents were satisfied with the schemes, but some were dissatisfied because they did not take full advantage of the schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, accounting for 6.6%of all female cancers, and ranks as the second leading cause of female cancer deaths. Cervical cancer can be avoided if asymptomatic women are screened for precancerous cervical lesions and treated before they progress to invasive disease. Female health workforces are expected to be in a better position to be motivated and initiate society towards the screening by being role models, but there have been few studies done in Ethiopia to assess the utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its associated factors among female health workforces., Objective: To assess utilization of cervical cancer screening service and associated factors among female health workforces in public health institutions Bale zone, Sothern Ethiopia., Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 266 female health workforces from May 1 st to May 30th, 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered on Epi data 3.1 software and exported to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of cervical cancer screening. Statistical significance for the multivariable logistic regression analysis was set at p < 0.05., Result: Out of the total sample size (n = 266), 258 have responded to the questionnaire completely, making the response rate 97 %. The utilization of cervical cancer screening services was 38 (14.7 %). There were significant associations between working in hospitals with an adjusted odd ratio (AOR [95 % CI] = 4.814 [1.774-13.06]) and serving 7 years and above [95 % 44 CI = 5.988 [2.096-17.1]) and utilization of cervical cancer screening services., Conclusion: and recommendations: The proportion of utilization of cervical cancer screening services among female health workforces in Bale Zone was very low. Working in hospitals and prolonged work experience were independent predictors of the utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Sustaining awareness creation and sensitization of screening through training and experience sharing should be given broad emphasis for female health workforces to increase their utilization of screening services., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Carbon-dioxide (CO 2) is a critical heat trapping greenhouse gas (GHG) that results in global warming. Thus, many countries across the world including Canada have agreed for national level emission reduction targets. A significant fraction of the anthropogenic CO 2 is emitted from fossil fuel-based energy generation. Carbon-dioxide capture, storage, and utilization (CCSU) technologies are currently the sole means of capturing CO 2 emissions generated by such energy systems. However, only a limited amount of research has been done on CCSU integration in community energy systems. This review aims at exploring the prospects of CCSU integration in community energy systems to achieve zero-emission communities. A systematic literature review was conducted to critically analyze the feasibility of community level carbon capturing. A particular focus was given to the techno-economic aspects of carbon capture integration in community energy systems. The drivers and barriers to CCSU implementation in Canadian communities were discussed under techno-economic, socio-political, legal, and environmental themes in the form of a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Recommendations for overcoming the above barriers were provided from the findings of the review. Finally, a road map aimed towards assessing the suitability of CCSU integration in Canadian communities was defined. The knowledge compiled through this study will aid investors and decision-makers to make informed decisions when planning zero-emission communities. • CCSU is currently the most effective option to capture CO 2 from fossil fuel based combustion systems. • Success of a CCSU project depends on the environmental desirability, technical feasibility, and financial viability. • Carbon capturing has the potential to be implemented in community scale energy systems. • Utilization of captured carbon can provide economic gains better than that from storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]