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Surafel Mekuria,1 Daniel Tolossa,1 Tigist Abebe,1 Tahir Yousuf Nour,2 Addisu Tesfaye,1 Abdurahman Kedir Roble3 1Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jig-Jiga University, Jig-Jiga, Ethiopia; 2Public Health Department, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jig-Jiga University, Jig-Jiga, Ethiopia; 3Midwifery Department, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jig-Jiga University, Jig-Jiga, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Surafel Mekuria, Email surafelmekuria@gmail.comBackground: Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung. The Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is commensal in the upper airway and can cause infection to under-five children. The bacteria is gram-positive diplococci, catalase negative, and optochin sensitive. The bacteria is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia among under-five children. No similar data is reported from the current study area.Objective: To determine prevalence, antimicrobial drug resistance and associated factors of S. pneumoniae infection among under-five children with acute lower respiratory tract infection attending Sheck Hassan Yebere Referral Hospital from March 1 to April 30, 2021 Jig-Jiga, Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 study participants selected by convenience sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect child data. Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs were collected and diagnosed to isolate S. pneumoniae by using culture then identified by biochemical examination. Later antimicrobial drug resistance testing was performed by Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. All data were entered on epi-data 3.1 then exported to SPSS version 22 to calculate analysis. Statistically significant value was found by calculating an adjusted odds ratio with p-value ≤ 0.05 in a multivariate logistic regression model.Results: Among 374 under-five children, 180 (48.1%) were males and 109 (29.2%) were from low income families. The overall prevalence of S. pneumoniae infection in the study was 18% (95% CI 14.4– 22.2). No window (AOR=2.8 CI 1.1– 7.6), no/non-exclusive breast-feeding (AOR= 2.1 CI 1.1– 4.1), and previous URTI (AOR= 3.2 CI 1.7– 6.1) were significantly associated with S. pneumoniae infection. The isolated organism showed drug resistance for Cotrimoxazole (35%), and Tetracycline (34%).Conclusion: The prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in this study were comparatively high. No window, non-exclusive breast-feeding and previous URTI were associated with S. pneumoniae infection. The isolated S. pneumoniae showed high drug resistance to cotrimoxazole and tetracycline.Keywords: under-five pneumonia, antimicrobial resistance, S. pneumoniae

Mohamed Omar Osman,1 Tahir Yousuf Nour,1 Hodan Mahamed Bashir,2 Abdurahman Kedir Roble,3 Abdikani Mawlid Nur,1 Abdilahi Omer Abdilahi1 1Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia; 2Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Dryland Agriculture, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia; 3Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mohamed Omar Osman P.O.BOX: 1020, Jigjiga, EthiopiaTel +251921424748Fax +251 25 775 5976Email Wehliye@jju.edu.etBackground: Anemia is a significant public health concern in many developing countries, particularly during pregnancy, and it has adverse effects on mother and fetus/baby.Objective: To determine the factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Jigjiga public health facilities, Somali Region, East Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based unmatched case–control study was conducted. The sample size was 228 pregnant women; comprising 114 presenting with anemia and 114 controls. Hemoglobin levels were measured using a portable heme analyzer. Socio-demographic, dietary, medical history, and nutrition-related data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epidata 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 for cleaning and analyses. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed and statistical significance was considered at a level of p< 0.05.Results: Three predictors of anemia among pregnant women were identified in this study. An inadequate intake of red meat (i.e. those who consumed red meat 1– 2 times a month [AOR=7.245; 95% CI=(2.007– 26.151)] or not at all [AOR=8.690; 95% CI=(1.795– 42.072)]), and insufficient consumption of green vegetables (i.e. 1– 2 times a week [AOR=2.970; 95% CI=(1.012– 8.716)] or 1– 2 times a month [AOR=8.057; 95% CI=(2.358– 27.526)]) were associated with anemia. Also, having a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of less than 23 cm was strongly associated [AOR=16.432; 95% CI= (5.240– 51.526)] with anemia.Conclusion: This study revealed three key factors to be associated with anemia among pregnant women in Jigjiga Town, namely reduced intake of red meat and green vegetables, and low MUAC. Interventions including nutrition counselling and enrolling pregnant women with low nutritional status in nutritional programs should be the core components of anemia control strategies, needed to address the high prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in developing countries.Keywords: risk factors, anemia, pregnant women, antenatal care, Jigjiga Town