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Introduction: Hypertension remains an emerging public health problem globally, particularly in developing countries. Age, income level, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetables and fruit consumption, physical activity and chat chewing were some risk factors of hypertension. However, there are limited data on the epidemiology of hypertension in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess Epidemiology of Hypertension among the community of selected towns of Wollega zones. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 June 2019 in selected towns of Wollega zones. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 840 study participants. Data were collected using the WHO STEP wise approach. The data were coded and entered into EpiData 3, and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results: The study included a total of 838 respondents with a response rate of 99.7%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 189 (22.6%) (95% confidence interval = 19.9%–25.2%). Of this, 108 (12.9%) and 81 (9.7%) of female and male were hypertensive, respectively. Age groups of 30–44 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.65 (1.43, 4.89)), 45–59 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.55 (1.79, 7.04)), above 60 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.97 (1.43, 6.18)), having history of alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 4.29 (2.4, 7.66)), involving in vigorous physical activity (adjusted odds ratio = 0.096 (0.028, 0.33)), not walking to and from the work (adjusted odds ratio = 13.12 (8.34, 20.67)), being overweight (adjusted odds ratio = 1.98 (1.21, 3.25)), inadequate fruits serving per day (adjusted odds ratio = 2.93 (1.75, 4.88)) were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be high in the study area. Older age, alcohol consumption, not engaging in vigorous activity, physical inactivity, being overweight and inadequate intake of fruits were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Therefore, health care providers should provide extensive health education and promotion on recommended lifestyle modification to tackle the burden of hypertension.

Background:Abdominal obesity is emerging as a major contributor to the worsening of non-communicable diseases. There is a dearth of data on central obesity among adults in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of central obesity and its predictors among adults in Nekemte, Ethiopia.Methods:Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nekemte town from March to April 2020. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 466 study participants. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were entered into Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS Version 25. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify candidate variables at p Results:Prevalence of central obesity in this study was found to be 28.4% (95% CI 24.5–32.6). Where, the prevalence was higher among females (37%) than males (18%). Being a female (AOR = 5.59, 95% CI 2.95–10.57), age range of 40–49 years (AOR = 4.91, 95% CI 2.17–11.13), ⩾ 50 years (AOR = 8.16, 95% CI 3.21–20.72), being in marriage (AOR = 9.306, 95% CI 4.23–20.44), highest wealth status (AOR = 7.94, 95% CI 3.76–16.76), consumption of fast foods (AOR = 3.022, 95% CI 1.375–6.64), and lack of knowledge about obesity (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.93–5.95) were factors associated with central obesity.Conclusion:The study revealed a moderate prevalence of central obesity in the study area. Being a female, older age, being in marriage, richest household wealth status, consumption of fast foods, and lack of knowledge on obesity were identified as factors associated with central obesity. Comprehensive health education and promotion on healthy diet should be encouraged focusing on females, married individuals, and older ages.

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice of college students towards Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia. Result: Institutional based descriptive cross sectional study design triangulated with in-depth interview method was employed on 403 randomly selected quantitative and 12 purposively selected in-depth interview samples. Quantitative data was obtained by self-administered questionnaire. About forty percent (39.7%) of the respondents had sexual practice in their life. Females were 1.42 times more likely to be encountered in sexual intercourse in the past one year of the study period (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.53). Sex, age, living arrangement and income level, was identified as factors initiating to sexual intercourse in college students. Qualitative evidences show that, living condition, poor access of sexual reproductive services and ever increasing urbanization, poor attention towards STI are challenging preventive practices of STI among college students. Generally, college students have good awareness and positive attitude towards STIs. However, there was a wide gap between knowledge and practice of the students regarding STIs. Greater attention should be paid to the college students improving the living conditions and access of services.