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Wolde Facha,1 Takele Tadesse,1 Eskinder Wolka,1 Ayalew Astatkie2 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Wolde Facha, Tel +251912025928, Email woldiefacha@gmail.com; woldie.facha@wsu.edu.etBackground: Currently, Dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens are administered to women on Option B plus to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the virus. However, its effect on reducing MTCT of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among HIV-exposed infants over the previously used Efavirenz (EFV)-based regimen is unknown.Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of DTG-based and EFV-based regimens on the MTCT of HIV among HIV-exposed infants in Ethiopia.Methods: An uncontrolled before-and-after study design was conducted among 958 mother-infant pairs (479 on EFV-based and 479 on DTG-based regimens) enrolled in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) care from September 2015 to February 2023. The outcome variable was the HIV infection status among the exposed infants. A log-binomial model was employed, and the proportion was computed to compare the incidence of MTCT of HIV in both groups. The risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to assess the predictor variables.Results: Mothers on DTG-based regimens were approximately 44% (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 0.56; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.70) less likely to transmit HIV to their infants than those on EFV-based regimens. In addition, poor or fair adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) (aRR: 5.82; 95% CI: 3.41, 9.93), home delivery (aRR: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.32, 5.62), mixed feeding practice (aRR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.3) and not receiving antiretroviral prophylaxis (aRR: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.6, 6.64) were found to increase the risk of MTCT of HIV infection, whereas older maternal age (aRR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.9, 0.96) was a protective factor.Conclusion: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV was less frequently observed in mother-infant pairs exposed to the DTG-based regimens as compared to those exposed to the EFV-based regimens. Thus, DTG-based first-line ART regimens supplementation should be sustained to achieve global and national targets for zero new infections in HIV-exposed infants.Keywords: mother-to-child transmission, ART, dolutegravir, HIV-exposed infants, before-and-after, Ethiopia

Tadesse Tekle,1 Eskinder Wolka,1 Banchialem Nega,2 Wondimagegn Paulos Kumma,1 Mengistu Meskele Koyira1 1School of Public Health, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia; 2Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mengistu Meskele KoyiraWolaita Sodo University, P.O.Box: 138, Wolaita Sodo, EthiopiaTel +2519-13-17-79-96Email mengistu77@gmail.comBackground: Cervical cancer is a worldwide public health concern, and approximately 85% of deaths occurs in developing countries. Thus study is designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cervical cancer screening in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study. In this research, we used a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 520 participants. Information on socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude, and cervical cancer screening related questionnaires were collected using face-to-face interviews. Data were entered and cleaned in Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. For the analysis, we used logistic regression along with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The statistical significance was determined by p < 0.05.Results: Approximately 154 (43.1%) of women had good knowledge, 235 (45.5%) had a favorable attitude, and nearly a quarter (118; 22.9%) had been screened for cervical cancer. Women 30– 34 years [AOR=3.02, 95% CI: 1.11, 8.24), women with degree/diploma level of education [AOR=7.3, 95% CI 2.53– 21.01), and having sourced information from a health professional [AOR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.27– 4.17) were associated with good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. Being single [AOR=3.47, 95% CI: 1.03– 11.75] and good knowledge of cervical cancer [AOR=4.76, 95%:2.65– 8.57) were significant predictors of a positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Women who knew cervical cancer patients[AOR=2.47, 95% (1.37– 4.44)] and high monthly income [AOR=3.8, 95% CI: 1.86– 7.77] were associated with good practice related to cervical cancer screening.Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cervical cancer screening were shallow. The concerned body should aggressively disseminate information on cervical cancer screening, improve the economic status of women, and provide counseling about cervical cancer during health care delivery visits.Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practice, cervical cancer screening, Ethiopia