Search

IntroductionSeveral studies have been done on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by high school students in Ethiopia, but they have yielded inconsistent results. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which high school students in Ethiopia are using sexual and reproductive health services by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsVarious electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, AJOL, Google Scholar, and Grey Literature were used to search for relevant articles. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines were followed for this review and meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and Cochrane Q statistical tests, and data analysis was done with STATA 17 software. Random effect meta-analyses were used to determine the overall utilization rate of sexual and reproductive health services.ResultThis review included 20 studies with 12, 215 study participants. The pooled magnitude of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high school students in Ethiopia was 29.79% (95% CI: 25.14, 34.43). Students with grades 11–12 (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.90), aged between 20 and 24 years (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.79–3.81), having higher level of knowledge towards sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.67–5.77), previous history of sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.59–6.75), previous history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 3.74; 95% CI: 2.22–6.31), presence of a reproductive health service facility in the school (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.72–3.77), and ever-discussed reproductive health issues (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI: 1.62–10.03) were more likely to utilize sexual and reproductive health services.ConclusionsThe overall utilization of sexual and reproductive services among high school students in Ethiopia was found to be low as compared to SDG 3.7. Older individuals with higher education levels and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services, as well as those who have had previous sexual experiences or discussions about sexual health, are more likely to utilize reproductive health services. To increase utilization, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education should prioritize these factors.

Abstract Introduction Despite efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, pre-lacteal feeding remains prevalent in Ethiopia. The study will use data from the 2019 Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia (PMA-ET), which is a nationally representative survey that collects information on maternal and child health indicators. Therefore, this study aims to identify individual and community-level factors associated with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding for the first six months among mothers in Ethiopia. Methods The datasets from the 2019 Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia Survey were analyzed in this study, which included 685 mothers from the survey. Stata version 17.0 was used for data analysis. Multi-level mixed-effect logistic regression was utilized to identify individual and community-level factors that are linked with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding. The strength and direction of the association were presented using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, and statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05. Results The study found that factors significantly associated with the plan to pre-lacteal feeding included mothers without higher education (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.204–1.204), mothers belonging to poor households (AOR = 11.1, 95% CI: 3.482–35.175), and women in clusters with poor wealth status (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.043–0.509). Conclusion As per the findings of the study, both individual and community-level factors were found to influence the decision to practice pre-lacteal feeding. Educational status and household wealth were significant individual-level factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding, whereas community wealth status was a significant community-level factor. To address this issue, it is recommended to focus on increasing the education level of mothers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and providing education on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the risks associated with pre-lacteal feeding. These efforts can help in reducing the prevalence of this harmful practice.

Introduction: Non-communicable disease contributes to over 42 million deaths worldwide and it is estimated that 86% of non-communicable disease-related mortalities happen in low and middle-income countries. Understanding health-seeking behaviors like initiating care at the right time, with the right provider and maintaining regularity of care seeking is a prelude for a successful management of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the pooled prevalence of health-seeking behavior for non-communicable disease and associated factors worldwide. Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis checklist guideline was followed for this review and meta-analysis. Electronic data base, PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Web of science, Google scholar and Science direct were used to retrieve studies reported in English language with publication year since 2018 worldwide. Studies reporting proportion of health-seeking behavior for non-communicable disease were evaluated. The pooled prevalence, odds ratio and confidence interval were calculated using Stata version 17 software. The quality of studies included in this review was checked using modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational study checklist. Result: Ten studies which involved 63,498 patients with non-communicable disease were included in this review. The pooled estimated proportion of health-seeking behavior among non-communicable diseases patients from health facilities were 56% (95% CI: 44–68). Older age > 60, urban residency, being of female gender, high educational status, getting support during treatment, knowledge on non-communicable disease, having more than one non-communicable disease, presences of health insurance and middle and upper economic class were factors positively associated with health-seeking behavior for non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: Despite the fact that more than half of patients with non-communicable diseases have health-seeking behavior in health facilities, still, there are a considerable number of individuals with non-communicable diseases having no health-seeking behavior worldwide. Therefore, organizations working for the welfare of human betterment would do well in implementing strategies that could improve health-seeking behavior that would help to reduce the burdens on health systems and prevent premature death from non-communicable diseases.

Objective: The human immunodeficiency virus has become one of the world’s most serious health and development challenges. Human immunodeficiency virus prevention has not received sufficient attention, and the prevalence of human behavioral virus infections among Ethiopian high school and preparatory students has also increased. The aim of this study was to assess behavioral responses to condom use messages to prevent human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among Bahir Dar city high school and preparatory students using the extended parallel process model, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 2022. Methodology: This institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 November to 15 December 2022, in Bahir Dar city. The data were collected from 601 participants. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.5 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, percentages, and frequencies were calculated. Bivariable logistic regression was performed to identify variables candidates for multivariable logistic regression at p -values less than 0.25, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable at p- values

Objective: Health literacy helps an individual to have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make appropriate health decisions. This study aimed to review the association between health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Method: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses steps. Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, World Health Organization libraries, and Google Scholar were used to search all published articles in the area of health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance until August 1, 2022. Result: In this review, 1348 articles were retrieved. Finally, 13 articles were included in the review after the removal of duplicates that did not meet our inclusion criteria. In all, 10 articles showed that health literacy was significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This review also showed that positive perception of the vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, adverse reaction from vaccines, residence, socioeconomic status, level of education, younger age, being a health worker, and positive belief have associations with health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. There was significant heterogeneity in the study population and measurement tools used for health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: This systematic review provides comprehensive evidence on health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance globally. There was significant heterogeneity in the study population and measurement tools used for health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Most studies reported that health literacy is significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Therefore, investing in health literacy using different vaccine promotion strategies may improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and health decision-making to decrease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to assess the global application of behavioral change theory and models on COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses procedure. Databases such as PubMed/MIDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMB ASE, World Health Organization libraries, and Google Scholar were used to search all published articles in the area of application of behavioral change theory and model on COVID-19 preventive behavior until October 1, 2022. Studies published in another language other than English were excluded. Two independent reviewers did the article selection and quality check. A third reviewer asked if any disagreement were found. Result: Seventeen thousand four hundred thirty-six total articles were retrieved from all sources after the removal of duplicated articles and those not evaluating the outcome of interest were excluded. Finally, 82 articles done using behavioral change theory and model on COVID-19 preventive behaviors were included. The health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) were most commonly used in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The constructs of most behavioral theories and models were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors such as hand washing, face mask use, vaccine uptake, social isolation, self-quarantine, social distance, and use of sanitizers. Conclusion: This systematic review summarizes comprehensive evidence on the application of behavioral change theory and model on COVID-19 preventive behaviors globally. A total of seven behavioral change theories and models were included. The HBM and TPBs were most commonly used for COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Therefore, the application of behavioral change theory and models is recommended for developing behavioral change interventional strategies.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to provide a global picture of information-seeking behavior, source information used, and its associated factors. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses steps. Databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, World Health Organization libraries, and Google Scholar were used to search all published articles. Articles on COVID-19 information-seeking behavior published until November 04, 2021, and the use of the English language was included. Two independent reviewers did the article selection and quality check. Results: For this systematic review, twenty articles were included in the final report. Information-seeking behavior was associated with digital health literacy, online information sources, and socio-demographic factors. The major sources of health information during the COVID-19 pandemic were digital media, television, public health portals like the world health organization, and center for communicable disease and prevention websites. Conclusion: This systematic review provides a valuable overview of available information on information-seeking behavior regarding COVID-19 globally. The studies used a heterogeneous study population, various research techniques, and various research questions. Digital literacy and online information sources play a vital role in information-seeking behavior.

Objectives: To explore self-care experience of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients at Kemisse General Hospital, North east Ethiopia. Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted to explore self-care experience of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients at Kemisse General Hospital from 28 February 2020 to 15 March 2020. Participants were selected using a heterogeneous type of purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observation with the aid of an audio recorder and interview guide by the principal investigator. The thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data. To facilitate the data analysis process, Atlas. ti software version 7 was used. Results: The six interconnected themes that were emerged from the analysis are: (1) physical exercise, (2) dietary practice, (3) medication adherence, (4) self-monitoring of blood sugar, (5) problem-solving skill during hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and (6) diabetic foot care. Conclusion: The study described that type 1 diabetic patients at Kemisse general hospital faced difficulty in self-care practice, which were difficulty in medication adherence; foot care was neglected diabetes self-care, did not practice diabetes recommended dietary plan and lack of regular physical exercises. In addition to this, self-monitoring of blood sugar was not practiced regularly due to the absence of glucometer machine and financial constraints to buy test strips. In addition to diabetic patient’s role to manage hyperglycemia and hypoglycemic episode, family support was crucial to managing hypoglycemia because most of the respondent’s experience loss of consciousness during a hypoglycemic attack.