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Background: Despite progress in national reproductive health, pastoralist regions, including the Fentale District in Eastern Ethiopia, face challenges with limited contraceptive coverage due to gaps in understanding and adoption among couples. Methods: This cross-sectional study of 1496 couples in Fentale District, Eastern Ethiopia, from October 1 to December 25, 2021, utilized multistage sampling. Data entered into EPI Data underwent analysis with SPSS (v23.0) and STATA (v14.0), employing descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of contraceptive knowledge. Results: Of the 1496 couples, 93.8% (1404) participated in the survey. Significant educational disparities were observed, with 53.8% having no formal education, particularly among women (65.2%). Despite this, 80.2% of couples were aware of at least one family planning (FP) method, and 78.6% knew modern methods. The median knowledge of contraception methods was 3 for both genders. Men showed higher awareness of male (43.2%) and female condoms (17.4%) compared to women (31.8% and 6.0%). Overall, 27.4% of couples used contraception, with a significant gender difference: 41.2% of women and 13.5% of men. Modern contraceptives were used by 18.2% of couples, predominantly by women (34.8%). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated positive associations between contraceptive knowledge and education, bank account ownership, occupation, proximity to healthcare, and media exposure, while a nomadic-pastoralist lifestyle and specific treatment preferences showed negative associations. Conclusion: The limited knowledge and utilization of family planning in the Fentale District stem from gaps in comprehension and disparities among couples. Factors influencing this situation include socio-demographic considerations, such as variations based on education, occupation, media exposure, bank account ownership, treatment preferences, and distance from healthcare facilities. This ensures that the interventions are having the desired effect and allows for adjustments as needed to promote family planning uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite progress in national reproductive health programs, pastoralist regions like Fentale District in Eastern Ethiopia face challenges with low contraceptive coverage, attributed to insufficient positive attitudes and uptake among couples. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1 to December 25, 2021, in Fentale District, Eastern Ethiopia. It involved 1,496 couples selected using multistage sampling. Data were entered into EPI Data and analyzed with SPSS (v23.0) and STATA (v14.0), employing descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of contraceptive attitudes and use. Results: The study's response rate was 93.8%, with 1,404 pastoralist couples participating, equally split between women and men. A nomadic-pastoralist lifestyle was common (64.6%), and family planning discussions were rare (93.2%). Gender disparities in contraceptive attitudes and use were evident. Contraception use was reported by 27.4%, with women (41.2%) outnumbering men (13.5%). Women showed more positive attitudes towards contraception (87.9% vs. 31.9% for men). Only 33% had favorable attitudes towards different contraceptive methods, with women more likely to be positive. Modern contraception use was low (18.2%), with women (34.8%) predominating over men (1.7%). Among users, women had a more favorable attitude (78.5% vs. 6.6% for men). Health extension workers were key information providers. Predictors of contraceptive attitudes and use included sex, education, occupation, electronic device ownership, migration frequency, treatment preferences, and family planning discussions. Conclusion: The limited positive attitude towards and use of family planning in Fentale District may stem from unfavorable attitudes, low adoption, and couple disparities. Key factors include gender, education, occupation, electronic device ownership, migration, treatment preferences, and family planning discussions. Targeted educational campaigns for men are needed to address these issues and reduce the gender gap in contraceptive attitudes and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is known that antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces mortality from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome related causes. Patient's lost to follow-up (LTFU) in this treatment poses a paramount problem to the public and health care services. Information on predictors of loss to follow-up is scarce in this study area and similar settings. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying correlates of loss to follow-up in ART among adult patients in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted between February 2015 and April 2015 using medical records. The stratified sampling technique was used to select health facilities. The number of patient records to be included in the study was proportionally allocated to each stratum based on their patient proportion in the regional data. Specific health facilities from which to include the records were randomly selected from a list of the health facilities per stratum. All adult patient records registered as LTFU (416) in the selected health facilities during the 12-month period prior to the data collection date, and 832 patients with good adherence to ART were included. Data were double-entered into Epi Info 7 and analyzed using SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to report the results. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed using open code computer software. Results: Age 15-24 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 19.82 95% CI: 6.80, 57.73); day laborers (AOR, 5.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.23, 8.89), rural residents (AOR, 2.35; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.89), World Health Organization clinical stage IV (AOR, 2.29; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.62), baseline CD4 ,350 cells/mL (AOR, 2.06; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.13), suboptimal adherence to ART (AOR, 7.42; 95% CI: 1.87, 29.41), were factors which increased the risk of loss to follow-up in ART. Conclusion: Multiple risk factors, both socioeconomic and clinical, were associated with loss to follow-up. Attention is required to address these factors during patient preparation for the treatment and follow-up counseling by practitioners. We recommend that other studies identify what happened to the patients registered as LTFU as the current study could not address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intimate partner violence against women is one of the most common and widely occurring forms of violence against women that had consequences on the health of women and children. However, studies of the impact on children mortality reported controversial results., Objectives: To determine the overall magnitude, association directions of intimate partner violence against women and mortality among under five children., Methods: Online databases were systematically searched for subject heading intimate partner violence against women and under five children mortality. On the final search 11 studies from developing countries were inputted into Metaesy add-in for MS Excel version 1.0.4 software for meta-analysis. Random effect model using DerSimonian and Laird's (DL) estimator was used to calculate the pooled estimates of the studies., Results: Mother who reported past experiences of intimate partner violence were more likely to have under-five children mortality. Mean effect size, 95% CI; 0.23 (0.16 to 0.32) was observed which is significantly different from Zero. The value of pooled Odds Ratio corresponds to 95% CI is: 1.34 (1.12 to 1.46)., Conclusions: Interventions aimed at improving child health and survival should focus to protect women from all forms of violence. Comprehensive and longitudinal studies are encouraged to address the issues of intimate partner violence against women and under five children mortality in more depth.

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess adverse outcomes and associated factors of sexual coercion among young females in Nekemte Town., Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A sample of 641 young females aged 10-24 years was taken from 3 sub-cities by systematic sampling procedure. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Six focus group discussions targeting different groups were held to capture qualitative data., Results: Overall prevalence of sexual coercion was 101(15.8%). Compared to young females who did not report lifetime sexual coercion, victims of sexual coercion had significantly increased likelihood having more than one sexual partner during the last six months OR (95%CI): 3.4 (1.3, 8.7), unintended pregnancy OR (95%CI): 3.57 (1.5, 8.3) and more than one symptom of reproductive tract infections OR (95%CI): 2.4 (1.3, 8.7). In addition, victims of sexual coercion had significantly lower likelihood of using modern contraception OR (95%CI): 0.51 (0.2, 1.0), increased likelihood of reporting unintended pregnancy OR (95%CI): 3.4 (1.3, 8.9)., Conclusion: Sexual coercion is a public health problem among young females in the study community due to its consequences on the physical, psychological and social well being. It is recommended that emerging program interventions on Reproductive Health, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS by various stakeholders need to take this problem into consideration in order to address the full context of young females' lives. Interventions targeting the social and behavioral factors leading to these problems need to be instituted to curb the problem.