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Daniel Aboma,1 Mirgissa Kaba2 1Department of Public Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Daniel Aboma, Department of Public Health, St. Paul’s hospital Millennium Medical college, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Email Daniel.aboma@sphmmc.edu.etBackground: Colostomy is believed to alter patients’ health, as well as their personal, social, and professional lives. However, there is limited evidence. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experiences of individual with colostomy.Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted in Public hospitals of Addis Ababa to explore the lived experiences of individuals who had undergone colostomy in the last three months. The study employed purposive sampling to select nine participants who met the specific criteria. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide, which included open-ended questions to facilitate detailed responses. The data was analyzed using the content analysis approach.Finding: In this study, nine married individuals aged between 27– 55 years with colostomies were included, and the research identified four themes. The psychological impacts of colostomy included emotions such as disbelief, shame, despair, sleep disorder, acceptance of life with a colostomy, and difficulty in maintaining a sexual life. Participants also reported physical activity challenges, including difficulty in performing daily activities and sexual issues. Social isolation and stigma were identified as issues faced by individuals with a colostomy; however, social support from family and friends was found to be crucial. Additionally, religious practices were challenging due to the fear of the bag exploding, bending, and standing. Finally, one patient mentioned financial difficulties due to the cost of purchasing extra colostomy bags.Conclusion: The study emphasizes the challenges faced by patients with colostomy in psychological, physical, financial, and social aspects of their lives. The availability of social and professional support influences the adaptation process, and seeking help from support groups and healthcare professionals is crucial in improving patients’ quality of life and ability to manage their condition.Keywords: lived-experience, phenomenology, colostomy, Addis Ababa

Getachew Adela Kasa,1 Mirgissa Kaba2 1School of Public Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Getachew Adela Kasa, School of Public Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, PO Box 1271, Gulele Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel +251919292590 ; +2514793932709, Fax +251112-78-85-92, Email getachewadela2@gmail.comBackground: Over 9 million people die from mental diseases each year, making them the second highest cause of mortality and the primary cause of disability worldwide.Objective: To explore the preferences for health care and its determinants among mentally ill patients in the West Shoa Zone Community in Oromia, Ethiopia, from July 11–September 20, 2022.Methods: The preference for health care and its determinants among mentally ill patients in the West Shoa Zone community were explored using an ethnographical study. Purposefully, a total of 16 FGD participants and 10 unstructured interview subjects, who had pertinent experiences and perspectives, were carefully selected from the urban and district levels. Data was collected utilizing two approaches in a triangulated manner and then coded, findings were contextualized, and a thematic plot was developed for thematic analysis.Results: In this study, in response to the questions, three main findings were thematized according to the causes, and six sub-themes were framed under the themes according to the preferences for treatment among mentally ill patients. The themes that emerged from the data were; 1. Supernatural causes, 2. Traditional non-spiritual beliefs and practices; and 3. Medico-surgical problems. The majority of the participants responded that residents preferred religious spiritualists the most (46%), followed by traditional counselors (Wabeka) (19%), traditional spiritualists (15%), institutional care (12%), herbalists (4%), and psychologists (4%).Conclusions and Recommendations: In this study, the most commonly perceived causes of mental illnesses were bad spirits, devilish activity, and engaging in actions that violated social norms and regulations. Religious spiritualists were the study’s first choice for mental health care. This study advises collaboration and a shared strategy between health care professionals and traditional and religious stakeholders.Keywords: mental illness, traditional healer, cultures, preferences

Kalkidan Solomon,1 Mulugeta Tamire,1 Nahom Solomon,2 Nigus Bililign,3 Mirgissa Kaba1 1Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia; 3Department of Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Kalkidan Solomon, Email kallkidansolomon@gmail.comIntroduction: Morbidity and mortality from female cancers is a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. More than three quarters of women visiting health facilities are diagnosed with late-stage cervical and breast cancer. Evidence reveals that misconception affects timely health seeking behavior which could have averted expensive treatment and poor survival. This study aimed to explore misconceptions about female cancers that may have contributed to late presentation of the problem to health facilities in Sidama region, Ethiopia.Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was carried out in June 2021. Nine focus group discussions (six with women and three with men) and 14 key informants were conducted. Data were collected using interview guide until all information get saturated. Data were inductively coded and qualitative content analysis was applied.Results: A total of 63 (24 men and 39 women) people participated in this study. Nearly all (12) key informant interviewees have awareness about cervical and breast cancer, yet reported that their community members clearly lack awareness and they are working to improve misconceptions regarding cervical and breast cancer. The focus group discussion participants (15 men and 36 women) reported lack of detailed information related to cervical and breast cancer. Women believe that cervical and breast cancer mainly resulted from poor hygiene, trauma, having multiple sexual partners, early marriage, breast exposure to heat, not breast feeding, birth complication, urinating in the sun, hereditary, devil’s intrusion and God’s punishment.Conclusion: There were misconceptions among the community on what cervical and breast cancer mean, how they could happen, what the symptoms are, why and when to screen, when to seek health care and how to use modern treatment options. Therefore, we recommended the design of social and behavioral change strategies to address the misconceptions among different population groups.Keywords: female cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, misconception

Kedir Urgesa,1 Kidist Bobosha,2 Berhanu Seyoum,2 Biftu Geda,3 Fitsum Weldegebreal,3 Adane Mihret,2 Rawleigh Howe,2 Mirgissa Kaba,4 Abraham Aseffa2 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Kedir Urgesa P.O Box 235, Harar, EthiopiaTel +251940635596Email kedirbofe@gmail.comIntroduction: Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is a potentially disabling disease that results in discrimination and self-stigma. A delay in case detection among leprosy patients is one of the factors resulting in disability. Although poor insights of the community toward leprosy lead to delays in case detection, studies on such matters are neglected in Ethiopia.Objective: To assess the level of community knowledge and attitudes toward leprosy in Fedis District, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 728 randomly selected households from July to August 2019. Each participant was interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire consisting of participants’ socio-demographic background, questions related to knowledge of and attitudes toward leprosy. The collected data were entered using EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version 13. Chi-squared test, binary, and multivariable logistic regressions were applied as appropriate to assess the association between outcome and independent variables.Results: Among 728 study participants, 608 (83.52%) of them had heard about leprosy. Among the study participants who had heard of leprosy, 346 (56.91%) of them had high knowledge of leprosy. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that study participants who completed grade 1– 8 (AOR=1.68, 95% CI=1.09– 2.58, P=0.017) and government employees (AOR=7.56, 95% CI=2.23– 25.63, P=0.001) were significantly associated with high level of knowledge of leprosy. Out of 608 study participants who had heard of leprosy, only 248 (40.79%) had a favorable attitude toward leprosy. Study participants who completed grade 1– 8 (AOR= 2.72, 95% CI=1.76– 4.19, P= 0.000) and urban inhabitants (AOR=0.49, 95% CI=0.31– 0.75, P= 0.032) were significantly associated with favorable attitude toward leprosy. Having high knowledge of leprosy was significantly associated with favorable attitudes toward leprosy.Conclusion: This study revealed unfavorable attitudes toward leprosy among the community. Having a high overall knowledge level on leprosy has been shown to support a favorable attitude toward leprosy.Keywords: leprosy, knowledge, attitude, endemic, Ethiopia

Kebebush Zepre,1 Mirgissa Kaba2 1Guraghe Zone Health Department, Wolkite, SNNPR, 2School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a strategy that helps women to consider all available maternal health care services during pregnancy and prepare for potential complications. Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia has taken steps to roll out the strategy at community level. Yet, women in rural communities still do not make use of available services to avoid complications in connection to pregnancy and delivery. Objective: This study aims to assess the current BPCR practice and determine associated factors among rural women of reproductive age in Abeshige district, Guraghe zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to March 2015. A total of 454 women were randomly selected and interviewed using pretested structured questionnaires, while opinion leaders, health extension workers, and selected women in the community were engaged in in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, using checklists prepared to guide the interviews. Data from different sources were analyzed, triangulated, and interpreted to respond to the objectives. Results: Thirty-seven percent of the respondents were found to have prepared for birth and its complications. BPCR was higher among women who lived within a 1-hour walk from a health center (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =3.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.78, 36.79) and who were aware of the danger signs of pregnancy (AOR =1.72, 95% CI: 1.78, 2.94) and postpartum complications (AOR =2.32, 95% CI: 1.32, 4.21). A major source of information was found to be health extension workers and one-to-five women networks (AOR =2.81, 95% CI: 1.34, 6.21) and (AOR =2.52, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.54), respectively. Qualitative finding revealed that lack of transportation and concern over cost of services are key barriers to BPCR. Conclusion: BPCR in Abeshige was found to be relatively low, calling for more interventions beyond mere awareness. Availing transportation services and ensuring services free of charge would help in improving BPCR in the study area. Keywords: maternal health, preparing for birth, community level care, safe pregnancy and delivery

Mirgissa Kaba,1 Tesfaye Bulto,2 Zergu Tafesse,2 Wassie Lingerh,2 Ismael Ali2 1Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, 2Integrated Family Health Program, John Snow, Inc., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Background: Maternal health remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Despite the government’s measures to ensure institutional delivery assisted by skilled attendants, home delivery remains high, estimated at over 80% of all pregnant women.Objective: The study aims to identify determinants that sustain home delivery in Ethiopia.Methods: A total of 48 women who delivered their most recent child at home, 56 women who delivered their most recent child in a health facility, 55 husbands of women who delivered within 1 year preceding the study, and 23 opinion leaders in selected districts of Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, and Tigray regions were involved in the study. Key informant interview, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data using checklists developed for this purpose. Data reduction and analysis were facilitated by Maxqda qualitative data analysis software version 11.Results: Findings show that pregnancy and delivery is a normal and natural life event. Research participants unanimously argue that such a life event should not be linked with health problems. Home is considered a natural space for delivery and most women aspire to deliver at home where rituals during labor and after delivery are considered enjoyable. Even those who delivered in health facilities appreciate events in connection to home delivery. Efforts are underway to create home-like environments in health facilities, but health facilities are not yet recognized as a natural place of delivery. The positive tendency to deliver at home is further facilitated by poor service delivery at the facility level. Perceived poor competence of providers and limited availability of supplies and equipment were found to maintain the preference to deliver at home.Conclusion: The government’s endeavor to improve maternal health has generated positive results with more women now attending antenatal care. Yet over 80% of women deliver at home and this was found to be the preferred option. Thus, the current form of intervention needs to focus on factors that determine decisions to deliver at home and also focus on investing in improving service delivery at health facilities. Keywords: maternal health service, utilization of maternal health, antenatal care, cultural determinants

A study was conducted to analyze the influence of alloying carbon with germanium and silicon and different C/Ge ratios during the growth of very thin film layers on the ternary alloy SiGeC prepared on Si(100) substrates. Findings showed that a larger germanium content minimized the island size and increased island density. Results also indicated that strain energy can influence the control of the critical thickness for dislocation generation within three-dimensional islands.

Background Ill health associated with household air pollution (HAP) is increasingly recognized as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. To date, attempts to reduce HAP have focussed on smoke from cooking fires and have ignored traditional cultural practices which generate purposely produced smoke (PPS). This study aimed to investigate PPS prevalence, reasons for use and safety perceptions. Methods The study was conducted in Wollo, Ethiopia, and used a mixed methods approach of quantitative surveys (analysed descriptively) and qualitative interviews with householders and healthcare workers (analysed thematically). Results PPS use was reported by 99% of survey respondents and it was considered a fundamental part of life. Although reasons for use included housekeeping, culture/religion and well-being, coffee ceremony was most commonly cited (44% of respondents). Both householders and healthcare workers appeared to assume PPS is safe, except for people with certain underlying conditions. Healthcare workers felt the lack of evidence of harm from PPS meant there was no justification for intervention. Conclusion This study, the first in-depth study of PPS, has shown its use to be widespread, with many perceived benefits and thus a very important part of local culture in this sample Ethiopian community. Consequently, any public health interventions aimed at reducing HAP in this setting need to consider PPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]