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Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a life-threatening medical condition requiring urgent evaluation and treatment. Despite the high burden of the disease in Ethiopia, limited studies and literatures are available that describe the clinical characteristics, and outcome of the disease in the country. Objectives: To determine the etiology, precipitating factors and treatment outcome and predictors of outcome among patients with AHF admitted to Emergency and Medical ward, Jimma university medical center, Southwest Ethiopia from July 12, 2021 to January 10, 2022.Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in AHF patients admitted to Emergency and Medical ward. We used Purposive sampling technique to get the sample population. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed according to the guidelines of Ethiopian national major non-communicable diseases assessment, European Society of Cardiology, and ACC/AHA. Imaging findings (chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography), treatments given and hospital stay were abstracted from the patient’s card. SPSS software version 26 was used for data analysis. The level of significance was chosen at 5% and p–value ≤ 0.05 was reported statistically significant and results were reported as 95% confidence intervals.Result: We enrolled 184 AHF patients. Ninety eight (53.3%) patients were males. The mean age of the participants was 48.33(±18.855). Out of the total patients, 90 (48.9%) had denovo heart failure, 94 (51.1%) had acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and 66 (70.2%) of those with ADHF had readmission history of more than two times in the past 1 year.The most common chest X-ray findings in the patients were cardiomegaly; 168(91.3%). The most common identified precipitating cause for AHF was pneumonia; 54(29.3%). Systemic hypertension was the most common comorbidity being seen in 52 (28.3%) patients. Yet, pulmonary hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and tuberculosis were the next common comorbidities being found in 46 (25%), 31(16.8%), 12 (6.5%), 9 (4.9 %) respectively.Smoking history, admission systolic blood pressure, presence of acute coronary syndrome as precipitating factor, presence of chronic kidney disease as a comorbidity, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and troponin were all predictors in hospital mortality. Conclusion: Pneumonia and hypertension were the most common identified precipitating factors and comorbidities, respectively. Acute coronary syndrome, chronic kidney disease, smoking, and BUN are independent predictors of mortality in hospitalized AHF patients in JUMC.

Background Cervical cancer is the second leading type of female cancer in Ethiopia. Screening for cervical cancer is primarily conducted using visual inspection with 5% acetic acid (VIA). Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is not yet widely used in Ethiopia. Method Women aged 21–65 years were tested using LBC and VIA to detect cervical dysplasia. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors. Cohen’s Kappa test was conducted to test agreement between LBC and VIA. Results Forty-two percent (n = 188) of 448 participants were 31 to 40 years of age and only two participants were above 60. Of the 448 participants, 419 (93.5%) were tested with LBC, 294 (65.6%) VIA and 272 (60.7%) with both LBC and VIA. Among women screened using LBC, 305 (72.8%) were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), 97 (23.2%) had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 17 (4.1%) had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Presence of cervical lesions was generally lower in younger and older women. Majority, 39 (40%) of women with LSIL and 10 (59%) with HSIL were 41–50 years of age. Women aged 51–60 were more likely to have abnormal intraepithelial lesions compared to women aged 21–30 (AOR = 20.9, 95% CI = [7.2–60.9], p = 0.00). Out of 47 (10.8%) HIV-positive women, 14 (32.56%) had intraepithelial lesions of which 10 (23.3%) and 4 (9.3%) had LSIL and HSIL, respectively. Among women screened with VIA, 18 (6.1%) were positive; among the 272 (60.7%) women screened using both LBC and VIA, 6 (2.2%) were positive on both LBC and VIA tests. The level of agreement between the two tests was weak at a statistically significant level (kappa value = 0.155, p = 0.006). Conclusion LBC demonstrated high rates of cervical squamous intra-epithelial lesions in our study. VIA was a less reliable predictor of cervical squamous intra-epithelial lesions than LBC. Evaluating diagnostic accuracy of both LBC and VIA against a histological endpoint should be completed before adopting either or both screening modalities.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) and human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) co-infection was responsible for approximately 300,000 deaths worldwide in 2017. Despite this burden of death, factors associated with the survival of TB-HIV co-infected patients were not adequately studied; and some of the existing evidences are inconsistent. This study was aimed to identify factors associated with survival rates of TB/HIV co-infected patients. Methods The current study was a retrospective analysis of data extracted from 364 TB/HIV co-infected patients treated at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia, during the years 2007-2017. Time to event was measured from the date of TB treatment initiation till death, loss to follow -up or completion of treatment. Since the event was death, patients lost from follow -up and those on follow -up were considered as censored. Using Cox-regression, the 95% CI of hazard ratio (HR) and P-value

Background: Prematurity is a global public health priority linked with high neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is limited evidence regarding preterm neonatal mortality and its predictors to inform programs and policies in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was therefore to assess survival status and predictors of mortality among preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Jimma University Medical Center. Methods: Facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted from March 11 to April 20, 2020, among 505 randomly selected preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). Data were collected from medical records and registers using a structured data collection checklist. Data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1, exported to, and analyzed with STATA version 15. Kaplan Meir method and log-rank test were used to estimate survival time, and compare survival experience. Cox-regression analysis was fitted to identify predictors of time to death. The assumption of the proportional hazard model was checked using Schoenfeld residual test. Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) and corresponding p-value Result: In this study, 127 (25.1%) neonates died with neonatal morality rate of 28.9 deaths per 1,000 neonate-days [95%CI: 24.33, 34.46]. About 103 (81.1%) deaths occurred during early neonatal period. Antenatal steroid use [AHR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.90], obstetric complications [AHR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.20, 2.82], gestational age increment by week [AHR= 0.81, 95%CI: 0.75, 0.87], respiratory distress syndrome [AHR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.01, 2.29], neonatal sepsis [AHR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.18, 2.49], perinatal asphyxia [AHR=2.44, 95%CI: 1.33, 4.49], and receiving kangaroo-mother care [AHR=0.48, 95%CI: 0.30, 0.77] were predictors of preterm neonatal mortality.Conclusion: Preterm neonatal mortality rate was high. Most neonatal deaths occurred in the early neonatal period. Predictors of preterm neonatal mortality were antenatal steroid use, obstetric complications, gestational age increment by week, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, perinatal asphyxia, and receiving kangaroo-mother care. Hence, early detection and management of obstetric and neonatal complications, use of antenatal steroids, kangaroo-mother care, and ensuring a continuum of care should be strengthened to increase preterm neonatal survival.

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus remains the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in most countries in the world. In Ethiopia, renal complications of diabetes may remain unrecognized due to limited diagnostic resources. As a result, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among adult diabetics in Ethiopia has not been well described. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated factors among diabetic patients who attended the federal police hospital diabetic clinic in Addis AbabaMETHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 362 Diabetes Mellitus. Data were collected using face-to-face interviewing questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors.RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease diagnosed by Cockcroft-Gault equation and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation was 14.6% and 7.7% respectively. This finding shows the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among Diabetic patients was low. Age 50-59 years [(AOR= 4.0; 95% CI:(1.2, 13)] by Cockroft-Gault equation (CG), age 60-69 years [(AOR=5.8 95% CI:(1.5,21.0)] by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and (AOR;22.9 95%CI:7.1,74.2) by CG, age 70 years and above (AOR=4.7; 95 CI: 1.1, 19.7) by MDRD and (AOR= 22.9; 95%CI:7.1,74.2) by CG, BMI (AOR=0.2; 95% CI:0.1,0.4) by CG, and previous kidney disease (AOR=6.2 95%CI:2.0,8.4) by MDRD and (AOR;4.6 95%CI:1.9,10.8) C-G equation have a significant association with chronic kidney disease after an adjustment done.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease among Diabetic patients in this study was lower. Age, BMI, and previous recurrent kidney disease were associated with chronic kidney disease. Preventive measures like giving health education and screening of patients with risk factors should get more attention.

Birhanu Waju,1 Lamessa Dube,2 Muktar Ahmed,2,3 Semira Shimeles Assefa4 1ICAP Ethiopia HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Program, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Jimma University, Department of Epidemiology, Jimma, Ethiopia; 3Australian Centre for Precision Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia; 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Semira Shimeles Assefa Tel +251 96-040-2329Email semushi28@gmail.comBackground: Unsuppressed viral load in patients on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy occurs when treatment fails to suppress a patient’s viral load, and is associated with decreased survival and increased HIV transmission. Identifying the level of unsuppressed viral load with its associated factors has benefits in controlling transmission and reducing burden. Therefore, this study aimed to assess unsuppressed viral load (> 1,000 copies/mL) and associated factors among HIV patients taking first-line antiretroviral treatment at public health facilities in Jimma, Ethiopia.Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 669 patients on first-line ARV therapy (at least 6 months) in public health facilities in Jimma. Sociodemographic, treatment, clinical, immunological, and viral load data were extracted from medical records, entered into EpiData 3.1, and analyzed with SPSS 20. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with viral nonsuppression, considering a 95% CI with P< 0.05 statistically significant.Results: Among the participants, 258 (38.6%) were aged 25– 34 years. Median age was 35 years. Prevalence of unsuppressed viral load was 20.3%. Risk of unsuppressed viral loads was 91% lower among ARV therapy patients who had been taking ARV therapy < 2 years (AOR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01– 0.83), lower baseline BMI (AOR 4.44, 95% CI 1.56– 12.64), lower baseline CD4 (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.45– 5.29), poor adherence to ARV therapy medication (AOR 3.19, 95% CI 1.29– 7.89), and immunological failure (AOR 4.26, 95% CI 2.56– 7.09) were the independent predictors of unsuppressed viral load.Conclusion: This study revealed that there is a high level of virological failure among adult HIV patients, and confirms the need to develop close follow-up strategies of targeted interventions for patients in care who are at high risk of unsuppressed viral load.Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, antiretroviral therapy, viral load suppression

BACKGROUND፡ Childhood vaccination is considered as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. With an increasing dropout rate from vaccination, the factors for incomplete vaccination are not well explored. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of incomplete childhood vaccination.METHOD: Community based case-control study was conducted from March 1-30,2018. Cases were children who missed at least one dose of routine vaccine while controls were children who completed all recommended doses. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Multivariable logistic regression was performed in order to identify determinants with 95% CI and a pvalue of

Background: Cervical cancer is the second leading type of female cancer in Ethiopia. Screening is primarily conducted using visual inspection with 5% acetic acid (VIA). Liquid-based cytology (LBC) has not yet been used in Ethiopia.Method: Women aged 21-65 years were tested using LBC and VIA for the detection of cervical dysplasia. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors. Cohen’s K test was conducted to test agreement between LBC and VIA. Results: Forty-two percent (n=188) of 448 participants were 31 to 40 years of age and only two participants were above 60. Of the 448 participants, 419 (93.5%) were tested with LBC, 294 (65.6%) VIA and 272 (60.7%) with both LBC and VIA. Among women screened using LBC, 305(72.8%) were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), 97 (23.2%) had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 17 (4.1%) high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Presence of cervical lesions was generally lower in younger and older aged women. Majority, 39(40%) with LSIL and 10 (59%) of women with HSIL were 41-50 years old. Women aged 51-60 years were more likely to have abnormal intraepithelial lesions compared to women aged 21-30 (AOR= 20.9,95%CI=[7.2-60.9], p=0.00). Out of 47 (10.8%) HIV-patients,14(32.56%) had intraepithelial lesion of which 10(23.3%) and 4(9.3%) had LSIL and HSIL, respectively. Among women screened with VIA, 18 (6.1%) were positive. Among the 272 (60.7%) women screened using both LBC and VIA, 6 (2.2%) were positive on both LBC and VIA. The level of agreement between the two tests was weak and statistically significant (kappa value=0.155, p=0.006). Conclusion: LBC detected high cervical squamous intra-epithelial lesions in our setting. VIA was a less reliable predictor of cervical squamous intra-epithelial lesions than LBC. Evaluating diagnostic accuracy of both LBC and VIA against histological endpoint should be completed before adopting either screening modalities.

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among building construction workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 licensed building construction companies in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling was used to recruit 809 study participants. Data was collected using face to face interview and observational checklist. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 683 (84.7%) respondents reported occupational injuries during the past 12 months giving an overall annual prevalence rate of 847 injuries per 1000 construction workers. Of the total 683 injured respondents, 74 (10.8%) were hospitalized. The odds of injuries were two times higher among males when compared with females (OR=2.17, 95%CI (1.47-3.19). Not having job satisfaction increased the odds of occupational injuries by about four folds as compared to those who are satisfied with their job (OR = 4.82, 95% CI (2.75-8.46). Working for more than 48 h per week, lack of vocational trainings, not using of personal protective equipment had significantly contributed to the higher risks of occupational injuries. Key words: Construction, injury, health, occupational safety, prevalence.

Background. Child malnutrition continues to be the leading public health problem in developing countries. In Ethiopia, malnutrition is a leading cause of child illness and death. Recently the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) has been implemented to measure the prevalence of malnutrition. This index presents a more complete picture compared with the previous conventional indices. In this study, CIAF was used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 0–59 months in rural Ethiopia. Methods. Data was extracted from the 2014 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS) for this study. A total of 3095 children were included in the analysis. The composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) was used to measure the nutritional status of the children. Logistic regression was fitted, to identify factors associated with malnutrition among children in rural Ethiopia, using STATA 13. Result. The prevalence of malnutrition among rural children in Ethiopia was 48.5%. Age of the children, preceding birth interval, educated status of mother, wealth status, and region were factors independently associated with nutritional status of children in rural Ethiopia. Conclusion. The prevalence of malnutrition among children in rural Ethiopia was high. A child older than 12 months, having uneducated mother, living in a household with poor wealth status, born with short birth interval, and living in some region of the country are associated with increased odds of being malnourished.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) and human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) co-infection was responsible for approximately 300,000 deaths worldwide in 2017. Despite this burden of death, factors associated with the survival of TB-HIV co-infected patients were not adequately studied; and some of the existing evidences are inconsistent. This study was aimed to identify factors associated with survival rates of TB/HIV co-infected patients. Methods The current study was a retrospective analysis of data extracted from 364 TB/HIV co-infected patients treated at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia, during the years 2007–2017. Time to event was measured from the date of TB treatment initiation till death, loss to follow -up or completion of treatment. Since the event was death, patients lost from follow -up and those on follow -up were considered as censored. Using Cox-regression, the 95% CI of hazard ratio (HR) and P-value

Background Diabetes mellitus remains the leading cause of end stage renal disease in most countries in the world. In Ethiopia, renal complications of diabetes may remain unrecognized due to limited diagnostic resources. As a result, the studies that shows the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors among adult diabetics in Ethiopia are flimsy. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated factors among diabetic patients who attended federal police hospital diabetic clinic in Addis Ababa. Methods Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among 362 Diabetes Mellitus patients using systematic sampling method. Chronic kidney disease stage was categorized according to the classification system established by the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease out comes Quality Initiative and defined by Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) and Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection represents a complex pathogenic scenario with synergistic effect and leads to about 300,000 HIV-associated TB deaths in the world in 2017. Despite this burden of death, time to death and its predictors among TB-HIV co-infected patient was not adequately studied; and the existing evidences are inconsistent. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine time to death and identify its predictors among adult TB/HIV co-infected patients.MethodRetrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing registers of randomly selected 364 TB/HIV co-infected patients enrolled in health care from July 2, 2007 up to July 1, 2017 at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital. The hospital was located in Bench Maji Zone, South West Ethiopia. Data were collected from March 1 through 31, 2018, entered to Epi data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21. Each patient was followed from date of TB treatment initiation till death, loss to follow up and treatment completed. On the other hand, events other than death were considered as censored. After checking the proportional hazard model assumption, Cox-regression was used to identify the predictors. In bivariable analyses, P-value≤0.25 was used to identify candidate variables for multivariable analysis. The 95% CI of hazard ratio (HR) with respective P-value ResultAll the 364 patients were followed for 1,654 person months. There were 83 (22.8%) deaths and most 38 (45.8%) were occurring within the first two months of anti-TB treatment initiation. The overall incidence rate and median survival time were 5.02 per 100 person months (95% CI: 4.05, 6.22) and 10 months respectively. Statistically significant better survival was observed among patients: with CD4 ≥ 200 cells/mm3 (P3 (AHR=6.05; PConclusionThe median survival time was 10 months and poor survival was associated with low CD4 count, not using CPT, not disclosing HIV status and having bedridden functional status. Close monitoring of bedridden and low CD4 count patients, prompt CPT initiation and encouraging HIV status disclosure are recommended.

usc Background: Mental disorder is one of the greatest challenges that current and future generations will face. Currently among all people suffering from depression, 85% of them live in low- and middle-income countries. Previous studies reported the global burden/prevalence of depression to be five to ten times higher among prisoners than the general population. However, the prevalence of depression among prisoners in our study area is not known. Objective: This study therefore aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among prisoners in Jimma town in 2017. Method: A cross-sectional study design was employed on 332 prisoners selected by systematic random sampling method. Data was collected by a face to face interview using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Result. The study revealed that 41.9% () of participants among prisoners had depression. Having family history of mental illness (AOR = 6.05, 95% CI = 2.6, 13.8), having chronic physical illness (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.29, 6.41), having history of previous incarceration (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.02, 10.64), lack of job in the prison (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI = 2.09, 11.8), lifetime alcohol use (AOR = 3.61, 95% CI = 1.8, 7.26), thinking life to be a difficult one after release from prison (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.2, 3.6), having age between 21 and 25 years (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.06, 3.89), and having poor social support (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.27, 3.82) had significant association with depression in the fully adjusted final regression model. Result: The study revealed that 41.9% () of participants among prisoners had depression. Having family history of mental illness (AOR = 6.05, 95% CI = 2.6, 13.8), having chronic physical illness (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.29, 6.41), having history of previous incarceration (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.02, 10.64), lack of job in the prison (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI = 2.09, 11.8), lifetime alcohol use (AOR = 3.61, 95% CI = 1.8, 7.26), thinking life to be a difficult one after release from prison (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.2, 3.6), having age between 21 and 25 years (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.06, 3.89), and having poor social support (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.27, 3.82) had significant association with depression in the fully adjusted final regression model. Conclusion: This study has shown that the prevalence of depression among prisoners was very high. Having family history of mental illness, having chronic physical illness, having previous incarceration, lack of job in prison, lifetime alcohol use, thinking life to be difficult one after release from prison, having age between 21 and 25 years old, and having poor social support were found to have an impact on the prevalence of depression. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Background Diabetic nephropathy is the most serious complication of diabetes which leads to end-stage renal failure and other complication of diabetes mellitus. Determinants of Diabetic nephropathy are not consistent in different studies and associated factors to chronic complications of diabetes are not specific and there are limited studies specific to diabetic nephropathy. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify determinants of diabetic nephropathy in Ayder Referral Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Methods A case-control study was conducted from February 14 to May 8 2016. Diabetic patients who developed nephropathy in the last two years were the cases and diabetic patients free of nephropathy were controls. Cases and controls were identified detailed review of the chronic care follow up chart. Then simple random sampling was used to select sample of 420 (with control to case ratio of 4:1) resulting in 84 cases and 336 controls. Record review and interviewer administered questionnaire were used to collect data. Data was coded and entered in to Epi-Data version 3.1 and then exported to STATA 12 for analysis. Variables with P-values< 0.25 in Bivariate logistic regression were selected for multiple logistic regressions to determine independent determinants of diabetic nephropathy. OR was calculated with 95% CI to show strength of association. Result The mean age (±Standard deviation) for the cases and the controls were 52(SD: ±1.34) and 42.4(SD: ±0.8) respectively. In multiple logistic regressions age of patient (AOR: 1.037 95%CI: 1.01–1.064), duration of diabetes after diagnosis (AOR for one year increase: 1.09 95%CI: 1.036–1.15), not-adhered to blood glucose measurement at home (AOR: 6.81 95%CI: 1.15–40.24), having Systolic Hypertension (AOR;2.13 (1.002–4.51), poor glycemic control (AOR;2.71 95%CI: (1.49–4.95), being overweight(AOR;2.7(1.47–4.96) were the independent predictors of diabetic nephropathy. Conclusion In the light of these findings, targeted interventions should be designed at the follow up clinic to address the risk of developing diabetic nephropathy among the risk groups.

Background Knowledge of danger signs of obstetric complications is first step in the appropriate and timely referral to essential obstetric care. Although women’s knowledge about the obstetric danger signs is important for improving maternal and child health, little is known about the current knowledge and influencing factors in pastoral community of Ethiopia. This study, therefore, aims to fill this gap by assessing the current level of knowledge and associated factors of pregnant women living in Erer district of Somali region, Ethiopia. Methods A community based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 7 to 21, 2014. The study involved 666 pregnant women residing in the district. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data about women’s socio-demographic information, reproductive history, knowledge of the danger signs, exposure to media and interventions were collected by interviewer administered questionnaires. A respondent who spontaneously mentioned at least two of the danger signs during each of the three periods was considered knowledgeable; otherwise not. Descriptive, bivariate, then multivariable logistic regression were done. Results Six hundred thirty two pregnant women were interviewed with a response rate of 94.9 %. Only 98 (15.5 %) respondents were knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs. Urban residence [AOR = 2.43; 95 % CI (1.40, 4.21)], women who had been pregnant five or more times [AOR = 6.65; 95 % CI (2.48, 17.89)] and antenatal care utilization [AOR = 5.44; 95 % CI (3.26, 9.09)] were associated with being knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Conclusion A significant proportion of pregnant women in Erer district do not have knowledge of obstetric danger signs. The implication is that lack of recognition may lead to delay in seeking care. Area of residence, gravidity and antenatal care service utilization are independently associated with the knowledge of women on obstetric danger signs in Erer district, a pastoralist community. Thus, intervention programs aiming to improve women’s knowledge about obstetric danger signs and symptoms should consider the factors independently associated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-016-0309-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Questionnaire. (DOCX 56Â kb)

Background. HIV transmission from mother to child continues to be the major source of HIV infection among children under the age of fifteen. Targeting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics provides a unique opportunity for implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs against HIV infection of newborn babies. This study assessed utilization of PMTCT service of HIV and associated factors among ANC attending mothers.Methods. An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 20 to March 30, 2015, using exit interviews with 377 ANC attendees using consecutive sampling method. In-depth interviews with service provider were conducted to complement the quantitative data. Data were entered and analysed using EpiData and SPSS, respectively.Results. The prevalence of PMTCT service utilization was 86.9% in this study. Only 8.6% of respondents attended the facility for HCT. After controlling confounders using logistic regression, PMTCT service utilization was associated with age (25–34) of respondents (AOR (95% CI) = 0.46 (0.22, 0.97)), mother’s occupational status (being merchant AOR (95% CI) = 0.31 (0.12, 0.83), government employee AOR (95% CI) = 0.05 (0.01, 0.28), student AOR (95% CI) = 0.1 (0.01, 0.44), and daily laborer AOR (95% CI) = 0.13 (0.05, 0.33)), husband’s educational status (lack of formal education (AOR (95% CI) = 3.3 (1.1, 9.9))), having discussion with husband (AOR (95% CI) = 6.1 (2.6, 14.1)), partner tested (AOR (95% CI) = 8.2 (1.9, 34.46)), and being not satisfied with the service (AOR (95% CI) = 0.46 (0.2, 0.99)).Conclusions. This study revealed that utilization of HIV counseling and testing during antenatal care was high among pregnant women in Sebeta town. It highlights that focusing on improvement of quality and coverage of health services has significant effects on PMTCT service utilization. Effective use or uptake of ARV drug among HIV-positive pregnant women should be further investigated so that utilization will be enhanced.

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE What is the best available evidence on the epidemiological association between gender and survival among human immunodeficiency virus patients on antiretroviral therapy? INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants Subjects above 15 years of age regardless of ethnicity, country of residence, duration on antiretroviral therapy and with other baseline clinical characteristics will be included. Phenomena of interest The focus of interest of this review is the epidemiological association between gender as exposure (potential risk factor) and mortality as an outcome. Types of outcomes The outcome of interest in this review will be the survival status (i.e. whether subjects are alive or dead) of subjects. Types of studies Observational studies (cohort studies case-control studies and cross sectional) will be considered for inclusion.

Background Infant mortality accounts for almost 67 percent of under-five child mortality that occurs globally. An understanding of factors related to infant mortality is important to guide the development of focused and evidence-based health interventions to reduce infant deaths. But no community based studies have been conducted to identify determinants of infant mortality in Ethiopia for the past two decades. The purpose of this study is to identify determinants of infant mortality in community of Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A community based matched case–control study was conducted. The study covered 133 infants who died during infancy between January 2010 and February 2011 in the study area. For each case, a control with approximately same date of birth and survived his/her first year of live and alive at time data collection was selected. Conditional logistic regression method was used to identify determinant factors of infant mortality using Epi-info 3.5.1 statistical software. Results According to the final logistic regression model, not attending antenatal care follow-up [AOR=2.04, 95% CI:(1.04,4.02)], not using soap for hand washing before feeding child [AOR=2.50, 95% CI: (1.32,4.76)], negative perceived benefits of mother to modern treatment and prevention [AOR=2.76, 95% CI: (1.21,6.09)], small birth size [AOR=2.91, 95% CI: (1.01,8.46)] and high birth order with short birth interval [AOR=3.80, 95% CI: (1.20,11.98)] were found to be independent determinants of infant mortality. Conclusions Antenatal care follow-up, hand washing habit with soap before feeding child, birth size, perceived benefits of mothers to modern treatment, birth order and preceding birth interval were determinants of infant mortality.

Background Stunting is one of the major causes of morbidity among under-five children Knowledge about risk factors of stunting is an important precondition for developing and strengthening nutritional intervention strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with stunting among children of age 24 to 59 months in Meskan District of Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia. Methods Community based case-control study was conducted among children of age 24 to 59 months. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Cases were stunted children while controls were not stunted children. A total of 121 cases and 121 controls were studied.. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Results Children living in households with eight to ten [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.65, 11.95] and five to seven [AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.41, 6.29] family members were more likely to be stunted than those living in households with two to four family members. Similarly, children living in households with three under-five children [AOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.33, 10.74] were more likely to develop stunting than those living in households with one under-five child. Children whose mothers worked as merchants [AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.60, 10.17] were more likely to be stunted than children whose mothers worked as house wives. Children who breast fed for