High-risk birth, fertility intention, and unmet need in Addis Ababa

Abstract: In 1993 a survey was conducted to examine family planning knowledge, attitude and use in Addis Ababa. One of the objectives of the survey was to look at those women who were exposed to high-risk birth (HRB), their contraceptive behaviour and the unmet HRB need for family planning. About 88 % of the women were found to be exposed to at least one bio-demographic risk factor. Most of the women in the high risk category (70.6 %) were exposed to high parity, followed by old age (56.6 %) and closely spaced births (15.2 %). A substantial number of women falling in the too old and too many bio-demographic risk categories expressed a desire to stop childbearing compared to women at no risk. Women in the too frequent category of high-risk birth significantly expressed a desire to space the next birth for at least two years when compared to those women who were not at risk of close birth spacing. The unmet HRB need among married women was 60 % which is 10% higher than the conventional unmet need for family planning. Contraceptive prevalence among high-risk women was found to be 26% with 18% of them in need of a better family planning method. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1998;12(2):103-109

Estimation of child mortality in Addis Ababa

Abstract: Estimation of mortality level in children below the age of five may have profound impact on a number of demographic parameters. Childhood mortality data are also useful in assessing the impact of child survival programs and identifying child populations that are at risk. In March 1993 a survey was conducted to assess the child mortality rate in Addis Ababa. In the study a sample of 548 ever married women were interviewed regarding the number of children ever born, surviving and dead. A variant of the original Brass estimation procedure (Trussell's method) which is based on data classified by duration of marriage is applied. Accordingly, the under-five mortality rate (q5) is estimated to be 114 per 1000. The results, therefore, suggested that under five mortality rate remains high in Addis Ababa. Integrated maternal and child health intervention programmes have to be strengthened in order to reduce this high level of child mortality rate.[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(3):140-145

Assessment of unmet needs and the demand for family planning in Addis Ababa

A study was conducted to asses Unmet needs for FP in Addis Ababa. The city was categorized, for the Purpose of the study, in to two: inner which is densely Populated and periphery which is relatively sparsely Populated. Five kebeles from each category and hundred households from each kebele were selected randomly. A pretested questionnaire was administered through female enumerators, trained for this purpose. Among the interviewed (1(KX) women) the total number with unmet needs were 56.9% (559 women) of which 52.3% (523 women) Want to limit and 4.6% (46 women) Want to space their birth. The unmet need for limiting is higher at older age than at younger; in the case of spacing it is the vise versa. Unmet need was higher among the illiterate than among those with elementary, high school education and above. More than half of the women (56.9% ) were with Unmet needs, while the proportion of women who are currently using any type of contraceptive (CP) method was found to be 21.6%. This means that if the unmet need was to be satisfied, the prevalence may rise up to 78% -the total demand for family planning. A logistic and log linear analysis (using GLIM and SPSS/PC) was done in order to control confounders. And it was found that age, knowledge about CP and level of' education are the most important factors affecting Unmet need for FP and there was no significant interactive effect

RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CERVICAL CARCINOMA:1988-1992

INTRODUCTIONCarcinoma of the cervix is one of the most frequently seen malignant neoplasms in the female genital tract (1).The disease is unknown in virgins, of very low incidence in Jews, intermediate in frequency in Muslims and high among Caucasians and African races. The average age is 48 years, the range being 20-80 years (1).The Pathology Section of NRIH receives biopsy specimens from five hospitals in Addis Ababa and from one or more hospitals of seven administrative regions, namely from three hospitals, in Wollega, one hospital in Arsi, two hospitals in Tigray and one hospital in Eritrea

Unmet need and the demand for family planning in Addis Ababa

Abstract: A study was conducted in 1993 to estimate the unmet need for family planning service in Addis Ababa. The city was categorized for the purpose of the study, based on population density. Five kebeles were selected from each category and one hundred households from each kebele and a total of seven hundred fifty women were included. Among the interviewed, the total unmet need was 49% (368), of which 43.7% (328) want to limit and 5.3% (40) want to space. The prevalence of contraceptive use (met need) was 21.6% (162), indicating a great deal of potential users and the need for appropriate method to reach them. It was found that age, knowledge about contraception and level of education of respondents were the most important factors affecting unmet need and there was no significant interactive effect. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(1):41-45

Intestinal parasitism among students in three localities in South Wello, Ethiopia

Abstract: A cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites has been conducted in 1996 in South Wello in the towns of Kembolcha, Bati, and Mekaneselam. A total of 698 students were selected randomly by using the master list of the school as a sampling frame. The students were interviewed using a questionnaire on the use of toilets, sources of water for drinking, and purpose of washing. From the study subjects stool samples were collected and, screened for intestinal parasites using the Ritchie formol-ether technique. Of the examined, 304 (43.6%) were positive for various intestinal parasites. Schistosoma mansoni (24.9%) was commonest followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (18.3%) and Trichuris trichiura (4.4%). Other less frequent parasites were Hookworm Spp. (2%), Hymenolepis nana (1.3%), Giardia lamblia (1.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.3%), and Trichostrongylus Sp. (0.1%). Prevalence of S.mansoni was significantly higher in males than in females (P<0.01); in the 10-14 year old than in the 15-19 and 20+ age groups (P<0.05), and among the Bati students than in those in Kembolcha and Mekaneselam (P<0.001). Markedly higher rates of Ascaris and Trichuris were observed in Kembolcha(P<0.01) than in Bati and Mekaneselam but showing no difference between males and females, and between the two age groups. The public health implications of intestinal parasites among school children and possible control measures are discussed. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1998;12(3):231-235

Khat chewing habit as a possible risk behaviour for HIV infection: a case-control study

Background: The use/abuse of psychoactive drugs such as khat leaves (Catha edulis) are believed to alter one's moods or emotional state either through the sustained release or inhibition of neurotransmitters, thereby enhancing or dampening the response of the individual. Most people whose thinking are warped by continued drug use may not be able to see the harm resulting from their actions. Thus, there has been a strong linkage between drug use and casual or unsafe sexual practice despite the serious concern about HIV infection. Objective: Khat chewing is known to be a widespread habit in Ethiopia. This study is, thus, aimed at investigating whether or not the use of this psychostimulant alone or in conjunction with other behaviors associated with its use constitutes a risk behavior that accelerates the spread of HIV infection. Methods: A case-control study involving 850 human subjects, i.e. 425 HIV positives (cases) and 425 HIV negatives (controls) was conducted using rapid test algorithm and/or western blot method for determination of HIV status. Both groups were interviewed about their probable khat chewing habits, alcohol intake, multiple sexual practice, and the like, using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using SPSS/PC + statistical software.Results: Risk behaviors for HIV infection such as khat chewing in conjunction with alcohol intake and casual sex were observed more in people with HIV than in the control group. Khat chewing was significantly associated with multiple sexual practice (OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 3.02, 5.39), which in turn was strongly linked with HIV cases (OR = 3.52, 95% CI = 2.64, 4.69). Thus, more than the non-chewers, khat chewers constituted significantly higher number of HIV cases (OR =2.32, 95% CI = 1.75, 3.07).Conclusion/Recommendations: Khat chewing is a risk behavior for the spread of HIV infection. Mainstreaming of khat control into national development planning initiatives is recommended.The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19(3) 2005: 174-18

Measuring the spatial heterogeneity on the reduction of vaginal fistula burden in Ethiopia between 2005 and 2016

Vaginal fistula is a shattering maternal complication characterized by an anomalous opening between the bladder and/or rectum and vagina resulting in continuous leakage of urine or stool. Although prevalent in Ethiopia, its magnitude and distribution is not well studied. We used statistical mapping models using 2005 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic Health Surveys data combined with a suite of potential risk factors to estimate the burden of vaginal fistula among women of childbearing age. The estimated number of women of childbearing age with lifetime and untreated vaginal fistula in 2016 were 72,533 (95% CI 38,235–124,103) and 31,961 (95% CI 11,596–70,309) respectively. These figures show reduction from the 2005 estimates: 98,098 (95% CI 49,819–170,737) lifetime and 59,114 (95% CI 26,580–118,158) untreated cases of vaginal fistula. The number of districts having more than 200 untreated cases declined drastically from 54 in 2005 to 6 in 2016. Our results show a significant subnational variation in the burden of vaginal fistula. Overall, between 2005 and 2016 there was substantial reduction in the prevalence of vaginal fistula in Ethiopia. Our results help guide local level tracking, planning, spatial targeting of resources and implementation of interventions against vaginal fistula

Health system capacity for Tuberculosis Care in Ethiopia: evidence from national representative survey

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the TB health system capacity and its variations by location and types of health facilities in Ethiopia. Settings The study included 873 public and private health facilities all over Ethiopia. Design We used the Service Provision Assessment plus (SPA+) survey data that were collected in 2014 in all hospitals and randomly selected health centers and private facilities in all regions of Ethiopia. We assessed structural, process and overall health system capacity based on the Donabedian quality of care model. Multiple linear regression and spatial analysis were done to assess TB capacity score variation across regions. Results A total of 873 health facilities were included in the analysis. The overall TB care capacity score was 76.7%, 55.9% and 37.8% in public hospitals, health centers and private facilities respectively. The health system capacity score for TB was higher in the urban (60.4%) facilities compared to that of the rural (50.0%) facilities (β=8.0, 95%CI: 4.4, 11.6). Health centers (β= 16.2, 95%CI: -20.0, -12.3) and private health facilities (β= -38.3, 95%CI: -42.4, -35.1) had lower TB care capacity score than hospitals. Overall TB care capacity score were lower in Western and Southern western Ethiopia and in Benishangul Gumz and Gambella regions. Conclusions The health system capacity score for TB care in Ethiopia varied across regions. Health system capacity improvement interventions should focus on the private sectors and health facilities in the rural and remote areas to ensure equity and improve quality of care

Sustainable management practices for durum wheat production: Analyzing specific agronomic interventions on productivity, grain micronutrient content, and quality

As compared with single agronomic crop management practices during grain formation, knowledge about integrated agronomic management practices on grain mineral composition and grain technological properties in durum wheat is limited. This knowledge is important for determining management strategies aimed at increasing grain yield without affecting grain nutritional quality. Integrated agronomic practices such as foliar nutrient application × seeding rate × varieties combined with growing locations were investigated to evaluate the dynamics of yield and grain quality traits. Two durum wheat varieties, three-level of micronutrients (i.e. control, FeSO4, and ZnSO4), and four levels of seeding rate (i.e. 100, 125, 150, and 175 kg ha−1) were arranged in split-split plot design under two different growing locations (environments). The main plots were assigned to the varieties, subplots to micronutrients, and sub-sub plots to the seeding rate treatments. Zinc and iron were applied in a form of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 at the early flowering stage, both at a rate of 25 kg ha−1. Results showed a linear increment in biomass (21.5%) and grain yield (23.5%) under a high seeding rate, even though the 1000-grain weight, the number of grains spike−1, spike length, and the number of grains spike−1 were decreased. Higher varietal and environmental response of seeding rate was observed between varieties. The grain protein content, gluten, and zeleyn index decreased as the seeding rate increased. Grain micronutrient content was significantly influenced by seeding rate and varietal difference. The grain protein content was higher in a dryland environment than in a wet environment. A combined use of density-tolerant varieties, high seeding rate, and foliar-based iron application can improve the grain yield from 2.01 to 3.20 t ha−1 under a potential environment. Hence, all stakeholders should consider the genotype (G), environment (E), management (M), and their synergies, as far as grain yield and quality are considered simultaneously