Examining Perceptions of Rapid Population Growth in North and South Gondar Zones, Northwest Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the most populous countries in Africa and ranks second only to Nigeria. Rapid population growth has hampered the country's development, making the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger difficult. This study which had two components—quantitative and qualitative—was aimed at exploring the perceptions of women and other social groups on the prevailing population pressures. The quantitative study involved 3,512 women aged 15–49 years. The qualitative study consisted of five focus-group discussions and six key-informant interviews. Over 90% of women (n=3,512) who participated in the quantitative study and nearly all the focus-group discussants and interviewees (n=39) felt that something should be done to keep the population from growing too fast. Most (over 90%) participants approved of the Government passing a law regarding the maximum number of children that a couple should have. It is, therefore, timely for the responsible bodies to exert maximum effort and commitment in responding to the emerging attitudes of the people by making the population problem a priority

Examining Perceptions of Rapid Population Growth in North and South Gondar Zones, Northwest Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the most populous countries in Africa and ranks second only to Nigeria. Rapid population growth has hampered the country\u2019s development, making the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger difficult. This study which had two components-quantitative and qualitative-was aimed at exploring the perceptions of women and other social groups on the prevailing population pressures. The quantitative study involved 3,512 women aged 15-49 years. The qualitative study consisted of five focus-group discussions and six key-informant interviews. Over 90% of women (n=3,512) who participated in the quantitative study and nearly all the focus-group discussants and interviewees (n=39) felt that something should be done to keep the population from growing too fast. Most (over 90%) participants approved of the Government passing a law regarding the maximum number of children that a couple should have. It is, therefore, timely for the responsible bodies to exert maximum effort and commitment in responding to the emerging attitudes of the people by making the population problem a priority

Prevalence and associated risk factoprs of Induced Abortion in Northwet Ethiopia

No Abstract Available Ethiop.J.Health Dev. Vol.19(1) 2005: 37-4

Assessment of utilization of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling as an intervention for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and associated factors among pregnant women in Gondar town, North West Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Detection of maternal HIV infection early in pregnancy is critical for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Most efforts have focused on VCT as the primary means of encouraging people to become aware of their HIV status. However, its uptake is low in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling provides a critical opportunity to diagnose HIV infection, to begin chronic care, and to prevent mother to child transmission. However, little is known about its acceptance and associated factors among pregnant women in the country and particularly in the present study area.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Health institution based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in Gondar town from July 22-August 18, 2010. A total of 400 pregnant women were involved in the study using stratified sampling technique and multiple logistic regression analysis was employed using SPSS version 16.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 400 pregnant women actively participated in this study and 330 (82.5%) of them accepted provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling to be tested for HIV and 70(17.5%) of them refused. Acceptance of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling was positively associated with greater number of antenatal care visits [Adj. OR (95%CI)=2.64(1.17, 5.95)], residing in the urban areas[Adj. OR (95%CI)=2.85(1.10, 7.41)], having comprehensive knowledge on HIV [Adj. OR (95%CI)=4.30(1.72, 10.73)], positive partners reaction for HIV positive result [Adj. OR (95%CI)=8.19(3.57, 18.80)] and having knowledge on prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV[Adj. OR (95%CI)=3.27(1.34, 7.94)], but negatively associated with increased maternal age and education level.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Utilization of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling during antenatal care was relatively high among pregnant women in Gondar town. Couple counseling and HIV testing should be strengthened to promote provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling among male partners and to reduce HIV related violence of women from their partner and access to and consistent use of antenatal care should be improved to increase the uptake of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling service.</p

Differentials of fertility in North and South Gondar zones, northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ethiopia is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa with an estimated population of 77.1 million in mid-2007. Uncontrolled fertility has adversely influenced the socio-economic, demographic and environmental situations of the country. It is one of the largest and poorest countries that, even in the midst of crisis, has maintained high levels of fertility. This study was aimed at investigating the most important factors influencing fertility behavior in Northwest Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comparative cross-sectional study which included 2424 women aged 25 years and above was undertaken in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia. The study subjects were grouped into high fertile and low fertile categories. There were 1011 and 1413 women in the high and low fertile groups, respectively. A multi-stage cluster sampling stratified by place of residence was employed to select the required study subjects. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to analyze the data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 25 variables considered in this study, only 9 of them were found significantly and independently associated with the level of fertility. Women with at least secondary education were at a lower risk of high fertility with OR = 0.37 (95% CI: 0.21 to 0.64) compared to those with no formal education. However, women with primary education did not show any significant difference when compared with the same baseline group. Age at first marriage was inversely associated with the number of children ever born alive. Place of residence, household expenditure, number of children who have died, attitude towards using contraceptives, women's knowledge on the safe period, and current marital status were the other variables that showed significant associations with the level of fertility.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Female education beyond the primary level, reduced infant and child mortality, delayed marriage and correct knowledge on the safe period during the menstrual cycle were amongst the main factors that had a bearing on high fertility.</p

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices involved in Harmful Health Behavior in Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia

Background: Traditional harmful health practices such as uvulectomy, tonsillectomy, female circumcision, etc. are widely practiced in Ethiopia. These malpractices are associated with risks like massive bleeding, infection, transmission of many diseases including HIV/AIDS. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the population of Dembia District towards traditional harmful health practices. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dembia district, northwest Ethiopia, in May 2001. Data were collected from 1181 households using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: Uvulectomy, milk teeth extraction, giving butter to a newborn baby as the first feed and cupping (venousection) were the most dominant malpractices reported by our respondents. Educational status and religion were found to be significantly associated with the attitude of respondents towards practicing the prevailing traditional malpractices of the study area ( P < .001 for each factor). Conclusion: An integrated health activity which includes the issue of traditional harmful health practice and its associated risks should be given due attention at grass roots level. The practice of the most serious traditional harmful health practices like female circumcision should be condemned. [Ethiop.J.Health. Dev. 2002;16(2):199-207

Prevalence of refractive errors in pre-school and school children of Debark and Kola Diba towns, North-western Ethiopia

Background: The problem of visual impairment among school children is so prevalent that it greatly reduces children's ability to study and attend classes and finally leads to the formation of grave social consequences. As it is seen from hospital reports, quite a considerable number of school children are suffering from some form of refractive errors, which could be easily corrected by the application of appropriate glasses. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment due to refractive errors in pre-school and school children aged 5 to 15 years in two towns of northwestern Ethiopia and, to investigate the influence of some factors on the problem of low vision due to refractive errors. Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey. Methods: One thousand one hundred thirty four pre-school and school children participated in the study. Level of visual acuity - visual acuity o

Prevalence and associated risk factors of trachoma among women aged 15 to 49 years in North Western Ethiopia

A community-based cross-sectional survey to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of trachoma among women aged 15 to 49 years was conducted in two districts of North Western Ethiopia between February and May 1999. A total of 830 women chosen randomly by stratified scheme and 919 children 1 - 7 years old who were living in the selected households were included in the study. Examination of the eye was performed on the women and children included in the study and the prevalence rates of trachoma were 41.7% and 71.3%, respectively. Trained health workers who were given a two-day intensive training were responsible for the examination of the eye. Active trachoma, i.e., Trachomatous Follicles(TF) and/or Trachomatous intense inflammation(TI) was present in 268(32.3%) of the women. The study also showed that 50(6%) of the cases require lid surgery for Trachomatous Trachiasis(TT) and 14 (1.7%) had corneal opacity(CO). The investigation carried out regarding the association of child caretaking and active trachoma among women revealed that caretakers were at a higher risk of acquiring the disease than noncaretakers and those women without children aged 1-7 years (Trend test,