Commercial sex workers in five Ethiopian cities: A baseline survey for USAID Targeted HIV Prevention Program for most-at-risk populations

This report presents findings from a baseline survey of commercial sex workers (CSWs) that was undertaken in five Ethiopian cities. 2,050 CSWs were interviewed for the survey. CSW were disproportionally young and came from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. Most respondents also cited negative working standards from another profession, or family responsibilities as reasons leading to sex work. Condom use was very high but use may be inconsistent or over-reported and should be studied further. Findings also propose additional advocacy for positive peer support groups, more HIV testing for at-risk populations, and addressing violence among CSWs and other Ethiopian women

Maternal energy and macronutrient insecurity in an ensete-corn staple village of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract: Thirty three rural women from Shafina, a Sidama village, aged 25-48 years, were followed longitudinally for their dietary intake for eight rounds from april 1986 to march 1987. Food consumption was measured by the weighed food record technique. The mean habitual daily energy intake was 1833±563 kcal/day, 94% adequate compared to WHO recommendations. Carbohydrate provided 88% of the total daily energy which was 15% higher than the reference upper limit. Total fat intake was critically low contributing only 6.9% of the total daily energy, 54% lower than the lower reference limit reccomended for optimal nutritional health. Protein provided 5.7% of the total daily energy with unmet animal-origin protein requirement amounting to about 78%. Foods of ensete origin provided the largest proportion of the daily energy (46%) followed by cereals, mainly corn, (39.7%). Legumes and tubers provide 3.7% and 2.0% of the total daily energy, respectively. Intakes of all macronutrients and energy were relatively higher during the post-harvest months of December through February compared to the pre-harvest months of June through November. The results from this study indicate that maternal macronutrient and energy nutriture of the study population is both chronically and seasonally insecure. Moreover, the diet is characterised by very high carbohydrate, very low fat and low animal origin protein, which is not consistent with the recommended balance for optimal long term good health, productivity, and reproductive performance. Alleviation of the adverse consequences requires emphasis on the nutrition dimension by the education, health, agricultural, industrial, and other policy sectors within the country. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1999;13(3):285-290

Factors contributing to positive and negative deviances in child nutrition

Abstract: A cross sectional study investigating factors leading to positive and negative deviance in child nutrition, was conducted between March and April 1996 at Zigbaboto, Gurage Zone. Among 400 children aged 6-59 months, 231 children were randomly selected and categorized into negative deviants (lower tercile), median growers (middle tercile) and positive deviants (upper tercile) based on local distribution of height for age. Over 20 variables presumed to affect nutritional status of children were then collected and analyzed to see their associations to each category. The prevalence of malnutrition was also determined using the NCHS standard. The results indicated that 46.8% were stunted, 44.2% were under-weight and 13.0% were wasted. Of the over 20 variables, only nine variables showed significant differences at least among two categories. Religion, maternal education, maternal age, and income distinguished negative deviants from median growers. Prenatal follow-up, age of the child, and duration of breast feeding distinguished median growers from positive deviants. Only two variables, maternal body mass index and maternal height differentiated both positive and negative deviants from median growers. In conclusion our study revealed that factors responsible for positive and negative deviances are not necessarily the converse of each other implying that indepth assessment of factors leading to optimum nutrition is required before intervention strategies are considered. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1998;12(2):69-73

The association of children’s nutritional status to maternal education in Zigbaboto, Guragie Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract: A cross-sectional study intended to assess the association of the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in relation to the literacy status of their mothers was undertaken in Zigbaboto village, Guragie Zone, Southern Ethiopia, during March-April, 1996. The study was based on 231 children and the overall prevalences of stunting, underweight and wasting were 46.7%, 44.2%, and 13.0%, respectively. A bivariate analysis based on height-for-age showed a high prevalence of stunting in children of illiterate mothers (52.2%) than children of literate mothers (22.2%). This difference is noted to be statistically significant (P<0.05). A multivariate analysis also demonstrated that within the given literacy status, income (that is mainly based on possessions of agricultural products and livestock), prenatal follow-up of the mother, and household size did not show any statistical significance on the nutritional status of the study children. The findings underscored the importance of maternal education for a better achievement of nutritional status than any other variable and has important implications for policy and for further investigation in a similar community. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1999;13(1):55-61

Addis Birhan Wendoch (\u27New Light Boys\u27): Working with boys and young men to create healthier futures

The Population Council and the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs designed Addis Birhan Wendoch to impart life skills and promote gender-equitable, nonviolent, and healthy behaviors among boys and young men aged 10 to 24. The program helps out-of school boys and young men in Ethiopia navigate toward a healthier future by providing them with trained, compassionate mentors and safe environments in which they can find the support needed to share ideas and take positive actions. Through frank and open discussions, boys have the opportunity to get the facts on a range of essential topics from financial literacy to reproductive health issues, including HIV/AIDS and family planning. Mentors share strategies for building vital interpersonal skills and Wendoch participants also reflect on serious social concerns that are widely prevalent yet rarely discussed in a meaningful way, including violence and substance abuse. Boys report changed behavior and attitudes after participating in Addis Birhan Wendoch and their mentors agree with these optimistic assessments

Consumer drivers and barriers of WASH products use in rural Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, the coverage of basic WASH facilities is very low. In response, government of Ethiopia and its development partners have been using sanitation marketing to promote and sell WASH products. Qualitative in-depth interview with households, supply chain actors, and stakeholders were conducted in four regions of Ethiopia to learn about current product use behaviours. The result showed presence of any latrine was related to greater awareness about importance to health. Financial constraints, unavailability of construction materials were major barriers to possession of latrines. Word of mouth was the dominant source of information on WASH products, with health extension workers being a respected source. The major challenges of supply chain actors at district level were finance, inadequate working space, and lack of business development skills. Lack of regular WASH products supply system at community level and lack of profound awareness about health benefit were the priority constrains to access latrines

Ethiopia gender survey: A study in seven regions

“Ethiopia Gender Survey: A Study in Seven Regions” is a 2009 population-based survey. Over 8,000 Ethiopian women aged 15 to 49 were interviewed to examine a better understanding of HIV behavior, gender issues and reproductive health in Ethiopia. The information serves as the baseline survey for four initiatives in Ethiopia related to adolescent health and development, gender-based violence, women’s empowerment, and female genital cutting/ mutilation

Ethiopia young adult survey: A study in seven regions

This report details a survey in Ethiopia that provides a baseline for four new initiatives, including programs devoted to adolescent and youth health and development, gender-based violence, women’s/girls’ empowerment, and female genital cutting/mutilation. The Population Council research contributes to up-to-date and nuanced understandings of HIV behavior, gender issues, and reproductive health among young people in seven regions of Ethiopia. The survey findings underscore the differing experiences of boys and girls as well as the varying conditions in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia; tailored strategies are needed to reach rural boys, rural girls, urban boys, and urban girls. In addition, young people in special circumstances, such as disabled youth, street youth, and young women in commercial sex work, exhibit widely varying experiences. The report outlines myths, realities, and recommendations based on the survey results

Identifying gaps in the practices of rural health extension workers in Ethiopia:A task analysis study

Background: Health extension workers (HEWs) are the frontline health workers for Ethiopia's primary health care system. The Federal Ministry of Health is seeking to upgrade and increase the number of HEWs, particularly in remote areas, and address concerns about HEWs' pre-service education and practices. The aim of this study was to identify gaps in HEWs' practices and recommend changes in their training and scope of practice. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive task analysis was conducted to assess the work of rural HEWs who had been in practice for six months to five years. One hundred participants were invited from 100 health posts in five regions of Ethiopia. HEWs self-reported on 62 tasks on: frequency, criticality (importance), where the task was learned, and ability to perform the task. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were computed for each variable. Task combinations were examined to identify tasks performed infrequently or for which HEWs are inadequately prepared. Results: A total of 82 rural HEWs participated in the study. Nearly all HEWs rated every task as highly critical to individual and public health outcomes. On average, most HEWs (51.5%-57.4%) reported learning hygiene and environmental sanitation tasks, disease prevention and control tasks, family health tasks, and health education and communication tasks outside of their pre-service education, primarily through in-service and on-the-job training. Over half of HEWs reported performing certain critical tasks infrequently, including management of supplies, stocks and maintenance at the facility and management of the cold chain system. Almost all HEWs (95.7-97.2%) perceived themselves as competent and proficient in performing tasks in all program areas. Conclusion: HEWs were insufficiently prepared during pre-service education for all tasks that fall within their scope of practice. Many learned tasks through in-service or on-the-job training, and some tasks were not learned at all. Some tasks that are part of expected HEW practice were performed infrequently, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the Health Extension Program to provide preventive and basic curative health care services to communities. Findings should alert policy makers to the need to review HEWs' scope of practice, update pre-service education curricula and prioritize in-service training modules

The Bulletin, Off-Campus Courses and Extension Services 1964-1966, Volume 64, Number 4, June (1964)

https://red.mnstate.edu/bulletins/1043/thumbnail.jp