Identifying Indicators of the Construct for Motivation for Weight Loss: Designing a Questionnaire

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising rapidly throughout both the developed and the developing world, and it is creating social, economic and health burden on society particularly in urban areas (Popkin, 2006 in Tesfalem, 2013). As a part of designing a questionnaire, the current research aims to identify the indicators of the latent construct motivation for weight loss. To achieve this, the paper raised the following two specific research questions: What are the indicators of the motivation for participation for weight loss program? And where do the indicators fit in the factors of social determination theory (SDT)?  To gain a rich understanding of the motivation for the participation in weight loss program, semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with purposely recruited samples of two groups: overweight people and their interventionists. Based on the themes identified from the FGD the indicators were identified. Besides, from the consultations gained from the review of related literature the indicators were placed in SDT. Keywords: Overweight, Weight loss, Motivation, Self-Determination Theory (SDT) DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-28-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

MWAs facility based monitoring checklist

The document is a facility-based checklist/training material for intake of patients and supplies. For more information about the Safe Motherhood Project, see: [https://www.idrc.ca/en/project/promoting-safe-motherhood-jimma-zone-ethiopia-imcha]. The Safe Motherhood Project is an intervention that supports the implementation and scale-up of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) initiatives in selected districts of Jimma Zone (Ethiopia)

IEC activity monitoring checklist

The document is a facility-based checklist/training material for intake of patients and supplies. For more information about the Safe Motherhood Project, see: [https://www.idrc.ca/en/project/promoting-safe-motherhood-jimma-zone-ethiopia-imcha]. The Safe Motherhood Project is an intervention that supports the implementation and scale-up of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) initiatives in selected districts of Jimma Zone (Ethiopia)

Laboratory diagnostic methods and reported outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, non-motile, spore-forming bacterium. It is a globally distributed disease, having been reported from all continents that are populated heavily with animals and humans. The objectives were to review general laboratory diagnostic testing methods and reported outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia. Anthrax was second top zoonotic priority next to rabies and endemic in Ethiopia that may occur in May and June every year (Anthrax season) in several farming localities. Animal hosts acquire the disease through grazing, usually by ingestion or inhalation while there are three major routs of transmission: ingestion, inhalation and cutaneous. This review indicated that anthrax remains to be major public and animal health problem in Ethiopia. Although suspected cases of anthrax are reported from several districts, they are not well confirmed by laboratories. Prevention and control of anthrax in animals effectively reduces its impact on public health and the national economy. The control of anthrax outbreaks among domestic animals is primarily dependent on rapid identification and treatment of affected animals; enhanced surveillance for additional cases; implementation of control measures including quarantine, prophylaxis, vaccination and the proper disposal of dead animals with decontamination is critical. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.377389

Anti-mycobacterial recall responses differentiate female patients with genital tuberculosis from patients with other gynecological problems

Background: Female Genital Tuberculosis (FGTB) is one form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis affecting the female reproductive organs, most commonly the fallopian tubes and the endometrium. It affects young women aged between 20 and 40 years of age and is an important cause of infertility. It often occurs as a secondary complication following pulmonary tuberculosis. Diagnosis depends mainly on clinical suspicion in countries where facilities for mycobacterial culture and histopathology are unavailable. Even in places where these facilities exist, diagnosis still remains difficult because of the lower sensitivity and specificity of the methods as well as the invasive procedure of acquiring biopsy specimens. Objective: To explore the immunological profiles of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) patients in response to mycobacterial antigens. Methods: Twenty-five clinically suspected cases of FGTB and 12 control subjects who came to the Black Lion hospital for unrelated gynecological problems were included in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected from each subject. Plasma was separated by centrifugation and PBMC were isolated over ficoll-hypaque and stimulated in vitro with mycobacterial antigens to examine their proliferative response as incorporation of tritiated thymidine using a β-counter. HIV status and total IgG-, IgA- and IgM- antibody levels were determined by ELISA tests.Results: In vitro recall responses to M. tuberculosis antigens (PPD and BCG sonicate) as well as plasma levels of IgGIgA- and IgM-antibodies to MPT59 showed statistically significant differences between the patients and the controls (

Risky driving behaviors for road traffic accident among drivers in Mekele city, Northern Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Due to its perception as a disease of development, road traffic accident and related injuries tend to be under recognized as a major health problem in developing countries. However, majority of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low income and middle income countries. Since the main cause of road traffic accident is attributed to human risky behaviors, it is important to identify significant factors for risky behaviors of drivers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample size of 350 drivers was conducted in April 2011. The study was conducted among Taxi, Bajaj (three tire vehicles) and private owned car drivers. After proportion to size allocation for Taxi (75), Baja (103) and private owned car (172) drivers, we used systematic random sampling method to identify illegible study subjects. Data was collected with face to face interview using a pretested questioner. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done using SPSS version 16.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age of the respondents was 28.7 (SD 9.9). Majority were 339 (96.9%) males. Significant number of the study subjects 233 (66.6%) had risky driving behaviors. More than a quarter 100 (28.6%) had less knowledge about basic traffic signs. Majority of drivers 181 (51.7%) had negative attitude towards risky driving behaviors. Significant percent of them 148 (42.3%) had a habit of using mobile phone while driving vehicle and 28 (9.7%) had experience of driving after drinking alcohol. All the Bajaj, 97(62.6%) house car and 58(37.4%) taxi unfasten their seat belt while driving. Majority 303 (86.6%) followed the recommended speed limit of driving. About 66 (18.9%) of them had experience of punishment or warning by traffic polices in the previous 1 year and 77 (22%) ever had car accident while driving.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Drivers of secondary education and with high average monthly income were more likely to have risky driving behavior. Having supportive attitude towards risky driving behaviors and not getting advice about risky driving from significant others increases the likelihood of developing risky driving behavior. Interventions targeted at developing negative attitude towards risky driving behaviors on drivers and significant others should be implemented to bring positive behavior change. The interventions need to be segmented with educational status and income.</p

Factors Predicting Responses to HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages among Wollega University Students, Oromia, Ethiopia: A Cross- Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Since the first HIV/AIDS cases were reported in 1981, HIV has become one of the world’s most serious health and development challenges. Messages should be persuasive and appealing in order to bring the desired effect among the target group. This study aims to assess the factors associated with responses to HIV/AIDS prevention messages among university students.METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaire. A total of 710 Wollega University regular students drawn by multi-stage sampling were included. The data were summarized and organized with different descriptive measures and regression analysis using SPSS 16.0.RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-three (693), 429(61.9%) male and 264 (38.1%) female students were participated making a response rate of 97.6%. The mean age of the respondents was (21.27+ 1.703) (males = 21.60+1.618; females = 20.72+1.701). About 252(36.4%) of the respondents were sexually active, and the mean age of sexual initiation was (18.08+ 2.416), male (18.47+2.294), and female (17.43+2.491). Perceived severity, perceived self and response efficacy of abstinence significantly predicted the current practice of abstinence (R=0.304, adjR2 =0.087). Perceived self-efficacy of being faithful significantly predicted the current practice of being monogamous (R=0.218, adjR2 =0.042). Perceived self and response efficacy of condom use significantly predicted practice of consistent condom use (R=0.398, adjR2 =0.153).CONCLUSION: Perceived self and response efficacy more predicted HIV/AIDS prevention methods than other variables; so an intervention planned targeting those variables would be more successful on HIV/AIDS prevention in the university

Validation of an HIV-related stigma scale among health care providers in a resource-poor Ethiopian setting

Background: Stigma and discrimination (SAD) against people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are barriers affecting effective responses to HIV. Understanding the causes and extent of SAD requires the use of a psychometrically reliable and valid scale. The objective of this study was to validate an HIV-related stigma scale among health care providers in a resource-poor setting. Methods: A cross-sectional validation study was conducted in 18 health care institutions in southwest Ethiopia, from March 14, 2011 to April 14, 2011. A total of 255 health care providers responded to questionnaires asking about sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, perceived institutional support (PIS) and HIV-related SAD. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal component extraction and varimax with Kaiser normalization rotation were employed to develop scales for SAD. Eigenvalues greater than 1 were used as a criterion of extraction. Items with item-factor loadings less than 0.4 and items loading onto more than one factor were dropped. The convergent validity of the scales was tested by assessing the association with HIV knowledge, PIS, training on topics related to SAD, educational status, HIV case load, presence of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) service in the health care facility, and perceived religiosity. Results: Seven factors emerged from the four dimensions of SAD during the EFA. The factor loadings of the items ranged from 0.58 to 0.93. Cronbach’s alphas of the scales ranged from 0.80 to 0.95. An in-depth knowledge of HIV, perceptions of institutional support, attendance of training on topics related to SAD, degree or higher education levels, high HIV case loads, the availability of ART in the health care facility and claiming oneself as nonreligious were all negatively associated with SAD as measured by the seven newly identified latent factors. Conclusion: The findings in this study demonstrate that the HIV-related stigma scale is valid and reliable when used in resource-poor settings. Considering the local situation, health care managers and researchers may use this scale to measure and characterize HIV-related SAD among health care providers. Tailoring for local regions may require further development of the tool.Garumma Tolu Feyissa, Lakew Abebe, Eshetu Girma, Mirkuzie Woldi

Factors associated with maternity waiting home use among women in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia : a multilevel cross-sectional analysis

Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are temporary residential spaces located within or close to health facilities, offering skilled obstetrical care. Data used in this analysis were collected from three districts in Jimma Zone in the southern part of Ethiopia. The survey targeted 3840 women. Qualitative research from this study setting and other areas in Ethiopia highlight the pivotal role of husbands and family support in enabling women’s use of MWHs. Findings have implications for achieving equity in access to maternal healthcare, as poorer women with little social support in the form of companions accompanying them for health facility visits, are among the more vulnerable groups

Promoting equity in maternal, newborn and child health - how does gender factor in? : perceptions of public servants in the Ethiopian health sector

This article explores how government stakeholders understand gender issues in the promotion of maternal, newborn and child health equity in Ethiopia. Participants in the study group have observed/experienced persisting gender-related barriers to health, stemming from traditional gender roles. They also noted an increased inclusion of women in the health workforce since the introduction of the Health Extension Program. Addressing gender inequalities can shift the distribution of power, wealth, and risk within society to the benefit of disadvantaged groups. However, the framing of gender as a women’s health issue, advanced through patriarchal structures, does little to elevate the status of women or contribute to health equity.Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR