Gender Inequity in Higher Education in Ethiopia

Despite their recognizable role in the political arena and resultant gender mainstreamed policies, women in Ethiopia face day-to-day obstacles to ensure gender equity, and academia is no exception. In the past few decades, higher education in Ethiopia has rapidly expanded, resulting in increased enrollment of female students and faculty employment in various academic fields. Although the progress in the sector is highly promising, ensuring gender equality has still been a significant challenge. Several studies have revealed different barriers to women's academic, leadership, and research participation in higher educational institutions in Ethiopia

Women’s Health Research Working Group: A Mentorship Model to Increase Women’s Participation in Research

AbstractBackground: Female academia makes up only a fifth of all faculty at Addis Ababa University, where only a few are actively engaged in research. With a belief that dedicated mentorship could bring positive change in research participation, a female-to-female mentorship group was established at the College of Health Sciences. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mentorship in improving the research participation of young female academia from August 2016-April 2019. Methods: The implementation was instituted by establishing a female-only research working group to enhance the participation of young female faculty members who were newly employed in a relatively large number. The main interventions were the coupling of mentors and mentees based on their respective research areas for two hours’ weekly lunchtime and providing need-based training and life skill talks by exemplary women. We used a desk review and written testimonies of the Group to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Young academics of the Group started to author scientific articles while the mentors had increased their publication track. The Group won a competitive three-year research grant. from Addis Ababa University. Its visibility due to its research output has helped to attract more members and encouraged the establishment of other sister groups in the University. The Group has also received the best female research group award from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Conclusion: Female-to-female mentorship had helped researchers in their early careers to publish and won grants. This could be an exemplary intervention which only requires a commitment of staff time. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(SI-2):08-14]Keywords: Female faculty, Implementation research, Mentorship, Research working grou

Prevalence of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Addis Ababa: a community-based study using prenatal ultrasound examination

Purpose The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of NTDs at ultrasound examination in communities of Addis Ababa and secondarily to provide a description of the dysmorphology of the NTD cases. Methods We enrolled 958 pregnant women from 20 randomly selected health centers in Addis Ababa during the period from October 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. Of these 958 women, 891 had an ultrasound examination after enrollment, with a special focus on NTDs. We estimated the prevalence of NTDs and compared it with previously reported hospital-based birth prevalence estimates from Addis Ababa. Results Among 891 women, 13 had twin pregnancies. We identified 15 NTD cases among 904 fetuses, corresponding to an ultrasound-based prevalence of 166 per 10,000 (95% CI: 100–274). There were no NTD cases among the 26 twins. Eleven had spina bifida (122 per 10,000, 95% CI: 67–219). Among the 11 fetuses with spina bifida, three had a cervical and one had a thoracolumbar defect while the anatomical site for 7 was not registered. Seven of the 11 spina bifida defects had skin covering, while two of the cervical lesions were uncovered. Conclusion We report a high prevalence of NTDs among pregnancies in communities of Addis Ababa based on screening by ultrasound. The prevalence was higher than in previous hospital-based studies in Addis, and the prevalence of spina bifida was particularly high.publishedVersio

Experience of Research Undertaking among Women Academia at Addis Ababa University: a Qualitative Study

AbstractBackground: As a pioneer University in the Country, Addis Ababa University engages itself in collaborative and local research undertakings along with teaching, community engagements and technology transfer. Despite its long engagement in research, the participation of women academia in research is limited as manifested by their low research productivity in terms of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. However, the reasons for their low research participation are less known and needs further exploration. Objective: To explore the experience of research undertakings among women academia at Addis Ababa University. Method: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using a phenomenological approach among women academia. Eight women who have been working in the University with a rank of a lecturer having at least two years participated in in-depth interviews. We used NVivo10 software to code and categorize the transcripts. Result: Our study revealed that only a few senior informants with more than 10 years of stay at the University had a better experience in applying for national and international research grants. Although all the participants said they had ever undertaken research, their publication track in peer-reviewed journals is limited. Social and economic factors, lack of networking, low salary and family responsibility, limited internet and library access, and lack of research skill among young faculty were raised as impediments to undertake research. Conclusion: This study has indicated that women in academia had limited research engagement in terms of grant application and publication in peer reviewed scientific journals. Balancing work and family life, low salary, lack of access to common University facilities were some of the challenges. While structural change ensures gender equality at a long time, addressing the gender gap in research is the responsibility of AAU. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(SI-2):22-29]Keywords: Addis Ababa University, experience of research, women in academi

Female Academic Career Development and Administrative Positions at Addis Ababa University: a Mixed-Method Study

AbstractBackground: In Ethiopia, the number of female in academia in general and in administrative positions and higher university ranks in specific is very small as compared to men. A slight change has been seen in recent years, where a few women have come to male-dominated administrative positions as university presidents, vice presidents, deans and directors with still insignificant increase in the number of full professors. Objective: This study assessed female faculty member's career development and involvement in administrative positions and explored challenges. Method: We used a sequential mixed-method study starting with a cross-sectional quantitative study among 888 faculty members. The quantitate data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression models to identify independent predictors of administrative involvement using SPSS version 25 software. An exploratory qualitative study was done among eight purposively selected female faculty. NVivo10 data management software was used to code and categorize the transcripts. Result: We found that male faculty members were more likely to involve in administrative positions than their female counterparts [AOR (95%CI) 1.6(1.1, 2.4)]. Those who were provided housing facility by AAU [AOR (95%CI) 2.29 (1.61, 3.23)] and assistant professors and above [AOR (95%CI) 1.495 (1.01, 2.220)] were more likely to involve in an administrative position than their counterparts. The qualitative findings indicated that the low salary faculty earns, lack of networks and family responsibility have deterred females from taking administrative positions. Conclusion: Female faculty involvement in the university administrative position and career development is very low. Both structural and personal factors such as gender roles affected their professional enhancement in academic ranks and hence positions. Creating a conducive platform for female faculty development is recommended to increase their involvement in administrative positions. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(SI-2):30-39]Keywords: Addis Ababa University, administrative positions, career development, female academician, female facult

Gender Difference in Research Productivity and its Associated factors in Addis Ababa University: a Cross-Sectional study

AbstractBackground: Gender equity movements have increased the number of women going to higher institutions. However, the number of women participating in research is limited in creating a critical mass. Objective: To assess the gender gap in research and its associated factors determinants among faculty at Addis Ababa University. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study from October 2018 to March 2019 using a structured self-administered questionnaire. University faculty who was lecturers and above level who served the University for more than a year were invited to participate in the study. Faculty were approached by data collection facilitators with graduate degrees and the secretory of the respective departments. We used descriptive and multivariate statistical methods to analyse the data. Result: Of the 888 study participants, 161 (18.1%) females faculty participated in the study. It was found that three hundred ninety-seven male academics (54.6%) and 50 female academics (31.1%) had ever published articles in peer-reviewed journals (p<0.001). Male faculty were more likely to publish in peer-reviewed journals than their female counterparts [AOR and (95% CI) [2.55 (1.68, 3.86)]. Faculty with a rank of assistant professors and above [AOR (95% CI) 3.47(2.31, 5.21)], those who have a Ph.D. as highest degree [AOR (95% CI) 2.98 (2.11, 4.19) and those who have affiliation with other institutions [AOR (95% CI) 2.59 (1.98, 3.56)], were more likely to publish in peer-reviewed journals than their counterparts. Conclusion: Female faculty were less likely to be involved in research than men counterparts. The University needs to narrow the gender gap in research by designing and implementing an appropriate intervention strategy. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(SI-2):15-21]Keywords: Addis Ababa University, female faculty, gender difference, publication, researc

Health literacy and health information sources in relation to foodborne and waterborne diseases among adults in Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia, 2022: A community-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: Foodborne and waterborne illnesses affect billions of people each year and impose a significant burden on public health globally. To reduce the prevalence of foodborne and waterborne illness in resource-constrained settings like Ethiopia, it is essential to recognize and address the factors that influence health literacy and the sources of health information. We explored health literacy and health information sources regarding foodborne and waterborne illnesses among adults in the Gedeo zone. Methods: A community-based quantitative study was undertaken between March and April 2022 in the Gedeo zone in southern Ethiopia. A semi-structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 1,175 study participants selected through a systematic sampling technique. Data were entered in Epidata version 4.6 and analyzed in STATA version 14.2. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between variables at a significance level of 0.05. Further, a structural equation model or path analysis was also used in the data analysis. Result: 1,107 (about 51% men) study participants were included in the analysis. About 25.5% of the participants had a foodborne or waterborne illness in the last six months before the survey. Family members and/or close friends were the most-used channel of health information (43.3%), and the internet or online sources were the least-used (14.5%). The result of path analysis shows that seeking health information, having adequate health literacy, and foodborne and waterborne literacy were significantly associated with lower incidences of foodborne or waterborne illness. Conclusion: Our findings showed that individuals with a higher level of health literacy and foodborne and waterborne illness literacy had a lower incidence of foodborne and waterborne illness. Similarly, obtaining health information is positively associated with lowering the incidence of foodborne and waterborne illnesses. Importantly, our findings show mass media has the potential to reach a large audience when educating adults about foodborne and waterborne illnesses

The role of health education on cervical cancer screening uptake at selected health centers in Addis Ababa.

IntroductionCervical cancer is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among women in developing countries including Ethiopia. Unlike other types of cancers, the grave outcomes of cervical cancer could be prevented if detected at its early stage. However, in Ethiopia, awareness about the disease and the availability of screening and treatment services is limited. This study aims to determine the role of health education on cervical cancer screening uptake in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa.MethodsTwo-pronged clustered randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 at eight public health centers that provide cervical cancer screening services using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Each of the eight health centers were randomly assigned to serve as either an intervention or a control center. A two-pronged clustered randomized controlled trial was conducted in eight public health care centers. All the selected facilities provided cervical cancer screening services using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). Four health centers were randomly assigned to the intervention and control arms. The study participants were women aged 30-49 years who sought care at maternal and child health clinics but who had never been screened for cervical cancer. In the intervention health centers, all eligible women received one-to-one health education and educational brochures about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. In the control health centers, participants received standard care. Baseline data were collected at recruitment and follow-up data were collected two months after the baseline. For the follow-up data collection, participants (both in the intervention and control arms) were interviewed over the phone to check whether they were screened for cervical cancer.ResultFrom the 2,140 women who participated in the study, 215 (10%) screened for cervical cancer, where 152(71%) were from the intervention health centers. Seventy-four percent of these participants reported that they learned about the benefits of screening from the one-to-one health education or the brochure. Women from the intervention health centers had higher odds of getting screened (AOR = 2.43,95%CI;1.58-2.90) than the controls. Women with the educational status of the first degree and those who have a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) had higher odds of getting screened (AOR = 2.03,95%CI;(1.15-2.58) and (AOR = 1.55,95%CI;1.01-2.36), respectively.Conclusion and recommendationProviding focused health education supported by printed educational materials increased the uptake of cervical cancer screening services. Integrating one-to-one health education and providing a take-home educational material into the existing maternal and child health services can help increase cervical cancer screening uptake

The dawn of family medicine in Ethiopia.

Background and objectivesThis article describes the development of the first training program in family medicine in Ethiopia that was launched on February 4, 2013, at Addis Ababa University (AAU). The postgraduate program will prepare highly trained doctors for all parts of the country who choose generalism for their lifelong career. The paper describes a series of strategies that were used from 2008 to 2013 to take the Ethiopian family medicine program from vision to reality. There is no single model for the development of family medicine in a country where it does not yet exist. In this case the strategies included Continuing Medical Education events, discussions with stakeholders, international collaboration, needs assessment, curriculum design, and faculty development. The article also reviews both the potential for a new program in family medicine to contribute to the country's health system plus the challenges that are expected in the early stages of establishing a new specialty. The challenges include the ambiguous roles of the family physician in the Ethiopian health care system, uncertainty about career opportunities, adaptation of the curriculum to address local needs, expansion of the training programs to produce larger numbers of family physicians, development of Ethiopian faculty who will be teachers of family medicine, and internal and external brain drain. Family physicians will need to maintain a respectful relationship with other specialist physicians as well as nonphysician primary care providers. The development of this AAU family medicine residency is an example of a successful inter- institutional relationship between local and international partners to create a sustainable, Ethiopian-led training program. Insights from this article may guide development of similar training programs