Sexual Practices and Their Development Pattern Among Jimma University Students

BACKGROUND: Traditional views of sexual behaviors are frequently changing as the factors influencing them are changing. Therefore, assessing sexual practices that are not part of the tradition would be necessary. The objective of this study was to identify the types of sexual practices, their development pattern and how these development patterns expose students to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 1986 (1612 males, 365 females, and with 9 subjects’ gender not indicated) Jimma university students in August 2009 with their age ranging from 17-45 years (median = 20). Quantitative data was collected using a piloted, precoded questionnaire and qualitative data was collected from six focus group discussions. Logistic regression and descriptive statistics were computed and qualitative findings were triangulated with quantitative findings. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Practice of penile to vaginal intercourse, masturbation, kissing, oral sex, and anal sex were reported by 567 (28.9%), 688 (36.7%), 840 (42.4%), 179 (9.2%) and 83 (4.3%) of the respondents, respectively. Respondents had two years (one year with and one year without condom) of sexual experience before marriage. Sixty percent of those who had sexual experience were exposed to sexually transmitted infections and 46.6% were exposed to both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Forty seven percent of those who practiced oral sex and 29% of those who practiced anal sex did not consider their acts as sexual intercourse. Conclusions: University students are high risk groups that need more focused research and concerted health care. The term ‘sexual intercourse’ should be consciously defined for its future use in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Service providers and researchers should address all types of sexual practices

Boy/Girl Friend and Virginity Values, and Stigma Related to Condom Among Jimma University Students

BACKGROUND: Traditional views of sexual behaviors are frequently changing as the factors influencing them are changing. Therefore, assessing sexual practices that are not part of the tradition would be necessary. The objective of this study was to identify the types of sexual practices, their development pattern and how these development patterns expose students to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 1986 (1612 males, 365 females, and with 9 subjects’ gender not indicated) Jimma university students in August 2009 with their age ranging from 17-45 years (median = 20). Quantitative data was collected using a piloted, precoded questionnaire and qualitative data was collected from six focus group discussions. Logistic regression and descriptive statistics were computed and qualitative findings were triangulated with quantitative findings. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Practice of penile to vaginal intercourse, masturbation, kissing, oral sex, and anal sex were reported by 567 (28.9%), 688 (36.7%), 840 (42.4%), 179 (9.2%) and 83 (4.3%) of the respondents, respectively. Respondents had two years (one year with and one year without condom) of sexual experience before marriage. Sixty percent of those who had sexual experience were exposed to sexually transmitted infections and 46.6% were exposed to both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Forty seven percent of those who practiced oral sex and 29% of those who practiced anal sex did not consider their acts as sexual intercourse. Conclusions: University students are high risk groups that need more focused research and concerted health care. The term ‘sexual intercourse’ should be consciously defined for its future use in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Service providers and researchers should address all types of sexual practices

Prevalence and serverity of Iodine deficiency disorder among children 6-12 years of age in Shebe Senbo District, Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorder is a major problem worldwide, especially during pregnancy and childhood. The magnitude of the problem is quite big in Ethiopia. The main aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shebe Senbo District on January 2011. Three elementary schools were selected by lottery method from 20 schools. From each school, students were selected by simple random sampling. Spot urine sample (5 ml) was taken to measure urine iodine level; physical exam was made to palpate goiter and salt samples were collected to estimate iodine content. RESULTS: Out of 389 participants, 179 (46%) were males. The total goiter rate was 59.1% (Grade 1: 35.2%; Grade 2:23.9%). The median urinary iodine level was 56 4g/L that indicates iodine deficiency. Out of 389 households in the study area, 277 (71.2%) were using non-iodinated salt, 102 (26.2%) of the households were using iodinated salt. Cabbage usage was significantly associated with goiter. CONCLUSION: Endemic goiter is quite prevalent in the study area. Median urinary iodine value of the study samples was found to be far lower than standards. Quality of the salt used by the study population was found to be poor in its iodine content. The use of cabbage (goitrogen) has shown remarkable influence on the development of goiter. Therefore, awareness creation and distribution of iodized salt are highly recommended.Keywords: Iodine deficiency disorders, goiter, median urinary iodine, severity, prevalenceEthiopian Journal of Health Sciences vol 22 (3) 201

The Association between English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Reading Comprehension Achievement and Substance Use among Jimma University Undergraduates, Ethiopia

This study investigated the relationship between EFL reading comprehension achievement and substance use among undergraduate students in Jimma University. Data were collected from a sample of second and third year students (N= 802) randomly selected from four colleges. The data collection instruments used in the study were pretested structured questionnaire and standardized reading comprehension test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. P-value < 0.05 was used as a cut-off point for statistical significance. The findings revealed that substance use has some association with student

The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Khat Chewing in Jimma Town, South Western Ethiopia

No abstract - Available on PD

Prevalence of Asthma and Its Association with Daily Habits in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Background: Many studies showed a low risk of asthma in sub-Saharan countries. However, due to indoor pollutions and environmental hazards, developing countries are always the prior victims of all types of respiratory illnesses including asthma. Jimma, south-western Ethiopia, is known by its wide range of vegetations including khat and coffee. Together with high plantation of those cash crops, there is widespread consumption of them by the locals.Objective: To investigate prevalence and severity of bronchial asthma and its association with daily habits in Jimma town, EthiopiaMethods and Materials: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma town on 1300 participants. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select households. Semistructured questionnaire and pulmonary function tests were used to collect data. SPSS was used to execute simple descriptive, independent t-tests and chi-square.</p

Effect of Substance Use on Academic Achievement of Health Officer and Medical Students of Jimma University, Southwest Ethiopia

No abstract - Available on PD