4 research outputs found
Assessment of the prevalence and factors influencing adherence to exclusive breast feeding among HIV positive mothers in selected health institution of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) offers an affordable, culturally accepatable and effective means of reducing mother to child transmission of HIV while maintaining the benfits of breastfeeding. Despite its benefits, the practice of EBF among HIV positive mothers is low in Ethiopia.Objective: This study is intended to assess factors influencing adherence to exclusively breast feeding among HIV positive mothers in selected health institutions of Addis Ababa.Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study design supplemented by a qualitative method was conducted among 384 HIV positive mothers drawn from purposively selected 3 hospitals and 10 health centers with ART and PMTCT service in Addis Ababa City from January 1 to February 30, 2012. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and entered into a computer and analyzed using the SPSS software version 16.Results: The prevalence of EBF adherence and non-adherence were (73.0%) and (27.0%) respectively. Among mothers who did not adhere to EBF, the commonest reasons mentioned were family opposition and infant illness in 44.0% and 19.0% of mothers respectively. The major determinants identified were inadequate ANC follow up, negative attitude towards EBF and maternal illnesses. Accordingly mothers who attended more than or equal to four ANC follow-ups were 1.9 times more likely to adhere to EBF than those who attended less (AOR=1.04; 95% CI=1.043.4). Likewise, mothers who experienced illnesses were 74% less likely to adhere to EBF than those who had no illnesses (AOR=0.26; 95%CI, 0.13-0.53) and those mothers who had negative attitudes towards EBF were 68% less likely to adhere to EBF than their counterparts (AOR=0.32; 95%CI= 0.16-0.63).Conclusions: Although the majority of mothers adhered to EBF, still more actions that focus on the importance of ANC follow-up and strengthening of the mother support group in each health facility are necessary. Other important actions are to change the negative attitudes of mothers towards EBF through BCC and continuously advising them to get timely treatment whenever they experience illnesses
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Potential food safety risks in tomato value chains in urban settings of Eastern Ethiopia: a qualitative investigation
Background: The value chains of tomatoes in Ethiopia are largely informal which may pose potential food safety risks. Value chains (VCs) mapping was carried out with emphasis on tomatoes in two major cities in eastern Ethiopia—Harar and Dire Dawa—which were assessed to identify practices likely to result in unsafe food, considering production, transportation, retail, preparation, and consumption.
Methods: Qualitative methods were used to map the VCs to understand the flows, actors, and practices. Group discussions and key informant interviews were performed to better understand the processes, practices, beliefs, and food safety risks in these VCs.
Results: The two cities are supplied by two vegetable VCs: the first and larger being from distant producers in central Ethiopia, and the second from surrounding rural and peri-urban producers. The long-distance VCs involve producers, brokers, transporters, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. The local producers, however, bring their fresh products directly to the cities without the involvement of VC actors other than final retailers and consumers. The study suggests microbiological contamination risks along tomato VCs, potentially including soil contamination, use of sewerage-contaminated irrigation water, untreated manure, unhygienic handling and storage conditions, and dirty contact surfaces during transportation and retailing. Tomatoes are mostly harvested by hand picking, collected, and sorted on the ground exposing to sunlight and physical bruising with potential contamination. More importantly, tomatoes are widely consumed raw without “a kill-step” that certainly contributes to food-borne infections. Suggestions by study participants for improving food safety and hygiene include funding toward improved infrastructure and facilities in the sectors, supporting VC actors with improved technology for quality production, and increasing awareness of good and hygienic practices. Consumers were particularly concerned about contamination with agrochemicals without much emphasis on the potential microbial contaminants. Fresh tomatoes are prepared in a variety of ways and are often consumed raw or slightly cooked. Further recommendations included using health extension workers to conduct awareness campaigns on improved food safety and hygienic practices.
Conclusion: The qualitative VC mapping generated useful information for designing intervention strategies, especially targeting developing food safety interventions and an awareness communication campaign