Tobacco use and its predictors among Ethiopian adults: A further analysis of Ethiopian NCD STEPS survey-2015

Background: Consuming any form of tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality. Tobacco smoking has been identified as one of the major risk factors for NCDs, including cardiovascular, chronic respiratory diseases, and different cancers. Although there is national information on magnitude of tobacco use, to date there is limited nationally representative data on factors associated with tobacco use. The aim of this study is to assess the distribution and predicators of tobacco use in Ethiopian adult population between 15 -59.Objectives: The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and its predictor in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional population based study design was employed among population age from 15- 69 years. A stratified, three-stage cluster sampling was used to identify the study subjects. Households in each cluster were selected using simple random sampling method. The sampling frame was based on the population and housing census conducted for Ethiopia in 2007. Data was collected using WHO NCD STEPS questionnaire; current tobacco use of any type was taken as the dependent variable. Five hundred thirteen enumeration areas (EAs) as primary sampling units (PSUs) (404 rural and 109 urban) were selected with probability proportionate to size, followed by selection of households as a secondary sampling units (SSUs). A total of 10,260 households were selected from the 513 EAs (20 households per EA). Eligible individuals were selected from households using Kish method (a pre-assigned table of random numbers to find the person to be interviewed). Descriptive statistics using frequency table, mean, median, interquartile range and standard deviations were computed. Step wise logistic regression was used to analyse the predictors of tobacco use. An Estimator of 95% confidence interval was used both for computing descriptive statistics as well testing associations using logistic regression.Results: The prevalence of tobacco use (all tobacco products) was 4.2%. The mean age (± SD) of starting tobacco use was 21(7) years. The mean frequency of tobacco use was 2 times per day. Hierarchical Logistic regression analysis revealed that participants in age groups 30-44 years, and 60-69 years were less likely to use any tobacco type compared to younger age group of15-29 years. Heavy episodic drinking, AOR 2.46 [95% CI= 1.4 – 4.5], and khat chewing, AOR 4.71[95%= 2.26 – 9.8], were independently associated with tobacco use.Conclusion and recommendations: The overall prevalence of tobacco use was relatively higher in males. Factors associated with tobacco use were heavy episodic drinking and khat chewing. Although tobacco use is an important risk factor for different disease on its own, the additional use of these substances exposes individuals to increased risk of NCDs. The findings warrant the need to implement existing anti-tobacco laws in the country, enhance anti-tobacco awareness raising efforts, and implement interventions to help current tobacco users, focusing attention more on regions with high rates of tobacco use and males. Key words: Ethiopia, NCDs, Predictors, Risk factors, Tobacco use, WHO STEP

Adolescents’ Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters with Their Parents and Associated Factors among Secondary and Preparatory School Students in Ambo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

Background. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) communication is most likely to promote healthy sexual practices and to reduce risky sexual behavior among adolescents. Communication is the principal means for parents to transmit sexual values and knowledge to their children. Although there are few studies conducted on parent-adolescent communication, there is no study conducted in the town of Ambo. This study was aimed at assessing the level of parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues and its associated factors among school students in Ambo town, Oromia, Ethiopia. Method. An institution-based concurrent mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted among 591 secondary and preparatory school students in Ambo town from February 24th to March 9th, 2019. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the study subject. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, and FGD was conducted with parents of students. Data was entered using EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23.0 for statistical analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain the association using a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value (<0.05). Results. The proportion of students who had communication on sexual and reproductive health issues with their parents was 222 (37.6%). Being female (AOR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.40-3.07), private school (AOR=2.77, 95% CI: 1.17-3.69), a father with secondary education (AOR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.05-8.12) and diploma and above (AOR=3.27, 95% CI: 1.23-8.71), considering sex education necessary (AOR=2.83, 95% CI: 1.22-6.57), got information about SRH issues from school (AOR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.06-2.36) and media (AOR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.49-3.71), and mother’s openness to communicate about SRH issues (AOR=3.30, 95% CI: 1.31-4.05) were found to be significantly associated with parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues. Conclusions. The study showed that parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues is low. Being female, those from a private school, father’s education, perceived importance of sex education, source of information about SRH issues (school and media), and mother’s openness to communicate about SRH issues were identified to be factors associated with the communication. Therefore, the concerned body should consider the identified factors to improve the current level of parent-adolescent communication and adolescent reproductive health

In Situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy Investigation of Fluoroethylene Carbonate and Lithium Difluorophosphate Dual Additives in SEI Formation over Cu Anode

The synergetic effect of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and lithium difluorophosphate (LiPO2F2) dual additives on the cycling stability of lithium metal batteries has been previously reported. This study applies in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to examine the impact of these two additives on SEI species formation over Cu anode using a base electrolyte of LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC). The results indicate that all electrolyte components and additives can be electrochemically reduced over the Cu anode following a potential sequence of LiPO2F2 > FEC > EC > DEC. The results illustrate that LiPF6 likely interacts with the Cu anode upon contact, resulting in LixPFy, which can lead to a reduction peak at ∼1.44 V in CV. With the base electrolyte, reduced species from LixPFy lead to the formation of alkyl phosphorus fluorides (RPF), which can be suppressed by the presence of FEC and/or LiPO2F2. Similar to previous reports, FEC reduction in the 1st lithiation cycle leads to the continuous formation of poly(FEC), while EC is electrochemically reduced to (CH2OCO2Li)2 and Li2CO3 and DEC is reduced to CH3CH2OCO2Li and Li2CO3. With only the LiPO2F2 additive, the redox of LiPO2F2 can be found in CV with LixPOy as the possible reduced product. In addition, Li2CO3 formation from EC and DEC reduction was relatively suppressed by the presence of LiPO2F2. The simultaneous presence of the FEC additive can suppress the redox of LiPO2F2 and partly the decomposition of LiPF6 likely via the preferential adsorption of FEC on Cu. Similar DRIFTS observations are found over the Li anode. The electrolyte with dual additives demonstrates a possible advantage from poly(FEC) and LixPOy species formation, suppressing the reduction of LixPFy, EC, and DEC though not completely