Opportunities and Barriers of Exclusive Breastfeeding in South Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Breast milk is an optimal nutrition with no substitute for an infant The advantage gained from exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months is paramount for the infant s health To understand mothers practice of exclusive breastfeeding identifying and examining factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding is vital The aim of the current study was therefore to identify major factors that determine the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among South Western Oromia specifically in Jimma and Wo liso towns Towards this end a cross-sectional study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative study approaches A total of 135 mother-infant pairs attending maternal and child health MCH at public hospitals in the two selected towns were interviewed Six 6 key informant interviews 6 FGDs and observations of mother-infant conditions were conducted Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and qualitative information was thematically analyzed The breast milk initiation is 100 at the study site out of which 80 of them were exclusively breastfed up to two months of age while only 48 9 continue exclusive breastfeeding up to six months Factors identified as facilitators of exclusive breast feeding include knowledge of mothers personal satisfaction family support media and visits to health institutions Working condition of some employed woman perception of insufficient milk health condition and advises from their family member or neighborsare identified as barriers to the practice of mothers exclusive breastfeeding The significance of having knowledge on practice of exclusive breastfeeding was evidenced with the logistic regression model and results from the qualitative analysis A linear regression analysis shows that increase in mother s educational level have strong statistically significant association with level of exclusive breastfeeding The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was relatively low 48 9 hence to promote the practice of excl

SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENT FEMALE STUDENTS OF JIMMA TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE (JTTC) IN FOCUS, OROMIA

This study examined the living-and-learning environment of offcampus resident female students in Jimma TTC, Oromia. The study attempted to identify major challenges, coping mechanisms and implications of off-campus resident college female students. Mixed research approach, both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed. Eighteen (18) interviews, 4 focus group discussions and survey were used to collect the data. Forty nine (49) randomly selected female students have filled questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was used.Female students have been facing personal/psychological, emotional, social, economic, and academic problems. Economic, attitudinal and academic problems are found the most pervasive facing 90, 69 and 60 percent of the students respectively. Students could not meet their basic needs including food, clothing and housing and special needs of hygiene materials. Increasing living cost and expectation of family support from a payment they receive worsen their conditions. The community also negatively perceives off-campus students as sources of price inflation, crime and sexual misbehaviors. Lack of access to house rent, unsuitability and insecurity are among pressing problems. Absence of dormitory facility is perceived to be the root cause for their vulnerability to sexual harassment including rape, theft and robbery. They are forced to seek males’ assistance of security and/or income which in turn increases their sexual vulnerability. They also engage in multiple sexual practice and even prostitution mainly as income generating means. As male and female students share a single living room, their vulnerability to pre-marital sexuality and its complicated unforeseen consequences such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs including HIV/AIDS are potential risks. Jimma TTC students were among the top hospital visitors due to pregnancy complications and abortion. Lack of life skills, unsafe social and physical environment, community’s and self negative perception towards female students, additional responsibilities, and lack of educational materials severely affect their educational performances. Postponing recreation, reducing consumption items, forced saving, depending on families or parents for financial support, engaging in income generating activities, patience and hoping better future, credit, frequently changing residence places and sharing resources are among the coping mechanisms they uses. Off-campus female students’ problems are very impressive, multidimensional and complicated. Its implication may extend beyond their current life to their future academic and professional careers, personal, social and economic life courses. Short and long term solutions are commendable to curtail residence related problems. Generally, collaborative efforts by all stakeholders are recommended. Discussion with community to raise their awareness and make them part of the solution is also strongly suggested. Engaging male students in problem solving efforts is another potential remedy. Given lack of dormitory (off campus housing) is the primary force beyond almost all problems faced by female college students, availing dormitory and related facilities is begging for immediate action of government

SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF OFF-CAMPUS RESIDENT FEMALE STUDENTS OF JIMMA TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE (JTTC) IN FOCUS, OROMIA

This study examined the living-and-learning environment of offcampus resident female students in Jimma TTC, Oromia. The study attempted to identify major challenges, coping mechanisms and implications of off-campus resident college female students. Mixed research approach, both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed. Eighteen (18) interviews, 4 focus group discussions and survey were used to collect the data. Forty nine (49) randomly selected female students have filled questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was used.Female students have been facing personal/psychological, emotional, social, economic, and academic problems. Economic, attitudinal and academic problems are found the most pervasive facing 90, 69 and 60 percent of the students respectively. Students could not meet their basic needs including food, clothing and housing and special needs of hygiene materials. Increasing living cost and expectation of family support from a payment they receive worsen their conditions. The community also negatively perceives off-campus students as sources of price inflation, crime and sexual misbehaviors. Lack of access to house rent, unsuitability and insecurity are among pressing problems. Absence of dormitory facility is perceived to be the root cause for their vulnerability to sexual harassment including rape, theft and robbery. They are forced to seek males’ assistance of security and/or income which in turn increases their sexual vulnerability. They also engage in multiple sexual practice and even prostitution mainly as income generating means. As male and female students share a single living room, their vulnerability to pre-marital sexuality and its complicated unforeseen consequences such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs including HIV/AIDS are potential risks. Jimma TTC students were among the top hospital visitors due to pregnancy complications and abortion. Lack of life skills, unsafe social and physical environment, community’s and self negative perception towards female students, additional responsibilities, and lack of educational materials severely affect their educational performances. Postponing recreation, reducing consumption items, forced saving, depending on families or parents for financial support, engaging in income generating activities, patience and hoping better future, credit, frequently changing residence places and sharing resources are among the coping mechanisms they uses. Off-campus female students’ problems are very impressive, multidimensional and complicated. Its implication may extend beyond their current life to their future academic and professional careers, personal, social and economic life courses. Short and long term solutions are commendable to curtail residence related problems. Generally, collaborative efforts by all stakeholders are recommended. Discussion with community to raise their awareness and make them part of the solution is also strongly suggested. Engaging male students in problem solving efforts is another potential remedy. Given lack of dormitory (off campus housing) is the primary force beyond almost all problems faced by female college students, availing dormitory and related facilities is begging for immediate action of government

Parents’ Knowledge of Danger Signs and Health Seeking Behavior in Newborn and Young Infant Illness in Tiro Afeta District, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-based Study

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mortality rates in Ethiopia are among the highest in the world. Reducing neonatal and young infant mortality highly relies on early recognition of symptoms and appropriate care-seeking behavior of parents/care givers. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of danger signs and health seeking behavior of parents/care givers in newborn and young infant illness in Southwest Ethiopia.METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster sampling technique to get 422 samples of parents/care givers who had infants of less than 6 month old. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting care seeking behavior and knowledge of parents/care givers on newborn and young infant illness.RESULT: Care seeking behavior for newborn and young infant illness was high (83%), the major factor associated with care seeking behavior being place of delivery. Only less than half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of symptoms of illness of newborns and young infants. The major factors associated with knowledge of parents/care givers were maternal education and  paternal education.CONCLUSIONS: To improve the knowledge of parents/care giversabout newborn and young infant illness, counseling about the major symptoms of newborn and young infant illness should be intensified.KEYWORDS: Neonatal illness, care seeking behavior, new born,knowledg

Community engagement in research: An approach to improve research relevance and use.

Consideration of community engagement to scientific inquiry is a relatively recent development. In scientific inquiry, there have been major shifts to make the development of science and knowledge building the collective responsibility of researchers, research participants and other stakeholders (1). In the past century, we witnessed the evolution of different epistemologies – positivist, neo-positivist, postmodernist and constructivist, in particular (2). More recently there are widespread calls to move from disciplinary to transdisciplinary research and guidance by One Health approach to benefit science, knowledge building and problem solving from multiple perspectives

Criminality and Victimization in Oromia, Ethiopia

This study analyzed crime statistics of 2011/2012 with objectives to compare the characteristics of criminals based on correlates of crime such as age, gender, types of occupation, level of education, and marital status and to examine features of victimization by age and sex. The study was conducted in Oromia National Regional State. Police crime data of 2011/2012 were used. Furthermore, key informant interview was used. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, and ratios were primarily used to analyze the aggregate police data. It is found that sociocultural and structural factors affect criminality and victimization patterns. The total number of criminals reported to and recorded by the police was 96,300, which constitute 85,100 male and 11,200 female offenders. About 37% of these criminals committed violent crime. The ratio of male to female offenders was 7.6:1. The dominance of male over female both in criminality and victimization is the extension of their social position in social structure and result of gender role socialization. Age group 19 to 30 was found to be the most criminal population with the criminal rate of 828 per 100,000 people. Unfortunately, the relationship between educational status, types of occupation/employment, and marital status on one hand and criminality on the other were less than conclusive mainly because of lack of adequate information on such variables for individual criminals and victims or the fact that the police data were only aggregate ones. Victimization rate was higher for males and 31 to 50 age category

RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONG IN-SCHOOL YOUTHS: THE INFLUENCE OF PORNOGRAPHY USE AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON STUDENTS IN ASSOSA, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Introduction: This study investigated the influence of pornography use and socio-environmental factors on risky sexual behavior among in-school youths in Assosa, Ethiopia. Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 317 students, FGDs and key-informant interviews. Results: Pornography use had 24.6 % prevalence among the students. 31.2% of the students have started sexual intercourse, with 22.7% started sex before the age of 18 years. Gender (AOR [95% CI] = 3.2 [1.173, 8.734]), educational status of the students (AOR [95% CI] = 0.141 [0.025, 0.797]), religious attendance (AOR [95% CI] = 0.259 [0.088, 0.765]), pornography use (AOR [95% CI] = 6.401 [1.788, 22.919]) and alcohol use (AOR [95% CI] = 3.449 [1.359, 8.754]) have significantly influenced risky sexual behavior. Qualitative data revealed peer pressure, exposure to western media and less communication with parents about sex as influencing students’ sexual behavior. Conclusion: Pornography use and social-environmental factors strongly influenced students’ risky sexual behavior: early sexual initiation, unprotected sexual intercourse and having sex with multiple sexual partners

Carers' and health workers' perspectives on malnutrition in infants aged under six months in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Supporting small and nutritionally at-risk (potentially malnourished) infants under six months is a global health priority, albeit with a weak evidence-base. To inform policy and research in this area, we aimed to assess the perceptions and understanding of infant malnutrition and its management among carers, communities, and healthcare workers in rural Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted in-depth and key-informant interviews, from May-August 2020 in Jimma Zone and Deder District, Ethiopia. We used purposive sampling to recruit the participants. Interviews were transcribed into Amharic or Afaan Oromo and then translated into English. Atlas ti-7 was used to support data analysis. Findings were narrated based on the different themes arising from the interviews. RESULTS: Carers/community members and healthcare workers reported on five different themes: 1) Perceptions about health and well-being: an 'ideal infant' slept well, fed well, was active and looked 'fat'; 2)Perceptions of feeding: overall knowledge of key recommendations like exclusive breastfeeding was good but practices were suboptimal, notably a cultural practice to give water to young infants; 3)Awareness about malnutrition: a key limitation was knowledge of exactly how to identify small and nutritionally at-risk infants; 4) Reasons for malnutrition: levels of understanding varied and included feeding problems and caregiver's work pressures resulting in the premature introduction of complementary feeds; 5) Perceptions about identification & treatment: carers prefer treatment close to home but were concerned about the quality of community-based services. CONCLUSION: To succeed, research projects that investigate programes that manage small and nutritionally at-risk infants under six months should understand and be responsive to the culture and context in which they operate. They should build on community strengths and tackle misunderstandings and barriers. Interventions beyond just focusing on knowledge and attitude of the carers and health workers are necessary to tackle the challenges around infants under 6 months of age at risk of malnutrition. Moreover, stakeholders beyond the health sector should also be involved in order to support the infants under 6 months and their mothers as some of the key reasons behind the at-risk infants are just beyond the capacity of the health sector or health system. Our list of themes could be used to inform infant nutrition work not just in Ethiopia but also in many others

Risk perceptions and attitudinal responses to COVID-19 pandemic : an online survey in Ethiopia

Background Effective risk communication is one of the critical strategies in the response to COVID-19. This study examined risk perceptions and attitudinal responses to COVID-19 among the educated section of the society in Ethiopia. Methods An internet-based survey was conducted from April 22 to May 04, 2020, in Ethiopia. A questionnaire addressing the perception of health threat-combination of perceived vulnerability (PV) and perceived seriousness (PS), and perceived efficacy-combinations of perceived response efficacy (PRE), perceived self-efficacy (PSE), and perceived collective efficacy (PCE). The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Descriptive statistics were computed after the standardization of the scores. The scores for overall efficacy and threat were split by median value and response classifications were generated through threat by efficacy interactions. For statistical significance, 95% CI and p-value < 0.05 were used. Results A total of 929 respondents submitted their responses. Eight hundred and twenty-eight (89.1%) of the respondents were male and 753 (81.1%) were Christian. The perceived threat to COVID-19 was generally low (median = 58.3). The median score for overall efficacy, PRE, and PSE were 79.8, 87.5, and 80.0, respectively. However, the median value (66.7) for PCE was relatively low. Perceived threat significantly varied by age, education, occupation, and place of residence (p < 0.05). Perceived efficacy significantly differed by gender, residence, and use of some sources of information (p < 0.05). In terms of response to COVID-19, 290 (31.2%), 239 (25.7%), 175 (18.8%) and 225 (24.2%) of the respondents were in the responsive, pro-active, avoidant, and indifferent attitudinal categories, respectively. The avoidant and indifferent groups constituted a fear control response (mal-adaptive motivation towards COVID-19 protective behavior) whereas responsive and pro-active categories formed a danger control response (self-protective motivation). These responses varied significantly by residence, region, religion, and sources of information (p < 0.05). Conclusions Understanding people's perceived health threat and efficacy is a critical step toward creating risk communication campaigns. Hence, this study provided an insight that has the potential to inform the COVID-19 risk communication campaigns targeting the educated section of the society, by ensuring a balanced combination of threat appeals and efficacy messages for improved self-protective responses