Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with a total fertility rate (TFR) of 4.8 children per a woman and contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 29 %. The overall prevalence of modern family planning in a pastoralist community, like Afar region, is low (9.1 %). This study aimed to assess family planning utilization and associated factors among married women of Afar region, Eastern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 10-28, 2013 among 602 women. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Descriptive and multiple variable logistic regression analyses were done to isolate independent predictors on utilization of family planning using SPSS 20. The overall prevalence of family planning utilization in Afar region was 8.5 % (6.2–10.7). Majority of the women (92.2 %) had used injectable. The most common reasons mentioned in the non-use of family planning methods were religion-related (85.3 %), desire to have more children (75.3 %), and husband's objection (70.1 %). Women who had a positive attitude towards family planning utilization (AOR = 4.7, 95 % CI: 2.1, 10.3), owning radio (AOR = 1.8, 95 % CI: 1.02, 4.18), and literate (AOR = 4.4, 95 % CI: 1.80, 11.08) were more likely to use family planning methods as compared to their counterparts. The increase of monthly income was also associated with the likelihood of family planning methods utilization. The odds of using family planning methods were higher among those with monthly income of $27–$55.5 (AOR = 2. 0, 95 % CI: 1.9, 4.7) and > $55 (AOR = 4. 6, 95 % CI: 1.23–17.19) as compared to women with the lowest category of monthly income ($27 and less). The low coverage of family planning in the region could be due to the influence of husband, religious and clan leader. Attitude of women towards family planning methods, possession of radio, monthly income, and educational status could influence family planning utilization.

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Family planning use and associated factors among pastoralist community of afar region eastern Ethiopia.

Family planning interventions are cost-effective and have several cross-cutting benefits. Despite these benefits of family planning, progress in ensuring universal access to family planning to women in developing countries has been slow. In light of this; this study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with contraceptive use in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1966 women of reproductive age group (15–49) in 13 districts (3 urban and 10 rural) from May-June 2015. Multistage sampling technique was employed to approach the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multiple variable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the effect of independent variables on utilization of contraceptive use. Out of total 1966 women, 1879 (95.6%) have ever heard about family planning. Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA) was the most popular contractive method as mentioned by 1757 (93.5%) of the participants. The overall contraceptive prevalence rate among all women was 623 (35.6%) while the contraceptive prevalence rate among married women was 543 (41.0%). Seven-in-ten women had ever used short acting contraceptive. In fact Depo-Provera was the most common type of contraceptive used as mentioned by 402 (64.5%) of the women. The odds of using family planning by married women living in urban areas was two times more than their counterparts (AOR = 2.0, 95% of CI: 1.33, 3.06). Similarly, the odds of using family planning among mothers with primary education was 1.3 times more as compared with no education (AOR = 1.3, 95% of CI: 1.02,1.93). However, as regards to long acting contraceptive methods, the odds of using long acting contraceptive methods use among married women in urban areas was 50% less when compared to rural married women (AOR = 0.5, 95% of CI: 0.3, 0.88). Contraceptive prevalence rate in Tigray region increased almost four fold in just 15 years. However, the increase is not yet enough to meet national and global targets. Further interventions are needed to narrow disparities in contraceptive use among different population groups and increase long acting contraceptive users. Moreover, improving quality of family planning in terms of the content of information provided to clients is crucial.

Factors associated with contraceptive use in Tigray, North Ethiopia

The study objectives were to determine the nutritional status of children between the ages of 12-60 months and to establish the association between attending preschool and the prevalence of undernutrition. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in health facilities in Tshwane district in South Africa, consisting of both a questionnaire and anthropometric measures of 1256 mothers and their children. Weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age (BAZ) were calculated and bivariate and multivariable analysis was performed to establish association. The results showed that child-related factors, namely birthweight, age, gender, and attending preschool increased the risk of undernutrition. Children over the age of 24 months were likely to be stunted and underweight. Maternal education reduced the odds of underweight. Children who stayed at home had reduced odds of underweight and stunting. High birthweight reduced the odds of wasting and underweight. The risks for undernutrition are multifaceted, but children who attend preschool have an increased risk of undernutrition. The risk of undernutrition increased with age and coincided with the time of cessation of breast-feeding and attendance at daycare or preschool. The complementary role of quality childcare in preschools and daycare centers is vital in alleviating the problem of undernutrition in underprivileged communities.

Attending informal preschools and daycare centers is a risk factor for underweight, stunting and wasting in children under the age of five years in underprivileged communities in south africa

Background Though long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are highly effective, have minimal side effects, require minimal follow-up, and are low cost, only 10% of contraceptives used in Ethiopia are LARCs. The reason for this low uptake is not understood at the country or regional level. Therefore, this study identified determinants of LARC utilization in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based unmatched case control study, using LARC users as cases and short- acting reversible contraception (SARC) users as controls, had been conducted at fourteen public health institutions in Northwest Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants with a 1:2 case to control ratio (n = 1167). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of LARC utilization among family planning service users. Results Wealth status [AOR:1.87, 95%CI (1.08, 3.24)], history of abortion [AOR:2.69, 95%CI (1.41, 5.12)], limiting family size [AOR: 2.38, 95%CI (1.01, 5.62)], good knowledge about LARCs [AOR: 2.52, 95%CI (1.17, 5.41)], method convenience [AOR: 0.23, 95%CI (0.16, 0.34)], good availability of method [AOR:0.10 (0.05, 0.19)], less frequent visits to health facility [AOR:2.95, 95% CI(1.89, 4.62)], health care providers advice [AOR:10.69, 95%CI (3.27, 34.87)], partner approval [AOR:0.66, 95%CI (0.45, 0.97)], and favorable attitude towards LARCs [AOR:13.0, 95%CI (8.60, 19.72)] were significantly associated with LARC utilization. Conclusion Professional support, favorable attitude towards LARC use, high economic status, history of abortion, advantage of less frequent visits, having good knowledge towards LARC and interest of limiting births were significantly associated with LARC Utilization. On the other hand, perceived method convenience, and contraception availability were inversely associated with it. Family planning education about the benefits of LARC should be done by health providers and media. Male involvement in the counselling and decision making about the advantage of using LARC may improve the negative influence of partners on LARC utilization. It is also recommended that, future qualitative research further explore perceptions of LARC use.

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Determinants of long acting reversible contraception utilization in Northwest Ethiopia: An institution-based case control study.

Zika virus has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines reminding healthcare workers about the importance of taking steps to prevent the spread of Zika virus, how to test and isolate patients suspected of carrying the Zika virus, and how to protect themselves from infection. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for healthcare professionals to be fully aware of Zika virus preparedness, and response measures should an outbreak occur in Malaysia in order to quickly and efficiently contain the outbreak, ensure the safety of individual or healthcare personnel safety, as well as to prevent further spreading of the disease. This research aims to show how prepared Malaysian healthcare professionals are against Zika virus and how well can they respond during an outbreak. In total, 504 healthcare professionals (128 general practitioners, 215 community pharmacists, 161 nurses) from private health clinics were the target population of the four states of Malaysia where Zika cases suspected. The sample size of each category was calculated by using a formula for estimating the population proportion. An additional 10% of the calculated sample size was added to compensate the non-response rate. The Center For Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organisation provided a checklist to assess how prepared healthcare professionals are for an Zika outbreak. This checklist was modified to a questionnaire in order to assess health care professionals’ preparedness and response to the Zika outbreak. Community pharmacists are still lacking in their preparedness and perceived response to the Zika outbreak compared to the general practitioners in the private sector. Hence community pharmacists should attend training given by the Ministry of Health Malaysia as a continuing education, which may help them to respond during a Zika outbreak.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/7/3/87/pdf

Zika Outbreak Emergency Preparedness and Response of Malaysian Private Healthcare Professionals: Are They Ready?

In the latest report of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2011, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was estimated at 676/100,000 live births, with total fertility rate at 4.8 and contraceptive prevalence rate at 29 %. Knowledge and utilization of long acting contraceptive in the Tigray region are low. This study aims at comparing and identifying factors related to the utilization of long acting contraceptive in urban versus rural settings of Ethiopia. A comparative community-based cross-sectional study, comprised of quantitative and qualitative methods, was conducted among 1035 married women in Wukro (urban area) and Kilteawlaelo district (rural area) in March, 2013. Stratified sampling technique was employed to approach the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the respective effect of independent predictors on utilization of long acting contraceptive. The proportion of long acting contraceptive use among the respondents was 19.9 % in the town of Wukro and 37.8 % in the district of Kilteawlaelo. Implanon was the most common type of contraceptive used in both districts, urban (75 %) and rural (94 %). The odds of using the long acting contraceptive method were three times higher among married women in the rural areas as compared with the urban women [AOR = 3. 30; 95 %, CI:2.17, 5.04]. No or limited support from male partners was an obstacle to using long acting contraceptive method [AOR = 0. 24, 95 of CI: 0.13, 0.44]. Moreover, married women whose partner did not permit them to use long acting contraceptive [AOR = 0. 47, 95 % of CI: 0.24, 0.92] and women who attended primary education [AOR = 0.24, 95 %, CI: 0.13, 0.44] were significantly associated with long acting contraceptive use. Overall, the proportion of long acting contraceptive use has found to be low. Rural women were more likely to use long acting contraceptives as compared to urban women. Moreover, educational status and the partner’s permission to use contraception could influence the utilization of long acting contraceptives.

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Aster Kalayu

Papers

Rural women are more likely to use long acting contraceptive in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia: a comparative community-based cross sectional study.