Chat Chewing Research Articles

Determinants of Ethiopian Men’s Attitudes Toward Wife Emotional Abuse Using Logistic Regression

The purpose of this study was to determine the contributing elements to emotional abuse against women. The data was analyzed using binary logistic regression and descriptive statistics, with women's emotional violence serving as the response variable. In order to achieve the goal, 4720 women between the ages of 15 and 49 who were acquired from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were included. The Hosmer and Lemeshow test indicates that the model matches the data quite well. Descriptive statistics show that, out of the 4720 women respondents who participated in the survey, 3667 (77.69%) were not subjected to emotional violence, while 1053 (22.31%) were. Based on the outcome of the binary logistic regression study indicates that the variable level of education, marital status, smoking cigarette, drink alcohol, chat chewing and religion are statistically significant factors on emotional violence. The variable level of education is one of significance variable on emotional violence. Therefore, the concerned body should include topics elimination of violence against women in the education system.

Magnitude, relationship and determinants of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression among University of Gondar undergraduate students, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022: Non-recursive structural equation modeling.

Up to 80% of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a concomitant psychiatric disorder. ADHD and depression, combined with the demands of University life, can pose serious challenges for students. However, there are limited studies conducted on this topic in our country. Therefore, the current study assessed the magnitude, relationship, and determinants of ADHD and depressive symptoms among students at the University of Gondar. An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed among 1514 undergraduate students at the University of Gondar from June 1-20, 2022. A stratified, simple random sampling technique was applied. Structural equation modeling was employed. The degree of relationship was interpreted based on the adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value (<0.05). In our study, 37.6% [CI: 35.2-40.1%] and 20.01% [CI: 18.1-22.1%] of the participants had depressive and ADHD symptoms, respectively. Chronic illness [β = 0.19, CI; 0.09, 0.30], alcohol use [β = 0.10, CI; 0.03, 0.17], social support [β = -0.23, CI; -0.29, -0.17], problematic internet use (PIU) [β = 0.23, CI; 0.18, 0.27], and insomnia [β = 0.24, CI; 0.17, 0.30] had a direct relationship with depressive symptoms. Mother education level [β = -0.09, CI; -0.13, -0.06], birth order [β = -0.09, CI; -0.11, -0.07], chat chewing [β = 0.18, CI; 0.06, 0.30], and depressive symptoms [β = 0.73, CI; 0.62, 0.86] had a direct relationship with ADHD. Chronic illness [β = 0.14, CI; 0.06, 0.22], PIU [β = 0.16, CI; 0.13, 0.21], social support [β = -0.16, CI; -0.22, -0.12], and insomnia [β = 0.17, CI; 0.13, 0.23] had an indirect effect on ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD and depressive symptoms was high. Chronic disease, alcohol use, social support, PIU, and insomnia had a direct effect on depressive symptoms and an indirect effect on ADHD. Mother education, birth order, chat chewing, and depressive symptoms had a direct effect on ADHD. Our study provided useful clues for clinical treatment and school-based interventions that aim to improve college students' mental well-being. It is better to design school-based intervention and prevention programs to achieve timely diagnosis and treatment of these disorders among university students.

Violence against housemaids in an Ethiopian town during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundViolence against women is a global public health problem that has numerous adverse effects. However, published literature regarding violence against housemaids during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia is lacking. The current study aims to explore the experiences of violence and associated factors among housemaids in Ethiopia. The findings may be useful to the design appropriate policies, programs and strategies to reduce the problem.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2021 in Kombolcha Town, Ethiopia. A total of 215 housemaids aged 14 years and older were included in the study using a simple random sampling technique. A multivariable logistic regression model with 95% CI (confidence interval) was applied to identify significant factors of physical and sexual violence. Variables with a P-value < 0.05 were declared as factors significantly associated with violence.ResultsAmong 215 housemaids, 33.49% (95% CI: 27.13–39.85%) reported physical violence and 21.4% (95% CI: 15.87–26.92) reported sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, housemaids aged 19–23 years (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.01–6.89), who had a male employer (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.05–5.45), whose employers chewed chat (Catha edulis) (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1.73–8.29), or drank alcohol (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.17–7.17) experienced more physical violence. Sexual violence was also associated with employers’ alcohol consumption (AOR = 9.72, 95% CI: 3.12–20.31), employers’ chat chewing (AOR = 7.40, 95% CI: 2.26–14.21) and male employers (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.22–8.52).ConclusionThe findings indicate that one in five housemaids and one in three housemaids experienced sexual violence and physical violence, respectively. Housemaids aged 19–23 years, having a male employer, having an employer who chewed chat (Catha edulis) or who drank alcohol were factors associated with physical violence, whereas employers’ alcohol consumption, employers’ chat chewing and male employers were factors associated with sexual violence.

Spatial distribution and machine learning prediction of sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among sexually active men and women in Ethiopia, evidence from EDHS 2016

IntroductionSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the major public health problem globally, affecting millions of people every day. The burden is high in the Sub-Saharan region, including Ethiopia. Besides, there is little evidence on the distribution of STIs across Ethiopian regions. Hence, having a better understanding of the infections is of great importance to lessen their burden on society. Therefore, this article aimed to assess predictors of STIs using machine learning techniques and their geographic distribution across Ethiopian regions. Assessing the predictors of STIs and their spatial distribution could help policymakers to understand the problems better and design interventions accordingly.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 18, 2016, to June 27, 2016, using the 2016 Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey (EDHS) dataset. We applied spatial autocorrelation analysis using Global Moran’s I statistics to detect latent STI clusters. Spatial scan statics was done to identify local significant clusters based on the Bernoulli model using the SaTScan™ for spatial distribution and Supervised machine learning models such as C5.0 Decision tree, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, and Logistic regression were applied to the 2016 EDHS dataset for STI prediction and their performances were analyzed. Association rules were done using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm.ResultsThe spatial distribution of STI in Ethiopia was clustered across the country with a global Moran’s index = 0.06 and p value = 0.04. The Random Forest algorithm was best for STI prediction with 69.48% balanced accuracy and 68.50% area under the curve. The random forest model showed that region, wealth, age category, educational level, age at first sex, working status, marital status, media access, alcohol drinking, chat chewing, and sex of the respondent were the top 11 predictors of STI in Ethiopia.ConclusionApplying random forest machine learning algorithm for STI prediction in Ethiopia is the proposed model to identify the predictors of STIs.

Assessment of Low Patient Social Support and its Associated Factors among Hospitalized Medical-Surgical Adult in Patients in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Research is focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the leading cause of death in the Background: Patient social support is a network or web of social relationships that each individual keeps including the closest people, such as family, close friends, and other neighborhood or community individuals in the hospital as well as out of the hospital. Patient psychosocial support influences the health status and treatment effectiveness, enhancing the quality of care in a hospitalized medical-surgical inpatient setting. Therefore, it should be practiced in a hospital setting than a community setting. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted with 380 study subjects from March 1-30, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used and data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Trained nursing students collected data, which were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis, and then binary and multiple logistic regression was performed to check the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: In this study, the low level of patient social support was 61.9%, while 38.1% of them have high levels of patient social support. Variables being housewives [AOR=3.41; 95%CI (1.145-10.153)], chat chewing [AOR=2.596; 95%CI (1.072-6.288)], psychosocial counseling [AOR=4.149; 95 %CI (0.075-0.771) and previous history of hospitalization [AOR=1.673; 95%CI (1.019-2.746) were found to be significantly associated with low patient social support. While age, sex, ethnicity, religion, income, alcohol drinking, smoking, other illegal substance use, family history of mental health problems, having a mental illness, type of case, and length of hospital stay were not significantly associated. Conclusions: The overall level of patient social support in hospitalized patients was low and being housewives, khat chewing, psychosocial counseling, and previous history of hospitalization were significantly associated with low levels of patient social support among adult inpatients, therefore health care providers should provide special consideration to those group of patients admitted to hospitals.

Effect of biomass fuel use and kitchen location on maternal report of birth size: Cross-sectional analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey data

ObjectivesHousehold air pollution from the use of biomass fuels has been associated with low birth weight in many developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of indoor air pollution from biomass fuels and kitchen location on maternal reports of child size at birth in Ethiopia. Study designA cross-sectional study design based on the secondary data analysis was used. MethodsA secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey. Birth weight from child health cards and/or mother's recall was the dependent dichotomous variable. Fuel type was classified as high-pollution fuels (i.e. wood, straw, animal dung, crop residues, kerosene, coal and charcoal) and low-pollution fuels (i.e. electricity, liquid petroleum gas, natural gas and biogas). Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess the effect of fuel type on birth weight. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThe prevalence of low birth weight was 17% and 26.2% among low- and high-polluting fuel users, respectively. Compared with low-polluting fuels, the use of high-polluting cooking fuels was associated with an increased likelihood of low birth weight (unadjusted crude odds ratio 1.7; 95% CI 1.3, 2.3). AOR remained at 1.7 (95% CI 1.26, 2.3) after controlling for child variables. AOR after controlling for both child and maternal factors was 1.5 (95% CI 1.1, 2.1). In the final model, the association became insignificant with an AOR of 1.3 (95% CI 0.9, 1.9). The kitchen location, gender of the baby, mother's anaemia status, maternal chat chewing and wealth index were significant factors in the final model. ConclusionsIn this study, the use of biomass fuels and kitchen location were associated with reduced child size at birth. Further observational studies should investigate this association using more direct methods for measurement of exposure to smoke emitted from biomass fuels on birth weight.

Physical Violence and Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Physical violence against women of reproductive age is a significant public health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess physical violence and associated factors among women of reproductive age. A community-based cross-sectional study design was implemented from August 1 to September 30, 2018, including women of reproductive age in Gedeo Zone Southern Ethiopia. A stratified, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Finally, the study population was selected from the respective source population using a simple random sampling technique. Data were checked, coded, and entered Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The wealth index was computed using the principal component analysis. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were computed to identify the determinants of physical violence among women of reproductive age. Experiencing at least one type of physical violence among women of reproductive age was 14.7% (95%CI: 11.7, 17.4). Study participants whose spouse had any habit (AOR: 3.56; 95%CI: 1.75, 7.25) and whose spouse had watched pornography counterpart ((AOR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.02, 3.17) had significantly higher odds of experiencing physical violence among women of reproductive age. Spouses had any habit like alcohol drinking, chat chewing, cigarette smoking, and seeing pornography significantly increased physical violence among reproductive-age women. Therefore, the responsible stakeholders should work on the means to the spouse can alleviate any form of habit like alcohol drinking, chat chewing, cigarette smoking, and seeing pornography could decrease physical violence in women of reproductive age.

Epidemiology of hypertension in selected towns of Wollega zones, Western Ethiopia, 2019: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction:Hypertension remains an emerging public health problem globally, particularly in developing countries. Age, income level, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetables and fruit consumption, physical activity and chat chewing were some risk factors of hypertension. However, there are limited data on the epidemiology of hypertension in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess Epidemiology of Hypertension among the community of selected towns of Wollega zones.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 June 2019 in selected towns of Wollega zones. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 840 study participants. Data were collected using the WHO STEP wise approach. The data were coded and entered into EpiData 3, and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.Results:The study included a total of 838 respondents with a response rate of 99.7%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 189 (22.6%) (95% confidence interval = 19.9%–25.2%). Of this, 108 (12.9%) and 81 (9.7%) of female and male were hypertensive, respectively. Age groups of 30–44 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.65 (1.43, 4.89)), 45–59 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.55 (1.79, 7.04)), above 60 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.97 (1.43, 6.18)), having history of alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 4.29 (2.4, 7.66)), involving in vigorous physical activity (adjusted odds ratio = 0.096 (0.028, 0.33)), not walking to and from the work (adjusted odds ratio = 13.12 (8.34, 20.67)), being overweight (adjusted odds ratio = 1.98 (1.21, 3.25)), inadequate fruits serving per day (adjusted odds ratio = 2.93 (1.75, 4.88)) were significantly associated with hypertension.Conclusion:The prevalence of hypertension was found to be high in the study area. Older age, alcohol consumption, not engaging in vigorous activity, physical inactivity, being overweight and inadequate intake of fruits were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Therefore, health care providers should provide extensive health education and promotion on recommended lifestyle modification to tackle the burden of hypertension.

Prevalence and Correlates of Khat (Catha Edulis) Chewing Among Dilla High School Students at Dilla Town, South Ethiopia, 2020: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Catha edulis (khat) plant is an evergreen tree. In Ethiopia khat (Catha edulis) is commonly used for social and religious purpose. It is widely abused in East Africa in general and in Ethiopia in particular for various purposes. Khat chewing has negative influence on the physical, psychological, physiological and economic well-being of the community. However, only few studies are available on prevalence of Khat chewing and its determinants in Dilla, Town; South Ethiopia. So the aim of this study is to minimize this gap by assessing Prevalence of Khat (Catha edulis) Chewing and Its determinants Among Dilla High School Students at Dilla Town, South West Ethiopia from April1-30 2020. Methods: Quantitative school based cross-sectional study design was employed. The data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire on a total of 332 students of grade 9th-12th using stratified sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics was done to summarize the dependent and independent variables. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version -20. Multiple logistic regressions were used to test the association between determinants & chat chewing, and P-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: In this study, it was found that 102(30.72%) at 95% CI (28.02, 34.01) of studied participants chewed khat in their life time. Among those 98(29.52%) at 95% CI (24.08, 38.01) of them have chewed in the past 3 months and out of those, 92(27.71%) of them have chewed in the last 30 days. The current prevalence rate of khat chewing from the total respondents was 27.71%.at 95% CI (11.02, 28.01) being follower of Muslim religion (Std.β =3.31, 95% C.I:2.4, 5.82), having friend who chews khat (Std.β =3.91, 95% C.I:1.53, 4.45) and having family who chews khat (Std.β =1.91, 95%C.I: 1.53, 2.29) were factors independently associated with chewing of khat of respondents. Conclusion and Recommendation: one third of the respondents chewed khat in their life and current time. Health education should be provided to students about the adverse effects of khat by invited psychiatric professionals of Dilla University Referral Hospital. Minister of Education in collaboration with Ministry of Health has to work to incorporate life skill training in high school students’ curricula.

Adverse childhood experiences and their Alcohol, and chat Consumption among school-going adolescents, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study

Background: Alcohol and chat use during adolescence is associated with academic and health problems, including abuse or dependence in adulthood. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early initiation of alcohol and chat use among school-going adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 546 school-going adolescents. The ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used to assess ACEs, Alcohol and chat use was assessed by questions prepared by the authors. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between overall ACE score and alcohol use and the potential moderating effects of confounders. Results: prevalence of chat chewing behavior was 26.6% followed by alcohol use 20%. A total of 66.2% of participants reported at least one ACE, and 5.93% reported four or more ACEs. High/Multiple ACEs (ACEs=1-3 and above 3) were significantly associated with increased alcohol use behaviors (AOR=1.491(1.072-3.078) and (AOR=3.171(1.330-7.560) respectively and increased chat use behaviors by 4.92 times (AOR=4.92, 95%CI=2.640-8.432) and 11.022 times (AOR=11.022, 95%CI=1.230-25.560) respectively controlling other factors. Conclusion: ACEs were significantly associated with risk behaviors, alcohol and chat use may lead to poor health, and educational outcomes among adolescent students and numbers of ACEs have graded association. Social support, sex, residence, parent educational status, and current level of depressive symptoms were significant modulating factors, which parents, school teachers, psychologists, and adolescent health care providers should give the concern to decrease the effect on school-going adolescents.

Magnitude of Mental Distress and its Determinants Among Medical and Health Science Regular Undergraduate Students at Jimma University: Institutional Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Mental distress is a group of mental problems manifested by symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating, and somatic complaints. University students have more severe mental health problems than the general population. Objectives: Therefore, this study attempted to assess the magnitude of mental distress and its determinants among medical and health science regular undergraduate students at Jimma University. Methods: A descriptive institutional-based with cross-sectional study design was conducted at Jimma University from March to April 2017 on regular undergraduate medical and health science students of the Faculty of Health Science. Study participants were selected from each batch using simple random sampling techniques and from the department by lottery method. Mental distress was assessed by using Self-Reporting questionnaire-20. Participants with score of eight and above on the Self-Reporting questionnaire-20 were considered as having mental distress. Chi-square and descriptive statistics were done using SPSS-20. Results: From a total of 369 study participants, about 354 gave the response rate of (95.9%). The magnitude of mental distress among medical and health science students was 35.03 %. Most of the respondents were males by sex and the mean age of the respondents was 23 years with SD ± 6. Age, sex, year of study, the practice of religion, presence of family history of mental illness, department choice, and ever use of substance (chat chewing and alcohol) were predictor variables and significantly associated with mental distress at P &lt; 0.05. Conclusions: The magnitude of mental distress in our study was 35.03% and it needs intervention and addressing the mentioned factors significantly associated with mental distress.

Municipal Solid Waste Source Identification, Characterization and Physical Composition Analysis, Case Study Wolkite Town, Ethiopia

Solid waste, which is a consequence of day-to-day activity of human kind, needs to be managed properly. This study deals with municipal solid waste source identification, characterization and physical composition analysis the case of wolkite town, Ethiopia. inorder to conduct this study both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed, subsequently the Findings of this study revealed that household, hotel, restorante, Kera, schools & university, chat chewing residence are identified as major source of solid waste. Regarding solid waste physical composition and characterization analysis result indicated that in wolkite town the larger portion of solid waste generating is food and food related which constituted 25.86% followed by ash and fine sand which constituted 24.3%, the third major kind of solid waste generated from the town at the household level is a mixture of different material named as other, then manure constituted 12.17%, chat, leaves &grasses, plastic, Festal, paper, textile, and glass & ceramic constituted 5.7%, 5.7%, 4.2%, 3.42%, 1.9% and 0.39%. Thus the finding of this study recommend to work on community awareness creation about proper solid waste management, and, it is very crucial to apply appropriate solid waste management system mechanism and establish small scale enterprise those will collect solid waste in the town.

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Risk Factors: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study in Resource-Limited Settings of Northwest Ethiopia.

Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is implicated for the causation of gastrointestinal tract infections including gastric cancer. Although the infection is prevalent globally, the impact is immense in countries with poor environmental and socioeconomic status including Ethiopia. Epidemiological study on the magnitude of H. pylori and possible risk factors has priceless implication. Therefore, in this study, we determined the prevalence and risk factors of H. pylori infection in the resource-limited area of northwest Ethiopia. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on northwest Ethiopia among 201 systematically selected dyspeptic patients. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire, and stool and serum samples were collected and analyzed by SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag and dBest H. pylori Disk tests, respectively. Chi-square test was performed to see association between variables, and binary and multinomial regression tests were performed to identify potential risk factors. P values <0.05 were taken statistically significant. Result Prevalence of H. pylori was found to be 71.1% (143/201) and 37.3% (75/201) using the dBest H. pylori Test Disk and SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag test, respectively. H. pylori seropositivity, using dBest H. pylori Disk tests, is significantly associated in age groups <10 years (P=0.044) and married patients (P=0.016). In those patients with H. pylori (a positive result with either the Ab or Ag test), drinking water from well sources had 2.23 times risk of getting H. pylori infection (P=0.017), and drinking coffee (1.51 (0.79–2.96, P=0.025)) and chat chewing (1.78 (1.02–3.46, P=0.008) are the common risk factors. Conclusion The present study discovered considerable magnitude of H. pylori among the dyspeptic patients in the study area. H. pylori infection is frequent in individuals drinking water from well sources, and thus, poor sanitation and unhygienic water supply are contributing factors. Policies aiming at improving the socioeconomic status will reduce potential sources of infection, transmission, and ultimately the prevalence and incidence of H. pylori.

Descriptive Study on Magnitude of Substance Abuse among Students of Aman Poly Technique College Students, Bench Maji Zone South West Ethiopia

Background: The world drug problem continues to constitute a serious threat to public health and to the safety and well-being of humanity. It is also one of burning public health problem in Ethiopia. There is research evidence that showed increment of trend of substance abuse among high school and college students. Objective: To assess the magnitude of substance abuse among students of Aman Poly Technique College in 2016. Methodology: A descriptive quantitative cross sectional study was conducted to assess the magnitude of substance abuse among the students of Aman Poly Technique College. Results: The overall Prevalence of substance abuse was 42.5%. The commonly used substances were chat chewing 65%, Alcohol 28% and cigarette 4.8%. And the reasons to initiate substance abuse were peer pressure were36.8%, to relive from tension 20% and academic dissatisfaction were 18.4%. Conclusion: According to this study we conclude that chat was the most abused substance followed by alcohol and peer pressure was the most significant reason to initiate substance abuse.

Assessment of Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients in Southwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundThe rate of blood pressure control among hypertensive patients is poor and the reasons for poor control of blood pressure remain poorly understood globally.ObjectiveTo assess the rate of blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients at Jimma University Specialized Hospital.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a hospital based cross sectional study among adult hypertensive patients at Jimma University Specialized Hospital hypertension clinic from March 4, 2015 to April 3, 2015. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and adherence to antihypertensive medication(s) were collected from patients by face to face interview using a pretested structured questionnaire. Comorbidities, antihypertensive medication(s) and blood pressure measurements were collected retrospectively from medical records. Medication adherence was assessed using Morisky’s Medication Adherence Scale-8 score. We did the statistical analysis using chi-square test and binary logistic regression with level of α set at 0.05. Statistical significance was considered for variables with p<0.05.ResultsOut of 311 participants, 286 patients were eligible and were studied. More than half, 154 (53.8%), of the participants were males. The mean age of the participants was 54.8± 12.6 years (range 26 to 94). The majority, 196 (68.53%), of the participants were taking more than one antihypertensive medication. More than one third (39.5%) of the participants were non adherent to their medication(s). The rate of blood pressure control was 50.3%. In a univariate logistic regression analyses, age ≥65 years old (P = 0.008), physical inactivity (p<0.001), chat chewing (P<0.001), adding salt to food (P<0.001), and coffee use (P<0.001) are significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressureConclusionAlmost half of the hypertensive patients on follow up had uncontrolled blood pressure. We recommend better health education and care of patients to improve the rate of blood pressure control at the hospital.

Domestic violence against women and associated factors in Ethiopia; systematic review.

BackgroundViolence against women is now widely recognized as a serious human right abuse, and an important public health problem with substantial consequences physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Data on systematic review of domestic violence are needed to support policy and program recommendations. Therefore, the overall purpose of this systematic review was to assess magnitude of domestic violence against women and associated factors in Ethiopia.MethodsStudies systematically reviewed in Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from 2000 to 2014. Systematic review was employed on published research works from databases such as Pubmed, popline, Hinari, and Google using key words. We also consulted public health experts. Community based studies with a study population (15–49 years) were included for review. Thirteen peer reviewed papers and two consecutive Ethiopian demographic and health surveys (2005 and 2011) were included to the systematic review. Twenty seven available in open access journals were retrieved and assessed based on the criteria’s such as community based study, cross sectional study design, clearly report prevalence and associated factors were included in the systematic review work. Finally, 15 papers were included in this review.ResultsLifetime prevalence of domestic violence against women by husband or intimate partner among 10 studies ranged from 20 to 78 %. The lifetime domestic physical violence by husband or intimate partner against women ranged from 31 to 76.5 %. The life time domestic sexual violence against women by husband or intimate partner ranged from 19.2 to 59 %. The mean life time prevalence of domestic emotional violence was 51.7 %. Significant number of women experienced violence during their pregnancy period. Domestic violence against women significantly associated with alcohol consumption, chat chewing, family history of violence, occupation, religion, educational status, residence and decision making power.ConclusionDomestic violence against women was relatively high in different parts of Ethiopia. Domestic violence has direct relationship with sociodemographic characteristics of the victim as well as perpetrator. Therefore, appropriate health promotion information activities needed to tackle associated factors of domestic violence against women or to prevent and control the problem to save women from being victim.

Assessment of HIV Sero-Prevalence among St. Marry University Students, Ethiopia

Background: The HIV global epidemic continues to be the most serious of infectious disease challenges to the public health and it remains as a major threat to socioeconomic development. AIDS accounts for a leading cause of mortality and resulted in the deaths of 25 million people. Everyday 5,700 persons die from AIDS worldwide. The HIV prevalence in the student populations hadn’t adequately studied, but there is some undependable reports suggesting widespread of unsafe sexual practices making the young vulnerable to HIV infection. Hence the current study assesses HIV Sero-prevalence among St. Marry University students in Ethiopia to narrow the gap of studies in the young population. A cross sectional study design with self-administered questioners and clinical blood specimen collection were done among 900 St. Marry University, Ethiopia study participant in March, 2012.The sample size were determined with single population formula with considering none respondent rate. Statistical tests were carried out for HIV Sero positivity and its association to predisposing factors to HIV infections. Detail explanation were given the study participant, a written consent was obtained from each participant after clear explanation to the procedure, merits and demerits of being tested for HIV. The study shows, 98.7% of response rate. According to the finding the overall HIV Sero-prevalence among the participants was found to be 3.8% and more specifically, HIV prevalence shown among students come from urban areas 14(5.7%), small town15 (4.5%) and rural areas 5(1.6%). Unsafe sexual behaviors, risky habits of styles of life involving alcohol beverages drinking, chat chewing, substance use, drug abuse, men to men sex, change and exchange of several sex partners, rapes, revealed positive association with HIV positive Sero status. HIV remains as a serious health problem to those who were positive as well as to those who practice risk behaviors and comparably, lower prevalence of HIV was noticed in the study. There is a need to be further studies in depth for contributing factors which predispose to new HIV infection to prevent HIV infection among the late adolescence and adult population. Moreover, as a result of higher institution expansion, there is a need to provide organized HIV prevention activities to decrease HIV new infection.

Assessment of Premarital Sexual Practices and Determinant Factors Among High School Students in West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Background: Adolescents face fears, concerns and lack of understanding about their needs, thus asking for or seeking guidance and service is very difficult. Most of youth lack basic knowledge of reproductive anatomy, physiology, how pregnancy or STI/HIV occurs, how to prevent them or where to obtain information and services. Most adults fear that informing young adolescents about sex and teaching them how to protect them was make them sexually active. Objective: the objective of the study was to assess premarital sexual behavior and determinant factors among high school students in west shoa zone. Methodology: the study was conducted in West Shoa Zone Oromia Regional state by using cross sectional study design with structured self-administered questionnaire which supplemented by 3 focus group discussion. The collected data entered and analyzed by using EPinfo and SPSS software. Result: From a total of 843 students who were selected for the study, 828 were participated. One hundred thirty eight (16.7%) of the respondents were reported chat chewing, 552(66.7%) of the respondents were reported alcohol consumption and 322(38.9%) of the students were attended video. The majority of the respondents, 552 (66.7%) had ever sexual partner. Among those who had sexual partner, 506 of the students had ever sexual practice. Of the respondents who had sexual practice, 186(36.8%), 230(45.4%) of the respondents were less than 15 years and between 15 and 19 years of age at their first sexual exposure respectively. Among the socio-demographic variables, sex of the respondents (female), the respondent’s parent educational status and participants who have no pocket money as well as from the behavioral variables, students who did not talk with parent about sexual issues, students who drinking alcohol, participants who attending video/ movies, students who have no information about sexual issues were significantly associated with pre-marital sexual practice of the students. Conclusion and recommendation-In this study the premarital sexual practice and associated factors were assessed. Based on the finding of both qualitative and quantitative studies premarital and early sexual practice was commonly practiced by most school adolescents. Open discussion about sexual related issues and provide adequate and updated reproductive health related information through school health education, establishing reproductive health club in the school should be promoted.

Khat Chewing and Self Rated Oral Health Out Comes in Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia

Introduction: Khat, Catha edulis, is a plant where its fresh leaves and buds are consumed due to its stimulant ingredient, cathinone. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen. Bahir Dar is a city in the north western Ethiopia where three percent of Ethiopia’s total production of khat is originated. So far there is one community based study that has been done in Bahir Dar city on the effect of khat chewing on self rated general health problems. This study was conducted specifically to examine the association of khat chewing behavior on self rated oral health problem among male khat chewers.Objective: The main aim of this study is to determine effects of khat chewing behaviors (onset, frequency and amount of khat chewing) on self rated oral health status among khat chewers. Methods: In this study, a cross-sectional, sellers to sellers survey on the representative sample of 422 male subjects, aged ≥ 16 years, was conducted in Bahir Dar, North western Ethiopia from January to September 2013. Data were collected after khat chewing. Study individuals were selected using systematic random sampling technique and data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was made using SPSS version 16.0 for windows package. Results: A total of 422 male khat chewers were included in study, 422 respond to the questioners, giving a response rate of 100%. The study found that the mean age of participants with standard deviation was 30.31 ± 1.39 years old. Sixty two percent of participants reported oral health problems. Of the 262 self-reported oral problems; 78.6% had dental decay or tooth discolouration, 21.4% gum problems (inflammation, bleeding). Those who started khat chewing at early age(7-15yrs) was found to be associated significantly with self rated oral health problem (AOR: 2.85, CI 95%:1.26-6.45) and P≤0.04. With regard to frequency of khat chewing; frequent khat chewers(≥ 3days) were 7.58 times more likely to be affected by self rated oral health problem compared to those who chewed less frequently (AOR:7.58,95%CI:3.53-16.27). Chewers who chewed 51gm-100gm and ≤ 100gm per session are 1.95 and 4.33 times more likely to be affected by oral health problem compared to those who chewed 25gm-50gm per session and amount of khat chewed per session were found to be significantly associated with self rated oral health (AOR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.16-3.30), (AOR: 4.33, 95%CI: 2.49-7.53) respectively. Conclusion: There is significant association between Chat chewing behaviors (amounts of khat chewed during khat session, frequency of khat chewing, the level of age khat chewing started) and self rated oral health problem.

High prevalence of HIV/AIDS risky sexual behaviors among street youth in gondar town: a community based cross sectional study

BackgroundStreet youth are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and all kinds of health risks. This study assessed HIV/AIDS risky sexual behaviors and its predictors among street youth in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross sectional study was conducted on 467 street youth living in Gondar town. A pre tested and structured questionnaire via interview was used to collect data. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors. Odds ratio with 95% CI was computed to assess the strength of associations.ResultsA total of 288 (61.7%) respondents had sexual intercourse in their life time. Among these 264 (91.7%) had more than one lifetime sexual partners. In addition, 80.5% of them used condom inconsistently in the last 12 months. Khat chewing was found to be predictor of having multiple sexual partners. Rural former residence and longer duration of stay on the street are also identified as predictors of inconsistent condom use.ConclusionHigh prevalence of HIV/AIDS risky sexual behaviors were observed among street youth in Gondar town. Interventions aimed at reducing sexual risky behaviors among street youth should focus on reducing the duration of stay on the street and chat chewing.