Nekemte Town Research Articles

Acceptability of Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing in Pregnant Mothers Attending ANC at Nekemte Town Government Health Facilities

The present study was designed to determine the acceptability of PIHCT on pregnant mothers attended ANC at Nekemte government health facilities. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1, to June 7, 2009. Modified standardized questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used. Total 422 participants were involved, of these 274 from Nekemte hospital and 148 from Nekemte health center with 100% response rate. The mean age of the participants were 24.24 with SD of 5.02 and their age ranges were 16 to 40. The overall acceptability rate was 370(87.7%). Almost all the respondents 412(97.6%) were knowledgeable to the three cardinal ways of prevention of HIV/AIDS (i.e. Abstinence, avoiding multiple sexual partners and sharing sharps). But 151(35.8%) were knowledgeable to the three methods of HIV transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, child birth & breast feeding. Three hundred ten (73.9%) of the mothers perceived themselves not at risk of HIV/AIDS. Pre-test counseling was given for 337(79.9%) of the mothers (P=0.002). Health workers 260(61.6%) were the most common source of information. Media and religious leaders played a little role in dissemination of information. Acceptability to PIHCT in this study is remarkable. Improving participation of religious leaders and HCWs by giving continuous in-service and pre-service training, couple counseling and designing strategies on change of attitude and practice were recommended.

Parent-young people communication about sexual and reproductive health in E/Wollega zone, West Ethiopia: Implications for interventions

ObjectivesThis study aims at examining parent-young people communication about sexual and reproductive health related topics and factors associated with it from both young people’s and parents’ perspectives.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,269 young people aged 10–24 years in Nekemte town and semi urban areas, western Ethiopia. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS for windows version 16. The qualitative data was coded, and categorized in to emerging themes using the open code software version 3.4.ResultAbout a third of young people-32.5% (32.4% of females and 32.7% males) engaged in conversation about sexual and reproductive health topics with their parents/parent figures during the last six months. In logistic regression analyses, young people who were aged 15–19 years were more likely to report parent-communication compared to the other age groups (AOR = 1.57; 95%CI = 1.26-1.97). Female young people are more likely to discuss with their mothers, (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.13-3.2), sister (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.19-3.9) and female friends (AOR = 11.7, 95% CI = 7.36-18.7) while males are more likely to discuss with male friends (AOR = 17.3, 95%CI = 10-4-28.6). Educated young people were more likely to parent-communicate(AOR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.30-2.24). Fear of parent, cultural taboos attached to sex, embarrassments, and parents’ lack of knowledge related to sexual and reproductive health were found to be barriers for parent communication. Parent-communication takes place not only infrequently but also in warning, & threatening way.ConclusionParent-young people communication about sexual health is occurring rarely in the family and bounded by certain barriers. Programmes/policies related to young people’s reproductive health should address not only individual or behavioral factors but also cultural and social factors that negatively influence parent-communication about reproductive health.

Assessment of the levels of communication between youth, parents, peers and teachers about reproductive health issues and HIV/AIDS in Nekemte Town, West Ethiopia

Background: The youth is vulnerable to risky sexual and reproductive health behaviors such as unprotected sexual intercourse and not using family planning that could lead to unfavorable health outcomes. Youth communication can be one of the most effective strategies in reducing risky sexual and reproductive health behaviors. Objective: To assess levels of communication between the youth and their parents, peers and teachers about reproductive health issues and HIV/AIDS in Nekemte town. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Four hundred twenty youngsters aged 15-24 years were selected from three sub-cities of Nekemte using simple random sampling procedures. In addition, 12 focus group discussions targeting the youth, parents, governmental and non- governmental employees, religious and elderly people took place in order to complement the quantitative findings. Results: Overall, 61% of the youth scored the mean and above in four-point scale and considered to have good level of communication on reproductive health (RH) and HIV/AIDS. In the multivariate analysis, age, place of residence, education and income were significantly associated with youth communication. Conclusion: A good level of communication about reproductive health and HIV/AIDS issue was documented in this study. However, emerging program interventions on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS by various stakeholders need to take into consideration those who have poor level of communication.

Environmental Determinants of Diarrhea among Under-Five Children in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

ISEE-0112 Background and Objective: Though the relationship between environmental risk factors and the occurrence of diarrhea in children has been documented elsewhere, there are limited studies in Ethiopia in general and in Nekemte Town in particular. The present study assessed the prevalence and environmental determinants of under-five diarrheal morbidity. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nekemte town from October 15-November 26, 2007. The study population constituted four hundred and seventy seven mothers/ care takers of index under-five children living in households selected randomly from kebeles in the town. Data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire, which was then entered onto a computer and edited and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 12.0.1. The Stepwise logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for the different risk factors. Results: Out of 477 sampled caretaker-child pairs, 461 participated in the study giving a response rate of 96.6%. The mean ages of the respondents and the index children were 32.4 (+8.8 SD) years and 25.27 (+15.16 SD) months, respectively. Prevalence of diarrheal morbidity over a period of two weeks preceding the study was about 28.9%. In the Bivariate analysis, a number of risk factors including distance from drinking water sources (time taken to-and-from the sources), availability & ownership of the latrine, refuse disposal, the presence of feces around the pit-hole (P < 0.001) and presence or absence of pit-hole cover & feces seen in the compound (P < 0.05) appeared to be significantly associated with under-five childhood diarrheal morbidity. However, absence of a refuse disposal facility and presence of feces around the pit-hole were the only significant variables on multivariate analyses (P < 0.05). Conclusion: As diarrheal morbidity is a major problem among under-five children in Nekemte town, appropriate intervention programs, targeting availability of refuse disposal facilities and care of latrines, should be designed.

Maternal Care-Giving and Hygiene Behavioral Determinants of Diarrhea among Under-Five Children in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

Maternal Care-Giving and Hygiene Behavioral Determinants of Diarrhea among Under-Five Children in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

A Stepwise Regression Analysis On Under-Five Diarrhoael Morbidity Prevalence In Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia: Maternal Care Giving And Hygiene Behavioral Determinants

Various studies have addressed the relationship between maternal care giving behaviours including hygiene behaviours and the occurrence of diarrhoea in children. However, very few studies have done in Ethiopia in general and none exist in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of under-five diarrhoea morbidity in relation to mothers/care takers behaviours including hygiene behavioural determinants. Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia from October 15- November 26, 2007. 477 mothers/ care takers of index under-five children living in the households selected randomly from sub cities in the town formed the study population. Structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into a computer, edited and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 12.01. Stepwise logistic regression model was used to calculate the Odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for the different risk factors was considered. From 477, 461 were participated in the study giving a response rate of 96.6%. The mean ages of the respondents and the index children were about 32.4 (+/- 8.8 SD) years and 25.27 (+/- 15.16 SD) months respectively. Diarrhoea morbidity prevalence over a period of two weeks preceding the study was about 28.9%. Although several maternal cares giving and hygiene-related risk factors showed significant association with diarrhoea morbidity on bivariate analysis, the use of cover material during drinking water transportation, faeces seen around the pit-hole and bottle feeding were the only significant variables on multivariate analysis. As diarrhoea morbidity was major problem among under-five children in Nekemte town, appropriate intervention programmes should be formulated focused on identified risk factors.

Premarital sexual practice among school adolescents in Nekemte town, East Wollega

Abstract Background: Sexual activities among adolescents have been reported to be increasing worldwide. Several studies in Sub-Saharan Africa have also documented increasing premarital sexual activities among adolescents. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess prevalence of premarital sexual practice and factors contributing to this practices among high school adolescents in Nekemte Town. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nekemte town of Oromia Regional State between February and March 2006. Results: Three hundred sixty four (53.8%) male and 312 (46.2%) female high school adolescents participated in the study. About one-fifth (21.5%) of the participants had had premarital sexual intercourse at the time of the survey, of which 102 (70.3%) were males. While being male [AOR=2.11 (1.27, 3.51)], a ninth grade student [AOR=1.77 (1.05, 2.99)] and ever having a sexual partner [AOR=22.3 (13.1, 37.9)] were found to have significant positive association with premarital sexual practices, being less than 18 years was found to be protective against the practice [AOR=0.44 (0.26, 0.73)]. Conclusion: A considerable amount of school adolescents had started pre marital sexual activity that might predispose them to different sexual and reproductive health problems. Strengthening age and gender segregated IEC/BCC services on sexual and reproductive health in general and premarital sexual practices and its consequences in particular in school environments needs serious attention. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2008;22(2):167-173

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF DIARRHEA AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN NEKEMTE TOWN, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

BACKGROUND: Though the relationship between environmental risk factors and the occurrence of diarrhea in children have been documented elsewhere, there are limited studies in Ethiopia in general and in Nekemte Town in particular. The present study assessed the prevalence and environmental determinants/factors of under-five diarrheal morbidity. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia from October 15–November 26, 2007. Four hundred seventy seven mothers/ care takers of index under-five children living in the households selected randomly from Kebeles in the town constituted the study population. Data were collected using structured and pre-tested questionnaire, entered into a computer, edited and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 12.0.1. Stepwise logistic regression model was used to calculate the Odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for the different risk factors. RESULTS: Out of 477 sampled mother/caretaker-child pairs, 461 participated in the study giving a response rate of 96.6%. The mean ages of the respondents and the index children were 32.4 (+8.8 SD) years and 25.27(+15.16 SD) months, respectively. Prevalence of diarrheal morbidity over a period of two weeks preceding the study was about 28.9%. In the Bivariate analysis, a number of risk factors including distance from drinking water sources (time taken to-and-from the sources), availability & ownership of the latrine, refuse disposal, the presence of feces around the pit-hole (P<0.001) and presence or absence of pit-hole cover & feces seen in the compound (P<0.05) appeared to be significantly associated with under-five childhood diarrheal morbidity. However, absence of refuse disposal facility and presence of feces around the pit-hole were the only significant variables on multivariate analyses (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: As diarrhea morbidity was major problem among under-five children in Nekemte town. appropriate intervention programs targeting availability of refuse disposal facilities and appropriate care of latrines should be designed