North Wollo Research Articles

Self-medication practices among pregnant women in Ethiopia

BackgroundSelf-medication is a worldwide issue that requires special attention due to the potentially harmful effects it can have not only on pregnant women but also on the fetus.ObjectivesThis study assessed the magnitude of self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women following antenatal care (ANC) in primary healthcare settings in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 395 pregnant mothers who attended ANC follow-up in selected health centers in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia from April 20 to May 20, 2021. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to enroll participants. A face-to-face structured interview was conducted to collect the data. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with self-medication practice. A p value < 0.05 at the 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant.ResultsOut of a total of 444 participants approached, 395 (89%) participated in the study. Of these, 44.6% reported practicing self-medication during the current pregnancy. Age < 35 (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.02–9.15; p = 0.032), rural residence (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI 1.43–10.19; p = 0.017), and previous medication use (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI 1.24–12.93; p = 0.015) were found to have a significant association with self-medication practice.ConclusionSelf-medication was highly prevalent among pregnant women in the study setting and result indicates need for critical action. Younger rural women with a history of self-medication use should be provided counselling to find a prescription medication, and measures are needed to minimize self-medication related harm in pregnant women.

Causes and Psycho-Social Effects of Child Trafficking in North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

This study is attempted to examine the causes and effects of child trafficking in North Wollo Zone. Child trafficking is a global challenge affecting every country in the world. It involves multiple forms of sexual and labor exploitation which is described as a modern slavery. Hence, it gave the researcher an inspiration to investigate the causes and effects of child trafficking in north Wollo Zone. The specific objectives of this study were; to explore the major causes of child trafficking, to identify the major actors in child trafficking, to disclose effects of trafficking on children/ especially psycho-social effects of trafficking and to describe the trend of child trafficking for the past ten years. To conduct this study embedded exploratory design was employed. In order to collect the data in-depth interview, focus group discussion and document review was used. Thematic analysis for qualitative data and means, tables, graphs and charts for quantitative data employed to analyze the data and to show the trend. Result shows that Child trafficking is a problem in most districts in the zone especially in the lowland districts. Children got vulnerable to be trafficked because of the poverty, peer pressure, hearing about employment opportunities in towns, attraction by the better living conditions in town, community discrimination, and families interest to be benefited from children employment through trafficking. The major actors in the trafficking process were brokers; brokers cheated family members, money loaning persons /usury lenders, grievance committee and relatives in cities. The trafficked children mainly experienced the physical, psychological and emotional social and economical forms of effects during their trafficking and in the past ten years increasing trend indicates that child/human trafficking is a continual problem of the community and is a global hazard. Eventually the researcher concluded that child trafficking plays a pivotal role in deteriorating the overall development of the children in different forms. Government and non-governmental organizations are recommended to coordination projects which could alleviate the economic challenge of victims of trafficking.

Potential Assessment of Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme by Using Internal and External Indicators: Case Study on Kokono Small Scale Irrigation Scheme, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Potential Assessment of Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme by Using Internal and External Indicators: Case Study on Kokono Small Scale Irrigation Scheme, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Agricultural livelihood resilience in the face of recurring droughts: Empirical evidence from northeast Ethiopia

The main purpose of this study was to characterize the livelihood resilience of smallholder farmers in the face of recurring droughts in northeast Ethiopia. The data was collected using a cross-sectional survey of 274 households and five focus group discussions. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze the data. The Livelihood Resilience Index (LRI), framed on absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities, was used to quantify the households’ livelihood resilience. The results indicated that about 57% of the surveyed respondents were non-resilient, while 43% were resilient to different degrees. Abay Tekeze watershed (ATW) livelihood zone exhibits the highest proportion of resilient households (57.4%), while North Wollo highland belg has the lowest proportion (22.7%). The high resilience in ATW was attributed to the relatively lower persistence of droughts, better accessibility in enabling institutions, more access to agricultural inputs, and the training and support given to farmers. The better-off were more resilient (90.9%) than the medium (52.1%) and the poor (34.6%) households. Among the latent dimensions, sensitivity with β value −0.372, climate change and variability (−0.33), and enabling institutions and environments (0.288) showed a significant (p < 0.0001) influence on LRI. This was followed by adaptive capacity and food access (0.249), agricultural practice and technology (0.213), and asset possession (0.19), in respective order. It implies that the absorptive capacity of households showed the leading influence in determining LRI, while adaptive and transformative capacities had nearly similar low effects. Thus, it is recommended that future planning for building livelihood resilience and drought risk interventions in the area should address the levels of resilience identified and the relative importance of each latent dimension indicated.

The Practice and Challenges to Implement Active Learning Methods in North Wollo Woldia Town Governmental Primary Schools

The focus of this study was to investigate the practice and challenges to implement active learning methods in Woldia Town Governmental primary Schools. The data were collected through questionnaire, observation and interview from the respondents and analyzed in percentages, graphs and tables. The analysis of the data indicates that almost all of the subjects of the study have perceived active learning positively. However, there is a difference in perception of utilization of active learning by the old curricular trained teachers and the newly curricular trained teachers. The identified chief factors which influence the practice of active learning are students’ lack of interest, teachers and students prefer lecture method instead of active learning, lack of teaching material, shortage of time, lack of continuous and/ sustainable training and Classroom management. Apart from the above mentioned major factors, the other one is some teachers were assigned to teach subjects outside from the area of specialization. Accordingly, the practices of active learning in the primary government schools were found to be low.

Effects of blended (NPSB) and urea fertilizer on growth and green pod yield of hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) under irrigation in Raya-Kobo district, North Wollo, Ethiopia

Hot pepper is one of the most important vegetables and spice crops cultivated in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. The crop is known for its nutritional value and as spice. It’s productivity is low due to low availability of soil nutrients. Much research was conducted to investigate the response of pepper to inorganic fertilizers such as DAP and Urea. However, information about the effect of Blended fertilizers such as NPSB and its combination with Urea is scanty. This research was therefore conducted to investigate the response of hot pepper to blended NPSB and urea fertilizer rates at Kobo, North Wollo. Four rates of NPSB (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha−1) and four rates of urea (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1) in factorial combination were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that the interaction effect of NPSB and urea was significant on many of the parameters considered. Treatments that received fertilizer combination of 300 kg NPSB ha−1 and 150 kg urea ha−1 gave the tallest plants (79.76 cm) and maximum number of pods per plant (45.50), while Treatments that received fertilizer combination of 200 kg NPSB ha−1 and 150 kg urea ha−1 gave the highest total pod fruit yield (30.08t ha−1) and maximum marketable yield (29.48 t ha−1) in the study area. Application of combined 200 kg ha−1 NPSB and 150 urea kg ha−1is recommended for production of hot pepper at Kobo and similar agroecologies as the highest net benefit (3548.86 US$) with relatively high marginal rate of return (2258.91%) were recorded. However, as the present study was done only in one location for one season, it would be worthwhile to repeat it in order to arrive at a sound conclusion.

Exploring Honey Production and Marketing Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities in Workawotu of Gidan Woreda, North Wollo; Ethiopia

Exploring Honey Production and Marketing Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities in Workawotu of Gidan Woreda, North Wollo; Ethiopia

Exploring Honey Production and Marketing Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities in Workawotu of Gidan Woreda, North Wollo; Ethiopia

Exploring Honey Production and Marketing Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities in Workawotu of Gidan Woreda, North Wollo; Ethiopia

Analysis of growth and constraints of agricultural micro- and small-scale enterprises in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

The development of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Ethiopia has been hindered by multiple politico-legal, infrastructural, marketing, and financial obstacles. Even though the country’s economy is endowed with resources for agriculture and dependent on it, the contribution of agriculture enterprise is relatively limited and realizes a low growth rate and inefficient. Hence, the study aimed to analyze the growth of agricultural micro- and small-scale enterprises in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. To achieve the objectives of this study, primary data was collected from 271 randomly selected agricultural MSEs. The study employed descriptive and econometric models for the data analysis. Likert scale analyses were used to identify constraints, while multiple regression models were used to examine determinants of agricultural MSEs in the study area. The Likert-scale result showed that financial constraints are the main obstacle to the growth of agricultural MSEs in the study area. In addition, shortage of working capital, insufficient loans, increased input prices, lack of adequate and reliable input supply, and absence of sustainable government support are perceived as the major challenges of MSEs in the study area. Multiple regression model results showed that enterprise manager education level, number of employees, number of training, credit use, record keeping, and access to reliable market positively affected the growth of MSEs, while association ownership structure negatively affected it. Therefore, the study recommends skill development training and youth education programs, small business financial inclusion, and a reliable market linkage for the growth of agricultural MSEs.

Determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in children under 59 months' old in northeast Ethiopia

Background/Aims Early initiation of breastfeeding takes place within the first hour of life and has maternal and fetal benefits. Despite this, late initiation is prevalent in Ethiopia. This study's aim was to investigate early initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors in children under 59 months' old in north Wollo, Ethiopia. Methods This institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2020 in the north Wollo zone. A total of 385 women who had a child aged 0–59 months and attended selected health institutions (one hospital and nine health centres) were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results Overall, 58.2% of women began breastfeeding within the recommended timeframe. Number of antenatal care visits, mode and place of birth and radio use were significantly associated with early initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusions Despite the crucial benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding for mothers and neonates, the prevalence of early initiation in the study area was below recommended levels. Therefore, the authors recommend that health professionals inform mothers to start breastfeeding as early as possible, particularly after a caesarean section. Early initiation should be promoted to all women during the antepartum and intrapartum periods. Understanding the in-depth causes of delayed breastfeeding initiation requires further study.

Profitability of Agricultural Micro and Small-Scale Enterprise in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

The contribution of micro and small enterprises is limited as the majority are financially constrained and half of them exit from business in 2014/15, Amhara Region. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the profitability of agricultural micro and small-scale enterprises in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Primary data was collected from 271 sample enterprises. The study employed descriptive and econometrics models for the data analysis. The financial ratio result shows that the return on asset, return on owner equity and net profit margin were 0.1601, 0.2768, and 0.1520 birr, respectively. The result of the probit model estimation shows that six variables, namely enterprise age, manager education level, credit use, input availability, owners’ aspiration, and frequency of extension contact significantly and positively influenced the probability of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) being profitable. The second hurdle model, the truncation model showed that enterprise age, manager education level, record keeping, access to input, and frequency of extension contact significantly affected the extent of agricultural MSEs’ profitability. Therefore, enhancing the knowledge, skill, and aspirations of enterprise owners, improving financial access and outreach, providing financial bookkeeping training and practice, creating reliable integration with input producers, and frequent extension support to enhance the profitability and sustainability of enterprises.

Determinants of rural households’ livelihood diversification strategies: In the case of north Wollo zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Diversifying rural livelihoods plays a significant role for rain feed-dependent economy of the rural households like in Ethiopia. Hence the objective of the study was to investigate the determinants of rural households’ livelihood diversification strategies choice in north wollo zone of Ethiopia. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to select 384 rural household heads as a sample in study areas. Primary data was collected from sample rural household heads using an interview schedule. Multivariate Probit Model was employed to identify the factors influencing the rural household heads’ decision to choose livelihood strategies. The model result showed that agriculture livelihood strategy was positively and significantly associated with male headed household, land holding, cooperative membership, and participation in rural productive safety net program; while it is negatively and significantly affected by distance to market. Non-farm livelihood strategy was positively and significantly affected by dependency ratio, education level, total income, and remittance; while it is negatively and significantly affected by the sex of household head and participation in rural productive safety net program. Off-farm livelihood strategy was positively and significantly influenced by sex of household head; while it is negatively and significantly affected by the land holding, total livestock unit, cooperative membership, credit use, participation in rural productive safety net program. Therefore, the study recommends that local government should attempt to promote the above significant determinants of rural households’ livelihood diversification strategies choice to build more profitable and sustainable livelihood strategies.

Cattle feeding tendency of Anopheles mosquitoes and their infection rates in Aradum village, North Wollo, Ethiopia: an implication for animal-based malaria control strategies

BackgroundSurveillance of indoor and outdoor resting malaria vector populations is crucial to monitor possible changes in vector resting and feeding behaviours. This study was conducted to assess the resting behaviour, blood meal sources and circumsporozoite (CSP) rates of Anopheles mosquito in Aradum village, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsMosquito collection was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 using clay pots (indoor and outdoor), pit shelter and pyrethrum spray catches (PSC). The species of Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus group were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was done to determine CSP and blood meal sources of malaria vectors.ResultsA total of 775 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using the clay pot, PSC and pit shelter. Seven Anopheles mosquito species were identified morphologically, of which Anopheles demeilloni (593; 76.5%) was the dominant species followed by An. funestus group (73; 9.4%). Seventy-three An. funestus group screened by PCR, 91.8% (67/73) were identified as Anopheles leesoni and only 2.7% (2/73) were found to be Anopheles parensis. The molecular speciation of 71 An. gambiae complex confirmed 91.5% (65/71) of Anopheles arabiensis. The majority of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from outdoor pit shelter (42.2%) followed by outdoor clay pots. The majority of the blood meal of An. demeilloni (57.5%; 161/280), An. funestus sensu lato 10 (43.5%) and An. gambiae (33.3%; 14/42) originated from bovine. None of the 364 Anopheles mosquitoes tested for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax sporozoite infections were positive.ConclusionSince the Anopheles mosquitoes in the area prefer to bite cattle, it may be best to target them with an animal-based intervention. Clay pots could be an alternative tool for outdoor monitoring of malaria vectors in areas where pit shelter construction is not possible.

Service availability and readiness to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services in post-conflict at North Wollo Zone hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia: mixed survey

IntroductionCountries with humanitarian crises and fragile conditions contribute to 61% of the global burden of maternal mortality. Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) services reduce direct obstetric complications, which cause approximately 70–80% of maternal deaths and 10% to 15% of neonatal deaths. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the service availability and readiness to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services in post-conflict at North Wollo Zone hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based mixed cross-sectional study design was conducted from May 10 to May 25, 2022, among North Wollo zone hospitals. Quantitative data were collected by using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires with observation and record review, entered by using Epi Data Version 4.6, and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. Qualitative data were collected by key informant interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. A descriptive data analysis was done to analyze the study variables.ResultsOnly three of the six hospitals (Woldia, Shediho Meket, and Saint Lalibella) performed all signal functions of comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care in the preceding three months. Cesarean section was the least performed signal function in post-conflict. The overall readiness to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services was 77.7%. Only one of the six hospitals had sufficient blood without interruption, and three of the six facilities had done screening for hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. Lack of supplies, equipment, and drugs were the challenges for the performance of EmONC signal functions.ConclusionsPost-conflict availability and readiness for comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services in the North Wollo Zone was suboptimal. Shortage of medical supplies, equipment and emergency transportation was the challenges to provide these services. Thus, the hospital decision makers should strengthen leadership commitment, which focuses on recovering and rebuilding the destructed hospitals with resource mobilization and support.

Association of War With Vaccination Dropout Among Children Younger Than 2 Years in the North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

A civil war that lasted for about 6 months in the North Wollo zone of Ethiopia destroyed numerous health care facilities. However, no studies have been conducted to determine the association of the war with vaccination dropout in the area. To assess the association of war with vaccination dropout among children younger than 2 years in the North Wollo zone. This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the North Wollo zone from April 1 to June 30, 2022. Participants included children younger than 2 years and their mothers. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants. A vaccination dropout rate (yes or no) was assessed by interviewing mothers. The study included 449 children younger than 2 years and their mothers, 291 (64.8%) of whom were 20 to 34 years of age. Almost all of the mothers (426 [94.9%]) were married. More than half of the mothers (271 [60.4%]) had a primary level education. Seventy-one children (15.8%) in the area received all basic vaccinations. One hundred ninety-eight children (44.1%) who started vaccination prior to the war dropped out of the immunization program. Additionally, 64 children (14.3%) born during the war did not receive any vaccination. Losing a family member (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.11 [95% CI, 1.63-5.93]; P = .001), not being informed about catch-up vaccination (AOR, 2.18 [95% CI, 1.39-3.43]; P < .001), being a rural resident (AOR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.37-3.58]; P < .001), home birth (AOR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.11-2.77]; P = .002), and length of war (AOR for 5 months, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.28-0.93; P = .04]) were associated with the outcome variable. The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that nearly 60% of children in the North Wollo zone remained undervaccinated or unvaccinated. Stakeholders should make coordinated efforts to overcome the humanitarian crisis in the area and optimize the accessibility of health services.

Drug Therapy Problems and Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients in North Wollo Public Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia: Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Drug therapy problems (DTPs) are common in people with hypertension and may threaten the effective management of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors for DTPs in hypertensive people in North Wollo public hospitals. On patients with hypertension, a cross-sectional study based in a health institution was carried out using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and medical record review from 6 November 2022 to 18 January 2023. All hypertensive patients, ages 18 and older, who underwent regular follow-ups for at least 12 months were included in the study using a simple random sampling method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish the association between independent variables and the occurrence of DTPs. Unnecessary drug therapy, the need for additional drug therapy, ineffective drugs, dosage too low, dosage too high, adverse drug reactions, and noncompliance were the outcome variables. The study included 376 hypertensive patients. Of the total participants, 258 (68.6%) were female. The mean number of drug therapy problems per patient was 1.55 ± 0.307, with 298 participants (79.3%) reporting having at least one such problem. This study found that the need for additional drug therapy was the most prevalent problem (149, 39.66%). Polypharmacy (AOR = 2.487, 95% CI = 1.375-4.499, p = 0.003), presence of comorbidity (AOR = 1.886, 95% CI = 1.035-3.439, p = 0.038), and uncontrolled BP (AOR = 2.961, 95% CI = 1.669-5.254, p = <0.001) predicts the development of drug therapy problems. Patients with hypertension who are on follow-up experience drug therapy problems frequently. Promoting the involvement of clinical pharmacists in designing, implementing, and monitoring therapeutic plans is recommended to decrease the occurrence of drug therapy problems.

Epidemiological survival pattern, risk factors, and estimated time to develop tuberculosis after test and treat strategies declared for children living with human immune deficiency virus

BackgroundDue to their age category and the immune-suppressing effects of HIV, children were more vulnerable to experience endogenous reactivation of latent bacilli in the lung and increased risk of active tuberculosis incidence. The aim of this study is to assess the survival pattern, risk factors, and estimated time to develop TB after children started ART at selected health facilities of North Wollo, Ethiopia, from November 1, to September 30, 2021. MethodsFacility-based retrospective cohort study was employed from November 1 to September 30, 2021. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess factors associated with incidence of tuberculosis. AHR with 95% CI was used to declare statistical significance for tuberculosis incidence. ResultsDuring follow-up, 54 (10.9%) new cases of tuberculosis was reported. At the end of follow-up period, overall cumulative survival probability was determined as 43.8% (95%CI: 28.2–54.3). WHO clinical stage III&IV (AHR: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4, 4.7), Hgb≤10 gm/dl (AHR = 2.2: (95%CI: 1.12–5.8), missed isoniazid preventive therapy (AHR = 2.5 (95%CI: 1.56–10.3) and Viral Load (≥400 cell/ml) (AHR = 2.02 (95%CI: 2.03–6.8) were significant risk factors for tuberculosis incidence. ConclusionNearly ten % of HIV-positive children experienced new cases of tuberculosis with median time of 25(IQR = ±12) months. It would be better to give special attention to children who missed isoniazid preventive therapy with WHO stages III&IV Viral load (≥400 cells/ml), and Hgb≤10 gm/dl to prevent tuberculosis incidence and prolonged quality of life.

Assessing and Evaluating of Ground Water Potential using Electrical Resistivity Method (Vertical Electrical Sounding Geophysical Methods) in Woldia University, North Wollo Zone, Woldia, Ethiopia

This paper mainly studied on 'assessing and evaluating of ground water potential using electrical resistivity method (Vertical Electrical Sounding geophysical method) in Woldia University, north wollo zone, Woldia, Ethiopia. In this study, we already identified that; the availability of ground water potential and measured depth to the water table and identification of the drilling point through interpretation of the geophysical and borehole data.

Local People's perception of forest ecosystem services, traditional conservation, and management approaches in North Wollo, Ethiopia

For their livelihoods, many people rely on the services offered by forest ecosystems. Nevertheless, forests are being lost and degraded on a global scale, endangering the delivery of important services. This is the situation in Ethiopia, a nation where land degradation and deforestation pose a threat to the majority of forest ecosystems. Studies in North Wollo are very scarce and limited despite the present growth in evidence bases measuring environmental services and risks across the globe. The traditional knowledge and attitudes of the locals concerning trends in forest management, conservation, and ecosystem services were investigated in this study. We used many approaches for gathering data. The quantitative data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, multiple linear regression, and general linear regression models. The main threats to forest ecosystems in North Wollo included deforestation for the production of firewood and charcoal, increased population growth and agricultural needs, environmental pollution, the allelopathic influence of exotic species, and loss of soil fertility. These dangers cause instability and a decline in the range of ecological services provided by forests. Regarding this, the customary rules, social exclusion, and indigenous beliefs were utilized as a conservation technique to maintain and protect the remaining natural resources. In addition, the community uses terracing, gully prevention, and hillside planting with native trees to restore the ecology that has been damaged. As a result, efforts should be made to solve the current difficulties and dangers since local people, the government and non-governmental organizations have an interest in preserving forest ecosystems. In general, encouraging the direct involvement of locals in decision-making and equitable distribution of the benefits resulting from the ecosystems could aid in addressing the difficulties and risks to the ecosystems.

Common Mental Disorder and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone Correctional Institutions, Northeastern Ethiopia.

Globally, about 450 million people suffer from mental disorders of which about 11% are assumed to be prisoners. The presence of mental illness among prisoners contributes to an increase in the risk of suicide, violence, morbidity, and mortality. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of data particularly from resource-limited areas to assist policy maker's efforts in reforming mental health care. This study is aimed at assessing common mental disorders and its associated factors among prisoners in North Wollo zone correctional institutions, Northeastern Ethiopia. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 401 study participants from January-February 2021. A simple random sampling technique was employed to enroll the study participants. Structured interviewer-administered Self Reporting Questionnaires-20 (SRQ-20) developed by the World Health Organization was used to collect the data. Data were checked for completeness, coded and entered into Epi data version 4.2, and transferred to SPSS version 23.0 for final analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. Statistical significance was declared at p values < 0.05 in the final model. The prevalence of common mental disorders was found to be 63.6% (95% CI 58.9, 68.3). After adjusting for confounding factors using multiple logistic regression, having children (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.93, 7.36), poor social support (AOR = 6.6, 95% CI: 2.93, 14.93), history of mental illness (AOR = 6.5, 95% CI: 1.78, 24.3), one- to five-year prison stay (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.38, 5.04), greater than five-year prison stay (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: 2.05, 16.27), experiencing one stressful life event (AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.83, 15.01), experiencing two or more stressful life events (AOR = 7.3, 95% CI: 2.98, 17.9), unavailability of reading materials (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.63, 11.43), and greater than or equal to eleven years of sentences (AOR = 4.4, 95 CI: 1.82, 10.70) were factors significantly associated with common mental disorders. Common mental disorders are highly prevalent among prisoners in this study area. The result of this study suggests the importance of screening and providing psychiatric counseling to this highly vulnerable population.