SNNP Region Research Articles

Spatial distribution and determinant factors of intimate partner violence among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia: Using generalized structural equation modeling.

IntroductionIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the most serious and pervasive yet under-recognized human rights violation in the world, particularly in Ethiopia. Hence, the objective of this study was to find the spatial distribution of IPV and its determinant factors in Ethiopia.MethodsSecondary data analysis was conducted among 2,687 reproductive age group women (15–49 years). The distribution of IPV across the country was observed by ArcGIS software. In SaTScan software, the Bernoulli model was fitted by Kulldorff methods to identify the purely spatial clusters of IPV. Besides, Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM) was used to determine factors associated with each domain of IPV (physical, emotional & sexual violence).ResultThe spatial distribution of IPV was found to be clustered in Ethiopia with Global Moran’s I 0.09 (p < 0.001), and the highest IPV cluster was observed in Oromia (p < 0.001), Somali (p < 0.001) and SNNP (p<0.001) regions. Watching television and not having attitudes toward wife beating were negatively associated with physical violence. Being rich and nonsmoker were inversely associated with emotional violence. The odds of experiencing sexual violence were high among pregnant women and wives of uneducated husbands/partners. In addition, women’s decision-making autonomy and husband/partner drinking alcohol have positive and negative associations with all domains of IPV respectively.ConclusionThere was a significant clustering of IPV in Ethiopia and the highest IPV cluster was observed in Oromia, Somali and SNNP regions. Being rich, watching television, not having attitudes toward wife beating, women’s decision-making autonomy, and husband’s/partner’s high education and non-alcohol drinker status were negatively associated with IPV. The likelihood of experiencing IPV was also high among smokers and pregnant women. Thus, we recommend that improving the economic status of the household through social protection and empowerment of women in decision-making autonomy by education and employment and increasing community awareness about the consequences of IPV with particular emphasis on Oromia, Somali and SNNP regions is essential.

Predictors of maternal and newborn health service utilization across the continuum of care in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis.

The continuum of care for maternal and newborn health is a systematic approach for delivery of an integrated effective package of life-saving interventions throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum as well as across levels of service delivery to women and newborns. Nonetheless, in low-income countries, coverage of these interventions across the life cycle continuum is low. This study examined the predictors of utilization of maternal and newborn health care services along the continuum of care in Ethiopia. This was a cross-sectional population-based study. We measured maternal and newborn health care utilization practices among women who had live births in the last 12 months preceding the survey in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. We fitted multilevel random-effects logistic regression models to examine the predictors of the continuum of care accounting for the survey design, and individual, and contextual characteristics of the respondents. Our analysis revealed that only one-fifth of women utilized maternal and newborn health services across the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum continuum; most women discontinued at the postpartum stage. Continued use of services varied significantly across wealth, model family, prenatal stay at maternity waiting homes, antenatal care in the first trimester, complete antenatal care service, and the administrative region at all antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum stages. Moreover, family conversation during pregnancy [AOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.56-2.88], delivery by cesarean [AOR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.82-4.02] and birth notified to health extension workers [AOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.56-2.43] were found to be predictors of the continuum of care at the postpartum stage. In Ethiopia, despite good access to antepartum care, compliance with continuity of care across the pathway decreased with significant inequitable distributions, the poorest segment of the population being at most disadvantage. The main modifiable program factors connected to the continued uptake of maternal health services include family conversation, pregnant women conference, complete antenatal care, antenatal care in the first trimester, and birth notification.

Opportunities and Challenges of Rehabilitating Degraded Land in the Case of Cheha Woreda, Gurage Zone, SNNP Region, Ethiopia

The research was conducted in chaha wereda gurage zone SNNP region of Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess opportunity and challenges of degraded land rehabilitation. From the total population of the study area 20% (73) respondents were selected in order to achieve the objective of the study at hand, for the study both primary and secondary data was generated. The primary data collection was started with a preliminary survey followed by a key informant interview, focus group discussion, and household survey with questionnaires. The secondary data were collected from books, unpublished thesis, project report, and workshops, open ended questionnaire and checklists for interview. The households were selected using stratified sampling technique (Cochran) sample size formula the process of analysis of the study was carried out using qualitative description and quantitative analysis. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the quantitative data were analyzed frequency and percentage when appropriate the qualitative data were discussed to substantiate the study. And the results were expressed in the form of tables and graphs. The findings of the study indicated that limited labor availability, high cost of maintenance. Lack of knowledge, soil conditions, high surfaces runoff, poor vegetation coverage, poor monitoring and evaluation, poor implementation and poor training on the technology use are major challenges.

Spatial distribution and predictors of domestic violence against women: evidence from analysis of Ethiopian demographic health survey 2016

BackgroundViolence against women particularly that is committed by an intimate partner is becoming a social and public health problem across the world. Studies show that the spatial variation in the distribution of domestic violence was commonly attributed to neighborhood-level predictors. Despite the prominent benefits of spatial techniques, research findings are limited. Therefore, the current study intends to determine the spatial distribution and predictors of domestic violence among women aged 15–49 in Ethiopia.MethodsData from the Ethiopian demographic health survey 2016 were used to determine the spatial distribution of domestic violence in Ethiopia. Spatial auto-correlation statistics (both Global and Local Moran’s I) were used to assess the spatial distribution of domestic violence cases in Ethiopia. Spatial locations of significant clusters were identified by using Kuldorff’s Sat Scan version 9.4 software. Finally, binary logistic regression and a generalized linear mixed model were fitted to identify predictors of domestic violence.ResultThe study found that spatial clustering of domestic violence cases in Ethiopia with Moran’s I value of 0.26, Z score of 8.26, and P value < 0.01. The Sat Scan analysis identifies the primary most likely cluster in Oromia, SNNP regions, and secondary cluster in the Amhara region. The output from regression analysis identifies low economic status, partner alcohol use, witnessing family violence, marital controlling behaviors, and community acceptance of wife-beating as significant predictors of domestic violence.ConclusionThere is spatial clustering of IPV cases in Ethiopia. The output from regression analysis shows that individual, relationship, and community-level predictors were strongly associated with IPV. Based upon our findings, we give the following recommendation: The government should give prior concern for controlling factors such as high alcohol consumption, improper parenting, and community norm that encourage IPV that were responsible for IPV in the identified hot spot areas.

Knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and its prevention in selected ten towns of SNNP Region, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional survey.

BackgroundCOVID-19 is highly infectious viral disease that can lead to main clinical symptoms like fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea. Since there is no drug to cure the disease, focusing on improving community awareness related to prevention methods is crucial. But there was no regional level study addressing the reach of information, community knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention, and this study was done to inform and assist communication related to the disease responses during early introduction of the disease to the setting.MethodsCommunity based cross sectional study was conducted in selected ten towns of SNNPR, Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 1239 participants. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed, pre-tested and uploaded to SurveyCTO data collection system with security patterns. Knowledge was assessed considering awareness about signs and symptoms, confirmatory test (laboratory test), what to do if there is a suspect, availability of drug to cure the disease, mechanisms of transmission, prevention methods and most at risk groups. Attitude was assessed using 11 statements including seriousness of disease, being at risk, possibility of prevention, and benefits of staying at health facilities. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to manage data using SPSS version 25.ResultsAlmost all respondents (99.8%) heard about the disease. The mean score of knowledge was 52.3% (SD = 18.9) while the mean score attitude was 80.8% (SD = 6.48). Educational status, housing condition and marital status were associated with having good knowledge while occupation, housing condition, age and overall knowledge were associated with having positive attitude.ConclusionEven though almost all respondents had heard about the COVID-19, knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention were low. Awareness creation should be intensified using different local languages to improve community awareness, overcome misconceptions and minimize consequences of the disease.

COVID-19 prevention practices in urban setting during early introduction of the disease: results from community survey in SNNP Region, Ethiopia

ObjectiveTo assess community practices related to COVID-19 prevention and its associated factors during the early introduction of the disease to the study area.Setting and participantsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted...

The impact of small-scale irrigation on household food security: The case of SNNP of Ethiopia

Even though Ethiopia is endowed with natural resource, it is one of the poorest country in world. The reason for this is maluses of the natural resource and dependence on traditional and rain feed agriculture. Small scale irrigation is applied in Ethiopia more than 5 decades and in SNNP region 3 decades ago. This study was conducted in SNNP region with 60 small scale irrigation users and 343 non users. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of small scale irrigation on household on food security. To analyze the data descriptive statistics like chi2 for categorical variables and t-test continuous predictor variables was used. Propensity Score matching model was used to analyze the impact of the small scale irrigation on food security of the house hold. Based on this study application of small scale irrigation in the study area does not contribute to be food secured. This may be due to the region is getting high rainfall relative to other regions like Afar, Somali and Tigray region. The farmers does not want to west their time on irrigation activities doe to plenty of rainfall and precipitation. On the other hand, most of the farmers staple food is depend on Inset (falls banana) which does not need irrigation. Based on this study we recommend that, irrigation activities should be applied in areas by which rainfall is scarce like the regions Tigray, Afar and Somali region by which rain is scarce. Keywords : food index, Irrigation, PSM model, SNNP region DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-1-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Establishment, Breakup, and Amalgamation of Ethnic Local Governments in Ethiopia: Towards Understanding the Legal And Political Matrix

Abstract Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism manages the diversity problem by giving ethnic territorial homelands to the constituent ethnic groups. This, in ethnically diverse regions, has meant the establishment of ethnically defined local governments. However, as the clear mismatch between available local governments and the number of constituent ethnic communities demonstrate, many are left without a local government of their own – resulting in rife inter-communal tensions. This has also proved to be a fertile ground for competing ethnic nationalisms to flourish and proliferate at sub-regional levels. As a result, some local governments were broken apart after their establishment to arrest ethnic conflicts that followed while others were amalgamated to maintain regional territorial integrity. By using the snnp region as a case study, this article argues that the political atmosphere, propelled by political exigencies, dictates the establishment, breakup, and amalgamation of ethnically defined local governments, while constitutional principles are side-lined.

Determinants of postnatal care utilization in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis

BackgroundThe expansion of primary health care services in Ethiopia made basic health services available and accessible. The Last Ten Kilometers (L10K) project has strengthened the primary health care system through implementing innovative strategies to engage local communities to improve maternal and newborn health care behavior and practices in Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples [SNNP], and Tigray regions over a decade. Despite the efforts of the government and its partners to improve the use of maternal health services, the coverage of postnatal care is persistently low in the country. This study examined the individual and community level determinants for the persistently low uptake of postnatal care in the project areas.MethodsThe study used a cross-sectional population-based survey that measured maternal and newborn health care practices among women who had live births in the last 12 months preceding the survey in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray regions. Multilevel random effects binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effects of community-and individual-level factors and moderating effects on the uptake of postnatal care.ResultsThis study identified region of residence, obstetric factors, and health service-related factors to be significant determinants for use of postnatal care. Obstetric factors include knowledge of obstetric danger signs (AOR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.05–1.60), cesarean section mode of delivery (AOR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28–3.00), and institutional delivery (AOR: 10.29; 95% CI: 7.57–13.98). While the health service-related factors include attended family conversation during pregnancy (AOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.04–2.12), birth notification (AOR: 2.66; 95% CI: 2.15–3.29), home visits by community health workers (AOR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.58–2.50), and being recognized as a model family (AOR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03–1.57).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that community-level interactions and promotive health services including antepartum home visits by community health workers, family conversation, birth notification, and model family, are important determinants to seek postnatal care. The findings also highlight the need for expansion of health facilities or design appropriate strategies to reach the disadvantaged communities. Program managers are recommended to strengthen community-based interventions to improve postnatal care utilization.

Decentralizing evidence-based decision-making in resource limited setting: A case of SNNP region, Ethiopia.

BackgroundAccess to and the use of accurate, valid, reliable, timely, relevant, legible and complete information is vital for safe and reliable healthcare. Though the study area has been implementing standardized Health Management Information System (HMIS), there was a need for information on how well structures were utilizing information and this study was designed to assess HMIS data utilization.MethodsFacility based retrospective study was conducted in Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) in April, 2017. We included data from 163 sample facilities. Data use was evaluated by reviewing eight items from performance monitoring system that included activities from problem identification to monitoring of proposed action plans. Each item reviewed was recoded to yes or no and summed to judge overall performance.ResultsAbout half (52%) of woredas, 26.2% health centers (HCs), 25% hospitals and 6.2% health posts (HPs) reviewed their performance monthly but only 20% woredas, 6.2% HCs, 1.5% HPs and no hospital prepared action plans after reviewing performance. Summary of 8 items assessed showed that majority of facilities (87.5% hospitals, 81.5% HPs and 70.8% HCs) were poor in data utilization.ConclusionsOnly about half of woredas and below one-fifth of health facilities were utilizing HMIS data and a lot to move to catch-up country’s information revolution plan. Lower health care systems should be supported in evidence-based decision-making and progress should be monitored routinely quantitatively and/or qualitatively.

The Contribution of Adult Education for Community Based Organization: The Case of Bursa Woreda iddirs, SNNP Region

The Purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of adult education for the community based organization in Bursa Woreda iddirs. To achieve the purpose; Mixed methods of research design were employed; both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussion. The iddirs were selected using simple random sampling and the iddirs members and iddirs leader were selected using table of sample size determination following Stratified sampling and availability sampling techniques respectively. The questionnaires were distributed to 120 of respondents. All of the questionnaires 120 (100%) were correctly filled and returned. In addition, 5 of the iddirs member were interviewed. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics(percentage, frequency and mean). Qualitative data were analyzed using narrative and thematic description. The major findings revealed that since the introduction of adult education programs with an integrated manner the learners living condition of health care improved, the learners understanding about their rights and responsibilities within the society improved, the learners saving habits and income generation improved. the program develops the learner living together in peace and harmony, the program improved the learners participation in community affairs and their standards of living. the major challenges iddirs do not have capacity building/empowerment programmes and do not have any kind of social or economic empowerment, Therefore, to alleviate these problems, community leaders to ensure their popular participation in educational programme activities that are designed for them to improve their quality of life, strengthening the leaders’ knowledge and skills in developmental programmes especially when new innovation in education is made were suggested. Keywords: Iddirs, Integrated, Adult education, community based organization DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-19-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2020

Gender Differences in Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Maize-Legume Based Farming System in Ethiopia

Climate change is considered one of the most challenging current Ethiopian issues. Adaptation strategies are important to deal with climate change. The study assessed farmers’ adaptation strategies of climate change and identified their determinants. The survey was taken 2065 households in 2013 from SIMLESA, and DIIVA projects data considering Maize-Legume Based Farming System in Amhara, Oromiya, and SNNP and Benshangul Gumuz regions of Ethiopia. Six adaptation strategies (crop rotation, intercropping, SWC, stubble, planting trees and mulching) were considered as dependent variables; all strategies are found to be dependent on each other suggests to use MVP. Climate adaptation strategies of MHH and FHH were different that might be due to access to resources, skill, and knowledge, hence, MVP analysis was used for the entire sample and FHHs separately. HHH characteristics, gender role, availability of resource and access to service were organized as explanatory variables. The result of the marginal effect of the explanatory variables in the whole sample indicated that MHHs had more probability to use stubble and SWC than FHHs. The education level of HHHs enhanced t o use stubble and SWC and negatively associated with mulching. Old farmers were not convinced to use stubble; because the old might not see the benefit of the new strategy. These need designing policies to make gender-responsive, training based and demand-driven adaptation strategies. Due to gender roles and responsibilities, the availability of men and women labour affected different adaptation options in different ways. Hence keeping social norm and values, and farmers’ capability and interests are important to improve the specialization and sustainability of adaptation options. Men and women labour were less likely to participate in tree planting by fear of birds attack; this suggests promoting tree planting with chopping and trimming the trees during crop planting and maturity period. Resource ownership (farm size, livestock, oxen and asset value) affected adaptation options in different ways; policy interventions suggest providing location-specific, affordable and appropriate adaptation options for the best chance of success and sustainability of the strategies. Access to membership in women groups, improved varieties, and extension affected different adaption options in different ways. These results underline the need to strengthen and support extension service and social groups to include appropriate adaption strategies as one of the technology packages. Access to market enabled to choose adaptation options suggests strengthening and establishing an early warning system at the village level to forecast and farmer’s preparedness. Living in different regions suggests providing agro-ecology and research-based adaptation options to manage risks and maximize opportunities from climate change. Gender differential adaptation strategies were observed in the farming system. FHHs more adopted stubble, crop rotation, and SWC than MHHs did. Due to a long time using age and education of FHHs significantly and negatively affected crop rotation. Due to gender roles, more women labour discouraged to engage in SWC. Policies should give better attention to investing and availing women-specific alternative adaptation options. Collecting firewood is the responsibility of women; hence being a member of women in cooperative negatively affected stubble. There is a need to avail of alternative options or renewable energy sources. FHHs with more farmland less likely to choose SWC due to high cost and different characteristics of plots, however FHHs with high assets value able to choose stubble and SWC because they can cover related costs. The policy should be designed extension system to avail appropriate and affordable options. Using more improved crop variety increases the probability of women farmers’ choosing SWC; the government requires improving the number of packages by including appropriate climate adaptation options. Keywords: Climate adaptation, gender, mulch, stubble, MVP DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-6-02 Publication date: June 30 th 2020

The Quest for Identity and Self-Determination in the SNNP Region of Ethiopia

The rich ethnic diversity in the SNNP region is being managed by different mechanisms of constitutional, institutional, and political practice. Yet, this has not been able to contain new questions of identity, not only seeking for recognition as a distinct ethnic group, but also a desire to establish ethnic territorial administrations. Moreover, ethnic groups that are already recognized are also laying claims to various self-determination rights, inter alia , to territorial autonomy, equitable participation, and the redrawing of internal (ethnic) boundaries. Based on legal analysis of cases from the SNNP region, the article critically discusses the quest for identity and self-determination, and provides an overview of the experience of the region. In dealing with the existing dilemma, we argue that there is a need to maintain the balance between constitutional rights to identity recognition and self-determination with the threat of ethnic and territorial fragmentations. Key terms Identity · Self-determination · Federalism · Ethnic groups · SNNP region

Measuring Rural Poverty and Inequality Among Rural Households in Gedeo Zone, SNNP Region, Ethiopia

Poverty is a complex and has multidimensional feature. It involves people experiencing various degrees of material deprivation, the concept is used to cover a wide ranging set of interrelated life chances. The purpose of this study was to measure poverty in rural Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia with specific objectives of measuring poverty and inequality among the rural households. The research was undertaken using a cross sectional design on a random sample of 325 households in the study area. The sample size was determined based on multi stage sampling procedure. In order to achieve its objective, primary data was collected through survey and interview using semi structured questionnaires. Analysis of data was made after the data collection. In this regard, the Cost of Basic Needs (CBN ) approach and FGT measures were employed to set the poverty line and compute the magnitude of rural poverty in the study respectively. The food and absolute poverty lines were calculated based on food basket of 2200 Kcal per adult per day. Accordingly, the food and absolute poverty lines for the study area were determined to be Birr 3952.74 and 4463.35, respectively. The food expenditure takes the lion’s share accounting for about 88.56 %(relative to the non-food expenditure) in the consumption expenditure of the poor and thus this substantial expenditure was used for estimating the poverty line. Thereafter, the poverty indices were computed using FGT indices. The incidence, depth and severity of food poverty stood at 0.052, 0.021 and 0.010 respectively, while respective measures for absolute poverty were found to be 0.302, 0.085 and 0.034. These measures indicated that poverty and inequality significantly prevails in the study area. All the measures confirm that poverty and inequality have been problems and remain major concern in rural development agenda in Ethiopia. Thus, rural poverty and inequality alleviation in the study area in particular and rural Ethiopia in general requires context based policies and adoption of strategies to alleviate poverty and inequality among the rural households. Keywords: Rural Households, Poverty, Inequality, CBN, FGT, Gedeo zone, Ethiopia DOI : 10.7176/JPID/52-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Technical efficiency and impact of improved farm inputs adoption on the yield of haricot bean producer in Hadiya zone, SNNP region, Ethiopia

Haricot bean is one of the most important food legumes of Ethiopia and it is considered as the main cash crop and the least expensive source of protein for the farmers. Low production and productiv...

Technical Efficiency of Red Pepper Production and Its Determinants Among Smallholder Farmers in Shashogo District of Hadiya Zone, SNNP Region, Ethiopia

This study briefly estimates the technical efficiency level of red pepper production and identifies its determinants that influence the technical efficiency. To analyze data, both descriptive statistics and econometric models were used. Stochastic Frontier function that incorporated inefficiency factors was to provide estimates of technical efficiency and its determinants using data obtained from 119 randomly selected sample red pepper producers from three kebeles of the study district. The Trans log production function was found to adequately fit the data. The maximum likelihood parameter estimates showed that almost all input variables have positive and significant effects on production except land size which is allocated for red pepper production. The analysis showed that the mean technical efficiency of farmers was 73.66%, implying that output in the study area can be increased by 26.34% at the existing level of inputs and current technology by improving determinants of technical efficiency. Technical inefficiency effects are modeled as a function of farmer specific socio-economic factors. The result showed that among the variables that are supposed to determine technical inefficiency, education level of farmers, age, distance from residence to plot, experience, credit access, extension visit, slope of land and proximity to market are significantly influencing technical inefficiency of red pepper producers. Moreover, education, distance, extension visit, proximity to market and credit access tends to increase technical efficiency of farmers whereas age of household, poor quality of soil and slope of land decrease their technical efficiency. Therefore, the road, net work in the rural areas; development of telecommunication facilities, rural market centers (institutions) should have to be advocated and promoted by farmers and government to overturn output loss by technical inefficiency of red pepper producers in Shashogo District. Keywords : Technical efficiency, stochastic frontier, determinants, red pepper, Shashogo District DOI : 10.7176/JRDM/58-04 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Food Insecurity and Mental Distress among Mothers in Rural Tigray and SNNP Regions, Ethiopia.

Access to safe and adequate food is a basic human right under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Globally, more than 870 million people consume less calories than they require, which can lead to disabling physical and mental health outcomes. This study was designed to investigate the association between household food insecurity and mental distress among mothers in the Tigray and SNNP regions of Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional survey was completed on a total of 2,992 households. A linear multiple regression model was used to study the association between food insecurity and mental distress. More than half of the study participants, 57.9%, were experiencing food insecurity. The prevalence of mental distress among the mothers was 39%. Food insecurity was significantly associated with mental distress after controlling for socioeconomic covariates. Integrating screening and management of mental distress would result in a better health status of the mothers and those under their care.

Childhood Immunization in Ethiopia: Accuracy of Maternal Recall Compared to Vaccination Cards.

Health surveys conducted in low- and middle-income countries typically estimate childhood vaccination status based on written vaccination cards, maternal recall (when cards are not available), or a combination of both. This analysis aimed to assess the accuracy of maternal recall of a child’s vaccination status in Ethiopia. Data came from a 2016 cross-sectional study conducted in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ (SNNP) Region of Ethiopia. Vaccine doses received by a given 12–23-month-old child were recorded from both a vaccination card and based on maternal recall and then compared. Concordance, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and Cohen’s Kappa were calculated. Estimates of full immunization coverage were similar when collected via vaccination card (75%) and maternal recall (74%). For fully vaccinated children, comparison of maternal recall versus vaccination card showed high concordance (96%), sensitivity (97%), specificity (93%), PPV (98%), NPV (92%), and Kappa (90%). Accuracy of maternal recall of a child’s vaccination status is high in the SNNP region of Ethiopia. Although determination of vaccination status via vaccination card is preferred since it constitutes a written record, maternal recall can also be used with confidence when vaccination cards are not available.

Factors Affecting Saving Practices of Members of Rural&amp;Urban Saving and Credit Cooperatives: Evidence from Kucha Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Snnprs, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess factors affecting saving practices of members of saving and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) in Gamo Gofa zone kucha woreda of SNNP region, Ethiopia. The study was achieved on selected 392 respondents. The selection of members was done using simple random sampling method based on convenient sampling method due to time and budget constraints. Semi structured questionnaire was administered by interviewing each respondent and filling the questionnaire. A response rate of 100% (392 respondents) was achieved. Data was analyzed using multiple linear regression model to test relationships between the dependent and independent variables included in the study. The dependent variable is saving practice of SACCOs members and the independent variables are annual income, training participation, credit received from the SACCOs, age of the respondent, dependency ratio, family size, education status, savings before joining the SACCO, and contribution of family members of their livelihood. The members of SACCOs save if they are provided with trainings and credit as per their need and their income level and education status also affect their saving level. Therefore, the following major recommendations were made: government, NGOs and other stakeholders should work on strengthening the capacities of SACCOs to enable them provide customized trainings for their members, appropriate credit services like increasing the amount of credit they provide through linkage with other financial institutions and arrangement of injection of outside money and activities which can increase the level and diversification of income of their members in order to mobilize savings effectively and efficiently. Keywords: Saving practices, SACCOs, Members DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-1-02

Burden of NCDs in SNNP region, Ethiopia: a retrospective study

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are medical conditions or diseases that are non-transmissible. As NCDs are becoming one of major public health problem, providing local description of diseases and injuries is key to health decision- making and planning processes. So, this study aimed to describe caseload of NCDs in Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region, Ethiopia.MethodsA facility based retrospective study was conducted in February 2015 in SNNPR, Ethiopia. A total of 22,320 records of three years retrieved from 23 health facilities using systematic sampling. Data were entered in to Epi-Info 3.5.3 and descriptive analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20.ResultsFrom 22,320 records reviewed, 6633 (29.7%) clients visited health facilities due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Majority (37.2%) of NCD cases were in productive age groups (20–35 year). Near to half (43%) of NCD cases were from rural and 45.8% were females. Digestive disorder (26.7%), cardiovascular diseases (18.8%) and Diabetes Mellitus (13.1%) were the most prevalent types of NCDs.ConclusionHealth facilities are burdened with significant proportion of clients with NCDs. Young population accounts large share and NCDs are becoming public health problem of urban and rural area within a health care system that focus on communicable diseases. There is a need to strengthen the health system to work towards NCDs, and investigate risk factors associated with NCDs at individual level.