Back ground: Intestinal parasitic infections are still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children. They are mostly associated with unsafe and low quality of drinking water, poor personal and environmental sanitation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of intestinal parasites among school children. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in March, 2014, among 498 students selected from three governmental elementary schools in Arbaminch- town, Southern Ethiopia using stratified multistage sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and were examined for intestinal parasites using direct smear (mount examination) and Formal-ether concentration techniques. Finally, data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info and SPSS statistical soft ware respectively. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of nine parasites were detected .The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 27.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): (23.8-31.6%)). The predominant parasite was E.histolytica/dispar 64(12.9%) followed by A.lumboricoids 53(10.6%), H.nana 21 (4.2%) and G.lamblia 21 (4.2%). Hand washing practice before meal [AOR = 5.7; 95% CI (3.4, 9.7)], nail hygiene [AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.5, 4.4)], and children's mother educational level [ A OR =3.5; 95% CI (1.01, 11.4)] showed statistically significant association with high rates of intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of intestinal parasites is high in the study area among school children .Thus, it indicates the need of interventions like health education regarding to personal hygiene and mass treatment.

Background. Stunting is a public health problem in developing countries. Stunting (HAZ < −2Z-score) is a major cause of disability preventing children who survive from reaching their full developmental potential.Objective. To assess stunting and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Southern Ethiopia.Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 562 mothers who have children from 6 to 23 months in 2014/15 in Kemba district. Multivariate analyses were applied to identify predictor variables and control effect of confounding.Results. The study revealed that out of 562 children, 18.7% (95% CI (15.6–22.1)) of children were stunted. In multiple logistic regressions, boys [AOR: 2.50; 95% CI (1.60–4.01)], older mothers [AOR: 2.60; 95% CI (1.07–6.35)], mothers who have no formal education [AOR: 2.76; 95% CI (1.63–4.69)], mothers who work as daily workers [AOR: 3.06; 95% CI (1.03–9.12)] and have private work activity [AOR: 2.39; 95% CI (1.61–3.53)], mothers who have no postnatal follow-up [AOR: 1.64; 95% CI (1.05–2.55)], and maternal illness encountered after delivery [AOR: 1.56; 95% CI (1.05–2.32)] were identified as significant independent predictors of childhood stunting.Conclusion and Recommendation. A significant number of children had chronic undernutrition in critical periods. An organized effort should be made at all levels to solve the problems of chronic undernutrition (stunting) in children.

Background. A significant number of women make Implanon their first choice of contraception. However, they discontinue their Implanon before its expiry date was high, but factors that contribute to discontinuing their Implanon were poorly described in Ethiopia. Methods. A community based unmatched case control study was conducted. Then simple random sampling technique was used to select 340 women. Data was collected by nurses using face to face interview. Epi-Info version 7 and SPSS 20 software were used. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were performed with COR and AOR with 95% CI. Findings. Having preinsertion counseling (AOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.20–0.64), having follow-up appointment (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.2–0.62), age at insertion <20 years (AOR: 3, 95% CI: 1.16–7.8), women who had no formal education (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.31–6.11), women who had ≤4 children (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.01–3.21), and women who had previous abortion history (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.10–4.63) were determinants of Implanon discontinuation. Conclusions. Policy makers and concerned bodies should take into account future intervention and also great emphasis should be given to follow-up appointment and counseling services, especially counseling on side effects, and informed choice for clients after Implanon insertion.

Background: Zinc is an essential mineral known to be important for the normal physiological functions of the immune system. It is one of the basic nutrients required during pregnancy for the normal development and growth of the fetus. However, Zinc deficiency during pregnancy causes irreversible effects on the newborn such as growth impairment, spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations and poor birth outcomes. Even though, the effect of Zinc deficiency is devastating during pregnancy, there is scarcity of evidence on Zinc deficiency and related factors among pregnant women in the current study area. Objective: To assess Zinc deficiency and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in public health facilities of Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 424 pregnant mothers. Data were collected using pre tested questionnaire (for interview part), and 5 blood sample was drawn for serum zinc level determination. Data were entered to Epi-Data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was computed and independent variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 were included in multivariable analysis. Serum zinc level was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy by applying clean and standard procedures in the laboratory. Finally adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level, P-value < 0.05 was used to identify significant factors for Zinc deficiency. Result: The prevalence of Zinc deficiency was found to be 128 (30.26%) with the mean serum zinc level of 0.56±0.12 g/dl. Age, 25–34 years [AOR 2.14 (1.19,3.82)], and 35–49 years [AOR 2.59 (1.15, 5.85)], type of occupation, farming [AOR 6.17 (1.36, 28.06)], lack of antenatal follow up during pregnancy [AOR 3.57 (1.05,12.14)], lack of freedom to purchase food items from market [AOR 3.61 (1.27, 10.27)], and inadequate knowledge on nutrition [AOR 3.10(1.58, 6.08)] were factors associated with Zinc deficiency. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency is a public health problem among pregnant mothers in the current study area. Improving maternal nutritional knowledge, motivating to have frequent antenatal follow up, and empowering to have financial freedom to purchase food items from market were the modifiable factors to reduce Zinc deficiency. Nutritional intervention that focused on improving nutritional knowledge and insuring access to Zinc sources food items should be delivered for pregnant mothers.

Anemia, defined as a low blood hemoglobin concentration, has been shown to be a major public health concern in low-income countries like Ethiopia. School-age children are the most vulnerable population groups for anemia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia, with consideration of altitudinal variations, and to identify factors associated with anemia among school-age children. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2017 among randomly selected 391 school-age children (6 to 14 years) in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Southern Ethiopia. Hemoglobin concentration was measured on the spot using portable hemoglobinometer (HemoCue Hb 201). The hemoglobin cut off values, adjusted for child age and altitude, were used to define anemia. Stool microscopic examination was done for investigation of intestinal parasites. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the possible association of independent and outcome variables. The overall prevalence of anemia was 37.3% (146); (95% CI: 32.5, 42.2). Among those who were anemic, 110 (28.1%) and 35 (9%) had mild (Hb 11–11.4 g/dl for children age from 6 to 11 years and 11–11.9 g/dl for children age from 12 to 14 years) and moderate (Hb 8–10.9 g/dl) anemia respectively. A single case of severe (Hb < 8 g/dl) anemia was identified. Fifty-seven (46.3%) of children living in an altitude ≥ 2500 m above sea level were anemic. Anemia was higher among children who were positive for intestinal parasitic infections (AOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.04, 5.35) and children not-enrolled to schools (AOR = 2.05, 95%CI: 1.26, 3.32). Anemia was less common among children who had no habit of eating vegetables in the last week prior to the survey (AOR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.14, 0.84). More than one-third of school-age children were suffering from anemia. Intestinal parasitic infections and school non-enrollment were among the major factors associated with anemia among school-age children in the study area. Interventions, focusing on identified contributing factors need to be implemented by integrating with other school or community-based health programs.

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical and neglected age group of the population in any form of nutritional intervention. A comprehensive study that assesses barriers that influence their diversified feeding habit is not well investigated in qualitative approaches. Therefore, this study was conducted to fill this gap by providing evidence on exploring barriers to diversified feeding habits of adolescents in the agrarian community, North West Ethiopia.Objective: The aim of the study was to explore barriers to diversified feeding habits of adolescents in the agrarian community, North West Ethiopia.Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study design was conducted among adolescents in the age group of 10–19 years, and adults in the age range of 25 to 64 years (representatives of farmers, agricultural, health, and education sectors). We conducted 24 in-depth interviews (12- adolescents, 4-health, 2- agricultural extension, 3-education, and 3-farmer representative) among purposively selected community groups. In-depth interview guides and observation checklist were utilized for data collection. The audio-recorded qualitative data were transcribed word by word into English. Finally, the translated data were exported to ATLAS ti version 7.1 software for thematic analysis based on inductive content analysis. All coded quotations, including memos written throughout the coding process, were then analyzed to identify themes inductively.Results: Dietary habit of adolescents in the study area was predominantly plant-based cereals with low protein, vitamins, and mineral contents. Adolescents have limited consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal source foods. Adolescents with these feeding habits had suboptimal intake of micronutrients and proteins, which are crucial for their rapid growth stage. Individual-level barriers, family-level influence, dietary tradition of community, agricultural practice (poor agroforestry practice of the community, and poor agricultural practice to produce year-round diverse food items), and week multi-sectorial collaboration for nutritional intervention all influenced adolescent dietary habits.Conclusion: Multiple layers of barriers influenced the diverse dietary habits of adolescents in the study setting. These multiple and interconnected influences ranged from individual level to multi-sectorial collaboration. Nutritional interventions should be implemented at the individual, family, agricultural, and multi-sectorial levels to improve adolescents’ diverse dietary habits.