The global rise of adolescent overweight and obesity is posing a new challenge to the public health sector by determining the forthcoming generation for the most awful and upsetting quality of social life by inducing bantering, social isolation, and stigmatization among children that contribute to the mental wellbeing of the growing adolescents. Risk factors for overweight and/or obesity might not be the same across different regions due to differences in socioeconomic characteristics, culture, ethnicity, and geographical location. Moreover, in this study area, no report has been documented so far on the determinant factors of overweight and/or obesity among school adolescents. Hence, this study aimed at identifying context-specific determinants of overweight and/or obesity among adolescents in the study area. School-based unmatched case-control study design was employed from March 1–30, 2019, in Butajira town, Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic, dietary practice, physical activity, nutritional knowledge-related factors, and anthropometric measurements. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify independent predictors of overweight/obesity. We enrolled 297 adolescents: 99 cases, 198 controls. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis revealed that those in high socioeconomic status [AOR = 5.8, 95% CI (2.66, 12.5)], consumed soft drinks 3 and above times per week [AOR = 3.7, 95% CI (1.8, 7.3)], physically inactive [AOR = 4.4 95% CI (1.68, 11.6)], spent free time by watching television/movies for 3 and above hours per day [AOR = 8.6, 95% CI (4.3, 17)] and with poor nutritional knowledge [AOR = 3.4, 95%CI (1.7, 6.9)] were significantly associated with overweight and/obesity. High socioeconomic status, consumption of soft drinks, physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and poor nutritional knowledge were significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Therefore, strengthening parent and school-based health education in healthy nutrition behaviors and promotion tactics such as enhancing physical activity, limiting watching television, and soft drinks will be helpful to minimize overweight and obesity among adolescents.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) on the nutrition, health and educational outcomes of children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis was used. Data sources: Five databases, namely, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar, were systematically searched for relevant articles up to 23 August 2023. Eligibility criteria: It was focused on randomised controlled trials involving children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, exploring the effects of iron supplementation on various outcomes, such as serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels, anaemia, mental health and school performance. Data extraction and synthesis: The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools were used for quality assessment, with two independent reviewers thoroughly evaluating each paper. Using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, we evaluated the certainty of evidence such as the risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision and publication bias. Results: A systematic review of 10 articles revealed that WIFAS significantly increased serum ferritin levels in adolescent girls (Hedge’s g=0.53, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.78; heterogeneity I ² =41.21%, p<0.001) and haemoglobin levels in school-aged children (Hedge’s g=0.37, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.73; heterogeneity I ² =91.62%, p<0.001). The analysis further demonstrated a substantial reduction in the risk of anaemia by 20% (risk ratio=0.8, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.93; heterogeneity I ² =28.12%, p<0.001). Conclusion: WIFAS proved effective in enhancing serum ferritin and haemoglobin concentrations and lowering the risk of anaemia in school-aged children and adolescents compared with a placebo. Similarly, there are not enough studies to examine the effects of WIFAS on school performance. However, information regarding mental health problems, mortality and potential side effects remains insufficient. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023397898.

Background: Low birth weight is a challenging public health problem, which has wide range of both short- and long-term consequences particularly in developing countries. Although several studies have been conducted in different countries including Ethiopia, most of the studies did not consider the food security status, environmental-related and maternal dietary diversity-related factors. Therefore, this study aimed to identify contextual determinant factors of low birth weight. Method: A facility-based unmatched case-control study design was employed among 84 cases and 168 controls in selected public health facilities of the Silte Zone. Cases were newborns with birth weight less than 2500gm and controls were newborns with birth weight greater than 2500gm. The data were collected using a semi-structured, pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify independent determinants of low birth weight with a p-value < 0.05. Results: The mean birth weight was 2154.94gm ± 233.43 gm SD for cases and 3022.92gm ± 311.88 gm for controls. Mothers who did not receive iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy (AOR = 4.17, 95% CI: (1.44, 12.3)), not taking additional meal (AOR = 3.09, 95% CI: (1.28, 7.5)), maternal hemoglobin level < 11g/dl (AOR = 5.213, 95% CI (1.92, 14.13)), household food insecurity (AOR = 6.85, 95% CI: (3.01, 15.61)) and women’s inadequate minimum dietary diversity score (AOR = 4.13 (1.4, 12.16)) were found to be independent determinants of low birth weight. Conclusion: Missing of iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy, maternal meal frequency during pregnancy, maternal hemoglobin level, food insecurity, and women’s inadequate minimum dietary diversity score were significant determinants of low birth weight. Thus, public health intervention in the field of maternal and child health should be addressed by strengthening multi-sectoral efforts, which improve women’s dietary diversity, adherence of iron folate, additional meal and food security.

Background: Trachoma is the foremost cause of wide-reaching, preventable blindness. According to the World Health Organization report, nearly 1.3 million human beings are sightless due to trachoma, whereas about eighty-four million are hurt from active trachoma. A survey revealed that countrywide prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years in Ethiopia was 40.1%. Limited data are present regarding the study area; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and factors associated with active trachoma among 1-9 years of children in the catchment population of Tora Primary Hospital, South Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was performed on 589 children in a study place from February 15 to March 13, 2020. We used Epi data program version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 for data entry and analysis, respectively. Results: The overall occurrence of active trachoma in the catchment was 29.4% [CI=25.7, 33.12]. Of these cases, the trachomatous follicle (TF) 90.9%, TI (4.8%), and combination of TF/TI (4.2%) were found. Households' educational status, frequency of face washing, knowledge about trachoma, source of water for washing purposes, and garbage disposal system were the independently associated factors of active trachoma. Conclusion: In this study area, the occurrence of active trachoma was high. Hence, it needs instant attention, such as constructing a responsiveness application in the community, inspiring children and parents to try out face washing, improving knowledge about trachoma and appropriate excreta disposal.