Background: Antenatal care is one of the best strategies for maternal and neonatal mortality reduction. There is a paucity of evidence on the mean number of ANC visits and associated factors in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aimed to investigate the mean number of ANC visits and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Sub-Saharan Africa using the Demographic and Health Survey conducted from 2008 to 2019. Method: A total of 256,425 weighted numbers of women who gave birth five years before the survey were included. We used STATA version 14 for data management and analysis. A multilevel negative binomial regression model was fitted. Finally, the Adjusted Incident Rate Ratio (AIRR) with its 95% CI confidence interval was reported. Statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05. Results: The mean number of ANC visits among women who gave birth five years before the survey in SSA was 3.83 (95% CI = 3.82, 3.84) Individual-level factors such as being aged 36–49 years (AIRR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.18,1.21), having secondary education &above (AIRR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.42, 1.45), having rich wealth status (AIRR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.09), media exposure (AIRR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.09,1.11), and grand multiparity (AIRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.89, 0.91) were significantly associated with the number of ANC visits. Furthermore, rural residence (AIRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.89, 0.91), Western SSA region (AIRR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.18, 1.20) and being from a middle-income country (AIRR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.10) were community-level factors that had a significant association with the number of ANC visits. Conclusion: The mean number of ANC visits in SSA approximates the minimum recommended number of ANC visits by the World Health Organization. Women’s educational status, women’s age, media exposure, parity, planned pregnancy, wealth status, residence, country’s income, and region of SSA had a significant association with the frequency of ANC visits. This study suggests that addressing geographical disparities and socio-economic inequalities will help to alleviate the reduced utilization of ANC services.

Introduction: Childhood obesity has become a major public health problem for both developed and developing nations. It is uncommon to find under-nutrition in many low and middle-income countries; as well, obesity is a double burden in these settings. This study aimed to investigate the pooled prevalence of overweight /obesity among under-five (under-5) children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: Data were accessed from the recent nationally representative demographic and health survey datasets from 33 SSA Countries. A total of 192,132 under-five children were recruited for this study. The pooled prevalence of overweight /obesity among under-5 was done using random-effects meta-analysis command. Multivariable multi-level mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants for the prevalence of under-5 overweight and/or obesity. A P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: The pooled prevalence of overweight /obesity among under-5 was 5.10% (9% CI: 4.45 – 5.76) in SSA. South Africa region (8.80%, 95% CI: 4.18 – 13.42) had a higher prevalence of under-5 overweight and/or obesity followed by the East Africa region. Male under-5 children (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.09, 95 confidence interval (CI): 1.02 – 1.25), Larger birth weight under-5 children (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.26 – 1.54), under-5 children aged older two to three years (AOR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76 – 0.94), under-5 children born from educated mothers (secondary and above) (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.25), and under-5 children living in the West Africa (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56 – 0.81) and South Africa (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.09 – 3.21) were significant determinants for under-5 overweight and/or obesity. Conclusion: Childhood obesity is becoming a great challenge and double burden in developing nations. In SSA Africa 1 in 20 under 5 children were overweight and/or obese. Male under-5 children, older aged, under-5 children born from educated mothers, and under-5 children living in the South Africa region were at higher risk for developing overweight and/or obesity. Thus, SSA countries should implement early to pause these consequences preventing the double burden of undernutrition.

Background: Malaria infection during pregnancy endangers the pregnant woman, fetus, and newborn child. Thus, the use of an insecticide-treated net (ITN) is one of the most frequently advised methods for preventing malaria during pregnancy. Contrary findings have been reported in various studies on ITN utilization among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of ITN utilization and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: Published articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, AJOL and Cochrane library were systematically searched. All cross-sectional studies on ITN utilization among pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. To estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratio, a random-effect model was used; and a subgroup analysis was performed to identify the possible source of heterogeneity. Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used to identify possible publication bias. Results: Ten cross-sectional studies with 7,161 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of ITN utilization among all pregnant women who had access to ITN in Ethiopia was 59.42% (95% CI 51.14, 67.69). Statistically significant heterogeneity was observed (I² = 97.7%; p < 0.0001). Higher educational status (OR = 3.47, 95% CI 2.32, 5.2), pregnant women who had antenatal care visits (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.97, 2.65) and having good knowledge of malaria prevention practices (OR = 10.63, 95% CI 5.31, 21.29) were associated with ITN utilization among pregnant women. Conclusion: The utilization of ITNs among pregnant women was much lower than the national target. Higher education status, attending ANC and a good level of knowledge were found to be independent predictors of ITN utilization. Improving women’s understanding of ITNs will enhance their use, and the government and health sectors should encourage pregnant mothers to enroll in antenatal care.

Background: Globally, the co-occurrence of stunting and overweight or obesity (CSO) in the same individual is becoming an emerging layer of malnutrition and there is a paucity of information in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and determinants of concurrent stunting and overweight or obesity among under-five children in SSA. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted from a recent nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey dataset of 35 SSA countries. A total weighted sample of 210,565 under-five children was included in the study. A multivariable multilevel mixed effect model was employed to identify the determinant of the prevalence of under-5 CSO. The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Likelihood Ratio (LR) test were used to assess the presence of the clustering effect. A p-value of p < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Result: The pooled prevalence of concurrent stunting and overweight/obesity among under-five children was 1.82% (95% CI: 1.76, 1.87) in SSA. Across the SSA regions, the highest prevalence of CSO was reported in Southern Africa (2.64%, 95% CI: 2.17, 3.17) followed by the Central Africa region (2.21%, 95% CI: 2.06, 2.37). Under five children aged 12–23 months (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.59), 24–35 months (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.52), 36–59 months (AOR = 055, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.70), ever had no vaccination (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.54), under-five children born from 25 to 34 years mother (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.91), under-five children born from overweight/obese mothers (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.34), and under-five children living in West Africa (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.96) were significant determinants for under-five CSO. Conclusion: Concurrent stunting and overweight or obesity is becoming an emerging layer of malnutrition. Under five children born in the SSA region had almost a 2% overall risk of developing CSO. Age of the children, vaccination status, maternal age, maternal obesity, and region of SSA were significantly associated with under-five CSO. Therefore, nutrition policies and programs should base on the identified factors and promote a quality and nutritious diet to limit the risk of developing CSO in early life.

Objective: Undernutrition contributes to decreased physical and cognitive functional status, higher healthcare consumption, premature institutionalisation and increased mortality. So, the objective of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among older adults in Ethiopia. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis was used. Articles that presented original data on undernutrition using body mass index (BMI) were included. We made an inclusive literature search from PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar. The I ² test was used to examine the heterogeneity of the studies considered in this meta-analysis. Stata software V.14 and METANDI command were used. Setting: Studies conducted in Ethiopia were included. Participants: Eight independent studies were eligible and enrolled for final analysis. Outcome: Prevalence and determinants of undernutrition. A selection of publications, data extraction and reported results for the review was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: A total of eight unique studies were enrolled for final analysis. The pooled prevalence of undernutrition was 20.53% (95% CI 17.39% to 23.67%). The study revealed that males had lesser odds of being undernutrition with AOR 0.17 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.20). Older adults in the age range of 65–74 years were less likely to be undernourished as compared with those whose age was above 85 years with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 022 (95% CI 0.22 to 0.25). Older adults who were depressed had higher odds of undernutrition as compared with their counterparts with AOR 1.27 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.37). However, older adults from households with poor wealth indexes were two times more likely to be undernourished as compared with those who were from rich households. Conclusion: The burden of undernutrition in Ethiopia is significant. The limitation of the current study was that all included studies were observational, mainly cross-sectional.

Introduction: Visual impairment is a major public health problem in developing countries where there is no enough health-care service. It has a significant impact on the affected child’s psychological, educational and socioeconomic experiences, during childhood and beyond. Therefore, the aim of this review was to estimate the pooled prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among children in Ethiopia. Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed based on the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant published articles in Ethiopia from 2011–2021 were searched in PubMed/Medline, HINARI, Google scholar, and conference paper and thesis or research final reports were accessed from Ethiopian Universities’ repositories. Data was extracted in Microsoft excel by using JBI data extraction checklist. The pooled prevalence and odds ratio of associated factors with their 95% CI was computed by using STATA 14/SE software. A fixed effect meta-analysis model was employed for a Cochrane Q test statistic and I² test showed there was no heterogeneity in the included studies. Result: A total of 7,647 children from nine studies were included in this study. The overall prevalence of visual impairment among children in Ethiopia was 7% (95% CI: 6, 7%). The pooled prevalence of visual impairment by region was almost similar in Ethiopia. However, there was no significant association between the identified factors and visual impairment among children. But the result showed that being males (AOR 0.642, 95% CI: 0.357–1.156), Children in the age of 10–13 years (AOR 0.224, 95% CI: 0.046–1.102) and 14–18 years (AOR 0.508, 95% CI: 0.102–2.534) were found to be less likely to have visual impairment. On the other hand, children of parents with visual impairment (AOR 1.820, 95% CI: 0.381–8.698) more likely to have visual impairment. Conclusion: Visual impairment among children in Ethiopia is still a public health problem one year later to VISION 2020, a global initiative aimed to eliminate avoidable blindness. All most one out of fourteen children in Ethiopia had visual impairment. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia should focus on effective, efficient, comprehensive eye health care services by integrating with the national health system to prevent avoidable visual impairment among children.