Background: Due to its perception as a disease of development, road traffic accident and related injuries tend to be under recognized as a major health problem in developing countries. However, majority of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low income and middle income countries. Since the main cause of road traffic accident is attributed to human risky behaviors, it is important to identify significant factors for risky behaviors of drivers. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample size of 350 drivers was conducted in April 2011. The study was conducted among Taxi, Bajaj (three tire vehicles) and private owned car drivers. After proportion to size allocation for Taxi (75), Baja (103) and private owned car (172) drivers, we used systematic random sampling method to identify illegible study subjects. Data was collected with face to face interview using a pretested questioner. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 28.7 (SD 9.9). Majority were 339 (96.9%) males. Significant number of the study subjects 233 (66.6%) had risky driving behaviors. More than a quarter 100 (28.6%) had less knowledge about basic traffic signs. Majority of drivers 181 (51.7%) had negative attitude towards risky driving behaviors. Significant percent of them 148 (42.3%) had a habit of using mobile phone while driving vehicle and 28 (9.7%) had experience of driving after drinking alcohol. All the Bajaj, 97(62.6%) house car and 58(37.4%) taxi unfasten their seat belt while driving. Majority 303 (86.6%) followed the recommended speed limit of driving. About 66 (18.9%) of them had experience of punishment or warning by traffic polices in the previous 1 year and 77 (22%) ever had car accident while driving. Conclusions: Drivers of secondary education and with high average monthly income were more likely to have risky driving behavior. Having supportive attitude towards risky driving behaviors and not getting advice about risky driving from significant others increases the likelihood of developing risky driving behavior. Interventions targeted at developing negative attitude towards risky driving behaviors on drivers and significant others should be implemented to bring positive behavior change. The interventions need to be segmented with educational status and income.

Background: Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) forms one of the cornerstones of HIV prevention strategies. It is imperative to understand HIV testing correlates and their theoretical underpinnings in order to promote VCT uptake. The aim of this study was to predict the intention to VCT and associated factors among health professionals in Jimma zone, Ethiopia using the theory of planned behavior. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional quantitative study among a sample of 336 health professionals in 12 selected districts of Jimma, Ethiopia was conducted in 2012. The constructs and principles of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) were measured. Data were collected using structured questionnaire on self administered basis. A multivariable linear regression model was used to predict the role of independent variables/TPB constructs on the intention to use VCT using SPSS version 16.0. Results: The components of TPB independently explained the variance in intention to VCT by 30.3%. Both components of TPB and socio-demographic characteristic in the final model explained 32.7% of variance in the intention to use VCT services. Significant proportions (33.0%) of the respondents have never been tested for HIV. The respective indirect components of the TPB predicted the direct components. The strongest predictors of intention to VCT were subjective norm (β=0.39, p<0.001) and attitude (β= 0.19, p<0.001) whereas, none of the socio-demographic variables were significantly predicted the intention to use VCT. Past VCT experience did not have significant statistical association with VCT use intention. Conclusions: Behavioral intention to use VCT was a function of attitude and perceived social pressure. Demographic related social determinants were not barriers for VCT use intention. Most health workers test their blood by themselves. Strategies to empower health professionals on social pressure resistance and programs targeted at changing negative attitude on VCT use can enhance intention of health professionals to use VCT.

Background: Health literacy plays a pivotal role in healthcare utilization and health-related lifestyle choices. This makes health literacy a pressing concern, particularly in low-income countries like Ethiopia, where there are intricate health challenges. Despite its significance, there is a dearth of studies on the issue in Ethiopia. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence on health literacy in Ethiopia, and to discuss the implications for healthcare practice, health promotion, and research endeavors. Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted to achieve the purpose of this study. A comprehensive search of databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, AJOL, and PLOS Global Public Health was conducted for eligible evidence. Searches were conducted from May 12 to September 9, 2022. The PRISMA flow diagram guideline was utilized to ensure transparent reporting of the reviews process. The data extraction tool used was based on the JBI methodology guidance for reviews. Results: The search in total yielded 543 records. However, only 16 studies met the eligibility criteria after a thorough screening process. All eligible studies were conducted in health facilities and schools with limited scopes. The main findings of the eligible studies focused on health literacy levels, health information sources, and health literacy determinants among the studies participants. Many of the studies reported low health literacy levels and multiple predicting factors ranging from personal to socioeconomic conditions among the respondents. Conclusion: This review has provided critical insights into the state of health literacy in Ethiopia. There is a need for comprehensive research and the development of context-appropriate health literacy measurements tailored to the Ethiopian context, as well as evidence-based health literacy interventions. Prioritizing health literacy as a key research and intervention area is essential for improving the health of individuals and populations and achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals in Ethiopia. Plain Language Summary: Health literacy is a vital factor in achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals, as it influences individuals’ healthcare utilization and health-related lifestyle decisions in their daily lives. Therefore, it is a pressing matter for low-income countries like Ethiopia, where health problems stemming from unhealthy lifestyle choices and poor healthcare utilization are on the rise and adding burden to the existing health problems. This review indicates that health literacy in Ethiopia is problematic, and it underscores the need for comprehensive health literacy research or a deeper understanding of the issue, and effective interventions.

This article examines the conflict dynamics among the pastoralists in the eastern Rift Valley in Ethiopia. It focuses on the Ituu–Karrayuu pastoralists’ conflict encounters with their neighbours, the Afar and Argobba. The article aims to provide a deeper understanding of the changing patterns of the relation of conflict and land use in the territories shared by these groups and how it is influenced by boundary-making within Ethiopia in the early 1990s. It draws on fieldwork conducted in the Fantallee district in the Oromiya region from March to June 2020. The source of data for this article relies on qualitative methodology and data collected through interviews, focus group discussion, observation and document analysis. The data obtained through recording and note-taking were categorised and organised into relevant themes and analysed thematically. The findings reveal that the current pastoralist conflicts in the study area have become more rather than less dynamic and intense. Unlike the recent works on conflicts across the country, we argue that most of the conflicts occurring among the pastoral communities of the eastern Rift Valley are not driven by the policy of ethnic federalism alone. Instead, our research shows the changing nature of pastoralist conflicts is a consequence of multi-layered causes/actors and evolving state policies—in short, a consequence of a wider political and economic context. The study suggests the need for placing the pastoral issues within the broader political and economic contexts to address the tensions across the rangeland economy.

Background: The prevalence of chronic illnesses is increasing at an alarming rate in Ethiopia. However, the existing palliative care service is not adequate to address the palliative care need of the patients and their families. This demands the need to explore, among other things, the challenges in palliative care provision. Thus, this article aimed to examine the challenges of palliative care provision in Ethiopia. Methods: The study considered Ethiopia as a case and examined the topic using a qualitative exploratory design. The data used in the study were collected through 29 in-depth interviews and 5 focus group discussions with health professionals and other stakeholders and analyzed using thematic analysis technique with ATLAS-ti 7.0 computer software. Results: This study explored patient-related, provider-related, health system-related and partnership-related challenges/gaps in palliative care in Ethiopia. Patient-related factors include, delay in seeking medical care, lack of awareness of disease conditions, discontinuation of treatment due to inability to pay, a lack of follow-up care by considering cancer diagnosis as end of life/death and preferring dying at home. Provider-related challenges include lack of awareness of palliative care, lack of pre-service/in-service training for health professionals, absence of palliative care in the curricula of health programs and scarcity of research information on palliative care in Ethiopia. Health-system challenges include lack of drug, reagent shortage, limited chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, and weak facility-community linkage. Finally, lack of collaborators between governmental and non-governmental organizations was seen as a challenge to the provision of palliative care in Ethiopia. Conclusion: The study revealed that the challenges to palliative care provision in Ethiopia include patient-related factors, provider-related factors, health facility-related factors and partnership-related factors. Therefore, it is vital to take these challenges into account in order to improve the current palliative care service provision in Ethiopia.

Background: Health literacy (HL) among adolescents is a crucial public health and health equity issue. Currently, research on HL among adolescents is expanding to support effective, evidence-based interventions. However, in Ethiopia, it remains under-researched. Thus, this study focuses on HL among adolescents in Ethiopia. It examines adolescents’ HL profiles, identifies and analyzes existing HL inequalities, and ascertains the implications for developing targeted public health strategies and educational programs aimed at improving HL among adolescents. Methods: This study employed a school-based, cross-sectional survey design. Data collection took place in January and February 2024. Data analysis comprised both descriptive and inferential statistics, using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics summarized sociodemographics and HL scores and statuses. Chi-square tests examined disparities in HL across these sociodemographics. Binary logistic regression analyses identified significant predictors of HL among adolescents. Results: A total of 722 adolescents participated in this study, and only about one-quarter of them had adequate HL, with extreme disparities observed across sociodemographic and related factors. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between HL and school type, parents’ education, household income, Internet access, academic performance, interest in health matters, and outlooks on life/futurity. Logistic regression analyses further indicated that respondents having fathers with high education (AOR=1.824, 95% CI=1.126, 2.954), mothers with high education (AOR=1.942, 95% CI=1.154, 3.268), middle household income (AOR=3.819, 95% CI=2.197, 6.636), high household income (AOR=4.583, 95% CI=2.582, 8.137), high academic performance (AOR=3.275, 95% CI=1.472, 7.285), and positive outlooks on life/futurity (AOR=1.948, CI=1.060, 3.582) were more likely to have adequate HL. Respondents lacking Internet access (AOR=0.146, 95% CI=0.069, 0.309) and having low interest in health matters (AOR=0.196, 95% CI=0.096, 0.401) were less likely to have adequate HL. Conclusion: This study investigates HL among adolescents in Ethiopia, revealing a high prevalence of inadequate HL and disparities that contribute to broader health inequalities in society. To address this, the study calls for targeted policies and interventions, including formal HL education in schools. Plain Language Summary: Given that health knowledge, skills, and behaviors developed during adolescence often persist throughout life, influencing an individual’s healthcare and health protection and enhancement practices, HL among adolescents is a vital healthcare and public health issue. This research examines HL among adolescents in Ethiopia, and finds it to be a significant concern requiring adequate attention. The study identifies key strategies to address the issue, including the integration of comprehensive and developmentally appropriate health education across schools, communities, and healthcare systems. It emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions, family and multispectral engagement, and supportive policies that address underlying social determinants and ensure equitable access to health information and resources through sustained monitoring and evaluation.