Objective: The health belief model specifies that individuals’ perceptions about particular behavior can predict the performance of respective behavior. So far, the model has been used to explain why people did not follow COVID-19 preventive behavior. Although we are using it, to our best knowledge, its predictive ability in COVID-19 preventive behavior is unexplored. So, this review aimed to assess the model’s predictive ability and identify the most frequently related construct. Method: A systematic review was conducted to examine the predictive ability of health belief model in COVID-19 preventive behavior using research done all over the world. Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines were used. Comprehensive literature was searched using databases such as PubMed, Google scholar, and African Online Journal to retrieve related articles. Descriptive analyses such as the proportion of studies that better explained COVID-19 prevention behavior and the significance ratio of each construct of the model were made. Result: Overall, 1552 articles were retrieved using a search strategy and finally 32 articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria undergo the review. We found that in the majority (87.5%) of the studies health belief model has a good predictive ability of COVID-19-related behavior. Overall the explained variance for health belief model ranged from 6.5% to 90.1%. The perceived benefit was the most frequently significant predictor; highest significance ratio (96.7%) followed by self-efficacy, cues to action perceived barrier, susceptibility, and severity in decreasing order. Conclusion: Health belief model has a good predictive ability of COVID-19-related behavior in the majority of reviewed studies. The perceived benefit was the most frequently significant predictor of COVID-19-related behavior. Professionals who are in need can effectively use health belief model in planning and designing interventions to prevent and control the pandemic.

Vaccination is the promising strategy to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the success of this strategy will rely mainly on the rate of vaccine acceptance among the general population. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its determinants in Ethiopia. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and Web of Sciences database to retrieve related articles. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for this study. Funnel plot and Eggers test were done to assess publication bias. Cochrane Q-test and I² statistic were done to chick evidence of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was computed based on the study region and the study population. Data were extracted using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using STATA version 14 statistical software. Weighted inverse variance random effect model was run to estimate the pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. A total of 12 studies with 5,029 study participants were included. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ethiopia was 51.64% (95%CI; 43.95%-59.34%). Being male (AOR = 4.46, 1.19–16.77, I² = 88%), having secondary and above educational status (AOR = 3.97, 1.94–8.12, I² = 69%), good knowledge (AOR = 3.36, 1.71–6.61, I² = 93%), and positive attitude (AOR = 5.40, 2.43–12.00, I² = 87%) were determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ethiopia. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was low. Being male, having secondary and above educational status, good knowledge, and positive attitude were the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. High level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the general population is crucial to achieve herd immunity in the community. Therefore, policymakers, vaccine campaign program planners, and stakeholders should target to improve public awareness of vaccination that enhances vaccine acceptance and in turn helps to control the pandemic.

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) means providing only breast milk for infants for up to six months without the addition of solid or liquid matter. Even though EBF had great benefits for infants and mothers, the rate of EBF is so limited below the global target. In Ethiopia, the overall EBF practice is 59%. This low EBF practice had a great unexplained variation among employed and unemployed mothers. Therefore, this study aimed to compare EBF practice and associated factors among employed and unemployed mothers of infants aged 6–12 months in Wolkite town, Southern Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020. A total sample of 485 (241 employed and 244 unemployed) study subjects was involved in the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study subjects. A pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of EBF practice for the whole study participants and then for employed and unemployed mothers independently. Results: The pooled prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 63.9% [95% CI (59.8–68.2%)]. Exclusive breastfeeding practice was 54.8% [95% CI (48.5–61.4%)] and 73% [95% CI (66.8–78.7%)] among employed and unemployed mothers respectively. Three or more years of a birth interval [AOR = 4.03; 95% CI (1.80–8.99)], three or more ANC visits [AOR = 5.39; 95% CI (1.49–19.45)], and having PNC service [AOR = 4.56; 95% CI (2.0–9.4)] significantly associated to exclusive breastfeeding practice among employed mothers. No history of breastfeeding counseling during ANC visits [AOR = 0.15; 95% CI (0.06–0.41)], had history of breast disease [AOR = 0.28; 95% CI (0.08–0.99)], three or more ANC visits [AOR = 5.11; 95% CI (1.66–15.8)], and having social support [AOR = 3.05; 95% CI (1.23–7.6)] significantly associated to EBF practice among unemployed mothers. Conclusion: Employment among mothers was found to discourage EBF practice. The predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice are different for employed and unemployed. Therefore Policymakers and program planners are called to come together and create a conducive environment for lactating employees, and appropriate intervention at respective predictor variables is needed to enhance EBF practice.

Objective This study aims to assess viral suppression and associated factors among children tested for HIV viral load at the Amhara Public Health Institute, Dessie Branch, Ethiopia. Design An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted. An observational checklist was used to collect the data. Data were entered into EpiData and analysed using SPSS (V.25). The data were analysed descriptively. Variables with p=0.25 from the bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model, and significant variables (p=0.05) were retained in the multivariable model. Setting and participants This cross-sectional study was conducted among 522 randomly selected children tested for HIV viral load at the Amhara Public Health Institute, Dessie Branch, Ethiopia. The study included children under the age of 15 years with complete records. Results Viral suppression was 73% (95% CI: 60.41% to 77.63%). Treatment duration on antiretroviral therapy (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.207; 95% CI: 0.094 to 0.456) and regimen substitution (AOR=0.490; 95% CI: 0.306 to 0.784) were significantly associated with viral suppression rate. Conclusions In this study, the overall magnitude of viral suppression in Amhara Public Health Institute, Dessie Branch is low as compared with the WHO’s 95% viral suppression target. Viral suppression was significantly associated with antiretroviral therapy duration and regimen substitution.

Introduction: Behind breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting females. Despite, it is a preventable form of cancer both the incidence and mortality figures reflect it as a major reproductive health problem. Late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis is associated with complicated clinical presentation which can result in short survival time and increased mortality. Several factors contribute to the late-stage presentation of cervical cancer patients. In Ethiopia nationally summarized evidence on the level and the factors contributing to late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis is scarce. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis and its determinants in Ethiopia. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and African Online Journal to retrieve eligible articles. A weighted inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Cochrane Q-test and I² statistics were computed to assess heterogeneity among studies. Funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were done to assess publication bias. Result: Overall, 726 articles were retrieved and finally 10 articles were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis in Ethiopia was 60.45% (95%CI; 53.04%-67.85%). Poor awareness about cervical cancer and its treatment (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: (1.03 – 2.33, longer delay to seek care (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI: (1.01 – 1.03)) and rural residence (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI:( 1.56 – 2.75)) were significantly associated to late-stage diagnosis. Conclusion: In Ethiopia, six in every ten cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at the late stage of the disease. Poor awareness about cervical cancer and its treatment, long patient delay to seek care, and rural residence were positively associated with late–stage diagnosis. Therefore intervention efforts should be made to improve public awareness about cervical cancer, minimize patient delay to seek care, and expand screening services specifically in the rural residing segment of the population to detect the disease early and improve survival.

Introduction: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the art of using up-to-date information for clinical decision-making. Healthcare professionals at all levels are expected to use the latest research evidence for quality care. In Ethiopia inclusive and nationally representative summarized evidence regarding the level of EBP among health professionals is scarce. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of EBP utilization and its determinants among Ethiopian health professionals. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive literature was searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Online Journal databases. A weighted inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Cochrane Q-test and I² statistics were computed to assess heterogeneity among studies. Funnel plot and Eggers test were done to assess publication bias. Factors associated with EBP were identified using STATA v. 14. Result: Overall, 846 articles were retrieved and finally 23 articles were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of good EBP among health professionals was 52.60% (95%CI; 48.15%-57.05%). Knowledge about EBP (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: (2.08–2.72)), attitude (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: (1.67–2.60)), educational status (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: (2.18–4.47)), work experience (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: (1.48–4.22)), EBP training (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: (1.87–2.74)), presence of standard guideline (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: (1.51–2.50)), internet access (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: (1.47–2.20)), presence of enough time (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: (1.56–2.60)) and marital status (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: (1.32–2.28)) were determinants of EBP. Conclusion: Around half of health professionals in Ethiopia have good EBP utilization which was low. Knowledge, attitude, educational status, work experience, EBP training, presence of standard guidelines, internet access, presence of enough time, and single marital status were positively associated with EBP. Therefore future interventions should focus on increasing their knowledge and changing their attitude through providing training and addressing organizational barriers like availing standard guidelines, accessing the internet, and minimizing professionals’ workload that enables them to critically appraise and integrate the latest evidence for clinical decision-making to improve the quality of care.