Background: Sexually transmitted infections are serious global public health issue, and their consequences contribute significantly to population morbidity and mortality, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information about the sexually transmitted infections related care-seeking behavior in East Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of sexually transmitted infections related care-seeking behavior, and associated factors among reproductive-age women in East Africa using the recent Demographic and Health Survey. Methods: This study was based on recent Demographic and Health Survey of 8 East African countries from 2008/09 to 2018/2019. A total weighted sample of 12,004 reproductive-age women who reported sexually transmitted infections or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections in the last 12 months wereincluded. A multi-level mixed-effect logistic regression model was used and a P-value of < 0.05 was considered a statistically significant level for identification of individual and community level factors and AOR with a 95% l CI was computed. Result: The overall prevalence of sexually transmitted infections related care-seeking behavior among reproductive-age women in East African countries was 54.14% [95% CI: 53.25%, 55.03%]. In multilevel analysis: being age 25–34 [AOR = 1.27 95%CI: 1.15–1.41], 35–49 [AOR = 1.26 95%CI: 1.13–1.41], women who attained secondary or above education [AOR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.47], being in rich household [AOR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.14, 1.41], women who were currently pregnant [AOR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.13, 1.47], who had been tested for HIV [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.70, 2.33], women who had one and more than one sexual partner [AOR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.05, 1.34], women who lived in urban area [AOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.31] and who perceived distance from the health facility was not a big problem was [AOR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.04, 1.23] were significantly associated with sexually transmitted infections related care-seeking behavior. Conclusion: sexually transmitted infections related care-seeking behavior is relatively low as compared with other studies.. This study revealed that individual-level variables such as women's age, educational status, household wealth index, pregnancy status, ever been tested for HIV, number of sexual partners, and community-level variables such as residence and distance from a health facility were associated with sexually transmitted infections related care-seeking behavior. Therefore, public health interventions targeting uneducated women, poor households, and adolescents, as well as improving counseling and awareness creation during HIV/AIDS testing and Antenatal care visits, are vital to improving sexually transmitted infections care seeking behavior.

Background: The world’s population has increased faster than expected due to high fertility rates, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for most of the increase. Modern contraceptive use is the best option to reduce the high fertility rate. There is limited information on the prevalence of modern contraception and its predictors in sub-Saharan Africa’s high-fertility countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of modern contraception among reproductive-age women in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We used Demographic and Health Survey data sets from the top 10 high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Stata version 16.0 software was used to analyze the data, and all statistical analyses were completed after the data had been weighted. Multilevel binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with modern contraceptive use. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, and a p value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of modern contraceptive use in all the countries considered in this study was 10.72% (95% CI 10.57, 10.87). In terms of the predictor variables, young aged women, those who had attended a primary or secondary level of formal education, women who received antenatal care follow up, women who reported distance to the health facility as not a big problem, and women from rich families were more likely to use modern contraceptives. Conclusion: Only one in 10 women of reproductive age used modern contraceptive methods in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. To improve the use of modern contraceptives, governments and non-governmental organizations studied in the countries should intensify programs that focus on those women who are economically poor, those with no formal education, no media exposure, and those with no antenatal care follow up.

No doubt providing optimal postnatal care (PNC) prevents both maternal and neonatal deaths, in addition to the prevention of long-term complications. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) had the highest neonatal mortality rate, despite this adequate content of PNC for the newborn is not explored in SSA, therefore, it is important to identify the factors affecting adequate content of PNC for the newborn in the region. This may assist the program and policymakers to give an intervention based on the findings of the study. A secondary data analysis was performed using 21 SSA countries’ Demographic and Health Surveys. A total weighted sample of 105,904 respondents were included in this study. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted. The odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval were generated to determine the individual and community-level factors of adequate PNC for the newborn. A p-value less than 0.05 was declared as statistical significance. Adequate PNC for newborns in sub-Saharan Africa was 23.51% (95% CI: 23.26, 23.77). Mothers age ≥ 35(AOR = 1.21,95% CI: 1.06,1.16), mothers’ primary education (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.23), secondary education (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI:1.51,1.66), higher education (AOR = 1.61,95% CI:1.49,1.75), rich wealth status (AOR = 1.05,95% CI = 1.01,1.10), ANC visits 1–7 (AOR = 1.61,95% CI:1.51, 1.73), antenatal care (ANC) visit 8 and above (AOR = 2.54,95% CI: 2.32, 2.77), health facility delivery (AOR = 4.37, 95% CI:4.16,4.58), lived in east (AOR = 0.23,95% CI = (0.20,0.26), central(AOR = 0.21,95% CI = 0.19,0.24), west African sub-regions (AOR = 0.23,95% CI = 0.21, 0.27), Urban dwellers (AOR = 1.22,95% CI: 1.17,1.27), and low community poverty (AOR = 1.21 (95% CI = 1.11,1.31) were associated with adequate content of PNC for the newborn. The finding of this study showed that the overall prevalence of adequate content of PNC for a newborn in SSA countries was low. The low prevalence of adequate content of postnatal care for newborns in SSA countries is a concerning issue that requires immediate attention. Age of the respondents, level of education, wealth status, ANC visits, place of delivery, residence, community-level poverty, and sub-region of SSA were the individual-level and the community-level variables significantly associated with adequate PNC for the newborn. Strategies should focus on increasing access to antenatal care services, particularly for vulnerable populations, such as younger mothers, those with lower education levels, and individuals residing in impoverished communities to improve PNC for the newborn.

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are a wide term that includes disorders like depression, anxiety, and somatic manifestations. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at high risk of developing a common mental disorders, which leads to a lower survival rate, poor clinical outcome, longer hospitalization, increased health-care utilization, difficulty adhering to medications, an increased risk of initiation of dialysis, poor quality of life, and an increased risk of mortality. However, there is limited study done related to common mental disorders and associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients attending referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized and Felege Hiwot Referral Hospitals from January to April 2020. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Common mental disorders were assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-Falk Institute (SRQ-F) tool. Data were entered into Epi Data Version 3.0 then exported into STATA 14 for analysis. Both bivariable and multi-variable binary logistic regressions were done to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 were declared as a statistically associated with common mental disorders. In this study, 424 CKD patients were included, with a response rate of 100%. Among screened CKD patients, 40.8% was positive for common mental disorders, with a 95% CI (36–45%). Independent predictors of common mental disorders among CKD patients were poor social support [(AOR 3.1, 95% CI (1.67–5.77)], family history of mental disorders, [AOR 3.6, 95% CI (1.12–11.8)], comorbidity [AOR 1.7, 95% CI (1.03–2.78)], being female [AOR 2.69, 95% CI (1.72–4.20)], and duration of CKD (AOR 3.5; 95% CI (2.28–5.54). Two out of five CKD patients screened for CMDs were found to be positive. Common mental disorders were more common among CKD patients with poor social support, a family history of mental disorders, comorbidity, being female, and the duration of CKD. Therefore, screening CKD patients for common mental disorders is recommended.

Background: A lack of enough knowledge about the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among reproductive-age women is thought to be a key contributor to new pediatric HIV infections worldwide, and rising HIV-related infant mortality, particularly in resource-limited countries. Knowledge of MTCT of HIV is key to halt the progression of HIV/AIDS. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge of MTCT of HIV and its associated factors among reproductive-age women in high HIV/AIDS prevalent countries. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using 8 HIV/AIDS prevalent countries’ Demographic and Health Surveys. A total weighted sample of 97,130 respondents was included in this study. Stata 17 was used for data extraction, coding, and analysis. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted. The odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval were generated to determine the factors of good knowledge of MTCT of HIV among reproductive-age women. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of good knowledge of MTCT HIV was 57.89% (95% CI: 57.67,58.29). Mothers aged 25–34 (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.32, 1.42), 35 and above(AOR = 2.46,95% CI = 1.41, 1.52), mothers’ primary education (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.26, 1.38),), secondary education (AOR = 1.65,95% CI = 1.56, 1.74), higher education (AOR = 1.72,95% CI = 1.58,1.86), exposed to mass media (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08,1.16) rich wealth status (AOR = 1.11 (95% CI = 1.06,1.15), talked about MTCT (AOR = 1.70,95% CI = 1.64, 1.76), visited by field worker (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.03,1.14), health facility visit (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.18), urban dwellers (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04,1.14), ever tested for HIV(AOR = 2.18 (95% CI = 2.10,2.27), currently working status (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.12,1.19) were factors associated with good knowledge of MTCT of HIV/AIDS among reproductive age women. Conclusions: Overall, the prevalence of good knowledge of MTCT was low in high HIV/AIDS prevalent countries. Maternal age, primary education and above, exposed to media, having higher wealth status, talked about MTCT during ANC visits, being visited by a field worker, visited a health facility, currently working, living in the urban area, and ever been tested for HIV were positively associated with knowledge of MTCT. Health policy and programs should focus on educating mothers, encouraging women to contact health facilities and a well-targeted communications program is required to enhance knowledge of MTCT of HIV.

Background: The consequences of undernutrition have serious implication for the health and future reproductive periods of adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 years. Inspite of this, they are neglected age groups and there is limited information about the nutritional status of this age group in Ethiopia. Therefore, estimating the extent and associated factors of undernutrition among adolescent girls and young women in a national context using multilevel analysis is essential.Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016. A total sample weight of 5362 adolescent girls and young women was included in this study. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression model with cluster-level random effects was fitted to determine the associated factors of undernutrition among adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia. Finally, the odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval was generated to determine the individual and community level factors of undernutrition. Ap-value less than 0.05 was declared as the level of statistical significance.Results: Overall, 25.6% (95%CI: 24.5–26.9) of adolescent girls and young women were undernourished. Statistically significant individual level factors includes adolescent girls and young women aged 15–19 years (AOR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.32–1.77), individual media exposure (AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.69–0.97), and unprotected drinking water source (AOR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.04–1.48). Whereas, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (AOR: 0.33, 95%CI: 0.13–0.83) and rural residence (AOR: 1.69, 95%CI: 1.24–2.32), were community level factors for adolescent girls and young women undernutrition.Conclusion: One quarter of the Ethiopian adolescent girls and young women were undernourished. Therefore, the Ethiopian government should better engage this age group in different aspects of the food system. To improve nutritional status, public health interventions such as increased media exposure for rural residents and interventions that improve access to protected water sources will be critical.