For physiological as well as behavioral reasons, sexual debut increases young individuals’ risk for infection with sexually transmitted infection including HIV. It is fundamental to recognize the factors related to sexual debut in a broader context for designing and implementing effective interventions targeting youth. Community-based cross-sectional study was employed from January to May, 2013 among females of Ambo town. A multistage sampling technique was applied. The participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Face to face interview using structured and pretested questionnaires were used to collect thedata from the study participants. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of sexual initiation. Three hundred seventeen (49.9%) of the respondents have ever had sex. The mean age at first sexual initiation was 16.6 (SD ±2.3) years. Being in age group 20-24 [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) & (95% CI) = 2.75 (1.74, 4.34)], Educational level [AOR& (95% CI) = 0.20 (0.08, 0.48)], being in school [AOR& (95% CI) = 0.19 (0.11, 0.33)], having paid job [AOR& (95% CI) = 2.20 (1.19, 4.07)], peer pressure [AOR& (95% CI) = 3.20 (2.08, 4.94)], alcohol consumption [AOR& (95% CI) = 2.17 (1.43, 3.28)], and pornographic materials [AOR& (95% CI) = 2.27 (1.43, 3.61)] had significant association with sexual initiation. Substantial numbers of females had started sexual activity that might expose them to different reproductive health problems. In general age group, peer pressure, alcohol consumption and watching pornographic materials were found to be predictors for the sexual debut. Therefore, building life skills, establishing youth friendly clubs should be intensified.

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing public health burden in the European Union (EU), largely driven by modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet. This systematic review aimed to synthesize observational evidence on the associations between nutritional exposures and incident T2DM across the EU-28, with a focus on regional heterogeneity and implications for EU-level nutrition policy. Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020219994). Searches were conducted in different databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) identifying 23,437 records, from which 104 observational studies were included. Eligible studies involved adults (≥18 years) without T2DM at baseline and assessed dietary exposures in relation to T2DM incidence. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed in duplicate using the NHLBI tool in Covidence. Results: Most included studies were cohort studies (77.9%), primarily conducted in Western, Northern, and Southern Europe. Diets characterized by high consumption of whole and minimally processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fermented dairy, consistently showed associations with lower T2DM risk. In contrast, high intake of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed foods was linked to higher risk. Adherence to Mediterranean or plant-based dietary patterns was associated with lower risk, whereas high animal-protein dietary patterns were detrimental. Conclusions: Nutritional determinants play a decisive role in shaping T2DM risk in the EU. Evidence supports prioritizing dietary patterns rich in plant-based and minimally processed foods while reducing ultra-processed and meat-based products. Tailored region-specific policies are needed to address the T2DM epidemic and guide effective prevention strategies.

Background: Maternal depression stands out as the prevailing psychiatric condition during pregnancy, with its detrimental impacts posing significant consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Nearly a quarter of women will encounter depression at some stage in their lives, with the majority experiencing it during their childbearing years. Refugee women face elevated susceptibility to mental health disorders, with rates surpassing those of host populations. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of maternal depression and the associated factors with it among South Sudanese refugee women living in the Gambella region, in the Tierkidi refugee camp in 2023. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted within the Gambella region's Tierkidi refugee camp in Ethiopia involved 452 randomly selected participants who were pregnant and had given birth within the past 12 months. Data collection utilized a pretested structured questionnaire administered through interviews. Data coding and entry were performed using Epi-Info version 7.2, with subsequent analysis conducted in SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were employed to identify associations between the outcome variable and explanatory variables. The strength of association was assessed using odds ratios at a 95% confidence interval, and associations were deemed significant at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: In this study, the prevalence of maternal depression was found to be 31.5% (95% CI: 27.4-37.8). Significant associations were observed between maternal depression and unmarried marital status (AOR = 13.39, 95% CI: 3.11-57.7), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 6.76, 95% CI: 2.13-21.4), intimate partner violence (AOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 2.32-12.4), number of pregnancies (AOR = 4.85, 95% CI: 2.56-9.17), and history of abortion (AOR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.07-14.7). Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of maternal depression among pregnant mothers with infants less than 12 months old. Factors such as being unmarried, experiencing unplanned pregnancy, having a history of abortion, a higher number of pregnancies, lack of social support, and a history of intimate partner violence were found to be significantly associated with maternal depression.

Background: In 2017, the World health organization (WHO) indicated that around 2.3 billion girls and women globally fail to manage their menstruation effectively due to a shortage of menstrual hygiene (MH) facilities, high costs, and lack of awareness. As a result, many resort to using inappropriate materials like old rags or unsanitary items, putting them at risk for infections and other health issues. Although proper menstrual hygiene is crucial, many girls in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, still miss the chance to adopt hygienic menstruation practices. Objective: The main focus of this research was to assess how young adolescent school girls manage their menstrual hygiene & examined the factors that influence these practices in Minjar ena Shenkora District, Ethiopia, 2025. Method: A cross-sectional survey took place at schools in Minjar ena Shenkora District, Ethiopia, in 2025 focusing on school girls. The study included 575 participants, and a multi-stage sampling method was used to ensure a fair and representative group of girls who had started their periods. To find out what influences menstrual hygiene (MH) among these adolescents, binary logistic regression was applied after adjusting for confounding factors. Finally, it was determined that independent variables hold statistical significance at a 95% confidence level, as indicated by a p value of less than 0.05. Results: The study showed that 231 (41.0%) schoolgirls practiced safe menstrual hygiene. Some factors were identified as predictors influencing the practice, including being over 15 years old (AOR = 1.56 (1.02, 2.39)), having prior awareness of menstruation before experiencing their first period (AOR = 0.29 (0.145, 0.56)), experiencing health problems (AOR = 4.67 (2.63, 8.27)), and being aware of a commercially available sanitary pad (AOR = 0.32 (0.17, 0.60)). Conclusion: The results showed that half of respondents reported following safe practices for menstrual hygiene. The results of this study indicate that girls older than 15 years, those who received education about menstruation prior to its start, experienced health problems, and were aware of different sanitary pad options, are more inclined to maintain good menstrual hygiene. Therefore, we propose that all involved stakeholders collaborate to improve menstrual hygiene (MH) practices for adolescents in schools during their first menstruation.

Background and Aim: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious health concern globally, and it can have unfavorable effects on mothers, their offspring, and their families. However, in developing countries like Ethiopia, women's psychological health remains largely overlooked. We aim to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression and associated factors among mothers who visited for postpartum follow‐up and immunization of their newborns in selected public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: A facility‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from 380 respondents selected with random sampling technique from October to November 2024. Data were collected using interviewer‐administered, structured questionnaire and entered into Kobo Tool box and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize general characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were run to identify factors associated with postpartum depression. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was computed, and a p ‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A significant proportion of mothers (36.10%; (95% CI: 32.1%–41.6%); n = 137) were experienced a postpartum depression. Age ≥ 35 years (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.21–5.77), being Cesarean as a mode of delivery (AOR = 3.89; 95% CI: 1.36, 11.10), current pregnancy complication (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.53, 1.99), a history of mental illness [AOR = 2.66; 95% CI: (1.06–6.63)], poor and moderate social support (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.99, 3.85), (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.65), respectively, and Intimate partner violence (AOR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.39, 3.25) were found to show as risk factors and statistically associated with postpartum depression. Conclusion: Postpartum depression is common among the studied mothers. Being maternal age of > 35, cesarean as a mode of delivery, current pregnancy complication, mental illness history, poor and moderate social support, and intimate partner violence were factors associated with postpartum depression. Routine screening, counseling for postpartum depression should be a part of maternal healthcare services. Enhancing social and emotional support frameworks is crucial.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore healthcare workers’ lived experiences of job satisfaction and examine the multilevel factors perceived to shape these experiences at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Design: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Setting: Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Participants: A total of 24 in-depth interviews and 12 FGDs were conducted with purposively selected hospital staff. Methods: Data were collected using semistructured interview guides informed by the Social Ecological Model to explore experiences and factors across individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and policy levels. All interviews and discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using ATLAS.ti V.9 Findings: Job satisfaction emerged as a multidimensional experience formed by interconnected factors across individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and policy levels. At the individual level, high workload, burn-out and low salary were key challenges. Interpersonal factors included strained patient–provider relationships and lack of recognition. Organisational barriers such as staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure and limited training opportunities contributed to difficult working conditions and dissatisfaction. At the community level, limited or changing public respect for health workers was reported. At the policy level, delays in procurement systems and inconsistencies in benefit distribution contributed to demotivation. Despite these challenges, many participants expressed a strong sense of professional commitment and purpose. Conclusion: Hospital staff’s job satisfaction was experienced as a multidimensional phenomenon formed by interconnected conditions across multiple levels of the work and broader health-system environment. The findings suggest that efforts to improve healthcare workers’ experiences should consider these interconnected levels, including fair compensation, supportive leadership, adequate staffing and infrastructure, equitable access to opportunities, and responsive institutional and policy support. Such contextually responsive approaches may contribute to a more supportive working environment and strengthen healthcare workforce well-being and retention in Ethiopia.