Introduction: Not providing breastfeeding reduce key nutrient that support child’s optimal growth and immune boosting proteins component helps prevent a child from various disease, and consequently increases the risk of stunting. Studies showed inconsistency regarding breastfeeding statistical significant association with child stunting. Objective: The initial aim of the systematic review and meta analysis was to synthesis the pooled effect size of researches on the impact of breastfeeding on stunting and the subsequent aim of the study was to evaluate the consistency of statistical significance. Method: An International Prospective Register of Systemic Review received the prepared review protocol and registered it. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed in the direction of this study. Two reviewers independently carried out the data extraction. An electronic bibliographic search was conducted using Google Scholar, PUB Med, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and the WHO journal. Using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Intervention tool, the study examines risk of bias.To evaluate the aggregate effect, the study used a random effect meta analysis approach. Cochran’s Q and I ² statistics were used to evaluate statistical heterogeneity. In order to determine the cause of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis was conducted. Begg’s funnel plot and Eggers regression test were used to assess publication bias; the leave-one-study approach was used to conduct sensitivity analysis; and the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework was used to assess certainty evidence. Result: Based one litrature search we included nine studies based on established criteria. The overall pooled effect measure demonstrated a statistically significant association [OR = 1.54, 95%CI(0.94-2.13), P=<0.00]. Heterogeneity, revealed significant with [Q=34.44, degree of freedom =8 and P < 0.001] while, the I ² statistic test showed [I ² = 86%]. The overall studies’ risk of bias was deemed to be moderate. According to subgroup analysis, the source of the heterogeneity for the studies included in the review were study location, study design and sample size. The results of sensitivity analysis were deemed not robust. Publication bias of Begg’s funnel plot reported asymmetry and Egger’s regression test indicated presence of publication bias with [OR= 1.38, 95%CI (0.17-2.59) P= 0.03]. We applied the trim and fill method to adjust and enhance the symmetry. Indicated the adjusted pooled effect of [OR= 1.31, 95%CI (0.79-1.82) P= <0.001]. Certainty evidence of the studies was found to be moderate. Conclusion and recommendation: According to the results of the meta-analysis, not breastfeeding is a risk factor for a higher incidence of stunting in Ethiopia. Additionally, confirmed presence of heterogeneity among the studies. In order to encourage breastfeeding and prevent the high prevalence of stunting in Ethiopia, health officials should incorporate policies into their nutrition programs.

Introduction Self-report is one of the easiest, cheapest and most widely used methods of collecting data about individuals’ health and risk factor status. Many health studies use self-reported data to assess the prevalence of given risk factors or health behaviors in the community. The objective of this study was to determine the level of perceived morbidity, treatment seeking behavior and associated factors using nationally representative self-reported morbidity data. Methods This study was embedded from a community based, national representative survey which was conducted from September 27 and December 20, 2022 in ten regions and two city administrations. Data collection in the eleventh region, i.e., Tigray region, was carried out separately from December 28, 2023 to February 14, 2024, due to contextual constraints. The survey covered 441 enumeration areas within 11 regional states and two city administrations. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed to select the eligible households and a total of 9,157 household were selected. Data were collected through face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as frequency with percentages and mean with standard deviations were employed to describe participants’ characteristics. Bivariate analysis was conducted to assess the association between treatment seeking behavior and independent variables. Mixed effects logistic regression was employed to determine predictors of treatment seeking behavior. Results A total of 2030 (18.02%) household heads experienced at least one perceived morbidity in the past 12 months prior to the survey date. Of these, 776(16.21%) were urban and 1254(18.71%) were rural residents. About 1793(89.4% with 95%CI: 3.76, 3.80) sought treatment to their perceived morbidity. In the multivariable analysis, Afar (AOR=0.47; 95%CI: 0.35, 0.64), Amhara(AOR=0.45; 95%CI: 0.33, 0.61), Oromia(AOR=0.26; 95%CI:0.18, 0.38), Ethiopia Somali(AOR=0.31; 95%CI: 0.21, 0.46), Benishangul-Gumuz (AOR=0.13; 95%CI: 0.09, 0.19), SNNPR(AOR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.37, 0.70), Sidama(AOR=0.59; 95%CI: 0.40, 0.87), South west-Ethiopia(AOR=0.23; 95%CI: 15, 35), Harari(AOR=0.29; 95%CI: 19, 45), and Dire Dawa(AOR=0.80; 95%CI: 0.53, 1.00) were found to be less likely to seek treatment to their perceived morbidity compared to Tigray regional state while Gambela was 2.7 (95%CI:2.07, 3.63) times more likely to seek treatment compared to Tigray regional state. Other factors associated with treatment seeking behavior were being male (AOR, 1.2; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.37), own agricultural land (AOR=1.6; 95%CI: 1.37, 1.80), safety net beneficiaries (AOR=1.5; 95%CI: 1.27, 1.86), self-rated health status (very poor, AOR=2.4; 95%CI: 1.53, 3.90; poor, AOR=5.6; 95%CI: 4.28, 7.44; Neutral, AOR=2.9; 95%CI: 2.21, 3.68; Good, AOR=1.9; 95%CI: 1.55, 2.40) showed statistically significant association. Conclusion This study revealed that majority of the participants sought treatment from health facility for their perceived illness. However, there were significant disparities across the regions and participant characteristics. Thus, the study finding underscores the need for targeted interventions to address inequalities and identified barriers to enhance equitable health care utilization across the regions.

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Ethiopia, affecting more than two‑thirds of the population living in endemic regions. Although loc