Background: Low contraception usage among adolescents is a significant public health issue, leading to a rise in unintended pregnancies and adolescent childbearing in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite global efforts to improve access to contraception, sexually active adolescents and young women in East Africa are often overlooked, exposing them to substantial health risks. This study explored the factors influencing contraceptive use among unmarried and sexually active adolescents and young women in East African countries. Methods: National representative data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey for eight East African countries were used in the analysis. Data processing and analysis were performed using STATA 17 software. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression was used to identify determinants of contraceptive use at p<0.05. Results: A total of 7813 sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women were considered for the final analysis. Among these young women, 24.9% were using a contraceptive method. Age, place of residence, knowledge of contraceptive methods, employment status and educational attainment were identified as significant determining factors of contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women (aged 15–24 y) in East Africa. Conclusions: Contraceptive utilization among sexually active unmarried adolescents and young women was relatively low in East African countries. Addressing the existing inequalities in access to contraceptive services for rural adolescents and young women in East African countries is crucial. Prioritizing policies that implement comprehensive sexual education is essential to enhance their knowledge of contraceptives and empower them to make informed decisions.

Background: The prevalence of unmet need for contraception is the highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Contraceptive use among young married or unmarried women is lower than that among older women in developing countries. Previous studies generalized the findings to all women of reproductive age and have not investigated psychosocial factors that influence contraceptive use. This study aimed to identify factors associated with unmet need for contraception among young married women in the Haramaya Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), eastern Ethiopia.Methodology: A cross-sectional, community-based study of young married women aged 15–24 years was conducted. A simple random sampling method was used to select 550 young married women. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), factors associated with unmet need for contraception were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results: The overall prevalence of unmet need for contraception was 154 (30.3%). Adolescents (15–19) (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.16–3.62), husbands' negative attitude toward contraception (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.05–4.46), and no previous use of contraception (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 2.29–6.71) were significantly and positively associated with unmet need for contraception. On the contrary, young women with secondary education or higher (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.28–1.084) were negatively and significantly associated with unmet need for contraception.Conclusion: The prevalence of unmet need for contraception among young women in Haramaya was high. Unmet need was affected by age, husbands' attitude toward contraceptives, the educational status of women, and previous use of contraception. This study underscored the need to improve girls' educational status to empower them in making contraceptive use decisions with their partners. Programs should also engage male partners who are perceived as key decision-makers when it comes to contraceptive use.

Adolescent overweight and obesity are growing public health concerns in developing nations like Ethiopia. They are closely linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, a deterioration in health-related quality of life, subpar academic performance, and a decline in social and emotional well-being. There is, however, little research in this field. Thus, this study aimed to assess overweight and obesity and associated factors among public and private secondary school adolescent students in Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia. A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 781 secondary school adolescents in Harar city from February to March 2022. Multi-stage sampling was used to identify 781 study participants (586 in public and 195 in private schools). Anthropometric measures and self-administered structured questionnaires were used to obtain the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the association between independent variables and overweight and obesity. Statistical significance was declared at P < .05. The overall magnitude of overweight and obesity was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.2–11.4%] with 16.2% in private schools. Being female [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.17–3.55], late adolescent age [AOR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31–0.90], bigger family size [AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31–0.97], high paternal education level [AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.08–3.81], eating meat [AOR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.27–9.17] and not consuming breakfast daily [AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.24–3.67] were factors associated with overweight and obesity among all secondary school adolescents. A high maternal educational level, not eating breakfast and dinner daily in private secondary school adolescents and having a feminine gender, eating eggs, and not walking or riding a bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously in public secondary school adolescents were factors associated with overweight and obesity. The extent of overweight and obesity was notably higher in the study area. Communities and educational institutions should work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents, with a special emphasis on girls and students enrolled in private schools.

Background: Pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Despite its substantial impact, there exists a dearth of evidence regarding treatment outcomes and related factors, particularly within the Ethiopian context. This study endeavors to address these critical gaps by examining the treatment outcome of pneumonia among pediatric patients hospitalized in the Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital.Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 204 children (≤14 years of age) diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to the Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital. An interview using a structured questionnaire accompanied by a review of medical records was used to collect data from the parents/guardians. A binary logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the associated factors with the outcome variable. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis.Result: Among the 204 children (≤14 years) included in the study, 119 (93.6%, 95% CI: 90.2–96.9) patients with pneumonia survived whereas 13 (6.4%, 95% CI: 3.1–9.7) died. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjustments for potential confounders, revealed that children who had malnutrition (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 2.37–12.44), were unvaccinated (AOR = 3.41, 95% CI: 2.25–11.87), had altered mental states during admission (AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 2.28–17.85), and had complicated types of pneumonia (AOR = 5.70, 95% CI: 2.98–15.09) were independently associated with mortality.Conclusion: Poor treatment outcome was 6.4% among pediatric patients admitted with pneumonia in this study setting. Being unvaccinated, malnourished, and admitted with a complicated type of pneumonia as well as having altered consciousness at the time of admission were significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes. These findings underscore the critical need to prioritize preventative measures against malnutrition and unvaccinated status in children. Early identification of such children and proper interventions are imperative to reducing such outcomes, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Although teenage pregnancy causes a considerable challenge to young women, studies among sexually active teenagers and the influence of peers on teenage pregnancy are not widely available. This study aims to determine the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and the association between peer pressure and other factors of teenage pregnancy in Dire Dawa secondary school, Eastern Ethiopia. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 677 identified sexually active students from selected schools. Census was conducted on 2260 teenagers to identify sexually active teenagers using a stage cluster sampling technique. Sexually active teenagers were recruited using a simple random sampling method. Data was entered into EpiData-version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 16 for analysis. Modified passion regression was done to assess the association between of teenage pregnancy and predictor variables and significantly associated at p-value < 0.05. Out of the total sexually active females 135 (19.9%) were pregnant. Teenage pregnancy was higher among teenagers in the 18–19 (APR = 3.21, 95% CI: 2.10–5.18) age group, living with either of their biological parents (APR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.29–2.69) and neither of the biological parents (APR = 2.7 95% CI: 1.39–3.34), teenagers who had sex due to peer pressure (APR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.51–2.86) and not knowing the ovation time in the menstrual cycle (APR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.07–2.28). Teenage pregnancy is lower among teens who have good parent-daughter interaction (APR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.50–0.91). Nearly one-fifth of the students experienced teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is higher amongst the age group of 18–19, living with either or neither of the parents, having sex due to peer pressure, not knowing the ovulation time, and lower among teens with good parent-daughter interaction. Teenage pregnancy in Dire Dawa is influenced by a combination of individual, peer, and family-related factors. Addressing these through school-based programs, community involvement, and family-centered interventions is crucial to reducing teenage pregnancy rates.

Background: Although teenage pregnancy causes a considerable challenge to young women, studies among sexually active teenagers are not widely available. Studies have included both sexually active and not active teenagers in assessing teenage pregnancy which underestimated the actual prevalence. This study aims to determine the prevalence and related factors of teenage pregnancy among teenage girls in dire dawa administrative town, East Ethiopia. Methodology: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 677 identified sexually active students from selected schools. Pre-test was conducted on 35 female teenagers. One stage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Data was entered into EpiData-version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 16 for analysis. Modified Poisson regression was done to assess the association between outcome and predictor variables. Result: Out of the total sexually active females 135 (19.9%) were pregnant. Teenage pregnancy was higher among teenagers in the 18-19 (APR=3.21, 95% CI: 2.10-5.18) age group, living with either of their biological parents (APR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.29-2.69) and neither of the biological parents (APR=2.7 95% CI: 1.39-3.34), teenagers who had sex due to peer pressure (APR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.51- 2.86) and not knowing the ovation time in the menstrual cycle (APR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.07-2.28). Teenage pregnancy was lower among teens who have good parent-daughter interaction (APR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.50- 0.91). Conclusion: Nearly one-fifth of teenagers had experienced teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is higher amongst the age group of 18-19, living with either or neither of the parents, having sex due to peer pressure, not knowing the ovulation time in the menstrual cycle, and lower among teens with good parent-daughter interaction. Adolescent sexual and reproductive health education including safe sex practice has to be acknowledged in school and life skill training to enhance self-esteem among teens is essential to reduce teenage pregnancy.