Background. Minimum meal frequency, a proxy indicator for a child’s energy requirements, examines the number of times children received foods other than breast milk. Without adequate diversity and meal frequency, infants and young children are vulnerable to malnutrition, especially stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, and increased morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, only 45% of children had fed with an age-appropriate minimum meal frequency. Objective. The study was aimed to assess the minimal meal frequency practice, and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Amibara district, North East Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 07–May 23, 2018. Systematic random sampling technique was applied to select 367 children aged 6–23 months. The univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses model was used to identify potential predictors of meeting minimum meal frequency. All variables with P values <0.25 in the univariable analysis were taken to multivariable analysis, and variables at P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results. The study revealed a prevalence of minimum meal frequency 69.2% (95% CI: 0.64–0.74). Timely initiation of breastfeeding (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI (1.17, 4.18)), current breastfeeding status (AOR = 7.5, 95% CI (3.95, 14.4)), meeting minimum dietary diversity (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI (1.85, 7.44)), and household hunger scale (AOR = 5.3, 95% CI (1.5, 12.5)) were some of the significant predictors to achieve minimum meal frequency. Conclusion. The prevalence of minimum meal frequency practice is low in the study area. Current breastfeeding status, timely initiation of breastfeeding, no/little household hunger scale, and meeting minimum dietary diversity were found as significant predictors for minimum meal frequency practice. Mothers having children aged 6–23 months should be aware and practice appropriate infant and young child feeding practices including timely initiation of breastfeeding, breastfeeding till the child celebrate his/her second birthday, recommended meal frequency, and dietary diversity practice. In addition, households should be assessed and strengthened for food security.

Background. In low income countries, acute malnutrition continues to be the most important risk factor for illnesses and deaths. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months.Methods. A facility based unmatched case control study was employed on 420 (140 cases and 280 controls) children aged 6–59 months with their caregivers between January 20 and February 20, 2014. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. APvalue < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results. Children aged 12–23 months [AOR = 10.51, 95% CI = 4.93, 22.34], rural residence [AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.22, 4.79], illiterate father [AOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.32, 4.61], Monthly income of less than 1000 birr [AOR = 3.98, 95% CI 2.05, 7.69], and food served together with family [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.30] were associated with acute malnutrition.Conclusion. Rural residence, illiterate father, monthly income of less than 1000 birr, and food served together with family are statistically associated with acute malnutrition. Improving practices of parents on appropriate child feeding and creating awareness related to key risk factors of acute malnutrition should be further strengthened.

Background: Gender remains a critical social factor in reproductive, maternal, and child health and family planning (RMNCH/FP) care. However, its intersectionality with other social determinants of the RMNCH remains poorly documented. This study aimed to explore the influence of gender intersectionality on the access uptake of RMNCH/FP in Developing Regional States (DRS) in Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study to explore the intersectionality of gender with other social and structural factors and its influence on RMNCH/FP use in 20 selected districts in four DRS of Ethiopia. We conducted 20 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 32 in-depth and key informant interviews (IDIs/KIIs) among men and women of reproductive age who were purposively selected from communities and organizations in different settings. Audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Findings: Women in the DRS were responsible for the children and families’ health care and information, and household chores, whereas men mainly engaged in income generation, decision making, and resource control. Women who were overburdened with household chores were not involved in decision-making, and resource control was less likely to incur transport expenses and use RMNCH/FP services. FP was less utilized than antenatal, child, and delivery services in the DRS,as it was mainly affected by the sociocultural, structural, and programmatic intersectionality of gender. The women-focused RMNCH/FP education initiatives that followed the deployment of female frontline health extension workers (HEWs) created a high demand for FP among women. Nonetheless, the unmet need for FP worsened as a result of the RMNCH/FP initiatives that strategically marginalized men, who often have resource control and decision-making virtues that emanate from the sociocultural, religious, and structural positions they assumed. Conclusions: Structural, sociocultural, religious, and programmatic intersectionality of gender shaped access to and use of RMNCH/FP services. Men’s dominance in resource control and decision-making in sociocultural-religious affairs intersected with their poor engagement in health empowerment initiatives that mainly engaged women set the key barrier to RMNCH/FP uptake. Improved access to and uptake of RMNCH would best result from gender-responsive strategies established through a systemic understanding of intersectional gender inequalities and through increased participation of men in RMNCH programs in the DRS of Ethiopia.

Background: Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; affecting More than 415 million people. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to assess the determinants of being overweight among Type 2 Diabetic patients attending diabetic clinics of public Hospitals in the Awusi resu zone of Afar region, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based unmatched case–control study design was conducted from May 5 to June 5/2021 by systematic random sampling 286 study participants were involved in the study (96 cases and 190 controls); Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the best model of factors leading to overweight. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used as a measure of association. Results: Those who have attended college and above have an AOR; of 10.30 CI: (4.16– 25.50) ten times higher odds of being overweight when compared to those unable/able to read. Only those who have a family history of diabetes AOR: 3.10 CI (1.04– 9.30) have three folds of being overweight when compared to their counterparts. Of those who use insulin for controlling blood glucose (AOR: 0.14 CI (0.03– 0.74) 96% at less likely to be overweight compared to those who use exercise. Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, educational level, Family History, and type of blood glucose controlling mechanism were important predictors of overweight on T2DM. Moreover the diabetes patients were recommended to use insulin for controlling blood glucose.

Suboptimal complementary feeding remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, particularly among pastoralist and agro‐pastoral communities where mobile livelihoods hinder access to conventional health services. In these settings, numerous studies have highlighted the potential of leveraging culturally embedded leadership structures to enhance health promotion efforts. This study examined whether engaging traditional Dala leaders as agents of Nutrition Behavior Change Communication (DALA‐BCC) could improve complementary feeding indicators among infants and young children in the agro‐pastoral areas of northern Ethiopia. A cluster‐randomized controlled trial was conducted in Dubti District, Afar Region, involving 16 non‐adjacent clusters randomly assigned to intervention and control arms (eight each). A total of 474 mother–infant pairs (237 per arm) were enrolled at 6–17 months of age and followed over 6 months. Over a 6‐month period, the intervention group received DALA‐BCC delivered by Dala leaders, consisting of monthly group sessions and cooking demonstrations during the first 3 months, followed by home‐based individualized counseling from Month 3 to Month 6, while the control group continued usual care. Core infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were measured at baseline and endline. At end line, the intervention group achieved higher rates of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) (39.7% vs. 24.7%; p = 0.001), minimum meal frequency (MMF) (67.9% vs. 47.6%; p < 0.001), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) (28.6% vs. 12.1%; p < 0.001). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis showed significant time × group interactions, indicating greater improvements in the intervention group for MDD (RR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.35–4.39), MMF (RR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.25–3.48), and MAD (RR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.10–5.04). The findings demonstrate that the DALA‐BCC intervention significantly improved complementary feeding practices, highlighting the effectiveness of culturally grounded, community‐led nutrition strategies in Agro‐pastoral settings. Trial Registration: PACTR202311816542918. Registered 10 November 2023.

Background: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are critical for child growth and survival, yet they are strongly shaped by sociocultural and livelihood contexts. In pastoralist settings, feeding practices are influenced by traditional beliefs, mobility, environmental constraints and access to health services. However, limited evidence exists on how community norms and social structures influence IYCF in remote pastoralist communities of Ethiopia. Objective: This study aimed to explore maternal and community perspectives on IYCF practices in the pastoralist communities of Afar Region, Ethiopia. Design: Qualitative observational study using a phenomenological approach. Setting: Pastoralist communities in the Afar Region, Ethiopia. Participants: 16 mothers of children aged 6–23 months participated in in-depth interviews, and 20 community members (religious leaders, elders and clan leaders) participated in three focus group discussions. Methods: Participants were purposively selected. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group guides, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Results: Four interrelated themes shaped IYCF practices. Cultural rituals and elder authority influenced breastfeeding initiation, particularly following home births, where pre-lacteal feeding linked to the Onor/Onqor ritual was described as delaying initiation. Although awareness of exclusive breastfeeding was commonly reported among participants, seasonal water supplementation and maternal workload limited consistent adherence. Complementary feeding was generally introduced at 6 months; however, dietary diversity was constrained by pastoral livelihood instability, drought, market inaccessibility and rising food prices. Gendered household dynamics shaped resource control and caregiving responsibilities, with women bearing primary responsibility for childcare, feeding and hygiene. Clan-based social networks provided support during hardship but also reinforced some traditional feeding practices. Conclusions: IYCF practices in pastoralist Afar are shaped by cultural norms, gender relations and structural constraints, including livelihood insecurity and limited service access. Interventions should integrate culturally responsive community engagement with gender-sensitive and livelihood-informed nutrition strategies.