Objective: The health belief model specifies that individuals’ perceptions about particular behavior can predict the performance of respective behavior. So far, the model has been used to explain why people did not follow COVID-19 preventive behavior. Although we are using it, to our best knowledge, its predictive ability in COVID-19 preventive behavior is unexplored. So, this review aimed to assess the model’s predictive ability and identify the most frequently related construct. Method: A systematic review was conducted to examine the predictive ability of health belief model in COVID-19 preventive behavior using research done all over the world. Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines were used. Comprehensive literature was searched using databases such as PubMed, Google scholar, and African Online Journal to retrieve related articles. Descriptive analyses such as the proportion of studies that better explained COVID-19 prevention behavior and the significance ratio of each construct of the model were made. Result: Overall, 1552 articles were retrieved using a search strategy and finally 32 articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria undergo the review. We found that in the majority (87.5%) of the studies health belief model has a good predictive ability of COVID-19-related behavior. Overall the explained variance for health belief model ranged from 6.5% to 90.1%. The perceived benefit was the most frequently significant predictor; highest significance ratio (96.7%) followed by self-efficacy, cues to action perceived barrier, susceptibility, and severity in decreasing order. Conclusion: Health belief model has a good predictive ability of COVID-19-related behavior in the majority of reviewed studies. The perceived benefit was the most frequently significant predictor of COVID-19-related behavior. Professionals who are in need can effectively use health belief model in planning and designing interventions to prevent and control the pandemic.

Determination of infection rates of snail populations is one of the basic tools for epidemiological studies of snail borne diseases. In this study, we opted to determine the trematode infection of freshwater snails in the Omo-Gibe River Basin, southwest Ethiopia. We collected snail samples from 130 observation sites in lakes, wetlands, rivers, reservoirs and irrigation canals surveyed during the dry season (March to May) in 2016. The snail samples were examined for trematode infections by cercarial shedding immediately after collection. Habitat conditions, water quality, human water contact practices and other human activities were assessed at each survey site. A redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to examine the relationship between cercarial infection and environmental variables. The statistical significance of eigenvalues and cercariae-environment correlations generated by the RDA were tested using Monte Carlo permutations at 499 permutations. A total of 3107 snails belonging to five species were collected. The most abundant species was Biomphalaria pfeifferi, representing 66% of the total collection. Overall, 109 (3.6%) of the snails were found infected with trematodes (cercariae). Biomphalaria pfeifferi was found to be the most highly infected, accounting 85% of all infected snails. A total of eight morphologically different types of cercariae were recorded, which included: Echinostoma cercariae, brevifurcate apharyngeate distome cercariae, amphistome cercariae, brevifurcate apharyngeate monostome cercariae, xiphidiocercariae, longifurcate pharyngeate distome cercariae, strigea cercariae and unidentified cercariae. Brevifurcate apharyngeate distome cercariae, and Echinostoma cercariae were the most abundant cercariae, accounting for 36 and 34% of all infection, respectively. The mean concentration of water conductivity and 5 days biological oxygen demand were higher in irrigation canals and lake sampling points. Human activities such as open field defecation, urination, livestock grazing, farming, and swimming were highly correlated with trematode infection. The abundance, occurrence and infection rates of snail species were largely influenced by water physicochemical quality, sanitation and water contact behaviour of the inhabitants. Human activities, such as open field defecation and urination, livestock grazing, farming, and swimming were important predictors of the abundance of cercariae. Therefore, awareness creation should be implemented for proper containment of excreta (urine and faeces) and reducing human and animal contacts with surface waters to reduce snail-borne disease transmission.

Regular breast self-examination is the most cost-effective method for early detection of breast cancer, especially in resource-limited countries. However, breast self-examination practice was low among reproductive-age women.Objective: This study aims to evaluate breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women of reproductive age in southeast Ethiopia.Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study design was conducted on 836 women of reproductive age. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for the quantitative part of the study and supplemented by focus group discussions. A database was created using Epi-info version 3.5.3, and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were done to examine the effect of explanatory variables. Variables with p-value <0.05 during multivariable logistic regressions were considered as significantly associated with the dependent variable. Thematic data analysis was carried out for the qualitative study.Result: Out of 836 total participants, only 20.7% had ever heard about breast self-examination practice. Also, only 13.2% of the mothers had practiced breast self-examinations. Even though the majority of the participants during focused group discussions had knowledge about breast cancer screening, most of them stated that breast self-examination was not practiced among them. Maternal age, mother’s level of education, and previous history of breast examination by health professionals were significant predictors of breast self-examination practices.Conclusion: This study reported a low prevalence of breast self-examination practice. Therefore, enhancing women’s education and encouraging breast examination by health professionals are essential to increase the proportion of women performing breast self-examination.

Objectives People’s adherence to preventive practices for COVID-19 is fundamental to controlling the transmission of the virus. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing adherence to preventive practices for COVID-19 and associated factors among the general population in Gurage zone, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess preventive practices and associated factors for COVID-19 among adults in the Gurage zone. The study is based on health belief model constructs. The study involved 398 participants. A multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit study participants. An interviewer-administered, close-ended, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of the outcome variable. Results The overall adherence to all recommended preventive behaviours of COVID-19 was 17.7%. The majority of respondents (73.1%) practice at least one of the recommended preventive behaviours for COVID-19. Among adults’ COVID-19 preventive behaviours score, wearing a face mask was the highest (82.3%) and social distancing was the lowest (35.4%). Residence adjusted OR (AOR)) 3.42 (95% CI 1.6 to 7.31), marital status AOR 0.33 (95% CI (0.15 to 0.71)), knowledge of the absence/presence of the COVID-19 vaccine AOR 0.45 (95% CI (0.21 to 0.95)) and self-rated level of knowledge as poor AOR 0.052 (95% CI 0.036 to 0.18) and self-rated level of knowledge as not bad AOR 0.14 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.82) were significantly associated with social distancing practice. Factors affecting other COVID-19 preventive behaviours are described in the ‘Results’ section. Conclusion Prevalence of good adherence to recommended preventive behaviours for COVID-19 was very low. Residence, marital status, knowledge of vaccine presence, knowledge of curative drug presence, knowledge of the incubation period, the self-rated level of knowledge and perceived risk to be infected with COVID-19 are significantly associated factors with adherence to preventive behaviours.

Background: Globally, acute viral hepatitis (AVH) causes an estimated 1.5 million new infections annually among children under five, with sub‐Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate burden. In Ethiopia, the Global Burden of Disease Study reported an age‐standardized incidence rate of 3616 per 100,000 population across all ages in 2019, with children under five being especially vulnerable to fecal–oral transmission. Despite available vaccines for Hepatitis B and preventive measures for Hepatitis A and E, comprehensive national data on long‐term trends and subnational disparities in this age group remained limited. Methods: We used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study to assess the burden of AVH among children under five in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2023. Estimates were disaggregated by region, sex, and hepatitis type. The burden of AVH was described in terms of incidence and years of life lost across all regions in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2023. Each metric was reported with numbers and rates per 100,000 population, along with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Statistical significance was evaluated based on a 95% UI. Results: This study examined trends in AVH incidence and premature mortality among Ethiopian children under five from 1990 to 2023. The analysis revealed a statistically significant national decline in hepatitis B incidence, with an annualized rate of change of −0.68% (95% UI: −0.72, −0.63) per year. However, the overall acute hepatitis incidence showed only a modest decline of −0.07% (95% UI: −0.10, −0.05) per year, as declines in Hepatitis B were offset by stagnant rates of Hepatitis A and E. The most substantial regional decreases in Hepatitis B occurred in Addis Ababa and Southwest Ethiopia. Premature mortality, measured in years of life lost, also showed significant improvement, decreasing at an annual rate of −0.52% (95% UI: −0.79, −0.08) per year nationally. While these positive trends were observed, most variation between regions and across sexes did not reach statistical significance, indicating relatively consistent progress across different demographic groups and geographic areas. Conclusion: The observed decline in Hepatitis B incidence is likely attributable to the introduction of the Hepatitis B vaccination program, while the persistent burden of Hepatitis A and E probably reflects ongoing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges. To build on this progress and address persistent inequities, targeted vaccination campaigns in high‐burden regions must be combined with comprehensive water and sanitation improvements, alongside regionally adapted healthcare strategies. Evidence Before This Study: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the GBD repository for studies published from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2023, using the terms “acute viral hepatitis,” “children,” “under‐five,” “incidence,” “mortality,” and “Ethiopia.” Previous studies were limited to localized, short‐term outbreaks or single‐center reports. No comprehensive national time‐trend analysis quantifying the long‐term burden and premature mortality of AVH in Ethiopian children under five was identified. Added Value of This Study: This is the first study to provide detailed, nationally representative estimates of the incidence and mortality due to AVH among children under five in Ethiopia over 33 years (1990–2023). We present subnational disparities, analyze trends, and examine the association with sociodemographic development. Implications of All the Available Evidence: The persistently high burden of AVH, driven largely by Hepatitis A and E, is a preventable cause of child mortality in Ethiopia. The evidence underscores the critical gap in preventive measures and calls for policy action integrating WASH improvements with vaccination strategy to achieve SDG targets for child survival.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease responsible for many preventable deaths and disabilities in Africa. This study determined the prevalence of schistosomiasis and the years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2023. Methods: The methods and estimates of the Global Burden of Diseases 2023 study were applied. Results: There were 22.3 million schistosomiasis cases (95% UI: 16.3, 28.5) in Ethiopia in 2023, which caused a total of 224,115 DALYs (95% UI: 133,037, 388,908). The age-standardized rates were estimated to be 21,254 prevalent cases per 100,000 population (95% UI: 15,825, 26,850), 163 YLDs per 100,000 population (95% UI: 80, 311), 65 YLLs per 100,000 population (95% UI: 56, 76), and 229 DALYs per 100,000 population (95% UI: 145, 375). The rates were highest in Tigray and Amhara, while the YLLs rate was highest in Afar. The lowest rates were in Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, and Somali. Adults aged 25–74 years were disproportionately affected. The prevalence and YLDs rates remained similar across the country between 1990 and 2023, except in Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz where the rates increased. In Gambella, they declined among males but increased among females. However, there was a decline in the rate of YLLs and DALYs. Conclusion: Progress in reducing the schistosomiasis burden has been uneven, with major gains in mortality-related outcomes but persistent and regionally increasing non-fatal burden. Implementing targeted, context-specific interventions is required to address demographic and regional variations.