Immunization remains one of the most important and cost-effective public health interventions to reduce child mortality and morbidity. Globally, it is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. In Ethiopia, immunization coverage rates stagnated and remained very low for many years. Thus, this study was aimed to assess child immunization coverage and factors associated with full vaccination among children aged 12–23 months in Mizan Aman town. The study design was community-based cross-sectional survey. Data was collected by using pretested structured questionnaire. A total of 322 mothers/caretakers were interviewed. Based on vaccination card and mothers/caretakers’ recall, 295 (91.6%) of the children took at least a single dose of vaccine. From total children, 27 (8.4%) were not immunized at all, 159 (49.4%) were partially immunized, and 136 (42.2%) were fully immunized. Mothers/caretakers educational level, fathers’ educational level, place of delivery, maternal health care utilization, and mothers/caretakers knowledge about vaccine and vaccine-preventable disease showed significant association with full child immunization. The finding from this study revealed that child immunization coverage in the studied area was low. Thus the town health office and concerned stakeholders need to work more to improve performance of the expanded program on immunization in this area.

Background: Even if anemia is a worldwide public health problem affecting numerous people in all age groups, particularly the burden of the problem is higher among pregnant women. Anemia is estimated to contribute to more than 115,000 maternal deaths and 591,000 prenatal deaths globally per year. Maternal mortality is the prime health indicator in any society. Therefore, this study aimed at determining prevalence of anemia and assessing associated factors among pregnant women which might help for intervention and further study. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in Mizan Tepi University teaching Hospital, South West Ethiopia. Materials and methods: Institutional based crosssectional study was conducted at antenatal care (ANC) departments of Mizan-Tepi university teaching hospital (MTUTH) from April 3 to May 3, 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the appropriate study unit. The data was collected using questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory investigation. Data was entered, cleaned and checked using Epi Info version 3.5.3 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed associated factors. Finally, the result was presented using frequency tables, figures and graph. Results and discussion: The overall prevalence of anemia using a cut off level of hemoglobin <11 g/dl (<33% Haematocrit) was 23.5% (72 /306). Out of all anemic pregnant women about 59.7% (43/72) were mildly anemic, 33.3% (24/72) were moderately anemic and 7% (5/72) were severely. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that previous chronic diseases with (AOR=6.695 CI [1.5, 29.8]), knowledge about anemia (AOR=0.216, CI [0.090-0.516]), excessive menstrual bleeding (AOR=3.361, CI [1.375, 8.217], history of malaria attack (AOR=7.936, CI: [3.807, 16.546]) and history of abortion (AOR=4.562, CI: [ 2.212, 9.412]) had significant association with anemia. Conclusion and recommendation: The finding on the prevalence of anemia obtained from this study emphasized the need for continuous strengthening of interventions on factors associated with anemia. Thus, awareness creation should be promoted through the strengthened health education on risk factors. Similarly it would be better if concerned stakeholders work on increasing the knowledge of pregnant women about anemia and its consequence as well preventive methods.

Assessment of healthcare waste generation rate and its management system in health centers of Bench Maji Zone

Background: Every institution which provides food for a large group of consumers has the responsibility to keep the safety and wholesomeness of food otherwise it may result outbreaks of food borne illness. The most identified contributing factors of food borne illness in mass catering establishments were cross contamination, dirty work environment and poor personal hygiene practice by food handlers. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the sanitary conditions of catering establishments and food safety knowledge and practices of food handlers in Addis Ababa University students’ cafeterias. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January, 2014 to May, 2014. A total of 12 student catering establishments from 7 campuses were studied for sanitary condition of premises and a total of 302 food handlers were assessed for knowledge and practice statuses. For data collection questionnaires and appropriate checklists were used. Bacteriological examination was made from all catering premises following appropriate standard procedures. The data was entered by using EPI INFO version 3.5.1 and cleaned before transferring to SPSS version 17 statistical packages which was used for data management and analysis. Results: Majority, 212(70.2%), of food handlers were females and their median age were 29. Among the 302 subjects, 197 (65.2%) of them had food hygiene training. All, 302 (100%), of food handlers were literate and 283 (93.7%) of them had adequate knowledge of food borne diseases. Twelve of premises had a clean wall and ceiling in their kitchen and dining rooms. Similarly all premises had openable window, adequate light and adequate ventilation. E. coli were not identified at all and in 1 (2.8%) of swabbed utensils S. aureus were identified. Practice scores revealed that 52.3% of food handlers had a poor food handling practice. Conclusion: This study revealed that the repair and sanitary conditions of premises were in a good condition. Nearly half of food handlers had a poor food handling practice. Provision of training and basic sanitary facilities by management is recommended

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis remain widely prevalent in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of STH and schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Republic, Southwest Ethiopia) and the association with knowledge and health-related behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Stool samples, analyzed by the Kato-Katz technique and a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, were collected. Results: Out of 611 participants (mean age 12.8±3.1 y), 129 (21.1%) were infected with schistosomiasis and 382 (62.5%) had STH. More than 30% (n=195, 31.9%) were infected with a single intestinal parasite, while 138 (22.6%) and 47 (7.7%) were infected with two or three parasitic infections, respectively. Boys and those who did not participate in school clubs had higher infection rates (p=0.05). Lower parasitic infection was associated with using a latrine when available, washing hands and vegetables and wearing shoes regularly. Higher rates of infection were found among those who reported swimming and washing cloths and utensils in the river regularly. Conclusions: Schistosomiasis and STH were highly prevalent among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district. Infection rates were associated with gender, lack of knowledge on parasitic infections and unhealthy behaviors. Findings from this study may assist in decision making regarding disease prevalence and methods of control alongside mass drug administration.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), remains a public health problem in Ethiopia. Freshwater snails, acting as intermediate hosts, release cercariae, the infectious parasite, into the water, which penetrate human skin that encounters infested waters. The objective of this study was to map snail abundance along rivers and study its association with schistosomiasis infection in communities using these rivers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at 20 river sites in Mizan Aman city administration, Bench Sheko zone, South West Ethiopia Peoples (SWEP) region, Ethiopia, to study the distribution of host snails and transmission sites for intestinal schistosomiasis. This study used a quantitative database consisting of data on the prevalence of infected snails, the characteristics of rivers and riverbanks, and the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the community, based on stool samples collected from community members near the sampling sites. Results: Aquatic snails were found in 11 of the 20 sites sampled. A total of 598 snails was collected, including Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Biomphalaria sudanica, Radix natalensis and Bulinus globosus species; the most abundant species was Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Stool samples were collected from 206 community members from all 20 sites. Forty-one (19.9%) were positive for Schistosoma mansoni. A positive correlation was found between the presence of snails and positive stool samples (r = 0.60, p = 0.05) and between the presence of infected snails and the prevalence of infection (r = 0.64, p = 0.03). Locations with muddy riverbanks were associated with the presence of snails (r = 0.81, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results emphasize the importance of mapping snails for the control of schistosomiasis by defining hotspots of infection and identifying factors associated with the presence of infected snails. The results support the need for a continuous mapping of snails and the introduction of snail control as a major element for the successful control of schistosomiasis in endemic communities.