Contraception is a good indicator of the extent to which couples have access to reproductive health services. Survey data on unmet need can provide overall direction by helping to pinpoint the obstacles in society and weaknesses in services that need to be overcome. This study is significant as it provides strong policy recommendations for the design and implementation of economic and non-economic interventions into family planning utilization by all eligible women. To Identify Predictors of Unmet Need of Family Planning in Ethiopia. A national level survey by performance monitoring and accountability (PMA 2020), which conducted between March and April 2016 among 7552 all women of 15–49 years were utilized. Stata® version13 were used for survey data for analysis using weighted frequency to give equal chances for enumeration areas represented. Binary and multivariate logistic regression employed. P-value < 0.05 were used to declare independent predictors of unmet need for family planning in Ethiopia. 7494 women responded to the interview giving response rate of 99.2%. Overall unmet need for family planning was 1, 214 (16.2%) of which 772 (10.3%) was for spacing and 450 (6.0%) for limiting. Overall unmet need was 540 (7.2%) in urban and 1431(19.1%) in rural areas of the Ethiopia. Statistically significant predictors with this were found to be women’s age 0.73 AOR [95% C.I 0.6–0.9], being lower wealth 0.22 AOR [95% C.I 0.07–0.6] as compared to lowest, parity 2.1 AOR [95% C.I 1.4–2.9], number of children at first use of contraceptive 1.1 AOR [95% C.I 1.03–1.19], having final say with provider 0.03 AOR [95% C.I 0.003–0.23] as compared with own decision making. Unmet need of family planning in Ethiopia was generally high especially with significant disparity in residence and regional states. Socio-demographic factors (age and wealth status) and obstetric factor (parity) were found to be significant factor. Informed decision making for provision of contraceptives and enhancing women’s awareness starting their childbearing life with family planning were recommended.

To improve a community's awareness and attitude towards cervical cancer, strong evidence is needed to inform contextually appropriate policies. This study aims to explore community awareness about cervical cancer from the perspective of women, men and health extension workers (HEWs). The research was conducted from May to July 2021 in Jimma, Ethiopia. A total of 23 in-depth interviews were conducted. The study included married and unmarried women (15–19 and 25–29 years old), men of similar ages (married and unmarried), and HEWs. Furthermore, eight separate focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with both men and women. Thematic analysis was used to draw findings from the interviews and FGDs. Community awareness about cervical cancer was very limited. However, people who knew of it believed that cancer is fatal. A few participants were aware of cervical cancer through its symptoms, but most people did not know it by name and had never heard about HPV as the cause of cervical cancer. There was little understanding of HPV risk, transmission factors, prevention, vaccination, screening, or treatment. Participants considered their participation in this study as their first chance to learn about the disease. HEWs had limited knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer. Study participants demonstrated favorable attitudes towards HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and treatment after they received basic information about cervical cancer from the data collectors. Participants and HEWs strongly suggested awareness creation programs for the wider community members, including active involvement of men and HEWs in cervical cancer interventions. There is a critical information gap regarding cervical cancer, its cause and risk factors, HPV transmission, cervical screening, and treatment programs. Limited community awareness leads to poor uptake of cervical screening in the few settings where it is available. Therefore, community awareness programs about HPV, cervical cancer, and available services should improve the community's awareness of cervical cancer and HPV.

BACKGROUND: Risky sexual behavior increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted disease including HIV and other reproductive health problems.There have been varying assumptions and different reported result explaining the relationship between risky sexual behavior and wealth. This review was intended to examine the disparity of risky sexual behavior among the two extremes of wealth in sub-Saharan African countries. METHOD: This study reviewed demographic and health survey reports of sub-Saharan African countries. We excluded older reports and reports published in languages other than English. Finally, reports from 16 countries were considered for review. Data were entered in excel and transported to stata for analysis. Metaprop and Metan command were used to compute proportions and odds ratio. Standard chi-square and I square tests were used to assess heterogeneity. RESULT: Pooled prevalence of having multiple sexual partner ranges from 2 to 12%. Over 80% of the countries reported that more than half of the individuals did not use condom at their last risky sexual intercourse. Poorest females were 0.62 [OR: 0.62, 95% CI (0.50, 0.78)] times less likely to have multiple sexual partners than males. Both males and females from the poorest wealth quantile had higher odds of not using condom at their last risky sexual intercourse, 1.41 [OR: 1.41, 95% CI (1.29, 1.53)], 1.41 [OR: 1.46, 95% CI (1.23, 1.73)], respectively. CONCLUSION: Multiple sexual partners is relatively low in the region. Condom non-use is high in both genders. Additionally, poorest males and females were at higher risk of not using a condom at last risky sexual intercourse.

Background Childhood is a period marked by dynamic growth. Evidence of the association between childhood linear growth and school achievement comes mostly from cross-sectional data. We assessed associations between birth length, childhood linear growth velocities, and stunting with school achievement. Methods Newborns were recruited into the Ethiopian infant Anthropometry and Body Composition (iABC) birth cohort and followed from birth to 10 years. Velocities from 0 to 6 years were computed using linear spline mixed effect modelling. Stunting (height-for-age < -2 z-scores) was assessed at the ages of 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 years. School achievement was measured by having a high (>= 80%) combined high math, English, and science (MES) score and being at appropriate grade-for-age. Logistic regression models assessed associations between birth length, linear growth velocities and stunting with school achievement. Results Children's mean age was 9.8 years (standard deviation, SD 1.0, range 7-12 years). A 1 SD greater birth length increased the odds of achieving a high MES combined score by 1.42 (95% CI: 0.99, 2.03). A 1 SD increase in linear growth velocity from 6 to 24 months increased the odds of being in the appropriate grade-for-age by 1.66 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.43). Stunting at ages 4 and 6 years was associated with lower odds of achieving a high MES combined score: 0.43 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.93) and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.89), respectively. Faster post-natal linear growth was not associated with school achievement. Conclusion Greater birth length and higher growth velocity from 6 to 24 months were associated with higher school achievement and being in the appropriate grade-for-age, respectively. Children who experienced growth failure were less likely to achieve a high MES score. Interventions aimed at improving school achievement should address maternal and fetal nutrition and health, and monitor post-natal growth.

Background: Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia because of limited screening and delayed diagnosis, resulting in high mortality. Most patients present with advanced-stage disease, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the World Health Organization’s 90%–70%–90% strategy, screening coverage is low, and access to treatment remains inadequate. This study assessed the clinicopathologic characteristics and predictors of treatment uptake among cervical cancer patients managed at Jimma University Medical Center in southwest Ethiopia to inform evidence-based interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jimma University Medical Center, including all women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer between April 2019 and October 2024. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, pathology, and outcomes were collected using a pretested tool and entered into REDCap. Missing outcome data were supplemented through telephone interviews. Multiple imputation was used for missing explanatory variables ( n = 20 datasets). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 17, univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of treatment uptake. Result: Among the 719 women with cervical cancer, most were illiterate, grand multiparous, and from rural areas. Postmenopausal bleeding and pelvic pain were the most common presenting symptoms. Over two-thirds experienced delays in seeking care exceeding 90 days, and only 16% had a history of prior cervical cancer screening. Of the 709 patients with documented stage, 78.4% presented with advanced disease (stage IIB–IV)), while 21.6% were diagnosed at an early stage (stage I–IIA). Chemoradiotherapy was the main treatment modality, while surgery was rarely performed. Treatment uptake was higher among women younger than 55 years (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.08–4.75) and those with formal education (OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.25–8.70), whereas women diagnosed at stage IV were significantly less likely to receive treatment (OR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03–0.43). Conclusion: These findings underscore the need to strengthen culturally appropriate community awareness and expand accessible screening programmes, particularly in rural areas, to improve timely treatment and outcomes for women in middle age. Vaccination and palliative care services should also be integrated into comprehensive cervical cancer care.

This study aimed to identify linear growth trajectories from 0 to 5 years and assess their associations with cognitive function and school achievement in Ethiopian children aged 10 years. Latent class trajectory modelling was used to identify distinct height-for-age (HAZ) trajectories. Cognitive function was assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, while school achievement was measured by math, English and science (MES) combined scores and grade-for-age. Associations were assessed using multiple linear or logistic regressions. We identified four distinct HAZ trajectories. Decreasing trajectory ( n 145, 31·9 %) started high at birth but dropped sharply. The increasing-decreasing trajectory ( n 196, 43·2 %) increased up to 3 months, followed by a decrease. The stable low ( n 74, 16·3 %) had low HAZ at birth, followed by a slight decrease. The rising trajectory ( n 39, 8·6 %) started low but then increased to HAZ above, yet close to zero. At 10 years, children in the rising trajectory had 4·54 (95 % CI: −0·45, 9·55, P = 0·075) higher MES combined score and 2·4 times (95 % CI: 1·12, 5·15, P = 0·025) higher odds of being in the appropriate grade-for-age compared to those in the increasing-decreasing trajectory. The association between stable low and decreasing trajectory with appropriate grade-for-age had odds ratio close to null. In conclusion, we found that three of the four linear growth trajectory classes showed a declining pattern. Data suggest that greater linear growth in early childhood may be associated with higher school achievement and better cognitive function.