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Tafesse Lamaro Abota,1,2 Fikre Enqueselassie Gashe2 ,†Negussie Deyessa Kabeta2 1Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, South West Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia†Professor Fikre Enqueselassie Gashe passed away on October 28, 2019.Correspondence: Tafesse Lamaro Abota Email lamaro.tafesse@yahoo.comObjective: Perinatal intimate partner violence affects the health and safety of postpartum women and their infants. However, it has not been well recognized and addressed in the study setting. Hence, this study aimed to explore postpartum women’s lived experiences of perinatal intimate partner violence and its contributing factors in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: A phenomenological study approach was used to explore postpartum women’s lived experiences of perinatal partner violence from January to March 2020. A total of twenty-two postnatal women and five health extension workers (HEWs) were interviewed. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim in local languages, and then translated into English. Data were analyzed thematically, using deductive and inductive coding. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (CORE-Q) checklist was followed to report the findings.Results: Results indicated that postpartum women had experienced recurrent violence before, during, and after pregnancy from their husbands, with 16 out of 22 women being subjected to perinatal intimate partner violence. A majority of the participants delineated their exposure to perinatal physical violence next to perinatal psychological violence. Many of the interviewed women noted that violence during pregnancy was exacerbated and increased during postpartum. Moreover, the interviewees revealed that some partners were not only a serious threat to their wives, but also their infants during the postpartum period. Four of the participants stated that their newborns were hit and thrown by their father and became unconscious. Participants linked husbands’ perinatal violence with suspicion about the newborn, male-child preference, partner infidelity and jealousy, contraceptives usage, alcohol consumptions, indifference to shortages on household necessities, improper parenting, and financial problems.Conclusion: This study highlights that postpartum women are experiencing continuous and severe forms of perinatal IPV in the study setting. Thus, community-level interventions that minimize perinatal partner violence against postnatal women and their infants are needed.Keywords: postpartum women, perinatal, violence, phenomenological, Ethiopia

IntroductionNumerous studies have explored an effect of cigarette smoking on tuberculosis treatment outcomes but with dissimilar conclusions.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of cigarette smoking on tuberculosis treatment outcomes.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane library and Google scholar databases were searched last on February 27, 2019. We applied the random-effects model for the analysis. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Egger's regression. Furthermore, we performed Orwin's Fail-Safe N and cumulative meta-analysis to check for small studies' effect.ResultsOut of 22 studies we included in the qualitative synthesis, 12 studies reported p-values less than 0.05 where smoking significantly favored poor treatment outcomes. The remaining 10 studies reported p-values larger than 0.05 implying that smoking does not affect the treatment outcomes. Twenty studies met the criteria for inclusion in a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that smoking significantly increased the likelihood of poor tuberculosis treatment outcomes by 51% (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.30 to 1.75 and I-square = 75.1%). In a sub-group analysis, the effect was higher for low- and middle-income countries (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.31 to 2.30) and upper-middle-income economies (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.98) than for high-income ones (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.75) even though the differences in the effects among the strata were not statistically significant as demonstrated by overlapping of confidence intervals of the effects. Meta-regression analysis, adjusted for income economies, found the effect of smoking has not significantly improved over the years (p = 0.92) and thus implying neither of the covariates were source of the heterogeneity. Egger's regression test indicated that publication bias is unlikely (p = 0.403).ConclusionCigarette smoking is significantly linked with poor tuberculosis treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND : In Ethiopia, maternal health service utilization is very low,especially postnatal care (PNC). The percentage of mothers who receive care within two days of childbirth has shown little progress, from 2.4% in 2000 to 13% in 2014. However, it is very far below the expected level as compared to other sub-Saharan regions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess PNC services utilization and its associated factors among married women in Benchi-Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia METHOD : A cross-sectional studywas conducted from June 15 to August 15, 2015. A total of 801 married women wassampled from randomly selected districts in the zone. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect, data and informed consent was obtained from participants. The collected data were entered into the computer using Epi-data version 3.0, and then exported to SPSS Windows version 20.0 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify important predictors of PNC utilization. RESULT : Out of 765 participants, 392(51.24%) of married women who attended PNC in this study. Out of them, more than two-third 305(77.8%) attended mainly to immunize their baby.The vast majority, 251(86.3%), of respondents mentioned lack of information as a main reason for not following PNC, and of them, the majority mentioned that they were appointed to come after 45 days for Family Planning(FP). In comparison with house wives, farmer women were less likely (AOR 0.3, 95 % CI 0.2-0.7) to attend for PNC. Awareness of problems during postnatal period showedthe strongest association in which those who knew the problems were about nine times (AOR 8.7 95 % CI 5.6-13.4) more likely to attend PNC. Similarly, married women who followedantenatal care (ANC) were more likely (AOR 2.2 95 % CI 1.1-4.6) to attend PNC in comparison with those who did not attend ANC at all. CONCLUSION : Residence, ANC follow-up, maternal occupation, awareness about problems of postnatal period had effects on use of PNC. In light of this study, providing deep counselling about PNC at the timeof ANC visit and discharge after delivery is strongly recommended. Furthermore, targeting more of rural married women may increase PNC utilization. KEYWORDS : PNC, Benchi-Maji, Southwest Ethiopia, Crosssectional study, Mizan-Tepi University

Background: Nearly 80% of the people with epilepsy are found in developing countries, where epilepsy remains a major public health problem, not only because of its health implications but also for its social, cultural, psychological and economic effects. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and attitude of Menit community in Benchi-Maji Zone as regards epilepsy. Methods: The study was conducted in Menit Goldia Province, one of the provinces of Bench-Maji Zone. Community based descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. Households were selected by using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected through pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was cleaned, coded and entered in to EPI data version 3.1. The data was cleaned and transported into SPSS for analysis. Results: Among the study participants, 808(97.1%) ever heard about epilepsy, 85.3% reported that epilepsy is a mental disease where as 40.6%, 49% and 49.4% respectively believed that it is hereditary, contagious, and God’s curse. Among the respondents, 252(30%) think that epileptics should be isolated from the community, 387(46.1%) and 336(40%) do not want to shake hands with epileptics and keep their children away from epileptic patients respectively. In this study, 85.6% and86.8% of the respondents were not knowledgeable about and had negative attitude towards epilepsy respectively. Ethnicity and educational status were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude. The FGD participants noted that the disease is God’s curse, and they lacked knowledge about the cause of epilepsy. Conclusion: The study participants’ level of knowledge about and attitude towards epilepsy was not satisfactory. Thus, it needs attention from concerned bodies. Keywords: Epilepsy, Knowledge, Attitude, Ethiopia

Background At the end of Millennium development goals, Ethiopia was included among 10 countries which constitutes about 59% of maternal deaths due to complications of pregnancy and/or childbirth every year globally. Institutional delivery, which is believed to contribute in reduction of maternal mortality is still low. Hence this study was conducted in order to assess utilization of institutional delivery and related factors in Bench Maji zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods Cross sectional study was employed from September 1st – 30th, 2015 in Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia where 765 mothers who deliver 2 years preceding the study provided data for this research. Data were collected by enumerators who were trained. In addition to descriptive statistics, binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value

In Ethiopia, contraceptive use has doubled in the last five years, but women still bears an average of five children and 25% of married women want to space or limit their births but are not currently using contraception. So that, the purpose of this study was to assess Family planning services utilization and its associated factors among married women in Benchi-Maji Zone, Southwest, Ethiopia. A community based cross sectional study was carried out to collect data from 801 randomly selected married women in the reproductive age group from six Kebles (lowest administrative unit). Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data was entered into a computer using Epi-Data version 3.0 then exported to SPSS for Windows version 20.0 for further analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify important predictors of family planning service utilization. Out of 765 study participants, 82.61% were current users of at least one of Family Planning (FP) method and majority of them were using methods to space birth interval 452 (71.5%), to prevent unwanted pregnancy 198 (31.3%), followed by to promote health of born children 149 (23.6%). Knowledge about the benefits of FP and postnatal care follow up during their last delivery showed statistically significant associations with FP service utilization. Mothers who have mentioned at least one benefit of FP were about seventy times (AOR 71 95 % CI 25-202) more likely to ever use either of the FP methods and who have PNC follow up during their last delivery were about four times more likely (AOR 3.795 % CI 1.6-9.0) to use either of the FP methods in comparison with those mothers who haven’t attended for Postnatal care at all. Most of the study participants prefer to use short-term family planning methods. It is important to promote longterm family planning methods to get a desire outcome among married women. Women are more receptive of FP during post-natal visits. It is desirable to utilize that visit for promotion of long-term FP methods among married women.

Background Because of the unacceptably high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, the government of Ethiopia has established health extension program with a community-based network involving health extension workers (HEWs) and a community level women organization which is known as “Women’s Health Development Army” (WHDA). Currently, the HEWs and WHDA network is the approach preferred by the government to register pregnant women and encourage them to link in the healthcare system. However, its association with skilled delivery service utilization is not well known. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2015. Within 380 clusters of WHDA, a total of 748 reproductive-age women who gave birth in 1 year preceding the study, were included using multistage sampling technique. The data were entered into EPI info version 7 statistical software and exported to STATA version 11 for analysis. Multilevel analysis technique was applied to check for an association of selected variables with a utilization of skilled delivery service. Results About 45% of women have received skilled delivery care. A significant heterogeneity was observed between “Women’s Health Development Teams (clusters)” for skilled delivery care service utilization which explains about 62% of the total variation. Individual-level predictors including urban residence [AOR (95% CI) 35.10 (4.62, 266.52)], previous exposure of complications [AOR (95% CI) 3.81 (1.60, 9.08)], at least four ANC visits [AOR (95% CI) 7.44 (1.48, 37.42)] and preference of skilled personnel [AOR (95% CI) 8.11 (2.61, 25.15)] were significantly associated with skilled delivery service use. Among cluster level variables, the distance of clusters within 2 km radius from the nearest health facility was significantly associated [AOR (95% CI) 6.03 (1.92, 18.93)] with skilled delivery service utilization. Conclusions In this study, significant variation among clusters of WHDA was observed. Both individual and cluster level variables were identified to predict skilled delivery service utilization. Encouraging women to have frequent ANC visits (− 4 and above), enhancing awareness creation towards the delivery care attendance, constructing more health facilities and roads in hard to reach areas and establishing telemedicine services are recommended.

Background: Pregnancy is one of the most important periods in the life of a woman, a family and a society. ANC (Antenatal Care) is special care for women during pregnancy through the public health services. The goal of ANC is to prevent health problems in both infant and mother and to ensure that each newborn child has a good start. Objective: This study attempted to estimate the levels and also examines the patterns of ANC utilization in the study area. Method: Community based cross sectional study design was used to assess utilization of ANC in Mizan-Amantown reproductive age group women. This study was conducted in Mizan-Aman town among reproductive age women from April to May 2013. Multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting the 388 study participants for data collection. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. The collected and cleaned data was entered in to Epidata 3.1 and then exported in to SPSS version 17 for statistical analysis. Then frequencies were calculated descriptively. Results: Among 339 respondents 34 (10%) had no ANC follow up. From the mothers who had ANC follow-up 225 (74%) booked for it before or at 12 weeks. Out of 305 respondents with previous utilization of ANC those who were vaccinated only once were 18 (5.9%). For 301 (98.4%) blood pressure were measured every time they go for ANC follow up. For 300 (98.4%) weight was measured during each visit. For 304 (99.7%) laboratory examination was performed and for 125 (41%) height was measured. Eighty seven, (28.5%) of the respondents correctly named at least one of the danger signs during pregnancy. Decreased/absent fetal movement 55 (18%) followed by vaginal bleeding 85 (27.9%) were the common mentioned signs. Out of 386 respondents majority 98.4% waited for less than 2 hours and the remaining 1.6% for 2-4 hours. Conclusion: ANC follow up of women of reproductive age group was found high. Addressing the major factors which affects the level of utilization of ANC is very important for the effective utilization of the service.

Background: Students of higher institutions are assumed to be exposed to many risky sexual behaviors. However, little was explored about the knowledge, attitude and practice of risky sexual behavior and condom utilization on the context of higher education institutions in Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of risky sexual behavior and condom utilization among Mizan-Tepi University regular students. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Mizan-Tepi University in 2014. The study was conducted among 284 students selected by systematic random sampling. The data was collected by using selfadministered questionnaire. The data was entered in to Epidata 3.1 and transported to SPSS version 17 for analysis. Results: Among the participants, 93% had good knowledge towards risky sexual behavior and condom utilization. About 59.8% and 96.4% of study participants know about ways of transmission of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS respectively. Among study participants 59.5% know that alcohol intake, chewing chat and smoking cigarette expose to unwanted pregnancy, STIs and HIV/AIDS. Among participants, 71% had positive attitude towards condom utilization. Among the participants, 41.9% ever had sexual intercourse, of those 60.5% ever had used condom. Most (66%) started sexual intercourse before joining university. Among participants 35% who ever had sexual intercourse reported to have ever used condom consistently. From those who ever had sexual intercourse 27% of participants had sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers and 19% with casual partners. Current substance users were about 2.5 times more likely to be involved in risky sexual behavior compared to nonusers and those drinking alcohol daily were 3.5 times more likely to be involved in it. Conclusion: Risky sexual behavior such as having multiple sexual partner and unsafe sexual practice with nonregular partner exists. The university and local government bodies shall work together to address the identified risky behaviors with particular focus on behavior change and communication.

Background: In Ethiopia, though, Swedish missionary nurses commenced nursing in 1895, professional growth including higher research contribution in the field of the profession was not appreciable and image for the profession is not clearer and is frustrating to those joining the profession and need to continue as career. Objective: To assess the attitudes of nurses and non-nursing health professionals towards nursing profession among mizan-aman general hospital workers. Method: A cross-sectional study design was carried out among health professionals working in Mizan-Aman General Hospital on their attitudes towards nursing profession. All Mizan-Aman General Hospital health professionals fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Structured self-administered questionnaire were used to generate data and 5% of the questionnaires were pretested at health center on health professionals. The data was entered in to Epidata 3.1 and exported in to SPSS version 17 for statistical analysis. Result: This study revealed that 64 (50%) of the respondents shown favorable attitude towards nursing profession and 64 (50%) shown unfavorable attitude. When percentage within a category was evaluated the majority 4 (63.6%) of the physicians shown unfavorable attitude followed by the nurses 49.4% but 14 (60.9%) of the nonnursing other than physicians category shown a favorable attitude. The majority, 79 (61.8%) believed that nurses have important contribution to good patient outcome and13 (10.2%) of the respondents perceived nurses working with them as incompetent. Conclusion: Although the majority (61.8%) of respondents believed nursing contribute to good patient outcome, only 64 (50%) of them shown favorable attitude towards nursing profession. The main impact of this considerable percentage of unfavorable attitude of respondents believed to affect quality care received by patients. Therefore continuous efforts should be made so as to bring up the morale of nurses and work upon establishing respect and valuing in inter-professional relationship among the staff.

Epilepsy is a common and chronic neuro-disability that affects over 60 million people worldwide. The vast majority lives in lowand middle-income countries. Three-fourths of people with epilepsy in these settings remain untreated; this is known as the treatment gap [1]. Social acceptance of people with epilepsy is largely dependent on several population ideas of epilepsy and often represents a considerable problem for patients and their families. Social discrimination against people with epilepsy is mainly due to or can be deduced from an incorrect idea of helplessness, personal sensitivity, or mental retardation, or fear of being confronted with seizures [2].

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