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Abstract Background In Ethiopia, malaria is caused by both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Drug resistance of P. falciparum to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and chloroquine (CQ) is frequent and intense in some areas. Methods In 100 patients with uncomplicated malaria from Dilla, southern Ethiopia, P. falciparum dhfr and dhps mutations as well as P. vivax dhfr polymorphisms associated with resistance to SP and P. falciparum pfcrt and pfmdr1 mutations conferring CQ resistance were assessed. Results P. falciparum and P. vivax were observed in 69% and 31% of the patients, respectively. Pfdhfr triple mutations and pfdhfr/pfdhps quintuple mutations occurred in 87% and 86% of P. falciparum isolates, respectively. Pfcrt T76 was seen in all and pfmdr1 Y86 in 81% of P. falciparum. The P. vivax dhfr core mutations N117 and R58 were present in 94% and 74%, respectively. Conclusion These data point to an extraordinarily high frequency of drug-resistance mutations in both P. falciparum and P. vivax in southern Ethiopia, and strongly support that both SP and CQ are inadequate drugs for this region.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of polysubstance use in low income countries, little has been done to investigate the linkage between polysubstance use and risky sexual behaviors., Objective: To assess the association of polysubstance use with risky sexual behaviors, economic, educational and geographic factors., Methods: A cross-sectional study on aspects of risky behavior towards HIV-infection was conducted on a sample of 1220 university students. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the linkage between polysubstance use and risky sexual behavior--having sex with multiple partners, commercial sex workers and failure to use condom., Results: About one fourth of study participants reported to use one or more types of substance (mainly cigarette, alcohol and khat) in one year period. Of these students, more than three-fifths started using the substance before joining university and more than two-fifths were polysubstance users. Students from urban areas were more likely to be polysubstance users and to engage in sexual practice. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a strong association of polysubstance use with male gender, being born and growing up in urban areas, good income, taught in private school, academically senior and born to more educated parents (P < 0.05 each). The majority (42%) of polysubstance users was also practicing sex with multiple partners and commercial sex workers, had sex without condoms and developed active sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms (P < 0.0001 for each)., Conclusion: This analysis unveils the strong association of polysubstance use with better socioeconomic circumstances, better education and risky sexual behaviors. Primary prevention strategies should target students in elementary and secondary schools, mainly in the urban setting, and preferably by involving their parents.