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The objective of this study was to generate evidence for strengthening the local food system to contribute to improved dietary diversity among children in Ethiopia.
A community-based cross-sectional survey.
The study was conducted in the Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions of Ethiopia.
A total of 1475 children aged 6–23 months were included. Children requiring special care or not permanently residing in the study areas were excluded.
The primary outcome measure was the adequate Minimum Dietary Diversity, defined as the consumption of at least five of the eight defined food groups in the previous 24 hours.
Only 25.6% of children met the adequate minimum dietary diversity requirement. Children from households with backyard gardening (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.43, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.88), access to communication devices (AOR=1.99, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.64), attendance at cooking demonstrations (AOR=1.99, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.74), use of labour-saving and time-saving technologies (AOR=1.55, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.09) and irrigation use for crop production (AOR=1.78, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.52) had higher odds of meeting adequate minimum dietary diversity. Residence was strongly associated with dietary outcomes: children in Amhara had more than seven times the odds of achieving adequate minimum dietary diversity of children compared with Somali (AOR=7.56, 95% CI 4.92 to 11.62), while those in Oromia had nearly twice the odds (AOR=1.74, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.60).
Dietary diversity among children was low in the study areas. Strengthening local food systems through promotion of backyard gardening, cooking demonstrations, irrigation use, communication access and appropriate technologies could improve children’s dietary diversity. Regional disparities highlight the need for context-specific strategies, particularly to address the low dietary diversity in children.
Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is a global health concern, contributing to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite its importance, limited data exist on vitamin D status and its determinants among pregnant women in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in their first and second trimesters in Gondar Town, Ethiopia, 2024.
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the antenatal care unit of University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January to March 2024.
Eligible participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical data were collected through structured questionnaires and medical record reviews. Serum levels of vitamin D, calcium and alkaline phosphatase were analysed using the Beckman Coulter clinical chemistry analyser. Statistical comparisons between pregnant women in the first and second trimesters were performed using the independent t-test. Determinants of vitamin D deficiency were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
384 pregnant women in their first or second trimester.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (90 mm Hg) (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.70), lower dietary diversity (AOR 3.17, 95% CI 1.13 to 8.89), lower fish and fish oil consumption habit (AOR 3.01, 95% CI 1.03 to 8.77; AOR 12.27, 95% CI 1.50 to 100.42) were the key predictors associated with serum vitamin D defiency.
Nearly half of the pregnant women in Gondar Town exhibit vitamin D deficiency, showing a challenging public health concern. Thus, targeted interventions, such as dietary supplementation and lifestyle modifications, are urgently needed to address the problem and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Infertility is a significant reproductive health issue that affects couples physically, emotionally and socially. This qualitative study aims to explore the psycho-social experiences and coping strategies of infertile couples attending infertility clinics at Saint Paul’s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This study employed a descriptive phenomenological research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 purposively selected couples experiencing infertility. The study used thematic analysis to capture the emotional, social and psychological impacts of infertility on individuals and their relationships.
Key themes identified include emotional distress, social stigma, marital strain and a sense of isolation. Participants reported experiencing feelings of shame, depression and anxiety, often exacerbated by societal expectations and pressure to conceive. Coping strategies varied across individuals and included seeking medical intervention, social support, religious faith and, in some cases, withdrawal from social interactions.
The study highlights the need for comprehensive psychological support and counselling services in infertility care to address the mental health and social challenges faced by infertile couples. Promoting awareness to reduce stigma and enhancing social support systems may improve the overall well-being of affected individuals.
Objetivo. Analizar la prevalencia de la automedicación y su relación con la capacidad de autocuidado en estudiantes del Centro de Ciencias de la Salud de una universidad pública. Metodología. Se llevó a cabo un estudio cuantitativo, relacional y observacional con una muestra de 330 estudiantes seleccionados aleatoriamente. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos validados para medir la automedicación y la capacidad de autocuidado, además de un formulario para variables sociodemográficas. Los datos se analizaron con SPSS versión 25, utilizando pruebas de normalidad, independencia y Chi-cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados. El 81,5% de los estudiantes presentó una capacidad media de autocuidado, mientras que el 18,5% tuvo una capacidad alta. No se encontraron estudiantes con baja capacidad de autocuidado. La prevalencia de la automedicación fue del 73,9%, siendo los fármacos más comunes antidiarreicos (10,6%), anfetaminas (10%), anticonceptivos orales y acetaminofén (7,6% cada uno). Los síntomas principales para automedicarse fueron dolor estomacal (9,7%), desgano/agotamiento (9,4%) y dolor de cabeza (9,1%). La carrera de Enfermería mostró la mayor prevalencia de automedicación (80,6%), seguida de Terapia Física (78,6%) y Medicina (76,4%). Se identificó dependencia estadísticamente significativa entre automedicación y capacidad de autocuidado. Discusión. Existe alta prevalencia de automedicación entre los estudiantes del área de salud. Es crucial reevaluar la independencia de ambas variables y abordar los factores que llevan a los estudiantes a automedicarse, ya que este comportamiento podría afectar su capacidad para proporcionar cuidados seguros y adecuados a los pacientes. Aun cuando no hay independencia entre variables.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To analyze the prevalence of self-medication and its relationship with the capacity of self-care among students of the Health Sciences Center in a public university. Methodology. A quantitative, relational and observational study was performed to a sample group of 330 students randomly selected. Two validated instruments were used to measure self-medication and self-care capacity, as well as a form for sociodemographic variables. All data were analyzed utilizing SPSS version 25, and using tests of normality, independence, and Pearson's Chi-square. Results. 81.5% of the students showed having a medium capacity of self-care, while 18.5% showed having a high capacity. Students with low self-care capacity were not found. The prevalence of self-medication was 73.9%, with the most common drugs being antidiarrheals (10.6%), amphetamines (10%), oral contraceptives, and acetaminophen (7.6% each). The main symptoms for self-medication resulted being stomach pain (9.7%), apathy / exhaustion (9.4%), and headache (9.1%). The Nursing career resulted with the highest prevalence of self-medication (80.6%), followed by Physical Therapy (78.6%) and Medicine (76.4%). A statistically significant dependency was identified between self-medication and self-care capacity. Discussion. There is a high prevalence of self-medication among health students. It is crucial to reevaluate the independence of both variables and address the factors that lead students to self-medication, as this behavior could affect their ability to provide safe and appropriate care to patients. Even when there is no independence between variables.
Introducción. El fenómeno de la muerte resulta importante para las enfermeras identifiquen fortalezas y oportunidades para el cuidado como práctica esencial en la disciplina. Objetivo. Interpretar la experiencia vivida de enfermeras al cuidado de su familiar en proceso de cronicidad y muerte. Método. Estudio cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico hermenéutico. Criterios de estudio: profesionales de enfermería con cualquier grado académico, ambos sexos, que hayan cuidado a familiar en casa u hospital por 6 meses o más. Se realizó la ntrevista fenomenológica en el lugar seleccionado por participante evitando la intrusión a sus modos de ser. La selección se desarrolló en cadena de referencia y alcanzó la saturación de la información teórica. Cumplió criterios de Ley General de Salud en materia de investigación. Análisis a través del círculo hermenéutico heideggeriano. Resultados. Se exploró vivencias de 6 enfermeras, edades entre 42 y 55 años. Todas profesan religión católica, y en común las siguientes unidades de significado; Ontológicamente: angustia en la impropiedad de la clínica, delegación del compromiso, sentimientos autosuficientes sin reciprocidad, responsabilidad auto asignada. Ónticamente: angustia proyectada y cansancio por la enfermedad. Discusión. Se destaca la muerte como etapa vital, fase que es inevitable. Vivir el proceso de morir es un fenómeno complejo, debe ser abordado bajo esquemas contemporáneos propiamente disciplinares. Conclusión: Ser que cuida de su familiar en este proceso crea lazo afectivo, involucrándose inconscientemente. Se coincide el alivio para evitar el sufrimiento es la muerte del familiar, y generando satisfacción de hacer menos su agonía.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. The phenomenon of death is important for nurses to identify strengths and opportunities for care as an essential practice in the discipline. Objective. To interpret the lived experience of nurses caring for their relative in the process of chronicity and death. Methodology. Qualitative study with a hermeneutical phenomenological approach. Study criteria: nursing professionals with any academic degree, both genders, who have cared for a family member at home or in a hospital for 6 months or more. Phenomenological interview in the place selected by the participant, avoiding intrusion into their ways of being. The selection was developed in a reference chain and reached the saturation of the theoretical information. It met the criteria of the General Health Law regarding research. Analysis through the Heideggerian hermeneutic circle. Results. The experiences of 6 nurses, ages between 42 and 55 years, were explored. They all profess the Catholic religion, and in common the following units of meaning; Ontologically: anguish in the impropriety of the clinic, delegation of commitment, self-sufficient feelings without reciprocity, self-assigned responsibility. Ontic mind: projected anguish and fatigue due to illness. Discussion. Death is highlighted as a vital stage, a phase that is inevitable. Living the process of dying is a complex phenomenon, it must be approached under properly disciplinary contemporary schemes. Conclusion. Being that you take care of your relative in this process creates an affective bond, getting involved unconsciously. The relief to avoid suffering is the death of the family member and generating satisfaction of making their agony less.
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