Conectar
by Birtukan Gizachew Ayal, Abebe Kassa Geto, Sefineh Fenta Feleke, Ali Yimer, Atitegeb Abera Kidie, Natnael Amare Tesfa, Esuyawkal Mislu, Molla Hailu, Hassen Ahmed Yesuf
BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverages or snacks are limited in nutritional value. Excess consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages or snacks in early childhood is associated with inadequate micronutrient intake, being overweight or obese, and developing chronic diseases later in life. There is scarcity of information specific to sugar-sweetened beverages or snacks consumption prevalence and its determinants in Sub-Saharan Africa Countries. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of sugar-sweetened beverage or snack consumption and its determinants among infants and young children aged 6–23 months.
MethodsA cross-sectional study design was conducted using demographic and health survey data conducted from 2019 to 2023 from twelve Sub-Saharan African countries. A weighted sample of 23,145 children aged 6–23 months was included in the study. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the dependent variable. The level of statistical significance was declared with a p-value Results
The pooled prevalence of Sugar-sweetened beverage or snack consumption was 25.40% (95% CI: 24.84% − 25.96%). In multilevel multivariable logistic regression analysis, children aged between 9−11(AOR = 1.95 95% CI: 1.62, 2.35), 12–17(AOR = 2.83; 95% CI: 2.26, 3.54), and 18−23 months (AOR = 3.77;95% CI: 3.07, 4.63), media exposure (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI:1.28, 1.98), children from households with middle (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) and rich (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.87, 2.85) wealth status, post natal checkup (AOR = 1.18; 95%CI:1.05,1.33), maternal ANC visit (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.22), and high community media exposure ((AOR = 2.22;95%CI:1.65,5.81) were positively associated significant factors whereas currently breast feeding children (AOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.59,0.82), older age at first birth (AOR = 0.88,95% CI: 0.81, 0.96), presences of more than one under-5 children in the household (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.99), mothers don’t perceive distance to health facility as big problem (AOR = 0.86; 95% CI:0.76, 0.98), and children reside in rural (AOR = 0.83;95%CI:0.68,0.95) were negatively associated with sugar sweetened beverage or snack consumption.
ConclusionIn this study, one out of four children consumed sugar-sweetened beverages or snacks. Current age of child, current breastfeeding status of child, media exposure, wealth index, maternal age at first birth, post natal checkup, maternal ANC visit, number of under-five children in the household, distance to health facility, place of residence, and community level media exposure were significant factors with sugar-sweetened beverage or snack consumption. Therefore, it is recommended to raise awareness about the health risks of sugar-sweetened beverage and snack consumption, enforce restrictions on their advertisement, strengthen nutrition-focused counseling within maternal and child health services with special attention for older age children, promote breastfeeding, and give special attention to challenges related to health facility accessibility, and support for young mothers.
To assess the early risk of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) among adult patients with diabetes and to identify clinical and behavioural correlates associated with DFU risk using Inlow’s 60-Second Screening Tool.
A cross-sectional analytical study.
Conducted at a tertiary-level referral hospital in Southwest Ethiopia.
The study included 164 adult patients with diabetes (aged ≥18 years) who attended routine follow-up visits at the diabetic clinic between February and March 2025. Patients who were critically ill, unable to communicate during data collection or pregnant were excluded. The median age of participants was 55 years (IQR 46–60), and 54.9% were male.
The primary outcome was early DFU risk, categorised as ‘at risk’ or ‘not at risk’ using Inlow’s 60-Second Screening Tool. Secondary outcomes included factors associated with DFU risk, such as glycaemic control, lipid profile and foot care practices.
Of the 164 participants, 32.3% (n=53) were found to be at risk for DFU. Participants who performed foot self-checks infrequently had more than threefold higher odds of DFU risk compared with those who practiced daily foot care (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.35; 95% CI 1.48 to 7.58; p=0.004). Poor glycaemic control (AOR=2.39; 95% CI 1.03 to 5.55; p=0.042) and dyslipidaemia (AOR=2.63; 95% CI 1.18 to 5.85; p=0.018) were also significantly associated with increased DFU risk.
Nearly one-third of patients with diabetes in this Ethiopian hospital setting were at early risk for DFU. Factors such as inadequate foot care, poor glycaemic control and dyslipidaemia were associated with increased risk. Incorporating rapid foot screening tools like Inlow’s 60-Second assessment into routine diabetes care, together with strengthened patient education and metabolic management, may help reduce the risk of DFU in resource-limited settings.
by Tadesse Tarik Tamir, Berhan Tekeba, Alebachew Ferede Zegeye, Deresse Abebe Gebrehana, Mulugeta Wassie, Gebreeyesus Abera Zeleke, Enyew Getaneh Mekonen
IntroductionSolitary childbirth—giving birth without any form of assistance—remains a serious global public health issue, especially in low-resource settings. It is associated with preventable maternal complications such as hemorrhage and sepsis, and poses significant risks to newborns, including birth asphyxia, infection, and early neonatal death. In Ethiopia, where many births occur outside health facilities, understanding the spatial and socio-demographic patterns of solitary childbirth is vital for informing targeted interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes. This study aims to identify and map the spatial distribution of solitary childbirth across Ethiopia and to analyze its determinants using data from the 2019 national Interim Demographic and Health Survey.
MethodWe analyzed data from the 2019 Interim Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey to determine the spatial distribution and factors of solitary birth in Ethiopia. A total weighted sample of 3,884 women was included in the analysis. Spatial analysis was used to determine the regional distribution of solitary birth, and multilevel logistic regression was employed to identify its determinants. ArcGIS 10.8 was used for spatial analysis, and Stata 17 was used for multilevel analysis. The fixed effect was analyzed by determining the adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.
ResultThe prevalence of solitary childbirths in Ethiopia was 12.73%, with a 95% confidence interval spanning from 11.71% to 13.81%. The western and southern parts of Oromia, all of Benishangul-Gumuz, most parts of the SNNPR, and the west of Amhara regions were hotspot areas for solitary birth. Having no formal education, not attending ANC visits, and residing in pastoral regions were significantly associated with higher odds of solitary birth in Ethiopia.
CocnlusionA notable proportion of women are experiencing childbirth alone, which highlights a significant aspect of maternal health in the country, reflecting both the challenges and improvements in childbirth practices. The distribution of solitary births exhibited spatial clustering with its hotspot areas located in western and southern parts of Oromia, all of Benishangul-Gumuz, most parts of the SNNPR, and west of Amhara regions. Lack of education, not having an ANC visit, and being a resident of pastoral regions were significant determinants of solitary birth. The implementation of maternal and child health strategies in Ethiopia could benefit from considering the hotspot areas and determinants of solitary birth.
Loneliness and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) constitute significant risk factors for mental disorders, with loneliness emerging as a serious global public health concern. Recent research highlights the role of loneliness as a potential link between early life adversities and current psychopathology. However, most studies have been conducted in high-income, highly individualistic countries. This cross-sectional study explores the interplay between loneliness, social network size, recalled ACEs and depressive symptoms in Ethiopia—a low-income and collectivistic cultural context.
The study included 125 psychiatric outpatients at Jimma University Medical Center in Southwest Ethiopia diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders, as well as 131 non-clinical participants. Trained interviewers administered the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Social Network Index and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. We used Mann-Whitney U tests, partial correlation and mediation analysis for data analysis.
We found mild-to-moderate correlations between loneliness and ACEs (clinical group: rho=0.29, p1b1=0.07, 95% CI (0.02 to 0.13); non-clinical group: indirect effect a1b1=0.03, 95% CI (0.01 to 0.07)). In contrast, social network size was neither correlated with ACEs nor did it mediate the association between ACEs and depressive symptoms in either group.
This study replicates previous findings that loneliness—rather than social network size—is associated with ACEs and mediates their impact on depressive symptoms. These results support the transcultural and transdiagnostic relevance of loneliness as a universal psychological mechanism, independent of societal structure.
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