scholarly journals Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A multilevel analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248969
Author(s):  
Sengtavanh Keokenchanh ◽  
Sengchanh Kounnavong ◽  
Kaoru Midorikawa ◽  
Wakaha Ikeda ◽  
Akemi Morita ◽  
...  

Anemia is a major public health concern among children aged <5 years in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Thus far, no study has determined the factors associated with anemia among children aged <5 years in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic using a nationwide representative sample. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors with multilevel variations among children aged 6–59 months. This quantitative, cross-sectional study used a nationally representative sample from the Lao Social Indicator Survey II, 2017. Children aged 6–59 months tested for anemia were included in this study through multistage sampling approaches. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level of <11.0 g/dL. Multilevel binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the adjusted effect of the factors associated with anemia. Among the 5,087 children included, the overall prevalence of anemia was 43.0%. Three factors were associated with higher odds of developing anemia—male sex (adjusted odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.34), underweight (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.55), and residence in central provinces (adjusted odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.30–1.95) and southern provinces (adjusted odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.81). However, the other three factors—age, educational level of the household head, and Hmong-Mien ethnicity—were inversely associated with anemia. To resolve the problem regarding the severity of the anemia among children aged <5 years in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Our findings highlight the need for designing an effective approach to address each factor associated with childhood anemia. Interventions should focus on the prevention of childhood anemia, which is considered a major priority of public health intervention in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212097800
Author(s):  
Damtew Asrat ◽  
Atsede Alle ◽  
Bekalu Kebede ◽  
Bekalu Dessie

Background: Over the last 100 years, the development and mass production of chemically synthesized drugs have revolutionized health care in most parts of the world. However, large sections of the population in developing countries still depend on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs. More than 88% of Ethiopian parents use different forms of traditional medicine for their children. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors associated with parental traditional medicine use for children in Fagita Lekoma Woreda. Method: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 March 2019 in Fagita Lekoma Woreda. Data collection tool was a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the data. Odds ratio and binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to measure the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Results: Among 858 participants, 71% of parents had used traditional medicine for their children within the last 12 months. Parents who cannot read and write (adjusted odds ratio = 6.42, 95% confidence interval = 2.1–19.7), parents with low monthly income (adjusted odds ratio = 4.38, 95% confidence interval = 1.58–12.1), and those who had accesses to traditional medicine (adjusted odds ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.23–3.98) were more likely to use traditional medicine for their children. Urban residents (adjusted odds ratio = 0.20, 95% confidence interval = 0.11–0.38) and members of community-based health insurance (adjusted odds ratio = 0.421, 95% confidence interval = 0.211–0.84) were less likely to use traditional medicine for their children. Conclusions: Our study revealed that the prevalence of traditional medicine remains high. Educational status, monthly income, residence, accessibility to traditional medicine, and being a member of community-based health insurance were predictors of potential traditional medicine use. Therefore, the integration of traditional medicine with modern medicine should be strengthened. Community education and further study on efficacy and safety of traditional medicines should be also given great attention.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245528
Author(s):  
Almaz Tefera Gonete ◽  
Bogale Kassahun ◽  
Eskedar Getie Mekonnen ◽  
Wubet Worku Takele

Background Stunting at birth is a chronic form of undernutrition majorly attributable to poor prenatal nutrition, which could persist in children’s later life and impact their physical and cognitive health. Although multiple studies have been conducted in Ethiopia to show the magnitude of stunting and factors, all are concentrated on children aged between 6 to 59 months. Therefore, this study was done to determine the prevalence and associated factors of stunting at birth among newborns delivered at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 26th to April 25th/2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used, to select a total of 422 newborn-mother pairs. The binary logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with stunting and all independent variables were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model to adjust for confounders. Variables that had significant association were identified based on p-value < 0.05 and the adjusted odds ratio with its respective 95% confidence interval was applied to determine the strength as well as the direction of the association. Results About 30.5% (95% CI: 26.3%, 35.1%) of newborns were stunted at birth. Being male [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.9(1.62, 5.21)], newborns conceived in Kiremt(rainy season) [AOR = 2.7(1.49, 4.97)], being low birth weight [AOR = 3.1(1.64, 6.06)] were factors associated with stunting at birth. Likewise, newborns born to short stature mothers [AOR = 2.8(1.21, 6.62)] and chronically malnourished mothers [AOR = 15.3(8.12, 29.1)] were at greater risk of being stunted. Conclusion Just under a third of newborns are stunted at birth, implying a pressing public health problem. Newborns born to chronically malnourished and short stature mothers were more stunted. Besides, stunting was prevalently observed among male neonates, newborns conceived in Kiremet, and being low birth weight. Thus, policymakers and nutrition programmers should work on preventing maternal undernutrition through nutrition education to reduce the burden of low birth weight and stunting. Further, paying due attention to newborns conceived in Kiremet season to improve nutritional status is recommended.


Vaccine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1234-1240
Author(s):  
Phoumsavath Ounnavong ◽  
Phetsavanh Chanthavilay ◽  
Phonepaseuth Khampanisong ◽  
Daniel Reinharz ◽  
Claude P. Muller ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Izudi ◽  
Pontius Apangu ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Edgar Mulogo ◽  
Vincent Batwala

Background. Under Option B plus, the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) along the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV cascade remains unknown. We described HIV transmission along the EID cascade and determined associated factors at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Northwestern Uganda. Methods. Data on 295 mother-baby pairs in EID care (January 2014 and April 2015) was extracted, cleaned, and analysed in STATA. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. Independently associated factors were stated in adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and p-values. Results. 233 (89.0%) mothers were above 30 years, 251 (85.1%) were in World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stages I/II at enrolment, 170 (57.6%) attended antenatal care (ANC) visits during recent pregnancy, and 204 (69.1%) delivered in a health facility. Meanwhile, 257 (87.1%) HIV Exposed Infants (HEIs) received Nevirapine prophylaxis from birth up to 6 weeks and 245 (83.0%) were exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months. Of 295 mother-baby pairs, 25 (8.5%) HEIs turned HIV-positive along the EID cascade. Baseline maternal CD4 count of more than 500 cells/ul compared to less than 500 cells/ul (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.29; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.10–0.85; p = 0.024) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the first 6 months of delivery in contrast to not EBF in the first 6 months (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.52–0.55; p = 0.003) reduced HIV transmission. Meanwhile, ANC visits, place of delivery, time of Nevirapine initiation, and maternal antiretroviral therapy use were not significantly associated with infant HIV transmission. Conclusion. HIV transmission was high. High baseline CD4 count and exclusive breastfeeding reduced HIV transmission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 174550652095200
Author(s):  
Arsema Berhe ◽  
Abayneh Alamer ◽  
Kiflom Negash ◽  
Belete Assefa

Background: Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. It has serious negative health impacts on quality of life in pregnant women. According to the scientific committee of the International Continence Society report, worldwide prevalence of urinary incontinence estimated ranges between 32% and 64% among pregnant women. However, there is scarcity of evidence on prevalence and associated factors of urinary incontinence in Ethiopia. Objective: The aims of this study were to assess prevalence and associated factors of urinary incontinence among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities of Mekelle city, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methodology: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Physical examination was done to assess the strength of pelvic floor muscles. The data were entered to EPI Info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to investigate the factors associated with urinary incontinence. Results: Among 317 respondents, the prevalence of urinary incontinence was 23%. The contributing factors that had statistically significant association with urinary incontinence were gestational age (adjusted odds ratio: 9.6 (1.87–49.39, 95%), parity (adjusted odds ratio: 6.32 (1.48–27.05), 95% confidence interval), prior miscarriage (adjusted odds ratio: 6.28 (2.15–18.28), 95% confidence interval), constipation (adjusted odds ratio: 8.25 (3.12–21.84), 95% confidence interval), respiratory problem (adjusted odds ratio: 6.31 (2.05–19.43), 95% confidence interval), and weak pelvic floor muscle (adjusted odds ratio: 7.55 (2.51–22.67), 95% confidence interval). Conclusion: The prevalence of urinary incontinence is moderate compared to other studies. Gestational age, parity, prior miscarriage, having constipation, having respiratory problem, and weak pelvic floor muscle had significant association with urinary incontinence. This finding will help to increase the awareness of health care professionals involved in the care of pregnant women about urinary incontinence.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261268
Author(s):  
Souphalak Inthaphatha ◽  
Viengsakhone Louangpradith ◽  
Leyla Isin Xiong ◽  
Valee Xiong ◽  
Ly Ly ◽  
...  

In Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), information on school sanitation and menstrual health among secondary school girls is limited. This study aimed to explore knowledge and practices surrounding menstrual health and to identify factors associated with school absence due to menstruation among secondary school girls in Lao PDR. The study involved 1,366 girls from grade 9 to grade 12 in six secondary schools in Luang Prabang Province. Data on socio-demographics and menstrual health of the girls and data on school toilets was collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with school absence due to menstruation. The mean age was 15.8 years old. The average age of menarche was 12.9 years old. Of 1,366 girls, 64.6% were shocked or ashamed when they reached menarche and 31.8% had been absent from school due to menstruation in the six months before this study was conducted. Factors associated with school absence due to menstruation were age ≥ 16 years old (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.37–2.34), higher income (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.16–4.87), menstrual anxiety (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.09–2.20), using painkillers (AOR = 4.79, 95% CI 2.96–7.76) and other methods (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.86–4.28) for dysmenorrhea, and disposing used pads in places other than the school’s waste bins (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.03–1.75). Living with relatives (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.43–0.95) and schools outside the city (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.38–0.90) were significantly less associated with school absence. Although the association between school toilets and school absence was not examined, the results of this study suggest that school toilets should be gender-separated and equipped with waste bins in the toilet. Furthermore, menstrual education should start at elementary schools and teacher training on menstrual health should be promoted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211984976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengistu Zelalem ◽  
Yekoye Abebe ◽  
Yilikal Adamu ◽  
Tewodros Getinet

Background: Although there are limited studies, recent data are lacking to determine the prevalence of eye problems in Ethiopia accurately and there is no scientific evidence of such study in Sekela Woreda. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of visual impairment among school children in Sekela Woreda, Ethiopia. Methods: The study design was a community-based analytical cross-sectional with a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique from September to November 2016.Visual acuity was tested using Snellen’s “E” chart while color vision was tested using Ishihara chart. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software, and binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with visual impairment. Results: A total of 875 participants, 466 (53.3%) males and 409 (46.7%) females, with an age range of 8–18 years were screened for visual acuity and color vision deficiency. The prevalence of visual impairment (visual acuity ⩽ 6/12) in “either eye” was 70 (8.0%). Among these, 37 (52.9%) were males and 33 (41.1%) were females. The prevalence of low vision (visual acuity [Formula: see text]) and blindness (visual acuity < 3/60) in “either eye” were 28 (3.2%) and 10 (1.1%), respectively. Thirty two (3.7%) had mild visual impairment [Formula: see text]. The prevalence of color vision deficiency was 36 (4.1%). Among these, 27 (3%) were males and 9 (1.1%) were females. The variables age (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.14 (1.01–1.28) and color blindness (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.93(1.69–9.09) were significantly associated with visual impairment. Conclusion: The prevalence of blindness and low vision in school children were higher than the national prevalence in Ethiopia. Increasing age and color defective vision were factors associated with the children’s visual impairment. The Woreda health office ought to work with responsible stakeholders to tackle the situation in early childhood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110328
Author(s):  
Zelalem Jabessa Wayessa ◽  
Girma Tufa Melesse ◽  
Elias Amaje Hadona ◽  
Wako Golicha Wako

Objectives: Globally, novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly since it was first identified and challenging the provision of essential services for low-resource countries. Healthcare workers involved in providing care are at high risk of developing mental health problems. The aim of this was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms due to COVID-19 and associated factors among healthcare workers in the West Guji zone in public health facilities, southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public health facilities found in the West Guji zone. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 283 study subjects. This study was used to assess the prevalence of depression symptoms using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, a depression subscale. Descriptive statistics, binary and multiple logistic regressions were used. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence interval will be estimated to assess the strength of associations and statistical significance will be declared at a p-value < 0.05. Results: Out of 283 eligible healthcare workers, 275 respondents had participated in this study with a 97.2% response rate. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 21.5%. The independent predictors associated with depressive symptoms due to COVID-19 were age (adjusted odds ratio = 2.35, 95% confidence interval = 1.126–3.95), family size (adjusted odds ratio = 3.56, 95% confidence interval = 1.09–11.62), alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio = 4.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.76–10.55), medical illness (adjusted odds ratio = 9.56, 95% confidence interval = 3.71–24.59), having training on COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.37, 95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.81), and lack of knowledge on COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio = 15.34, 95% confidence interval = 6.32–37.21). Conclusion: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare workers due to COVID-19 was high. Factors associated with depressive symptoms were age, family size, alcohol use, medical illness, having training on COVID–19, and lack of knowledge on COVID-19.


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