African Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

The Link between Exposure to Watching Pornography and Mental Distress among Dilla University Students, Southern Ethiopia, 2023 A Mixed Method Study

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: The consumption of pornography has become widespread globally, largely driven by the proliferation of the internet and affordable digital devices. While often viewed as a harmless leisure activity, studies suggest a complex link between pornography use and mental distress. This study assesses the association between problematic pornography consumption and mental distress among students at Dilla University in Ethiopia.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between problematic pornography use and mental distress among regular undergraduate students at Dilla University in the Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia Region, in 2023.

Methods: A cross-sectional study, complemented by qualitative inquiry, was conducted with 1,269 undergraduate students from Dilla University. A multistage random sampling technique was used for quantitative study, while purposive sampling selected participants for the qualitative portion. Various variables were assessed, including problematic pornography use, mental distress, internet addic-tion, substance use, social support, and experiences of victimization. Quantitative data were coded and analyzed using EpiData 3.1 and SPSS version 26, employing bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with problematic pornography use, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software (version 11).

Results: The findings revealed that 14.9,% (95,% CI: 12.9,% to 17.9,%) of partici-pants engaged in problematic pornography watching, while over half (60.4,%, 95,% CI: 57.5,% to 63.1,%) reported experiencing mental distress. Factors associated with problematic pornography use included male gender (AOR: 1.61, 95,% CI: 1.65-2.74), absence of romantic relationships, poor social support, and experiencing mental distress, with odds ratios (AORs) ranging from approximately 2.00 to 2.20. Additionally, internet addiction, poor peer relationships, and positive attitudes toward problematic pornography use were linked to higher risks (AORs: 2.00, 1.40, and 2.10, respectively). Current alcohol use was also significantly associated with problematic pornography use. Qualitative findings indicated that students who frequently watched pornography expressed mixed feelings, including guilt and shame for some, while others reported relaxation.

Conclusion: The results of this study underscore the need to address mod-ifiable factors for prevention and intervention programs targeting problematic pornography use among university students.

Is Malnutrition a Determinant of Scabies among Preschool Children? Evidence from East Badiwacho District, Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Undernourished children living in crowded housing, particularly in tropical countries, are at a higher risk of suffering from scabies. Understanding the relationship between these serious conditions in preschool children can aid in developing effective and cost-efficient strategies to prevent malnutrition in regions where scabies is prevalent. This study aimed to determine the relationship between malnutrition and scabies among preschool children in the East Badawacho district of the Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia.

Methods: A health institution-based unmatched case-control study design was employed, involving 348 participants who were compared based on their scabies status. Preschool children with scabies were contrasted with those without in East Badawacho District, Central Ethiopia. The children's nutritional status was assessed anthropometrically and analyzed using the World Health Organization Anthro software. Data were entered into EPI-info version 11 and subsequently exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable analyses identified determinants of scabies, with statistical significance set at a P-value of less than 0.05.

Results: Significant independent predictors associated with scabies infestation included severe wasting (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.32-5.47), usage of less than 20 liters of water daily by mothers of preschool children (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.02-6.27), sharing clothes with someone infected with scabies (AOR = 6.7, 95% CI: 2.98-15.08), and washing with water only (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.37-6.77).

Conclusion: Preschool children who were severely wasted, utilized less than 20 liters of water for daily activities, shared clothing with scabies-infected peers, and washed only with water were significantly associated with scabies transmission. Therefore, scabies control programs should integrate nutritional interventions to effectively address this issue.

Streptococcus pyogenes: Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and As-sociated Factors among Children with Pharyngitis in Southern Ethiopia

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Streptococcus pyogenes accounts for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in developing countries, yet data on its prevalence among children in Southern Ethiopia is scarce. This study evaluated the prevalence, patterns of antibiotic resistance, and associated factors of S. pyogenes among children with pharyngi-tis at government health facilities in Dilla town. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered using a systematic random sampling technique. Standard microbiological methods were employed to process throat swabs, and the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to assess antimicrobial susceptibility, following CLSI recommendations for data interpretation. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25. The overall prevalence of S. pyogenes was found to be 34 out of 259 (13.1%) [CI: 9.0-17.0%1. None of the S. pyogenes isolates were resistant to penicillin G or vancomycin, though variable resistance to other antibiotics was observed. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) S. pyogenes accounted for 13 out of 34 isolates (38.2%). Low family income [<1500 ETB (approximately $29); p = 0.015.1 was significantly associated with the presence of S. pyogenes. These findings are consistent with other studies conducted in Ethiopia, highlighting the continued effectiveness of penicillin G and vancomycin against S. pyogenes, while also revealing a higher percentage of MDR strains. Additionally, low socio-economic status was identified as a risk factor, indicating the need for health education initiatives to reduce the burden of pharyngitis.

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Dilla University Gen-eral Hospital Ethiopia, 2023

Muluken Demekel, Wondwosen Mollal, Anteneh Gashaw — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a major health concern within the obstetric population and remains one of the leading causes of maternal mor-bidity and mortality. The increasing prevalence of conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity among women further exacerbates pregnancy-induced hypertension, underscoring the need for updated, region-specific data. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Dilla University General Hospital in Ethiopia in 2023.

Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Dilla Univer-sity General Hospital from October 1 to November 20, 2023. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling approach. Data collection employed a pretested, structured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers, sup-plemented by a review of patient records. Information was entered into EpiData (version 4.6.0.2) and analyzed using SPSS (version 26). Both bivariate and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: The study revealed the prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension of 15.3% (95% CI: 11.5, 18.9). Significant predictors of pregnancy-induced hyper-tension included primigravidity (AOR=1.863; 95% CI: 1.147-3.196) and a family history of chronic hypertension (AOR=2.795; 95% CI: 1.120-5.953).

Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of pregnancy-induced hyper-tension. Notably, factors such as a family history of chronic hypertension and primigravidity were significantly associated with this condition. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating risk assessments and family history screenings into routine antenatal care to effectively mitigate the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Food Taboo and Myth among Pregnant Mothers in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

Ruth Tilahun, Wondwosen Molla Wondwosen Molla, Saron Aregawi, Bekalu Getachew — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Food taboos are deliberate restrictions on oneself from different types of food and drink for various reasons. Even though a balanced diet is essential during pregnancy for the health of both the mother and the fetus, pregnant women often restrict themselves from many essential nutrients, which endangers the health of both mother and baby.

Objective: The study aims to explore food taboos and myths among pregnant women in the Gedeo Zone from March 25 to May 25, 2020, in Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based qualitative exploratory study using a phenomenological approach was conducted. In-depth and key informant interviews were employed to collect data from March to May 2020 in Gedeo. Convenient sampling was used to recruit participants from the households of targeted villages. A total of 32 in-depth interviews with pregnant women, lactating women, elderly women, and husbands were conducted. The sample size was determined based on the concept of saturation. The collected data were analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques. Data coding and analysis were facilitated using Open Code version 4.0 software.

Results: Thirty-two study participants were involved. During pregnancy, foods that are sweet, referred to as "good foods," spicy foods, and large quantities of food were considered taboo for pregnant women.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Food taboos for pregnant women were found to exist in the Gedeo Zone. Pregnant women avoid consuming large quantities of any type of food, as well as good foods, sweet foods, and spicy foods. Therefore, strategic health communication is needed to correct misconceptions such as the beliefs that pregnant women should eat less, that certain foods cause diseases in both the mother and the fetus, and that skin discoloration can occur in the fetus. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics and health extension workers must play a leading role in coordinating this awareness-creation effort. They should also establish mechanisms to routinely identify women observing food taboos, assess their reasons, and provide appropriate nutrition education.