Prevalence of goitre and associated factors among school-aged children in Guraferda District, Southwest Ethiopia

IntroductionGoitre is a significant public health problem, particularly in underdeveloped countries like Ethiopia. Iodine Deficiency Disease is the leading cause of preventable brain injury in children, resulting in poor academic performance.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of goitre and associated factors among children aged 6–12 years in Guraferda District, Southwest Ethiopia in 2024.MethodsA community cross-sectional survey was conducted with 949 children ages 6–12 years who lived in selected kebeles in Guraferda District. Structured questionnaires, physical examinations, and iodized salt tests were all used to collect data. To identify factors related with goitre, a logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05 using adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThe prevalence of Goitre among school-age children in this study was 37.6, 95% CI: 34.4, 40.8%. Female gender (AOR = 1.614, 95% CI: 1.199, 2.172), mothers with non-formal education (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.437, 2.592) (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.44, 2.592), rural residence (AOR = 2.291, 95% CI: 1.162, 3.239), storing salt near heat sources (AOR = 1.407, 95% CI: 1.042, 1.900), low food diversification status (AOR = 4.928, 95% CI: 3.332, 7.289), and consuming cabbage at least once a week (AOR = 2.874, 95% CI: 2.012, 4.106) were positively associated with Goitre, while consuming milk at least once a week (AOR = 0.217, CI: 0.145, 0.324) was negatively associated with Goitre.ConclusionThe study findings indicate a high prevalence of Goitre in the area. Factors such as being female, living in rural areas, mothers with no formal education, storing salt near heat sources, consuming cabbage, and low food diversification were associated with increased odds of Goitre. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure universal access to iodized salt and raise awareness in the community about the importance of using iodized salt

Breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women aged 20–70 years attending public health institutions of Adwa town, North Ethiopia

Abstract Objective Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The incidence of breast has been increasing in most regions of the world. Regular breast self-examination is one of the most cost-effective methods for early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. Despite this fact, breast self-examination practice remains low in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women aged 20–70 years attending public health institutions of Adwa town, North Ethiopia. Results From the total study participants, only 26 (6.5%) of them had ever practice breast self-examination, and only 25 (6.25%) of them practice breast self-examination regularly. Being a government employee (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.071–0.683), having good perceived confidence to do breast self-examination (AOR = 5.32, 95% CI = 1.89–14.95) and having perceived good susceptibility to develop breast cancer (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.74–9.74) were the factors significantly associated with breast self-examination. Breast self-examination practice among the study participants was low. Therefore, informing every woman is susceptible to breast cancer, improving the confidence of women is recommended to increase breast self-examination practice