HIV Stigma in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, and a Unique Community Association as a Potential Partner.

Indigenous institutions play a vital role in fighting HIV stigma by leveraging their cultural knowledge, leadership, and community connections. Understanding HIV/AIDS attitudes, information gaps, and stigma among members of indigenous institutions is critical for devising culturally relevant and successful interventions and preventative strategies. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the various HIV/AIDS discriminatory attitudes and practices among members of the Awi Equestrian Association, an indigenous association in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, that plays major roles in the social, cultural, political, and economic activities of the community.

Species composition, infection rate and feeding preference of Anopheles mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in the west Amhara Region, northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Reports showed that Amhara Region is accounting for 31% of Ethiopia`s malaria burden. Reports also depicted that despite the existing malaria vector control tools implemented by the regional government, currently there is an increment in malaria prevalence in the region. This might be due to lack of entomological monitoring and comprehensive information on the prevailing species composition, infection rate and feeding presences of An.

Rapid Bioethical Assessment for and Host Genetic Study in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia: Towards a Context-Specific Ethical Approach.

Background: Rapid Ethical Assessment (REA) is a rapid qualitative study anticipated to understand the ethical sphere of the research setting prior to recruiting study subjects. This study assessed the communities' knowledge about tuberculosis (TB) and research, understand the social arrangements advisable for recruiting research participant and appraised the information provision and consent process.

Methods: The study was conducted in Amhara region, Ethiopia from 5-30 January 2021.

Recent HIV infection among newly diagnosed cases and associated factors in the Amhara regional state, Northern Ethiopia: HIV case surveillance data analysis (2019-2021).

Background: Distinguishing a recent from long-standing HIV infection is a critical step to reduce new infections in 2030. Therefore, this analysis determines the proportion of recent HIV infections among newly diagnosed cases and associated factors in the Amhara regional state between 2019 and 2021.

Methods: We got the HIV case-based surveillance dataset (July 2019 up to August 12/2021) from the Amhara Public Health Institute.

Health and nutrition emergency response among internally displaced persons at Ranch collective site, Chagni, Ethiopia: The role of emergency operation center, lessons from the field, and way forwards.

Background: In October 2020, about 79,041 ethnically Amhara/Agew people had been internally displaced (IDPs) from Metekel zone of Benishangul-Gumuz region and lived in Ranch collective site, Chagni town, Ethiopia. Onsite PHEOC met the health and nutrition needs of the IDPs as per international humanitarian response standards.

Methods: On January 11/2021, the Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI) established an onsite Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) at Ranch collective site.

Malaria case investigation with reactive focal testing and treatment: operational feasibility and lessons learned from low and moderate transmission areas in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Background: When malaria transmission is very low, investigation of passively detected malaria cases and reactive focal testing and treatment (FTAT) in the case and neighbouring households can identify and contain the source and spread of infections.

Methods: Case investigation with reactive FTAT for malaria was implemented in 10 villages in Amhara Region, Ethiopia during the 2014/2015 malaria transmission season. Intervention villages were purposively selected based on the incidence of passively detected Plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections (P.

Mass testing and treatment for malaria in low transmission areas in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Background: In areas with ongoing malaria transmission, strategies to clear parasites from populations can reduce infection and transmission. The objective of this paper was to describe a malaria mass testing and treatment (MTAT) intervention implemented in six kebeles (villages) in Amhara Region, Ethiopia, at the beginning of the 2014 transmission season.

Methods: Intervention kebeles were selected based on incidence of passively detected Plasmodium falciparum and mixed (P.

A Venue-Based Survey of Malaria, Anemia and Mobility Patterns among Migrant Farm Workers in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Background: Mobile populations present unique challenges to malaria control and elimination efforts. Each year, a large number of individuals travel to northwest Amhara Region, Ethiopia to seek seasonal employment on large-scale farms. Agricultural areas typically report the heaviest malaria burden within Amhara thereby placing migrants at high risk of infection.

Prevalence and risk factors of louse-borne relapsing fever in high risk populations in Bahir Dar city Northwest, Ethiopia.

Background: Louse- borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is a vector borne acute febrile illness caused by Borrelia recurrentis and the disease is more prevalent in the high risk groups like prisoners, yekoloremaries and street children. However, prevalence and risk factors of LBRF in these populations about the disease are not known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBRF in high risk populations.

Determination of urinary iodine excretion to assess iodine deficiency level and iodine intake in primary school children, Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem all over the world, particularly among preschool children and pregnant women in low-income countries like Ethiopia and it is known to be the most common cause of preventable brain damage.

Objectives: to determine urinary iodine concentration and to assess the level of iodine deficiency disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 386 randomly selected primary school children to determine urinary iodine concentrations as to assess level of iodine deficiency and iodine in take in Bahir Dar town.