Health service access, utilization and prevailing health problems in the urban vulnerable sections of Ethiopia

Currently, one third of urban residents in Africa and Asia reside in slum settings with a compromised state of health, and this proportion is increasing at an alarming rate. In Ethiopia, it is estimated that 70-80% of the urban population lives in settings that are believed to be slums and most of the urban population has no access to improved sanitation. Though there is still a limitation on proper urban health profile data, there is evidence of vulnerability to a wide range of health-related problems in the country, including HIV. This study aimed to generate evidence on access to and utilization of health services, particularly by mothers and children, and the prevailing health problems of vulnerable sections of the urban population.