Knowledge towards Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Mothers Who Attend Antenatal Care at Mizan-Aman General Hospital, South West Ethiopia

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness is the process of planning for normal birth and anticipating the actions needed in case of an emergency. The risk of a woman dying as a result of pregnancy during her life time is about 1 in 16 in Sub-Saharan countries which pose a huge challenge to meet the fifth millennium development goal to reduce the maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015. Objective: To assess the knowledge of pregnant women who attend ANC at Mizan-Aman general hospital towards to birth preparedness and complication readiness, 2014. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mizan- Aman general hospital. Sample was selected by using systematic random sampling in which individuals were chosen at regular interval. The data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires from total of 350 samples. The analysis was done using statistical package for social science and result of the study was presented using table and graphs. The study was conducted in March 2014. Result: In this study a total of 350 women of reproductive age from Mizan-Aman general hospital were interviewed. Majority of respondents 231 (66%) mentioned at least one key danger sign during pregnancy and 67 (19%) mentioned at least two danger signs. Two hundred sixty three (75%) of our respondents have heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness. Of them 191 (72.2%), 48 (18%) and 24 (9%) heard from health professionals, mass media and family member respectively. Of our respondents 97 (37%), 78 (30%), 56 (21%), and 18 (7%) mentioned birth place & assistance plan, arranging material necessary for safe delivery, identify pregnancy danger signs, and potential blood donor as elements birth preparedness and complication readiness, respectively. Forty nine (14%) of the total reported that as they have faced/were facing obstacle during their birth preparedness and complication readiness practice. On the other side 258 (74%) of the respondents had encouraging factors during their birth preparedness and complication readiness practices. Conclusion and recommendation: Although awareness of the concept of BP/CR was high (66%), recognition of at least two key danger sign in pregnancy was poor (19%). So, it is better if local health offices arrange community based education and empowering women by expanding educational opportunities . Keywords: complications readiness, birth preparedness, knowledge, Ethiopi

Prevalence and factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse among pedestrian back-loading women in bench Maji Zone

Background: It is common to see women carrying heavy loads on their back in developing countries including Ethiopia. This may have an effect on pelvic organ prolapse. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse among pedestrian back-loading women in Bench-MajiZone, 2016.Methods: The study was conducted in Bench-MajiZone, Southwest Ethiopia, from January to March 2016. Cross-sectional study design was employed. The sample size was calculated to be 422. Women were selected by using convenientsampling technique. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse.Result: Fifty-six (13.3%)of the study participants had pelvic organ prolapse. The likelihood of pelvic organ prolapse was higher among women whose ages were between 31-40 years (AOR= 6.88: 95% CI 1.68, 28.23), 41-50 years (AOR= 11.10: 95% CI 2.54, 48.49) and above 50 years (AOR= 35.42: 95% CI 6.94, 180.85) as compared with those who were less than 30 years. The likelihood of pelvic organ prolapse was also higher among those whose BMI was less than 18.5 (AOR= 2.37: 95% CI 1.25, 4.51) and duration of work greater than 10 years (AOR= 4.01: 95% CI 1.81, 8.89).Conclusion: The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse was high. Age, BMI and duration of work were significantly associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Urgent attention is needed from concerned bodies.Keywords: Pelvic organ prolapse; Back loading; Factors, Utero Vaginal Prolapse, Ethiopi

Prevalence and Consequences of Domestic Violence among Married Women in Sheybench Town, Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, 2015

Background: Domestic violence is one type of gender based violence defined by the World Health Organization as “the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by current or former male intimate partners. The main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and consequences of domestic violence among married woman. Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted on selected married women in Sheybench town, South west Ethiopia which is 510kms far from Addis Ababa. Sheybench town has a total population of 7037 among these there are 1438 households. Using Systematic random sampling 333 samples were selected out of 1438 households. A pretested Amharic version qustionarrie was administered for data collection. The data was entered to Epidata and analyzed by SPSS statistical package. The study was conducted from December 2014 to May 2015. Result: From 324 respondents 47.83% were physically abused, among these bruising and laceration accounts for 42.22% and 6.66% had permanent physical injury. Of all the participants 38.58% were sexually abused, among these 33.60% had unwanted pregnancy. In this study the prevalence of psychological abuse was 72.22%. The study noted that nearly three in four women were experienced at least one incident of domestic violence in their lifetime. Conclusion: Alarmingly, more than three quarter of women who experienced any physical violence had severe acts that could threaten them in their lifetime.  This needs an urgent attention at all levels of societal hierarchy including policymakers, stakeholders and professionals to alleviate the situation. Keywords: domestic violence, prevalence, consequences, Ethiopia

Assessment of barriers to reproductive health service utilization among Bench Maji Zone Pastoralist Communities

Background: The reproductive health (RH) needs and challenges in pastoralist area are different from elsewhere. People in this area live in very traditional settings and adhere strongly to traditional cultural values and beliefs. Some of these beliefs are known to lead to poor sexual and RH outcomes. Thus, the objective of the study was to identify barriers of RH service utilization among pastoralist communities of Bench Maji zone.Methods: This study was conducted in pastoralist communities of 5 woredas in Bench Maji zone. Qualitative study was conducted through FGD, IDI and KII. For this study 15 FGDs, 5 IDI and 5 KII were conducted. Recorded data was first transcribed in to local languages and translated to English by experts. The data was coded and themes were identified. Finally the result was presented narratively.Results: The major challenges of RH service utilization identified in this study were preference of female professionals, preference of home delivery, cultural influences, lack of knowledge, decision maker related barriers, and health facility related barriers. Husband disapproval was significant challenge for utilization of services. Family disapproval for adolescent RH service utilization and judgmental approach of health professionals for contraceptive utilization were also common barriers.Conclusion: Preference of female professionals, preference of home delivery, cultural influences, lack of knowledge, decision maker barrier, and health facility related barriers were identified barriers. Therefore, awareness creation to the community, and capacity building to health professionals are recommended.Keywords: Reproductive health, Barriers, Pastoral, Ethiopi

Knowledge about and attitude towards epilepsy among Menit Community, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Nearly 80% of the people with epilepsy are found in developing countries, where epilepsy remains a major public health problem, not only because of its health implications but also for its social, cultural, psychological and economic effects. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and attitude of Menit community in Benchi-Maji Zone as regards epilepsy.Methods: The study was conducted in Menit Goldia Province, one of the provinces of Bench-Maji Zone. Community based descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. Households were selected by using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected through pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was cleaned, coded and entered in to EPI data version 3.1. The data was cleaned and transported into SPSS for analysis.Results: Among the study participants, 808(97.1%) ever heard about epilepsy, 85.3% reported that epilepsy is a mental disease where as 40.6%, 49% and 49.4% respectively believed that it is hereditary, contagious, and God’s curse. Among the respondents, 252(30%) think that epileptics should be isolated from the community, 387(46.1%) and 336(40%) do not want to shake hands with epileptics and keep their children away from epileptic patients respectively. In this study, 85.6% and86.8% of the respondents were not knowledgeable about and had negative attitude towards epilepsy respectively. Ethnicity and educational status were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude. The FGD participants noted that the disease is God’s curse, and they lacked knowledge about the cause of epilepsy.Conclusion: The study participants’ level of knowledge about and attitude towards epilepsy was not satisfactory. Thus, it needs attention from concerned bodies.Keywords: Epilepsy, Knowledge, Attitude, Ethiopi

Factors Associated With Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Midwives On Active Management Of Third Stage Of Labour At Selected Health Centers Of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: The third stage of labour includes the separation and detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall, and ends with complete expulsion of the placenta and membrane. This period is the most hazardous stage for the birthing woman due to the risk of profuse hemorrhage. Severe bleeding is the most important cause of maternal deaths. Active management of third stage of labour effectively reduces the occurrence of hemorrhage. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Midwifes on active management of third stage of labour at selected health centers of Addis Ababa. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among Midwives in health center of Addis Ababa. Convenience sampling was carried out to select 136 Midwives who were working in the 26 health center of Addis Ababa. The questionnaires contained closed ended questions which covered socio demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practice of midwives on active management of third stage of labour. These were prepared in English. After checking for completeness and consistency, data was coded and entered into Epi-info program and transported to SPSS version 17 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practices.  Data was presented by tables. Result: In multivariate regression length of service and practice were significantly associated with level of knowledge. Those who have length of service greater than 11 years were 2.5 times more likely to be knowledgeable on Active Management of Third Stage of Labour than their counterparts (AOR= 2.49, 95% CI= 1.04, 5.95). Those who practice Active Management of Third Stage of Labour were almost 4 times more likely to be knowledgeable on Active Management of Third Stage of Labour than their counterparts (AOR = 3.57 (1.73, 7.39). Educational level of the midwives was significantly associated to attitude. Those who have high educational level (degree) were more likely to have positive attitude on Active Management of Third Stage of Labour than diploma holders (AOR= 0.67, 95% CI= 0.005, 0.89). Those who have additional on job training on Active Management of Third Stage of Labour were 3 times more likely to practice Active Management of Third Stage of Labour than their counterparts (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI= 1.0, 9.8). Those who have high educational level (degree) were nine times skillful than diploma holders (AOR= 8.51, 95% CI= 2.02, 35.92). Furthermore those who have good level of knowledge have four times higher odds to have better practice than their counterparts (AOR= 4.64, 95% CI= 1.96, 10.95). Conclusion: Length of service was significantly associated with their knowledge towards AMTSL. Educational level was significantly associated with their attitude towards AMTSL.  Educational level, on job training and level of knowledge were significantly associated with their practice on AMTSL. Therefore concerned bodies should give emphasis on education and training of midwives to improve knowledge attitude and practice of AMTSL. Keywords: Oxytocin, active management, Third stage of labor, Postpartum Haemorrhage

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and factors associated with kyphosis among pedestrian back-loading women in selected towns of Bench Maji zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: In developing countries including Ethiopia, it is common to see women carrying heavy loads on their back. Musculoskeletal pain and deformities are expected to be higher when there is heavy physical work. Many women lead their lives by selling heavy fire woods to residents in urban areas by back loading. This may have an impact on musculoskeletal health.Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and factors associated with kyphosis among pedestrian back-loading women in Bench-Maji zone.Methods: The study was conducted in Bench Maji zone, Southwest Ethiopia from January to March 2016. Cross-sectional study design was employed. The sample size was calculated to be 422. Four towns found in the zone were selected to identify women who sell fire woods by carrying it on their back. Women were selected by using convenience sampling technique. Standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on musculoskeletal pain. Checklist was used to diagnose kyphosis. Cleaned and coded data was entered in to Epidata 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with kyphosis.Results: Among 422 participants who were involved in this study 173(41%) were in the age range of 19-34 years. In this study, majority 340(80.6%) of the study participants were protestants. Regarding the educational status, majority 339(80.3%) of the participants were unable to read and write. Majority of the study participants were from Mizan town (50.2%). Regarding musculoskeletal pain, this study indicated that the prevalence of upper back pain, lower back pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain, knee pain and feet pain were 67.3%, 60.4%, 68.2%, 47.2%, 36.7%, 46.9% and 44.1% respectively. The prevalence of kyphosis was 59.7%. The odds of kyphosis was higher among age greater than 40 years (AOR= 1.91: 95% CI 1.03, 3.54) and those worked for more than 10 years (AOR= 2.15: 95% CI 1.01, 4.61) than their counter parts. Town where they come to sell fire wood was also significantly associated with kyphosis.Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was high. Age, town and duration of work were significantly associated with kyphosis. Thus, it needs attention from concerned bodies. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2017;31(2):103-109]Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, Kyphosis, Back loading, Ethiopi

Work related injuries and associated factors among small scale industry workers of Mizan-Aman Town, Bench Maji Zone, southwest Ethiopia

Background: Work place is a potentially hazardous environment where millions of employees pass at least one-third of their life time. However, hundreds of millions of people throughout the world are employed today in conditions that breed ill health and/or are unsafe for life.Objective: This study aims to assess the magnitude of work related injury and associated factors among small scale industrial workers in Mizan-Aman town, Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from February to May, 2016. Data was collected using a structured face to face interview and observational checklist. A total of 219 individuals were involved in this study. The raw data collected from the field was entered to EPI Info-version 6.04 and exported to SPSS-version 21 for analysis. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with work related injuries.Result: A total of 219 employees from small scale industries were involved in the study. One hundred ninety eight (90.4%) were male. Prevalence of injury was 45.2% per year and the most common causes of injury was hit injury by manual tools (37.4%). Most of the occupational injuries sustained were on the upper and lower limbs. The multivariable analysis result reveals that cigarette smoking (AOD= 4.65: 95% CI 1.53, 14.20), alcohol consumption (AOD= 5.18: 95% CI 2.28, 11.73), working hours (AOD= 4.78: 95% CI 1.95, 11.68), working during night shift (AOD= 4.14: 95% CI 1.12, 15.25), occupational health and safety training (AOD= 0.25:95% CI 0.10, 0.63) and use of Personal Protective Equipment (AOD= 0.32: 95% CI 0.14, 0.75) were found to be significantly associated factors with occupational injury.Conclusion: Work-related injuries were high among small scale industry workers in the studied area. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, working for more than 8 hours and working at night had high odds of occupational injuries. Use of PPE and occupation health and safety training were preventive factors. Therefore, workers and industry owners need to work together to halt the problems. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2017;31(3):208-215]Keywords: Work-related injury, Small scale industries, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopi

Assessment of healthcare waste generation rate and its management system in health centers of Bench Maji Zone

Background: It is known that the basic role of healthcare system is to preserve the health of patients and protect the public from diseases. However, in the process of performing these activities, health facilities generate hazardous waste that could be potentially harmful to healthcare workers, the public and the environment if there is insufficient handling, treatment and disposal of those wastes. Unfortunately, healthcare waste management is, in many regions, not yet carried out with a satisfactory degree of safety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess healthcare waste generation rate and its management system in health centers of Bench Maji Zone.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August, 2016. Observational checklist, key informant interview guide and weight scale were used to assess healthcare waste generation rate and its management system in selected health centers. Training, pre-test, instrument calibration and daily meeting were used to improve data quality. The Data was entered, compiled and analyzed using EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 21. The results on waste management system were reported using different descriptive statistics.Results: Out of the total HCW generated in health centers, more than half (57.9%) was general or non-risk HCW, and the remaining 42.1% was hazardous healthcare waste. The amount of HCW generated in the studied health centers was different from WHO’s norm which may be attributed to different factors such aseconomy, patient flow, difference in services provided, poor waste segregation practice, available waste management system and seasonal factors.Conclusion: HCW was not adequately managed which is characterized by lack of HCW segregation at source of generation and inadequate facilities to manage HCW. Therefore, it is important to develop a HCW management plan for keeping human health as well environmental sustainability.Keywords: Healthcare waste, health center, healthcare waste generation rate, hazardous waste, general wast

Indoor Culturable Fungal Load and Associated Factors among Public Primary School Classrooms in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Fungi are heavy threats to public health in indoor environments, particularly in residential buildings, offices, and schools where people spend a lot of time indoors. This study was conducted to investigate the load of culturable fungi and associated factors in a school indoor environment.METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight public primary school classrooms in Gondar City from March to April 2018. Settle plate technique was used to determine the culturable fungal load. Log transformed linear regression analysis was employed. The beta-coefficient with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine the degree and direction of the association with a p-value less than 0.05.RESULTS: The highest and the lowest mean culturable fungal loads recorded were 1140.29 CFU/m3 and 211.25 CFU/m3, respectively. Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Candida, Microsporum, Trichophyton, Rhizopus, Alternaria and Fusarium species were isolated. Age of buildings (b= -0.122, 95%CI -0.238,-0.007), area of classroom (b= 0.639, 95% CI 0.285, 0.993), temperature (b= -0.189, 95% CI -0.325,-0.047), humidity (b= - 0.023, 95% CI -0.043, -0.002) and PM10 (b= -0.01, 95% CI -0.015,- 0.005) were associated with culturable fungal load.CONCLUSIONS: High culturable fungal load was found in school classrooms in Gondar City. Age of buildings, area of classrooms, temperature, humidity, and PM10 were predictors of the culturable fungal load. Therefore, proficient corrective methods are needed to combat the problem of indoor air quality in a school indoor environment by controlling factors contributing to growth of fungi.