Parental satisfaction and its associated factors with neonatal intensive care unit services at public hospitals in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Parental satisfaction is an effective strategy to improve the quality of neonatal care and reduce neonatal mortality. Low parental satisfaction may result in discharge against medical advice, increased neonatal readmission, morbidity, and mortality. We found a scarcity of research on parental satisfaction and its factors associated with neonatal care unit services. This study aimed to assess parental satisfaction and its associated factors in public referral hospitals in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 parent-neonate pairs. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. We used the Neonatal Satisfaction Survey (NSS-8) tool to collect data through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered using Epi data 3.1 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to identify associated factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Findings: A total of 400 parent-neonate pairs were included in this study. The mean and standard deviation of parental age was (29.4 ± 6.2) years. Overall parental satisfaction was 55.0% (95% CI:50.0–59.9%). Parental age (aOR = 2.03;95% CI:1.13–3.64), parental sex (aOR = 2.27; 95% CI:1.35–3.80), length of hospital stay (aOR = 5.09; 95% CI: 2.15–12.01), a history of readmission (aOR = 0.34; 95% CI:0.16–0.76), and involvement in decision making (aOR = 2.80; 95% CI:1.76–4.46) were associated with overall parental satisfaction. Conclusion: More than half of the participants were satisfied with the neonatal care provided to their infants. Parental age, sex, length of hospital stay, history of readmission, and involvement in decision-making were factors affecting parental satisfaction. We recommend paying more attention to parental involvement in decision-making for the care of their newborns, parents with a long duration of admission, and the need for continuity of care to improve parental satisfaction with neonatal care

Poor glycemic control and its associated factors among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Harar, eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Poor glycemic control increases the risk of acute metabolic derangements and long-term consequences, which are the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Maintaining adequate glycemic control is challenging for children with diabetes, particularly in resource-limited settings. There is a paucity of data on the magnitude of poor glycemic control and its predisposing factors in Ethiopian particularly in this study setting. Hence, we aimed to assess the magnitude of poor glycemic control and its associated factors among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetic mellitus in Jugol and Hiwot Fana Compressive Specialized University Hospitals in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Jugol and Hiwot Fana Compressive Specialized University Hospitals. Participants were included consecutively in the follow-up clinic from November 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and a review of medical records. A binary logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors associated with poor glycemic control. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result A total of 231 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included. The magnitude of poor glycemic control was 166 (71.9%) with 95% CI 66.0–77.7%). In multivariable analysis, the age of the child (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.83), education of the caregiver (aOR = 4.13;95% CI: 1.82–9.46), meal frequency less than three (aOR = 3.28; 95% CI: 1.25–8.62), and consumption of forbidden foods (aOR = 3.17; 95% CI: 1.21–8.29) were factors significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Conclusion Two-thirds of participants had poor glycemic control. There was a statistically significant association between the age of the child, education of the caregiver, meal frequency, and forbidden foods with poor glycemic control. To improve glycemic control, diabetes education on meal use and selection should be conducted during follow-up along with parent education

Hyponatremia and its associated factors in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Hyponatremia is a serious problem that leads to substantial increases morbidity and mortality in critically ill children. The identification of risk factors, implementation of preventive measures, and timely diagnosis and management are crucial to reduce adverse events related to hyponatremia. Despite the higher burden of the problem in Ethiopia, evidence related to the risk factors for hyponatremia among children in Ethiopia is limited; in particular, no study has been identified in eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, we aimed to determine the magnitude of hyponatremia and its associated factors in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at the Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using 422 medical records of pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. Medical records were reviewed to collect data. Data were analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. A binary logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The magnitude of hyponatremia was 39.1% (95% CL: 34.4–43.8%). The age of the child (aOR = 2.37;95% CL:1.31–4.31), diagnosis of sepsis (aOR = 2.33; 95% CL:1.41–3.84),   surgical procedures (aOR = 2.39; 95% CL:1.26–4.56), nutritional status (aOR = 2.60; 95% CL:1.51–4.49), and length of hospital stay (aOR = 3.04; 95% CL: 1.73–5.33) were factors significantly associated with hyponatremia. Conclusions Four out of ten children admitted to pediatric intensive care units had hyponatremia. Hyponatremia was significantly associated with the age of the child, malnutrition, sepsis, surgical procedures, and length of hospital stay. To reduce the burden of hyponatremia and associated mortality, attention should be focused on improving the care of malnourished children, and those with sepsis, and the quality of postoperative monitoring services. Moreover, intervention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of hyponatremia should target the identified factors

Prevalence of child marriage and associated factors among reproductive age women in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia, 2022: a community-based study

Abstract Introduction Child marriage is a union before the age of 18 and a violation of human right. Around 21% of young women in the world married before reaching the age of 18. Every year, 10 million girls under the age of 18 are married. Child marriage causes lifetime suffering, and its abolition was one component of the Sustainable Development Goal to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. However; abolition of child marriage by 2030 will not happen because its prevalence in the community has remained stable. Objective To assess the prevalence of child marriage and its associated factors among reproductive-age women from March 7 to April 5, 2022 in Harari Regional State, eastern Ethiopia. Methods Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 7 to April 5, 2022 among the reproductive age group in the Harari Region state, Eastern Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to find study participants. Data were obtained by face-to-face interview using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, input into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using Stata version 16. The proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the summery measure were used to report the prevalence. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was used to examine associated factors, and the results were provided as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval. Result In this study 986 were responded to the interview, making response rate of 99.6%. The median age of study participants was 22 years. The prevalence of child marriage was 33.7% [95% CI: 30.8–36.7] in this study. Being a Muslim (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.26, 4.19), diploma or higher level of education (AOR = 0.26, 95%CI = .10, 0.70), rural residence (AOR = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.71, 7.82), a marriage arranged by others (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.49, 4.82) and not knowing legal age of marriage (AOR = 4.49, 95% CI = 2.57, 7.85) were significantly associated with child marriage. Conclusion According to this report, nearly one out of every three women engages in child marriage. The practice was more common among those with lower educational attainment, those who lived in rural areas, people who were unaware of the legal age of marriage, and those whose engagement was decided by others. Focusing on strategies that allow for intervention in these factors is beneficial in ending child marriage, which has a direct and indirect impact on women's health and educational achievement

Home-based HPV self-sampling assisted by a cloud-based electronic data system: Lessons learnt from a pilot community cervical cancer screening campaign in rural Ethiopia

Primary HPV testing and triage of HPV-positive women is an effective cervical cancer screening strategy. Such a multi-visit screening algorithm is also promising for community-based screening in resource-poor communities, provided a robust tracking system is in place. A cervical cancer screening campaign was conducted in a rural community in Ethiopia. All women aged 25-65 years were offered genital self-sampling using the Evalyn Brush (R). Samples were HPV-DNA-tested at a central laboratory. Key indicators were captured on tablet computers and linked by a cloud-based information system. HPV-positive women were examined at the local clinic using portable colposcopy, p16/Ki-67 dual stain cytology and biopsy examination. CIN2+ women were referred for LEEP to the referral hospital. Of 749 enumerated age-eligible women 634 (85%, (95% CI 82-88)) consented to screening, 429 samples were adequate for HPV testing, giving a total testing coverage of 57% (95% CI 53-62). The hrHPV prevalence was 14% (95% CI 5-22), 72% (95% CI 60-84) attended the clinic for a triage examination. Home-based HPV-DNA self-sampling and clinic-based triage assisted by cloud-based information technology is feasible in rural Ethiopia. Key components of such strategy are broad community awareness, high competency of community workers, and establishment of an adequate self-sampling and HPV-DNA testing platform