Magnitude of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Durame Maternal and Child Health Center, Southern Ethiopia

Unintended pregnancy is the major sexual and reproductive health problem which carries a higher risk of morbidity and mortality for women, often due to unsafe abortion. Even though family planning services are effective and available than ever before, unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion are the major public health problems in the study area. Therefore, this study aims to assess the magnitude of unintended pregnancy and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Durame Maternal and Child Health center, Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 385 participants. The results revealed that among the total participants, 26.8% with 95% CI (0.229-0.307) had unintended pregnancies.Mothers who were not knowledgeable about family planning methods (AOR=2.541, 95% CI=1.953, 6.101), family size of six or more (AOR=2.8, 95% CI=1.19, 6.60), a history of greater than six pregnancies (AOR=7.323, 95% CI=3.987, 10.056), and mothers who had a history of 3-4 pregnancies (AOR=3.210, 95% CI=1.678, 4.721) were among significantly associated factors with an unintended pregnancy. The magnitude of unintended pregnancy in Durame town was optimal compared to other studies. The number of pregnancies, knowledge about family planning methods, and family size were among the significantly associated factors with an unintended pregnancy. Therefore, special attention could be taken to these high-risk groups in terms of increasing accessibility and availability of maternal health services and counselling. By doing this, the chance of unintended pregnancy could be reduced

Hand washing practices at critical times and their associated factors among mothers in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

One of the most crucial preventive measures against the spread of infectious diseases is hand washing, a process of hand cleansing that dramatically lowers bacteria in the hands. There is no comprehensive study on hand-washing practices in Ethiopia. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the pooled prevalence of hand washing practice at a critical time and identifying associated factors among mothers in Ethiopia. Published articles from various electronic databases, such as Medline, Hinari, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science, were accessed. The search period was from November 1, 2022, to January 10,2023. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023427409. All observational studies conducted among mothers in the English language were included in the review. Two reviewers independently assessed the articles before inclusion in the final review using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument for critical appraisal. The I-squared test was used to assess heterogeneity. Since the included studies exhibited high heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of hand washing practice at critical time movements. We found 3,546 studies in our search. Finally, 158 full-text studies were reviewed, and 18 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. A total of 6,956 study respondents from 18 studies were included in the study. The results of our study revealed that the pooled prevalence of handwashing practice among mothers was 47.83%, with a 95% confidence interval of 37.27- 58.38. From the pooled estimation, there was a significant association between hand washing practice and educational level, knowledge, availability of water, and attitude of mothers. The pooled prevalence of hand washing practice at critical times among Ethiopian mothers was relatively low, and improving maternal literacy, the availability of water sources in the backyard, and the positive attitude of mothers are needed to maintain and enhance the practice

Knowledge, Attitude and Associated Factors towards COVID-19 among Healthcare Providers at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2020

Healthcare providers are involved in caring for and treating patients with highly transmittable diseases. Coronavirus-2019 has posed serious health risks to healthcare providers because of their repeated exposure to many infections. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and associated factors towards COVID-19 among h healthcare providers at Wolaita Sodo Teaching Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2020.Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted using 326 healthcare providers for the assessment of the knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards COVID-19 from August 30, 2020 to September 01, 2020, at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Referral Hospital. A pretest and structured self-administered questionnaire were used to collect the data from the participants. A simple random sampling method was employed. Data were entered, coded, and analyzed using SPSS version 25 and the binary and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the knowledge and attitude of healthcare providers towards COVID-19. The statistically significant association at P< 0.05 was employed for the comparisons. The results for the overall knowledge of the healthcare providers towards the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was good (68.1%) and the overall attitude of health care providers was also positive (74.8). Experience>= 10 years (AOR=0.23; 95% CI=0.13, 0.79. P-value=0.01), Midwives qualification (AOR=0.39, 95% CI=0.10, 0.83, P-value=0.02), and positive attitude (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI=0.10, 0.36) were statistically associated with knowledge whereas experience >=10 years (AOR=2.1 95% CI=1.29, 2.10. P-value=0.01), laboratory profession (AOR=0.80; 95% CI=0.01, 0.47), P-value=0.02), and good knowledge (AOR=0.29; 95% CI=0.11, 0.46, P-value=0.0001) were statistically associated with attitude of the health careproviders. This study showed that healthcare providers had good knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19. Thus, promoting awareness through mass media and creating public health education is an important approach to address the reduction to the transmission of COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopi

The magnitude of episiotomy among women who gave birth in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Episiotomy is one of the most common obstetric procedures done by health providers putting the client at high risk of developing complications and lacerations. These days, episiotomy has been done at an alarming rate in Ethiopia as compared to the slant set by World Health Organization. Be that as it may, there is a need for nationally representative data. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of episiotomy practice among women who gave birth at public health institutions in Ethiopia. We accessed PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and manual search was used to retrieve articles. The extractions of the data were done by using Microsoft Excel and analyzed by STATA version 11 statistical software. The publication bias was checked by funnel plot visually and Egger's test and Begg’s test, with P < 0.05 considered indicating potential publication bias. I2 was used to check the presence of heterogeneity of the studies. Overall estimated analysis was done. Subgroup analysis was done by region. We carried out a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. The Joanna Briggs Institute risk of bias assessment tool was used. Out of 254 articles retrieved, 9 studies met the eligibility criteria and are thus included in this study. The overall episiotomy practice in Ethiopia was 45.01% (95% CI: 36.288, 53.741). Based on the sub-group analysis, prevalence of episiotomy practice was 49.32% (95%CI: 12.67, 85.97), 46.92% (95%CI: 29.47, 64.37), 44.23% (95%CI: 37.77, 50.99) and 38.29 (95%CI: 32.38, 44.20) among South region, Addis Ababa, Amhara region and Tigray region respectively. The findings revealed that the prevalence of episiotomy practice in Ethiopia was high (45.01%). Therefore, it is better to have periodic training for birth attendants on the indication of episiotomy and the appropriate use of guidelines to reduce the rate of episiotomy

Polymorphism in killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigen-c and predisposition to preeclampsia in Ethiopian pregnant women population.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE) is a human specific pregnancy-related syndrome of unknown etiology that affects 2-8 % of pregnancies. Polymorphism in maternal Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) and the ligand fetal Human Leukocyte Antigen-C (HLA-C) may predispose pregnant mothers for PE due to defective trophoblast invasion into the maternal decidua. Our study aimed to investigate the association between maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C polymorphism and PE in Ethiopian pregnant women. METHODS: We included a total of 288 (157 controls and 131 PE cases) in a case-controls study at Adama Regional Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. The KIR and HLA-C genotyping was done using traditional polymerase chain reaction on genomic DNA extracted form maternal venous and cord blood followed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The statistical associations between variables were evaluated using Pearson's Chi-square test. P < 0.05, with 95 % confidence interval was considered statistically significant. A significant association was observed between the KIR2DS1 and PE, with a higher frequency (60.5 %) of the gene in the control group. Similarly, a significant association was observed between KIR AA genotype and PE, with a higher frequency (38.2 %) of this genotype in the PE group. Ethiopians share the same risk genotype for PE as seen in previous African and European studies, namely homozygosity of a maternal KIR AA genotype. However, Ethiopians differ from other East African populations by sharing the same protective KIR2DS1 gene as Europeans

Indoor air bacterial load and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates at Adare General Hospital in Hawassa, Ethiopia

BackgroundAir is the agent of pathogenic microbes that cause significant problems in the hospital environment. Multidrug resistance poses a major therapeutic challenge to these airborne microorganisms in hospital indoor environments.Method and materialsThis study was conducted at Adare General Hospital in Hawassa City, Sidama, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The proportional allocation method was used to select the sampled 50 rooms from the total available rooms in each category of wards and staff offices. A total of 100 indoor air samples were collected using settle plates in all units twice a day, morning (9:00–4:00 a.m.) and afternoon (3:00–4:00 p.m.). The types and number of colonies were determined in the laboratory, and the pathogenic bacteria were isolated by appropriate bacteriological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on Mueller-Hinton agar for each potentially pathogenic bacterium isolated. For each bacterium, a total of 12 antibiotics were tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The test organism was adjusted to McFarland turbidity standards of 0.5. Data were entered and analyzed using the SPSS version 25 window. Descriptive analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed.ResultsThe indoor air bacterial load of Adare General Hospital was found in the range between 210 and 3,224 CFU/m3. The highest indoor air bacterial load was identified from the gynecology ward with a mean of 2,542.5CFU/m3 at p &lt; 0.05. From 100 indoor air samples, a total of 116 bacterial pathogen isolates were obtained. Gram-positive isolates predominated at 72.4%, of which 37.1% were Staphylococcus aureus, 26.7% were coagulase-negative Staphylococci, and the rest 8.6% were Streptococcus pyogenes. The isolation of pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci showed a high level of resistance to ampicillin.ConclusionA high bacterial load was found in the study area as compared to different indoor air biological standards. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci were the isolated predominant bacteria. Attention should be given to preventing and minimizing those environmental factors that favor the multiplication of bacteria in the indoor environment of a hospital for the safe health of patients, visitors, and staff

Intention to use maternal waiting home and its predictors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background A high maternal death rate is a result of maternal delays in seeking emergency obstetric care, particularly in countries with limited resources like Ethiopia. Utilizing maternity waiting homes is a strategy to overcome geographical barriers and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Pregnant women must intend to use this service in addition to it being available. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess pregnant women's intentions to use maternity waiting homes and associated characteristics. Methods PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and online institutional repository homes were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software (v. 14). Publication bias was checked by forest plot, Begg's, and Egger's tests. To look for heterogeneity, I 2 was computed, and an overall estimated analysis was carried out. Subgroup analysis was done by study region, sample size, and publication. The pooled odds ratio for associated factors was also computed. Results Out of 258 articles assessed, 8 studies with 4111 study participants met the criteria and were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of intention to use maternity waiting home was 52.25% (95% CI 45.88–58.66), I 2 = 93.8%). Amhara region had a higher intention to use maternal waiting for home prevalence (63.5%), per subgroup analysis. In studies with sample sizes higher than 5000, the usage of maternity waiting homes was less prevalent (45.2%). Between published research (52.9%) and unpublished studies (51.3%), there was no appreciable difference in the intention to use a maternity waiting home. Experience of maternity waiting home (AOR = 3.337; 95% CI 2.038–5.463), direct subjective norm (AOR = 2.763; 95% CI 1.395–5.471), and direct perceived behavioral control (AOR = 23.147; 95% CI 2.341–4.231). Conclusion In Ethiopia, the intention to use maternity waiting was low. There was an intentional variation in to use of maternity waiting homes across regions of Ethiopia. Improving behavioral perception through intervention programs such as antenatal education should have been strengthened

Unintended pregnancy and contraceptive use among women in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction Unintended pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal mortality associated with abortion, inadequate contraceptive use, contraceptive failure, and contraceptive discontinuation in low- and middle-income countries. Most unintended pregnancies occur in regions with limited availability of maternal health services, resulting in a significant number of maternal deaths. Therefore, this review aimed to assess the overall prevalence of unintended pregnancy among women using contraceptives in low- and middle-income countries. Method PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Ethiopian University Online Library were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software (version 14). Publication bias was checked using forest plot, Begg rank test, and Egger regression test. To check for heterogeneity, I2 was calculated and an overall estimation analysis was performed. Subgroup analysis was conducted by study setting, study design, and publication. The Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool was used to assess the quality of each study. We performed a one-time sensitivity analysis. Results Of the 1304 articles retrieved, 23 studies (involving 40,338 subjects) met the eligibility criteria and were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of unintended pregnancy among women using contraceptives in low- and middle-income countries was 44.68% (95% CI: 35.16–54.20; I2 = 99.7%, P < 0.001). Based on subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of unintended events was 43.58% (CI: 32.99, 54.173) and 49.93% (CI: 28.298, 71.555) for cross-sectional and cohort studies, respectively. Based on the study design, it was 34.47% (CI: 27.012, 41.933) for community studies and 55.85% (CI: 33.364, 78.339) for institutional studies. Conclusion The overall prevalence of unintended pregnancy was high among women using contraceptives in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to prevention strategies for unintended pregnancy, such as information and education accessibility and contraceptive utilization

Magnitude of birth asphyxia and its associated factors among newborns delivered at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2018

Birth asphyxia is the third leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality and it can be managed and also preventable. A study on the magnitude and local factors associated with birth asphyxia was limited in the study area. This study therefore determined the magnitude and predictors of birth asphyxia among newborns delivered at Wolaita Sodo Teaching and Referral Hospital.The study which is cross-sectional was conducted from October to December 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was collected by interviewing mothers through a structured questionnaire and reviewing neonates' medical records using a checklist. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia. A total of 265 neonates with their mothers were interviewed.Results showed that the incidence of birth asphyxia was found to be 25.7%. Age of mother [AOR=0.13; 95%CI (0.028-0.598)], prolonged duration of labor [AOR=6.11; 95%CI (1.637-22.772)], low birth weight [AOR= 14.77; 95%CI (1.27-171.67)], bloodstained amniotic fluid [AOR=103.6; 95% CI (17.757-604.452)], prolonged rupture of membrane [AOR=7.56; 95%CI (1.349-41.206)] and prolapsed umbilical cord [AOR=19.48; 95%CI (1.715-221.23)] were found to be predictors of birth asphyxia.We conclude that the magnitude of birth asphyxia among newborns was found to be high. Age of mother, duration of labor, the status of stained amniotic fluid, collapsed umbilical cord, duration of rupture of membranes and birth weight were significantly associated with birth asphyxia. Therefore, improving obstetrics and immediate newborn care and timely intervention for their complications are recommended. Keywords: Prevalence, Birth asphyxia, Newborn, Ethiopi