Incidence and predictors of mortality among neonates admitted with birth asphyxia to neonatal intensive care unit of West Shewa Zone Public Hospitals, Central Ethiopia

Background Birth asphyxia is still one of the primary causes of newborn mortality worldwide. Similarly, the risk of newborn asphyxia in Ethiopia remains unacceptably high. Thus, studies on the incidence and predictors of mortality among newborns admitted with birth asphyxia are crucial to addressing this problem. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and predictors of mortality among neonates admitted with birth asphyxia to the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of West Shewa Zone Public Hospitals in Central Ethiopia.Methods An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 760 asphyxiated neonates admitted to the NICUs of West Shewa Zone Public Hospitals between 30 March 2021 and 30 April 2023. The data were collected using CSEntry and analysed bu using Stata V.17. Bivariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were carried out, and significant predictors were found using a 95% CI and a p<0.05.Results A total of 760 asphyxiated neonates were followed for a total of 6880 neonatal days. At the end of follow-up, 263 (34.6%) of the neonates died (95% CI 31.3% to 38.1%), which resulted in a mortality incidence of 10.6/100 person-days of observation. Chewing khat (adjusted HR, AHR 2.21; 95% CI 1.13 to 4.31), home delivery (AHR 1.45, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9), lack of antenatal care follow-up (AHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.89), hypothermia (AHR 1.56, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.17), hypoglycaemia (AHR 2.23, 95% CI 1.91 to 2.25) and obstructed labour (AHR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.91) were found to be the significant predictors of neonatal mortality among asphyxiated neonates at a p≤0.05.Conclusion and recommendation The magnitude of neonatal mortality among asphyxiated neonates in the study area was high. Therefore, in order to significantly reduce the risks of birth asphyxia and subsequent newborn death, all interested stakeholders should take these predictors into consideration

Impact of disrespectful maternity care on childbirth complications: a multicentre cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

Abstract Background Globally, disrespectful, and abusive childbirth practices negatively impact women’s health, create barriers to accessing health facilities, and contribute to poor birth experiences and adverse outcomes for both mothers and newborns. However, the degree to which disrespectful maternity care is associated with complications during childbirth is poorly understood, particularly in Ethiopia. Aim To determine the extent to which disrespectful maternity care is associated with maternal and neonatal-related complications in central Ethiopia. Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Shewa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. The sample size was determined using the single population proportion formula. Participants (n = 440) were selected with a simple random sampling technique using computer-generated random numbers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a pretested questionnaire and were entered into Epidata and subsequently exported to STATA version 17 for the final analysis. Analyses included descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and an odds ratio (OR) of 0.05. Co-founders were controlled by adjusting for maternal sociodemographic characteristics. The primary exposure was disrespectful maternity care; the main outcomes were maternal and neonatal-related complications. Results Disrespectful maternity care was reported by 344 women (78.2%) [95% CI: 74–82]. Complications were recorded in one-third of mothers (33.4%) and neonates (30%). Disrespectful maternity care was significantly associated with maternal (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.8) and neonatal-related complications (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.54, 5.04). Conclusion The World Health Organization advocates respectful maternal care during facility-based childbirth to improve the quality of care and outcomes. However, the findings of this study indicated high mistreatment and abuse during childbirth in central Ethiopia and a significant association between such mistreatment and the occurrence of both maternal and neonatal complications during childbirth. Therefore, healthcare professionals ought to prioritise respectful maternity care to achieve improved birth outcomes and alleviate mistreatment and abuse within the healthcare sector

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay for Rapid Diagnosis and Its Role in Prevention of Human Brucellosis in Punjab, India

Objectives: Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease that has been diagnosed mainly by serological tests and blood culture to some extent. This study was designed to establish a PCR technique for rapid diagnosis to be used in surveillance activities. Methods: The purpose of this study was firstly explained to the study population and verbal consent was obtained before sample collection. Peripheral blood was collected from 116 occupationally exposed groups with and without pyrexia of unknown origin from various districts of Punjab. Samples were subjected to blood culture, serological tests and DNA extraction was done using conventional laboratory extraction procedure. A primer pair B4/B5 that amplifies a gene encoding a 31 kDa immunogenic outer membrane protein (bcsp31) of Brucella species was used for PCR amplification. Results: The results showed that 8 (7%) of the cases had positive PCR and the detection threshold of primers used in this study were 715 cfu/ml. PCR results were 51.3% accurate for sensitivity of 12.6% and specificity of 100% using STAT as gold standard. Conclusions: Early-case reporting is possible by rapid tests like PCR. Thus, PCR is a promising diagnostic tool for routine investigation and surveillance of brucellosis which is the key element for management of prevention and control programmes. But patient condition before testing, optimal clinical specimen, sample volume used, simple and efficient DNA extraction protocol are the points of concern for PCR to be used as a routine test in clinical laboratory practice

Concomitant use of medicinal plants and pharmaceutical drugs among pregnant women in southern Ethiopia

Background: In several African nations, including Ethiopia, improving mother and child health is a top public health concern. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of study on pregnant women in Ethiopia who concomitantly utilize pharmaceutical drugs and medicinal plants. Hence, the objective of this research was to assess the concomitant use of pharmaceutical drugs and medicinal plants among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia in 2021. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among systematically selected 400 pregnant women in Shashamane town, Southern Ethiopia, from July 1–30/2021. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was performed to examine the association between a dependent variable and independent variables. Results: According to this study, among those who self-medicated, 90 (22.5%) reported using at least one pharmaceutical drug, while 180 (45%) reported using at least one medicinal plant. Moreover, 68 (17%) of the participants who had taken drugs while pregnant also used pharmaceutical drugs and medicinal plants concomitantly. Having a medical condition during pregnancy (AOR = 5.6, 95% CI: 2.7–11.6), not having ANC follow up (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.3–6.2), gestational age (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.6–10.7), and not having a formal education (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.3–13.4) were all significantly associated with concomitant use of pharmaceutical drugs and medicinal plants during pregnancy. Conclusion: This study showed that nearly one in five pregnant women used medicinal plants concomitantly with pharmaceutical drugs. Mother's educational status, medical illness during pregnancy, having ANC follow up and gestational period were significantly associated with concomitant use of medicinal plants and pharmaceutical drugs. Therefore, health care providers and concerned stakeholders should consider these factors to minimize the risks associated with drug use during pregnancy on both mother and fetus