Pelvic Floor Disorders and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise: A Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Pregnant Women in Northwest Ethiopia

The purpose of the study was to investigate 1: overall knowledge of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) as well as knowledge, attitudes, and practice of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME); and 2: the association of these factors with parity in pregnant women in Gondar, Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was performed in the Central Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia between February and April 2021. The associations between parity and knowledge of POP and UI, and knowledge, attitude, and practice towards PFME were estimated using logistics regression models and presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Nulliparous women were used as the reference. Adjustments were made for maternal age, antenatal care visits, and level of education. The study sample comprised 502 pregnant women: 133 nulliparous, and 369 multiparous. We found no association between parity and knowledge of POP, UI, or knowledge, attitude, and practice toward PFME. The sum score indicated poor knowledge about both POP, UI, and PFME in the study population, and poor attitude and practice of PFME. Despite a high attendance in antenatal care services, knowledge, attitude, and practice were poor, indicating a need for quality improvement of the services.publishedVersio

Prevalence and Predictors of Postpartum Depression: Northwest Ethiopia

Background. Postpartum depression is an umbrella, which encompasses several mood disorders that follow childbirth within 6 weeks. Screening for postpartum depression would improve the ability to recognize these disorders and enhance care that ensures improved clinical outcomes. Early identification of postpartum depression is important in order to plan for implementation strategies that allow for timely treatment and support of women with postpartum depression. Objective. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum depression among women who gave birth in the last six weeks in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018. Methods. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 526 women who gave birth in the last 6 weeks from July 1 to 30, 2018 in Gondar town. Cluster sampling technique was used. Data were collected by semi-structured and pretested questionnaire and entered into epi-Info version 7.0 and then analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model were fitted. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval has been computed and variables with p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. The prevalence of postpartum depression among 526 postnatal women was 25% (95% CI: 21, 28). Abortion history (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.97), birth weight <2.5 kg (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.78, 5.48), gestational age below 36 weeks (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.22, 3.88) unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.31), relatives’ mental illness (AOR = 1.20: 1.09–3.05), had no antenatal visit (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI: 1.81, 9.05), had no postnatal visit (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.00) were factors significantly associated with postpartum depression. Conclusion and Recommendations. The prevalence of PPD was found to be higher. Variables like abortion history, low birth weight, gestational age below 36 weeks, unplanned pregnancy, relatives’ mental illness, had no antenatal visit, and had no postnatal visit were predisposing factors to postpartum depression. Preventive measures to avoid low birth weight and pregnancy complications are also identified as proactive ways to reduce postpartum depression. Early identification and treatment of depression during ANC and postpartum care can mitigate the impact of PPD on the mother-baby dyad. Emphasis must be given women to have ANC and PNC follow up

Risk factors of precancerous cervical lesions: The role of women's socio-demographic, sexual behavior and body mass index in Amhara region referral hospitals; case-control study.

BackgroundCervical cancer remains one of the major public health challenges in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. There was a scarce of evidence regarding the effect of woman's socio-demographic characteristics and body mass index on the development of precancerous cervical lesions in Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed at identifying the risk factors of precancerous cervical lesions among women visiting referral hospitals for cervical cancer screening in Amhara national regional state.MethodsA hospital-based case-control study was conducted from 22 December 2019 to 8 April 2020 among 200 women including 67 visual inspections with acetic acid (VIA) positive women (i.e., cases) and 133 visual inspections with acetic acid (VIA) negative women (i.e., controls). The study was conducted at randomly selected referral hospitals in Amhara national regional state. Data were collected mainly through face to face interview and chart review using structured questionnaire and checklist respectively. Data were then entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression model was fitted and variables with p-value of ResultsThis study illustrates that the odds of being positive for precancerous cervical lesion (PCL) were higher among women who had body mass index (BMI) of ConclusionMost of the determinants of precancerous cervical lesions were modifiable and mainly related to women's socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and body mass index. Therefore, strengthening awareness on safe sexual practices and healthy life styles through information, education and communication (IEC), and behavioral change communication (BCC) would decrease the incidence of precancerous cervical lesions