Time to initiation of antenatal care and its predictors among pregnant women who delivered in Arba Minch town public health facilities, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia, 2023: a retrospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Early antenatal care visit is important for optimal care and health outcomes for women and children. In the study area, there is a lack of information about the time to initiation of antenatal care. So, this study aimed to determine the time to initiation of antenatal care visits and its predictors among pregnant women who delivered in Arba Minch town public health facilities. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was performed among 432 women. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival time. A Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was fitted to identify predictors of the time to initiation of antenatal care. An adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: The median survival time to antenatal care initiation was 18 weeks (95% CI = (17, 19)). Urban residence (AHR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.52, 4.71), Tertiary and above level of education of the women (AHR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.28, 2.81), having pregnancy-related complications in a previous pregnancy (AHR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.08, 2.16), not having antenatal care for previous pregnancy (AHR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.71) and unplanned pregnancy (AHR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.48, 0.91) were statistically significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Half of the women initiate their antenatal care visit after 18 weeks of their pregnancy which is not in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Urban residence, tertiary and above level of education of the women, having pregnancy-related complications in a previous pregnancy, not having previous antenatal care visits and unplanned pregnancy were predictors of the time to initiation of antenatal care. Therefore, targeted community outreach programs including educational campaigns regarding antenatal care for women who live in rural areas, who are less educated, and who have no previous antenatal care experience should be provided, and comprehensive family planning services to prevent unplanned pregnancy are needed.

Survival status and predictors of mortality among low-birthweight neonates admitted to KMC units of five public hospitals in Ethiopia: Frailty survival regression model.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth are leading causes of under-five and neonatal mortality globally. Data about the timing of death and outcomes for LBW and preterm births are limited in Ethiopia and could be used to strengthen neonatal healthcare. This study describes the incidence of neonatal mortality rates (NMR) stratified by newborn size at birth for gestational age and identifies its predictors at five public hospitals in Ethiopia. METHODS: A prospective follow-up study enrolled 808 LBW neonates from March 2017 to February 2019. Sex-specific birthweight for gestational age percentile was constructed using Intergrowth 21st charts. Mortality patterns by birthweight for-gestational-age-specific survival curves were compared using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. A random-effects frailty survival model was employed to identify predictors of time to death. RESULTS: Among the 808 newborns, the birthweight distribution was 3.2% <1000 g, 28.3% <1500 g, and 68.1% <2000 g, respectively. Birthweight for gestational age categories were 40.0% both preterm and small for gestational age (SGA), 20.4% term SGA, 35.4% appropriate weight for gestational age, and 4.2% large for gestational age (LGA). The sample included 242 deaths, of which 47.5% were both preterm and SGA. The incidence rate of mortality was 16.17/1000 (95% CI 14.26-18.34) neonatal-days of observation. Neonatal characteristics independently related to increased risk of time-to-death were male sex (adjusted hazards ratio [AHR] 3.21 95% CI 1.33-7.76), born preterm (AHR 8.56 95% CI 1.59-46.14), having been diagnosed with a complication (AHR 4.68 95% CI 1.49-14.76); some maternal characteristics and newborn care practices (like lack of effective KMC, AHR 3.54 95% CI 1.14-11.02) were also significantly associated with time-to-death. CONCLUSIONS: High mortality rates were measured for low birthweight neonates-especially those both preterm and SGA births-even in the context of tertiary care. These findings highlight the need for improved quality of neonatal care, especially for the smallest newborns.

Scaling up Kangaroo Mother Care in Ethiopia and India: a multi-site implementation research study.

OBJECTIVES: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), prolonged skin-to-skin care of the low birth weight baby with the mother plus exclusive breastfeeding reduces neonatal mortality. Global KMC coverage is low. This study was conducted to develop and evaluate context-adapted implementation models to achieve improved coverage. DESIGN: This study used mixed-methods applying implementation science to develop an adaptable strategy to improve implementation. Formative research informed the initial model which was refined in three iterative cycles. The models included three components: (1) maximising access to KMC-implementing facilities, (2) ensuring KMC initiation and maintenance in facilities and (3) supporting continuation at home postdischarge. PARTICIPANTS: 3804 infants of birth weight under 2000 g who survived the first 3 days, were available in the study area and whose mother resided in the study area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were coverage of KMC during the 24 hours prior to discharge and at 7 days postdischarge. RESULTS: Key barriers and solutions were identified for scaling up KMC. The resulting implementation model achieved high population-based coverage. KMC initiation reached 68%-86% of infants in Ethiopian sites and 87% in Indian sites. At discharge, KMC was provided to 68% of infants in Ethiopia and 55% in India. At 7 days postdischarge, KMC was provided to 53%-65% of infants in all sites, except Oromia (38%) and Karnataka (36%). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows how high coverage of KMC can be achieved using context-adapted models based on implementation science. They were supported by government leadership, health workers' conviction that KMC is the standard of care, women's and families' acceptance of KMC, and changes in infrastructure, policy, skills and practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: ISRCTN12286667; CTRI/2017/07/008988; NCT03098069; NCT03419416; NCT03506698.

Factors associated with non-utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods among married women of reproductive age in Chencha district, Southern Ethiopia: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: In many developing countries like Ethiopia, access and the utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPCMs) is very low and it is also difficult to find them from many reproductive health programs. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with non-utilization of long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods among married women in the reproductive age (15-49 years). METHODS: A community based unmatched case-control study was conducted in Chencha district, Southern Ethiopia from November 2015 to December 2015. Cases were those women who used contraceptive methods other than LAPCMs and women who were not using contraceptive methods. Controls were women who used LAPCMs in their lifetime. Study participants were selected by simple random sampling technique and records were reviewed and then by tracing their address, the selected samples were interviewed. We analyzed data using SPSS version 20.0 and logistic regression models to identify associated factors. RESULTS: We enrolled 328 women: factors such as partner's lower level of education (p = 0.003), less number of live children (p = 0.04), preference to have children in the future (p = 0.042), husband's approval to LAPCMs (p = 0.002), not informed to use contraception (p = 0.006), started using contraceptives during campaign (p = 0.021) and discussion with health professionals (p = 0.039) were predictors of non-utilization of LAPCMs. CONCLUSION: Non-utilization of LAPCMs in the district is associated with knowledge about LAPCMs and quality of health service. Interventions should focus on couple's knowledge, training of service providers in quality care, and the rights of clients, informed choice to contraceptive methods.

A qualitative study on reasons for early removal of Implanon among users in Arba Minch town, Gamo Goffa zone, South Ethiopia: a phenomenological approach.

BACKGROUND: Implanon is one of the cost - effective long acting reversible contraceptive methods used for spacing and limiting births in Ethiopia. Despite the scaling up initiative undertaken by the Ethiopian Government, Implanon uptake is very low compared to short acting contraceptive methods. There is low utilization of Implanon with high level of discontinuation in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the reasons for early removal of Implanon among users in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based qualitative exploratory study using phenomenological approach was conducted. In-depth and key informant interviews were used to collect data from April 20-27, 2018 in Arba Minch town. Convenient sampling was employed to recruit participants from the households of targeted villages. A total of 10 in-depth interviews with women who recently removed Implanon and 5 key informant interviews with health extension workers were conducted. The sample size was determined based on the concept of saturation. The collected data were analyzed using thematic content analysis technique. Data coding and analysis were facilitated by using Open code version 4.0 software. RESULTS: This study revealed that majority of participants were able to mention at least three types of contraceptive methods available in the nearby health facilities. The study underlined that side effect of the method, husband opposition, seeking more children, and method failure were the common reasons for early removal of Implanon, in which side effect of the method was the main reason. Among various forms of side effects of Implanon identified by users, heavy and irregular bleeding was mentioned as the most frequently occurring side effect. CONCLUSION: Our result indicated that heavy and irregular bleeding was the main reason for early removal of Implanon. Therefore it suggests improvement in the service delivery system. Improving client's education and counseling service program could contribute much to avoid unreasonable and untimely removal of Implanon.

Assessment of the health care waste generation rates and its management system in hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2011.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare waste management options are varying in Ethiopia. One of the first critical steps in the process of developing a reliable waste management plan requires a widespread understanding of the amount and the management system. This study aimed to assess the health care waste generation rate and its management system in some selected hospitals located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Six hospitals in Addis Ababa, (three private and three public), were selected using simple random sampling method for this work. Data was recorded by using an appropriately designed questionnaire, which was completed for the period of two months. The calculations were based on the weights of the health care wastes that were regularly generated in the selected hospitals over a one week period during the year 2011. Average generation indexes were determined in relation to certain important factors, like the type of hospitals (public vs private). RESULTS: The median waste generation rate was found to be varied from 0.361- 0.669 kg/patient/day, comprised of 58.69% non-hazardous and 41.31% hazardous wastes. The amount of waste generated was increased as the number of patients flow increased (rs=1). Public hospitals generated high proportion of total health care wastes (59.22%) in comparison with private hospitals (40.48%). The median waste generation rate was significantly vary between hospitals with Kruskal-Wallis test (X2=30.65, p=0.0001). The amount of waste was positively correlated with the number of patients (p < 0.05). The waste separation and treatment practices were very poor. Other alternatives for waste treatment rather than incineration such as a locally made autoclave should be evaluated and implemented. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that the management of health care waste at hospitals in Addis Ababa city was poor.