Effective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among lactating women: a community-based study, north east Ethiopia.

Background: Effective breastfeeding techniques, which include proper attachment, positioning, and suckling, offer a range of benefits for both the mother and the infant. These techniques ensure efficient milk transfer, reduce the risk of infections, support optimal infant weight gain, enhance maternal comfort, and foster a strong emotional bond. This study aimed to identify the magnitude and factors associated with effective breastfeeding techniques among lactating women in the Legambo district of South Wollo, Ethiopia, in 2022. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2022. Samples were selected using a multi-stage sampling method from 18 wards (kebele). Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data and then exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the magnitude and associated factors. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 on multivariable analysis were considered independent factors associated with the outcome variable. Results: Six hundred and ten lactating women were included for observation and interviewed, resulting in a 96.2% response rate. The magnitude of effective breastfeeding technique practice was found to be 25.9% (95% CI: 22.47-29.57%). Factors associated with effective breastfeeding technique practice included being a working woman (AOR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.07-2.72), age between 26 and 30 years (AOR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.16-0.84), urban residence (AOR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.06-2.39), initiating breastfeeding 1 to 2 h after birth (AOR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.16-0.43), and initiating breastfeeding after 2 h of birth (AOR = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.17-0.67). Additionally, not receiving breastfeeding education (AOR = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.30-0.72) and experiencing current breast problems (AOR = 0.28; 95%CI: 0.28-0.75) were also found to have a significant association with effective breastfeeding technique practice. Conclusion: Only one in four women demonstrated effective breastfeeding techniques, indicating that their practice was below the WHO's recommendations. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the identified variables to improve the practice of effective breastfeeding techniques.

Breast problems and associated factors among lactating women in Northeast Ethiopia, 2022.

Breastfeeding is the cornerstone of child and maternal health. However, maternal breast problems during breastfeeding have been frequently reported as one of the reasons for early discontinuation of breastfeeding. Despite the importance of having knowledge on breast problems magnitude and its associated factors in the clinical practices and designing effective interventions, there is limited data on this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of breast problem among postnatal lactating women in Legambo district, south wollo zone, North East Ethiopia, in 2022. A community-based cross sectional study was conducted among 610 lactating mothers in Legambo district. Multi-stage sampling was employed to select study participants. Interviewer administered, WHO B-R-E-A-S-T-Feeding, observational checklist and maternal self-reported breast problem questionnaires were used to collect the data. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used for data entry and export to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bi-variable and multivariable analysis was carried out. On the multivariable logistic regression, variables with p-value < 0.5 were considered as they had statistically significant association with breast problem. The overall prevalence of breast problems among postnatal lactating women was 54.3% (95%, CI 49.3-59.3%). Primipara (AOR = 5.09; 95% CI 3.40-7.62), preterm infant (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.22-3.66), home delivery (AOR = 3.67; 95% CI 1.62-8.30), ineffective breastfeeding techniques (AOR = 2.45; 95%CI 1.61-3.74), caesarean section delivery (AOR = 2.05;95%CI :1.15-3.64) and mixed type of feeding (AOR = 1.97:95%CI 1.34-2.89) were factors showed significant association. The prevalence of breast problems was 54.3%. Relevant factors related to an increase risks are being primipara, cesarean section delivery, home delivery, preterm birth, ineffective breastfeeding techniques and mixed type of feeding.

Complete continuum of maternity care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last twelve months in Mekane Selam town North-East Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study,2021.

BACKGROUND: Complete continuum of maternity care has significant value in improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and newborns. Assessing the complete continuum of maternity care is a global priority, particularly in developing countries. Despite the fact that the complete continuum of maternity care prevents more than half of all maternal and neonatal deaths, Ethiopia remains one of the largest contributors to the global burden of maternal and neonatal deaths due to the low implementation of the complete continuum of maternity care. Thus, this study aimed to assess the coverage of the complete continuum of maternity care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in the study area. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study with a multistage sampling technique was conducted among 479 mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in Mekane Selam town. Data were collected from September 1 to November 30/2021 using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was computed. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P- value< 0.05 were used to identify significantly associated factors. RESULTS: The coverage of a complete continuum of maternity care was 42.4% (95% CI: 37.9%, 47%). Respondents with higher educational status (AOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.52, 11.44), pre-pregnancy contraception utilization (AOR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.80, 6.92), planned pregnancy (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.27, 6.97) and early initiation of antenatal care (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI: 2.86, 7.31) were significantly associated with complete continuum of maternity care. CONCLUSION: The coverage of complete continuum of maternal care was low in the study area. The coverage could be expanded by making the necessary interventions on the associated factors. It is essential for women to acquire education, utilize contraception, plan their pregnancies, and begin antenatal care at an early age in order to enhance the coverage of complete continuum of maternity care.

Alcohol use and associated factors among pregnant women during the mid-pandemic of COVID-19 at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the proportion of alcohol use and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care during the mid-pandemic of COVID-19 at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1-30, 2021. Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 612 pregnant women attending a prenatal clinic. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 statistical software and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to predict the association between alcohol use and the independent variable. p = 0.05 variables were considered statistically significant associated factors. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption by pregnant women was 26.3%: residence (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 4.08, 95% confidence interval: 2.23, 7.48), antenatal care follow-up before the survey (AOR = 2.69, 95% confidence interval: 1.37, 5.26), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 3.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.88, 5.70), partner alcohol use (AOR = 6.88, 95% confidence interval: 3.92, 12.06), and knowledge toward effect of alcohol on the fetus (AOR = 2.26, 95% confidence interval: 1.17, 4.33). Conclusions: The magnitude of alcohol use during pregnancy was high and this might be related to the pandemic. Antenatal care follow-up before the survey, unplanned pregnancy, partner alcohol use, and knowledge were found to be statistically significant associated factors.

Knowledge and factors associated with obstetric danger signs among married men in Dessie town, South Wollo, North-East Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and factors associated with obstetrics danger signs among married men in Dessie town, North-East Ethiopia in 2020. DESIGN: Community-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: Dessie town, North-East Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted on selected 824 men. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using pretested questionnaires and then the data were entered into Epi-Data V.3.1 software, and analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V.20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between each independent variable with the dependent variable, and those variables with a value of p≤0.25 in bivariable analysis were candidates for multivariable analysis. Finally those variables with a value of p<0.05 with 95% CI in multivariable analysis were reported as statistically significant. RESULT: This study revealed that the overall knowledge of obstetric danger signs was 53.8% (95% CI 50.2 % to 57.2%). Respondents aged 35-40 years (AOR=4.92, 95% CI 2.6 to 9.0), exposure to media (AOR=10.4, 95% CI 4.19 to 25.9), wife's age ≤35 years (AOR=4.16, 95% CI 2.25 to 7.69), wife who attended secondary education (AOR=1.59, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.39), participation in the Health Development Army (AOR=4.74, 95% CI 1.8 to 12.5), previous obstetric complication (AOR=4.27, 95% CI 2.0 to 9.14) and number of pregnancy ≤2 (AOR=0.42, 95% CI 0.05 to 3.38) and 3-4 (AOR=0.22 95% CI 0.06 to 0.83) were significantly associated with knowledge of obstetric danger signs. CONCLUSION: Men's knowledge about obstetric danger signs was low. Age of respondents, wives' age, and respondents' media exposure, participation in the Health Development Army, wives' educational status, previous obstetrics complication and gravidity were significantly associated knowledge of obstetrics danger sign.

Exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors among mothers of infants age 6 to 12 months in Somali region of Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, only 58% of the mothers practice exclusively breast feeding, which is far from recommended; therefore, identifying factors associated with exclusive breast feeding helps to fill this gap. Community-based mixed cross-sectional study was conducted on 532 mothers. Binary logistic regression was performed and Variables with p value ≤ 0.05 in multivariable analysis declared as statistically significant variables. For the qualitative part focused group discussion was performed, and a thematic framework analysis was done. Finally the results were presented with narration. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 52%. Husband education (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.6, 5), colostrum feeding (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.3, 3.9), antenatal care (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.1, 4.3.), place of delivery (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.2, 3.6), residence (AOR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.2, 0.6), counseling during postnatal care (AOR = 2; 95% CI 1.2, 3.3) were associated with exclusive breastfeeding. As most discussant explained reason for not exclusive breastfeeding were due to different perceptions such as breast milk not sufficient, giving water decrease infantile colic and fear of food refusal. Prevalence of breastfeeding is low. Husband education, residence, colostrum feeding, antenatal care, institutional delivery, counseling during antenatal and postnatal care were significantly associated variables.

Factors affecting the initiation and continuation of maternal health service utilization among women who delivered in the past one year in Enemay district, East Gojjam, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Maternity continuum of care is the continuity of maternal healthcare services that a woman uses, which includes antenatal care (ANC 4+), skilled birth attendant (SBA), and postnatal care (PNC) within 48 h of delivery. It is one of the essential strategies for reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors affecting the initiation and continuation of maternal health service utilization among women who delivered in the past one year in Enemay district, East Gojjam zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among six hundred twenty-one (621) women who gave birth in the last one year in Enemay district from February 25 to March 10, 2019. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by face-to-face interviewer-administered, pretested, and semi-structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regressions (bi-variable and multivariable) were fitted to identify statistically significant variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to declare statistically significant variables on the basis of p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable binary logistic regression. RESULTS: In this study, around 61% of women had antenatal care follow-up. Out of those women having ante natal care follow-up, about 77.5% (95% CI 73, 81.7%) had continued to receiving skilled birth delivery service. Age (AOR = 1.7 95% CI: (1.0, 2.88)), marital status (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: (1.01, 2.76)), women's educational status (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: (1.30, 6.72)), autonomy for health care decision-making (AOR = 3.71, 95%CI: (2.36, 6.02)), exposure to media (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: (1.78, 4.6)), wanted pregnancy (AOR = 3.6 95% CI: (2.2, 5.95)), and parity (AOR = 0.34, 95%CI: (0.16, 0.71)) were statistically significant variables associated with initiation of antenatal care, whereas educational status of women (AOR = 4.65, 95% CI: (1.37, 15.7)), autonomy for health care decision making (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI:(1.0, 6.82)), and had counseled during antenatal care (AOR = 2.88 95% CI: (1.21, 6.83)) were statistically significant variables associated with the continuation of maternal health care services. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the initiation and continuity of maternal health care services are low in the study area. Age, marital status, residence, women's educational status, health care decision-making autonomy, exposure to media, wanted pregnancy, and parity were factors significantly affecting the initiation of antenatal care. Whereas, women's educational status, health care decision-making autonomy, and counseling during antenatal care were predictors influencing the continuation of maternal health care services (antenatal care to skilled birth delivery).

Completion and Factors Associated with Maternity Continuum of Care among Mothers Who Gave Birth in the Last One Year in Enemay District, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia still suffers high levels of neonatal and maternal mortality, so the maternity continuum of care is a continuous framework for the delivery of maternal care from pregnancy to the postnatal period. Skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period is an important intervention in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. But in Ethiopia, there are limited studies on the completion of the maternity continuum of care, so this study will help to suggest interventions in order to reduce the dropout of the maternity continuum of care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the completion of the maternity continuum of care and factors associated with it among mothers who gave birth in the last one year in Enemay District, Northwest Ethiopia. Method and Materials. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 25 to March 10, 2019, on 651 women who gave birth in the last one year. The data were collected by a face-to-face interview through pretested and structured questionnaires. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the completion of the maternity continuum of care. Variables with a P value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis were declared as statistically significant associated factors. RESULTS: This study revealed that about 45% (95% CI: 40.9%, 48.8%) of respondents completed the continuum of care. Women with secondary education (AOR = 6, 95% CI: 2.26, 16.6), women whose occupation is farming (AOR = 0.18, 95%, CI: 0.1, 0.32), women who have autonomy in health care decision (AOR = 4, 95% CI: 2.26, 7.2), women who have exposure to media (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.27), women with wanted pregnancies (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.87, 5.9), para five and above women (AOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.28, 6.3), and women whose husbands are employed (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI: 1.16, 21.2) were significantly associated with the completion of the maternity continuum of care. Conclusions and Recommendation. This study showed that less than half of the participants had achieved the continuum of care and education level, and both respondents and their husband's occupation, parity, autonomy in health care decision, exposure to the mass media, and wantedness of pregnancy were associated with the completion of the maternity continuum of care; therefore, working on enhancing the capacity of women's autonomy in health care and decision-making and preventing unintended pregnancy helps to improve the completion of the maternity continuum of care.