A multicenter study of maternal conditions and amniotic fluid volume in Ethiopia in 2023.

The amniotic fluid is a protective liquid found in amniotic found in the amniotic sac and mainly containing water and some solid substances including epitheloid and fibroblastic type cells. Most of the studies conducted about amniotic fluid volume (AFV) reported fetal and placental factors as a determinant of AFV. The aim of this study is to examine maternal and obstetric conditions in relation to AFV among women with term pregnancies. A multicenter institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among clients attending selected public hospitals of South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia from January 01, 2023 to May 30, 2023. The sample size was calculated by using the assumption of single population proportion formula considering the prevalence value of 50%, 95% confidence interval, and margin of error 5% and 10% non respondent rate. In our study rural residency AOR = 3.21 (1.19-5.37), chronic illness AOR = 2.12 (1.33-4.61), short inter pregnancy interval AOR = 3.03 (2.18-6.28), Hypermesis gravidarum AOR = 1.19 (1.02-4.41), and maternal diabetics AOR = 2.16 (1.32-4.75) had significant association with the outcome variable. These maternal conditions may be correlated with an abnormal volume of amniotic fluid.

Consented maternal care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at public health institutions in South Wollo Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia 2022.

Introduction: Informed consent in healthcare services is a legal, ethical, and professional requirement on the part of all treating health providers and providing person-centered care. The methods of requesting consent during childbirth have not been extensively studied. In Ethiopia, there is not at all a single study done. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine associated factors among mothers who gave birth at health institutions in the South Wollo Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia in 2022. Methods: Mothers who gave birth at South Wollo Zone public health institutions, from 01 March to 30 April 2022 participated in a multi-center institutional-based cross-sectional study design. Systematic random sampling was used to select 423 study participants. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection, and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. The level of significance was determined using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Result: The study had 416 participants in total, with a response rate of 98.3%. Out of the 416 respondents interviewed, 67.1% of the women received consented care. The age group of 30-34, complications during childbirth, intended pregnancy, merchant, and primary and referral hospital were significantly associated with consented care. Conclusion: The level of non-consented care during delivery was high compared with other literature reflecting substantial mistreatment. Therefore, stakeholders should strengthen monitoring and assessment systems to prevent abuse, and further study is required to look for practical ways to make improvements. Key elements of consented care have also been included in Basic and Emergency Obstetric Care training sessions and given to health providers.

Early Post-natal Care Services Utilization and its associated factors among mothers Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Early Post-natal Care Services are defined as the care given to the mother and the newborn baby after childbirth of a few weeks. This time is the most life-threatening time since most maternal and neonatal mortality takes place. Methods: The preferred reporting elements for the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist methodology were used to build the current systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was done at the electronic database using the Pub Med database, PubMed/MED-LINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Google, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar to identify potential research. The retrieved author/year, study region, design, and sample size of all the authors. A standardized data-gathering measuring tool was used to obtain the data. I2 test statics were used to verify the heterogeneity among the investigations. The statistical program STATA 17 was used to analyze the data. Analysis of sensitivity was verified. The asymmetry of the funnel plot and statistically significant Egger's test at a 5 % significant level indicated the presence of publication bias. The pooled prevalence of mothers' use of early postnatal care services and the factors associated with it were determined using a random effect model. Result: A total of 4498 mothers were involved in 10 studies. The pooled prevalence of Early Postnatal Care Services Utilization and Its Associated Factors among Mothers in Ethiopia was (28.51 % (95%CI, [20.95, 36.06]). According to the pooled effect, utilizing postnatal care services early was associated with formal education four points, or seven times (OR = 4.73 (95%CI, 3.12, 7.18)) higher likelihood. An early postnatal care service user is three times more likely to know early post-care visits (OR = 3.63 (95%CI, 1.25, and 10.50)).Early postnatal care service consumption is five times more likely to be associated with birth complications (OR = 4.93 (95%CI, 2.62, 9.27)). Being three times more likely to use early post-natal care services if an ANC is present (OR = 3.56 (95%CI, 2.03, 6.26)). Women who had traveled fewer than 2 h were three times as likely to have used early post-natal care services (OR = 3.47 (95%CI, 2.32, 5.20)). Early Post-natal care services utilization history ((OR = 2.26 (95%CI, 1.68, 3.04)) women who had previously used early post-natal care services. Conclusion and recommendation: In comparison to national guidelines, the WHO, and other research, Ethiopia's pooled prevalence of accessing early postnatal care services is low. Prenatal care service use and birth complications also have a significant impact on the use of early postnatal care services. Improving early postnatal care service usage requires expanding the availability of antenatal care services on a national scale. Strengthening prenatal care services, increasing the number of health centers and health posts, increasing delivery at health facilities, and emphasizing or improving mothers' knowledge of and attitudes toward early post-natal care contact are all critical to improving quality of life and lowering neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Future studies and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health should concentrate on improving the use of prenatal care services, minimizing and managing birth complications, and enhancing the use of early postnatal care services.

Post-War Assessment of the Prevalence and Determinants of Unplanned Pregnancy Among Pregnant Women Attending Public Hospitals in Conflict-Zones of South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia, 2022, Multi-Center Study.

Background: Worldwide, although unplanned pregnancy seems decreasing, 38% of pregnancies are unintended. In sub-Saharan Africa, unintended pregnancy accounts for more than a quarter of the 40 million pregnancies that occur annually. Objective: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of unplanned pregnancy among pregnant women attending public hospitals in conflict-zones of South Wollo zone, Northeast Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A multi-center facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 20, 2021 to February 30, 2022 among the hospitals of South Wollo zone that that were destructed by the armed conflict. Results: The prevalence of unplanned pregnancy in our study was 44.72% (CI=39.40-48.08%). Conclusion: In this study nearly half of the pregnancies were unplanned, which is shocking to the health care system in the 21st century.

Factors associated with knowledge of the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device and attitude towards its use among women attending antenatal care at Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine contraceptive device is a highly effective, long-acting, reversible family planning method that is safe to use by most postpartum women including those who are breastfeeding. Family planning methods used mainly, the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device can tackle unintended pregnancy, short birth intervals, and pregnancy-related maternal death. Knowledge and attitude about the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device were significant predictors of subsequent method use. However, the magnitude, Knowledge, and attitude toward intrauterine contraceptive device is still low in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, limited studies were done to assess Knowledge and attitude toward the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device and their associated factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and associated factors toward postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and associated factors toward postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Debre tabor town public health institutions Northwest Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: an institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1- April-30/2021. Four hundred twenty-three participants were recruited by using a systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance. RESULTS: Knowledge and attitude towards postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices were found to be 36 and 48.7% respectively. Government employee (AOR = 4.98,95%CI:2.79-8.91), student (AOR = 5.29,95%CI:1.29-21.80), urban residence (AOR = 1.9095%CI: 1.02-3.53) and ever discussed on a postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device with health care provider (AOR = 6.01,95%CI:3.70-.7.44) were associated with the knowledge about the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device. Attained secondary education (AOR = 3.22, 95%CI: 1.41-7.31), attended college and above education (AOR = 3.62, 95%CI: 1.75-7.51), government-employee (AOR = 2.76, 95CI:1.11-6.81), student (AOR = 32.10, 95%CI: 3.22-44.79), good knowledge,(AOR = 13.72, 95%CI: 6.63-28.42), ever discussed on a postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device with health care provider (AOR = 2.24,95CI:1.18-4.24), were associated with attitude toward postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: knowledge and positive attitude toward postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices were low as compared with other studies. Mothers' employment status, residence, and discussions about a postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device with healthcare providers improve women's knowledge about the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device. Maternal educational status, occupational status, ever discussed postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices with a health care provider and several antenatal cares follow up were improves women's attitude towards the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device. The finding highlights the importance of discussing postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices during pregnancy, which in turn enhances the knowledge and attitude, of mothers about postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Ethiopia in 2021: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Worldwide, hesitancy to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2 is the most common barrier to reducing COVID-19 incidence. Our study investigated determinants for hesitancy and will be helpful to community mobilizers, health professionals and policymakers. Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination among patients attending public hospitals in South Gondar zone, Ethiopia. Methods: A multicenter facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 November to 30 December 2021 to assess the prevalence and determinants of hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression methods were employed using SPSS 23. Significance level was examined using an odds ratio at 95% CI. Multi-collinearity and model fitness were also checked. Results: A total of 415 participants were included in the study, with a questionnaire response rate of 100%. The prevalence of hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination was 46.02%. Age of >49 years, rural residency, fear of the adverse effects of the vaccines, myths about vaccine ineffectiveness and poor practices in COVID-19 prevention were the most common determinants of hesitancy. Conclusions: Despite increased global morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy is still high. Therefore, it is important to create awareness in highly hesitant groups.

Sexual Harassment at the Workplace is Still a Hindrance among Midwives and Nurses Working in Northwestern Ethiopia Referral Hospitals: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Sexual harassment in the workplace is still the tip of the iceberg among front-line health workers, resulting in a high turnover of professionals, job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and disharmonized health-care delivery. Research on the magnitude of workplace sexual harassment and factors associated with the workplace among nurses and midwives in Ethiopia is lacking. The study aimed to assess the magnitude and its associated factors among nurses and midwives working in northwestern Ethiopia referral hospitals. Methods: This multicenter hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 11 to May 15, 2021 in northwestern Ethiopia referral hospitals. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered into EPI info 7.2.3.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Binary logistic regression was utilized to identify factors associated with sexual harassment, and associations were deemed significant at P<0.05. Results: As the findings show, sexual harassment prevalence in the workplace among female nurses and midwives was found to be 17.4% (95% CI 14.5%-19.5%). Many nurses and midwives who had experienced sexual harassment were harassed by patients' families - 43.2%. Factors associated with sexual harassment in the workplace were being unmarried (AOR 4, 95% CI 2.3-12.6), work experience of less than 5 years (AOR 5, 95% CI 1.2-19), and participant age of 18-25 (AOR 7.2, 95% CI 5.9-17) years, all strongly associated with the outcome variable. Conclusion and Recommendation: Sexual harassment among midwives and nurses employed in northwestern Ethiopia referral hospitals is not tolerable, as indicated in these findings. The government should address this by amending and reforming policies and strategies to obviate this problem.