Availability of Maternal, Newborn care and Child Health Services at Primary Health Care Unit during COVID-19 Outbreak in Ethiopia.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a pressure on global health systems. The disruption of essential health services (EHS) has an impact on the health of mothers, neonate and children in developing countries. Therefore, the main aim of this study was assessing the availability of Maternal, Newborn care and Child health (MNCHS) services at primary health care unit during COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five regions of Ethiopia in 2021. Descriptive analyses were undertaken using STATA 16 software and the results presented using tables and different graphs. A continuity of EHS assessment tool adopted from WHO was used for data collection. Result: During COVID -19 pandemic, 30 (69.8%) of woreda health offices, 52 (56.5%) of health centers (HCs), 7 (44.4%) of hospitals, and 165 (48%) of health posts (HPs) had a defined list of EHS. In comparison with other EHS, family planning is the least available service in all regions. At HPs level care for sick children and antenatal care (ANC) were available at 59.1 and 58.82% respectively. Except immunization services at SNNP, all other maternal, newborn, and child health EHS were not available to all HPs at full scale. Conclusion: Immunization services were most available, while ANC and care for sick children were least available during COVID-19 at the HPs level. There was regional variation in MNCH EHS service availability at all levels.

A Quantitative Study on Stigma and Statistically Correlated Factors Among Women Living with Genital Fistula in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Identification of Urgent Corrective Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Two-to-three million women worldwide live with a genital fistula, with Asian and sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia accounting for the greatest percentage. Genital fistula is a devastating health problem due to the stigma associated with constant incontinence and bad-odor. Thus, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of the stigma towards women living with genital fistula in Oromia region, Ethiopia, and to highlight the factors associated with it, identifying potential strategies for corrective interventions. METHODS: This quantitative study was conducted among 422 women living with genital fistula in five fistula treatment centers of Oromia region using a cross-sectional study design from August 30, 2019 to February 28, 2020. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire, entered into Epi-data version 4.2, and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done. P-value <0.05 was used to ascertain statistical significance with an adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence interval (CI). The results were presented by text and tables. RESULTS: The response rate for this study was 100%. The magnitude of perceived high stigma related to genital fistula was 178 (42.2%). The factors associated with it were the respondents' father's educational level of being able to write and read compared to unknown fathers' educational level (AOR=0.09; 95% CI=0.03-0.34), and duration of living with a genital fistula of less than 2 years compared to living with a genital fistula for 5 years or more (AOR=0.52; 95% CI=0.31-0.86). CONCLUSION: The perceived level of stigma among women living with a genital fistula in Oromia region was significantly high. To reduce the perceived level of stigma and therefore to prevent the severe negative consequences of it, fathers, but also mothers, husbands, family members, and all the persons close to women living with genital fistulas should provide care and psychological support and all the necessary means to strongly encourage them to seek health care quickly, and to make them feel that they are beloved, and that there is hope for a healthy life in their near future.

Preference of Traditional Bone Setting and associated factors among trauma patients with fracture at Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: institution based cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the access and availability of modern health care, Traditional Bone Setting (TBS) has a big place as alternative health care. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the preference of Traditional Bone Setting and associated factors among patients with a fracture. RESULTS: A total of 224 patients known to have fractured at Black Lion Hospital, Addis Ababa was included in the study. This study revealed that 29.9% of the study participants had a preference for the Traditional Bone Setting. Hospital admission (AOR = 8.158, 95% CI 1.179, 56.439), Traditional Bone Setting center as first port of call after injury (AOR = 0.004, 95% CI 0.001, 0.090), knowledge (AOR = 9.448, 95% CI 1.481, 60.251) and perception (AOR = 0.026, 95% CI 0.003, 0.215) were statistically significant. The preference for the Traditional Bone Setting is high. Hospital admission, Traditional Bone Setting center as a first port of call after injury, knowledge, and perception were significantly associated with the preference of Traditional Bone Setting. In addition to deployment of trained in trauma professionals, working more on awareness creation and training are recommended.