Modern contraceptive utilization among women of reproductive age in Ghana: a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, sexual and reproductive health remains a prominent public health concern for women of reproductive age. Modern contraceptive methods play a crucial role in enabling individuals and families to regulate fertility, thereby reducing unintended pregnancies, abortions, pregnancy-related complications, and mortality. Due to the scarcity of reliable and current data regarding the factors affecting the adoption of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age at the national level in Ghana, this research aimed to explore the determinants of modern contraceptive usage among reproductive age women. METHODS: The study analyzed data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, including a weighted sample of 6,839 reproductive-age women. By employing a multilevel logistic regression model, the study sought to determine factors associated with the utilization of modern contraceptives. Associations between explanatory variables and the outcome were evaluated using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was established using a p-value threshold of less than 0.05. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 17 software. RESULTS: The study found that 26.36% (95% CI: 25.33-27.34%) of women of reproductive age in Ghana used modern contraceptives. Secondary education (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03-1.53), poorer household (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.05-1.61), women's marital status, i.e. married (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.16-1.83), living with a partner (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.32-2.06), divorced (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.48-4.31), and separated (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.21-2.37), multipara (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.04-1.87), were the factors that promote modern contraceptive utilization. Women's age in years, i.e. 35-39 (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.52-0.97), 40-44 (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.44-0.90), and 45-49 (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.25-0.79), history of pregnancy loss (AOR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.76-0.98), region, i.e. Greater Accra (95% CI = 0.42-0.92), Bono East (95% CI = 0.32-0.81), Northern (95% CI = 0.28-0.67), Savannah (95% CI = 0.28-0.81), and North East (95% CI = 0.20-0.63), were all associated with a lower use of modern contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: Modern contraceptive utilization was low in this study. Factors such as women's education, socioeconomic status, and marital status were associated with increased modern contraceptive utilization, whereas women's age and regional disparities were linked to lower usage rates. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address socioeconomic barriers and regional disparities in access to family planning services across Ghana.

Prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among nurses working in public hospitals of Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Low back pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal ailment that affects numerous individuals, particularly those in the workforce. Nurses, in particular, are highly susceptible to this condition. In developing countries, nurses may encounter physically demanding environments requiring them to lift or transfer patients or equipment without access to proper lifting aids. Such circumstances increase their chances of developing low back pain. Hence, it is crucial to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain to assess the effect and suggest preventive measures. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among nurses working in public hospitals in Hawassa City, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to Jun 15, 2021, among randomly selected 398 nurses working in public hospitals of Hawassa City, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected using a standard, modified Nordic Musculoskeletal assessment tool. The data was entered into EPI-Data version 4.6.0.2 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the prevalence of low back pain. Significance was considered at p < 0.05 with a 95 % confidence interval. Results: The study was conducted among 391 nurses, giving a response rate of 98.2 %.The one-year prevalence of low back pain was 242(61.9 %) with (95 % CI: 57%-66 %). Being female [AOR 1.82; 95%CI (1.07-3.08)], body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 [AOR 2.17; 95 %CI (1.24-3.79)], not getting assistance from coworkers [AOR 1.80; 95 % CI (1.07-3.02)] and not using of the assistive device were [AOR 1.77; 95 % CI (1.04-3.01)] were factors significantly associated with low back pain among nurses. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, a high proportion of nurses reported having low back pain among nurses in Hawassa public hospitals. The study suggests emphasizing the accessibility of assistive devices for patient care, having a balanced body weight, and working in collaboration among nurses to reduce the risk of low back pain among nurses.

Nurses' knowledge, Practice, and Associated Factors Towards Adult Palliative Care: A Cross-sectional Study.

The demand for palliative care is increasing rapidly, but inadequate knowledge and practice remain a significant issue. This study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge, practice, and associated factors toward adult palliative care. A cross-sectional study was conducted including 277 randomly selected nurses from May through September 2021. The data related to knowledge were gathered using the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing, and an observational checklist to assess the practice was used. EpiData and SPSS software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable analyses were also applied. Depending on the value of the adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence level, statistical significance was declared at a P value of .05. Findings showed that 43.2% and 47% of nurses had good knowledge and practice in palliative care, respectively. The odds of trained nurses having good knowledge were 9.65 times higher than those who did not. There were 2.7 times more odds of practicing palliative care among nurses with good knowledge than those with poor knowledge. Overall, over half of the nurses have poor knowledge and practice in palliative care. To enhance their knowledge and practice, formal palliative care education and training will be beneficial.

Utilization of cervical cancer screening service among female health workforces in public health institutions in south east Ethiopia, a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, accounting for 6.6%of all female cancers, and ranks as the second leading cause of female cancer deaths. Cervical cancer can be avoided if asymptomatic women are screened for precancerous cervical lesions and treated before they progress to invasive disease. Female health workforces are expected to be in a better position to be motivated and initiate society towards the screening by being role models, but there have been few studies done in Ethiopia to assess the utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its associated factors among female health workforces. Objective: To assess utilization of cervical cancer screening service and associated factors among female health workforces in public health institutions Bale zone, Sothern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 266 female health workforces from May 1 st to May 30th, 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered on Epi data 3.1 software and exported to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of cervical cancer screening. Statistical significance for the multivariable logistic regression analysis was set at p < 0.05. Result: Out of the total sample size (n = 266), 258 have responded to the questionnaire completely, making the response rate 97 %. The utilization of cervical cancer screening services was 38 (14.7 %). There were significant associations between working in hospitals with an adjusted odd ratio (AOR [95 % CI] = 4.814 [1.774-13.06]) and serving 7 years and above [95 % 44 CI = 5.988 [2.096-17.1]) and utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Conclusion: and recommendations: The proportion of utilization of cervical cancer screening services among female health workforces in Bale Zone was very low. Working in hospitals and prolonged work experience were independent predictors of the utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Sustaining awareness creation and sensitization of screening through training and experience sharing should be given broad emphasis for female health workforces to increase their utilization of screening services.