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Background: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a severe condition that results from reduced oxygen supply and blood flow to the brain, leading to brain injury and potential long-term neurodevelopmental impairments. This study aimed to identify the maternal and neonatal factors associated with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy among Neonates. Methods: The authors conducted a case-control study in 15 public hospitals with 515 neonates and mothers (175 cases and 340 controls). The authors used a questionnaire and clinical records created and managed by Kobo software to collect data. The authors diagnosed hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) by clinical signs and symptoms. The authors used logistic regression to identify HIE factors. Results: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) was associated with maternal education, ultrasound checkup, gestational age, delivery mode, and labour duration. Illiterate mothers [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)= 1.913, 95% CI: 1.177, 3.109], no ultrasound checkup (AOR= 1.859, 95% CI: 1.073, 3.221), preterm (AOR= 4.467, 95% CI: 1.993, 10.012) or post-term birth (AOR= 2.903, 95% CI: 1.325, 2.903), caesarean section (AOR= 7.569, 95% CI: 4.169, 13.741), and prolonged labour (AOR= 3.591, 95% CI: 2.067, 6.238) increased the incidence of HIE. Conclusion: This study reveals the factors for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy among neonates in Ethiopia. The authors found that neonates born to illiterate women, those who experienced prolonged labour, those whose mothers did not have ultrasound checkups during pregnancy, those delivered by caesarean section, and those born preterm, or post-term were more likely to develop hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. These findings indicate that enhancing maternal education and healthcare services during pregnancy and delivery may positively reduce hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy among neonates.
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Background: Domestic violence is any harmful behavior by an intimate partner, such as physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. In Ethiopia, domestic violence is a serious and widespread problem. It affects two-thirds (64.6%) of pregnant women and increases the risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Domestic violence during pregnancy is a growing public health problem that may contribute to maternal and perinatal mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to assess the association between domestic violence during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Gedeo Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 142 pregnant women in their third trimester who attended public health institutions in Gedeo Zone for antenatal care. We compared 47 women who were exposed to domestic violence with 95 who were not and followed them until 24 hours after delivery or drop-out. We used SPSS version-24 to analyze data and logistic regression to examine the association between domestic violence and pregnancy outcomes. We reported the results using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P-value. Results: Out of 142 women, who completed the follow-up, 47 were exposed to domestic violence and 95 were not. We found a strong link between domestic violence and preterm birth. Women exposed to domestic violence had a four-fold higher risk of preterm birth (AOR= 4.392, 95% CI: 1.117, 6.588) than those who were not. They also had a 2.5-fold higher risk of perinatal death (AOR= 2.562, 95% CI: 1.041, 6.308). Conclusion: Domestic violence during pregnancy affects many pregnant women in southern Ethiopia and harms their babies. It leads to preterm birth and perinatal death, which can be prevented. The Ethiopian government and other stakeholders need to protect pregnant women from intimate partner violence urgently.
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Background: Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) varies from country to country and complicates 4 to 10% of pregnancies worldwide it has an overwhelming effect on maternal and newborn health. Even though many interventions implemented to tackle it, the problem is persisted. Objective: To identify determinants of premature rupture of membrane among pregnant women who have visited labor wards in four hospitals found in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from February to May 2020. Data were collected among 75 cases and 223 controls using face-to-face interviews. Cases and controls were recruited consecutively from pregnant women who have visited the labor ward. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression was used to check the association between dependent and independent variables, statistically significant association was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results: A total of 75 cases and 233 controls were enrolled in the study. Hypertension during index pregnancy [AOR = 2.81 (95% CI: 1.09 -7.23)], history of abortion [AOR = 3.7 (95% CI: 1.41-9.73)], history of caesarean section [AOR = 3.46 (95% CI: 1.34-8.9)] and history of PROM [AOR = 4.77 (95% CI: 2.31-9.89)] were associated with premature rupture of membranes. Conclusion: Hypertension during the index pregnancy, history of abortion, history of PROM, and history of cesarean section has an association with premature rupture of membrane. The result of the study suggests early identification and treatment of abortion, hypertension, and cesarean section in pregnant women mitigates the risk of premature rupture of membrane.
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BACKGROUND: Housemaids are the most vulnerable group to sexual violence due to their working condition, isolation and school arrangements. Despite the ubiquity of sexual violence among the domestic work sector, particularly among housemaids, this area of research continues to be neglected. This study was aimed at examining the prevalence and factors pertaining to sexual violence among housemaids attending night school program in urban setups of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. METHOD: A school based quantitative cross sectional study was conducted among 394 housemaids attending night schools in the urban setups of Gedeo Zone from April to May 2019. After stratifying of students using class grade, SRS technique was used to choose study subjects from each stratum. Quantitative data was collected using face to face interview and qualitative was collected using focus group discussion, in-depth interview and key informant interview. The data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was fitted to determine the association of each independent variable with the dependent variable. RESULT: Based on the finding, the prevalence of sexual violence was 60.2%. The odds of experiencing sexual violence through working life-time as housemaid was higher for those who had migrated from rural to urban for work [AOR = 1.97: 95% CI, (1.07,3.63)], had less than 5 years of experience as housemaid [AOR = 3.10: 95% CI, (1.60, 6.00)], were in the age group of 15-19 [AOR = 3.75:95% CI (1.88, 7.46), ever used alcohol [AOR = 6.77: 95% CI, (2.65,17.33)] and whose fathers lacked formal education [AOR = 2.75:95%CI (1.24,6.08)]. On the other hand, unmarried /housemaids having no regular sexual partner were less likely to face sexual violence [AOR. = 0.28: 95% CI, (0.13, 0.57)]. CONCLUSION: The level of sexual violence was found to be high among housemaids attending night schools in in this study. Housemaids from rural area, those newly starting the work, younger housemaids, and those who were married were more likely to be victims of sexual violence.