Utilization of non-pneumatic anti-shock garment for the management of obstetric hemorrhage among healthcare providers in north Shewa zone, Ethiopia.

Background: Global maternal deaths have either increased or stagnated tragically. Obstetric hemorrhage (OH) remains the major cause of maternal deaths. Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) has several positive results in the management of obstetric hemorrhage in resource-limited settings where getting definitive treatments are difficult and limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the proportion and factors associated with the utilization of NASG for the management of obstetric hemorrhage among healthcare providers in the North Shewa zone, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at health facilities of the north Shewa zone, Ethiopia from June 10th-30th/2021. A simple random sampling (SRS) technique was employed among 360 healthcare providers. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. EpiData version 4.6 and SPSS 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify associated factors with the outcome variable. The level of significance was decided at a value of p of <0.05. Results: The utilization of NASG for the management of obstetric hemorrhage among healthcare providers was 39% (95%CI: 34-45). Healthcare providers who received training on NASG (AOR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.46-7.48), availability of NASG in the health facility (AOR = 9.17; 95%CI: 5.10-16.46), diploma (AOR = 2.63; 95%CI: 1.39-3.68), bachelor degree (AOR = 7.89; 95%CI: 3.1-16.29) and those healthcare providers who have a positive attitude toward utilization of NASG (AOR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.14-2.82) were variables positively associated with the utilization of NASG. Conclusion: In this study, almost two-fifths of healthcare providers used NASG for the management of obstetrics hemorrhage. Arranging educational opportunities and continuous professional development training for healthcare providers, providing in-service and refresher training, and making it available at health facilities may help healthcare providers to effectively use the device, thereby reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Anxiety and associated factors in Northwest Ethiopian pregnant women: a broad public health concern.

Introduction: Pregnancy-related anxiety is a prevalent mental health issue that mostly affects women in low-income countries such as Ethiopia. It has been linked to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, prematurity, and low birth weight. However, it has often received less attention, and community-based evidence lacks its prevalence and associated factors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety in Northwest Ethiopian pregnant women in Gondar city. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 July to 30 August 2021 in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was used to select a sample of 872 pregnant women, and in-person interviews were conducted to gather data. Descriptive and analytical statistical procedures were carried out. Results: Of the participants, pregnancy-related anxiety was reported in 29.4% (95% CI: 26.3, 32.4) of women. The likelihood of having anxiety was higher among women who had known medical illness (AOR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.8, 5.35), loneliness (AOR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.34, 4.73), depression (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.48, 3.85), poor social support (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.21, 3.07), and intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 2.04, 4.04). Conclusion: In this study, three out of ten women have suffered from anxiety. It is strongly advised to identify and treat known medical illnesses early in pregnancy, enhance social support, diagnose and treat depression, and limit intimate partner violence through multimodal and integrative activities with concerned bodies.

Self-harm among post-natal mothers in Northwest Ethiopia: Implication for policy and practice.

Introduction: Self-harm is a global public health concern affecting thousands of women. However, it is an under-reported and neglected aspect of maternal health, particularly in developing countries. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of evidence regarding self-harm, and it is rarely given attention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the proportion of self-harm and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 July, 2021, to 30 August, 2021, in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was conducted to select 858 women who gave birth in the last 12 months. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. The level of significant association was determined at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. Result: The proportion of postnatal self-harm was found to be 8.5% (95% CI: 6.7,10.5). Having lower family income (AOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.05,5.56), having unplanned pregnancy (AOR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.53,4.79), experiencing adverse birth outcomes (AOR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.10,8.83), birth not attended by health provider (AOR: 4.15, 95% CI: 1.76,9.79), experiencing intimate partner violence (AOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.12,3.32), and poor decision-making power (AOR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.84) were the variables significantly associated with self-harm. Conclusion: This study revealed that the proportion of self-harm among postnatal mothers was prevalent. Factors like monthly income of a family, planned pregnancy, birth outcome, birth assistant, intimate partner violence, and decision-making power show an association with maternal self-harm. Antenatal and postnatal self-harm screening as part of the continuum of maternal healthcare is important. Self-harm is also a danger for women who have experienced intimate partner violence or have low socioeconomic economic status, all of which require exceptional mental health assessment.

Low husband involvement in maternal and child health services and intimate partner violence increases the odds of postpartum depression in northwest Ethiopia: A community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is the most common mental health problem that affects women during pregnancy and after child-birth. Postpartum depression, in particular, has both short and long-term effects on the lives of mothers and children. Women's health is a current global concern, but postpartum depression is a neglected issue in the maternal continuum of care and is rarely addressed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess postpartum depression and associated factors in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1st to 30th, 2021 in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was employed to select 794 postpartum women. Data were entered by EPI DATA version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with postpartum depression. The adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval at a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was used to declare the level of significance. RESULTS: A total of 794 women were included in the analysis, giving a response rate of 98.5%. The prevalence of postpartum depression was 17.25% (95% CI: 14.5, 20.2). Younger maternal age (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.23, 5.85), low average monthly income (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.24, 5.91), low decision-making power (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.31, 3.18), low husband/partner involvement in MNCH care service (AOR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.44, 3.81), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 3.16 95% CI: 1.77, 5.62), and experience of intimate partner violence (AOR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.96, 4.99) were significantly associated with increased odds of postpartum depression. CONCLUSION: In this study, nearly 1/5th of the study participants had postpartum depression. Thus, it is important to integrate maternal mental health services with the existing maternal health care services. It is also crucial to advocate the need for husband's involvement in MNCH care services and ensure women's decision-making power in the household. Moreover, community-based sexual and reproductive health education would be better to reduce risk factors of postpartum depression.

Husband Involvement in Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Care among Women who Have a Child Less Than one Year in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

Background: Improving maternal, neonatal and child health is one of the major components of Sustainable Development Goal and countries implement different strategies to achieve this goal. In spite of this, maternal, neonatal and child mortality remains a public health burden in the developing countries, including Ethiopia. World Health Organization recommend active involvement of men during pregnancy, child birth and the postpartum period as an effective strategy to improve maternal as well as newborn health. Therefore, this study aimed to assess husband involvement in maternal, neonatal and child health care among women who have child less than one year in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 870 married women who have a child less than one year in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was done and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to report the association between covariates and the outcome variable. Results: Husband involvement in Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) care was 66.2% (95%CI: 63, 69.3). Maternal age (18-25years) and (26-35years), having diploma and above education, husband occupation (government employee), (merchant) and (self-employed), planned pregnancy and cesarean delivery were significantly associated with husband involvement in MNCH care. Conclusion: In this study, nearly two thirds (66.2%) of women had husband involvement in MNCH care. Therefore, it is important to improve women's educational attainment and actions should be taken to prevent unplanned pregnancy.

Prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality among postpartum women in North West Ethiopia: a community-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Although sleep disturbance is a community problem, there is limited study in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors affecting postpartum poor sleep quality in women. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1st to August 30th, 2021 in Gondar city. The cluster sampling method was used to address 858 study participants. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 19-item self-report measure of sleep quality over the past month was used to measure maternal sleep quality during the postpartum period and a global PSQI score of 5 or more was used to indicate poor sleep quality. Binary logistic regression was used to identify variable association and 95% confidence level and adjusted Odds Ratio were used to declare association. RESULT: Poor sleep quality prevalence during postpartum period was 24.0% (95%CI: 21.3-26.9). factors significantly associated with poor sleep quality were family size [AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: (1.14-2.73)], unplanned pregnancy [AOR = 2.11; 95%CI: (1.17-3.80)], had a family history of mental illness [AOR = 3.70; 95%CI: (2.15-6.37)], had known medical disorders [AOR = 2.59; 95%CI: (1.51-4.43)], having intimate partner violence [AOR = 2.58; 95%CI: (1.78-3.75)], and women who can read and write and who complete secondary school [AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: (1.20-5.66)] and [AOR = 2.02; 95%CI: (1.16-3.53)] respectively. On the other hand, being housewife, merchant, and government-employed [AOR = 0.32; 95%CI: (0.14-0.73)], [AOR = 0.13; 95%CI: (0.05-0.34)], and [AOR = 0.38; 95%CI: (0.14-0.98)] respectively were identified to be factors significantly associated with poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality prevalence is high in the community of Gondar city. Thus, setting strategies to increase women's educational level, providing health education programs to create awareness on the consequence of intimate partner violence which could reduce the violence; increasing screening for medical disorders before or during maternity period, preventing unplanned pregnancy with effective family planning method, and employing women in a certain organization will have a great role in reducing poor sleep quality.

Prevalence and factors associated with maternal loneliness during the postpartum period in Gondar city.

Background: Mental health problems have increased worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Currently, loneliness is widely understood as a painful subjective experience when the social connections a person has do not meet their interpersonal needs in respect to the quality or quantity of friendship or social interaction. It has been linked to unpleasant health consequences for both the mother and child. Therefore, this study aimed to assess maternal loneliness during the postpartum period and associated factors in Gondar city. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1st to August 30th, 2021 in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was employed to select 858 postpartum women. Data were entered into epidemiological data (EPI data) version 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for further cleaning and analysis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with maternal loneliness during the postpartum period. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95 % confidence interval (CI) was performed and the level of significance was claimed based on a p-value of ≤0.05. Results: A total of 858 women were included in the analysis, giving a response rate of 98.4%. Two-fifths (40.9%) of the study participants have experienced loneliness during the postpartum period (95% CI: 37.6, 44.2). Low household decision-making power (AOR = 11.2; 95% CI: 7.59, 16.4) and poor social support (AOR = 2.44; 95 CI: 1.58, 3.76) were significantly associated with maternal loneliness. Conclusion: In this study, 4 out of 10 women have experienced loneliness during the postpartum period. Thus, it highlights the potential risks of the mother's loneliness on her postnatal well-being, particularly if the woman has poor social support and low household decision-making power. Encouraging women to be involved in all aspects of the household decision-making and promoting the need for social support for all women during the postpartum period may be optimal initial targets to reduce the impact of loneliness.

Utilization of maternal waiting home and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last one year, Dabat district, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality and adverse pregnancy outcomes are still challenges in developing countries. In Ethiopia, long distances and lack of transportation are the main geographic barriers for pregnant women to utilize a skilled birth attendant. To alleviate this problem, maternity waiting homes are a gateway for women to deliver at the health facilities, thereby helping towards the reduction of the alarming maternal mortality trend and negative pregnancy outcomes. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the utilization of maternity waiting homes in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess utilization of maternity waiting home services and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last year in Dabat district, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 5 to February 30, 2019. A total of 402 eligible women were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered into EPI info version 7.1.2 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Statistically significant associations between variables were determined based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval and p-value of ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Maternity waiting home utilization by pregnant women was found to be 16.2% (95% CI: 13, 20). The mothers' age (26-30 years) (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08,0.69), primary level of education (AOR = 9.05; 95% CI: 3.83, 21.43), accepted length of stay in maternity waiting homes (AOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.54, 6.43), adequate knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR = 7.88; 95% CI: 3.72,16.69), jointly decision on the mother's health (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.08,7.05), and getting people for household activities (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.21, 5.52) had significant association with maternity waiting home utilization. CONCLUSION: In this study, maternity waiting home utilization was low. Thus, expanding a strategy to improve women's educational status, health education communication regarding danger signs of pregnancy, empowering women's decision-making power, and shortening the length of stay at maternity waiting homes may enhance maternity waiting home utilization.

Nearly Half of Women Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia, 2021; The Role of Social Support and Decision-Making Power.

Background: In developing countries, intimate partner violence is increasing alarmingly, though attention to this issue is rarely given. It has devastating effects on the general wellbeing of women, pregnancy outcomes, and the long-term health of children, and this needs to be addressed. Hence, this study was designed to assess intimate partner violence and associated factors in northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1st to August 30th, 2021, among 858 postpartum women in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. EPI DATA version 4.6 and SPSS 25 were used for data entry, cleaning and analysis, respectively. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with intimate partner violence. The level of significant association was declared using the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) and a p-value of ≤ 0.05. Results: In this study, 48.6% of women indicated having experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy (95% CI: 45.3, 51.7). The odds of intimate partner violence during pregnancy were significantly higher among women who were not able to read and write (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI: 2.15, 11.41), were private workers (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.02), and had low decision-making power (AOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.95), a poor social support (AOR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.32, 3.02), and unsupported pregnancy by family (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.26, 4.24). Whereas a family size of ≥ 5 (AOR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.98) appeared to be a protective factor for intimate partner violence. Conclusion: The magnitude of intimate partner violence was unacceptably high in the study area and connected to poor women's empowerment and social determinants of health. Thus, it is important to focus on interventions that improve women's access to social support and allow them to participate in all aspects of household decision-making through community-based structures and networks. It is also important to encourage women to improve their educational status and arrange risk-free employment opportunities.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among women attending antenatal and postnatal cares in Central Gondar Zone public hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is a public health problem, which caused a major impact on morbidity and mortality around the world. Even though an effective vaccine is the most awaited resolution for the pandemic, little is known about COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance and its associated factors among pregnant and postnatal mothers. METHOD: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 527 pregnant and postnatal mothers from August 15 to September 15, 2021. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Epi-Data version 4.6 and Stata 16 software were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Participant characteristics and rate of vaccine acceptance were presented using descriptive statistics. Multi-variable logistic regression was performed to identify statistically significant variables. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistical significance based on p < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model. RESULT: The overall prevalence of intent to accept COVID-19 vaccine was 62.04% (95% CI: 57.65, 66.25). Of those 40.08% were pregnant mothers and 21.97% of them were postpartum mothers. Urban residence (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.09-3.77), respondents who were worry about COVID-19 disease (AOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 2.16-5.52), and participants who had favorable attitude towards vaccine (AOR = 8.54, 95% CI: 5.18-14.08) were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination was low. Residence, worry about COVID-19 disease, and attitudes towards vaccine were factors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Evidence-based and clear information on COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to pregnant and postnatal mothers for both rural and urban residences to improve attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine and increase vaccination rates.

Health care providers' awareness of breastfeeding practice recommendations during COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission to newborns is one of the basic components of perinatal care in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, scientific evidence is compulsory for evidence-based practices. However, there was a scarcity of evidence on health care providers' awareness of breastfeeding practice recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia, particularly in the study setting. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed at assessing healthcare providers' awareness of breastfeeding practice recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors among healthcare providers in northwest Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 healthcare providers working in hospitals of Gondar province from November 15, 2020, to March 10, 2021. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study subjects. Data were collected via a structured-self-administered questionnaire. EPI INFO version 7.1.2 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify associated factors and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of <0.05 was used to declare significant association. RESULTS: The healthcare providers' awareness of breastfeeding practice recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic was 40.7% (95% CI: 35.9, 45.6). Working in a tertiary hospital (AOR = 3.69; 95% CI: 2.24, 6.08), using COVID-19 guideline updates (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI: 2.1, 5.3), being trained on COVID-19 (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.74, 4.47), owning a smartphone and/or a computer (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.39, 3.68), and perceiving that COVID-19 is dangerous (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.01) were factors positively associated with healthcare providers' awareness of breastfeeding practice recommendations during the pandemic of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Only two in five healthcare providers were aware of recommendations on breastfeeding practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and related to information of accessibility information on COVID-19. Therefore, expanding COVID-19 related information through the provision of COVID-19 training and guidelines to all levels of hospitals would improve health care providers' awareness of breastfeeding practice recommendations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 preventive practices during intrapartum care- adherence and barriers in Ethiopia; a multicenter cross- sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging pandemic affecting more than 120 million people globally. Compliance with preventive practices is the single most effective method to overcome the disease. Although several studies have been conducted regarding COVID-19, data on healthcare provider's adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices during childbirth through direct observation is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess healthcare provider's adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices during childbirth in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted at hospitals in northwest Ethiopia among 406 healthcare providers from November 15 /2020 to March 10 /2021. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study subjects. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews and direct observation using a structured questionnaire and standardized checklist respectively. EPI INFO version 7.1.2 and SPSS 25 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify associated factors. The level of significance was decided based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of healthcare providers having good adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices during intrapartum care was 46.1% (95% CI: 41.2, 50.9). Healthcare providers who had job satisfaction (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: 1.64, 6.13), had smartphone and/or computer (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.62, 4.65), ever received training on infection prevention (AOR = 3.58; 95% CI: 2.20, 5.84), earned higher monthly income (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.57), and worked at health facility in the urban area (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.77) had a significant association with adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices. Moreover, the most commonly mentioned barriers for not adhering to the preventive practice of COVID-19 were crowdedness of the delivery room, non-availability of personal protective equipment, and shortage of alcohol or sanitizer. CONCLUSION: The healthcare provider's adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices was low. Hence, stakeholders need to pay special attention to increase healthcare provides' job satisfaction. In addition, the provision of continuous training on infection prevention would be helpful. Furthermore, personal protective equipment, alcohol, and sanitizer supply must be provided for healthcare providers.

Healthcare provider's adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines in Gondar province hospitals, northwest Ethiopia: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The immediate postpartum period is the most critical time for both the mother and the newborn. However, it is the most neglected part of the maternal continuum of care, and evidence in this regard was scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the healthcare provider's adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines and associated factors in hospitals of Gondar province. METHODS: A multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 406 healthcare providers from 15th November 2020 to 10th March 2021. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and direct observation using a structured questionnaire and standardized checklist respectively. Data was entered into EPI INFO 7.1.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. The level of significance was declared based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, 42.4% (95% CI: 37.5, 47.2) of healthcare providers had complete adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines. Having birth assistant (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.10, 9.67), being married (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.31), availability of postpartum care guidelines at the maternity ward (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44, 3.98), received basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) training (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.6), monthly income of ≥ 10001 Ethiopian birr (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.30, 9.67), and work experience of ≥ 6 years (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.38) were significantly associated with healthcare providers adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that health worker's adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines was low. Hiring adequate health workers, availing postpartum guidelines at the maternity ward, improving the salary and education opportunities for healthcare workers of healthcare workers, and provision of BEmONC training will have a great role in improving healthcare provider's adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines.

Adherence to respectful maternity care guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors among healthcare providers working at hospitals in northwest Ethiopia: A multicenter, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Respectful maternity care is one of the facilitators of women's access to maternity healthcare services. However, it has been evidenced that maternal healthcare services are compromised during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Moreover, there was a dearth of evidence on healthcare provider's adherence to respectful maternity care guidelines through direct observation. Hence, this study intended to assess healthcare provider's adherence to respectful maternity care guidelines during COVID-19 in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted at hospitals in northwest Ethiopia from November 15th/2020 to March 10th/2021. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 406 healthcare providers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and direct observation using a structured questionnaire and standardized checklist respectively. The data were entered into Epi Info 7.1.2 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was fitted. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken. The level of significance was claimed based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of ≤0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of healthcare providers adhering to respectful maternity care guidelines during COVID-19 was 63.8% (95% CI: 59.1, 68.4). Job satisfaction (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.04, 3.18), professional work experience of 3-5 years (AOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.74, 4.6) and ≥6 years (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.38), and having education parallel to work (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.51) have an independent statistical significant association with adherence to respectful maternity care guidelines. CONCLUSION: In this study, six out of ten healthcare providers had good adherence to respectful maternity care guidelines. Ensuring health worker's job satisfaction and providing education opportunities by the government would improve healthcare provider's adherence to respectful maternity care standards.

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine acceptance and perceived barriers among university students in northeast Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Universities are places where students live and study in close contact to each other. Nowadays, the foundations of this particular group have been affected significantly by the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has demanded the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines. However, there is still limited evidence in COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and perceived barriers among some subgroups, including university students. This study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance, associated factors, and perceived barriers among university students, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 at Debre Berhan University among 423 students. The participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. A semi-structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Multivariable logistic-regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and its p-value of ≤0.05 was used to declare significant association. RESULTS: The proportion of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 69.3% (95% CI: 65, 74). Being knowledgeable (AOR: 2.43, CI: 1.57, 3.77), being a health science student (AOR: 2.25, CI: 1.43, 3.54), and being in a family practicing COVID-19 prevention (AOR: 1.73, CI: 1.06, 2.81) were found to be factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSION: Though, this study found a 69.3% acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, there were noticeable perceived barriers and related factors in vaccine acceptance hesitancy. Thus, health education and communication regarding the vaccine are very crucial to alleviate the identified barriers.

Preparedness for neonatal emergencies at birth and associated factors among healthcare providers working at hospitals in northwest Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mortality remains a public health concern, especially in Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite substantial efforts, the neonatal mortality rate is increasing from 29 per 1000 live births in 2016 to 33 per 1000 live births in 2019 in Ethiopia. To avert this unacceptably high mortality, the healthcare provider's readiness for neonatal emergencies at birth is crucial. Hence, this study aimed to assess healthcare providers' preparedness for neonatal emergencies at birth in northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at hospitals in northwest Ethiopia from November 15/2020 to March 10/2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 406 study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, and direct observation and chart review using standardized checklists. The data were then entered into EPI INFO version 7.1.2 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken. The level of significance was claimed based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of ≤0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of healthcare providers having adequate preparedness for neonatal emergencies was 60.1% (95% CI: 55.3, 64.8). The final model analysis illustrates that healthcare providers who received neonatal resuscitation training (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.74, 7.74) and working at the general hospital (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.96, 13.8) were adequately prepared for neonatal emergencies. On the other hand, healthcare providers who complained about workload or shortage of staff (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.66) were poorly prepared for neonatal emergencies. CONCLUSION: In this study, about two-fifths of the healthcare providers were inadequately prepared for neonatal emergencies at birth. Strengthening the provision of neonatal resuscitation training, deploying adequate healthcare professionals, and reducing the healthcare provider's workload would improve healthcare providers' preparedness for neonatal emergencies.