Time to recovery and its predictors among under-five children admitted with severe pneumonia in East Wallaga Zone public hospitals, western Ethiopia, 2023; a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality as well as hospitalization burden for under-five children. Despite significant initiatives implemented to reduce morbidity and mortality from pneumonia in under-five children, little is known regarding the time to recovery and its predictors among under-five children admitted with severe pneumonia in Ethiopia. Hence, this study intended to estimate the median time to recovery and its predictors among under-five children admitted with severe pneumonia in East Wallaga zone public hospitals, western Ethiopia; 2023. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 383 under-five children who were admitted with severe pneumonia in East Wallaga zone public hospitals from January 2017 to December 2022. A systematic sampling method was used to select eligible medical records. EpiData Version 4.6 was used to enter the data and analyzed using STATA Version 17.0. Cox-proportional hazard assumption test and model fitness were checked. Variables with P-value ˂ 0.25 at bivariable Cox regression analysis were selected for the multivariable Cox proportional model. A multivariable Cox regression model with 95% CI and Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) was used to identify a significant predictor of time to recovery from severe pneumonia at a P-value < 0.05. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, 356 observations were developed an event (recovered) with the median time to recovery of 4 days with IQR of 3-5 days. The overall incidence rate of recovery was 22.26 per 100 (95% CI: 20.07-24.70) person-days observations. Being rural residency (AHR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.93), late presenters for seeking care (AHR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53-0.93), presence of danger sign at admission (AHR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.15-1.83), and presence of comorbidity (AHR = 1.63, 95% CI, 1.31-2.04) were found to have a statistically significant association with prolonged recovery time. CONCLUSION: The median time to recovery from severe pneumonia was long, and factors such as Residence, co-morbidity, presence of danger signs, and duration prior to seeking care were statistically significant predictors of recovery time from severe pneumonia. Hence, due attention has to be given to increasing the community's health-seeking behavior to visit health facility early and especial attention should be given for children with danger signs and comorbidity.

Knowledge of periconceptional folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Hawassa, South Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube closure defect (NTD) such as spinal bifida and anencephaly are serious neurological disabilities that occur when the neural tube does not close completely within 28 days of conception. Even though Folic acid supplementation during and before pregnancy is proved to significantly reduces the risk of NTDs. Currently only 23% of folic acid preventable NTD achieved Worldwide; mainly due to lack of awareness about folic acid supplementation. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge of Folic acid supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Hawassa Ethiopia. METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study was employed among 358 pregnant women attending antenatal care. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22. The knowledge of Folic acid supplementation was assessed using six multiple-choice questions. The association between the dependent and independent variables were analyzed using Binary Logistic regression model and statistically significant predictors at p-value <.05 at 95% CI. RESULTS: This study indicated that only 7.5% (95% CI, 5.3-10.1) of pregnant women had good knowledge of Folic acid supplementation. The pregnant women who had a history of at least one previous pregnancy loss AOR = 12.64 (95% CI: 4.98, 32.08) and those who had preconception consultation AOR = 11.77 (95% CI: 3.01, 46.07) were more likely to have good knowledge of periconceptional folic acid supplementation as compared to their counterpart. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of periconceptional folic acid supplementation among pregnant women was worryingly low in the study area. Alternative and more effective strategies are needed if the population of Ethiopia is to benefit fully from the folic acid prevention of NTDs. Thus, in Ethiopia the future strategies should focus on the possible way to reach the last group through fortification of staple foods with folic acid along with improving women's awareness on folic acid importance in reducing Neural tube defects.

Pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors toward physical exercise during pregnancy among those attending antenatal care at Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Exercise during pregnancy is among the cost-effective options that can significantly reduce the burden of chronic metabolic diseases leading to an adverse birth outcome. Despite the negative consequences of sedentary life among pregnant women, little is known about the pregnant mothers' knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward exercise during pregnancy in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward exercise during pregnancy among women attending antenatal care at Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Methodology: A health facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 475 pregnant women from March 12 to May 12, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from pregnant women attending the antenatal care unit. Data were coded and entered using Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify possible determinants and an odds ratio was used to measure the strength of associations at a p-value of <0.05. Result: The study showed that 55.8% (95% CI: 48.45-59.12) of pregnant women were knowledgeable about benefits and contraindication of exercise during pregnancy; 53.3% (95% CI: 49.05-57.62) of them had positive attitudes toward exercise during pregnancy. Educational status adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 3.95 (95% CI: 1.712-9.108), practicing physical exercise before becoming pregnant AOR = 3.64 (95% CI: 1.091-12.118), and women who heard about exercise during pregnancy AOR = 4.74 (95% CI: 2.563-8.756) were found to have statistically significant association with knowledge of women about exercise during pregnancy. Women who were knowledgeable about exercise during pregnancy AOR = 4.45 (95% CI: 2.39-8.29) and women who heard about exercise during pregnancy AOR = 4.2 (95% CI: 2.19-8.08) were more likely to have a positive attitude toward benefits of exercise during pregnancy. Conclusion: The level of mothers' knowledge and attitude toward exercise during pregnancy in the study area was low. Educational status, physical exercise before pregnancy, ever heard about exercise during pregnancy were independent determinants of women's knowledge, while ever heard and knowledgeable about exercise during pregnancy were determinants of favorable attitude toward exercise during pregnancy. Empowering women through health education about physical exercise during pregnancy should get due attention.

Complications of instrumental vaginal deliveries and associated factors in hospitals of Western Oromia, Ethiopia.

Objective: In developing countries like Ethiopia, there is lack of evidence that shows the magnitude and factors affecting complications of instrumental delivery. Most of the research done in Ethiopia was secondary data and lacks variables like socio-demographic factors, availability of cardiotocograph, number of traction, and who conducted delivery (qualification of health workers). So, this study tried to fill the gaps by conducting primary research with secondary data and adding those variables stated above. Methods: Health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 February 20 June 2020 in five public hospitals in East Wollega Zone. Single population proportion formula used to calculate sample size. Systematic random sampling was employed. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, checklist, and document review were used to collect data from 282 respondents. Data entered to Epi Data version 3.01 and exported to a statistical package of social sciences version 21 for analysis. Those variables with p < 0.25 in the bivariate analyses were a candidate for multivariable logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with complications of instrumental vaginal delivery using 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Results: Complications of instrumental vaginal delivery were 37.2%. Out of all neonates delivered by operative vaginal delivery, 69 (24.5%) developed complications. Vacuum-assisted delivery (adjusted odd ratio = 0.245, 95% confidence interval 0.092-0.658), 120-160 fetal heartbeats per minute (adjusted odd ratio = 0.298, 95% confidence interval 0.114-0.628), birthweight > 4000 g (adjusted odd ratio = 4.09, 95% confidence interval 1.729-9.499) and outlet instrumentation (adjusted odd ratio = 0.139, 95% confidence interval 0.057-0.339) were associated with complications of instrumental vaginal delivery. Conclusion: Magnitude of complications of instrumental vaginal delivery was high in the study area. So, health professionals should give due attention on instrument selection and application. Instrumental delivery requires a careful assessment of clinical circumstances to identify the indications and contraindications for the application of the instruments.

Nurses are leaving the nursing profession: A finding from the willingness of the nurses to stay in the nursing profession among nurses working in selected public hospitals of Wollega Zones, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Background: The willingness of nurses to stay in nursing profession is nurses stay in the nursing profession without having intention to shift their works to other professions. In healthcare systems, nurses are currently leaving their work. To give quality of health, nurses have to stay in their work. The aim of this study was to find the willingness of the nurses to stay in the nursing profession and associated factors. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed among nurses in selected hospitals. After checking for completeness, the data were interred into Epi Data version 3 and exported to Stata SE version 14 for analysis. Then, the descriptive statistics were computed. To find association, logistic regression was computed. Covariates from binary logistic regression were a candidate for multivariate logistic regression at p-value ⩽ 0.25. Variables in the final model were selected by the stepwise backward selection procedure. In the end, variables with a p-value ⩽ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: In this study, 349 nurses have participated with a 100% response rate and more than half of the participants were male 188 (53.87%). The proportion of nurses who have the willingness to stay in the nursing proportion is 54.44% (95% confidence interval = 0.491, 0.59). Getting relatively high salary (adjusted odd ratio = 1.81 (95% confidence interval = 1.05, 3.11)), no presence of support among colleagues (adjusted odd ratio = 0.10 (95% confidence interval = 0.05, 0.22)), not having participation in training (adjusted odd ratio = 0.49 (95% confidence interval = 028, 0.86)), having relative low experience in nursing profession that is less than 6 years (adjusted odd ratio = 0.46 (95% confidence interval = 0.26, 1.81)), having good autonomy in the nursing profession (adjusted odd ratio = 0.41 (95% confidence interval = 0.23, 0.70)), and having a good sense of self-calling for the nursing profession among nurses (adjusted odd ratio = 2.85 (95% confidence interval = 1.64, 4.97)) are the factors related with willingness of the nurses to stay in the nursing profession. Conclusion and recommendation: To bring development in the nursing profession, it is a must to staying experienced nurses in the nursing profession. Therefore, to increase the willingness of nurses in the nursing profession, it is better to increase the salary of nurses, giving frequent training for the nurses, initiate the nurses to support one another, and encourage the nurses to have sense of self-calling for nursing profession. This is accomplished if there is a harmonious relationship between the governments, nurses, and other stakeholders in the healthcare delivery system.

Unintended pregnancy and the factors among currently pregnant married youths in Western Oromia, Ethiopia: A mixed method.

BACKGROUND: Unintended pregnancy is a global concern affecting both developed and developing countries. Some young women who had unintended pregnancies obtain an abortion while others carry their pregnancies to term, incurring the risk of morbidity and mortality higher than those for adult women. Despite the availability of highly effective methods of contraception, different studies in Ethiopia revealed that there is a high level of unintended pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among currently pregnant married youths in Kiremu district. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among currently pregnant married 15-24 years women. Multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to select 434 study units. Ten kebeles were randomly selected and samples were selected from each of ten kebeles by simple random sampling using kebeles household identification numbers as the sampling frame. Quantitative data was entered with SPSS version 20 and crude and adjusted odds ratio together with their 95%CI were computed and interpreted accordingly. A p-value<0.05 was considered to declare a result as statistically significant in this study. In-depth interviews and transcripts of the recorded discussions were coded and analyzed thematically. The results were finally presented in texts, tables, and graphs. RESULT: Unintended pregnancies among currently pregnant married young women in the study area were 31.1%. Educational status (AOR = 3.195,95%CI = 1.757,5.811),being Gov't employee (AOR = 0.039, 95% CI = 0.002,0.988), ever heard contraceptives(AOR = 0.260, 95%CI = 0.077, 0.876), ever used contraceptives (AOR = 0.348,95%CI = 0.168,0.717),discussion about contraceptives with husband(AOR = 0.027,95%CI = 0.015, 0.050),fear of side effect of contraceptives (AOR = 5.819,95% CI = 1.438,23.422), autonomy on health (AOR = 0.122,95%CI = 0.035,0.431), age at first marriage (AOR = 3.195, 95%CI = 1.757,5.811), age first pregnancy(AOR = 23.660,95%CI = 12.573,44.522), being visited by health care providers (AOR = 0.202,95%CI = 0.073,0.566) and average birth interval (AOR = 3.472,95%CI = 1.392,8.61) were the factors associated with unintended pregnancy. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Significant proportion of women had an unintended pregnancy in the study area. Therefore, emphasis should be given to married youths especially on women empowerment, encouraging partner discussions, and providing appropriate counseling on contraceptive side effects by giving due attention to those marred at younger ages (<18 years).

Predictors of preterm birth in Western Ethiopia: A case control study.

BACKGROUND: Early neonatal death caused by preterm birth contributes the most for perinatal death. The prevalence of preterm birth continues to rise and is a significant public health problem. The exact cause of preterm birth is yet unanswered, as mostly preterm birth happens spontaneously. Predictors of preterm birth in developing countries like Ethiopia were not well investigated, and no study was conducted before this in the study area. OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of preterm birth in Western Ethiopia, 2017/2018. METHODS: Health facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from October 20/2017-march 20/2018 in 4 Hospitals. A total sample size of 358 women was recruited. From this 72 were cases and 286 were controls. Cases were mothers who gave Preterm birth, and controls were mothers who gave birth at term. Ethical clearance was obtained from Wollega University ethical review committee. A pre tested, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi Data 3.1 and SPSS version 21, respectively. Logistic regression was done to identify predictors of preterm birth. RESULT: Three hundred fifty-eight women participated in this study of which 72 were cases and 286 were controls; making the overall response rate of 100%. Lack of antenatal care visit [AOR = 3.18, 95% CI 1.37-7.38]),(Having 1-2 antenatal care visit [AOR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.18-4.35]),history of previous preterm)[AOR = 5.19, 95% CI1.29-20.88],Short Interpregnancy Interval [AOR = 4.41.95% CI 2.05-9.47],Having Reproductive tract infections [AOR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.02-6.32] and having Obstetric complications [AOR = 2.48,95% CI 1.31-4.71] were found to be predictors of preterm birth. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Risk factors of preterm delivery are multifactorial and depend on geographical and demographic features of the population studied. Hence results of studies from one area might not be applicable to another area. Antenatal care visits are unique opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment of problems. Therefore, antenatal care should be strengthened, and appropriate counseling should be given at each antenatal care follow up. Maintainning optimum birth interval through family planning, and early identification and treatment of reproductive tract infections are mandatory.