Magnitude and its associated factors of neonatal jaundice among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Dessie Town public hospitals, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2020: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Neonatal jaundice is a prevalent illness affecting approximately 60%-80% of newborns. In severe cases, it can result in severe neurological distress. Approximately 1.1 million neonates are affected annually on a global scale, with the vast majority living in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. It is common in newborns in the first week of life. This study aims to assess the magnitude and determinants of jaundice in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of public hospitals in the city of Dessie in northern Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted at the NICU at Dessie town public hospitals from 30 March to 30 April 2020. A systematic random sampling procedure was used to select the study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with mothers using a structured questionnaire and by reviewing neonatal medical records using a checklist. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of neonatal jaundice. A significance level of less than 0.05 was used to declare the statistical significance in the final model. Results: A total of 218 neonates with their mothers were included in the study. The prevalence rate of neonatal jaundice was found to be 28.4%. The major associated factors for neonatal jaundice were sepsis [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 10.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.36, 43.56], preterm < 37 weeks (AOR: 6.03, 95% CI = 1.41, 25.79) low APGAR score < 7 (AOR: 7.34, 95% CI = 1.34, 39.65), ABO incompatibility (AOR: 24.55 95% CI = 1.58, 68.83), prolonged labor (AOR 9.03, 95% CI = 1.67, 48.33), and Rh incompatibility (AOR = 30.40, 95% CI = 2.01, 66.20). Conclusion: The magnitude of neonatal jaundice among neonates was determined to be high. Therefore, both maternal and neonatal factors contributed significantly to the management of neonatal jaundice and also influenced the use of phototherapy treatment. Proper consideration of these factors is crucial for the prevention and treatment of neonatal jaundice.

Treatment outcome and associated factors among adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in selected health centers in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: The success rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in developing countries is different than expected despite effective treatment. We evaluated treatment outcomes and associated factors of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was employed among randomly selected health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Patient records of adult pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated between January 1st, 2017, and December 31st, 2019 were reviewed. Convenient sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 24-computer software was used for analysis. Participants' characteristics were descriptively described, and Bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine independent variables related to clinical outcomes. The significance level was determined at p-value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-six patient records with a mean age of 37.49± 2.99 were reviewed. The overall treatment success rate was 84.9%. Absence of comorbid illness [AOR = 0.444; 95% CI:0.219-0.900], non-smoking [AOR = 0.35; 95% CI:0.194-0.645], and being HIV negative [AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.106-0.460] were associated with successful treatment outcomes, whereas, not having treatment supporter [AOR = 15.68; 95% CI: 8.11-30.33] was associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment success in this study was below the average target set by WHO. HIV positivity, co-morbidities, and smoking increased risk of treatment failure. Patient education about cessation may improve treatment success.

Pregnant women's perception on the health effects of household air pollution in Rural Butajira, Ethiopia: a phenomenological qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Household air pollution is the major public health problem in developing countries. Pregnant women spent the majority of their time at home and are the most affected population by household air pollution. Exploring the perception of pregnant women on adverse health effects is important to enhance the mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study aim to explore the pregnant women's perceptions about health effects of household air pollution in rural Butajira, Ethiopia. METHODS: A phenomenological qualitative study design was conducted among 15 selected pregnant women. All interviews were carried out at the participants´ house and audio-recorded while housing and cooking conditions were observed and appropriate notes were taken for each. The collected data were transcribed verbatim and translated into the English language. Then, the data were imported into Open code software to manage the overall data coding processes and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Study participants perceived that respiratory problems such as coughing, sneezing and asthma and eye problem were the major health problem caused by household air pollution among pregnant women. Study participants also mentioned asphyxiated, abortion, reduces weight, and hydrocephalus was caused by household air pollution on the foetus. Study participants perceived that financial inability, spouse negligence, autonomy and knowledge level of the women were the barriers to tackling household air pollution. Study participant also suggested that opening the door and window; using improved cookstove and reduce workload were the perceived solution for household air pollution. CONCLUSIONS: This study explores pregnant women's perceptions on health effects of household air pollution. The finding of this study was important to deliver suitable intervention strategies to mitigate household air pollution. Therefore, educating the women on way of mitigating household air pollution, improving existing structure of the house and minimize the time to stay in the kitchen is important to mitigate household air pollution exposure.

Anticipated stigma and associated factors among chronic illness patients in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anticipated stigma related to chronic illness patients undermines diagnosis, treatment, and successful health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with anticipated stigma among patients with chronic illness attending follow-up clinics in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional institution-based study was conducted in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals from 01 March to 15 April 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the three Referral Hospitals in the region and study subjects. Data were collected using a pre-tested interview-based questionnaire. Data were entered and cleaned with Epi-Info version 6 and exported for analysis STATA version 14. Multiple linear regression was used to show the association between anticipated stigma and potential factors. Associations were measured using ß coefficients and were considered statistically significant if the p-value > 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 779 patients were included for analysis with a response rate of 97%. Their mean (Standard deviation) of anticipated stigma was estimated at 1.86 and 0.5, respectively. After running an assumption test for multiple linear regression; educational status, cigarette smoking, psychological distress, medication adherence, alcohol consumption, and social part of the quality of life were statically significantly associated with anticipated stigma. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The result showed a high level of anticipated stigma reported among the participants. Emphasizing improving their social part of the quality of life, avoiding risky behaviors like alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, access to health education for chronically ill patients, integrating mental health in all types of chronic disease, and developing strategies and protocols which will help to improve patient medication adherence to their prescribed medication will be crucial. This can provide a foundation for government andnon-governmental organizations, and researchers implementing evidence-based interventions and strategies on chronic care to address factors related to anticipated stigma.

Knowledge of childhood autism among nurses working in governmental hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs in the early childhood period and is characterized by altered social interaction, communication problems, repetitive, and stereotyped behavior. Genetic, environmental, or physical risk factors are associated with prenatal, natal, or postnatal complications, leading to the development of autism spectrum disorders. Prompt diagnosis and management should be an integral component of the care provision in countries like Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess knowledge of childhood autism among nurses working in governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was used. The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula, and the final sample size was 360. Final study subjects were selected by using the simple random sampling method. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires and were then coded and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were utilized to show frequencies and percentages, and analysis of variance was carried out to compute the association between the dependent and independent variables. Independent t-test was also done to see the association between dependent variables and independent variables with two means. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean score for knowledge-related items was 8.79 ± 0.4. In this study, out of 331 nurses, 180 (54.35%) had good knowledge. Significant mean score difference was observed among age distribution (F-Ratio = 2.8, p-value = 0.04), level of education (F-ratio = 13.97, p < 0.001) and work experience (F-Ratio = 3.07 p-value = 0.017). CONCLUSION: A significant gap was observed in the overall knowledge of childhood autism among nurses employed in the governmental hospitals of Addis Ababa. The respondents' knowledge level was significantly different among age group distributions, education levels, and work experience.

Initiation of Breast Milk Expression and Associated Factors Among Mothers of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Government Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,2020.

BACKGROUND: In early preterm and very low birth weight, breast milk expression is an optimal solution to continue with breastfeeding. This study aimed to assess the initiation of breast milk expression and associated factors among preterm and low birth weight mothers in the neonatal intensive care units of public hospitals in Addis Ababa. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was performed in selected public hospitals, Addis Ababa, among 124 breast feeding mothers chosen from different public health facilities of Addis Ababa; from April 5 to May 15, 2020. Information was collected using questionnaires administered by the interviewer, double data entry was performed using Epi Info version 4.6.02 software, cleaned finally exported to SPSS statistics version 26 for analysis. To predict the association of research variables, logistic regression models were used and adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: All respondents were started milk expression after six hours following delivery. Getting instruction on the method of their choice (AOR=0.55; CI=0.31 to 0.96) and gestational age ≤32 weeks (AOR=2.39; CI=1.34 to 4.24) were factors significantly associated with initiation of milk expression. CONCLUSION: The study indicated breast milk expression was poor. Inter-departmental collaboration is required in order to promote good practice of breast milk expression among mothers of neonates with preterm and low birth weight.

Prevalence and associated factors of chronic undernutrition among under five children in Adama town, Central Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with stunting among under five children in Adama town, Central Ethiopia, 2013. A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 616 parent child pairs of under five children using structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. World health organization new growth reference was used to convert height measurements into Z-scores of the height for age indices considering age and sex of the children. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed at P value < 0.05. RESULTS: This study revealed that 44.4% of under five children were stunted. The findings showed that a significant positive association between stunting and mother educational status (AOR = 3.69 95% CI 1.42, 9.58), number of under five children in the house hold (AOR = 2.8 95% CI 1.77, 4.42), decision making on the use of money only by husband (AOR = 4.43 95% CI 2.51, 7.80), age of complementary foods started (AOR = 7.52 95% CI 3.39, 16.68), presence of diarrhea in the last two week (AOR = 1.79 95% CI 1.13, 2.83). Therefore, this study recommends intervention strategies focusing on encouraging women education, family planning and education on child caring practice.

Effect of antiretroviral therapy on changes in the fertility intentions of human immunodeficiency virus-positive women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a prospective follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: With access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are able to consider childbearing to a greater extent than previously. In many cases, ART has transformed their intentions to have children. The present study aimed to assess changes in fertility intentions 12 months after ART initiation among HIV-positive women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based follow-up study was conducted among 360 HIV-positive women in Addis Ababa. A logistic regression model was used to assess the influence of socio-demographic, reproductive health, and clinical characteristics on changes in the fertility intentions of women. RESULTS: Overall, 40.8% (147 of 360) of the women reported that they desired to have a child in the future at the baseline visit, while 48.3% (174 of 360) did so at the 12-month follow-up. The proportion of women who reported that they desired to have a child 12 months after ART initiation was higher among ART-initiated women (55.8%, 106 of 190) than ART-naïve women (40.0%, 68 of 170). The adjusted analysis indicated that a change in fertility intentions between baseline and the follow-up visit was significantly associated with ART use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20 to 5.20) and marital status, with single (aOR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.10 to 25.92) and married (aOR, 6.35; 95% CI, 1.44 to 27.99) women being more likely to report fertility intentions than divorced/widowed women. CONCLUSIONS: ART use was a significant predictor of change in fertility intentions between the baseline and follow-up visit, which suggests that additional efforts are necessary to integrate family planning and HIV services to address the safe fertility goals of women in the study area.