Assessment of mothers' satisfaction towards child vaccination service in South Omo zone, South Ethiopia region: a survey on clients' perspective.

BACKGROUND: Even though childhood vaccination is a common and cost-effective public health intervention in preventing and reducing childhood disease and death, significant numbers of children do not complete vaccination within the first year of life. Studies indicated that user satisfaction influences service utilization and used as a key indicator of quality care. However, evidence on the level of mothers' satisfaction with immunization service are limited in urban and accessible places and not well investigated among remote and pastoral communities. As such, this study aimed to address this gap and investigated mothers' satisfaction towards child vaccination in a pastoralist and agrarian community of the South Omo zone in Southern region of Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1221 randomly selected mothers with children eligible for childhood vaccination using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Maternal positive evaluations of the overall vaccination service were measured using 5-point Likert scale questions. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.5.1 and analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical package version 25. Exploratory factor analysis was used for Likert scale questions to extract factor scores which facilitate treatment of variables as continuous for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. A P-value < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI respectively were used to declare statistical significance and degree of association. RESULT: A total of 849 (69.53%) study participants were satisfied with the vaccination care provided for their children. Factors associated with mother's satisfaction with child vaccination care include maternal age less than 30 years (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.61-2.79), infants age between 8 and 12 months (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.28, 2.62), not having history of adverse events following immunization (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.01-2.45), having 1 child under the age of 5 years (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.02-1.76), waiting 30 min or less to get the service (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.05-1.85), traveling 30 min or less to the vaccination center (AOR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.08-1.98), having poor knowledge about the importance of vaccination (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.06-2.16), and having moderate knowledge about the importance of vaccination (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.06-2.18). CONCLUSION: Interestingly, mothers' satisfaction with their children's vaccination service was relatively higher in a predominantly pastoral community compared with most of previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. Maternal and child age, number of children under the age of 5 years, history of adverse events following immunization, distance to the vaccination center, waiting time to get service and maternal knowledge were factors significantly associated with mothers' satisfaction. Proactive measures with focus on increasing access to vaccination service, improving waiting time and raising awareness among mothers were recommended.

Physical activity status among adolescents in Southern Ethiopia: A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents physical activity is associated with current and future health benefits, reduction of cardio-vascular risk factors, improved bone mineral density, and mental health. The aim of the current study is to assess physical activity status and its factors among adolescents in Arba Minch and Jinka towns, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: The study was conducted on 1255 randomly selected schools adolescents of Arba Minch and Jinka town by employing a mixed method. The qualitative data was obtained by Focus Group Discussion. Multiple linear regressions were done to identify factors affecting physical activity. Codes, sub-categories, and main categories were derived from the transcripts and presented in narrative ways to describe adolescent student's perception on physical activity, its barriers and facilitators by comparing with quantitative findings. RESULTS: The mean physical activity level was 2.08 (95% CI: 2.04-2.12). A student's self-perception about being physically active, being a member of a sport or fitness team, and engaging in after-school activity to earn money, being older, sex, a self-perception of being healthy, higher levels of vegetable and fruit consumption, having someone who encouraged physical activity, perceiving one's family as being active, self-perception of not being overweight and attending schools that have a sports/playground were factors associated with physical activity. The qualitative finding showed a related finding. Poor awareness on the recommended physical activity, benefits of physical activity, lack of interest, restrictions from family members, peers and the community, uncomfortable environment were barriers to physical activity. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The physical activity level of adolescents was low. Age, sex, a positive self-perception about PA and general health, and perception about one's family PA, healthy eating practice, and the presence of role model were associated factors. Lack of self-motivation, interest and family restrictions were barriers to physical activity. PA promotion should be made by incorporating PA into school health programs and strengthening the existing school curriculum.

Blood Pressure Examination Habit and Its Determinants Among Civil Servants in Arba Minch Town: A Cross-Sectional Study - Using Hurdle Poisson Regression Model.

Background: Hypertension is a common non-communicable disease detected through blood pressure measurement that makes periodic health examinations crucial for the detection, prevention, and timely treatment. Objective: To assess the frequency of blood pressure examination and its determinant among civil servants in Arba Minch Town, south Ethiopia. Methods: From February to March 2020 an organization-based cross-sectional study design was employed among civil servants in Arba Minch town. Data were collected from 580 randomly selected civil servants using a well-structured questionnaire. Hurdle Poisson regression model was conducted to identify determinants of frequency of blood pressure examination using R version 4.0.2. Results: A total of 407 (70.2%) civil servants had never examined their blood pressure within a year before the study time. The mean frequency of blood pressure examination was 0.71 with a standard deviation of 1.46. The hurdle Poisson regression analysis indicates age above 40 years (IRR = 6.11, p < 0.001), elevated blood pressure (IRR = 1.48, p < 0.001), no family history of hypertension (IRR = 0.59, p < 0.001) had significant effects on the expected number of non-zero counts blood pressure examination. And education status (OR; 2.39, p < 0.05), poor knowledge about hypertension, not getting advice from health professionals (OR = 8.93, p < 0.001), and age above 40 years had significant effects on not taking blood pressure examination. Conclusion: The frequency of blood pressure examinations among civil servants was found to be low. This study reveals age, elevated blood pressure, family history of hypertension, getting advice, and knowledge on hypertension were found to be determinants of the frequency of blood pressure examination. Thus, concerned health authorities and medical workers should work on these factors to prevent and detect hypertension among apparently healthy civil servants.

Early cessation of breastfeeding and the associated factors among mothers with children aged 2 to 3 years in rural Southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Breast milk is the first natural food for babies. It has nutritional, immunological, developmental, psychological, societal and environmental advantages. Failing to feed children for twenty-four months has so many negative consequences to children. Though studies have well documented the duration of breast feeding in the first six months, the proportion of women completing the recommended duration and factors associated with it has not been well investigated in rural places of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap in evidence among mothers with children aged 2 to 3 years in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in 2021 E.C. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in all kebeles of the surveillance site by employing multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was done to summarize findings and binary logistics regression model was used to identify factors significantly associated with early breast-feeding cessation respectively. OR with its 95% CI was obtained to quantify the degree of association between explanatory variables and early breastfeeding cessation. RESULT: The proportion of early cessations of breast feeding was 29.30% (25.02, 33.64%). Being from a household with no fathers 'education or primary education [AOR=0.22; 95%CI (0.07, 0.74)] and [AOR=0.30; 95%CI (0.12, 0.76)], farmer mothers [AOR=6.40; 95%CI: (1.38, 29.74)], birth interval of less than 2 years [AOR=2.07; 95%CI: (1.03, 4.16)], and with mothers' one or two to three antenatal care visits [AOR = 2.73; 95%CI: (1.27,5.88)] were factors significantly associated with early cessations of breast feeding. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The proportion of early cessations of breast feeding was high. Father's education, being farmer, birth interval and ante natal care visit were significant factors. Health education about proper breast feeding practice and improving ante natal care attendance might improve premature cessation of breast feeding among women.

Magnitude and factors associated with musculoskeletal disorder among patients with diabetes attending chronic care at Arba Minch General Hospital, Arba Minch, southern Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among patients with diabetes in southern Ethiopia. DESIGN: Facility-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: Data collected from 1 March 2021 to 30 August 2021 at Arba Minch General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and sixty-five patients with diabetes attending care at Arba Minch General Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The magnitude and determinants of the MSDs. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSDs among patients with diabetes was 23.29% (95% CI 19.00 to 27.76). The likelihood of developing MSDs was 6.8 times higher among women than men (AOR=6.787, 95% CI 2.08 to 22.19). Rural participants were about 2.4 times (AOR=2.38, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.33) more likely to develop MSDs as compared with urban participants. Participants aged >50 years were 5.9 times more likely to develop MSDs as compared with those aged ≤50 years (AOR=5.864, 95% CI 2.663 to 12.914). The odds of developing MSDs was 6.2 times (AOR=6.247, 95% CI 1.158 to 33.702) and 5.5 times (AOR=5.451 95% CI 1.174 to 25.312) higher among participants who attended primary and secondary education as compared with those who attended college and above, respectively. Participants with cardiovascular disease were 3.9 times more likely to develop MSDs as compared with their counterparts (AOR=3.854, 95% CI 1.843 to 8.063). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that age, sex, educational status, place of residence and cardiovascular disease were found to be determinants of MSDs. Thus, clinical and public health interventions working on diabetes mellitus should consider these determinants.

Routine Health Information Utilization and Associated Factors among Health Professionals Working in Public Health Facilities of the South Region, Ethiopia.

Background: Routine health information is the pillar for planning and management of health services and plays a vital role in effective and efficient health service delivery, decision making, and the improvement of programs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess routine health information utilization and associated factors among health professionals working in public health facilities of the south region. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design was employed. Data was collected from randomly selected 719 participants using a pre-tested, interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out. Result: The overall utilization of routine health information was 63.1. Place of residence, HMIS personnel, HMIS code, overwhelming data source, population based data, data quality control, feedback, monitoring chart, 8.467) and data transfer policy were factors significantly associated with utilization of routine health information. Conclusion: Six out of ten health professionals had utilized routine health information. Place of residence, HMIS personnel, HMIS code, overwhelming data source, population based data, data quality control, feedback, monitoring chart and data transfer policy had significant associations with routine health information utilization. Therefore, concerned health authorities need to work on these factors to improve the utilization.

Morphometric assessment of spleen dimensions and its determinants among individuals living in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: The spleen is a vital lymphoid soft organ that demands constant attention from the clinical point of view. It is a multi-dimensional organ that enlarges in its all dimensions during some disease condition. The detection of the spleen by palpation is not an indicator of an enlarged spleen because normal spleen may be palpable. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the morphometry of spleen dimensions and its determinants among individuals living in Arba Minch town by sonographic examinations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch town from February 1 to March 30, 2020. Seven hundred and eight study participants were selected using a multi-stage systematic random sampling technique. Data were checked for completeness, edited, coded and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA software version 16 for analysis. RESULT: The mean splenic length, width, thickness and volume were 10.24 cm, 4.79 cm, 3.93 cm, and 109.34 cm3, respectively. The mean spleen length, width, thickness and volumes among males were 10.64 cm, 4.92 cm, 4.05 cm and 119.81 cm3 and among females were 9.75 cm, 4.63 cm, 3.78 cm and 96.50 cm3 respectively. As age increased by one year the mean spleen length, width, thickness and volume was decreased by 0.032 cm, 0.018 cm 0.004 cm and 0.012 cm respectively. As height increased by 1 cm the mean spleen width and volume were increased by 0.096 cm and 0.052 cm respectively. As we go from male to female the mean spleen length decreased by 0.294 cm. CONCLUSION: The spleen dimensions were higher in males than females. Splenic length was determined by age & sex, the spleen width was determined by age & height, the spleen volume was determined by age & height and the spleen thickness was determined by age.

Assessing the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A): Specific and General Insights from an Ethiopian Context.

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) has been used in a variety of forms and in a range of countries. This study involves a detailed examination of the PAQ-A to determine its applicability and effectiveness in an Ethiopian setting. We administered the scale to 110 Ethiopian adolescents on two occasions, 5 weeks apart. Data were inspected for features typical of the participants and analyzed to identify interitem correlations, the scale's factor structure, and a range of descriptive statistics concerning composite scores. Most of the scale's items were satisfactorily interrelated according to lenient criteria, and most items loaded on a single factor in exploratory factor analyses. However, a number of the scale's properties were deficient according to stringent or conventionally accepted psychometric criteria. Close inspection of participants' responses highlighted problems in the way the scale is worded, interpreted by participants, and scored. Although the scale does not capture PA as an homogeneous construct, we argue that this is not a problem and neither is its poor test-retest reliability. We make recommendations concerning presentation and scoring of the PAQ-A that are likely to enhance its validity beyond Ethiopia, and we provide a modified version of the scale.

Community Based Essential Newborn Care Practices and Associated Factors among Women Who Gave Birth at Home in Last 12 Months in Amaro Woreda, Southern Ethiopia, 2019.

Community based newborn care is a means of bringing life-saving care to mothers and newborns at the community level. However, the practice is challenging within the Ethiopian health system. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of community based newborn care practices and associated factors among women who gave birth at home in Amaro Woreda, southern Ethiopia, 2019. Across-sectional study design and simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Data was collected through face-to-face interview; EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 software were used for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was employed to analyze the associated factors. In this study 29% practiced community based essential newborn care. Educational status of father (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.07-4.84), last delivery assisted by relative (AOR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.66-7.73), having awareness about community based newborn care (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 2.11-5.77), awareness about newborn danger sign (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.29-3.68) were some of identified factors associated with community based newborn care practice. In conclusion, community based newborn care practice was low. Therefore, promotion of information at community level, women empowerment, and strengthening health extension program were recommending.

Exploring Barriers to Effective Implementation of Public Health Measures for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 Pandemic in Gamo Zone of Southern Ethiopia: Using a Modified Tanahashi Model.

BACKGROUND: Since the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, different public health measures have been implemented to prevent and control the further spread of the disease. However, barriers that influence the effective implementation of public health measures were not explore in Ethiopia especially in study Area. Therefore, this study tried to fill this gap by exploring the barriers to effective implementation of public health measures for prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gamo Zone of southern Ethiopia. METHODS: The study employed a qualitative study with a phenomenology approach among purposely selected 30 individuals in the community and selected institutions. Key informant interview was used to collect the data. The data were transcribed verbatim and translated into the English language. The transcribed data were read several times to clearly understand the content for further analysis. The analysis of the data was conducted based on the modified Tanahashi framework. RESULTS: The study identified different barriers under five main themes: accessibility, acceptability, availability, contact and use, and effective implementation of public health measures related to barriers. The main barriers to effective implementation of public health measures were resistance to change, negligence, lack of community engagement, insufficient training for front line workers, poor supportive supervision, poor law enforcement, and lack of continuous community awareness creation. Beside, acceptability related barriers like cultural and religious norms and availability related barriers like shortage of personal protective equipment and shortage of skilled health professional have also lion share barriers for implementation of the public health measures. CONCLUSION: The study identified different personal, institutional, and societal level barriers for effective implementation of public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, proper and targeted continuous community awareness creation with further mandatory law enforcement activities should be implemented by the concerned bodies to mitigate individual and societal level barriers. In addition, the government with relevant stakeholders should give due attention to equip and protect the frontline professionals by availing the necessary logistic and provision of continuous capacity-building activities.

Intention and Practice on Personal Preventive Measures Against the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Adults with Chronic Conditions in Southern Ethiopia: A Survey Using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

PURPOSE: With prevention being the only and best available intervention, COVID-19 has recently become a global threat, having had and continuing to have enormous health, economic, and societal impacts. Evidence so far has documented a heightened risk of mortality to people with chronic conditions. There is a dearth of evidence regarding chronic disease patients' intention and practice on the preventive measures. This study tried to fill this gap by assessing the intention to practice and practice on personal preventive measures (PPMs) among adults with chronic conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southern Ethiopia among 806 adults with chronic conditions by employing a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS software version 25. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with intention and practice. Level of statistical significance was declared at a P-value of less than 0.05. RESULTS: The study showed that 52% (95% CI=47.61-54.80) and 76.3% (95% CI=73.36-79.24) of adults with chronic conditions were intending to practice and had ever practiced the personal preventive measures. Participants' subjective norm (SN) (AOR=4.94; 95% CI=3.49-6.96) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) (AOR=4.13; 95% CI=2.69-6.34) were the factors associated with their intention. Good knowledge and a positive attitude were found to be significant factors associated with the participants' actual practice of the PPMs among other independent factors. CONCLUSION: Around half of the participants were intending to practice PPMs, and three-quarters had good practice on the PPMs against COVID-19. Interventions targeted to improve intention and practice on the PPMs need to take into account improving knowledge and attitude, and build positive subjective norms and heighten the confidence to control the preventive behaviors.

Predictors of time-to-recovery from severe acute malnutrition treated in an outpatient treatment program in health posts of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Access to outpatient therapeutic feeding programs for all children who had uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in need is a global health priority. In Ethiopia SAM is treated in hospitals, health centers and health posts. Health extension workers (HEWs) manage SAM that is uncomplicated at the health posts through the outpatient therapeutic feeding programs (OTP). Identifying predictors that predict time-to-recovery of children on OTP is thus vital to optimizing therapeutic success. However, the factors affecting children's' recovery time at this peripheral health institutions were not well documented. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of time-to-recovery from SAM among children treated at an OTP in health posts of Arba Minch Zuria woreda, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 402 children enrolled in an OTP in the health posts of Arba Minch Zuria woreda based on data abstracted from their medical records. The study children were selected using systematic random sampling method using a list of their medical record numbers. Both descriptive and analytic analyses were performed. Median time of recovery was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Furthermore, bivariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to identify factors significantly associated with outcome variable. RESULT: The median time-to-recovery from severe acute malnutrition among children was 49 days (Interquartile range [IQR]: 42-56). Among the participants, 70.40% with 95% CI: (74.2-85.0%) recovered from severe acute malnutrition. The Cox-proportional hazard analysis showed that children's age at admission (Adjusted hazards ratio [AHR] = 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.85, 5.03), diagnosis with edema (AHR = 1.75, 95%CI: (1.27, 2.43), co-morbidity of diarrhea (AHR = 0.22, 95% CI(0.13, 0.39), and anemia (AHR = 0.64, 95% CI:(0.42, 0.98) were found to be predictors of time to recovery from SAM. CONCLUSIONS: The median time-to-recovery at the health posts in this study was in the accepted time period for the maximum Ethiopian standard protocol set for the management of SAM. However, the nutritional recovery rate was lower than the minimum acceptable threshold for the Sphere International Standards. Therefore, early screening of co-morbidity like diarrhea, anemia and edemaand timely intervention would increase the chance of recovery of children.

Level of completion along continuum of care for maternal and newborn health services and factors associated with it among women in Arba Minch Zuria woreda, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Completion along continuum of care for maternal and newborn health (MNH) services like antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and postnatal care services is advantageous over each segment of services. It is one of the currently recommended strategies to reduce both maternal and neonatal mortality and achieve the global target of ending preventable maternal and under-five children's mortality. Although studies on factors affecting each segment of MNH services have been well documented in Ethiopia, there is a dearth of evidence about the level of continuum of care and factors associated with it. This study was intended to fill this gap in evidence in the study area so that interventions could be taken to improve maternal and newborn health. METHODS: A community-basedcross-sectional study was conducted among 432 postnatal women who gave birth in the previous year in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site. Women were selected by computer generated random numbers from a list of women who stayed at least 6 weeks after birth. A pre-tested, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered and coded in Epi-data and analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the dependent variable. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were fitted in steps to select candidate variables for multivariable analysis and to control for potential confounding effect respectively. RESULTS: The overall completion along the continuum of care was 42(9.7%). The factors significantly associated with completion of care along the continuumwere timely initiation of antenatalcare (before16weeks) [AOR: 10.7, CI (5.1, 22.7], birth preparedness and complication readiness [AOR: 2.9, CI (1.4, 6.1), pre-pregnancy contraception utilization [AOR: 3.9, CI: 1.4, 11.0], being employed [AOR: 2.6 CI:(1.3, 5.4)], and having a planned pregnancy [AOR:3.5 CI: (1.1, 11.4)]. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Completion along the continuum of care for MNH services was low in the study area. Thus, efforts to improve the completion of care should focus on interventions that enhance early initiation of antenatal care, planned pregnancy, and birth preparedness and complication readiness.

Factors associated with low birthweight among newborns delivered at public health facilities of Nekemte town, West Ethiopia: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Low birthweight (LBW) remains the most important risk factor which attributed to mortality of 15-20% of newborns across the globe. An infant with low birthweight is more likely to have stunting in childhood and develop markers of metabolic risk factors at his later age. Furthermore, LBW is a risk for inter-generational assaults of malnutrition as it is the risk for sub optimal growth until adulthood, affecting women's and male's reproductive capabilities. Thus, there is enough concern to study the determinants of LBW across different settings. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess the determinants of low birthweight s in public health facilities of Nekemte town, West Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility based unmatched case control study was employed from February to April 2017. The data were collected using structured, pretested interviewer administered questionnaire in all public health facilities of Nekemte town. Consecutive live births of less than 2500 g in each of the hospitals and health centres were selected as cases and succeeding babies with weights of at least 2500 g as controls. Data were entered in to Epi-data software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 21 and analyzed using frequency, cross-tabs and percentage. Factors with p-value < 0.25 in Bivariate analysis were entered in to multivariable logistic regression and statistical significance was considered at p-value < 0.05. RESULT: A total 279 (93 cases &186 controls) were included in the study with a mean birthweight of 2138.3 g ± SD 206.87 for cases and 3145.95 g ± SD 415.98 for controls. No iron-folate supplementation (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI, 1.15-7.03), no nutritional counselling (AOR = 4.05, 95%CI, 1.95-8.38), not taking snacks (AOR =3.25, 95%CI, 1.64-6.44), maternal under nutrition (AOR =5.62, 95%CI, 2.64-11.97), anemia (AOR = 3.54, 95%CI, 1.46-8.61) and inadequate minimum dietary diversity score of women MDDS-W (AOR = 6.65, 95%CI, 2.31-19.16) were factors associated with low birthweight . CONCLUSION: Lacking nutrition counselling during pregnancy, lacking iron/folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, not taking snacks during pregnancy, maternal under-nutrition, maternal anemia and inadequate minimum dietary diversity score of women (MDDS-W) were independently associated with LBW. Thus, public health intervention in the field of maternal and child health should address these determinants.

Maternal Common Mental Disorder as Predictors of Stunting among Children Aged 6-59 Months in Western Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries still continues to be an alarming. Africa and Asia bear the greatest share of all forms of malnutrition. The association between maternal common mental disorder and stunting has not been studied well even in developed countries; much less in developing countries and even the findings are conflicting. Thus, the purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship of maternal common mental disorder and child stunting. METHODS: Institution based unmatched case-control study design was employed from March to April 2017. Two hundred thirty-four sampled children (78 cases and 156 controls) were randomly selected. Anthropometric measurements (height/length and weight) were taken by calibrated instruments. Maternal common mental disorder (CMD) was measured by using the locally validated Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Data entry was done by Epi data version 3.1 and analysis was done by SPSS 21.0 statistical software. RESULT: Finding of this study found out about three-fourths of cases (71.8%) and three-fourths of controls (69.9%) were residing in rural and urban areas, respectively. Regarding maternal common mental disorder, more than half of cases mother (53.8%) and more than one-tenth of controls mother (13.5%) were found to have common mental disorder. The study showed that children of mothers who had common mental disorder were found to be three times more likelihood of developing stunting than children whose mothers had not common mental disorder. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study indicated that maternal common mental disorder was significantly associated with stunting. Therefore, emphasis should be given in preventing, managing, and maintaining maternal mental health in order to prevent stunting.

Feeding Practice during Diarrheal Episode among Children Aged between 6 to 23 Months in Mirab Abaya District, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Diarrheal disease is one of the main causes of childhood malnutrition. In developing countries 30% of pediatric beds are occupied with children having diarrheal disease. Fluid replacement, continued feeding, and increasing appropriate fluid at home during the diarrhea episodes are the cornerstone of treatment package. The purpose of this study was to assess feeding practice during diarrheal episodes among children aged 6 to 23 months in Mirab Abaya district, Gamo Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from February to March 2016 among children aged 6 to 23 months. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A total of 661 participants were included in our study. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS 20.0 statistical software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable analysis were done to assess factors associated with feeding practices during a diarrheal episode. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to identify a statistically significant association between independent variables and feeding practice during diarrheal episode. RESULT: The proportion of proper feeding practice during diarrheal episode was 467 (70.7%). Boy children were about 1.6 times [AOR; 1.62 (95%CI=1.04, 2.50)] more likely to receive increased food and fluid than girl children. Mothers who have one under-five child were 2 times [AOR 2.11 (95% CI =1. 38, 3.23)] more likely to have proper feeding practice during diarrheal episode as compared to those have two and more under-five children. The likelihood of increasing food and fluid during diarrheal episodes was 2 times [AOR 2.46 (95% CI=1. 55, 3.88)] higher among children from maternal age of 30-39 years than those from 20-29 years. Mothers who get information about feeding practices during diarrheal episodes were 2 times [AOR 2.19 (95% CI=1. 43, 3.36)] more likely to increase food and fluid to their child compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: In this study educational status, number of antenatal care visits, sex, number of under-5 children, maternal age, and mothers information about feeding practice were independently associated with feeding practices during a diarrheal episode. Therefore, intensive intervention programme should focus on these determinants to reduce child mortality and morbidity and realize sustainable development goals.

Client perspective assessment of women's satisfaction towards labour and delivery care service in public health facilities at Arba Minch town and the surrounding district, Gamo Gofa zone, south Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: A woman's satisfaction with labour and delivery care service has a good effect on her health and subsequent utilization of the services. Thus knowledge about women's satisfaction on labour and delivery care used to enhances the services utilization. The objective of this study was to assess the satisfaction of women's towards labour and delivery care service and identify factors associated it at public health facilities in Arba Minch town and the surrounding district, Gamo Gofa zone, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted among women who gave birth at public health facility. A total 256 women who gave birth during the study period were included in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Satisfaction level was measured using a 5 point-Likert scale questions. Data were entered using Epi data version 3.5.1 and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Factor analysis was employed for Likert scale questions to extract factor represented each of the scale which facilitate treatment of variable as continuous for further analysis. Bi-variate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify association between women's satisfaction and predicator variables. Statistical significance was declared at P value <0.05 on final model. The strength of association was interpreted using the adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI. RESULT: This study revealed that 90.2% of women who gave birth in public health facilities were satisfied with labour and delivery care. Factors associated with women's satisfaction with labour and delivery care services include: not attending formal education [AOR = 8.00, 95% CI = (1.52, 12.27)] attending antenatal care four times and more [AOR = 5.00, 95% CI = (1.76, 14.20)] waiting below 15 minutes to be seen by health professional [AOR = 3.37, 95% CI = (1.14, 9.97)] and not paying for drugs and supplies [AOR = 6.19, 95% CI = (1.34, 18.59)]. CONCLUSION: Although majority of women were satisfied with the labour and delivery service they got, their level of satisfaction was influenced by educational status, number of ANC visits, waiting time, and payment for drug and supplies. Thus, public health intervention working on improving delivery care should consider these factors.

Factors associated with stunting among children of age 24 to 59 months in Meskan district, Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Stunting is one of the major causes of morbidity among under-five children Knowledge about risk factors of stunting is an important precondition for developing and strengthening nutritional intervention strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with stunting among children of age 24 to 59 months in Meskan District of Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia. METHODS: Community based case-control study was conducted among children of age 24 to 59 months. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Cases were stunted children while controls were not stunted children. A total of 121 cases and 121 controls were studied.. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software. RESULTS: Children living in households with eight to ten [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.65, 11.95] and five to seven [AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.41, 6.29] family members were more likely to be stunted than those living in households with two to four family members. Similarly, children living in households with three under-five children [AOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.33, 10.74] were more likely to develop stunting than those living in households with one under-five child. Children whose mothers worked as merchants [AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.60, 10.17] were more likely to be stunted than children whose mothers worked as house wives. Children who breast fed for <2 years [AOR = 5.61, 95% CI: 1.49, 11.08] were more likely to be stunted than those who breast fed ≥2 years. Children who were exclusively breast fed for <6 months [AOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.21, 8.82]were more likely to develop stunting than children who were exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months. Children who bottle fed [AOR =3.30, 95% CI: 1.33, 8.17)] were more likely to be stunted than children who fed their complementary food using spoon/cup. CONCLUSIONS: Family size, number of under-five children in the household, maternal occupation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, duration breast feeding, and method of feeding complementary food were independently associated with stunting. Thus, public health intervention working on improving child nutrition should consider these determinants.