Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and its associated factors among children age 6-24 months in Burao district, Somaliland.

BACKGROUND: Adequate nutrition during early childhood ensures growth and development of children and breast milk is better than any other products given to a child. However, studies on exclusive breastfeeding practice are limited in Somaliland. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and its associated factors among children 6-24 months of age in Burao district, Somaliland. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 26 August to 10 October 2018, in Burao district among randomly, selected 464 mothers with children 6-24 months of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using pretested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 20.47% (95% CI 18.84, 23.63%). Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with: having female child (AOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29, 0.80)), lack of formal education (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), household monthly income 100$-200$ (AOR 0.35;95% CI 0.18, 0.68), lack of husband's support (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), and mothers who were not counselled on breastfeeding during antenatal care (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.16, 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive breastfeeding practice was very low as compared to recommendations of infant and young child practice (IYCF) which recommends children to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with a mother's lack of formal education, monthly income less than 100$, being a female child, lack of advice on exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care and lack of husband support. The promotion of education for women, husband's engagement, encouraging antenatal care follow-up and counseling of exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care was recommended to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Premarital sexual practice and associated factors among adolescents in the refugee camps in Tigray, northern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Premarital sexual practice during adolescence time may lead to different sexual and reproductive health problems including HIV/AIDS. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of premarital sexual practice and associated factors among adolescents living in the refugee camps in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. RESULT: The prevalence of premarital sexual practice was 47.6% [95% CI (43.3%, 51.9%)]. The age (mean ± SD) of the study participants was 17.4 ± 2.71 (15-24 years) and 68.8% of them were males. Being in the age group 14-19 years [AOR = 4.50, 95% CI (2.29-8.84)] or 20-24 years [AOR = 9.76, CI (4.58-20.82)], living with friends [AOR = 5.24, 95% CI (2.28-12.05)] or alone [AOR = 5.72, 95% CI (2.69-12.19)], being in primary school [AOR = 6.93, 95% CI (3.08-15.57)] or college [AOR = 4.33, CI (1.44-13.02)], getting pocket money [AOR = 4.14, 95% CI (2.31-7.41)], parents being either divorced [AOR = 5.11, 95% CI (2.42-10.80)] or widowed [AOR = 3.52, 95% CI (1.69-7.33)], alcohol consumption [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI (1.20-3.38)] were independent predictors of premarital sexual practice among the adolescents.

Prevalence and determinants of stillbirth among women attended deliveries in Aksum General Hospital: a facility based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: In Ethiopia skilled deliveries are increasing but stillbirth is not reducing as required. However; there are limited numbers of up to date studies done related to stillbirth in the study area. Therefore this was aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of stillbirth using facility based cross-sectional study among women attended deliveries at Aksum General Hospital in 2018. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 573 study participants from the deliveries attended during the study period. The data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify significant predictors and strength of association was measured based on adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level and statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of stillbirth was 3.68% in this study area. Maternal age 20-35 (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI (0.08, 0.80)), not using partograph (AOR = 8.66; 95% CI (2.88, 26.10)) and gestational age < 37 weeks (AOR = 3.86; 95% CI (1.27, 11.69)) were the independent factors affecting the stillbirth.

Birth preparedness as a precursor to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant mothers in Medebay Zana District, Northern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: Most maternal and newborn deaths occur during labour and delivery. Birth preparedness and complication readiness practice getting early services when problems may arise is the most achievable components of safe motherhood strategies. However, there is limited evidence found particularly in the study area. Thus, a community based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 17 to June 30, 2017, to assess birth preparedness practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Medebay Zana district in Northern Ethiopia. RESULT: The finding showed that about 176 (32%) of the respondents were prepared for birth based on the criteria set in this study. Preparation for birth was higher among married women (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI (1.47-11.64)), among governmental employed women (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI (1.19-6.05)), those who attend antenatal care service (AOR, 0.11, 95% CI (0.05-0.22)), planned pregnancy (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI (0.03-0.15), those who had saving habit (AOR = 15.81, 95% CI (7.20-34.72), duration of pregnancy near to 9 month (AOR = 5.86, 95% CI (3.25-10.58). Preparation for birth was lower among illiterate mothers (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI (0.07-0.30), among mothers who attended primary education (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI (0.01-0.04)). The prevalence of birth preparedness practice in the study area was low. Community-based health education about preparation for birth is important.

Determinants of preterm birth among mothers delivered in Central Zone Hospitals, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm deliveries were responsible for 3.1 million neonatal deaths that occurred globally in 2010, of them 35% were directly related to preterm. This study was aimed to assess the determinants of preterm birth among women delivered of Central zone. A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out from March to May 2018, in four randomly selected hospitals of Central zone. A total of 413 participants were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-info Version 3.5.3 and then exported to SPSS Version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the association. Statistical significance was declared by 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio. RESULT: From the total (413) participants, 78.7% of participants were in the age group of 20-34 years and in this study the prevalence of preterm birth was 12.8%. Factors like, marital status of unmarried (AOR = 5.21, 95% CI 1.8-15.075), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) (< 11 cm) (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.204-4.851) were independent predictors of preterm birth among women delivered in the study area.

Fertility desire and associated factors among women on the reproductive age group of Antiretroviral treatment users in Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: HIV remained the major cause of death in women of reproductive age worldwide. There is limited evidence regarding the fertility desire of HIV positive women receiving HIV care in the study area. Therefore, facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2017 to assess fertility desire of HIV positive women and associated factors among mothers in receiving HIV care Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was taken to draw the sample after stratification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and statistical significance was declared at P value less than 0.05. RESULTS: This finding showed that, 175 (46.8%) of the Antiretroviral therapy users had fertility desire with those significantly associated factors; women in the age 18-29 years [AOR = 4.05, 95% CI 1.24-13.33], being married [AOR = 0.32, 95% CI (0.13-0.78)], having diploma educational level [AOR = 5.34, 95% CI 1.10, 15.60], having only boys or girls children [AOR = 2.79, 95% CI (1.24-6.25)], having 18-36$ monthly income [AOR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.56-10.67)], Partner's HIV status [AOR = 3.56, 95% CI (3.02-9.33)] and non use of contraceptives [AOR = 2.57, 95% CI (1.08-6.13)]. Fertility desire in the study area was high. Strengthening PMTCT service should consider fertility desire of mothers living with HIV.

Prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in Axum town, Tigray, North Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Weight at birth is a good indicator of the newborn's chances for survival, growth, long-term health and psychosocial development. Therefore, the aimed of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in Axum town, Tigray, North Ethiopia. RESULT: The magnitude of low birth weight was 8.8%. Height of mother adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.607 (CI 1.34-15.8), gestational age AOR 4.7 (CI 1.08-20.44), anti-natal care (ANC) visit AOR 0.076 (CI 0.009-0.645), anemia during pregnancy AOR 14.5 (CI 3.821-55.6) and drinking alcohol AOR 6.4 (CI 1.235-33.94) were found to be significantly associated with low birth weight. Pre-conceptual counseling on nutrition, about the effect of short suture on birth outcome and personal maternal habit (drinking alcohol), effective treatment and prevention of anemia and awareness on the importance ANC follow up should be the target.

Assessment of patients' satisfaction and associated factors among outpatients received mental health services at public hospitals of Mekelle Town, northern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Satisfaction is the psychological state that results from confirmation or disconfirmation of expectations with reality. Patients' satisfaction is a healthcare recipient's reaction to salient aspect of the contexts, process and result of their service experience. The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and associated factors among outpatients receiving mental health services at public hospitals in Mekelle town. OBJECTIVES: To assess patient satisfaction and associated factors among outpatients receiving mental health services at public hospitals in Mekelle town, northern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 415 outpatients receiving mental health services at public hospitals in Mekelle town from September 2013 to August 2014. The data were collected using standardized, structured pre-tested questionnaire. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Satisfaction rate was examined with the client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-8), having four responses ranging from poor to very good. Descriptive summary using percentages, frequency and graph were used to present study results. Multivariate logistic regressions with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength and p-value < 0.05 was used to indicate the significance of the association. RESULTS: A total of 415 respondents were enrolled, with a response rate of 100% and magnitude of satisfaction of 72%. The predictors associated with patient satisfaction were higher education (AOR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.24, 0.97), longer waiting time (AOR = 0.01; 95% CI 0.002, 0.07), having a diagnosis of psychosis (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI 1.41, 5.72) were significantly associated with satisfaction. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: More than one-four of patients receiving mental health services were dissatisfied with the service they received. Improvement in accessibility and availability of drugs, minimizing consultation time (< 45 min) or increasing number of OPD units are important to improve satisfaction.

Chemically synthesized biofuels from agricultural waste: Optimization operating parameters with surface response methodology (CCD).

Bioethanol is one of the most important alternative renewable energy sources that substitute the fossil fuels. Sugarcane bagasse has a content of cellulose and hemicelluloses, which make it suitable as fermentation substrate when hydrolyzed. The objective of work is ethanol production from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by the fermentation process. Eight laboratory experiments were conducted to produce bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse. By using Design Expert, it was formulated the dilute acid hydrolysis step to investigate the effects of hydrolysis parameters on a yield of ethanol and optimum condition. All the three hydrolysis parameters were significant variables for the yield of ethanol. The optimum combinations of the three factors maximum ethanol yield were 10.86 ml at 50 g sample, 92.59 °C hydrolysis temperature, 30 min hydrolysis time and 1%v/v acid concentration. From this study following point were concluded: •Lignocellulosic containing material are sustainable for clean energy production•Production of bioethanol from waste sugarcane baggage's is possible•Operating parameters (time, temperature and acid concentration) can be optimized by surface response methodology.•Process parameters hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation have significant role on bioethanol yield.