Prevalence of homebirth preference and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Homebirth preference is the intention/plan to give birth outside health facilities with the help of unskilled birth attendants. The preference to give birth at home without a skilled birth attendant leads to care-seeking delays, intrapartum mortality, multiple stillbirths, and postpartum morbidities and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of homebirth preference and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. METHODS: Search of Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were done for this study from 20th August 2022 to 6th November 2022. For data extraction and analysis, the standardized data extraction checklist and Stata version 14 were used respectively. Sentence as "Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 statistics were used to check heterogeneity of the studies. The pooled prevalence of homebirth preference was estimated using a random-effects model. The association between homebirth preference and independent variables was determined using an odd ratio with a 95% confidence interval. A funnel plot and Egger's test were used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 976 research articles were identified. Seven studies that fulfilled eligibility criteria were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of homebirth preference in Ethiopia was 39.62% (95% CI 27.98, 51.26). The current meta-analysis revealed that average monthly income <1800 ETB (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.44, 4.90) lack of ANC follow-up (OR = 2.57, 95%CI 1.32, 5.01), being multipara (OR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.39, 2.25), poor knowledge about obstetric danger sign (OR = 5.75, 95%CI 1.o2, 32.42), and not discussing the place of delivery with a partner (OR = 5.89 (95%CI 1.1, 31.63) were significantly associated with homebirth preference. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the substantial prevalence of homebirth preference in Ethiopia which may contribute maternal and child health crisis. The homebirth preference was associated with low average monthly income (<1800 ETB), lack of ANC follow-up, multipara, poor knowledge about obstetric danger signs, and not discussing with their partner the place of delivery. Improving knowledge of pregnant women about the benefit of health facility delivery and obstetric danger signs is necessary to decrease the prevalence of homebirth preference; for these can reduce negative outcomes occurred during delivery.

Disparities in modern health service utilization across socio-demographic and economic inequalities among households in Gida Ayana district, Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Health care disparities (HCD) occur across a broad range of dimensions and achieving equity in health care is a strenuous task. To overcome the disparities, countries worldwide have started implementing varies policies. HCD remains a challenge in the health care system of Ethiopia. Hence, the study aimed to estimate the disparities in health care utilization (HCU) among households. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 01 to April 30, 2022, among households in Gida Ayana District, Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used to determine the 393sample size, and participants were selected using systematic sampling. Data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. Descriptive analysis and binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS: Of the 356 households that participated in the study, 321 (90.2%) of them reported at least one member of their family perceived morbidity in the last six months. The overall level of HCU determined was 207(64.5%), 95% confidence interval (CI),59.0-69.7%. Urban residents (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.94-6.97), attending secondary school and above (AOR = 2.79, CI = 1.27-5.98), rich (AOR = 2.47, CI = 1.03-5.92), small families (AOR = 2.83, CI = 1.26-6.55), and insured (AOR = 4.27, CI = 2.36-7.71) significantly contributed to HCD. CONCLUSIONS: Households' overall level of HCU for perceived morbidity was moderate. However, significant disparities were observed in HCU across place of residence, wealth status, level of education, family size, and health insurance. Hence, strengthening the strategy of financial protection by implementing health insurance that focuses on the socio-demographic and economic status of households is recommended to reduce the disparities.

Clinical outcome and associated factors of respiratory distress syndrome among preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Adama Hospital and Medical College.

Objective: Aim of the study was to assess the clinical outcome and associated factors of respiratory distress syndrome among preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Adama Hospital and Medical College. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using 242 randomly selected medical records of preterm neonates admitted to Adama comprehensive specialized hospital. Clinical outcome was categorized as poor if the neonate died or left against advice and good if discharged after improvement. Data were coded, entered into Epidata v.7.4.2 and exported to SPSS v.27 for analysis. After initial bi-variable logistic regression analysis, predictor variables with p-value of <0.2 were included in multivariable analysis. Significant association of factors with clinical outcome was claimed at p-value <0.05 and calculated 95% adjusted odds ratio. Results: Majority of admissions were male (63.2%), mean birth weight of 1440.3 g (+321.2 SD) and sepsis (82%), hypothermia (73%), and apnea (21.5%) were leading comorbidities. One hundred fifty-two (62.8%) of preterm neonates had poor outcomes. Neonates born singleton were 47% less likely to develop poor clinical outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 0.53 (0.48-0.94). The odds of poor clinical outcomes were higher during the first 3 days of admission (adjusted odds ratio 3.83 (3.28-14.77). Extremely preterm neonates (adjusted odds ratio 4.16 (4.01-12.97), extremely low birth weight preterm neonates had higher odds of poor clinical outcome. Conclusion: The study found higher poor clinical outcome among preterm neonates admitted with respiratory distress syndrome. Poor outcome was higher in lower gestational age, lower birth weight, twins and majority of it happened during 3 days of their life. Effective preventive care and initiation of low-cost, life-saving interventions including heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula and surfactant administration could significantly improve the clinical outcome of the neonates.