Pandemic fatigue, behavioral intention and predictors of COVID-19 vaccination among individuals living with HIV in Bench Sheko Zone, in Southern Ethiopia, application of TBP: a facility based cross sectional study.

Introduction: People living with HIV often face inequalities and negative outcomes, which make them vulnerable. To protect this population and achieve herd immunity, it is crucial for COVID-19 vaccination efforts to prioritize and encourage vaccination among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, in Ethiopia, there is a lack of motivation in this regard. To tackle this issue, a study was conducted in the Bench Sheko Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study aimed to assess pandemic fatigue, behavioral intention to get vaccinated, and factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among PLWH in that region. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals living with HIV who were over 18 years old in Bench-Sheko Zone, located in Southwest Ethiopia. The study included a total of 590 participants from four ART healthcare facilities within the zone. The researchers utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to examine the predictors of intention to use preconception care. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to determine these predictors, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered as indicative of a significant association. The final analysis of the study involved the use of linear regression analysis, and the measure of association was presented as the standardized B coefficient following a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Result: In the conducted study, the response rate was an impressive 98%. The researchers aimed to investigate the behavioral intention toward the COVID-19 vaccine, which was found to be 55.7%. The average age of the participants in the study was 34.65 ± 6.67. The study was the assessment of pandemic fatigue, which had a mean value of 17.22 ± 5.28. During the multivariate linear regression analysis, four predictor variables were identified. Among these, three variables, namely subjective norm, pandemic fatigue, and age, positively influenced the behavioral intention toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Comprehending these factors can assist healthcare professionals and policymakers in formulating precise interventions and strategies aimed at enhancing the acceptance and adoption of vaccines. Conclusion: The study indicates that individuals living with HIV have shown lower vaccine intention compared to previous research. The study identifies subjective norm, pandemic control measures, income, and age as predictors of individuals' intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dental caries and associated factors among preschool children in Southwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a global public health problem, especially for young children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among preschool children in Mizan Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 October to 1 December 2022. A total of 354 children and their parents participated using simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through an oral clinical examination, interviewing the parents and measuring the anthropometry of the children. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 36.4% (95% CI 31.2% to 41.8%). Night feeding (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.98, 95% CI 1.56 to 10.15), children who did not brush their teeth under parental supervision (AOR=2.98, 95% CI 1.60 to 5.57), body mass index (AOR=3.48, 95% CI 1.30 to 9.41) and history of dental visits (AOR=3.05, 95% CI 1.61 to 5.81) were significantly associated with dental caries. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental caries in preschool children was found to be high. Children who did not brush their teeth under parental supervision, who had experience of night feeding, who had a high body mass index and who had a history of dental visits were at risk for dental caries. Prevention of those identified modifiable risk factors should be considered to reduce dental caries.

Determinants of Jaundice Among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021: Unmatched Case Control Study.

Background. Jaundice is a common problem in the neonatal period, and it is one of multiple factors found in children who die. Despite the majority of pathological jaundice public health consequences, there is no evidence on risk factors of pathological jaundice among neonates in Southwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with jaundice requiring phototherapy management in neonates admitted to the neonatal unit of a university teaching hospital in Southwest Ethiopia (Mizan-Tepi). Methods. Facility-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted among 240 (80 cases and 160 controls) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital. Neonates with pathological jaundice and neonates without pathological jaundice were considered as cases and controls, respectively. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and extraction checklist, including information on maternal demographics, obstetrics, and neonatal factors. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association. Finally, statistical significance was declared at a P-value < .05. Results. In this study, 237 mothers with their neonates were included, making a response rate of 98.7%. The mean birth weight of cases and controls was 2330.3 ± 698.9 and 2699.3 ± 686.7 g, respectively. Hypothermia (AOR = 4.28; 95% CI: [1.72-10.67], cesarean delivery (AOR = 4.09; 95% CI: [1.69-9.93]), breast milk feeding (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: [1.04-8.47]) and being male (AOR = 2.67; 95% CI: [1.17-6.13]) were significantly associated with jaundice. Conclusion. Most of the risk factors of neonatal jaundice were found to be modifiable. Therefore, early prevention and recognition of identified factors are recommended.

Determinants of macrosomia among newborns delivered in northwest Ethiopia: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Macrosomia is associated with the risk of mortality and morbidity in neonates and their mothers. Despite the considerable public health effect of macrosomia, evidence on the determinants of macrosomia is limited in Northwest Ethiopia in general and in Amhara region in particular. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of macrosomia among newborns delivered in referral hospitals in 2020 in Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 279 mothers and their newborns in Amhara region referral hospitals. Newborns weighing 4000 g and above and between 2500 and 3999 g were considered cases and controls, respectively. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to identify the determinants of macrosomia. RESULTS: In total, 273 of 279 mothers and their newborns (97.8% response rate) were included. The mean birth weights of cases and controls were 4312.97 ± 357.53 g and 3161.92 ± 452.12 g, respectively. Weight gain over pregnancy, antenatal follow up, physical activity during pregnancy, and neonate sex were the main determinants of macrosomia. CONCLUSION: The main determinants of macrosomia were determined in this study. Government should place special emphasis on reducing the modifiable factors of macrosomia.

Respectful maternity care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in three hospitals of Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: One of the primary barriers to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is disrespect and abuse during childbirth in biomedical facilities. Despite the serious consequences of disrespect and abuse during childbirth, there is no evidence of the prevalence of respectful maternity care in Southwest Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of respectful maternity care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in three hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 mothers who gave birth in three hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to identify the factors of respectful maternity care. Results: In this study, 348 mothers with their newborns were included, making a response rate of 100%. The overall prevalence of respectful maternity care was 81.2%. Maternal age [AOR = 2.54; 95% CI (1.01-6.43)]; maternal occupation [AOR = 5.23; 95% CI (1.15-23.72)]; antenatal care follows-up [AOR = 2.86; 95% CI (1.01-8.20)]; and discussions with the provider about the place of delivery during antenatal care follow up [AOR = 5.58; 95% CI: (2.12-14.70)] were found to be the most significant components of respectful maternity care. Conclusion: The provision of respectful maternity care was high, but there are complaints of disrespect and abuse still present in three hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia. Maternal age, maternal occupation, antenatal follow up, and discussion with the provider about the place of delivery during antenatal follow-up were associated with respectful maternity care. Thus, improving antenatal care service utilization and discussions with health care providers about the place of delivery during antenatal care follow-up should be focused on.