Male partners' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan in Dale district, Sidama regional state, Ethiopia, 2021.

BACKGROUND: Male partners' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plans is a key strategy to improve maternal and child health. It assists an expectant mother to make timely decisions in receiving care where service is inaccessible. Despite its significance, information is scarce about male partner involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan in the study setting. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence and factors associated with male partners' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan in Dale district Sidama, Ethiopia in 2021. METHODS: A community-based survey was done from November to December, in 2021. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested and interview administered questionnaire. A multi-stage cluster sampling was applied to recruit 634 samples. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with male partner involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of associated factors were estimated by stepwise backward likelihood ratio method. RESULTS: 622 out of the 634 study participants completed the interview, yielding a 98.1% response rate. Prevalence of male partners' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan was 47.6% (95%CI: 44.9%, 48.9%). After adjusting the cofounding variables, factors like accompanying wives with their partners during their antenatal care visits (AOR = 2.3, 95%CI 1.5, 3.5), male partners whose wives had a history of caesarean birth (AOR = 2.1, 95%CI 1.1, 3.8), knowledge of male partners on birth preparedness and complication readiness plan (AOR = 3.5, 95%CI:3.1,6.6), presence of obstetric complications(AOR = 5.1,95%CI:4.3,11.2),primi-gravida (AOR = 2.7,95%CI:1.6,4.7), and male partners' knowledge of obstetrics complications (AOR = 3.5,95%CI,2.2,5.7) were significantly associated with male partners' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness plan. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that prevalence of male partners' involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness was low. Therefore, awareness creation should be strengthened on male involvement on birth preparedness and complication readiness plan.

Sexual violence and risk factors among night shift female college students in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia, 2020.

BACKGROUND: Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. Several studies were undertaken on sexual violence among students in general. Nevertheless, there is paucity of information about sexual violence among night shift students in particular; even if they are more vulnerable to sexual violence due to the nature of the class time. The government has embraced legal and policy frameworks to discourse the problem of sexual violence in Ethiopia; nevertheless, the problem still is quite pervasive. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual violence and risk factors among night shift female college students in Hawassa city. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 345 study participants. Systematic random sampling technique was used to choice study participants. Epi data version 3.1statistical software and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 were used to enter and analysis the data. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to recognize risk factors. P values < 0.05 with 95% confidence level were used to state statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 330 students were participated in the study making a response rate of 95.6% with a mean age of 24.9. The prevalence of last 12 month sexual violence was 202 (61.2%) 95% CI (55.8, 66.4) which includes rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment. The 12 month prevalence of each form of violence was 46 (13.9%) 95% CI (10.6, 17.9), 23 (6.9%) 95% CI (3.6, 10.9) and 163 (49.4%) 95% CI (46.2, 53.6) of rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment respectively. The independent predictors of sexual violence having a father with no formal education (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.04, 5.33) presence of multiple sexual partners (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.64, 7.2), having sexual partner (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.03, 3.5), and consuming alcohol (3.55, 95% CI 1.84-6.85) by the victims. CONCLUSION: This study shown that the prevalence of sexual violence is high among night shift female college students in Hawassa city. Having a father with no formal education, drinking alcohol, having multiple sexual partners and having sexual partner were more likely to have sexual violence within the last 12 month. Thus, students should prevent themselves from health risky behaviors and Hawassa educational bureau should be work on awareness creation concerning women empowerment with in marriage and Further broad and longitudinal studies are needed to determine the predictors of the problem among female students at Hawassa and Ethiopia as a whole.

Determinants of maternity waiting home utilization in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the magnitude of maternity waiting home utilization and identify its associated factors in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 748 mothers who gave birth within the last year in the selected woredas (districts) of Sidama Zone. Data were collected from April 1-30, 2019 by using pre-tested and structured questionnaires. Data were coded and entered into EpiData version 3.5.1 and exported to Stata Version 13 software for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with maternity waiting home utilization adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of the age of the mothers was 31.26(6.42). Utilization of maternity waiting home in Sidama Zone was 67.25% (95% CI: 63.79-70.53).Maternity waiting home utilization was positively associated with protestant religion (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.00-2.82) and having a spouse who can read and write (AOR = 2.0; 95%CI: 1.11-3.66) while it was negatively associated with maternal age of 31-40 (AOR = 0.4; 95%CI: 0.28-0.64) relative to the age group of 20-30, daily laborer occupation of mothers (AOR = 0.2; 95%CI: 0.06-0.76), monthly income under the poverty level (825-1320EBR) (AOR = 0.6; 95%CI: 0.36-0.92) relative with extreme poverty line (<825 EBR), lack of knowledge about maternity waiting home (AOR = 0.009; 95%CI: 0.002-0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Women who had knowledge about maternity waiting home, had a husband who can read and write and protestant religion followers have higher probabilities of maternity waiting home utilization, whereas women (31-40 years old), daily laborers and whose family income is below the poverty level have lower probabilities of maternity waiting home utilization. Therefore, Health education about maternity waiting home utilization, spouse education, and women's economic empowerment is crucial to enhance maternity waiting home utilization.

Risky Sexual Practice among Street Dwelling People in Southern Ethiopia: A mixed-Method Study.

BACKGROUND: The number of street dwellers in major cities in Ethiopia is rapidly increasing. However, their sexual health needs are not that much studied. Hence, this study assessed risky sexual practice and associated factors among street dwelling people in southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study employing a mixed method was conducted. For the quantitative part, a snowball sampling technique was made to conduct face-to-face interviews among 842 respondents. In-depth interviews among street dwellers and key informant interviews among stakeholders were conducted to collect qualitative data.A pre-tested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data were entered using Epidata and exported to SPSS for analysis, and qualitative data analyzed by thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: About one third, 266(31.6%), of the participants had risky sexual practices within the last year of the study period. Sexual violence such as gang rape and same-sex practice were reported qualitatively. Male respondents (AOR: 3.24, 95%CI: 2.09-5.02) had a more likelihood of risky sexual practice than females. Living in Dilla (AOR: 9.62, 95%CI: 4.49-20.58) and Wolaita Soddo towns (AOR: 14.35, 95%CI: 6.29-32.69) had also a more likelihood of risky sexual practice than living in Hawassa. Moreover, the daily average income of 21-50 Birr (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.29-0.92) had a less likelihood of risky sexual practice compared to those with a daily average income of 5-20 Birr. CONCLUSION: Risky sexual practice among street dwelling people is found high. The Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders should work to cut risky sexual practices among street dwelling people.

Substance Use among Homeless Reproductive Age People in Southern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Substance use by homeless reproductive age people may result to anxiety, involvement of risky sexual behaviors, and increasing the likelihood of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, this study assessed the magnitude of alcohol use, sexual intercourse after alcohol use, and its associated factors among homeless reproductive age people in southern Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among homeless reproductive age people. The snowball sampling technique was used to recruit 842 participants. Pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association of independent variables with the outcome variables. Odds ratio with their 95% confidence interval and P value was used to identify the significant variables. RESULTS: More than half 423 (53.2%) of the respondents had taken a drink that contains alcohol in the last one year of the study period. Out of 324 khat chewers, 190 (58.64%) had sex after chewing khat. More than one-thirds, 323(38.4%) homeless people were smoking cigarette during the study period. Factors associated with alcohol use were age 19-25 years (AOR: 0.49; CI: 0.34, 0.72), ≥26 years (AOR: 0.40; CI: 0.25, 0.65), level of education (AOR: 0.61; CI: 0.39, 0.94), place of residence: major urban (AOR: 0.31; CI: 0.18, 0.51), small town (AOR: 0.38; CI: 0.23, 0.63), ever heard about STDs (AOR: 0.14; CI: 0.07, 027), and being a cigarette smoker (AOR: 2.67; CI: 1.94, 3.71). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, significant percentage of respondents had taken a drink that contains alcohol. Age, level of education, place of residence, ever heard about STDs, and smoking cigarette were variables significantly associated with alcohol use. Awareness creation on the effect and outcome of substance use is recommended.

Sexually transmitted disease among street dwellers in southern Ethiopia: a mixed methods study design.

BACKGROUND: Lack of knowledge about sexual violence, its consequences, substance use and homelessness are major problems that make street dwellers susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases. Hence, this study assessed knowledge, attitudes and treatment-seeking behaviors related to sexually transmitted diseases among street dwellers in southern Ethiopia. METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was conducted among 842 respondents. A simple random sampling technique was used to select seven cities among fourteen major cities of the region. The sample was allocated proportionally to each selected city. In order to identify and fill in the required sample size, a snowball sampling technique was used. A pre-tested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. The collected data were entered using Epidata and exported to SPSS version 23.0 for further analysis. Unstructured questionnaires were also used to collect 21 in-depth interviews and 10 key informants' interviews. Respondents for in-depth interviews were selected purposively during quantitative data collection. RESULTS: Most street dwellers were aware of (86.7%) and had a favourable attitude towards (84.4%) prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases. A portion of respondents experienced bad-smelling genital discharge (13.8%), genital ulcers (11.2%) and a burning sensation (14.5%) during urination, in the previous year. Among those who experienced symptoms of sexually transmitted disease, only 15.3% of them received treatment from a health care provider. Fear of questions raised by providers was one of the reasons for not seeking care according to our qualitative findings. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a significant number of street dwellers reported experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. Despite having awareness about sexually transmitted diseases, seeking treatment from a health center was found to be low based on both quantitative and qualitative findings. We recommend that health care providers should undergo special training to address the sexual and reproductive health problems of street dwellers.

Level of Healthcare Providers' Preconception Care (PCC) Practice and Factors Associated with Non-Implementation of PCC in Hawassa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at the forefront of screening and identifying preconception risk factors leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). In Ethiopia, there is no published study that assessed the status of the implementation of PCC. This is a study conducted with the aim of determining the level of HCP's PCC practice and factors associated with non-implementation of PCC. METHODS: This institution based cross-sectional study conducted among HCPs working in public health institutions (PHI) of Hawassa. The data was collected using a validated instrument called 'Andarg-Ethio PCC-KAPQuestionnaire'. A ltistage sampling was applied to draw a sample of 634 HCPs. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Descriptive statistics and binary as well as multiple logistic regression analysis models were used to determine the cruds and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: Out of the total study participants, 84.7%(537) were found not totally practising PCC. Those HCPs who do not screen their clients' reproductive life plan (RPL) had 7 times higher odds of not practising PCC (AOR=7.2 95% C.I. 3.6 - 14.5), whereas those HCPs with poor PCC knowledge had 4 times higher odds of not practising PCC (AOR= 4.4, 95% C.I. 2.5-7.6). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated the absence of standardized and consistent PCC practice which indicates that PCC is not well introduced to the area. Developing of PCC policy and guidelines plus training of HCPs are recommended.

Level of healthcare Providers' Preconception Care (PCC) practice and factors associated with non-implementation of PCC in Hawassa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at the forefront of screening and identifying preconception risk factors leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). In Ethiopia, there is no published study that assessed the status of the implementation of PCC. This is a study conducted with the aim of determining the level of HCP's PCC practice and factors associated with non-implementation of PCC. METHODS: This institution based cross-sectional study conducted among HCPs working in public health institutions (PHI) of Hawassa. The data was collected using a validated instrument called 'Andarg-Ethio PCC-KAPQuestionnaire'. A ltistage sampling was applied to draw a sample of 634 HCPs. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Descriptive statistics and binary as well as multiple logistic regression analysis models were used to determine the cruds and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: Out of the total study participants, 84.7%(537) were found not totally practising PCC. Those HCPs who do not screen their clients' reproductive life plan (RPL) had 7 times higher odds of not practising PCC (AOR=7.2 95% C.I. 3.6- 14.5), whereas those HCPs with poor PCC knowledge had 4 times higher odds of not practising PCC (AOR= 4.4, 95% C.I. 2.5-7.6). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated the absence of standardized and consistent PCC practice which indicates that PCC is not well introduced to the area. Developing of PCC policy and guidelines plus training of HCPs are recommended

Knowledge of preconception care among healthcare providers working in public health institutions in Hawassa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Preconception care (PCC) is an evidence-based health promotion intervention to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nevertheless, it is one of the missing elements within the continuum of maternal and child healthcare. Despite the WHO's recommendation, most of the developing countries have not yet started implementing preconception care. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge level of healthcare providers about PCCand to identify predictors of effective knowledge of preconception care. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 634 healthcare providers (HCP) working in public health institutions of Hawassa. A pilot-tested and validated self-administered survey tool was used to collect data from individual healthcare providers who were selected randomly using a multistage sampling technique. The data entry and analysis were conducted using SPSS version 20 software. Frequency, proportions, means and standard deviations were used to describe the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were implemented to determine the predictors of HCP's PCC knowledge. RESULTS: Only a few (31%) of the healthcare providers demonstrated a good level of knowledge on preconception care. The odds of having good PCC knowledge was high among HCPs working in hospitals (AOR = 1.8, 95% C.I. 1.3-2.6), HCPs using their smart phone to access clinical resources (AOR = 1.4, 95% C.I. 1.1-2.0), among those HCPs ever have read PCC guideline prepared by organization outside of Ethiopia (AOR = 1.9, 95% C.I. 1.4-2.7), among those who claimed practicing PCC (AOR = 3.4, 95% C.I. 2.0-5.9), and among those who earn salary of ≥ 146.0 $(AOR = 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.1-2.1). CONCLUSION: There is an unacceptably low level of knowledge about PCC among most of the healthcare providers in public health facilities in Ethiopia. The predictors identified in this study can be used to enhance the knowledge of healthcare providers about preconception care.