Level of women-friendly care provision among mothers in immediate post-partum period at public hospitals of Southeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The women-friendly care approach focuses on women's rights to have access to quality care for themselves as individuals, as mothers, and for their infants. However, access to quality health services is not guaranteed for many women, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of women-friendly care provision and associated factors among mothers in the immediate post-partum period at public hospitals of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia 2021. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was employed among mothers in the immediate post-partum period in public hospitals of Bale Zone from March 1-30, 2021. A total of 363 mothers were recruited by systematic random sampling technique in this study. Data was collected through pre-tested structured questionnaires. A 21-verified questionnaire was used to measure the outcome variable. The data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6.2.0 and exported to the statistical package of social science version 26.0 for analysis. A variable with a P value of less than 0.25 in the bi-variable binary logistic regression model was transferred to a multivariable binary logistics regression model. Hosmer and Lemeshow's goodness of fit model was checked. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used to estimate the strength of association between the outcome variable and independent variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significantly associated. RESULTS: The level of women-friendly care provision among mothers in immediate post-partum at public hospitals of Bale Zone was found to be 61% [95% confidence interval (55.73-66.04)]. Being prim para mother [Adjusted odds ratio = 1.88(1.07-3.33)], having planned pregnancy [Adjusted odds ratio = 1.94(1.04-3.63)] and staying at a health facility after delivery [Adjusted odds ratio = 4.8(1.71-13.39)] were found to be statistically significant predictors of level of women-friendly care provision. CONCLUSION: The women-friendly care provision among mothers in the immediate post-partum period in this study area was found to be low against most of the pre-existing findings. Strong counseling on planned pregnancy and staying at a health facility after delivery is recommended.

Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Level and Associated Factors Among Adult HIV-Positive Patients on Both HIV/AIDS Care Models: Comparative Study in Selected Hospitals of Western Ethiopia, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Many studies investigating antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence found the majority of patients had suboptimal adherence for a variety of different reasons. The study aimed to compare the ART adherence level and associated factors among adult human immune deficiency virus (HIV) positive patients on both care models in selected hospitals. METHODS: An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 463 HIV positive patients on ART. The study samples were selected using systematic random sampling, and pretested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to see the association between outcome and predictors using odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval to estimate the strength of the association. RESULTS: The study had a response rate of 445 (96.1%). Of the study participants, 325 (73%) and 120 (27%) were from the routine and appointment spacing models, respectively. Patients on the appointment spacing model had higher levels of optimum adherence (87.5% vs 74.27%, respectively; p = 0.006). Patients' satisfaction with health service delivery (OR = 0.31, 95%: CI 0.11-0.84), antiretroviral drug dosage taken per day (OR = 3, 95%: CI 1.16-8.1), disclosure of HIV status (OR = 0.30, 95%: CI 0.09-0.93), distance from patient residency to health facility (OR = 0.11, 95%: CI 0.03-0.34), the memory aids used (OR = 0.02, 95%: CI 0.01-0.05), and type of HIV/AIDS care model (OR= 0.24, 95%: CI 0.1-0.6) were factors significantly associated with ART adherence level. CONCLUSION: ART patients on the appointment spacing model had higher optimum ART adherence levels than those on the routine schedule due to factors like satisfaction status, disclosure status, type of memory aid used, type of ART care model used, and distance from the care facility. Therefore, promoting adherence enablers and alleviating barriers of ART adherence will improve ART adherence levels.

Adverse birth outcomes and associated factors among mothers who delivered in Bale zone hospitals, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Adverse birth outcomes, which include stillbirth, preterm birth, low birthweight, congenital abnormalities, and stillbirth, are the leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality worldwide. We assessed adverse birth outcomes and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in Bale zone hospitals, Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia. METHODS: We used systematic random sampling in this cross-sectional study. We identified factors associated with adverse birth outcomes using bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of adverse birth outcomes among participants was 21%. Of 576 births, 70 (12.2%) were low birthweight, 49 (8.5%) were preterm birth, 45 (7.8%) were stillbirth, and 18 (3.1%) infants had congenital anomalies. Inadequate antenatal care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.25-13.32), multiple pregnancy (AOR = 4.74, 95% CI 1.55-14.45), premature rupture of membranes in the current pregnancy (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.26-4.21), hemoglobin level < 11 g/dL (AOR = 3.22, 95% CI 1.85-5.58), and mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm (AOR = 5.93, 95% CI 3.49-10.08) were all significantly associated with adverse birth outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in five study participants had adverse birth outcomes. Increasing antenatal care uptake, ferrous supplementation during pregnancy, and improving the quality of maternal health services are recommended.

Iodine deficiency and associated factors among school children: a cross-sectional study in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency remains a public health problem in the world. It is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage worldwide. Though 12 million school age children are at risk of developing iodine deficiency, there is a scarcity of literature showing the magnitude of iodine deficiency in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of iodine deficiency among school children in Robe District, southeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June, 2015. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select 422 children. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with iodine deficiency. In the multivariate analysis, variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 393 school children participated in the study. The median urinary iodine level was 78 µg/l. About 57 and 43.5 % of the children were found with low urinary iodine level and goiter, respectively. Only 29 % of the households utilized adequately iodized salt. The result of the multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of iodine deficiency were higher among female [AOR = 2.23; 95 % CI: 1.54, 3.55] and older (10-12 years) [AOR = 2.21; 95 % CI: 1.44, 3.42] children. CONCLUSION: In this community, the prevalence of goiter and low urine iodine level is high. Thus, iodine deficiency exists as severe public health problem. In addition, there is a low utilization of iodized salt in the setting. Therefore, it is crucial to intensify efforts in the implementation of iodized salt. Moreover, attention should be given to school children to address ID.