Obstetric violence and associated factors among women during facility based childbirth at Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric violence is a specific form of violence against women that violates their human rights. Conducted by obstetric care providers regarding the body and reproductive processes of the woman, being characterized by dehumanized assistance, abuse of interventionist actions, medicalization, and reversion of the process from natural to pathological. OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude of obstetric violence and associated factors among women during childbirth in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. METHOD: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 661 mothers in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia, from May 1 to May 30 2020. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to get a total of 661 mothers from their kebeles. Data was collected by using face-to--to-face interview with a structured questionnaire and in-depth interview was also employed. Data entry and analysis was done by Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS 23.0 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the important predictors of obstetric violence. Association between outcome and independent variables was presented by adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI. RESULTS: From the total of 661 mothers, about 79.7% (527) of mothers experienced obstetric violence with 95% CI (76.9-82.8). educational status (AOR = 2.2573, 95%CI = 1.44,3.54), ANC utilization (AOR = 2.365, 95%CI = 1.62-3.21), duration of stay (AOR = 0.5367,95%CI = 0.28,0.86)), and facing complication during labor and delivery (AOR = 3.1382, 95%CI = 2.34,5.17) were the major factors associated with obstetric violence. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of obstetric violence was high. Non dignified care and non-consented care was the most common form of obstetric violence which may lead a woman to choose for home delivery instead of health facility care, this in turn leads to a great increase in maternal morbidity and mortality as supported by qualitative approach of the study.

Obstetric violence and disability overlaps: obstetric violence during child birth among womens with disabilities: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric violence is an invisible wound which is being distorting the quality of obstetric care. Obstetric Violence, which is an issue spoken and amplified currently as a type of sexual violence and is of alarming seriousness and is an evolving field of inquiry despite women's experience of institutional childbirth, has garnered unprecedented global attention in recent years. Losing on both counts: obstetric violence is a double burden among disabled women. AIM: To explore the experience of disabled women towards obstetric violence during child birth in Gedio zone, South Ethiopia. METHODS: Twenty-two (22) women with disabilities were interviewed. They were recruited through a nonprobability snowball sampling method. The interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire in the Gedio zone, south Ethiopia. For coding purposes, NVivo (version 11) software was employed. Using a method known as continuous comparison, we classified the extracted codes based on their similarities and differences. The classes were then arranged in such a way that there was the greatest internal uniformity and the least external mismatch. RESULTS: The profile of the study group is predominantly of women between the ages of 21 and 30. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, stigma and discrimination, neglect and abandonment, and violations of privacy were the five major categories emerged during the thematic analysis describing the experience of obstetric violence. Women also observed these forms of obstetric violence among other disabled women during child birth. In addition to the violations of care, some of the participants described positive aspects of their childbirth experiences in one or more obstetric care settings. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the quality of service was deplorable, with reports of obstetric violence among this vulnerable group of women imposing a double burden on them. The findings suggest that there is a need to improve maternity care for disabled women by implementing comprehensive, culturally sensitive, client-sensitive special services and providing sensitivity training to healthcare providers, ensuring satisfied, equitable, and quality obstetric care.

Self-referrals and associated factors among laboring mothers at Dilla University Referral Hospital, Dilla, Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: When medical cases are difficult to manage at the level of primary health care units (PHCU), formal referral assists patients transferring to a higher level of care. In contrast, self-referral and bypassing are synonymously used in literature to describe the phenomenon of patients skipping their units to get basic medical services, even though they are close to their residence. Though proper and timely referral prevents the majority of deaths from obstetric complications in developing countries, more than 50% of referrals are self-referral trends. Such patient practice is increasingly becoming a concern for many health-care systems. OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude of self-referrals and associated factors among laboring mothers at Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1-September 30/2021 among laboring mothers at Dilla University Referral Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 375 laboring mothers. Data were collected using a face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into a computer using Epi-Data 4.6 statistical program and then exported to STATA version 16 for analysis. In bivariate analysis variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 were selected as a candidate variable for the multivariable analysis. P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval considered as a statistically significant associations in the multivariable analysis. RESULT: 375 eligible mothers participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.16%. The magnitude of self-referrals among laboring mothers was 246 (65.6%) with 95% CI (0.60-0.70). Time ≥ 30 min to reach nearby facilities (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.08, 2.81), having no medicine supplies at nearby facilities (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI, 1.08, 2.82), having no equipment and supplies at nearby facilities (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI, 1.03, 2.78), having ANC visits ˃ 3 times (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI, 0.15, 0.55) and having poor perception of health provider technical competence at nearby facilities (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI, 1.83, 4.79) were found as significant factors for self-referral. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of self-referral was high. Frequent Antenatal visits were protective, however time to reach the nearest facilities, perception towards health care providers, medicine, equipment and supplies at the nearest facilities were positive influencing factors. Government stakeholders should keep working on improving the quality of health service, especially at primary health care units(PHCU).

Problematic smartphone and social media use among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic: In the case of southern Ethiopia universities.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone and social media use are supposed to be integral parts of university students' daily lives. More specifically, smartphones and social media are frequently used for communication in daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, uninterrupted and persistent use of these technologies may lead to several psychological problems. Even though smartphones and social media were used more frequently during the pandemic, there is no evidence suggesting that the studies were not undertaken in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess problematic smartphone use and social media use among undergraduate university students in southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,232 university students using a simple random sampling technique. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale and Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale were used to collect data on social media and smartphone use, respectively. The Beck Depression Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Assessment Tool, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were standardized tools used to measure other independent variables. To identify factors, simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. A p-value of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 95%. The mean scores for problematic smartphone and problematic social media use were 17 ± 3.3/36 and 12.7 ± 2.2/30, respectively. A linear regression model revealed that being female, first-year students and poor sleep quality were significantly associated with problematic smartphone use. Factors associated with problematic social media use (PSMU) were depression, substance use, and urban residence. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified significant problems with smartphone and social media use among university students. Therefore, it is preferable to provide psychological counselling, educate students about safe, beneficial, and healthy internet use, and focus on recognized high-risk groups in order to give them special attention. It is also preferable to seek counselling about substance use. It is preferable to regularly screen and treat individuals with psychological problems in collaboration with stakeholders.

Pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward obstetric ultrasound in public hospitals, Ethiopia, 2021: Multi-centered cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric ultrasound is a harmless, cheap, and noninvasive imaging modality that helps to scan a pregnant mother and delivers parents with a real-time image of the fetus. As the number of pregnancies rises globally, the demand for obstetric ultrasound becomes even more pressing. OBJECTIVES: To assess pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward obstetric ultrasound in public hospitals, Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed. Systematic random technique was used to select 419 pregnant women from 10 April 2021 through 2 June 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data during a face-to-face interview. Then the data were coded, cleaned, and entered into Epidemiological data version (EPIDATA) 3.1 and exported to the statistical package for Social Science version 23.0 for analyses. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify statistically significant associations between dependent and independent variables. The odds ratio at 95% confidence interval with p-value 0.05% was considered statistically significant. RESULT: The majority of the study participants, 179 (42.8%), have ages ⩾ 25 years. Magnitude of having good knowledge and positive attitude of pregnant women toward obstetric ultrasound was 35.5% and 69.5%, respectively. Residence (adjusted odds ratio: 3.934; 95% confidence interval: 3.125-6.761), educational status (adjusted odds ratio: 3.614; 95% confidence interval: 1.986-5.964), and parity (adjusted odds ratio: 2.7621; 95% confidence interval: 1.68-3.275) were significantly associated with knowledge. Whereas exposure to obstetrical ultrasound in current pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio: 2.726; 95% confidence interval: 1.632-3.629), knowledge on obstetrical ultrasound (adjusted odds ratio: 3.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.324-3.120), and educational status (adjusted odds ratio: 2.84; 95% confidence interval: 1.337-3.381) were significantly associated with attitude. CONCLUSION: The level of good knowledge and positive attitude toward obstetric ultrasound was 35.5% and 69.5%, respectively, and it can be improved with appropriate interventions like ensuring the practice of obstetric ultrasound scan to all antenatal women. Obstetric care providers at the antenatal care units should advice pregnant women for obstetric ultrasound scan as per World Health Organization recommendations of one obstetric ultrasound scan before 24 weeks of gestation.

Magnitude of second-trimester-induced abortion and associated factors among women who received abortion service at public hospitals of Arba Minch and Wolayita Sodo towns, southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Second-trimester abortion accounts for 10-15% of all induced abortions, with varying rates across countries, and is responsible for two-thirds of major abortion complications. It is also associated with higher medical costs, morbidity, and mortality rates than first-trimester abortion. Even though it is a significant burden, there is a lack of adequate information about second-trimester-induced abortion, especially in the study area. As a result, the primary purpose of this study is to fill this research gap and assess the magnitude and associated factors of second-trimester-induced abortion in the public hospitals of Arba Minch and Wolayita Sodo towns, southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Systematic sampling was used to select 353 study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and record review by using Kobo collect version 3.1. Analysis was done by STATA 14. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of the second-trimester-induced abortion. Results: The magnitude of second-trimester-induced abortion in the study setting was 23% (95%CI: 18.5%, 27.4%). The factors associated with second-trimester-induced abortion among women received abortion care services were respondent's age 25-29 and 30-34 years old (AOR = 0.38, 95%CI:0.15, 0.96 and (AOR = 0.31, 95%CI:0.10, 0.97, respectively), planned pregnancy (AOR = 0.22, 95%CI:0.11, 0.44), and delay confirming pregnancy (AOR = 2.21, 95%CI:1.15, 4.23). Conclusion: This study showed that more than one-fifth of women who presented for abortion care services had second-trimester-induced abortions. Health institution organizations working on maternal health at various levels should provide counseling to women to help them early confirm their pregnancy and make decisions about whether or not to continue it as early as possible.

Factors associated with early onset neonatal sepsis among neonates in public hospitals of Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia, 2021: Unmatched case control study.

Background: In Ethiopia, more than one-third of all neonatal mortality are caused by early-onset neonatal sepsis, which is one of the most common reasons for neonatal hospitalization and mortality in developing countries. This study aims to add to the body of knowledge on the determinants of early-onset neonatal sepsis to reduce the prevalence of early-onset neonatal sepsis in the study setting. Methods: An unmatched case-control study was carried out in public hospitals of Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia. The data was entered into Epi info version 7.2 and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of early-onset neonatal sepsis, and variables in the multivariable logistic regression analysis with a p-value of less than 0.05 were declared significantly associated at a 95% confidence interval. Results: In this study, 97 neonates with early-onset neonatal sepsis (cases) and 194 neonates without early-onset neonatal sepsis (controls) were included with their index mothers. Early-onset neonatal sepsis was significantly associated with frequency of antenatal care follow-ups (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06-0.37), instrumental delivery/assisted vaginal delivery (AOR = 3.35, 95% CI: 1.08-10.44), gestational hypertension (AOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.21-6.71), and Apgar score at the fifth minute (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.23-7.92). Conclusions: and recommendation: It is better to intervene on those identified factors. Strengthening antenatal care services by giving adequate information to mothers and counseling about the necessity of implementing the World Health Organization's 2016 antenatal care (ANC) recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience to prevent early-onset newborn sepsis.

Post-operative pain and associated factors after cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The most frequent obstetric surgery both in Ethiopia and around the world is the cesarean section (CS). Postoperative pain that is not well managed can have a major negative impact on surgical patient morbidity, delaying healing and the return to normal daily activities. Even though the cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed operations, postoperative pain after cesarean section and associated factors has not been studied. Objective: To assess the magnitude and factors associated with postoperative pain after cesarean section at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Methods: From February 1 to September 30 in 2021, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among women who underwent cesarean deliveries at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The patient's medical file was read, and information was gathered from them using a structured questionnaire and checklist. The information was prepared for analysis by being cleaned, coded, and put into EPI Data version 3.1 before being exported to SPSS version 20. The prevalence rate and socio-demographic details were displayed using descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the associated factors. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The magnitude of moderate to severe post-operative pain after a cesarean section was 89.8% (95% CI 84.7, 93.5). Duration of procedure (AOR: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.33, 15.85), type of anesthesia (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.31, 8.71), and type of analgesics administered (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.28, 19.21) were significantly associated with moderate to severe post-operative pain. Conclusion: In this study a significant number of parturient in this study reported moderate to severe post-cesarean pain within 24 h. The duration of the procedure, the type of anesthesia used, and the type of analgesics administered were all found to be significantly associated with postoperative pain after cesarean section.

Unintended pregnancy and associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The term 'unintended pregnancy' refers to a pregnancy that occurred when no children were desired or occurred earlier than desired. Unintended births account for one out of every three births in Ethiopia, and they are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, this could be useful. COVID-19 has a significant impact on maternal health care utilization, including family planning services. As a result, this study aimed to assess unintended pregnancy and associated factors in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gedeo zone, Ethiopia, from April 1 to May 30, 2021. A simple random sampling technique was utilized to get 383 pregnant women from their respective kebeles. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data during a face-to-face interview. The data were coded, cleaned, and entered into Epidemiological Data Version 3.1 before being exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science Version 23.0 for analysis. A bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify statistically significant associations between dependent and independent variables. The odds ratio, with a 95% confidence interval and a P value of 0.05%, was considered statistically significant. RESULT: A total of 383 pregnant women participated in the study, giving a response rate of 90.8%. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 140 (36.6%) participants stated that their current pregnancy was unintended. Unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with respondents' age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.214 (1.449-18.762)), primary decision maker for family planning services (AOR = 9.510 (5.057-17.887)), and fear of COVID-19 to visit a health care facility (AOR = 7.061 (2.665-18.710)). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 era, more than one-third of women had unintended pregnancies. Unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with respondents' age, autonomy to use contraceptive methods, and fear of COVID-19, which required them to attend a health care institution.

Breakfast skipping and its relationship with academic performance in Ethiopian school-aged children, 2019.

Breakfast skipping and its relationship with academic achievement among primary school children were investigated in this study. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 848 primary school children. Breakfast skipping was analyzed using a 2-item questionnaire. A 19-item Social Academic and Emotional Behavior Risk Screening questionnaire was used to collect data on children's behavior. The prevalence of breakfast skipping was found to be 38.1%. Living in a rural area (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 3.54, 7.71); having illiterate parents (AOR = 6.66; 95% CI 3.0, 14.7); having parents with a primary education level (AOR 5.18, 95% CI: 2.25, 11.94); living with guardians or other relatives (AOR = 4.06; 95%CI: 2.1, 7.9); and having lower academic achievement (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.44, 5.29) were factors associated with skipping breakfast.In conclusion, breakfast skipping has been identified as a significant public health concern that requires an immediate response from stakeholders. It is recommended to intervene based on the identified factors.

Stressful life experience of the first married women in polygamous families in Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia: a qualitative study, 2021.

INTRODUCTION: Polygamy is commonly referred to as the union of a man with multiple women or the practice of having more than one wife at a time. In Ethiopia, polygamy has practiced in all regions. In particular, the stress of polygamous family life predisposes mothers to psychological problems. Being a serious public health issue, the stressful experience among polygamous women was not known in Ethiopia. AIM: To explore a stressful life experience among first married polygamous women in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: This study was conducted using a phenomenological study approach from February 20-30, 2021. A purposive sampling method was used and an in-depth interview was conducted. Data were collected from 13 first married women from polygamous. FINDINGS: Three themes emerged from the study including reaction to polygamy, socio-economic challenges in polygamy, and bonds of families in polygamy families. The finding indicated that the status of life experience among first married women in a polygamous family was stressful. They experienced various degrees of psychological difficulties including anger, mistrustfulness, emotional distress, loneliness, emptiness, unhappiness, and lack of intimacy with their husbands. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This study highlighted how polygamy is a complex issue and common practice in the Gedeo zone. There has to be a mechanism for serious follow-up to educate women properly. A long-lasting measure to empower women in the economy, social, political, and creating a level of consciousness to resist polygamy is important.

Community-based new born care practice and its associated factors among women who give birth at home in Ethiopia: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, perinatal mortality rate was 33 per 1000 pregnancies and 64.4% of this death was occurred within the first 7 days of neonatal life. Moreover, more than 2.1% of new born babies were died within their first seven days of life in Ethiopia. Majority of neonatal deaths are preventable by applying an effective and lifesaving interventions. However, little is known about newborn care practice at the community level. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was used. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to get a total of 540 mothers who gave birth at home within the past six months from their kebeles in Ethiopia. Data was collected by using face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires. Then the data was coded, cleaned, and entered into Epidemiological data version 3.1 and exported to statistical package for social science version 23.0 for analyses. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify statistically significant associations between dependent and independent variables. The odds ratio at 95% confidence interval with P-Value 0.05% was computed. RESULTS: A total of 540 women were participated with a response rate of 98.3%. Only 208 (44%) of the women had good practice towards essential newborn care. Head of households [AOR (95%CI) 2.7417 (1.80-4.25)], type of birth attendant [AOR (95%CI) 3.962 (3.329-7.171)] and bad obstetrical history [AOR (95%CI) 3.151 (2.209-4.969)] were significantly associated with maternal newborn care practice. CONCLUSION: Less than half of the mothers had good newborn care practice. In this study, head of household, type of birth attendant, and bad obstetrical history were significantly associated with maternal newborn care practice. Therefore, Ministry of Women and Woreda women and Child offices needs to promote the socioeconomic empowerment of women to increase the practice of essential newborn care practices.

Failed induction of labor and associated factors among women delivered in Jigjiga University Sheik Hassan Yabare Referral Hospital: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of failed induction of labor and associated factors among mothers delivered in Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 364 women who had induction of labor at Jigjiga University, Sheik Hassan Yabare Referral Hospital from 2018 to 2021. A checklist was used to collect the data from the women's chart. To isolate independent predictors related to failed induction of labor, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULT: The magnitude of failed induction of labor was 36.8% (95% CI: 31.8, 42.0). Age (AOR = 3.2; CI: 1.78, 5.75), rural residency (AOR = 2.28; CI:1.29, 4.01), para (AOR = 2.76; CI: 1.55, 4.91), gestational age (AOR = 2.65; CI: 1.44, 4.89), multiple pregnancy (AOR = 2.36; CI: 1.01, 5.55), premature rapture of membrane (AOR = 4.88; CI: 2.33, 10.21), pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR = 5.11; CI: 2.67, 9.79), and bishop score (AOR = 1.95; CI: 1.15, 3.32) were significantly associated with failed induction of labor. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of failed induction of labor was relatively high in the study setting. Failed induction of labor was significantly associated with age, rural residency, primipara, gestational age, multiple pregnancy, premature rapture of membrane, PIH, and bishop score less than six. Prior to initiating the induction of labor, proper pelvis assessment and cervical ripening for bishop score might be considered. Beside to this, adherence to locally available induction protocols and guidelines might also be needed.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Problematic Internet Use among Ethiopian Undergraduate University Students in 2019.

BACKGROUND: Problematic Internet use is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behavior regarding computer use and Internet access which lead to impairment or distress. It has been found that the occurrence rate of problematic Internet use among university students ranges from 0.8% to 47.7%. Despite this, there are multiple challenges that relate to problematic Internet use, which remain underrecognized and largely ignored by stakeholders and are not well known, especially in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted aiming to assess the prevalence of problematic Internet use and its associated factors among undergraduate students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was employed from May 1st to June 1st, 2019. A multistage sampling technique was used to get a total of 846 undergraduate students. Data were collected by using self-administered structured questionnaires of Young's Internet Addiction Test. The collected data were coded and entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 22; bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with problematic Internet use, and statistical significance was considered at P value <0.05. RESULTS: For a total of 846 study participants, the response rate was 761 (90%) and the prevalence of problematic Internet use was 19.4%. Multiple logistic regression model revealed that being male [AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.80, 6.41], depression [AOR = 3.61, 95% CI: 2.40, 5.43], and khat or caffeinated drinks [AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.87] were significantly associated with problematic Internet use. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that there was high prevalence of problematic Internet use among Dilla University students and there were various factors associated with increased prevalence of problematic Internet use. Therefore, students need to be educated about the safe, valuable, and healthy practices of Internet use. Furthermore, it is better to counsel on substance use and its consequences to overcome the anticipated increase in problematic Internet use.