Previous Utilization of Service does not Improve Timely Booking in Antenatal Care: Cross Sectional Study on Timing of Ababa

Background: Antenatal care is more beneficial in preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes when it is sought early in pregnancy. However; existing evidence from developing countries including Ethiopia indicate that few women seek antenatal care at early stage of their pregnancy. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the timing of ANC booking and impact of previous antenatal care utilization on timing of first antenatal care booking in Addis Ababa governmental health institutions. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to collect data from 630 pregnant women who were attending antenatal care service at 10 governmental health centers in Addis Ababa from March 1 to 30; 2008. Results: Past experience on antenatal care service utilization did not come out as a predictor for timely booking of antenatal care (OR=1.40; 95CI: 0.91; 2.15). Multivariate analysis revealed that respondents who received advice on recommended time of booking; their pregnancy was planned and first pregnancy; were more likely to book timely compared to others (AOR=10.10; 95CI: 4.54; 22.40; AOR=1.87; 95CI:1.11; 3.23; (AOR= 1.86; 95CI: 1.01; 3.44) respectively. Conclusions: Past utilization of antenatal care service did not come as a predictor for timely booking of the service; provided that advice on timely booking is the main factor. In order to improve the situation; strengthening of focused antenatal care; availing of clear service delivery guidelines and training of service providers are important. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):226-233]

Intensity of intestinal parasite infestation in a small farming village; near Lake Tana; Ethiopia

Of the 806 people in Gebaba Village; 192 were examined for intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence was 61 per cent. The mean intensity of infestation for A. lumbricoides generally fell with age. Of the total nematode egg counts; 41 per cent was harboured by children below 10 years of age. The cure rate with a single dose of levamisole (Ketrax) for A. lumbricoides was 94 per cent and for T. trichiura and Hookworm 100 per cent. The study has an important implication in understanding the epidemiology of intestinal parasites and in the design of community based control programmes