Birth preparedness and pregnancy complication readiness and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis.

Maternal and child deaths occur during pregnancy and delivery. Timely information on signs of pregnancy complications and ways to plan for normal birth is a strategy to reduce maternal and child deaths. The purpose of this study was to assess birth preparedness, and pregnancy complications readiness and identify associated factors in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 1635 weighted samples of pregnant women were included for analysis from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data set. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of potential variables on birth preparedness and complication readiness. STATA version 15 software was used for data processing and analysis. A variable with a p-value < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered a significant factor. Pregnant women were informed about convulsions (8.02%), fever (35.95%), abdominal pain (28.92%), leaking fluid from the vagina (28.21%), and blurred vision (17.98%). Pregnant women prepared for supplies needed for birth (38.70%), transportation (20.04%), money (18.97%), people's support for birth (5.03%), and blood donors (3.11%). Only 56% and 44.91% of pregnant women had good birth preparedness and were informed about pregnancy complications respectively. Educational status, antenatal care visits, and region were significant factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. Distance to health facility and residency were significantly associated with birth and complication readiness, respectively. Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women were low in Ethiopia. Empowering women with education, installing safe roads, building accessible health facilities, and emphasizing pregnancy complications and birth preparedness plans during antenatal care visits are important interventions to enhance birth preparedness and pregnancy complication readiness.

Self-reported physical activity status among adolescents in Debre Birhan town, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity reduces the risk of ischaemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and breast and colon cancer. But, adolescents are insufficiently physically active. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess self- reported physical activity status and associated factors among adolescents in Debre Birhan town, Ethiopia. METHODS: School based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20 to May 10/2019 in Debre Berhan town Secondary schools. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 580 study participants from three secondary schools. Physical activity was assessed using questions adopted from recreation, sport, and leisure-time physical activity assessment section of international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Adolescents who have done moderate to vigorous exercise for 60 minutes per day for at least three days in the last seven days were categorized as physically active. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done. Probability value less than 0.05 was used as a cut of point to determined statistically significant association. RESULT: A total of 580 students participated in this study. Less than 1 in 5 (17.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 14.13%-20.27%) students were physically active. Male student (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.63, 95%CI = 1.5-4.59), age less than or equal to 16 (AOR: 2.04, 95% CI = 1.12-3.71) and access to sports center (gymnasium) (AOR: 2.09, 95% CI = 1.12-3.89 were positively associated with physical activity. CONCLUSION: Physical activity status was very low. Therefore, the local, regional and national administrators in collaboration with sport and health offices administrators should make facilities accessible.

Retrospective assessment of the status and determinants of tuberculosis treatment outcome among patients treated in government hospitals in North Shoa Administrative Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: One of the specific targets of Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course detailed in the updated Global Plan (2011-2015) was to achieve a treatment success rate of 87% by 2015. This strategy was introduced to Ethiopia in 1995 to reach full coverage in 2005; however, by 2009, treatment had not been as successful as expected. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine treatment success rate and identify risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes in North Shoa Administrative Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all TB patients (739) who registered for TB treatment from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2014 at public hospitals in North Shoa Administrative Zone, Ethiopia. Data were gathered by using a pretested structured medical record checklist. Four data collectors and two supervisors were involved in gathering the data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression and were entered into Epi Info and analyzed by using the SPSS software package version 20. RESULTS: This study revealed that the TB treatment success rate was 86.1% (169 [22.9%] cured and 467 [63.2%] completed). In addition, 22 (3%) of the study participants defaulted their treatment of which 19 (86.4%) withdrew during the intensive phase. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that the study year of treatment, sputum smear positivity at the second-month follow-up, history of treatment default, and subsequent hospitalization were significantly associated with the TB treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: The TB treatment success rate in the study area was low compared to that estimated by World Health Organization to achieve by 2015. Therefore, Federal Ministry of Health and Regional and Zonal Health Office have to strengthen the interventions on minimizing anti-TB treatment default rate through well-organized documentation, follow-up on TB patients, and awareness-creation programs.