Prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among bank workers at Hawassa city, Northern Zone, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Lower back pain (LBP) is a public health threat that affects people who frequently experience sedentary working conditions. Few studies reported on low back pain among bank workers in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of low back pain among bank workers in Hawassa City, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: This institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20, 2023, to June 30, 2023. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select participants, and data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, entered into Epidata version 4.6, and transferred to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of lower back pain. RESULTS: Of the 627 total study participants, six hundred seven bank workers participated in the study, with a response rate of 96.8%. The overall magnitude of lower back pain among the study population was 55.2%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI 51.1-59). Based on the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, being in a manager position (AOR = 3.85; 95% CI = (1.2,12), a level 2 banker (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI = (1.9,8.9), age 30-39 years (AOR = 4; 95% CI = (2,12.4), an age ≥ 40 years (AOR = 5.4; 95% CI= (3.04,16.3), working in sufficient space (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = (0.3,0.9), and physical activity (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI = (0.1,0.8)) were significantly associated with low back pain. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low back pain among the bank workers was high in the study area. Being in a managerial position, being a level two banker, being aged 30-39 years, being aged ≥ 40 years, working in sufficient space, and engaging in physical activity were significantly associated. Therefore, it is essential to establish a health screening team, create awareness programs for the benefit of physical activity, provide sufficient working space, and give special attention to elderly and senior bankers and bank managers to reduce the risk of developing low back pain.

One-year discontinuation among users of the contraceptive pill and injection in South East Tigray region, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the 12 months' discontinuation rate and associated factors among family planning clients using pills and injection. METHODS: A follow-up study was initiated to collect data from 845 family planning users between November 2017 and December 2018. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20, where both are open-source systems. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) for the rate of discontinuation among participants. RESULT: At 12 months, 63.5% of women discontinued the use of their baseline method. For the individual methods, 84% of women that chose the pill discontinued its use and for those using the injectable, 60.7% of women discontinued its use. Using the adjusted Cox proportional-hazards model, pills users (HR = 1.77; 95%CI = [1.4-2.3]), users receiving family planning services in the same room as other maternal health clinic services (HR 1.58; 95%CI = [1.16-2.2]), users served by health officers (HR = 3.7; 95%CI = [1.66-8.2]), and users not intending to use the baseline method continuously (HR = 1.6; 95%CI = [1.16-2.24]) were significantly more likely to discontinue using the baseline method. The main reason cited for discontinuation was side effects of contraception. CONCLUSIONS: The discontinuation rate of the baseline contraceptive method after 12 months was very high. To increase the continuity of contraceptive use, family planning services should be given in a separate room with effective counseling on potential side effects, provided by midwives or nurses who have good counseling skills.

Adverse obstetric outcomes in public hospitals of southern Ethiopia: the role of parity.

PURPOSE: Direct obstetric causes have a significant contribution for severe maternal morbidities and mortalities, although the effect of grand multiparity on adverse obstetric outcomes remains controversial across studies. This study aimed to compare obstetric outcomes in grand multiparous and low multiparous women in two hospitals of southern Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in one general and one comprehensive specialized hospitals in 2018. Four hundred and sixty-one mothers were included in the study. Data were collected by structured questionnaire and extraction sheets from clinical documents, and were analyzed using STATA version 14 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: About 39% of the included mothers had at least one adverse obstetric outcome. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, and premature rupture of membrane and were higher in the grand multiparous mothers. However, obstructed labor and risk of cesarean delivery were higher in low multiparous women. History of medical illnesses, previous cesarean delivery, and high birth weight were independent predictors of adverse maternal outcomes regardless of parity. However, parity did not show statistically significant difference in obstetric outcomes. CONCLUSION: Parity did not show statistically significant difference in experiencing adverse obstetric outcomes in women. Early identification and treatment of high-risk mothers is recommended regardless of parity.

Food Hygiene Practices and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers Working in Food Establishments in the Bole Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Consumers' health would be at risk unless food preparation and handling hygiene is ensured by food establishments. Literature indicates that poor food handling and sanitation practices are more common among food handlers in developing countries resulting in food-borne illness. Hence, food handlers can play a significant role in ensuring food hygiene. To this end, the paper aims to assess the level of food hygiene practices and its associated factors of food handlers working in food establishments in Bole sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Through across-sectional study design, a total of 394 food handlers selected randomly from food establishments have participated in the study. The data were collected between July and December 2017, through interview and observation. Percentage, cross tabulations, and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The findings show that among 394 study subjects only 27.4% (i.e., 108 food handlers), were found to have good food hygiene practices. In other words, majority of food handlers observed were poor in maintaining food hygiene. Food hygiene practices were highly influenced by level score of favorable attitude (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.93, 7.87), extensive knowledge towards food hygiene (AOR= 3.33, 95% CI= 1.93, 5.76) and availability of water storage equipment at food establishments (AOR= 2.67, 95% CI= 1.38, 5.15). CONCLUSION: Food handlers had poor food hygiene practices in the study area. Shortages of a continuous water supply at food establishments, poor knowledge, and unfavorable attitude of food handlers towards food hygiene practice were all contributing factors associated with poor food hygiene practice. However, these can be improved through health education programs and environmental health services, such as periodic inspections, effective enforcement of food safety regulations, and enhancing the capacity of food hygiene regulators.

Male involvement and associated factors in birth preparedness and complication readiness in Debre Berhan Town, North East Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Men play indispensable role in health and wellbeing of mothers and children. Their level of involvement with regards to birth preparedness and complication readiness is understudied. This study was therefore carried out to assess male involvement and associated factors in birth preparedness and complication readiness in Debre Berhan town, North East Ethiopia. METHODS: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1st - 30th, 2014 in Debre Berhan town among 806 study participants. Cluster sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to check associations and control confounding. RESULTS: The study showed that male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness found to be 51.4%. Educational status of tertiary level (AOR = 4.37 95% (CI: 2.10, 9.13), having 1 or 2 children (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI:1.30,4.87) and 3 or 4 (AOR = 5.19, 95% CI:2.44,11.03), knowledge of danger signs (AOR = 7.71, 95% (CI:5.15, 11.54), knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (AOR = 11.98, 95% CI:7.73,18.56) and attitude (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.41,3.51) were significantly associated with male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness. CONCLUSION: Male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness found to be low in study area. Education, number of children, knowledge on danger signs, knowledge on birth preparedness and complication readiness and attitude were factors associated with male involvement. Creating awareness on danger signs of pregnancy, birth preparedness and complication readiness both at community and institutional level were recommended in order to increase male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.

Adherence to prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Daily iron-folic acid supplementation reduces anemia and various adverse obstetric outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birthweight, hemorrhage, and perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. However, its supplementation has not been successful that attributed to several determinants including poor adherence. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and determinants of adherence to prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, we will develop a conceptual framework in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS/DESIGN: We will search PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, SCOPUS, WHO Global Index Medicus, and African Journals Online (AJOL) databases to retrieve relevant literatures. Observational (i.e., case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, survey, and surveillance reports) and quasi-randomized and randomized controlled trial studies conducted in LMIC will be included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist will be used to assess the quality of observational and randomized controlled trial studies respectively. The pooled prevalence and odds ratio of determinants of adherence will be generated using a weighted inverse-variance meta-analysis model. Statistical heterogeneity among studies will be assessed by Cochran's Q χ2 statistics and Higgins (I2 statistics) method. The result will be presented using forest plots and Harvest plots when necessary. Furthermore, we will perform Jackknife sensitivity and subgroup analysis. Data will be analyzed using comprehensive meta-analysis software (version 2). DISCUSSION: Contemporary evidence about the prevalence and determinants of adherence in LMIC will be synthesized to generate up-to-date knowledge. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review. It would have substantial implications for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers for optimizing maternal and child health outcomes in LMIC. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol has been registered on International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO), University of York Center for Reviews and Dissemination ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/ ), registration number CRD42017080245 .

Male involvement in PMTCT and associated factors among men whom their wives had ANC visit 12 months prior to the study in Gondar town, North west Ethiopia, December, 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, male involvement has been recognized as a priority focus area to be strengthened in PMTCT but, testing male partners for HIV in the context of preventing mother-to-child transmission remains a challenge in most low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. In Ethiopia even though male involvement is one of the guiding principle in testing and counseling of HIV, the magnitude of male involvement in PMTCT is not well known. The objective was to assess the magnitude of male involvement in PMTCT and associated factors among men whom their wives have ANC visit 12 months prior to the study in Gondar town, North west Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 1- 20, 2014 among men whose wives had ANC follow up in the last 12 months prior to study period in Gondar town. Cluster sampling was used to get the total of 802 participants. RESULTS: From all participants, only 20.9% of men had high involvement index in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Men with secondary and post secondary education (AOR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.36, 9.44), government employment by occupation (AOR=2.23, 95%CI: 1.53, 4.02) men who were married and in union (AOR=4.37, 95%CI: 1.85, 10.32), and men who have heard about PMTCT (AOR=1.74, 95%CI=1.21, 2.49) were more likely to have high involvement index in PMTCT. CONCLUSION: Male involvement in PMTCT programme was low in the study area. Having information about PMTCT, attending Secondary and post secondary education, being government employer and living in union with partner were factors significantly associated with male involvement in PMTCT. Improving male involvement by creating husband's awareness regarding benefit of PMTCT through provision of balanced information for all male partners is recommended.

Prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy among pregnant woman attending ANC at Gelemso General Hospital, Oromiya Region, East Ethiopia: a facility based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Unintended pregnancy is among the major public health problems that predispose women to maternal death and illness mainly through unsafe abortion and poor maternity care. The level of unintended pregnancy is high in developing countries. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and the associated factors among pregnant woman attending antenatal care at Gelemso General Hospital, East Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 10 to April 13, 2015 among women who had attended antenatal care at Gelemso General Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 413 participants. Data were collected via face-to-face interview using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were made to check the associations among the variables and to control the confounding factors. RESULTS: Out of the 413 pregnancies, 112 (27.1 %) were unintended of which 90(21.9 %) were mistimed, and 22(5.2 %) were unwanted. Multivariate analysis revealed that single, divorced/widowed marital statuses, having more than 2 children, and having no awareness of contraception were significantly associated with unintended pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Over a quarter of women had an unintended pregnancy, a rate which is lower than previously reported. Designing and implementing strategies that address contraceptive needs of unmarried, divorced and widowed women, creating awareness of contraceptives at community level and reinforcing postnatal contraceptive counseling to all mothers giving birth at health institution is recommended to reduce the rate of the unintended pregnancy among parous women.

Knowledge of partograph and its associated factors among obstetric care providers in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, there are 210 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013. Ethiopia is one of the ten countries contributing to 60% of the global maternal deaths. Most of these deaths could be averted by enhancing safe motherhood strategies and providing skilled care at each delivery. This skilled care includes the use of partograph to monitor the progress of labor. With this aspect, this study is aimed to assess knowledge of partograph and its associated factors among obstetric care providers in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June, 2013. Four hundred three obstetric care providers were included in the study. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered into the Epi-Info software and exported to SPSS software for further analysis. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the associated factors. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to determine the presence and strength of association. RESULTS: In this study; 287 (71.2%) of obstetric care providers had a good level of knowledge on the partograph. Working in the hospital [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.71, P = 0. 027, 95% CI 1.32, 5.57) and getting on the job training (AOR = 5.49, P = 0.001, 95% CI 3.32, 9.08) were significantly associated with knowledge about partograph. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of care providers had a good level of knowledge about partograph. Working in the hospital and getting on the job training were factors affecting provider's knowledge on the partograph. The provision of on the job training is necessary to improve provider's knowledge on the partograph. Moreover, giving a due attention for provider at health centers is also important.

Partograph utilization and associated factors among obstetric care providers in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, prolonged and obstructed labor contributed to 8% of maternal deaths which can be reduced by proper utilization of partograph during labor. METHODS: An Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in June, 2013 on 403 obstetric care providers. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered to EpiInfo version 3.5.1 statistical package and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for further analysis. Logistic regression analyses were used to see the association of different variables. RESULTS: Out of 403 obstetric care providers, 40.2% utilized partograph during labor.Those who were midwives by profession were about 8 times more likely to have a consistent utilization of the partograph than general practitioners (AOR=8. 13, 95% CI: 2.67, 24.78). Similarly, getting on job training (AOR=2. 86, 95% CI: 1.69, 4.86), being knowledgeable on partograph (AOR=3. 79, 95% CI: 2.05, 7.03) and having favorable attitude towards partograph (AOR=2. 35, 95% CI: 1.14, 4.87) were positively associated with partograph utilization. CONCLUSION: Partograph utilization in labor monitoring was found to be low. Being a midwife by profession, on job training, knowledge and attitude of obstetric care providers were factors affecting partograph utilization. Providing on job training for providers would improve partograph utilization.

Pregnant women's preference and factors associated with institutional delivery service utilization in Debra Markos Town, North West Ethiopia: a community based follow up study.

BACKGROUND: Majority of deaths from obstetric complications are preventable. But every pregnant woman face risks which may not always be detected through the risk assessment approach during antenatal care (ANC). Therefore, the presence of a skilled birth attendant in every delivery is the most critical intervention in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. In Ethiopia the proportion of births attended by skilled personnel, is very low, even for women who have access to the services. METHODS: A community-based follow up study was conducted from January 17, 2012 to July 30, 2012, among 2(nd) and 3(rd) trimester's pregnant women in Debre-Markos town, east Gojam Zone, Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used to get a total sample size of 422 participants. RESULTS: A total of 393 pregnant women were included in the study. The study revealed that 292(74.3%) of the pregnant women planned to deliver in a health institution. Of these 292 pregnant women 234 (80.14%) actually delivered in a health facility. Age range from 15-19 year (AOR = 4.83, 95% CI = 1.562-12.641), college and above education of the pregnant women (AOR = 12.508, 95% CI = 1.082-14.557), ANC visit during the current pregnancy (AOR = 1.975, 95% CI = 1.021-3.392),perceived susceptibility and severity of pregnancy and delivery complication (AOR = 3.208, 95% CI = 1.262-8.155) and intention (preference) of pregnant women for place of delivery (AOR = 7.032, 95% CI = 3.045-10.234) are predictors of institutional delivery service utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Preference for institutional delivery is low in the study area. Sociodemographic factors, perception about delivery complication, ANC follow up and their intentions for institutional delivery are among important predictors of institutional delivery.

Institutional delivery service utilization in Munisa Woreda, South East Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is a global priority which is particularly relevant to developing countries like Ethiopia. One of the key strategies for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is increasing institutional delivery service utilization of mothers under the care of skilled birth attendants. The aim of this study was to determine the level of institutional delivery service utilization and associated factors. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 1-20, 2011, among mothers who gave birth 12 months before the study began in Munesa Woreda, Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia. A stratified cluster sampling was used to select a sample of 855 participants. RESULTS: Out of all deliveries, only 12.3% took place at health facilities. Women who were urban residents (AOR = 2.27, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.40), women of age at interview less than 20 years (AOR = 6.06, 95%CI: 1.54, 23.78), women with first pregnancy (AOR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.97) and, women who had ANC visit during the last pregnancy (AOR = 4.18, 95%CI: 2.54, 6.89) were more likely to deliver at health institutions. Secondary and above level of mother`s and husband`s education had also a significant effect on health institution delivery with AOR = 4.31 (95%CI: 1.62, 11.46) and AOR = 2.77 (95%CI: 1.07, 7.19) respectively. CONCLUSION: Institutional delivery service utilization was found to be low in the study area. Secondary and above level of mother`s and husband`s education, urban residence and ANC visit were amongst the main factors that had an influence on health institution delivery. Increasing the awareness of mothers and their partners about the benefits of institutional delivery services are recommended.