Effect of a three-dimensional nanotube array substrate on photocatalytic conversion performance of CO2 gas to methanol by amine-loaded CuO/ZnO catalysts.

The photocatalytic conversion of CO2 gas into energy-dense hydrocarbons holds the potential to address both environmental and energy problems. Catalysts consisting of CuO clusters/nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods on a metallic nanotube array (MeNTA) silicon substrate were utilized for CO2 reduction. The surface of the catalysts was modified with 3-amino-propyltriethoxysilane (APTES), the amine terminal of which can selectively bind CO2 gas. When photocatalytic CO2 reduction was performed with varying APTES and CuO contents, the highest methanol production of 4.5 mmol/g(catalyst) was obtained at 10 wt% APTES and 7.5 mM CuO contents. The high yield in the present work in comparison with previous reports is due to some advantages of the present catalytic system such as its enhanced activity, significant selectivity, and easy production: Nanometer-sized CuO produced by femtosecond pulse laser irradiation provides a larger active surface per volume and a free surface without a protector, which is favorable for advancing the catalytic activity. The formation of a heterojunction interface in a nanocomposite of p-type CuO and n-type ZnO increases holes at the valence band level of CuO, resulting in advantageous photovoltaic efficiency. The introduction of APTES on the catalyst surface enhances CO2 adsorption and brings about CO2 gas near the catalyst to accelerate the reaction rate. Finally, a three-dimensional tube array on the substrate enlarges the surface per volume for catalyst-loading compared to the two-dimensional substrate. Thus, the proposed catalytic system consisting of amine-loaded CuO/ZnO constructed on a three-dimensional nanotube array substrate is preferable for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 gas to methanol.

The Association Between Domestic Violence and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women Seeking Antenatal Care at Public Hospitals in Gedeo Zone: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Domestic violence is any harmful behavior by an intimate partner, such as physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. In Ethiopia, domestic violence is a serious and widespread problem. It affects two-thirds (64.6%) of pregnant women and increases the risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Domestic violence during pregnancy is a growing public health problem that may contribute to maternal and perinatal mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to assess the association between domestic violence during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Gedeo Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 142 pregnant women in their third trimester who attended public health institutions in Gedeo Zone for antenatal care. We compared 47 women who were exposed to domestic violence with 95 who were not and followed them until 24 hours after delivery or drop-out. We used SPSS version-24 to analyze data and logistic regression to examine the association between domestic violence and pregnancy outcomes. We reported the results using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P-value. Results: Out of 142 women, who completed the follow-up, 47 were exposed to domestic violence and 95 were not. We found a strong link between domestic violence and preterm birth. Women exposed to domestic violence had a four-fold higher risk of preterm birth (AOR= 4.392, 95% CI: 1.117, 6.588) than those who were not. They also had a 2.5-fold higher risk of perinatal death (AOR= 2.562, 95% CI: 1.041, 6.308). Conclusion: Domestic violence during pregnancy affects many pregnant women in southern Ethiopia and harms their babies. It leads to preterm birth and perinatal death, which can be prevented. The Ethiopian government and other stakeholders need to protect pregnant women from intimate partner violence urgently.

Male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization and associated factors: A community-based cross-sectional study in Motta district, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Male partner involvement during the postpartum period is an effective strategy to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. However, since reproductive health has been viewed as only a woman's issue, it remains a major challenge in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The current study aimed to assess male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization and associated factors in the Motta district of North West Ethiopia in 2020. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 16 to 30, 2020, among male partners whose wives gave birth in the last twelve months in Motta district. A systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain 612 study participants. Data entry was carried out by using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package of Social Science version 23 for analysis. A binary and multiple logistic regression method were employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios with a confidence interval of 95% and a P value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The findings from this study highlight that the overall male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization was 20.8% at 95%CI (17.6%, 24.1%). The regression results indicated that male partners residing in urban areas, attending primary and secondary education, having good knowledge of postnatal care services, having good knowledge of danger signs and complications during the postnatal period, having a favorable attitude toward male partner involvement in postnatal care, and a short distance to health care facilities were shown to be significantly and positively associated with male partner involvement in postnatal care services. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of male partner involvement in postnatal care service utilization was low as compared to other studies. Community-based awareness creation through health education and expanding educational and health care service institutions are essential to increase the involvement of male partners in postnatal care services.

Factors associated with utilization of modern postpartum family planing methods during the extended postpartum period among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months at Injibara town, Northwest, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The extended postpartum period is the first twelve months following childbirth and is an important entry point for family planning service providers to reduce unintended and too closely spaced pregnancies. A modern postpartum family planning service is one of the recommended public health interventions for reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortalities in sitting where maternal mortality is high, like in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess factors associated with the utilization of modern family planning methods during the extended postpartum period among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months at Injibara town, Northwest, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed from March 1-15/2019 at Injibara town among 402 mothers. The data was collected by a simple random sampling technique and analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 version. Logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95% and a P-value of < 0.05 in multivariable analysis considered statistically significant. Frequency tables and descriptive summaries were used to describe the study variables. RESULTS: The total sample size of this study was 402 and among them, 400 postpartum mothers participated in the study with a response rate of 99.5%. The utilization of modern family planning methods during the extended postpartum period among postpartum mothers was 58.5% [95% CI: 53.5- 63%]. Of these, 38.9% and 32.9% of the mothers were using injectables and implants respectively. Secondary and above educational level, having ≥ 3 antenatal care visits, resumption of menstruation, discussing with the partner on utilization of family planning method, being counseled on family planning method utilization during antenatal care visits and immediately after delivery, linkage of the mothers to a family planning unit during child immunization, and having good knowledge of family planning methods were associated with utilization of modern family planning methods during the extended postpartum period. CONCLUSION: The utilization of modern family planning methods during the extended postpartum period among postpartum women was low compared to the world health organization recommendation. Socio-demographic, health care service uptakes, and reproductive characteristics were associated with the utilization of modern family planning methods during the extended postpartum period. We suggest emphasizing the education and counseling of women on the utilization of family planning during maternal and child health care service utilization. Mothers should be encouraged to start using modern family planning methods before the resumption of menses.

Missed antenatal care follow-up and associated factors in Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Focused antenatal care improves the survival and health of the mother as well as the babies. However, there are real challenges in keeping the subsequent antenatal care follow up in Ethiopia. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess missed antenatal care follow up and associated factors in the Eastern zone of Tigray. METHODS: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among systematically selected 548 women who came for delivery services from March to April 2016. The data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire through face to face exit interview. Data entry and analysis were made using EPI info version 7 software and SPSS version 20 respectively. Both binary and multiple logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: This study revealed that 33.4% of participants were missing their Antenatal care follow-up. Having no formal education [AOR=1.778 (1.102, 2.869)], attending primary education [AOR= 1.756 (1.040, 2.964)], self-employee [AOR=1.589 (1.030, 2.452)], government employee [AOR=0.503 (0.503, 0.953)], being unmarried [AOR=2.36 (1.11, 5.04)], didn't informed about institutional delivery [AOR=3.34 (1.44, 7.78)], and travel distance more than two hours to hospital [AOR=1.93 (1.08, 3.44)] were factors significantly associated with missed Antenatal care follow-up. CONCLUSION: The proportion of missed antenatal care follow-up was lessened as compared to local and national evidences. Nevertheless, still a coordinated effort on tracking of pregnant women who missed their antenatal care appointment is required by health policy implementers so as to increase the uptake of four complete visits.

Practice and factors associated with active management of third stage of labor among obstetric care providers in Amhara region referral hospitals, North Ethiopia, 2018: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Active management of third stage of labor is the most indispensable intervention to avert post-partum hemorrhage which is one of the typical causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess practice and factors associated with active management of third stage of labor among obstetric care providers in referral hospitals. METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted from April 1-30, 2018. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 356 obstetric care providers. Data were collected using pretested, structured and self-administered questionnaires. Data were entered to Epi data version 3.1 statistical software and exported to SPSS 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors. P value <0.05 with 95% confidence level were used to declare statistical significance. RESULT: This study revealed that practice of active management of third stage of labor was 61.2%. Age group of 20-30 years [AOR = 1.95 (95%CI;1.13-3.38)], Being male obstetric care provider [AOR = 1.74 (95%CI;1.03-2.94)], having work experience ≥2 years [AOR = 1.95(95%CI;1.13-3.38)], availability of oxytocin [AOR = 5.46 (95%CI; 2.41-12.3)], having exposure to manage third stage of labor [AOR = 2.91(95%CI; 1.55-5.48)], and having good knowledge [AOR = 2.67 (95%CI; 1.46-4.90)], were the factors associated with practice. CONCLUSION: This study showed that practice of active management of third stage of labor was high. Age group between 20-30 years, being a male obstetric care provider, having ≥2years work experience, availability of oxytocin, exposure to third stage management and having good knowledge were factors associated with practice. Therefore, all referral hospitals and concerned bodies need efforts to focus on providing training to increase health care provider's knowledge so as to sustain good practice through appropriate interventions.