Low birth weight and its associated factors in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Low birth weight is a global public health problem, with 15-20% of all births globally, described by weight at birth of less than 2500 g ensuing fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, poor cognitive growth, and an increased risk of chronic diseases later in life. The prevalence is critical in East Africa where about 11% have low birth weight out of 54% of neonates whose weight was measured at birth. There are many causes of low birth weight, including early induction of labor or cesarean birth, multiple pregnancies, infections, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Moreover, socioeconomic factors and unhealthy dietary habits could contribute to low birth weight in areas with poor intake of a diversified diet. This study has indicated the association between poor dietary diversity and low birth weight in the study area for the first time. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on eligible 423 pregnant women recruited from Gestational Age of less than 17 weeks until delivery where the birth outcomes were recorded in health institutions in randomly selected five Woredas in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia from June 2019 to December 2020. Questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-economic-demographic, dietary diversity scores, and food consumption scores. RESULTS: The study found a prevalence of low birth weight of 9.6%, low dietary diversity score of 53.2%, low food consumption score of 19.7%, and preterm delivery of 9.1%. Ever attended school and a higher level of education (diploma and above) decreased the risk of low birth weight with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 0.149 (0.024, 0.973) P ≤ 0.042; 0.059 (0.007, 0.513) P ≤ 0.007; whereas low dietary diversity score group and low food consumption group increased the risk of low birth weight with AOR 2.425 (1.342, 6.192) P ≤ 0.011and 2.983 (1.956, 9.084) P ≤ 0.044 respectively. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Participants with no formal education, no diploma, and above (no college or university training/degree), low diversity score group, and low food consumption group had an increased risk of low birth weight. Therefore the use of a diversified diet, educating women to a higher educational level, and health education on the intake of a diversified food rich in multiple micronutrients are recommended as strategies that will ameliorate the occurrence of low birth weight.

Effects of Catha Edulis Forsk on spatial learning, memory and correlation with serum electrolytes in wild-type male white albino rats.

BACKGROUND: The burdens of psychostimulant use disorders are becoming a worldwide problem. One of the psychostimulants widely consumed in Ethiopia and East African countries is Catha edulis Forsk (khat). However, no studies have been conducted on the cognitive effects of khat and its correlation with serum electrolytes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of khat on spatial learning and memory and their correlation with serum electrolytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diethyl ether and chloroform (3:1v/v ratio) were solvents used to obtain the crude khat extract in this study. T80W was used to prepare the khat juice, fresh khat leave extract. The rats were received crude khat extract subchronically (KESC) (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.w), khat juice (KHJ 2.5 mL/kg), 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v, vehicle) and khat extract subacutely (KESA) (300 mg/kg). For subchronic treatment, each rat was administered for twelve weeks before Morris water maze experiment has been started, while it was administered for a week for acute treatment. Spatial learning and memory were measured using the Morris water maze model and serum sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride were evaluated using Cobas 6000. RESULTS: Spatial learning was improved with trials across the groups, while average escape latency (s) of rats received KESC 200 mg/kg (p<0.001), KESC 300 mg/kg (p<0.01) and KHJ 2.5 mL/kg (p<0.05) was significantly greater than rats that received vehicle. There was no significant difference in the latency between rats that received KESA 300mg/kg and vehicle (p>0.05). Thigmotaxis was significantly higher in rats that received all doses of khat extract (p<0.001). The time spent in the target quadrant in rats that received KESC 300 mg/kg was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Serum calcium level was inversely correlated with the escape latency (R = -0.417, p<0.05) in rats that received khat. CONCLUSIONS: Khat extract and juice administered subchronically, but not subacutely, impaired learning and memory and was associated with serum calcium reduction. The neuronal basis for such alteration should be investigated.

Catha edulis Forsk and Ascorbic Acid Effects on Hematological Indices in Rat.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chewing Catha edulis Forsk and the use of ascorbic acid is increasing from time to time. Their subchronic effects on hematological indices are not well examined. The present study was aimed to investigate their subchronic effects on hematological indices in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 adult (7-8 weeks) wild-type rats weighing between 213 and 229g were used in this study. They received Catha edulis Forsk extract (Ce) (100 milligrams/kilogram, 200 milligram/kilogram and 300 milligram/kilogram b.w), Catha edulis Forsk juice (2.5 mL/kg), ascorbic acid (AA 200 milligram/kilogram), and 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v) for twelve weeks. Hematological indices were measured with Sysmex KX-21. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Neutrocytes (p < 0.01), lymphocytes (p < 0.05), plateletcrit (p < 0.05), average size of platelets (p < 0.05), platelet size variability (p < 0.01), platelet-large cell ratio (p < 0.05) and neutrocytes/lymphocytes ratio (p < 0.001) were significantly greater, while hemoglobin concentration per red blood cell (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin concentration per volume of red blood cells were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in rats received khat. The red cell distribution width (p < 0.05), platelet size variability (p < 0.05) and platelet-large cell ratio (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in rats received ascorbic acid. CONCLUSION: Crude Catha edulis Forsk extract and juice changed some hematological indices and increased platelet activities. The platelet activity was also increased by ascorbic acid. The mechanisms for these changes need to be investigated.