Postpartum family planning uptake and its associated factors among postpartum women in Asosa zone, Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The first twelve months after a woman has given birth is crucial for the use of contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancy. Most women, especially in developing countries, do not realize that they are at risk for pregnancy during this period. Due to this, contraceptive use by women is ignored at this time. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the associated factors of postpartum family planning (PPFP) service uptake in the Asosa zone. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 postpartum women in the Asosa zone. An interviewer-administered, structured, and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and cleaning were done using Epi Info version 7.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with postpartum family planning uptake. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants, 384 (97.2%), had heard about at least one method of family planning. Nearly two-thirds of the study participants (64.1%) had resumed sexual intercourse. Only 53.5% of the participants started using PPFP. Injectable forms (54.7%) and implants (26.4%) were the most commonly used methods. More than one-fourth (27.4%) did not use their preferred methods. Family planning use before index pregnancy (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI: 2.65, 8.82), previous use of PPFP (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.33, 4.38)] and health facility delivery (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.46, 5.49)] were significantly associated with uptake of postpartum family planning. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Postpartum family planning uptake in the study area was low. Uptake of PPFP was correlated with prior family planning usage and delivery at a healthcare facility. Given these factors, we recommend all study area stakeholders to promote family planning use among women of reproductive age and to encourage deliveries at healthcare facilities. Designing a method to reach women who give birth at home for a variety of reasons is also advisable. Unavailability of different forms of FP also made the participants not use the preferred option. Therefore, we recommend the stakeholders in the study area to avail variety of FP methods.

Sexual assault cases managed at a referral hospital in Western Ethiopia: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Sexual assault is the most prevalent and hidden global problem. The condition is worse in developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study described the survivors' characteristics, clinical profiles, and management of cases of sexual assault at the One-Stop Service Center for survivors of sexual assault at a referral hospital in Western Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess 203 cases of sexual assault managed at the One-Stop Service Center for survivors of sexual assault in Wollega University Referral Hospital from January 2019 to March 2022. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured checklist. Data were organized using Epidata version 3.1, cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. The results were presented in tables. Results: Of 203 cases of alleged sexual assaults during the study period, 142 (70%) and 61 (30%) of survivors were raped and attempted rape, respectively. The age of survivors ranges from 3 to 28 years with a mean age of 15.7 ± 4.7 years. One hundred ninety-four (95.6%) were females. Seventy percent of them were students. Most of the survivors, 173 (85.2%), were assaulted by a person known to them. Only 74 (36.5%) present to the hospital within 72 h. Genital injuries were documented in 153 (75.4%). More than half, 112 (55.2%), were brought to the hospital by the police officers. In this study, 34 (16.7%) of survivors were admitted and 10 (4.9%) needed surgical procedures. Serology for syphilis, hepatitis B virus and HIV were reactive in 5 (7.1%), 1 (0.5%), and 1 (0.5%) respectively. The pregnancy test was positive in 12 (7.1%) of survivors. One (0.5%) study participant died in the intensive care unit. Conclusion: In this study, children and adolescents were the most vulnerable group, and survivors' presentation to the hospital was delayed. They presented to the hospital with variable complications, including minor genital and/or extra-genital injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, fractures, and multiple organ failures leading to death. Therefore, it is recommended that all concerned stakeholders work on the prevention of sexual assault in the study area. Legal protection for these survivors and students should also be strengthened. It is also recommended to evaluate the execution of existing national and international policies and programs toward sexual assault to develop contextual policies and guidelines.

Survival status and predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive care Unit (NICU) of Wollega University referral hospital (WURH) and Nekemte Specialized hospital, Western Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for survival in which children face the highest risk of dying in their lives. Neonatal mortality (NM) remains a global public concern, especially in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Although, better progress has been made in reducing NM before 2016, Ethiopia is currently one of the top ten countries affected by NM. Studies are limited to secondary data extraction in Ethiopia which focus only on survival status during admission, and no study has been conducted in the study area in particular. OBJECTIVE: To assess the survival status and predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to the NICU of WURH and Nekemte Specialized Hospital, Western Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based prospective cohort study was conducted among a cohort of 412 neonates admitted to the NICU of WURH and Nekemte Specialized Hospital from September 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020. All neonates consecutively admitted to the NICU of the two hospitals during the study period were included in the study. Data entry was performed using Epidata version 3.0 and the analysis was performed using STATA version 14. A Kaplan Meier survival curve was constructed to estimate the cumulative survival probability. A cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the predictors of NM. Hazard Ratios with 95% CI were computed and all the predictors associated with the outcome variable at p-value ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable cox proportional hazards analysis were declared as a significant predictor of NM. RESULTS: A total of 412 neonates were followed for a median of 27 days with an IQR of 22-28 days. During the follow-up period, a total of 9249 person day observations (PDO) were detected. At the end of follow-up, 15.3% of neonates died with an overall incidence rate of death 6.81/1000 PDO. The median time to death was 10 days, and the highest incidence rate of death was observed during the first week of the neonatal period. The study found that rural residence (AHR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.14, 3.66), lack of ANC visits (AHR = 7.77, 95%CI: 3.99, 15.11), neonatal hypothermia (AHR = 3.04, 95%CI: 1.36, 6.80), and delayed initiation of breastfeeding (AHR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.56) as independent predictors of NM. However, a decreased number of pregnancies decrease the risk of NM. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The incidence rate of neonatal death was high particularly in the first week of life in the study area. The study found that lack of ANC visit, neonatal hypothermia, increased number of pregnancies, rural residence, and delayed initiation of breastfeeding positively predicted NM. Therefore, there is a need to encourage programs that enhance ANC visits for pregnant mothers and community-based neonatal survival strategies, particularly for countryside mothers.

Incidence and predictors of death from COVID-19 among patients admitted to treatment center of Wollega University Referral Hospital, Western Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, COVID-19 contributes to mortality and morbidity in developed as well as in developing countries since December 2019. However, there is scarcity of evidence regarding the incidence and predictors of death among patients admitted with COVID-19 in developing country including Ethiopia, where the numbers of deaths are under-reported. Hence, this study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of death among patients admitted with COVID-19 in Wollega University Referral Hospital (WURH), western Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based retrospective cohort study design was conducted among 318 patients admitted with COVID-19 in WURH treatment center. Patients who were tested positive for COVID-19 by using rRT-PCR test and admitted with the diagnosis of severe COVID-19 cases from September 30, 2020 to June 10, 2021 were a source population. Epidata version 3.2 was used for data entry, and STATA version 14 for analysis. A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with mortality from COVID-19. Multivariable Cox regression model with 95% CI and Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) was used to identify a significant predictor of mortality from COVID-19 at p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 318 patients were included in final analysis with mean age of 44 (SD±16.7) years and about two third (67.9%) were males. More than half (55.7%) of patients had no comorbidity on admission. The majority, 259 (81.45%) of patients recovered from COVID-19 and 267 (84%) of patients were censored at the end of follow up. The incidence rate of mortality was 14.1 per/1000 (95%CI: 10.7, 18.5) person days observation. Age ≥ 59 years (AHR: 5.76, 95%CI: 2.58, 12.84), low oxygen saturation (AHR: 2.34, 95% CI: (2.34, 4.17), and delayed presentation (AHR: 5.60, 95%CI: 2.97, 10.56) were independent predictors of mortality among COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of COVID-19 pandemic was high in the study area, and most of death was happened during the first 10 days. Being old age, low oxygen saturation and delayed presentation were factors which predict mortality due to COVID-19. Hence, strengthening the health care delivery system to satisfy the need of the patients should get due attention to reduce the incidence of mortality from COVID-19 cases.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome among patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to treatment center of Wollega University Referral Hospital, Western Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening condition that has a significant effect on the occurrence of morbidity and mortality among patients with severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To the best of researchers' knowledge, there is no Study on ARDS of COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of ARDS and associated factors among severe COVID-19 patients at Wollega University Referral Hospital. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September 20, 2020, to June 10, 2021. Real-Time Reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test was used to test Patients for COVID-19. Epi-data version 3.2 was used for data entry, and the final data analysis was through STATA version 14. After checking the assumption P-value<0.25 in the bivariable analysis was used to select a candidate variable for multi-variable analysis, and a p-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of ARDS was 32%. Almost all the patients had the clinical feature of cough (93.7%), followed by shortness of breath (79.9%), fever (77.7%), and headache (67%). Age older than 65 years (AOR = 3.35, 95%CI = 1.31, 8.55), male gender (AOR = 5.63, 95%CI = 2.15, 14.77), and low oxygen saturation level (AOR = 4.60, 95%CI = 1.15, 18.35) were the independent predictors of ARDS among severe COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ARDS among patients with severe COVID-19 was high in the study area. Therefore, elders and patients with critical conditions (low oxygen saturation) better to get special attention during COVID-19 case management to enhance good care and monitoring of the patients.

Pattern of semen analysis in male partners of infertile couples in Western Ethiopia: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study assesses the pattern of semen analysis results in male partners of infertile couples at Gimbie Adventist Hospital, Western Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study on 131 semen samples of male partners of infertile couples was conducted at Gimbie Adventist Hospital from 5 September 2021 to 5 October 2021. All semen samples were processed and analyzed according to methods and standards outlined by the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen 2010. The data were coded and entered into EpiData version 3.1, and then cleaned and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows version 25) for analysis. The results were presented in tables, figures, and charts. Results: The age of study participants ranges from 20 to 65 years with a mean age of 30.2 ± 8.1 years. Sperm cell count, morphology, total motility, and vitality below the World Health Organization reference level were found in 48.9%, 27.5%, 43.5%, and 67.2% of the analyzed samples, respectively. Low power of hydrogen and high viscosity were observed in 31.3% and 16.8% of the semen samples, respectively. The majority, 84%, had one or more abnormal semen analysis parameters. Asthenozoospermia (43.5%), necrozoospermia (25.2%), oligozoospermia (24%), azoospermia (24%), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (25.2%) were the severe forms of abnormal semen analysis findings detected in this study. The decline in sperm cell morphology and motility were noticed after the age of 31-34 years. Conclusion: In this study, both sperm quantity and quality were more affected when compared to similar studies. Only 16% of analyzed samples had normal semen parameters. Given this finding, identifying risk factors and introducing advanced diagnostic modalities for the workup of male infertility in the study area are highly recommended.

Attitude of health professionals towards COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among health professionals, Western Ethiopia: A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: Even though people of the world were eagerly waiting for the hope of vaccine development, vaccine hesitancy is becoming the top concern in both developed and developing countries. However, there is no adequate evidence regarding the attitude and perception of health professionals towards the COVID 19 vaccine in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess health professionals' attitudes and perceptions towards COVID 19 vaccine in Western Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among health care workers found in Nekemte town from April 14-21, 2021. A total of 439 health professionals present on duty during the study period was included in the study. The data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire. Epidata version 3.2 was used for data entry, and STATA version 14 was used for data analysis. The binary logistic regression model was employed to determine factors associated with the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals was computed and statistical significance was declared at a 5% level (p-value < 0.05). RESULT: A total of 431 health professionals participated in the study yielding a response rate of 98.1%. The results indicated that 51.28% (95%CI: 45.12%, 57.34%) of health professionals had a favorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Having good knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.22, 0.64, P-value <0.001) was negatively associated with unfavorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine, whereas age less than 30 years (AOR = 2.14, 95%CI:1.25,3.67, P-value <0.001), working in a private clinic (AOR = 7.77, 95% CI: 2.19, 27.58, P-value <0.001) and health center (AOR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.01, 5.92, P-value = 0.045) were positively associated with unfavorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: In general, the attitude and perception of health care professionals toward the COVID-19 vaccine in the study area were unsatisfactory. Knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, age of health care workers, and place of work are the factors which affects attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, we recommend the media outlets and concerned bodies to work to develop trust among the public by disseminating accurate and consistent information about the vaccine.

Medication Errors Among Hospitalized Adults in Medical Wards of Nekemte Specialized Hospital, West Ethiopia: A Prospective Observational Study.

PURPOSE: A high prevalence of medication errors in older adults are due to a combination of different factors such as polypharmacy, polymorbidity, enrolment in several disease-management programs, and fragmentation of care that causes medication errors in all age groups. This study aims to assess the incidence and determinants of medication errors among hospitalized adults in medical wards of Nekemte Specialized Hospital (NSH), West Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study design was conducted at Nekemte Specialized Hospital among hospitalized adults from October 30, 2018 to January 30, 2019. Data were collected by using checklist-guided observation and review of medication order sheets, medication administration records, and patient charts. To identify the independent predictors of medication errors, logistic regression analysis was used. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 351 patients were included in the present study. The mean age of the patients was 40.67+15.78 years. A total of 813 medication errors were recorded. The most common stage for medication errors was physician ordering 263 (32.4%). In the multivariable analysis, age ≥65 years (AOR: 2.54, 95%CI: 1.12-5.75, p=0.025), hospital stay ≥7 days (AOR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.17-3.98, p=0.014), number of medication taken (AOR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.13-2.73, p=0.013) and presence of comorbidity (AOR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.01-2.46, p=0.049) had shown statistical significance in predicting medication errors. CONCLUSION: Medication errors are common at Nekemte Specialized Hospital with an incidence of 48.3 per 100 orders, 231.6 per 100 admissions, and 433.4 per 1000 patient days. In particular, adults with older age, increased hospital stay, a greater number of medications, and presence of comorbidities were at greater risk for medication errors.