Health professionals' perspectives on the role of obstetric ultrasonography in maternity care in rural eastern Ethiopia: a qualitative descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess healthcare providers' perspectives on maternity care following the introduction of ultrasound services in the area. DESIGN: The qualitative descriptive study. STUDY SETTING: This study was carried out in health centres under Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) pregnancy surveillance catchment areas in Kersa, Haramaya and Harar districts in eastern Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: The study participants were 14 midwives working in the maternity units and 14 health centre managers in the respective health facilities. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for in-depth interviews using a semistructured interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We identified one overarching theme "improved perinatal care" and six subthemes. Based on the accounts of the participants, the introduction of ultrasound services has led to a remarkable transformation in the overall provision of maternity care at health centres. The participants have reported a substantial rise in the utilisation of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services. The availability of ultrasound has enabled midwives to deliver comprehensive maternity care. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound service utilisation at health centres improves maternity care. The utilisation of ultrasound in healthcare enables providers to closely monitor the growth and development of the fetus, identify potential complications or abnormalities and administer timely interventions. This integration of ultrasound technology translates into enhanced prenatal care, early detection of issues and prompt management, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for both the mother and the baby.

Multi-Level Mixed-Effects Analysis of Stunting Among 6 to 59 Months Children in Ethiopia: Evidenced from Analysis of Health and Demographic Survey, 2000 to 2019.

Background. Stunting remains a major public health issue in developing countries like Ethiopia. It is termed as a chronic malnutrition which leads to morbidity and mortality among children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with stunting among 6 to 59 months children in Ethiopia. Methods. A total weighted sample of 34 930 children aged 6 to 59 months was included in this study. A Multilevel Mixed-Effect logistic regression was carried out. The Median Odds Ratio (MOR) and the Intra class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were calculated. An adjusted odds ratio along with a 95% confidence interval was reported and statistical significance was declared at a P-value ≤ .05. Results. The weighted prevalence of stunting in Ethiopia was 48.3% (95% CI: 47.8%, 48.8%). Being male, increased in age, having multiple births (twin), having less than 2 years birth interval, history of diarrhea, anemia, lack of maternal and paternal formal education, having poor and middle-wealth status, and living in rural areas were significantly associated with stunting. Conclusions. The prevalence of stunting is high in Ethiopia. The risk factors mentioned above increase the likely hood of stunting among children. Therefore, we recommend that responsible bodies place a greater emphasis and priority on promoting parental education, awareness on the impact of the birth interval on child nutrition, the prevention of childhood diarrhea and anemia, improving household economic status, and reducing rural-urban disparities.

Clinical practice competence and associated factors among undergraduate midwifery and nursing sciences students at Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Competence describes actions that will be demonstrated or observed and assessed while competency refers to the skill itself. Following appropriate theoretical and practical training, clinical experience is required to achieve the highest level of clinical competence. It is estimated that many women and newborns die each year due to a lack of qualified health professional around the world. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors influencing clinical competency in the study area. Methods: An Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 12 August to 12 September 2022, among 403 undergraduate health sciences students of Bahir Dar University. Participants were approached through simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview, and entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 22. The prevalence was reported using proportion with 95% CI and summary measures. Predictors were assessed using a multivariable logistic regression analysis model and reported using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI. Statistical significance was declared at P value less than 0.05. Results: Overall, the prevalence of clinical practice competency was 36.5% [95% CI; 33.5, 39.1]. Students who were provided a logbook (AOR=5.40, 95% CI 2.91, 10.02), adequate clinical cases in the clinical practice placement (AOR=2.72, 95% CI 1.60, 4.60), preceptor show different procedures (AOR=2.50, 95% CI 1.33, 4.71), student's confidence during conducting procedure (AOR=4.16, 95% CI 1.67, 10.35) and the suitability of the way of teaching to the learning styles of students during skills demonstration (AOR=2.10, 95% CI 1.00, 4.40) were factors statistically associated with clinical practice competence. Conclusions: According to this study, more than three out of every five participants were found to be clinically incompetent. Providing logbooks, adequate clinical cases, preceptors showing different procedures, students' confidence, and suitability of the way of teaching to the learning styles of students were significantly associated with clinical practice competence. Implementing logbooks, selecting clinical sites, enhancing the confidence of students, preferred teaching/learning styles, and clinical preceptor support were important to improve the clinical competence of students.

Midwives' experiences of performing obstetric ultrasounds in antenatal care in eastern Ethiopia: Qualitative exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the World Health Organization recommended inclusion of an ultrasound scan as part of routine antenatal care to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, most rural women in Ethiopia do not have access to ultrasound scanning as part of their routine antenatal care. Recently, ultrasonography services were introduced at health centers in Harar, Kersa, and Haramaya districts in Eastern Ethiopia. This expoloratory study aimed to examine experiences of pregnancy surveillance midwives in the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) who performed ultrasonography at health centers that are in the catchment area of Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems, in Eastern Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To explor midwives' experiences across 14 health centers in Eastern Ethiopia, located in the Kersa, Haramaya, and Harar Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems from February to April 2022. DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative study. METHODS: The methods used were based on the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research framework. Purposeful sampling was used to explore experiences of midwives who performed ultrasonography at selected health centers. The Midwives are recurited, trained and stationed at the health ceners to do ultrasound scanning and other activities by the Child Helath and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) pregancny surveillance activities. Among 17 midwives who had undergone ultrasonography training and who were actively involved in ultrasound scanning at health centers in Kersa, Haramaya, and Harar Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems, three midwives who worked at health centers with no power or near a hospital were excluded. Using tape recordings and note-taking, data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis used for data categorization, and the trustworthiness of data was kept throughout the procedure using credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. RESULTS: In this study, we identified five main themes: Ultrasonography positively impacts midwives trained as sonographers; performing ultrasound scans enhances the skills and confidence of midwives, improving their professional development, Individual perception of self-efficacy; midwives' belief in their abilities to perform ultrasound scans effectively influences their job satisfaction and motivation, Provision of care; integrating ultrasound into antenatal care enhances the quality, therapeutic communication, and personalized nature of care provided to pregnant women, Barriers to providing ultrasonography services; challenges such as shortage of ultrasonography-trained staff and workload can hinder the delivery of ultrasound services in rural areas, Community acceptance; the level of community understanding, trust, and support towards ultrasound technology and midwives as sonographers impacts the successful implementation and sustainability of ultrasound services. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography performed by midwives at rural health centers had a considerable impact on antenatal care services and incareased confidence of midwives.

Midwives' Experiences with Ultrasound Scans for Pregnant WomenThe World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women undergo at least four antenatal care (now eight times) visits during their pregnancy. The goal is to reduce feto-maternal complications. Recently, ultrasonography services are introduced in Harar, Kersa and Haramaya districts, Eastern Ethiopia.Midwives who performed ultrasonography at selected health centers were part of this exploaroty study. The information were generated through code, categories, and themes.Five themes were identified. Ultrasonography positively impacts midwives trained as sonographers, individual perception of self-efficacy, provision of care, barriers to providing ultrasonography services, and community acceptance.Ultrasonography performed by midwives at rural health centers had a considerable impact on antenatal care services and midwives confidence.

Timely initiation of breastfeeding among women who gave birth by cesarean section in central Ethiopia, 2022: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Timely initiation of breastfeeding reduces the risk of neonatal mortality. However, there was paucity of literature on the timely initiation of breastfeeding among women who gave birth by cesarean section (CS) in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of timely initiation of breastfeeding and factors associated with it among women who gave birth by CS in central Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 women who gave birth by CS. Data were collected by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation checklist, entered into EpiData 4.6, and exported to statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 26.Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed and statistical significance is declared at p<0.05. RESULTS: The magnitude of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 47.4% [95% CI: (42.5, 52.6)]. Attending four or more antenatal care visits [(AOR): 2.27, 95%CI: (1.28, 4.02)], counseling during antenatal care [AOR: 4.78, 95% CI: (2.66, 8.60)], early skin to skin contact with newborn [AOR: 2.83, 95% CI: (1.60, 5.02)], post-delivery counseling [AOR: 2.93, 95% CI: (1.56, 5.50)], and getting assistance from health professionals [AOR: 3.07, 95% CI: (1.64, 5.75)] were factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of timely initiation of breastfeeding in the study area was low. Strengthening counseling by health care practitioners during ANC and post-natal period should be prioritized to support women in initiating early skin-to-skin contact within one hour of birth is mandatory.

Teenage Pregnancy and Its Associated Factors in Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Teenage pregnancy is a global issue raising concerns for all who are interested in the health and well-being of young women and their children. It carries major health and social issues with unique medical and psychosocial consequences for both adolescents and society in general. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Multi-stage simple random sampling procedure was used to select 2258 female teenagers. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered into EpiData and analyzed using stata software. The Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was used to examine the association of the independent variable with teenage pregnancy. An adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was reported. RESULTS: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 30.2% (95% CI: 28.3, 32.1). Age 16-17 years old (APR=7.05; 95% CI: 4.15,11.96), 17-18 years old (APR=9.85; 95% CI: 5.72,16.98), not being in school (APR=2.83; 95% CI: 1.93,4.16), lack of formal education (APR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.03,1.19), being married (APR=3.59; 95% CI: 2.83,4.56), parental divorce (APR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.08,1.42), having elder sister who had a history of teenage pregnancy (APR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.02,1.21), and not knowing fertile period in menstrual cycle (APR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.16,1.47) were independently associated with teenage pregnancy. CONCLUSION: One in three teenagers had been pregnant. Age, not being in school, lack of formal education, being married, parental divorce, having an elder sister who had a history of teenage pregnancy, and not knowing fertile period during the menstrual cycles were the factors associated with teenage pregnancy. In Ethiopia, further efforts are required in the prevention of teenage pregnancy, keeping girls in school and strengthening the policy of delaying child marriage, particularly in rural areas.

An Increased Adverse Fetal Outcome Has Been Observed among Teen Pregnant Women in Rural Eastern Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: According to the World Health Organization, teenage pregnancies are high-risk due to increased risks of fetal and infant morbidity and mortality. This study compares adverse fetal outcomes between teen and adult pregnant women from rural Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women visiting maternity units from surrounding rural areas. A total of 481 teenagers (13-19 years old) and 481 adults (20-34 years old) women with a singleton pregnancy were included in the study. Two hospitals and 3 health centers were selected in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia. Comparative analysis was carried out using the log-binomial regression model to identify factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in both categories. The results are reported in adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: High proportion of adverse fetal outcome was observed among teenage women than adult (34.9% vs 21%). Statistically significant difference (P < .05) in the proportion of low birth weight (21.1% vs 9.3%), preterm birth (18.7% vs 10.6%), APGAR score at 5th minute (9.3% vs 4%) were found in teenagers compared to adult women. Antenatal care attendance (APR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.86); eclampsia (APR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.06); pre-eclampsia (APR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.67); and wealth index (rich) (APR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.94) were significantly associated with adverse fetal outcomes among the teenage women. Whereas intimate partner violence (APR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.90); preeclampsia (APR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.61, 5.69); antepartum hemorrhage (APR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.73, 4.46); and hyperemesis gravderm (APR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.79) were significantly associated with adverse fatal outcomes among the adult women. Conclusion: teenage pregnancy is associated with a high rate of adverse fetal outcomes. Early identification and treatment of problems during antenatal follow-up should be the mainstay to avert the massive adverse fetal effects.

Basic neonatal resuscitation skills of midwives and nurses in Eastern Ethiopia are not well retained: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal resuscitation is a life-saving intervention for birth asphyxia, a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Worldwide, four million neonate deaths happen annually, and birth asphyxia accounts for one million deaths. Improving providers' neonatal resuscitation skills is critical for delivering quality care and for morbidity and mortality reduction. However, retention of these skills has been challenging in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess neonatal resuscitation skills retention and associated factors among midwives and nurses in Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested, structured, observational checklist. A total of 427 midwives and nurses were included from 28 public health facilities by cluster sampling and simple random sampling methods. Data were collected on facility type, availability of essential resuscitation equipment, socio-demographic characteristics of participants, current working unit, years of professional experience, whether a nurse or midwife received refresher training, and skills and knowledge related to neonatal resuscitation. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the association between neonatal resuscitation skill retention and independent variables. RESULTS: About 11.2% of nurses and midwives were found to have retention of neonatal resuscitation skills. Being a midwife (AOR, 7.39 [95% CI: 2.25, 24.24]), ever performing neonatal resuscitation (AOR, 3.33 [95% CI: 1.09, 10.15]), bachelor sciences degree or above (AOR, 4.21 [95% CI: 1.60, 11.00]), and good knowledge of neonatal resuscitation (AOR, 3.31 [95% CI: 1.41, 7.73]) were significantly associated with skill retention of midwives and nurses. CONCLUSION: Basic neonatal resuscitation skills of midwives and nurses in Eastern Ethiopia are not well retained. This could increase the death of neonates due to asphyxia. Being a midwife, Bachelor Sciences degree or above educational status, ever performing neonatal resuscitation, and good knowledge were associated with skill retention. Providers should be encouraged to upgrade their educational level to build their skill retention and expose themselves to NR. Further, understanding factors affecting how midwives and nurses gain and retain skills using high-level methodology are essential.

Knowledge of Basic Neonatal Resuscitation and Associated Factors Among Midwives and Nurses in Public Health Institutions in Eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal resuscitation is a means to restore life to a baby from the state of asphyxia. It is a single intervention of birth asphyxia. Over 1.2 million African babies are supposed to die in the first four weeks of their life and many of them in the first 24 hours of birth in Sub-Saharan Africa. The major cause of early neonatal death is neonatal asphyxia, which can be prevented by neonatal resuscitation. However, there is limited evidence on midwives' and nurses' knowledge of neonatal resuscitation in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of midwives and nurses about neonatal resuscitation and its associated factors. METHODS: This facility-based cross-sectional study was done on 427 midwives and nurses, who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected on facility type, availability of essential equipment, socio-demographic characteristics, working unit, professional experience, in-service training, and knowledge of neonatal resuscitation. First-degree holder midwives collected the data using a pre-tested face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: The study showed that 9.8% of the study participants had good knowledge about neonatal resuscitation. Factors significantly associated with knowledge of neonatal resuscitation were being trained on newborn resuscitation (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.73, 8.32), being unmarried (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.11, 5.02), holding bachelor sciences degree or above (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.47), and working under West Hararghe health institutions (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.88). CONCLUSION: The study participants had low knowledge of neonatal resuscitation. Being unmarried, holding bachelor sciences degree or above, being trained on neonatal resuscitation, and working under West Hararghe health institutions were factors associated with the knowledge of the study participants on neonatal resuscitation.

Evidence-based medicine among physicians working in selected public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is the process of systematically locating, searching, evaluating, and using contemporaneous research findings as the basis for clinical decision making. The systematic review showed that there is a considerable gap between what is known in the systematic research evidence and what happens in practice. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers to EBM among physicians working in public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 1-June 8, 2017. Simple random sampling with proportional allocation was used. A total of 137 physicians was included in the survey. The data were collected by interview. Data were coded and entered to EpiData 3.1 then exported to and analyzed by using IBM SPSS statistics 21.0. RESULTS: Physicians were aware of and used HINARI (22.6%), Cochrane (29.8%) and PubMed/Medline (37.9%) EBM electronic databases. The majority, (88.7%) physicians have a good attitude to EBM but only (32.3%) integrate it into clinical practice. Ability to retrieving evidence, evaluating the outcomes of the EBM practice implemented and difficulty in understanding research reports were significantly associated factors. CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of the physicians towards EBM was virtuous, but knowledge of EBM and practice of integrating new evidence in healthcare service were really insufficient. Relatively, the EBM implementation is low when compared with many studies. To obviate this, the stakeholders need to have a strong commitment to design a strategy for promoting physicians in implementing EBM to their day to day clinical decision-making process.

Health professional's knowledge and use of the partograph in public health institutions in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The partograph is a vital tool for health professionals who need to be able to identify pathological labor. It is used to recognize complications in childbirth on time and to take appropriate actions. We aimed to assess the knowledge and utilization of the partograph and associated factors among health professionals at public health institutions in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out among health professionals who were working in public health institutions. Multistage sampling with proportional to size allocation was used to recruit a total of 441 study participants. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data in this study. Eight midwives were recruited and trained to facilitate the data collection activities. Data were entered into Epi data software and exported into SPSS (22.0) for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple logistic regression were computed to determine proportions and significant association with knowledge and use of the partograph among health professionals. RESULTS: More than half of health professionals, 232(53.7%) had a good level of knowledge about the partograph. However, only 196(45.4%) of health professionals had fair knowledge of partograph. Nevertheless, the proportion of the partograph utilization to follow labor progress by health professionals was 92.6%. Working in the health center [AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.48], being a midwife [AOR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.60, 5.60] and in-service training [AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.22, 3.42] were significantly associated with good level of knowledge. Health professionals who had in-service training about the partograph [AOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.35, 4.98] and who had positive attitude about the partograph [AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.30, 6.30] were significantly associated with utilization of the partograph. CONCLUSION: Only less than half of health professionals had fair knowledge about the partograph. Having in-service obstetric care training, type of health institutions and profession were significantly associated with knowledge of the partograph. Health professionals who had positive attitude towards use of the partograph were significantly associated with the partograph utilization. We suggest regular in-service training of health professionals can enhance their knowledge and utilization of the partograph.