Antenatal care utilization and nutrition counseling are strongly associated with infant and young child feeding knowledge among rural/semi-urban women in Harari region, Eastern Ethiopia.

There is a gap in evidence linking antenatal care (ANC) utilization, nutrition counseling, and knowledge of pregnant women about infant and young child feeding (IYCF), particularly in low-income settings. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the association between ANC follow-up and nutrition counseling with IYCF knowledge. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 pregnant women in the rural kebeles of the Harari region from January to June 2019. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews on tablet computers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed. An adjusted odds ratio (with 95% CI) was used to determine the strength of association between IYCF knowledge with ANC follow-up and nutrition counseling by adjusting for educational status, occupation, gravida, and distance to the nearest health center. Overall, 54.4% [95% CI 49.2, 59.2] of currently pregnant women were knowledgeable about IYCF of which only 20% started ANC follow-up and 24.4% received nutrition counseling. Out of 288 multigravida women, only 51.4% had ANC follow-up during their last pregnancy. In the adjusted model, ANC follow-up during the current pregnancy (AOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07-3.22), those who received nutrition counseling (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.09-3.38), literate in education (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.07-2.73), multigravida (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.12-3.43), and far from the nearest health center (AOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.97) were significantly associated with the mothers IYCF knowledge. Thus, health care providers should encourage mothers to attend ANC during pregnancy and provide nutrition counseling about the IYCF.

Effect of grand multiparity on adverse maternal outcomes: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Grand multiparity remains a risk factor for a wide range of obstetric complications, especially in developing countries. Grand multiparity has been shown to increase the risks of medical and obstetric complications during pregnancies. However, in a research setting, the risk factors associated with adverse maternal outcomes have yet to be adequately investigated among grand multiparity. Furthermore, there is limited information that examines the effect of grand multiparity on pregnancy outcomes in Ethiopia through prospective follow-up design. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of grand multiparity on pregnancy outcomes in selected public hospitals in the Sidama Region State of Ethiopia. Methods: A prospective cohort study design was employed on 837 pregnant women who were admitted for delivery in selected public hospitals from January 1 to August 31, 2021. The study subjects were recruited during admission for labor and delivery. Every woman who was admitted to labor wards was screened for eligibility. The exposed group in this cohort was grand multiparity, and the non-exposed group was multiparity. Data collection was started from the first contact after admission and follow-up to discharge for adverse maternal outcomes. The risk factors for adverse maternal outcomes in grand multiparity were investigated using multivariable Poisson regression analysis. The risk factor was reported as an adjusted risk ratio (ARR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). When the P-value was <0.05, statistical significance was declared. Results: The cohort's overall cumulative incidence of adverse maternal outcomes were 39.9% (95%CI: 36.6, 43.4%). Among exposed groups, the incidence of adverse maternal outcomes were 47.1% (95%CI: 41.0-53.2) and 36.3% (95% CI: 32.3-40.6) the multiparity. When compared to multiparous women, grand multiparity was associated with a greater risk of postpartum hemorrhage (ARR = 2.1; 95%CI:1.6-2.7) and malpresentation (ARR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.01-1.7). Conclusions: Pregnant women with grand multiparity have a higher incidence of adverse maternal outcomes. Grand multiparity increased the risk of adverse maternal outcomes such as postpartum bleeding and malpresentation. In low-resource settings, we recommend that community health education, the provision of accessible and effective contraceptive services, and increased awareness of the adverse maternal outcome among grand multiparity during pregnancy on obstetric performance should be prioritized. Also, trained health providers can effectively decrease the risk factor with good antenatal care and delivery.

Multilevel analysis of grand multiparity: Trend and its determinants in the Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design from demographic and health survey 2000-2016.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at examining the magnitude, trends and determinants of grand multiparity in the Sidama regional state of Ethiopia. DESIGN: We retrieved cross-sectional data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey from 2000 to 2016. SETTING: Community-based demographic and health survey (DHS) was conducted in Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: The study population was women (aged 15-49 years) who had delivered children with the available DHS data set. OUTCOMES: Multilevel multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between grand multiparity and its determinants. RESULTS: The magnitude of grand multiparity was 70.8% (95% CI 68.5% to 72.9%). The multilevel multivariable logistic regression model showed illiteracy (adjusted OR (AOR)=2; 95% CI 1.25 to 3.75), non-use of any contraceptive (AOR=3.8; 95% CI 1.2 to 12.2), early marriage (AOR=4.5; 95% CI 2.6 to 7.9), polygamous marriage (AOR=4.2; 95% CI 2.0 to 9.3), short birth intervals (AOR=2.3; 95% CI 1.4 to 3.5) and husband's low education status (AOR=5.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 16.1) were significantly associated with grand multiparity. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that 7 of 10 women were grand multipara, and the magnitude did not show significant change over the last 16 years. Early marriage and early age at first birth, low literacy level, low family planning utilisation, polygamy, short interbirth interval and unmet need for family planning were determinants of grand multiparity. We recommended the stakeholders to design new strategies to address the root cause of high fertility factors in communities.

Effect of Grand Multiparity on the Adverse Birth Outcome: A Hospital-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Sidama Region, Ethiopia.

Background: Adverse birth outcome is associated with grand multiparity and is still a major public health problem in developing countries. There is limited information that investigates the effect of grand multiparity on perinatal outcomes in a prospective follow-up design in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of grand multiparity on the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes in the Sidama Region of Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a prospective follow-up study among 837 women who gave birth in selected public hospitals of the Sidama Region from January 1 to August 31, 2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and medical record review. A modified Poisson regression model with robust standard errors was applied to estimate the adjusted risk ratio and its 95% CI of the risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes to examine the association of the multi-parities with the adverse birth outcome. STATA Version 14 was used for analysis. Results: The overall cumulative incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes was 33% (95% CI: 29.9%, 36.4%). After adjusted for confounders, women with grand multiparity gave birth to babies with a higher risk of stillbirth (ARR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.01-2.51), macrosomia (ARR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.23-2.07), and preterm birth (ARR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.66) compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: High incidences of adverse perinatal outcomes occurred among women with grand multiparity. We recommend that the region and districts health bureau should give close monitoring for pregnant women with high parity throughout their prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods.

Toxoplasmosis infection among pregnant women in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a major issue in public health. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite. Toxoplasma parasite is at high risk for life-threatening diseases during pregnancy. Congenital toxoplasmosis results from a maternal infection acquired during gestation. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to determine the seropositive prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection among pregnant women who attended antenatal care in a health facility in Africa. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies were included. Databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, African Journals Online were used with relevant search terms. The quality of the articles was critically evaluated using the tool of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data were extracted on Microsoft word 2016. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. The heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I2 statistics and Egger's test, respectively. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval of meta-analysis using the random effect model. In total, 23 studies comprising 7,579 pregnant women across ten countries in Africa were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of seropositive toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Africa was 51.01% (95% CI; 37.66, 64.34). The heterogeneity test showed that heterogeneity was high, I2 = 99.6%, P-value < 0.001. The variables responsible for the source of heterogeneity were included from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. Overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Africa showed that more than one-half of pregnant women were infected. The risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy is high; hence, preventive measures to avoid exposure of pregnant women to Toxoplasma infection should be strictly applied.

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Associated Factors Among Women Attending Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: This study was done to assess women's knowledge of cervical cancer and associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study in eastern Ethiopia from January 1 to May 30, 2019. A convenient sampling technique was used to include 1181 women in this study. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, knowledge and awareness of women was collected using face-to-face interview. The data were cleaned, coded and entered into EPI­info version 3.5.4 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 23.0 software for analysis. The associations between independent variables and outcome variables were assessed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions. The results of these analyses were reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We declared statistically significant variables at a p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: Nearly half (574, 48.6%) of the participants have ever heard about cervical cancer. One hundred and thirty-nine (24.2%) of them did not know any of the risk factors. The majority of them mentioned bleeding after intercourse (329, 57.4%) as a symptom of the disease. Overall knowledge assessment revealed that 288 (55.7%) participants had adequate knowledge about cervical cancer. Participants' age in the range of 40-49 years (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI 1.99-5.57), having educational level above 12th grade (AOR: 12.11, 95% CI 4.57-32.09) and receiving information about the disease from healthcare professionals (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI 1.69-4.37) were independently associated with adequate knowledge of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of women towards cervical cancer in our study area was inadequate. The respondents' age, educational status and source of information were independently associated with study participants' knowledge of cervical cancer. Young women with no formal education should get special focus in prevention strategies and we also recommend regular and effective counselling, and education about cervical cancer at health institutions.

Retraction Note: Application of 4% chlorhexidine to the umbilical cord stump of newborn infants in lower income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1186/s40748-019-0111-y.].

Factors influencing women's choice for place of child birth in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth complications are foremost cause of deaths and incapacity among women of the reproductive age in developing countries. In Ethiopia, nearly a third to a fourth of births occur without the help of a trained birth assistant. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of institutional delivery and the determinants for choice of place of delivery. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed from June to August 2018 and systematic sampling method used to select eligible respondents. From a total number of 5,398 pregnant women of whom 85% had visted ANC facilities, thestudy recruited 402 mothers aged 25-34 years. These mothers had given birth one year prior to data collection in the Wondo Genet District of Ethiopia. Data was cleansed, coded, entered into Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was used to identify statistically significant variables for the choice of place for delivery. Results: More than half 216 (53.7%) of the respondents were rural residents and more than onethird 147 (36.6%) were not able to read nor write. From every 10 women, 4 were housewives thus 249 (61.9%). More than 75% of them had access to the media (majorly television and radio) Factors that were statistically significant for the choice place of delivery were primary and above educational status of women, (AOR=0.14, CI, 0.03-0.68), income greater than 3000 ETB (AOR=8.35 CI, 3.6-19.4), four or more ANC frequency (AOR=4.14 CI, 2.0-8.6) and previous planned pregnancy (AOR=4.14 CI, 2.0- 8.6). Conclusion: Prevalence of institutional delivery was 61.2%. This calls for the District Health Committee to work on myth and misconception surrounding institutional delivery. Appropriate information, education, and communication will be a vital strategy in helping women to take the initiative of visiting health facilities. Educational status and monthly income were statistically important factors in disseminating health information to enhance knowledge of the women

Application of 4% chlorhexidine to the umbilical cord stump of newborn infants in lower income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: There are conflicting results from large randomized controlled trials in different populations regarding the effectiveness of topical application of 4% chlorhexidine to the umbilical stump of newborn infants at reducing neonatal mortality. Meta-analysis and systematic review of trials performed in South Asia and Europe support 4% chlorhexidine application to reduce neonatal mortality, whereas trials performed in Sub-Saharan Africa do not. The aim of this review is to determine the effectiveness of 4% chlorhexidine application to the umbilical stump of newborn infants born in lower income countries in order to reduce neonatal mortality when compared with usual cord care.Our search strategy included randomized trials published between January1st 2000 and September 4th, 2018, that compared 4% chlorhexidine with usual cord care ("dry cord care"). The outcome variable of interest was neonatal mortality. Pooled relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model were calculated. Nine trials were included, from six countries: Zambia, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan, with a total of 257,153 participants. Five studies (N = 119,833) reported neonatal mortality. There was a 21% reduction in neonatal mortality among with 4% chlorhexidine application: pooled RR (95% CI) 0.79 (0.69-0.90), P = 0.0005. The incidence of omphalitis was decreased by 35% with 4% chlorhexidine (6 studies, N = 108,263): pooled RR (95% CI) 0.65 (0.56-0.75), P = 0.00001. Chlorhexidine application delayed the umbilical cord separation time (4 studies, N = 28,917): mean difference (95% CI) 2.71 (2.63-2.78) days.In conclusion, this systematic review found that topical application of 4% chlorhexidine to the umbilical cord stump of newborn infants in lower income countries significantly reduces the incidence of neonatal mortality. Chlorhexidine also reduces the incidence of omphalitis, but prolongs umbilical cord separation time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic Review Registration: CRD42018109280.

Factors associated with long-acting family planning service utilization in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Even though the modern contraceptive use was improved in Ethiopia, the utilization of long-acting family planning services is still low because of numerous factors. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize logical evidence about factors associated with long acting family planning service utilization in Ethiopia. METHODS: The participants of the study were married women of reproductive age in Ethiopia. This search included all published and unpublished observational studies written in the English language conducted before April 30, 2018, in Ethiopia. Electronic and non-electronic sources were used. PubMed, MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINHAL (EBSCO), Embase (EBSCO), POPLINE and the search engines like Google, Google Scholar Mednar and world cat log were used. The overall selected search results were 15 studies. Each study was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Studies. Data synthesis and statistical analysis were conducted using ReviewManagerVersion5.3.5. RESULTS: Women's inadequate knowledge level [OR, 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.83, P = 0.02], women's age between 15 and 34 [OR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.93, P = 0.01], not having electronic media [OR, 0.65; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.79, P < 0.0001] and women from rural area [OR = 0.65;95% CI:0.50, 0.81, P = 0.0009] were less likely associated in the use of long-acting family planning services. The odds of utilizing long acting family planning methods were high among non-government- employed women and husband [OR, 1.77; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.43, P = 0.0004], [OR, 1.69; 95% CI: 1.33, 2.15, P < 0.0001] respectively. Having no previous exposure to any modern family planning method [OR = 2.29; 95%CI: 1.83, 2.86, P < 0.00001] and women having no discussion with husband [OR = 1.92 (95%CI: 1.50, 2.45) P < 0.00001] were more likely associated in the utilization of long-acting family planning services. CONCLUSION: Lack of information and knowledge, having discussion with husband, being women of younger age, having less than five living children, being government-employed women and husband, not having electronic media, and being residents in rural area were significant barriers for underutilization of long acting family planning methods in Ethiopia. Hence, the investigators suggest that key stakeholders should design interventions strategies to avert attitudinal, cultural and informational barriers towards long-acting family planning methods. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: 2018: CRD42018096373.The online version of this article (10.1186/s40834-019-0095-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence and associated factors of depression among tuberculosis patients in Eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Depression among tuberculosis patients, especially in settings with low economic status is common. Screening for depression in all levels of health facilities can identify patients who need support and treatment for depression. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among tuberculosis patients in Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 tuberculosis patients attending in eleven tuberculosis treatment centers in eastern Ethiopia from February to July 2017. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Data was collected consecutively until the required sample size was obtained. Tuberclusis  patients who were under anti tuberculosis treatments for more than one month were included. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify independent factors for dependent variable depression and P-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 403 tuberculosis patients were included in the study. The prevalence of depression among tuberculosis patients was 51.9% (95%CI = 42.7, 62.2%) with 34.2% were mild cases. In our logistic regression analysis, odds of developing depression among tuberculosis patients with age less than 25 years were 0.5(50% protective effect) [AOR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.26-0.99] where as patients with a monthly income within the 25thpercentile were four times higher odds to have depression [AOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 2.15-7.39]. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression was high in this study. Age, low monthly income, the category of patients as "new tuberculosis treatment" and the first 3 months of treatment was associated with depression among tuberculosis patients. Health facilities should integrating mental health services with tuberculosis clinics, especially assessing and treating TB patients for depression, is vital.

Tuberculosis patients are physically challenged and socially isolated: A mixed methods case-control study of Health Related Quality of Life in Eastern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) impairs respiratory physiology and functional ability, resulting in economic and social dependence upon others. Patients with tuberculosis especially multi drug resistant (MDR-TB) suffer from social isolation, stigma, lack of support and economic constraints. In Ethiopia, the trend of MDR TB is increasing and becoming a serious public health problem. However, little is known about patients except treatment outcomes, financial burden and psychological distress with serious deficiency of data on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Hence, the aim of this study was to assess HRQOL of MDR TB patients in comparison with drug sensitive pulmonary TB (DSTB) patients. METHODS: We included 100 cases of MDR and 300 controls with DSTB who were matched by sex. Data were collected using SF- 36v2 TM questionnaire and analysed with SPSS version 20. Independent t-test and conditional logistic regression analysis was done considering P-values of less than 0.05 statistically significant. Eight in-depth interviews were also conducted with both groups and represented with verbatim quotations and narrative texts. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in mean scores for health related quality of life between cases and controls (57.61±16.42 and 59.13±22.10) nor were there significant differences in physical functioning, role disruption due to physical problems, vitality, social functioning, role disruption due to emotional distress, or overall mental health. Individuals with MDR-TB were significantly more likely to be single, a current student, and with lower education and families with more than 5 people than individuals with Drug sensitive TB, all of which were significantly associated with poorer HRQOL (p<0.05). There was good internal consistency of the scale scores, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.73. CONCLUSION: Individuals with MDR-TB reported statistically worse general health but less bodily pain than individuals with Drug sensitive TB. To regain the role function they lost, we recommend that health facilities, media and all other stakeholders educate the community, households and students about pulmonary tuberculosis, treatment, prevention methods and therapeutic approaches towards TB patients, specifically MDR-TB.