Knowledge of postpartum complications and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last 12 months in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia, 2019: A community-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The knowledge of women about obstetric complications can helps them to seek health care earlier before obstetric complications arise. Most maternal deaths occur due to the poor health care seeking behavior after childbirth, but little is done on maternal knowledge of postpartum complications. Therefore this study aimed to assess knowledge of postpartum complications and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last 12 months in Arba Minch Town, Sothern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 418 women from December 01 to 15, 2019. A multi-stage sampling method was applied to reach study units. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data using face-to-face interviews. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was applied to examine the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value ≤ 0.05 with the corresponding 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Knowledge of women on postpartum complications was 23.9%. Secondary and above educational level (AOR = 3.82, 95% CI: [1.70, 8.65]), Grand multiparity (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: [1.13, 4.71]), having four and above ANC visit (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: [1.10, 3.81]) and self-decision making power to seek care (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI: [2.21, 6.11]) were statistically significant factors. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Mothers' knowledge of postpartum complications was low in this study area. Improving women's educational level, decision-making power to seek health care, and counseling during ANC follow-up may be useful approaches to increase their knowledge of postpartum complications.

Determinants of late-onset neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Arba-Minch general hospital, southern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal sepsis can be either early (<7 Days) or late-onset ≥7days) neonatal sepsis depending on the day of the occurrence. Despite the decrement in early onset neonatal sepsis, there is still an increment in late-onset neonatal sepsis. Ethiopian demography and health survey report showed an increment in neonatal mortality in 2019/20. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of late-onset neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Arba-Minch general hospital, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based study was conducted from March 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021 in Arba-Minch general hospital. Cases were neonates diagnosed with late-onset neonatal sepsis with their index mother chart and controls were neonates admitted with other diagnoses at the same period. Cases and controls were selected consecutively. Data extraction tool and interview which was developed by reviewing different kinds of literature was used to collect data. Data were entered by using Epi data version 3.1software and transformed to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 software for analysis. The binary logistic regression model was used to assess determinants and variables with a p-value <0.2 were transformed to multivariable logistic regression then, a p-value < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval were used to declare significant association with the outcome variable. RESULT: A total of 180 subjects (60 cases and 120 controls) were included in this study. The mean age of neonates was 12.1 days with standard deviations of 4.3. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that; history of either sexually transmitted disease /urinary tract infection [AOR = 9.4; 95%CI(3.1-28.5)], being preterm (gestational age of <37 weeks) [AOR = 4.9; 95%CI (1.7-13.7)], use of endotracheal intubation/mechanical intubation [AOR = 8.3; 95%CI (1.8-26.4)]and either mixed types of infant feeding option or formula feeding before admission [AOR = 12.7; 95%CI(3.7-42.8)]were significantly associated with late-onset neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This study revealed that antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum factors have shown an association with late-onset neonatal sepsis. It is recommended to strengthen counseling and advice to mothers with specific risk factors of late-onset neonatal sepsis.