Intention to use long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods and associated factors in health institutions of Aksum Town, North Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: In Ethiopia, the majority of married women practice predominantly short-acting contraceptive methods. Therefore this study aims to assess intention to use LAPMs and its determinants among short-acting users in Health Institutions of Aksum Town, North Ethiopia. RESULTS: Prevalence of intention to use LAPMs was 52.1% (95% CI 47.4-57.0). Good knowledge on LAPMs [AOR = 2.15; 95% CI (1.29, 3.56)], positive attitude towards LAPMs [AOR = 3.41; 95% CI (1.99, 5.85)], 18-24 years of age [AOR = 3.18; 95% CI (1.30, 7.79)], being primary school in educational level [AOR = 0.34; 95% CI (0.14, 0.78)], decision on the number of children jointly with partner [AOR = 2.05; 95% CI (1.01, 4.18)], having more than two children [AOR = 10.67; 95% CI (1.29, 88.31)], and no [AOR = 10.21; 95% CI (3.10, 33.58)] and one [AOR = 4.70; 95% CI (1.68, 13.13)] extra number of children desired were factors significantly associated with having intention to use LAPMs compared to their counterparts. The intention to use LAPMs was low. Therefore, appropriate information, education and communication strategies must be designed to raise awareness and change the negative attitude of the community on LAPMs.

Unmet need for modern contraception and associated factors among reproductive age group women in Eritrean refugee camps, Tigray, north Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Millions of women want to delay or avoid pregnancy, but they are not using contraception, especially in refugee settings. Due to lack of contraception, one fifth of reproductive age group women suffered from unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion, which accounted for 78% of maternal mortality in refugee camps. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of unmet need for modern contraception and its associated factors among reproductive age group women in Eritrean refugee camps, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2016. RESULTS: 400 women of reproductive age group interviewed. Prevalence of unmet need for modern contraception in this study was found to be 41.8% (95% CI 36.99%, 46.63%).Respondents' unfavorable attitude towards modern contraceptive methods [AOR = 0.372, 95% CI 0.170, 0.818] and the availability of modern contraceptive methods [AOR = 3.501, 95% CI 1.328, 9.231] were factors significantly associated with unmet need for modern contraception. Respondents' attitude towards modern contraceptive methods and availability of modern contraceptives were independent predictors of unmet need. Governmental and non-governmental organizations should design programs to create behavioral change in women's attitude towards contraceptive use and to secure the availability of contraceptive methods in refugee camp settings.

Magnitude and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health centers in central zone of Tigray region, northern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Anemia is defined as a low blood hemoglobin concentration (< 11 mg/dl). It is a global public health problem especially in pregnant women and is associated with higher risk for both maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. In developing countries, like Ethiopia where anemia is common, determining the magnitude and identifying factors that are associated with anemia is necessary to control it. METHODS: Facility based cross sectional study design were conducted among 638 pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health centers in central zone of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia from November 1/2017 to January 30/2018 using stratified multi stage sampling method. The data was collected through interviewing the pregnant women face to face after getting informed consent using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The data was coded and entered in to Epi-info 7 then exported to Stata 14 for cleaning and further analysis. Both Bivariable and multi variable logistic regression model was used in the data analysis. RESULTS: The overall magnitude of anemia (hemoglobin level < 11 mg/dl) were found that 16.88% (95% CI: 13.95%, 19.8%). Factors which were significantly associated with anemia in the multivariable analysis were: history of malaria attack 1 year prior to study period (AOR = 4.73, 95% CI: 2.64, 8.46), women who had history of excessive menstrual bleeding (AOR = 3.94, 95% CI: 2.11, 7.35), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4, 4.42) and three times or less meal frequency (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.5). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of anemia among pregnant were found that 16.88%. Malaria attack, excessive menstrual bleeding, pregnancy planning and meal frequency were found that significantly associated with anemia in the multivariable analysis. Pregnant women are recommended to increase meal frequency. Health providers should give attention to pregnant women who had history of malaria attack, excessive menstrual bleeding and women whose pregnancy were not planned.

Factors associated with latrine utilization among model and non-model families in Laelai Maichew Woreda, Aksum, Tigray, Ethiopia: comparative community based study.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted on 313 model and 313 non model households to assess latrine utilization and factors affecting among model and non-model families. RESULT: About 225 (71.9%) model and 144 (46%) non-model participants declared that they utilize their latrine which gave the overall utilization rate of 369 (58.9%). Households with primary and above education were two times (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.427, 4.638) more likely to utilize latrine as compared with illiterate households. Cleanness of the latrine was also found to be associated with latrine utilization in both model and non-model families. Age, type of latrine, latrine supper structure, cleanness and observable soap near the latrine in model families and age, educational status, occupation, latrine privacy and cleanness in non-model families were identified as a statistical significant factor for latrine utilization.

Family planning utilization and factors associated among women receiving abortion services in health facilities of central zone towns of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a cross sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Abortion remains among the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Post-abortion contraception is significantly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy and abortion if provided before women leave the health facilty. However, the status of post-abortion family planning (PAFP) utilization and the contributing factors are not well studied in Tigray region. So, we conduct study aimed on family planning utilization and factors associated with it among women receiving abortion services. METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among women receiving abortion services in central zone of Tigray from December 2015to February 2016 using a total of 416 sample size. Women who came for abortion services were selected using systematic random sampling technique.. The data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnair. Data were coded and entered in to Epi info 7 and then exported to SPSS for analysis. Descriptive statisticslike frequencies and mean were computed to display the results. Both Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used in the analysis. Variables statistically significant at p < 0.05 in the bivariable analysis were checked in multivariable logistic regration to identify independently associated factors. Then variables which were significantly associated with post abortion family planning utilization at p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were declared as significantly associated factors. RESULTS: A total of 409 abortion clients were interviewed in this study with 98.3% of response rate. Majority 290 (70.9%) of study participants utilized contracepives after abortion. Type of health facility, the decision maker on timing of having child, knowledge that pregnancy can happen soon after abortion and husband's opposition towards contraceptives were significantly associated with Post-abortion family planning ustilization. CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of abortion women failed to receive contraceptive before leaving the facility. Private facilities should strengthen utilization of contraceptives on post abortion care service. Health providers should provide counseling on timing of fertility-return following abortion before women left the facility once they receive abortion care. Women empowerment through enhancing community's awareness focusing on own decision making in the family planning utilization including the partner should be strengthened.

Essential neonatal care utilization and associated factors among mothers in public health facilities of Aksum Town, North Ethiopia, 2016.

BACKGROUND: Globally, neonatal death accounts about 44% of child death in 2013. Ethiopia is one of the ten countries with the highest number of neonatal death. Worldwide, more than 43% of deaths among under five year children is contributed by neonates. Half of the neonatal death occur in the first day of life. Recommendations about newborn care practices may conflict with local beliefs and practices. So, it is important to understand the existing newborn care practice and factors affecting it in order to take interventions so as to decrease neonatal death. OBJECTIVE: To assess magnitude of essential neonatal care utilization and associated factors among women visiting public health facilities in Aksum Town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2015. METHODS: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted from December 30, 2015 to January 31, 2016.The sampled population are 423 women who gave live births within the last 6 months prior to data collection. Systematic random sampling technique was employed. Data were entered, coded and cleaned using Epi info version 7, and SPSS Version 21 software was used for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with essential neonatal care utilization. Variables with P-value <0.2 in the bivariable logistic regression model were included in to multivariable logistic regression model, and finally variables with P-value <0.05 were considered as independent factors. Odds ratio was used to measure strength of association at 95% confidence level. RESULT: A total of 423 mothers included in the study. Prevalence of safe cord care, optimal breast feeding, thermal care and baby received Tetracycline eye ointment and vaccine at birth were 42.8%, 63.1%, 32.6% and 44.7% among the respondents respectively. Only 113(26.7%) of the participants fulfilled essential new born care practice. Occupation, parity and counseling on essential new born care during delivery were significantly associated with utilization of essential new born care. Employed women (AOR = 7.08; 95% CI (2.21, 12.72), 2-3 number of deliveries (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI (1.04, 3.26) and received counseling about essential new born car during delivery (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI (1.86, 6.08) were more likely to practice essential neonatal care practice than their counterparts. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Around three-fourth of mothers were not practicing Essential Newborn Care (ENC). Occupation, parity and essential new born care counseling during delivery were significantly associated with utilization of ENC. Promotion of information at community level, women empowerment and staff training is recommended.