Health-related quality of life and its associated factors among infertile women compared with fertile women in public hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Infertility can have detrimental physical, psychological, and social effects that significantly impact health-related quality of life. Although the impact of infertility on quality of life is well established, there is a lack of research comparing the quality of life between fertile and infertile women in Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 287 infertile and 301 fertile women. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. A structured, validated tool was used to collect data. An independent sample t-test was conducted to determine if there was a difference in the study participants' quality of life domains and the mean total quality of life score. Multiple linear regressions were used to correlate quality of life scores with significant predictor factors for the infertile group. RESULTS: Infertile women had a mean total Herbal of 66.54 ± 10.18, and fertile women (72.68 ± 7.57) were found to be statistically different between the groups. All domains except the physical domain were significantly different between the groups. Duration of marriage (ß = -0.529), number of previous sexual partners (ß = -0.410), total number of working hours per day (ß = -0.345), types of infertility (ß = -0.34), and history of the sexually transmitted disease (ß = -0.277), in decreasing order of effect, were found to be associated with the quality of life of infertile women (R2 = 0.725). CONCLUSIONS: The study found that infertile women had a lower mean HRQoL score compared to fertile women, with all domains except for the physical domain being significantly different between the two groups. This suggests that infertility can have a significant impact on various aspects of a woman's life, including her emotional well-being, social functioning, and psychological health. The factors associated with the quality of life of infertile women were the duration of marriage, the number of previous sexual partners, the total number of working hours per day, the types of infertility, and the history of sexually transmitted diseases, with duration of marriage having the strongest association. These findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to address the psychological and social aspects of infertility.

Complementary feeding practices and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in rural Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: The age of children up to 59 months is a critical period for children's growth and development and the age when optimal complementary feeding is crucial. Aim: To assess optimal complementary feeding practices and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in rural Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24 was used for the analyses. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted at p-value < 0.05 and an Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: The percentage of mothers that practiced optimal complementary feeding practices was 53.5% (95% CI: 49.2%, 57.6%). Average monthly income of the family, $37.5 to $75 (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.98), institutional delivery (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.46), postnatal care follow-up (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.67, 3.82), having an awareness about IYCF (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.85, 5.02), less than 30 min foot-walking to reach health facility (AOR = 2.61,95% CI: 1.65, 4.09), separate child's feeding plate (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.64), and attendance of Infant and Young Child Feeding demonstration (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.33, 3.07) were significantly associated with optimal complementary feeding practices. Conclusion: The magnitude of optimal complementary feeding practices was below the minimum recommended level for the growth and development of children in the study area. Lack of access to and underutilization of maternal and child healthcare services were significant risk factors for suboptimal complementary feeding practices. Maternal and child health services would be essential to mitigate suboptimal feeding practices for children aged 6-23 months.

Perinatal mortality and its determinants in Sub Saharan African countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite decreasing overall perinatal and maternal mortality in high-income countries, perinatal and maternal health inequalities are persisting in Sub Saharan African countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects size of rates and determinants for perinatal mortality in Sub-Saharan countries. METHOD: The sources for electronic datasets were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google, Google Scholar, and WHO data Library. Observational studies published in the English language from January 01, 2000, to May 30, 2019 were included. STROBE and JBI tools were used to include relevant articles for this review. We used a Comberehensive Meta-Analysis version 2 software for this analysis. The I2 and Q- statistic values were used to detect the level of heterogeneity. The Kendall's without continuity correction, Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation and Egger's linear regression tests were used to detect the existence of significant publication bias (P <  0.10). The effects size were expressed in the form of point estimate and odds ratio with 95% CI (P <  0.05) in the random effect analysis using the trim and fill method. RESULT: Twenty-one articles were included in this review. However, only fourteen studies reported the perinatal mortality rate. Among 14 studies, the observed and adjusted PMR was found to be 58.35 and 42.95 respectively. The odds of perinatal mortality among mothers who had no ANC visits was 2.04 (CI: 1.67, 2.49, P <  0.0001) as compared to those who had at least one ANC visit. The odds of perinatal mortality among preterm babies was 4.42 (CI: 2.83, 6.88, P <  0.0001). In most cases, heterogeneity was not evident when subgroup analyses were assessed by region, study design, and setting. Only perinatal mortality (P <  0.0001), antenatal care (P <  0.046) and preterm births (P <  0.034) showed a relationship between the standardized effect sizes and standard errors of these effects. CONCLUSION: In general, engaging in systematic review and meta-analysis would potentially improve under-represented strategies and actions by informing policy makers and program implementers for minimizing the existing socioeconomic inequalities between regions and nations.

Prevalence of Goiter and Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Demba Gofa Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorder is a major public health problem in Ethiopia that is more common in women of reproductive age. However, it is not well addressed and there is a lack of information on its prevalence and associated factors in women of reproductive age group. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess goiter prevalence and associated factors among women of reproductive age in the Demba Gofa woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was used among 584 randomly selected women in the reproductive age group from February 05 to April 20, 2016. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study kebeles, and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study samples. Data were collected through a pretested questionnaire, and the goiter examination was done clinically for each participant. The collected data were coded and entered into a computer for statistical analysis using EpiData version 3.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Variables with a P value ≤0.25 in bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis, and finally, variables with a P value <0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were considered significantly associated with the dependent variable. RESULTS: The total goiter rate was 43%, 95% CI = 39.2-46.9. Cassava consumption (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.03-4), salt wash before use (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.1-11.3), salt use after >2 months of purchase (AOR: 11, 95% CI: 5-26), family history of goiter (AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.4-15.8), and poor knowledge of iodized salt (AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4-5.5) were significant factors associated with goiter. CONCLUSION: Iodine deficiency was found to be severe in women of reproductive age in the study area. This showed that women of reproductive age, especially during pregnancy, are exposed to iodine deficiency and its adverse effects at delivery. Thus, they need urgent supplementation with iodine, improved access to foods rich in iodine, and intake of iodized salt. Additionally, health education should focus on the importance of iodized salt, the proper method of use, and the prevention of iodine deficiency, which are highly recommended to minimize the problem.

Serum level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen and hbv associated factors among vaccinated and unvaccinated children in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia: a community - based study

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health problem which is known to be the main cause of liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Production of anti-HBs which is stimulated by HBV vaccine, provides protection against HBV infection. However, not all vaccinated children develop protective or durable levels of antibody against HBsAg. Therefore, testing for anti-HBs levels after HBV vaccination is important. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess serum level of antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen among vaccinated and unvaccinated children in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was used. 540 children within the ages of 5-8 years (284 vaccinated and 256 unvaccinated) were enrolled in the study using simple random sampling in selected kebeles. Three to five milliliters of blood was collected from each study participant. Serum was separated and anti-HBsAg level was determined using ELISA. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and HBV associated factors exposure information of the study participants and their parents. Data entry and statistical analysis were done using SPSS statistical software version 21. Logistic regressions with 95% CI were used to identify independent predictors of anti-HBs. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall seroprotection rate detected in this study was 95.4% among vaccinated children, whereas it was only 6.2% among unvaccinated children. 3.1% of unvaccinated children were positive for HBsAg, indicating chronic disease, whereas 1.1% of vaccinated children were HBsAg+. Anti-HBs levels declined from 414 U/ml at 5 years after vaccination to 105 U/ml after 8 years. Conclusion and Recommendation: Protective levels of anti-HBs were detected in 95.4% of vaccinated children suggesting that there is no need for a further booster dose for these children

Determinants of active pulmonary tuberculosis in Ambo Hospital, West Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with active pulmonary tuberculosis seen in cases in Ambo Hospital, Ethiopia. DESIGN: A facility-based prospective case-control study. SETTING: Patients attending Ambo Hospital from 01 December 2011 to 29 March 2012. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 312 adult patients attending Ambo Hospital. The main outcome measure was presence of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). EXPLANATORY MEASURES: Age, gender, occupation, educational status, marital status, place of residence, patient history of TB, family history of TB, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, smoking, alcohol intake, khat chewing, body mass index (BMI), employment, diabetes, history of asthma, previous history of worm infestation, history of hospitalisation, number of adults living in the household (HH), person per room, housing condition. RESULTS: A total of 312 study participants, including 104 active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases (cases) and 208 non-active PTB cases (controls), were recruited for the present study. Having one or more family member with a history of TB (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.50­12.90), marital status (OR = 7.6; 95% CI: 2.2­12.6), male gender (OR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.4­7), rural residence (OR = 3.3; P = 0.012), being a current or past smoker (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.1­7.2), BMI < 18.5 (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.03­4.2), HIV infection (OR = 8.8; 95% CI: 2.4­23.8) and a history of worm infestation (OR = 6.4; 95% CI: 2.6­15.4) remained significant independent host-related factors for active PTB. CONCLUSION: Patients who came from a compound with more than two HHs were more likely to develop active PTB than those who came from a compound with only one HH. Those who lived in houses with no windows were more likely to develop active PTB than those who lived in houses with one or more windows, had a family history of TB, lived in rural areas. Sex of the patient was a predicting factor. Not being the owner of the house was significantly more associated with active PTB. Measures taken to reduce the prevalence and burden of active PTB should consider these determinant factors.