Seboka Abebe Sori

Background: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is a condition characterized by nausea with or without vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. It ranges from mild morning sickness to the most severe form and affects women with significant morbidity and socioeconomic impacts. Despite this, NVP is less frequently studied in community-based populations with low-income settings than expected. Thus, this study aimed to assess the burden of NVP and its associated factors among pregnant women in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from July 1 to 15, 2021, among randomly selected pregnant women from the ongoing Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System. A structured, validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire containing the PUQE score was used. Data were entered into Epi-Data 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. Finally, a p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable regression was considered as a cut-off for statistically significant association. Results: Out of 502 recruited women, 495 (98.6%) were included in the study. The prevalence of NVP in pregnancy was 70.3% (95% CI 66.5, 74.3). NVP was more likely among primigravida (AOR: 5.57; 95% CI: 2.57, 12.05), multigravida (AOR: 3.58; 95% CI: 2.08, 6.14), women with a family history of NVP (AOR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.96, 5.43), and women with no exercise before pregnancy (AOR: 6.20; 95% CI: 3.53, 10.87), whereas women with planned pregnancies were less likely to experience NVP (AOR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.84). Conclusions: The study indicated that 70.3% of pregnant women in eastern Ethiopia experienced NVP. Gravidity, family history of NVP, exercise before pregnancy, and unplanned pregnancy were significantly associated with NVP. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to establish temporal and causal relationships.

IntroductionPelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are common conditions that negatively affect women's quality of life, particularly in low-resource settings where awareness is often limited. Although knowledge of PFDs remains low in many developing settings, evidence from Ethiopia is limited, and the extent and determinants of women's knowledge have not been well explored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of pelvic floor disorders and its determinants among women in Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was utilized, employing a multistage sampling technique to select 844 women. Data were collected through face-to-face, interviewer-administered questionnaires. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with knowledge of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsIn this study, the overall prevalence of women's knowledge of pelvic floor disorders was found to be 40.5% (95% CI: 37.1, 43.7). Higher educational status (AOR = 3.28; 95% CI: 2.02, 7.54), being an urban resident (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.37, 14.03), being multiparous (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.08, 5.47), being grand multiparous (AOR = 4.21; 95% CI: 1.81, 11.1), and having awareness of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) as a medical condition (AOR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.57, 5.40) were identified as determinants of women's knowledge of pelvic floor disorders.ConclusionOnly two in five women were knowledgeable about PFD in this study area, which is considered low. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to bridge knowledge gaps, particularly among populations with lower educational attainment and those living in rural areas.

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Ethiopia, affecting more than two‑thirds of the population living in endemic regions. Although loc

Objectives: Maternal dietary practices are vital for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, comprehensive information about optimal dietary practices among pregnant women is limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of optimal dietary practices and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, African Journals Online and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published in English before 25 March 2024. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Observational studies reporting the prevalence of optimal dietary practices and/or associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia were included. Data extraction and synthesis: Data were independently extracted by two reviewers, and the quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional research. Review Manager V.5.4.1 and STATA V.14 software were used for data synthesis and statistical analysis. A random-effects and/or fixed-effects model was employed to calculate pooled ORs and 95% CIs to determine the correlation between dependent and independent factors. We checked heterogeneity using the I ² statistic and conducted subgroup analysis to explore the source of heterogeneity among the included studies. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression test were used to determine publication bias. Results: A total of 22 studies with 10 915 participants were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of optimal dietary practice was 35.83% (95% CI 28.35 to 43.32). The overall study’s quality was high, and we detected significant publication bias (Egger’s test, p value=0.001). Monthly income ≥5000 ETB/90 US$) (pooled OR (OR=2.56, 95% CI 1.12 to 5.88), formal education (OR=2.74; 95% CI 1.22 to 6.16), good dietary knowledge (OR=4.1; 95% CI 3.19 to 5.25), ownership of radio/television (OR: 5.64, 95% CI 2.05 to 15.52), favourable attitude (OR=3.90, 95% CI 3.05 to 4.99) and food security (OR: 4.48; 95% CI 3.03 to 6.61), urban residency (OR=6.25, 95% CI 4.06 to 9.63), family size <5 (OR=3.48; 95% CI 1.78 to 6.80) and absence of illness (OR: 1.80, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.37) were significantly associated with optimal dietary practice during pregnancy in Ethiopia. Conclusions: Only one in three pregnant women in Ethiopia practises optimal dietary behaviours. Several modifiable individual and sociodemographic factors influence dietary practices. Interventions focusing on improving nutrition knowledge, enhancing attitudes, expanding access to media-based nutrition information and strengthening antenatal nutrition education, particularly for rural and less educated women, may improve dietary practices and pregnancy outcomes. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024542652.

Introduction Self-report is one of the easiest, cheapest and most widely used methods of collecting data about individuals’ health and risk factor status. Many health studies use self-reported data to assess the prevalence of given risk factors or health behaviors in the community. The objective of this study was to determine the level of perceived morbidity, treatment seeking behavior and associated factors using nationally representative self-reported morbidity data. Methods This study was embedded from a community based, national representative survey which was conducted from September 27 and December 20, 2022 in ten regions and two city administrations. Data collection in the eleventh region, i.e., Tigray region, was carried out separately from December 28, 2023 to February 14, 2024, due to contextual constraints. The survey covered 441 enumeration areas within 11 regional states and two city administrations. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed to select the eligible households and a total of 9,157 household were selected. Data were collected through face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as frequency with percentages and mean with standard deviations were employed to describe participants’ characteristics. Bivariate analysis was conducted to assess the association between treatment seeking behavior and independent variables. Mixed effects logistic regression was employed to determine predictors of treatment seeking behavior. Results A total of 2030 (18.02%) household heads experienced at least one perceived morbidity in the past 12 months prior to the survey date. Of these, 776(16.21%) were urban and 1254(18.71%) were rural residents. About 1793(89.4% with 95%CI: 3.76, 3.80) sought treatment to their perceived morbidity. In the multivariable analysis, Afar (AOR=0.47; 95%CI: 0.35, 0.64), Amhara(AOR=0.45; 95%CI: 0.33, 0.61), Oromia(AOR=0.26; 95%CI:0.18, 0.38), Ethiopia Somali(AOR=0.31; 95%CI: 0.21, 0.46), Benishangul-Gumuz (AOR=0.13; 95%CI: 0.09, 0.19), SNNPR(AOR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.37, 0.70), Sidama(AOR=0.59; 95%CI: 0.40, 0.87), South west-Ethiopia(AOR=0.23; 95%CI: 15, 35), Harari(AOR=0.29; 95%CI: 19, 45), and Dire Dawa(AOR=0.80; 95%CI: 0.53, 1.00) were found to be less likely to seek treatment to their perceived morbidity compared to Tigray regional state while Gambela was 2.7 (95%CI:2.07, 3.63) times more likely to seek treatment compared to Tigray regional state. Other factors associated with treatment seeking behavior were being male (AOR, 1.2; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.37), own agricultural land (AOR=1.6; 95%CI: 1.37, 1.80), safety net beneficiaries (AOR=1.5; 95%CI: 1.27, 1.86), self-rated health status (very poor, AOR=2.4; 95%CI: 1.53, 3.90; poor, AOR=5.6; 95%CI: 4.28, 7.44; Neutral, AOR=2.9; 95%CI: 2.21, 3.68; Good, AOR=1.9; 95%CI: 1.55, 2.40) showed statistically significant association. Conclusion This study revealed that majority of the participants sought treatment from health facility for their perceived illness. However, there were significant disparities across the regions and participant characteristics. Thus, the study finding underscores the need for targeted interventions to address inequalities and identified barriers to enhance equitable health care utilization across the regions.

Background: The period immediately following delivery is crucial for addressing the many requirements women have in terms of reproductive health, including the need for family planning after delivery and for lowering the risks associated with closely spaced pregnancies. However, contraception during the immediate postpartum period has not received enough attention in Ethiopia. Information on the use of modern family planning in the immediate postpartum period is also sparse in this study area. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the level of immediate postpartum modern family planning utilization and associated factors among mothers who had given birth within the past twelve months in Gurage Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.Methods: The present study was conducted from May 1 to July 1, 2022, involving 844 mothers who had given birth in the previous year in the Gurage Zone of Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study design was utilized, with participants selected through a multistage sampling method. Data collection was performed via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. After data entry, which was done using EpiData version 3.1, analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. To investigate the relationships between dependent and independent variables, both binary and multivariable logistic regressions with 95% confidence intervals were applied. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with P-values below 5% were considered statistically significant.Result: Altogether, a total of 836 postpartum women participated in the current study. The overall prevalence of immediate postpartum modern family planning utilization (IPPFP) was (42.9%) with 95% CI (39.6–46.3%). Attending secondary school [AOR = 1.966(1.028–3.761)], postpartum women from wealthier families [AOR = 2.57 (95% CI: 1.44–4.58)], giving birth in health facility [AOR = 2.06 t (95% CI: 1.26–3.38)], reporting higher women empowerment [AOR = 4.365 (2.436–7.824)], having favorable attitude [AOR = 2.65 (95% CI: 1.86–3.78)], getting counseling during ANC [AOR = 1.93 (95% CI: 1.36–2.76)] and immediate postpartum period [AOR = 2.51 (95% CI: 1.77–3.56)] were significant associated factors of IPPFP utilization.Conclusion: This study concluded that approximately two in five postpartum women utilized immediate postpartum family planning this study area. Socio-economic and informational factors significantly influence the adoption of these methods. To enhance the uptake of immediate postpartum family planning, it is essential to improve the quality of counseling provided during antenatal care visits and at the time of delivery, thereby empowering women with the knowledge needed for informed decision-making. Additionally, efforts to change attitudes toward immediate postpartum family planning through community education and awareness campaigns are vital for increasing acceptance and utilization of these services.

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) entails utilizing the most up-to-date information to inform clinical decisions. Healthcare professionals at all levels are encouraged to integrate the latest research evidence to ensure high-quality care. In Ethiopia, there is a lack of comprehensive, nationally representative data on the prevalence of EBP among healthcare workers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the overall prevalence of EBP and its associated factors among health professionals in Ethiopia. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The investigators searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, for studies published up to June 1, 2023. Two reviewers independently carried out the extraction of data and evaluation of study quality. We employed STATA version 14 for data synthesis and statistical analysis. The investigators used random-effects and fixed-effects models to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine the correlation between dependent and independent factors. The researchers conducted subgroup analysis to explore heterogeneity among the studies included and checked heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. The reviewers assessed publication bias using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. Results: The initial search yielded 215 articles, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of good evidence-based practice among health professionals in Ethiopia was found to be 47.64 [95% CI: 41.33 to 53.96]. Having a masters and above educational status [pooled odds ratio (OR = 3.11; 95%CI: 1.945 to 4.95], good knowledge of EBP [OR: 2.44; 95%CI: 2.14, 2.78], training in EBP [OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.91, 2.77], availability of EBP guidelines [OR: 2.05; 95%CI: 1.60, 2.61], internet access [OR: 1.79; 95%CI:1.47, 2.18], availability of free time [OR: 2.05; 95%CI: 1.54, 2.72], presence of administrative support [OR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.34, 2.67], clinical experience > 5 years [OR: 2.26; 95%CI: 1.54, 3.33], and positive attitude towards EBP [OR: 1.87; 95%CI: 1.53, 2.28] were significantly associated good evidence-based practice in Ethiopia. Conclusions: Despite the importance of EBP in improving healthcare outcomes, its implementation among healthcare professionals in Ethiopia remains suboptimal. This study also identified modifiable factors associated with EBP adoption. Meanwhile, most of these factors are related to individuals and organizations. Strategies aimed at enhancing access to training and resources and fostering a supportive organizational culture are crucial for promoting EBP uptake and ultimately improving healthcare quality in Ethiopia.

Dietary diversification is a sustainable and appealing strategy for pregnant women to ensure a balanced dietary intake. In Ethiopia, despite the implementation of various nutritional initiatives, inadequate dietary diversity remains a significant factor contributing to adverse birth outcomes. Thus, this study aimed to assess the dietary diversity and associated characteristics among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Eastern Ethiopia. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 28 to May 28, 2021. A total of 420 pregnant women were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. We used the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval to estimate the strength of the association. We used a p-value of 0.05 to declare statistical significance. Only 35.0% (95% CI: 30.5, 39.5) of the 420 pregnant women involved in this study received appropriate dietary diversity. Having an educational level of college and above (AOR 3.01, 95% CI: 1.19–7.5), being an urban dweller (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.68–7.52), eating three meals and above (AOR = 7.62, 95% CI: 2.88–9.03), and having ≤4 family sizes (AOR = 9.33, 95% CI: 4.06–10.4) were significantly associated with an adequate dietary diversity score among pregnant women. This study found that pregnant women had inadequate overall consumption of a diversified diet. Increasing meal frequency, enhancing women’s education, raising awareness of dietary diversity among rural inhabitants, and offering counselling on family planning utilisation during ANC services are all beneficial in promoting dietary diversity among pregnant women.

Background: Around one-fourth of maternal deaths worldwide are attributed to hemorrhage. One of the prevalent types of maternal hemorrhage is postpartum hemorrhage. In spite of this, there is very little data on postpartum hemorrhage. Thus, the intention of this study was to determine factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage among mothers who gave birth in the selected Southern Oromia hospitals in Ethiopia.Methods: An institutional-based, unmatched case-control study was employed on a sample of 333 (83 cases and 250 controls) mothers who gave birth from March 1–30, 2021. Standardized and pretested check-lists were used to retrieve data from patients' cards, delivery registration, and operation registration logbooks. Epi Data Version 3.1 was used to enter data, while SPSS Version 25 was used for analysis. Multi-variable logistic regressions were used to identify the determinants of postpartum haemorrhage with a 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05.Results: Mothers who have no antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.03, 3.64), had pre-partum anemia (AOR = 5.68, 95% CI = 3.13, 10.32), hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.13, 9.64), intrauterine fetal death (AOR = 4.21, 95% CI = 1.68, 10.58), and genital tract trauma during delivery (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 1.52, 6.89) were found as determinants of postpartum haemorrhage.Conclusion: The study showed that factors such as lack of antenatal care, pre–partum anemia, pregnancy–related hypertension, intrauterine fetal death and genital tract trauma during delivery were responsible for postpartum hemorrhage. The early introduction of antenatal care services for all mothers plays a crucial role in reducing postpartum hemorrhage.