Search

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus is primarily transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner and babies born to mothers infected with the virus. Partners of people living with HIV and children whose parents have HIV are at higher risk of contracting HIV unless they take preventive measures. This study aimed at identifying prevalence and determinants of HIV infection among family members of index cases on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 623 randomly selected family members of HIV index cases in Sodo Town from February to June 2021. A pre-tested structural questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify variables independently associated with the outcome variable. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to show the strength of association, and a P-value 0.05 was used as a cut-off point to determine the level of statistical significance of point estimate. Results: This study revealed that 31.5% (95%CI: 27.6–35.2%) of family members of index cases were HIV seropositive. In subgroup analysis, this study also revealed that 11.1% (95%CI 8.4–14.5%) of biological children and 69.6% (95%CI 63.1–75.6%) of spousal partners of index cases were HIV seropositive. Immediate ART initiation of index cases (AOR = 0.148, 95%CI: 0.067–0.325), being bedridden or ambulatory functional status at enrollment (AOR = 7.71, 95%CI: 3.5–17), and baseline CD4 level of 350 cells/ml (AOR = 8.06, 95%CI: 1.8–36) were statistically significant with the outcome variable among biological children. Among spousal partners, STI history or symptoms (AOR = 5.7, 95%CI: 1.86–17.5), early disclosure (AOR = 0.062, 95%CI: 0.024–0.159), immediate ART initiation (AOR = 0.172, 95%CI: 0.044–0.675), and duration of infection (AOR = 5.09, 95%CI: 1.8–14.4) were statistically associated with the outcome variable. Conclusion: As evidenced by our data, the risk of HIV among family members of index cases is high. Interventions like immediate ART initiation, early disclosure, screening, and early treatment of STIs for minimizing HIV transmission might be given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stillbirth is an unfavorable outcome of pregnancy, which is still prevalent in many countries despite remarkable efforts made to improve the care of pregnant women. While producing estimates consistent with other national reports, all are hindered by limited data and important causes of death are likely to be missed. However; there is a scarcity of data on stillbirth in Ethiopia particularly in the Wolaita zone. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of stillbirth among women giving birth at public hospitals in the Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public hospitals in the Wolaita zone. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 737 women. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered using Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were used and the crude and adjusted odds ratios at a 95% confidence interval with P-value <0.05 were considered to declare the result as statistically significant. Result: This study reported an 8.7% [95% CI: 6.5–10.8] prevalence of stillbirth. Women who lived in rural areas, had pregnancy and labor complications, a high number of pregnancies, a prior history of stillbirth, and a complicated delivery were associated with stillbirth. When compared to urban residents, being a rural resident increased the risk of stillbirth by 2.57 fold [adjusted OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.23, 5.40]. When compared to their counterparts, women who experienced complications during pregnancy and labor increased 6.23 fold [AOR = 6.23, 95% CI: 2.67–14.58], having a previous history of stillbirth increased 6.89 fold [AOR = 6.89, 95% CI: 2.57–13.57], and the type of delivery increased 7.13 fold the risk of stillbirth [AOR = 7.13, 95% CI: 2.71–18.73]. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of stillbirth among women who gave birth in public hospitals in the Wolaita zone was found to be high compared to national and regional figures. Therefore, the federal and regional governments should strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration with health facilities to promote the maternal and health care services utilization. The zonal health department and other concerned bodies should focus on the implementation of the strategies and policies that address and reduce the causes of stillbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]