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Background: Providing quality contraceptive counseling services is essential to support mothers in using modern contraceptives that meet their needs. However, the quality of service provision has not been evaluated in a study setting. Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality of contraceptive counseling using a service quality model in southern Ethiopia. Design: A facility-based cross-section study was conducted. Methods: The study was conducted from 15 May to 15 June 2021 at the public health facilities of Boloso Bombe Woreda in southern Ethiopia. In total, 391 clients were included using systematic sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured service quality questionnaire, entered into EPI data version 3.1, and analyzed using SPSS version 25 for data analysis. The significant difference and correlation between the mean of a client's perception and expectation were determined using the Wilcoxon's sign test. The correlation between sociodemographic characteristics and the quality of counseling was tested using the Friedman's test. A p value of <0.05 was taken as the criterion for statistical significance. Finally, the result was presented in a table and pie chart. Results: The study participants included 391 women of childbearing age attending family planning clinics, with a 96.6% response rate. Overall, the quality of advice was found to be low. Respondents' ages (p < 0.001, χ2 = 385.00), number of living children (p < 0.001, χ2 = 381.04), marital status (p < 0.001, χ2 = 359.60), type of contraceptive method (p < 0.001, χ2 = 379.61), user type (p < 0.001, χ2 = 368.59), occupations (p < 0.001, χ2 = 379.00), and educational status (p < 0.001, χ2 = 371), 20) were statistically associated with the quality of counseling service. Conclusion: In all health facilities, the quality of contraceptive counseling services was low. Family planning users had high expectations of the contraceptive counseling service compared to that which they received. Plain Language Summary: Maternal and neonatal mortality are current global problems, although there have been improvements over the last few decades. Providing quality family planning is among the most important approaches to preventing maternal and neonatal mortality. To achieve quality family planning services, we should provide quality counseling services. Improper counseling causes fear of side effects as well as rumors and misconceptions about contraceptive use. Most women have stopped using contraceptives. To address this problem, the quality of counseling services should be evaluated regularly. However, the quality of the counseling service had not been evaluated in the study area. For this reason, we evaluated the quality of advice among family planning users, which we found to be low. In the study area, substandard contraceptive counseling leads to discontinuation of contraceptive services; change in methods, from the most effective to the least effective; unwanted pregnancies; and unsafe abortions. We suggest that all stakeholders should take effective and immediate action in this study area. This, in turn, would greatly improve contraceptive use, prevent unsafe abortions and unwanted pregnancies, prevent high fertility rates, and promote the health of mothers and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the advances in modern health care, maternal morbidity and mortality remain major problems in Ethiopia. Repeat-induced abortion is an indispensable contributor to this problem. Even though there are adverse effects on health, a significant proportion of Ethiopian women procure more than one abortion during their reproductive lifetime. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of repeat-induced abortion in South Ethiopia, in 2020. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design and a systematic random sampling technique were used to collect data from 410 samples of women. Data were collected using pre-tested and semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The data were coded and entered into EpiData version 4.6.2.0 before being exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in binary logistic regressions were exported into multivariate logistic regression analysis. Finally, variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to declare statistical significance. Result: The prevalence of repeat-induced abortion was found to be 35.4% (95% confidence interval = 30.7–40). Not facing a complication in prior abortion care, having more than two partners in the last 12 preceding months, perceiving abortion procedure as non-painful, having a sexual debut before the age of 18 years, and consuming alcohol have higher odds of repeat-induced abortion when compared with their counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of repeat-induced abortion in Hawassa city is high compared to studies conducted in other parts of Ethiopia. Not facing complications during previous abortion care, perceiving the abortion procedure as non-painful, alcohol consumption, having multiple sexual partners, and having a sexual debut before the age of 18 years are found to increase the chance of repeat-induced abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Ethiopia, only one in ten reproductive-age women use long-acting reversible contraceptives. Evidence on the utilization of these methods and associated factors among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral area of Northeast Ethiopia is limited. Thus, this study aimed to assess the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral community of Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 April 2021 among 572 reproductive-age women selected by a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Epi-info version 7 and then finally exported to Stata version 16 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors affecting the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed and the statistical significance of the explanatory variables was declared at p -value < 0.05. Results: Overall, the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives was (24.3%; 95% confidence interval = 20.9%–28.0%). It was also revealed that being Orthodox (adjusted odds ratio = 4.10; 95% confidence interval = 2.20–7.65) and Protestant (adjusted odds ratio = 7.86; 95% confidence interval = 1.26–18.97) religion followers, attending higher education (adjusted odds ratio = 3.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.37–7.98), and having a husband who attended higher education (adjusted odds ratio = 4.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.98–9.67) were associated with an increased odds of using long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. Besides, having a good (adjusted odds ratio = 6.69; 95% confidence interval = 2.64–16.95) and moderate (adjusted odds ratio = 3.03; 95% confidence interval = 1.06–8.56) knowledge, and positive attitude (adjusted odds ratio = 3.65; 95% confidence interval = 1.90–7.01) toward long-acting reversible contraceptives were also associated with the utilization of these methods. Conclusion: Less than one-fourth of sexually active reproductive-age women in the study area were using long-acting reversible contraceptives. Thus, improving women's and husbands' education and women's knowledge and attitude toward long-acting reversible contraceptives is important to scale up the uptake of these contraceptive methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Discontinuation of contraceptives without any change in fertility intention is often associated with unintended pregnancy which ends up with induced abortion and unplanned birth. Despite the Ethiopian government's emphasis on the provision of long-acting contraceptive methods, little attention has been paid to the study of its discontinuation; particularly, no study has been reported in the study area. Thus, this study aimed to assess the discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Butajira town, Central Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 1 May 2020. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 227 women. Data were collected by a structured and pretested questionnaire. Epi-data (version 4.6.2) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 25) were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to predict the relation between dependent and independent variables. Finally, a significant statistical association was assured using an adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval and p value < 0.05. Results: This study revealed that the discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives was 50 (22.5%; 95% confidence interval: 17.8–27.2). The main reason for discontinuation was facing side effects 26(52%); from these menstrual disruption 19 (73.1%) was the main reason. Time consumed to reach the health facility (adjusted odds ratio: 6.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.46–25.97), desire to have more children (adjusted odds ratio: 5.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–24.81), and counseled about the benefit of long-acting reversible contraceptives (adjusted odds ratio: 0.08, 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.39) were predictors of discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study showed that the discontinuation rate was high when compared to Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2016. Routine pre-insertion counseling about the benefits and side effects of long-acting reversible contraceptives by healthcare providers is highly recommended. In addition, we recommend further trials using larger sample sizes on predictors of discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the advances in modern health care, maternal morbidity and mortality remain major problems in Ethiopia. Repeat-induced abortion is an indispensable contributor to this problem. Even though there are adverse effects on health, a significant proportion of Ethiopian women procure more than one abortion during their reproductive lifetime. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of repeat-induced abortion in South Ethiopia, in 2020. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design and a systematic random sampling technique were used to collect data from 410 samples of women. Data were collected using pre-tested and semi-structured intervieweradministered questionnaires. The data were coded and entered into EpiData version 4.6.2.0 before being exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in binary logistic regressions were exported into multivariate logistic regression analysis. Finally, variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to declare statistical significance. Result: The prevalence of repeat-induced abortion was found to be 35.4% (95% confidence interval=30.7–40). Not facing a complication in prior abortion care, having more than two partners in the last 12 preceding months, perceiving abortion procedure as non-painful, having a sexual debut before the age of 18 years, and consuming alcohol have higher odds of repeat-induced abortion when compared with their counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of repeat-induced abortion in Hawassa city is high compared to studies conducted in other parts of Ethiopia. Not facing complications during previous abortion care, perceiving the abortion procedure as nonpainful, alcohol consumption, having multiple sexual partners, and having a sexual debut before the age of 18years are found to increase the chance of repeat-induced abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Ethiopia, only one in ten reproductive-age women use long-acting reversible contraceptives. Evidence on the utilization of these methods and associated factors among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral area of Northeast Ethiopia is limited. Thus, this study aimed to assess the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among sexually active reproductive-age women in the pastoral community of Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 April 2021 among 572 reproductive-age women selected by a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into Epi-info version 7 and then finally exported to Stata version 16 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors affecting the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed and the statistical significance of the explanatory variables was declared at p-value<0.05. Results: Overall, the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives was (24.3%; 95% confidence interval=20.9%– 28.0%). It was also revealed that being Orthodox (adjusted odds ratio=4.10; 95% confidence interval=2.20–7.65) and Protestant (adjusted odds ratio=7.86; 95% confidence interval=1.26–18.97) religion followers, attending higher education (adjusted odds ratio=3.31; 95% confidence interval=1.37–7.98), and having a husband who attended higher education (adjusted odds ratio=4.37; 95% confidence interval=1.98–9.67) were associated with an increased odds of using long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. Besides, having a good (adjusted odds ratio=6.69; 95% confidence interval=2.64–16.95) and moderate (adjusted odds ratio=3.03; 95% confidence interval=1.06–8.56) knowledge, and positive attitude (adjusted odds ratio=3.65; 95% confidence interval=1.90–7.01) toward long-acting reversible contraceptives were also associated with the utilization of these methods. Conclusion: Less than one-fourth of sexually active reproductive-age women in the study area were using long-acting reversible contraceptives. Thus, improving women’s and husbands’ education and women’s knowledge and attitude toward long-acting reversible contraceptives is important to scale up the uptake of these contraceptive methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Discontinuation of contraceptives without any change in fertility intention is often associated with unintended pregnancy which ends up with induced abortion and unplanned birth. Despite the Ethiopian government’s emphasis on the provision of long-acting contraceptive methods, little attention has been paid to the study of its discontinuation; particularly, no study has been reported in the study area. Thus, this study aimed to assess the discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Butajira town, Central Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 1 May 2020. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 227 women. Data were collected by a structured and pretested questionnaire. Epi-data (version 4.6.2) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 25) were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to predict the relation between dependent and independent variables. Finally, a significant statistical association was assured using an adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval and p value<0.05. Results: This study revealed that the discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives was 50 (22.5%; 95% confidence interval: 17.8–27.2). The main reason for discontinuation was facing side effects 26(52%); from these menstrual disruption 19 (73.1%) was the main reason. Time consumed to reach the health facility (adjusted odds ratio: 6.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.46–25.97), desire to have more children (adjusted odds ratio: 5.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–24.81), and counseled about the benefit of long-acting reversible contraceptives (adjusted odds ratio: 0.08, 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.39) were predictors of discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study showed that the discontinuation rate was high when compared to Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2016. Routine pre-insertion counseling about the benefits and side effects of long-acting reversible contraceptives by healthcare providers is highly recommended. In addition, we recommend further trials using larger sample sizes on predictors of discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three hundred pregnant women and 300 women of reproductive age (controls) were selected from regions with a dietary iodine excess to evaluate thyroid and autoimmune thyroid functions. Fasting morning urine and venous blood samples were collected. Urinary iodine concentration, serum free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (sTSH), serum thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) levels were determined. Iodine levels were excessive in 83.7% of pregnant women and 80.7% of the control women. The former showed lower rates of total thyroid disease and subclinical hypothyroidism than the latter (21.7% vs 29.7%, P < 0.05; 19.7% vs 27.3%, P < 0.05). The FT3 level, FT4 level, and TGAb positive rate of pregnant women were lower than that in the controls (P < 0.05). Thus, both excessive iodine intake and pregnancy can influence the thyroid and autoimmune thyroid functions of women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]