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Getinet Wondim,1 Genet Degu,2 Yohannes Teka,2 Gedefaw Diress3 1Key Population and Partner Notification Service, CDC, Woldia, Ethiopia; 2Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia; 3Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Woldia University, Woldia, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Gedefaw Diress Tel +251913756945Email gedefawdiress@gmail.comBackground: Reproductive health issues are an inclusive concern for both men and women. In order to improve maternal health, strengthening male participation in family planning is an important public health initiative. Yet, men are still the main decision-makers in the family in Ethiopia, especially in the rural community. There is little concrete evidence of the extent of male participation in family planning and its barriers in rural settings.Purpose: To assess the magnitude of male involvement in family planning utilization and its associated factors in the rural community of northern Ethiopia.Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was carried out on 620 currently married men. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the participants of the study. Data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with male participation in family planning.Results: In this study, only 12.5% of males were directly involved in the use of family planning using a male contraceptive method, and about 60.0% of males were involved in family planning through spousal communication and approval. Being educated [AOR=1.64; 95% CI: (1.12– 2.62)], having an educated partner [AOR= 1.77; 95% CI: (1.17– 2.94)], having a positive attitude towards family planning [AOR=2.27; 95% CI: (1.53– 3.36)], discussing with wife [AOR= 2.51; 95% CI: (1.69– 3.72)] and having adequate knowledge about family planning [AOR=1.92; 95% CI: (1.28– 2.87)] were positively associated with male involvement in family planning utilization whereas having more than three children [AOR=0.32; 95% CI: (0.15– 0.70)] was negatively associated with male involvement in family planning utilization.Conclusion: In general, as compared to the national recommendation, the level of male participation in family planning utilisation was low. In order to improve male participation in family planning, improving male knowledge and attitudes towards family planning is essential.Keywords: family planning, male involvement, contraceptive, Womberma

Background: Understanding how people perceive the risk of the coronavirus disease outbreak and its impact on undertaking protective behavior can guide the public health policymakers in taking the required measures to limit the magnitude of this outbreak.Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, risk perceptions, and uptake of preventive measures towards COVID-19 in East Gojjam zone.Methods: A mixed method study in order to obtain in-depth behavioral insights related to COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures was conducted in the four randomly selected Woredas of East Gojjam Zone. A flexible data collection tool adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) for quantitative component, and in-depth interview for qualitative component was used. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze quantitative data, and while content analysis was used for qualitative component.Results: In this study, a total of 661 study participants were included. Nearly two-third (65.5%) of respondents is residing in the rural area. Only 59.6% of respondents had better understanding of COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, less-than one-fifth (14.5%) of individuals had favorable attitude towards COVID-19. This study showed that only one-fifth (20.9%) of study participants had good preventive practices. Respondent’s residing in urban area (AOR: 0.1, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.2), who had age between 35 and 45 (AOR: 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2, 0.8), and having secondary and above education level (AOR: 0.2, 95%CI: 0.1, 0.5) had better awareness towards COVID-19 as compared to its counterparts. Similarly, study participants who had better knowledge ((AOR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.7, 5.5), and residing in urban area had favorable attitude towards COVID-19. Furthermore, respondents with confirmed comorbidity had good preventive practice towards COVID-19.Conclusion and recommendation: In this study, the level of knowledge, attitude and preventive practice towards COVID-19 is low. Residing in rural area, not having formal education, being housewife were factors significantly associated with the poor level of knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice towards COVID-19. Address peoples living in rural area through health professional to create public awareness towards COVID-19 is recommended.

Background Complementary feeding is giving other foods or fluids to infants in addition to breast milk at six months of age. For better health and development of children, it should be timely (at six months of age). Thus, this study aimed to assess timely initiation of complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers with children aged 6–23 months in Addis Zemen Town. Methods A Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 21 to April 10, 2018. Researchers recruited four hundred sixteen mothers whose child was aged from 6 to 23 months by systematic random sampling technique. We used interviewer-administrated questionnaire and then the data were coded and entered to EpiData version 4.2. It was exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Binary logistic regression model was fitted and variables p-values

Kumneger Nigussie,1 Genet Degu,1 Habtamu Chanie1 ,† Hayimro Edemealem2 1Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia; 2Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia†Mr Habtamu Chanie passed away on April 27, 2020Correspondence: Kumneger NigussieDepartment of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, P.O. Box 269, Debre Markos, EthiopiaTel +251939636117Email kumnegernigussie21@gmail.comBackground: Unintended pregnancy is an important public health concern in both developing and developed countries due to its serious consequences for women, infants, families and communities, including the risk of unsafe abortion, delayed prenatal care, poor maternal mental health, poor child health outcomes and unemployment.Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of unintended pregnancy among pregnant women in the town of Debre Markos in 2019.Methods: The magnitude and associated factors of unintended pregnancy were assessed using a community-based cross-sectional study design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select five Kebeles (basic administrative units), and households were selected from the selected Kebeles using simple random sampling. A total of 580 samples were collected through standardized pretested questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between the UP and independent variables.Results: Of the pregnant women, 202 (34.8%) (95% CI: 30.9– 38.7) participants had an unintended current pregnancy; of those 144 (24.8%) were mistimed pregnancies. Women aged 24 years were three times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those aged 35 years. Divorced and widowed women were four times more likely than women who were currently married to experience an unintended pregnancy. Gravidity 1– 2 and 3– 4 were 94% and 86% less likely than gravidity > 5 to experience an unintended pregnancy, and women who made family planning decisions on their own were less likely to have an unintended pregnancy.Conclusion: According to this study, the prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 34.8% and unintended pregnancy was significantly correlated with women’s age, marital status, gravidity and who made decisions on family planning. There is an obvious need to devise communication strategies on fertility and contraceptive issues between couples through peer education, and to encourage correct use of long-acting modern methods of family planning.Keywords: mistimed pregnancy, unintended pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy, women

Background. Chronic illnesses have a negative impact on the quality of sleep; however, patients with chronic illness do not bring sleep issues while they are coming to a health institution for a follow-up. As a result, poor sleep quality among patients with chronic illness is often unrecognized and untreated, and it results to a negative impact on the prognosis of chronic illness. Methods. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed from February 22, 2018, to April 6, 2018. The total sample size was 396. The study employed a stratified random sampling technique, and study participants were selected by systematic sampling. The data were collected by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire which is a validated and standardized tool. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 25; text, tables, and figures were utilized for data presentation. By considering a 95% confidence level and P value of 0.05, binary logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis test were enrolled. Results. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure patients was 36.5%. The odds of being a poor sleeper are increased when age increased. Patients who have poor perception towards the prognosis of their illness were four times more likely to be a poor sleeper compared to patients with good perception (AOR=4.21, 95%CI=1.94‐9.13, P=0.001). Patients who have anxiety were four times more likely to be a poor sleeper compared with patients without anxiety (AOR=3.69, 95%CI=2.19‐6.20, P=0.001). The educational level and residence were other factors associated with sleep quality. There was a statistically significant difference of sleep quality between patients with diabetes and hypertension, and diabetes and heart failure (F 2,384=10.92, P=0.004). Conclusion and Recommendations. In this study, over one-third of patients had poor sleep quality. Age, educational level, residence, perception towards prognosis of illness, and anxiety were factors associated with sleep quality. All health care providers should assess and provide advice about sleep hygiene and influencing factors. Assessment of sleep quality for every diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure patients in every visit should be incorporated in the care package.

Additional file 1: Annex I. Revised WHO Partograph.

Background Partograph is cost effective and affordable tool designed to provide a continuous pictorial overview and labour progress used to prevent prolonged and obstructed labour. It consists of key information about progress of labour, fetal condition and maternal condition. Its role is to improve outcomes and predict the progress of labour. The aim of this study was to assess utilization of partograph and its predictors among midwives working in public health facilities, Addis Ababa city administration, Ethiopia, 2017. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 15/10/2017–15/12/2017.Simple random sampling under multistage sampling technique was applied to select a total of 605 midwives working in maternity unit of selected public health facilities. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaire. Checklist based direct observations were made to all midwife participants to determine the actual practical use of partograph. Data first entered in to EpiInfo version 3.5.1 and transported to SPSS Version 21.Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and median were calculated. Biviriate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied. Any personal identification of the study participants was not recorded during data collection to ensure confidentiality of information. Results In this study, the utilization of partograph was 409(69%) out of 594 study participants. Being mentored(AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7, 5.3),received training (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI:1.5,3.6),being knowledgeable about partograph (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5), health center workers(AOR = 12.6; 95% CI:5.1,31.6),supportive supervision 4 times per year (AOR = 18.6; 95% CI: 6.6,25),supportive supervision twice per a year (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI: 1.9, 11.3),supportive supervision once per year (AOR =3.8;95% CI:1.7,8.8) were positive predictors of partograph utilization. Two midwives per shift (AOR = 0.101; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.65), and 4 per shift (AOR = 0.105, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.40) were protective predictors of partograph utilization. Conclusions More than half of the respondents utilized partograph. All public health institutions avail partograph in their laboring room but didn’t utilize it according to WHO recommended standard. Working facility, supportive supervision, mentoring, training on partograph, number of midwives working per shift, and knowledge were factors affecting partograph utilization. Encouraging interventions are recommended to the response of the above significantly associated factors.

Background. Young people constitute a large number of population worldwide, and majority of this population group lives in developing countries. They are at high risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. These risk sexual behaviors predispose youths to several sexual and reproductive health problems like STIs, HIV, unwanted pregnancy, and abortion. So, this study was conducted to assess the magnitude of risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among Jiga high school and preparatory school students, northwest Ethiopia. Methodology. Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among Jiga town high school and preparatory school students. A total of 311 students were included in the study. Systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Data was entered using EpiData version 3.1 and it was exported to SPSS version 22 for further analysis. Descriptive analysis and bivariate and multivariate analysis were also calculated to determine factors associated with risky sexual behavior. Result. Forty-eight (16%) of respondents reported that they had sexual intercourse. From those who start sex, 44 (14.7%) were involved in risky sexual behavior which could predispose them to sexual and reproductive health problems. More than half, 27 (56.3%), of respondents first sexual intercourse was before their eighteenth birthday. The mean age and SD of fist sexual initiation were 17.2 years old and 1.35 years, respectively. Factors associated with risky sexual behavior include respondents between the ages of 20 and 23 (AOR: 5, 95%, CI: 1.59–15.98), drinking alcohol (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.13–5.41), and having poor knowledge towards HIV/AIDS (AOR: 4.53, 95%, CI: 2.06–9.94). Conclusion. A large number of in-school youths are involved in risky sexual behaviors like early sexual initiation, having multiple sexual partners, inconsistence use of condom, and having sex with high risk partner (CSWs). Age of respondents, alcohol drinking, and poor knowledge towards HIV/AIDS were factors associated with risky sexual behavior. School and community based programs in reducing substance abuse among youths and increasing their knowledge towards HIV/AIDS are important.

BACKGROUND Podoconiosis is a chronic non-infectious lymphoedema affecting individuals exposed to red clay soil in endemic areas. Evidence from International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) treatment centres' registers suggests that a significant proportion of registered patients with podoconiosis fail to re-attend for treatment, putting them at risk of worsening disability associated with the lymphoedema and attacks of acute adenolymphangitis. The aim of this study was to explore barriers to access and re-attendance of patients with podoconiosis in northern Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted at three IOCC treatment sites from February to April 2013. Twenty-eight patients and three project leaders took part in in-depth interviews. Three focus group discussions were undertaken with 22 patients, patient association leaders and project staff members. RESULTS Barriers to access and to continued attendance at treatment centres were recognized by all participant groups. The following reasons were reported: lay beliefs about the disease's causation and presentation, occupational, geographic and financial barriers, stigma and conflicting expectations of treatment services. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates the multiple, step-wise barriers to accessing treatment faced by podoconiosis patients. These factors are dynamic, frequently interact and result from competing social and economic priorities.

Background: The risk of death from complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth over the course of a woman's lifetime is higher in the developing countries. Improving the health of mothers and children through well-organized institutional delivery service is central to achieve reduced maternal and child morbidity and mortality. So, factors that underlie the level of institutional delivery service utilization need to be investigated, especially in areas where little is known about the problem. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess factors influencing institutional delivery service utilization in Dembecha district, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to 30, 2015 among 674 mothers who gave birth within the last two years preceding the study using interviewer administered questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling with stratification sampling technique was used. Descriptive statistics were done to characterize the study population using different variables. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to determine association. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed. Statistical significance was declared at rho value < 0.05. Results: Of all 674 respondents, 229(34%, 95% CI: 29.8%-37.9%) of them utilized health institutions for their last delivery. History of still birth (AOR (adjusted odds ratio) = 0.25, 95% CI (confidence interval) = 0.07-0.77), number of ANC visit (AOR = 38.51, 95% CI = 22.35-66.33), functional media (AOR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.59-4.28) and distance to nearby health facility (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.32-0.83) were found to be significantly associated with institutional delivery service utilization. Conclusion: In this research the level of institutional delivery service utilization is still low compared to government initiatives. History of still birth, low number of ANC visit, unavailability of functional media and existence of distant health facilities were found to be significantly associated with low utilization of the service. So, concerned bodies should contribute their share to improve institutional delivery service utilization in the study area by tackling modifiable risk factors. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Background: After the discovery of Human Immuno -deficiency virus, screening of blood donors practically reduced viral pathogens. However, transfusion associated bacterial sepsis, which causes high mortality and morbidity remain an important public health concern, has been received very little attention in the African set up including Ethiopia. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination of blood and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern at Debre Markos referal hospital, North West Ethiopia. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted using randomly sampled 120 whole blood units. The blood samples were obtained from screened, stored whole blood. All laboratory activities were carried out as Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocol. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. P

Background; Essential newborn care is important for the proper development and healthy life of a baby. Although 70% of infant deaths occur during the first month of life, the policy-makers and health professionals in developing countries, until recently, gave little attention for the new born care. But, the principles of essential newborn care are simple, requiring no expensive high technology equipment.Objective: the main aim of this study was to assess level of community based essential new born care practices and associated factors among rural women who gave birth in the last 12 months preceding the survey in Awabel District, Amhara, Ethiopia.Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in September and October 20013. Data were collected from randomly selected 570 women by interview. The collected data were entered into computer using Epi-Data version3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Logestic regression was fitted to assess possible associations and the strength of association was measured using odds ratio with 95% CI.Results: the study revealed that the level of Essential New born Care practices was 23.1%. Educational status, (OR=7.02, 95%, CI=2.27,21.74), immediate PNC visit, (OR=3.22,95%CI = 1.18,9.48), advise about Essential New born Care practices during monthly pregnant mothers group meeting (OR=4.77,95%CI=1.11, 19.79) advise about birth preparedness during ANC visits (OR=9.05,95% CI =2.76,29.61) and presence of radio in the household (OR=7.91,95%CI=2.64,23.67) were found to have statistically significant association with essential new born care practices.Conclusion: The study identified low comprehensive practices of essential new born care in the study area. Community oriented promotion of essential new born care practices including women empowerment through education, promotion of suitable IEC materials and emphasizing and providing information and education to all pregnant women is recommended.

Female child early marriage has numerous challenges both at global and regional level. It denied access to education and economic opportunities and has a big impact on the health of the child with its complex problem on maternal and child mortality. Ethiopia is one of the countries that female child marriage practice has more prevalent and from the regions of Ethiopia. Amahra region has the highest prevalence. The main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of early marriage practice among female child from 2009 to 2013 in Sinane district northwest Ethiopia. Community-based cross sectional study design was carried out. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. A total of 802 participants responded for the interviews making the response rate 96.2%. Majority (74.6%) of the respondents were fathers and 151 (18.8%) of household heads were mothers. About 615 (76.7%) respondents wedded their daughters before 18 years of age. Sixty percent of girls married before their 15 years old. The mean marital age was (14.78 ±4.1). More than half 473 (59%) of respondents wedded one daughter each and the remaining 288 (35.9%) and 41 (5.1%) parents wedded two and three daughters respectively within the last five years. The prevalence of early marriage practice is high in the study area. Awareness has to be created in the community regarding the legal marital age and the possible devastating consequences of early marriage for the girl, family and the community as a whole.